Adira Chow

Brunch has earned its place as a weekend ritual we all look forward to. There’s nothing quite like clocking in a few more hours of sleep and then waking up to enjoy a leisurely meal that combines the best of breakfast and lunch. Whether you’re craving classic eggs on toast, indulgent ricotta pancakes, a gourmet sandwich, or a vibrant plant-based bowl, our diverse brunch scene has something to satisfy every craving and diet.  What makes brunch in Singapore so special? It’s the way local and international influences find themselves blended effortlessly into menus, and how there are tons of options depending on the occasion – from elegant restaurants in the city to casual neighbourhood digs. In this list, we’ve narrowed down some of our favourites, including recent haunts and places we’ve been loyal fans of for years. Expect freshly baked goods, solid coffee, and dishes that go beyond the ordinary.  RECOMMENDED: The 50 best cafés in Singapore and The best brunch buffets in Singapore

The Easter long weekend is just around the corner, and it’s time to make some plans. Whether you're commemorating the occasion, rounding up the family for a day out, or finally catching up with friends, these restaurants have something special for every group, budget, and vibe. Think indulgent brunch spreads, classic Easter egg hunts, and even mermaid shows and bouncy castles for the little ones. Sip on free-flow Prosecco at a backyard barbecue, dig into a quintessentially British Sunday Roast, or go all out at a 300-dish Easter buffet. Here’s where to eat, play, and celebrate this Easter holiday. RECOMMENDED: The best Sunday brunch buffets in Singapore and The best brunch spots in Singapore

Need a change of scenery from your usual work setup? Whether your home office is less than inspiring or you just can’t stand another hour in a stuffy library, we’ve got you covered. Ditch the usual crowded coffee chains and check out these alternative spots instead. These cosy cafés offer free Wi-Fi, ample power points to charge your devices, and of course, great coffee to keep you fueled while you power through your to-do list.  RECOMMENDED: Your ultimate guide to the best cafés in Singapore and the best cafés in the CBD

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition. Call it a colonial hangover, but it makes for the perfect occasional splurge and a great way to spend the afternoon catching up with old friends. After all, what’s not to love about hitting pause and nibbling on delectable sweets and savouries on a plush, comfortable sofa? Here's where to go to raise your pinkies and clink glasses. RECOMMENDED: The most Instagrammable cafés in Singapore and the best cafés in Singapore for dessert

Ah, the roaring twenties. While many around this age in Singapore are gunning for a spot in corporate boardrooms, these five are carving their paths behind cutting boards.  I recently had the chance to sit down with five young chefs between 24 and 27 who are shaking up our dining scene in their own special ways. Some of their restaurants and hawker stalls have been open for just six months, others for two years, but what struck me most was their fearless approach to the future. In these unpredictable times, they’re saying “Scrap the five-year roadmap” and choosing to ride the wave instead. No backup plans, just a commitment to their craft and wherever it may take them. Their stories are as distinct as their cooking. When Ernest Ang of Kokoyo Nyonya Delights decided to start his own Peranakan eatery fresh out of NS, he “didn’t know where [he] got [his] confidence from”. Six-month-old Kokoyo is now a hit in the heartlands, serving up recipes passed down from his great-grandmother. Meanwhile, Blackgoat’s Fikri Rohaimi is quite the romantic at heart, taking a deeply philosophical stance and emphasising ‘purity’ in food. His Jalan Batu stall is all about cooking protein over charcoal, and capturing food at its freshest, most à la minute state. Then there’s former-athlete-turned-nasi-lemak-queen Shanice Lim, who turned her Covid passion project into a full-time gig. Two years on, So Lemak’s har cheong gai remains as popular as ever, with new dishes in the works. We also speak with

Singapore’s dining scene moves at breakneck speed – some 300 or so new restaurants open each month. That’s nearly 10 a day. Let that sink in for a bit. Even for a city that’s already one of the world’s best for food, that number is still on all accounts, quite staggering.  With so many new spots popping up, we’re on a mission to track down the tastiest, most innovative, and value-for-money spots in town. Whether it’s your favourite chef making waves with a fresh concept, or a new but undiscovered restaurant that deserves some time in the spotlight, our nifty list has got it all. Without further ado, here are the best new restaurants in Singapore to visit this year – all tried, tested, and approved by the Time Out team. RECOMMENDED: Five exciting new restaurants in Singapore to check out this month and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore you must try 

Finding great halal food in Singapore has never been easier. Gone are the days of sticking to just nasi padang and biryani—though, don’t worry, we’ve still got some legendary picks on this list. These days, the city is buzzing with Muslim-friendly spots dishing out everything from smoky American barbecue and fiery Xinjiang noodles to Cajun seafood boils and classic Italian fare. And whether you’re after a laid-back café, a lively group dining spot, or an upscale restaurant for a special night out, there’s something for every budget and occasion. So, grab your makan buddies and dive into our ultimate guide to the best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore. RECOMMENDED: The best halal Japanese restaurants in Singapore and The best halal restaurants in Orchard

Ramadan is a month of abstinence, reflection, and repentance. After a day of fasting, gather with friends and family to enjoy a well-earned meal at some of Singapore’s top halal restaurants. From lavish buffet spreads and succulent steaks to fresh seafood and Italian fare, there are plenty of places in Singapore – both traditional and modern dining spots –  that guarantee a delicious and satisfying iftar. As the sun sets, these are eight of the best spots in Singapore to break fast this Ramadan. RECOMMENDED: Your guide to Ramadan in Singapore and The best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore

The year is off to a great start with loads of exciting openings in Singapore, including a new four-storey lifestyle haven in the heart of the city. Located right next to the bustling Maxwell Food Centre is Kada, a new hotspot with plenty of dining options and health and wellness experiences. Think New Bahru but smaller in scale and also at a more accessible location – just a three-minute walk from Maxwell MRT Station. This all-in-one lifestyle enclave is housed within a conserved 101-year-old building which was formerly home to St Andrew’s Mission Hospital.  There’s much to explore here, so let us break it down for you. The first floor caters to all the caffeine addicts and foodies, with several homegrown coffee brands and restaurants to pick from. Level Two is a dedicated space for health and fitness enthusiasts, featuring five studios offering everything from pilates and personal training to hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. The co-living space Habyt occupies the third floor, providing a one-of-a-kind stay with access to the wellness facilities on the second floor. And finally, the fourth-floor rooftop houses a private dining concept and an art jamming studio.  Without further ado, here are our 10 top picks of everything you should eat, drink, and do at Kada. RECOMMENDED: The best Singapore attractions to visit and New and upcoming attractions in Singapore to check out in 2025

Not everyone has the willpower to go to bed with an empty stomach, and if you’re here, chances are you don’t either. Lucky for us, Singapore’s food scene never really sleeps. Whether it’s a post-drinks refuel, hunger pangs after a late-night work grind, or just a case of the midnight munchies, there’s always a spot to hit up. From old-school hawker classics to round-the-clock diners and even bubbling hotpot joints that stay open till sunrise, these supper spots will keep you well-fed way past bedtime. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Singapore after dark and The best free things to do in Singapore at night

Enter any hawker centre in Singapore and you’ll be greeted with a sea of endless options, from oil-coated noodles to mouthwatering stir-fry. Not many will spare a second glance at the vegetarian food stall, planted there assumably for variety’s sake.  We first stumbled upon Origanics while filming our guide to Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre. As a hardcore vegetarian bee hoon fan – my favourite being Ruyi Yuan at Block 80 Redhill Lane, which I only realised years later was meatless – I stopped for a closer look. The bright green banner caught my attention first, but it was the menu that really drew me in. Kolo mee, ‘duck’ rice, ‘fried fish’ bee hoon soup – these were all dishes Singaporeans know and love, but reinvented as meat-free versions. Photograph: Adira Chow We got talking to the owner, 32-year-old Darryl Tong, who shared his story of growing up in a vegetarian household, dropping out of school and becoming a hawker, and what Origanics is all about.  A product of circumstance Darryl grew up in a staunch Buddhist family where his parents were strict vegetarians. As a kid, he only ate vegetarian meals at home and was not allowed to bring back any form of animal products. Though he only became a vegetarian four years ago, much of his knowledge of food and cooking is influenced by his upbringing. So when it came to breaking into the F&B scene, the decision to sell vegetarian food was a natural one.  Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Darryl has been in the industry for more t

“Porridge is sick people food” – that’s what many young Singaporeans think when we picture the thick, white, bland-tasting gruel that’s ladled into plastic bowls. So understandably, tatted-up 29-year-old Darryl Peh who sports an Undefeated tee and a double-lined hard part is the last person we’d imagine to run a porridge stall.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Singapore (@timeoutsg) Darryl – who goes by Peh – took over his family’s business White House Teochew Porridge two years ago after a major operation led his father to call it quits. But letting go of decades of sentiment was not as easy for Peh, who grew up prancing around and wiping tables at the old Simon Road stall, which existed long before the days of Lola’s Cafe. “I’ve eaten this for 26 years of my life, so it’d be a waste to not have the chance to eat this again,” he says. With the additional nudge from a good friend and a resolve to do justice to his dad’s legacy, Peh picks up his spatula and gets to work quickly. The first thing on his agenda? Making sure he can cook. Photograph: Daniel Iskandar Hei bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp), curry chicken, braised duck. These are longtime customers’ favourites at White House which Peh will have to master. On top of that, there’s a whole smorgasbord of dishes lining the counter in the same fashion as what you’d see at a cai fan stall. Everything from fishcake to classic Chinese stir-fried dishes is prepared in-house daily.  Commit

Ditch the glitzy furnishings and grand cocktail bars for this casual watering hole in town. Side Door recreates the familiarity of home – a place where you know like the back of your hand, where you’re well-acquainted with all its side doors, if you will. The space is stripped back, minimal, and manages to rock an urban industrial look while still sporting a friendly atmosphere. But pleasing aesthetics aside, it’s the drinks and food that keep us coming back.  The bar is helmed by the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo Bannie and Tryson who were previously at Fairmont Singapore’s Anti:Dote – Bannie as an award-winning mixologist and Tryson as Chef de Cuisine. Think of Side Door as the bantering duo’s home away from home, where they get to show the best of what they’ve got in one space. Bannie’s mixology style is distinct – cocktails here are minimal in presentation yet complex and layered in taste. Most drinks are clarified with precision to bring out the main flavours of each ingredient. And because ‘competition mixologists’ like her are constantly put on the spot to innovate, you can expect no less than interesting and conceptual yet delicious pours at Side Door.  The Non-Fruit Beer ($26), for instance, is Bannie’s reinvention of the soju bomb, a popular drink in Korea. Here, malt whisky, lychee, Korean barley, Fernet Branca, and dry vermouth are blended to replicate a fruity pilsner. There’s also the Seaside ($26), a perennial favourite which has been with the bar since the

Six years on, The Elephant Room is still staying true to its roots. The bar sets out to be a microcosm of Singapore's Indian community, with each cocktail expertly tailored to capture the essence of Little India — its sounds, scents, spices, and stories. The current menu pays homage to the hawkers, flower traders and spice traders in the enclave, who for decades have kept its distinct culture alive. You'll find mainstays like the Buffalo Road cocktail ($25) still on the menu, because the herbaceous G&T combining pink guava gin and vetiver still hits home after all these years. Don't shy away from the food-inspired tipples either — they're packed with spicy and savoury notes. Case in point: the Spiced Crab Rasam ($28), Briyani ($28), and Chicken Curry ($28).  For more local flavour, go for the reimagined Singapura Sling ($28), the bar's rendition of the national cocktail, sporting earthy, fruity and refreshing notes. Snack on generous 10-inch servings of naan pizzas (from $14) with spicy chutney, and you're all sorted for the evening. Original review by Nicole-Marie Ng on November 6 2019 A small crowd gathers outside 20 Teck Lim Road. They shuffle around and leave dejectedly when a waiter from perennially packed, award-winning restaurant Burnt Ends turns them away. But instead of heading off and abandoning all hope of snagging a reservation, they could have tried their luck by waiting at the new bar upstairs. And with cocktails this excellent, they might end up staying all ni

If you’ve ever wanted to get acquainted with Latin American food and culture, then this vibrant festival in Dempsey Hill happening this month is a great place to begin. Latinada is the largest street food and music festival of its kind in Singapore, and it’s run by power duo chefs Daniel and Tamara Chavez, behind cult-favourite joints Tinto and Cancita. The festival is back with a bang this year, and it’s shaping up to be a revelrous three-day experience, set to take place from March 21 to 23 at Canchita. This isn’t chefs Daniel and Tamara’s first rodeo though – Latinada started in 2018, and their vision for the festival has only gotten bigger over the years. This year’s edition brings a total of 14 Latin American chefs from all around Asia, who will be cooking up a spread of Colombian, Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinian, and Chilean flavours. Some familiar names include Chef Fernando Arevalo of the newly opened Latido, Maribel Colmenares from Mami’s Tamales, and Mauricio Espinoza from Papi’s Tacos. They’ve also got chefs flying down from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Japan. Latinada will take place across two thematic areas in Canchita – the Inka Room and the Amazon Room. Over at the Inka Room, Latin American staples like ceviche, tostadas, and desserts like coconut and chocolate cakes will be served. Meanwhile, it’s a full on taco party at the Amazon Room, with flavours like beef cheek and chorizo, fish, chicken with avocado mayo, and many more. Other highlights i

Casa Cicheti takes over the quiet spot where PS. Cafe Petit once was, and it has completely refashioned the all-black interiors and marbled floorings into something more rustic and inviting. Light wood furnishings and striped fabric upholstery whisk you away to a home in the Italian countryside, and the space is bathed in swathes of soft light in the day. But it’s at night where the cosy trattoria really comes alive with noisy get-togethers and the like. In line with the familial theme, family-style sharing menus ($58 per person for lunch, $85 for dinner) are available, though be warned – these are sure to leave you stuffed. If you’re not a big eater, we recommend skipping the extras and zooming in on some of our favourites.  For starters, the gnocco fritto ($18) and carpaccio ($23) are good shouts. The former is generously laced with three slices of coppa each, while the latter has a robust flavour from the tuna-anchovy aioli and added texture from sunchoke chips. Cicheti is known to toss up a decent salad, and the Insalata Verde ($19) is no exception, with bursts of umami from the pine nuts and burnt miso dressing. The pizzas at Casa are a crossover between Roman and Neapolitan styles, hence ‘Nea-Romana’. Made with a trio of flours – finely milled 00, rye, and a larger amount of semolina, they are then fermented for 60 hours and finished off in a gas oven. The crust and base bear more similarities to the crunchy Roman pizza (sans the square shape), but they come in classic

If you told New Zealand-born chef Eliot Thomas two years ago that he would be running his own restaurant in Singapore, he wouldn’t believe you. Magpie opened its doors in early January, 2025 in the buzzy neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, serving up plates as unexpected as Eliot’s journey across the continent. On the menu? Borderless soul food.  It’s a quixotic word, borderless. But it perfectly captures the essence of Magpie, which is as much a story of a serendipitous encounter between two people from across the world, as it is about curious, experimental, and bold cooking. The idea for the bistro started when Kurt Wagner – the visionary behind popular African concepts Tamba and Kafe Utu – met Eliot on a trip to New Zealand. From there, the two got talking about their favourite culinary memories from their travels, from the fresh spices of Zanzibar to the vibrant flavours of Mexico. With Magpie, Eliot wants the experience to be “aggressively delicious” but “unconventionally familiar”. True enough, you’ll find influences from all over the globe in his dishes, from India to Italy, China to Fiji, and so on. Because of the produce-first nature of his cooking, expect the menu to change every few weeks as well. We start with the fresh tandoor bread ($9) glazed with Magpie’s butter. While it doesn’t leave a lasting impression on its own, it’s the perfect vehicle for dipping into other saucy dishes. Case in point: the grilled squid with melon chaat salad ($25) topped with chickpeas and

It’s food festival season this March, with the Kita Food Festival making its anticipated return to Singapore. The annual event celebrates the best of Asia’s culinary maestros and diverse food scene. This March 12 to 15, it’s all about legendary crossovers — think four-hands dinners, kitchen takeovers, and more. You have Chef Eugene See of the mod-Sichuan joint Birds of a Feather join arms with Chef Kelvin Cheung of Dubai’s Jun on March 12 and 13 for a four-hands dinner ($118 per person). Meanwhile, Singapore’s only West African restaurant Tamba will be hosting award-winning Australian chef Brian Cole on March 14 and 15 for a kitchen takeover. The six-course West African feast is priced at $198 per person. And there’s still more — check out the full programme here. The Kita Food Festival restaurant series ends with a bang on March 15 with Kita’s Big Barbecue ($88 per person). This massive backyard cookout will take place at the alfresco Gourmet Park Kampong Bugis, featuring six barbecued dishes prepared by chefs from buzzy joints across Southeast Asia. Headlining the event is Taiki Rattanapong from internet-viral Homeburg Bangkok, who'll be fanning the flames alongside other familiar names like Ricardo Allen (Camp Caribbean) and Adam Penney (Carnaby), as well as Waymann Cheong from the highly-raved Lucky Hole in Penang. Find out more about Kita Food Festival here.

Jungle fits right into the cluster of late-night watering holes along Ann Siang Hill. As night falls, spot a warm glow emitting from a corner shophouse unit, where the atmosphere is abuzz with the sound of chatter and classic funk tunes in the background. Here’s where plates of grilled meats and soulful Thai food come out smoking hot, while cocktails with Thai ingredients are shaken up by the counter.  The restaurant sports a snappy, no-nonsense one-pager of a menu – just the way we like it. It’s a straightforward selection of six starters, eight grilled dishes, two curries, and one dessert. Get the pomelo-lemongrass salad ($18) to start, where refreshingly sweet pulps that burst in your mouth are combined with a savoury splash of fish sauce and dried shrimp. We recommend saving some to have in between the heavier grilled dishes and curries. The grill section sees everything from Southern-style charcoal grilled chicken ($17) to lamb skewers ($15) and hammered beef brisket ($22). But if you’re spoilt for choice, the sugarcane-smoked pork jowl ($28) with nam jim jaew (a Thai dipping sauce for meats) is always a safe bet. It’ll also be amiss to not order the charcoal grilled cabbage ($12) with a soy ginger drizzle – another house favourite. Pick between the lamb massaman curry with roasted shallots and smoked ghee ($28), or the Southern crab yellow curry with wild rice shoots ($32). The crab curry has been a mainstay on the menu since Jungle’s opening. It’s a decent level of sp

Opened by the same people behind Drim Korean Steakhouse – yes, the one that Korean heartthrob Cha Eun Woo visited last year – Modu is also perched on the second floor of Mandarin Gallery. The 40-seater is elegantly styled with Hanok-inspired elements, and you can either grab a counter seat by the open kitchen, or dine in private rooms that seat up to 12 guests. All samgyetang broths at Modu are slow-cooked for minimally eight hours. The black chicken samgyetang is the cleanest tasting of the lot ($37), featuring a whole spring chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Black chicken or ogol-gye is said to be more nutrient-dense than regular chicken, with a leaner meat texture. More unique picks on the menu include the perilla seed samgyetang ($38) which has a thicker, gruel-like consistency from grounded perilla seeds, and a nuttier aroma.  There’s also the Hangover Samgyetang ($37) which gets its name from its ability to cure nasty hangovers. The spicy broth – made from a secret house chilli blend – is meant to work up a sweat that’ll rid those toxins from the body, or at least jolt the senses awake. But even if not, it’s worth a try seeing that we’ve yet to find spicy versions of samgyetang elsewhere in Singapore. Other flavours on the menu include a collagen-rich herbal soup base ($35); black sesame ($38); as well as the Beauty Samgyetang ($37) brimming with medicinal herbs to help you achieve that glass skin glow.  On top of samgyetang, you can fill up on a range of sharing sid

Bangkok’s Hereduan made quite the name for itself when it popularised a unique version of omelette rice – one that’s runnier in texture and eggier in flavour. These glistening bowls, often loaded with seafood or pork, have been recommended all over Thai social media. Well, you can now find something quite similar in Singapore, not at a restaurant, but at an unassuming coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio. Running Egg is Singapore’s answer to the Thai street food sensation. To ensure things are up to par, the owner even brought in two chefs previously from Hereduan to recreate its original recipe. All the ingredients are flown in from Thailand, from the condiments down to the eggs and rice.  On the menu, you’ll find a straightforward selection of five dishes: runny egg rice with prawns ($7.80), chicken basil ($6.80), pork jowl ($7.80), grilled pork (moo ping) ($7.80), and a  Singapore-exclusive version with luncheon meat. Add-ons of any of these ingredients are also available (from $2).  You’ll notice that the eggs here come slightly under-scrambled, with an almost watery, even soupy consistency. The signage at the stall makes it clear that it’s supposed to be “running, not scrambled” after all. As the golden liquid seeps into the bed of rice and coats each grain, it adds a luscious and creamier texture to each mouthful. Despite being slightly drenched when served, the rice remains nicely separated and doesn’t turn soggy as quickly as you might expect it to. The chicken basil egg rice

In just a matter of weeks after opening, this hole-in-the-wall along Tras Street racked up over 700 reviews on Google with a gobsmacking rating of 4.9 stars. Granted, leaving a note gets you a free bowl of curry here, but comments suggest there’s reason to believe this restaurant hailing from Busan offers something a cut above the average tonkatsu joint.  We walk in early at 11am on a Monday morning to a half-full restaurant. A smart move, as by noon, tables are fully packed. In Korea, 300 reservations across Tonshou’s four outlets are made within five minutes each day once slots are open for booking. You won’t face that problem here, since the Singapore store has a strict no-reservations policy.  Counter seats are the only option, and the best ones are right up front where the smoking charcoal grill is. Tonshou dubs itself as the world’s first charcoal-grilled pork cutlet restaurant, and its secret to success is a fastidious four-step cooking process that’s supposed to yield the ideal tonkatsu slice – crisp and succulent, with a pale pink centre. This involves low and high-temperature cooking, resting, and finishing off on the charcoal grill. If it’s your first time here, the array of tonkatsu sets on the menu can be slightly dizzying. The majority feature premium white pork from Australia, but there’s also a selection of Kurobuta (black pork) from Hokkaido, Japan.  To start, chilled corn potage – gritty, rich, and appetising – is served. Each set also comes with cabbage s

It’s been a minute since we’ve been here, but three years on and Stay Gold’s still gold. For those who aren’t acquainted with this popular watering hole along Amoy Street, Stay Gold Flamingo is a dual-concept space housing a café in the front and a cocktail bar at the back, serving up completely different experiences depending on the time of the day.  In the day, step into the sun-drenched Flamingo for brunch and coffee, and at dusk, venture to the back of the room behind velvet drapes to enter Stay Gold – a sleek, neon-lit drinking lounge. The head bartender Amos Kew and his team present ‘That’s A Nice Jacket’, their most extensive cocktail menu to date. It’s a nod to the bar team’s iconic workwear – paint-splattered jackets where each colour denotes a different level of seniority. And on this new menu, 20 thoughtful creations ($25 each) are divided into five colour-themed sections indicating – you guessed it – the profiles of the bartenders who crafted them. These range from approachable tipples in the White section, to cocktails served with interactive elements and flair in the Blue section, and complex and potent drinks under the Purple category. There’s also the Pink section showcasing cocktails doused with coffee, wine, or tea as a tribute to Flamingo, and the Red section which houses Stay Gold’s signature drinks through the years. Start easy with Shizu from the White section – a clear Ford’s Gin blend with yuzu shiso cordial, soda, and orange flower water. Despite it

How does one brace oneself for a four-hour dinner in a two-Michelin-starred restaurant? The answer, as we’ve discovered at Cloudstreet, is to simply allow yourself to be taken away. Stepping in from the electrifying energy of Amoy Street to the intimate psyche of chef Rishi Naleendra that is Cloudstreet, the disjunct is jarring. It helps to know that every restaurant deserving of a star is more than the plates it puts out. Storytelling, art, design, and service – they’re all part and parcel of the experience, meant to inform and enliven the food. Cloudstreet is Rishi; it’s the essence of his person distilled into a two-storey shophouse space. The restaurant opens up like a biography, every element a nod to a fragment of the chef’s life, from his love for Tim Winton novels, his childhood in raucous war-torn Sri Lanka, and short-lived architectural dream in Melbourne, to his foray into hospitality, finding love, and then landing in Singapore. Chef Rishi’s breakthrough came during his time at the now defunct Maca, and he later on earned his keep – and his first star – at Cheek by Jowl. Then came along Kotuwa and Fool Wine Bar.  But Cloudstreet has always been that anchor space for deeply personal exploration through food. The eight-course tasting menu ($398 per person) starts with five snacks served as individual courses, with the first bite being an Australian Coffin Bay oyster wrapped in betel leaf, a nod to the Sri Lankan custom of serving guests betel leaves as a welcome sn

Tanjong Pagar is teeming with coffee houses, but for a midday break that’s a little more special, head to Corner Corner. This new coffee concept breathes fresh life (and light) into the vinyl-clad space that is RPM by Dbespoke – a moody Japanese speakeasy-style cocktail bar by night. For an hour at most, you can immerse yourself in curated tunes handpicked daily by the team while savouring the slow art of drip coffee. The space is charming from the get-go, reminiscent of Japan’s iconic jazz kissaten (listening cafés). It’s got all the right trimmings: a sweeping counter backed by ceiling-high shelves stacked with vinyls, vintage furniture, and a faint, nostalgic scent of old wood in the air.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Corner Corner / coffee & vinyl (@corner___corner) And then there’s the menu, chock full of classic kissaten desserts, specialty coffee (from $8), tea (from $8), and indulgent cream soda floats ($8). Corner Corner’s hand-brewed selection features seasonal, fruit-forward coffee with complex flavours. We had the Benti Halo #3 ($8) from Ethiopia – a light, well-balanced brew with notes of blueberry, lavender, and earl grey. Or, check in with the friendly team for their Brewer’s Choice of the day (market price).  Tea lovers have a few interesting options. The low-caffeine kukicha (Japanese twig tea, $8) offers a grassy, nutty, and slightly umami taste, though it’s not particularly standout. For something more distinctive, go for t

It’s early spring in Seoul, South Korea, but the heat is on at the Grand Hyatt, where the announcement of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is underway. The live award ceremony takes place in the Korean city once again this year, and all eyes are on the screens, waiting to see how Asia’s hottest dining establishments fare in this round.  The prestigious list, released yearly, is decided by 350 regional voters consisting of chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and well-travelled gourmets who have visited these restaurants in the past 18 months. Earlier this month, a total of six Singapore restaurants were named in 2025’s extended 51-100 list.  Tonight, the host announces that the following Singapore restaurants are featured among this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: Odette at #7 Les Amis at #28 Labyrinth at #37 Burnt Ends at #38 Meta at #39 Seroja at #40 Euphoria at #48 Singapore celebrates seven wins this year – two short of nine from last year’s awards. For starters, Odette, which placed #10 in 2024, now sits comfortably within the top 10 at #7. Another three-Michelin-starred fine-dining stalwart, Les Amis, also rises ten spots from last year to #28 this year.  The remaining five restaurants drop a couple of spots – Labyrinth falls from #30, Meta from #28, and Seroja (last year’s impressive new entrant) from #31 in 2024. Australian barbecue restaurant Burnt Ends and Euphoria take the biggest hits, dropping 23 and 28 places respectively. Meanwhile, modern Mediterranean restauran

When it comes to top-quality macarons, there are two pastry shops from Paris in the big leagues: Ladurée and Pierre Hermé. While the former used to occupy a store at Orchard Road which shut in 2020, most Singaporeans would not have had a chance to try Pierre Hermé’s famous confectionery yet. The French patissier is known by several names – the best pastry chef in the world and the ‘Picasso of Pastry’ are some – and this year, he will debut his first Singapore store in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Set to open in mid-2025, this two-storey boutique will offer Hermé’s iconic macarons, 15 flavours of ice cream, a variety of brioches, coffee, and bubble tea for an Asian touch.  Most of the attention will be on the macarons, which are known for their delicate, flaky outer shells encasing generous fillings of velvety ganache. The two signature flavours are the Isaphan (rose, lychee, and raspberry), as well as Mogador (milk chocolate and passionfruit).  In Paris, the patisserie offers other unique flavours like kinako (soy powder), cherry blossom, and chocolate white miso, as well as dual-toned macarons that combine flavours like black sesame with caramel, or yoghurt and pistachio with raspberry.  Pierre Hermé Singapore will be part of Weave, an up-and-coming lifestyle destination in RWS, which will house even more global brands making their debut in Singapore. The store’s official opening date and menu prices are yet to be announced, so watch this space for updates.  Find out more ab

It says something when a 101 things to do in Singapore guide lists “visiting the airport” as one of its suggestions. Changi Airport never fails to impress – it’s the world’s fifth most luxurious airport, most Instagrammed, best for shopping, and also the fourth busiest aviation hub in the world. And now, it has a brand new accolade under its belt – the world’s best for food.  A recent report by the digital marketing agency SEO for Restaurants compiled data across airport websites and Google Maps to find out which airports have the best variety, quality, and pricing of food, giving each an overall score out of 100. Coming up top with a score of 87.79 is Singapore’s Changi Airport, which offers the highest proportion of dining options per the number of passengers it accommodates. And that’s considering that the airport handled a whopping 67.7 million passengers in 2024.  And it’s not just about the quantity of food choices – Changi Airport also boasts plenty of affordable and reasonably-priced dining options across its terminals.  Following behind Singapore are Zurich Airport in Switzerland at second place, and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at third. Interestingly, the report finds that Asian airports provide better value and quality in terms of food and dining compared to other continents.  Curious as to which other airports rank among the world’s top 10 for food? See the full list below.  The world’s 10 best airports for food:  Singapore Changi Airport Zurich Airport, Switzerland H

Coffee lovers across the island rejoiced when the famed Blue Bottle coffee brand announced the opening of its first gift store in Singapore last August. Despite it being a retail concept which doesn’t serve fresh coffee, it nonetheless hinted at the possibility of a full-fledged Blue Bottle café opening right here on our shores. The brand went on to host different events and programmes in late 2024, including coffee workshops and exhibitions.  Photograph: Blue Bottle Coffee Singapore Sure enough, Blue Bottle Coffee announced that it will officially launch its first Singapore café – and the first in Southeast Asia – in Lumine Singapore at Raffles City. The café is expected to start welcoming guests on April 3, 2025.  Artist renderings of the 135-square-metre space show that the current shelves stocked with merchandise will be removed to give way for tables and chairs. The café will seat 42 guests and take on Blue Bottle’s signature minimalistic design, with light wooden furnishings, a sweeping metallic coffee counter, and plenty of natural light let in through floor-to-ceiling windows. On the menu will be a roster of freshly brewed single-origin beans and Blue Bottle’s signature hand-dripped pour-over coffee. Guests can also enjoy a seasonal espresso menu curated by the brand’s in-house coffee experts.  As our local coffee scene continues to flourish – what with Apartment Coffee recently snagging the number-one spot in Asia – the arrival of this globally-loved brand is sure

We first tried Chef Fernando Arevalo’s famous house rye bread (pan de la casa) at his newly opened restaurant Latido in January, and let’s just say the experience was heavenly. Those who’ve had it at his previous restaurants Bacatá and Preludio would probably agree that it’s indeed in a league of its own.  Well, Chef Fernando has done the best thing a chef could do: take the single, most popular dish on the menu, and make it widely available for purchase – from a take-out kiosk in a food court. His new bakery Boronas officially opened on March 19, occupying a pocket-sized stall in Food Garden at Asia Square. Here, you’ll find a tight selection of fresh bakes and sandwiches, freshly made daily. The main draw? Rows and rows of the signature rye bread ($8), identifiable by its glistening surfaces of sticky fermented mushroom glaze. Each parcel is segmented into five slices, individually topped with thyme and a sprinkle of salt. It pulls apart with a fluffy, cloud-like consistency, and every order comes with a side of smoked butter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boronas (@boronas.sg) Apart from the rye bread, you can also start the day with the La Mañanera, a Latin American breakfast staple of sweet corn arepa with egg and avocado. A similar but heartier and meatier version of the dish is served at Latido, where the arepa is instead stuffed with pork jowl and eggs, and finished off with a smoked paprika sauce.  Breakfast aside, you can grab

There’s much to do at the newly revamped Jurong Lake Gardens which spans a whopping 90 hectares and includes three main areas: Lakeside Garden, Chinese Garden, and Japanese Garden. And as with any day spent out and exploring in sweltering Singapore, pit stops are a must. Eden Café is a quiet, halal-certified spot tucked away in Chinese Garden, where you can fuel up on all-day brunch, quench your thirst, or grab an ice cream to beat the heat. Getting there The café is a 10-minute walk from Chinese Garden MRT Station. Upon reaching the station, follow the signs for Exit B. Walk under the sheltered walkway across the field until you reach Chinese Garden Bridge. You should see the Cloud Pagoda on the horizon. After crossing the bridge, turn right towards the sheltered area by the water where the café is located. If you’re booking a private hire to Eden Café directly, note that you’ll likely be dropped off at Yuan Ching Road along Lakeside Garden instead. From here, it will take you 18 minutes to walk to the café. To avoid this, we recommend setting your drop-off location as Chinese Garden MRT Station Exit B and walking from here instead. The space Photograph: Eden Café Eden Café sits right by the water – not quite Maldives-clear, but still a pleasant view – and is surrounded by lush greenery. The spacious outdoor seating includes tables with direct views of the Cloud Pagoda, but the air-conditioned area is definitely recommended on a hot afternoon for a temporary respite from t

Whenever someone asks what my last meal on earth would be, my answer is always, without hesitation, hot pot. There’s nothing more comforting than a bubbling pot of soup jazzed up with your favourite ingredients, customisable to be as simple or indulgent as you like. Over at Bon Broth, the experience definitely leans more towards the latter. Bon Broth is Taiwanese chef André Chiang’s latest addition to the list of award-winning restaurants under his belt, like two-Michelin-starred Raw in Taipei and the eponymous Restaurant André in Singapore.  Photograph: Bon Broth Here, French culinary finesse meets Asian flavours. Each soup base is meticulously crafted, starting with mirepoix (a classic French mix of diced carrots, celery, and onions) and Chef André signature spicy paste, before being deglazed with a French bouillon and simmered for up to 16 hours. The result? A collagen-and marrow-rich stew, which is then layered with herbs and spices before serving.  The open-concept, 40-seater space is anchored by two circular bar counters, with booth seats available for larger groups. At the heart of each counter sits a large metal cauldron, encircled like some kind of sacred relic. This is where the said ‘mother broth’ is housed. A sleek, funnel-like apparatus dispenses water directly into the broth as it cooks – a striking design element, though more for aesthetics than function. Photograph: Adira Chow Instead of picking a soup base from an iPad or physical menu, head to the side c

One free pasta weekend was all it took for Scarpetta to become the hottest new dining ticket in town. This Italian restaurant which took over Tambi’s spot along Amoy Street has consistently attracted long queues since opening in February, with crowds prepared to stand in line for up to two hours (reservations are not allowed here). The main draw? Handmade pasta at reasonable prices.  The snug 30-seater is designed for a casual, in-and-out experience, with the main attraction being a lively chef’s table that seats up to 16 guests. Still, those who prefer a more intimate setting can opt for the booth seats. Once settled, a snappy one-page menu tells you everything you need to know. Here’s a lowdown of everything we tried and what you should too.  Photograph: Adira Chow | All'Assassina At launch, Scarpetta offers six pasta dishes, including rarer finds like the All’Assassina ($18), which quickly became our favourite. This deceptively simple dish – charred spaghetti in a Pomodoro tomato and chilli sauce – is surprisingly tricky to perfect. Achieving the ideal level of char requires precise technique, from knowing exactly when to pull the pan off the heat to timing each ladle of sauce just right to prevent the pasta from burning. Photograph: Adira Chow | Cacio e pepe If you’ve been wanting to try the classic Roman cacio e pepe ($20), this is a great place to do so. The usual tonnarelli or spaghetti is swapped out for pici (a thicker version of spaghetti) for better texture. Bu

The pizza gods have spoken – well, the judges of the 50 Top Pizza Awards have. The guide is one of Italy’s most trusted authorities on where to find the world’s tastiest slices, and it just named two Singapore pizzerias among the best in the Asia Pacific region for 2025.  As we know, 2024 was a glorious year for pizza in Singapore, with a wave of new pizzeria openings bringing much joy to carb-loving diners. Now, two of these fresh arrivals have earned a coveted spot on the prestigious list. Meanwhile, a notable shake-up sees La Bottega Enoteca, long adored in our dining scene, falling off the ranking. Photograph: Fortuna Sitting comfortably at 28th place is a restaurant that needs no introduction – Fortuna. Dubbed Singapore’s first Sicilian-Neapolitan restaurant, the humble Italian trattoria at Duxton took social media by storm when it opened in mid-2024, winning the hearts of many with its 50-hour proofed dough that boasts an incredibly fluffy and chewy bite.  Time Out’s favourite is the Fortuna 2.0 (from $30) which is a simple combination of fior di latte, yellow tomato salsa, Cetara anchovies, and Taggiasche olives. There’s also the Sitari ($35) which has wagyu tartare and unique additions of cured egg yolk and a hint of capers mayonnaise ($35). Photograph: Anto Meanwhile, one of the biggest surprises on the list is Anto, which debuts at an impressive 13th place – a full 15 spots ahead of Fortuna. The restaurant opened on Jiak Chuan Road nearer the end of 2024, offeri

Get ready, because Asia’s biggest gastronomic awards event is set to make its comeback soon. The live ceremony of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 will return to Seoul, South Korea, on March 25. But ahead of the grand reveal, an extended 51 to 100 list is first released as a teaser of sorts. Here are the restaurants in Singapore named among the 100 best in the region: Born at #54 Thevar at #70 Cloudstreet at #74 Jaan by Kirk Westaway at #77 Zén at #79 Summer Pavilion at #95 This year sees six Singapore restaurants on the extended list, two short of eight from last year. Here’s the good news – two establishments climb a couple of spots: modern Indian restaurant Thevar moves up two places from #72 to #70, while two-Michelin-starred Cloudstreet now sits at #74 compared to #82 last year.  Photograph: Cloudstreet On the other hand, several restaurants have dropped further down the list. French-Chinese restaurant Born which sat at #25 on the rankings last year is now at #54, while Jaan by Kirk Westaway which was #53 in 2024’s results is now #77 on the list. Other affected restaurants include three-Michelin-starred Zén (#79 this year compared to #57 last year), as well as Chinese restaurant Summer Pavilion (#95 now compared to #75 in 2024).  Three restaurants on last year’s 51 to 100 list are also notably absent this year – Korean fine-dining restaurant Naeum, Peach Blossoms, and Mustard Seed. See them as ‘wildcards’ of sorts, as their absence from the extended list means they’ve

Being a well-known name in the F&B industry is no longer a guarantee of survival these days, with even some of the most popular brands gradually falling off the scene due to high operating costs and poor business. Sandwich brand Eggslut and London restaurant chain Burger & Lobster are among some of the latest to be axed in a recent wave of F&B closures in Singapore. Eggslut, a food truck concept which started in Los Angeles, California, made its way to Singapore back in 2021, attracting huge crowds who lined up to try its scrambled eggs sandwiches. Popular items included the signature Fairfax and Slut stacks, oozing with creamy, runny eggs, and other breakfast toppings. After a couple of years of waning popularity, the brand closed its Scotts Square location on February 28 this year. Its Suntec City outlet shuttered earlier in 2024.  Meanwhile, Burger & Lobster will be saying goodbye to its last remaining outlet at Jewel Changi Airport on March 10, today. The chain first brought its famed lobster rolls – featuring wild and fresh Atlantic lobsters – and burgers from London to Singapore in 2019. It unveiled two outlets in the same year at Jewel and Raffles Hotel Singapore – both iconic destinations. Its Jewel branch is also perched on the fifth floor, with views of the Rain Vortex.  These are just several of the many F&B establishments which have pulled the plug recently. This month and next, five of seven F&B tenants in the National Gallery Singapore will be ceasing operations