What’s it like to dine in a cave? You might imagine dripping water from overhanging stalactites, humid air, and maybe some unwanted smells. But at this new restaurant in Singapore, you can experience the novelty of dining in a cave-like setting in dry, air-conditioned comfort.
Many were curious when the announcement of Cavern Restaurant’s opening dropped earlier this month. Ahead of its official opening on March 12, we were given a sneak peek of what to expect at this new attraction in Rainforest Wild Asia. Read on to find out all about it.
The ambience
The first question people asked when they saw the news was: is it a real cave? To that, the answer is no. Like most of the structures in the Rainforest Wild Asia, the restaurant is another of its architectural feats, drawing close references to Sarawak’s Mulu cave system in Gunung Mulu National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crystalline light fixtures mimic the cave’s droplets, and the textured walls and ceilings replicate its limestone surfaces.
The expansive area fits 150 guests, and the restaurant has plans to market it as an event space or even a location for a dream destination wedding. There’s also a bar counter that seats around 10 people, where you can watch cocktails shaken up before your eyes, adding to the visual spectacle.
While the restaurant space is pretty impressive and realistic in its own right, what’s more fascinating is the 220-metre passageway leading up to it, which is part of a larger zone in the wildlife park called The Cavern. This is a ticketed area, so you’ll need a pass to Rainforest Wild Asia to access it.
The special zone is developed in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, with features inspired by Gunung Mulu National Park. Highlights include the magnificent oculus – a popular photo spot – which lets in natural light into the cavernous space; the Drunken Forest and Cave Pearls sections that reference rock formations in the Mulu Caves; and opportunities to spot cave critters like black scorpions and racer snakes.
The food
Tunglok Group, which manages the restaurant, is known for its successful Chinese concepts, but at Cavern Restaurant, expect more Western-style sharing dishes catered to families and international visitors. Head Chef Sheng Lim has over a decade of experience at establishments like Jaan, Cure, and CÉ LA VI, so there’ll be influences from different cuisines.
In keeping with the overall theme, you’ll find dishes with unique names like the Stone Hearth Loaf ($12) – sourdough bread and salted butter; Crystal Cave salad ($22) – heirloom beetroot salad with burrata; Caveman’s Meat Skewer ($38) – beef tenderloin and vegetable skewers; and the Smouldering Core ($20) – whole grilled cauliflower with barbecue sauce.
The sourdough is a satisfying starter, with a crisp outer layer and warm, fluffy middle. Other finger foods worth a try are the pulled pork tacos ($22) which boast a smoky flavour from smoked paprika aioli; or the hot sauce wings with a blue cheese dip ($16) – these have a vinegary kick to jolt the senses. The forest mushrooms ($12) go down easily as well, thanks to the addition of thyme and beef jus.
Meanwhile, the mains section is an extensive list of 16 dishes. The Ironstrike Knuckle (braised pork knuckle, $28) looks intimidating at first glance – it’s served as a single large hunk – but is surprisingly tender and well-seasoned, pairing well with the mustard jus. We’d recommend this over other items like the grilled cauliflower ($20) and rigatoni alla vodka ($22).
Desserts are more promising. There’s a small list of four options, our favourite of which is the durian purée ($12) with soft-served ice cream and freeze-dried durian bits for added texture. The pandan bomboloni ($6), though a tad sweet, injects a nice local twist which we haven’t seen in the menu so far. The bar also shakes up four cocktails, two mocktails, and several tropical quenchers, among other beverages.
The verdict
It’s not every day you get to shout on social media that you’ve ticked “dine in a cave” off your bucket list. For the ambience alone, Cavern offers something that’s categorically out of the ordinary. Take the opposite stance then, for its menu, which offers a ‘one-size-fits-all’ experience intended to cater to families, couples, international visitors, and just about everyone. While not all the dishes hit the spot, a couple manage to stand out among the rest, and are good fuel after a long day exploring the park.
Now for the big question: is it worth a visit? We’d say yes if you already have a ticket to Rainforest Wild Asia, since you’ll get to experience the entire 220-metre cave section as well. The restaurant is the perfect way to cap off your visit and is guaranteed to impress the kids, but otherwise, we wouldn’t weather the storm to dine here.
Cavern Restaurant opens to the public on March 12, 2025. The restaurant is open daily from 11am to 9pm at 02-32, Rainforest Wild Asia, 20 Maindai Lake Road, Singapore 729825.
Find out more about Cavern Restaurant here.
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