Gourmei
Photograph: Gourmei
Photograph: Gourmei

The best keto-friendly restaurants, cafés and delivery services in Singapore

Eating out is possible even when you’re on this restrictive diet

Fabian Loo
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Here’s the thing: embarking on a ketogenic diet is no easy task. Carbohydrates are swapped out for fats, which means that basic staples like bread, rice, and noodles are a no-no. It's basically a restrictive diet that limits what you can and can't consume. But many adopt a keto diet for health reasons – replacing carbs with fats places your body in ketosis, causing it to burn fats for fuel. It’s great for those looking to shed some pounds, but even better for the associated health benefits: reduced blood sugars and insulin levels. We round up some keto-friendly restaurants you can pop by for a meal. 

RECOMMENDED: The best healthy restaurants in Singapore and the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore

Restaurants and cafés

  • Tanjong Pagar

Persea hopes to make keto-friendly cuisine look, and taste good. The restaurant could well be the first in Singapore dedicated to the restrictive diet – everything from mains to desserts, and even cocktails, are keto-compliant. A QR code at the back of the menu even displays the nutritional breakdown of each item (great for those tracking their diet). The offerings are designed to switch up every few months. Now, Mediterranean flavours are given the spotlight, with highlights that include a nutty, creamy Eggs Muhammara ($14); calamari dressed in zhug ($24); flaky barramundi ($28) with saffron-scented beurre blanc; and more. Even the drinks programme comes formulated with sugars and candied syrups, so you can still indulge in a tipple of chrysanthemum-spiked gin and tonic ($16) and even a version of rum and coke ($18).

  • Italian
  • Tanjong Pagar
  • price 1 of 4

Sofi Cafe Pizza has a dedicated keto menu that turns the usual carb-heavy Italian dishes into lighter options. The Keto Pizza, for instance, uses psyllium fibre and almond meal as a base, and can come topped in options of burrata ($33), parma ($32), pulled pork ($29.90), and more. Almond meal, egg yolk, and olive oil are also used to create the pasta dough, which is then transformed into heartier creations of beef lasagna ($32), and gnocchi ($27) with tomatoes. Desserts aren’t overlooked either. End the meal with some tiramisu ($16.50) or dark chocolate brownies ($6.50), paired with Bulletproof coffee ($8.80).

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  • Vegetarian
  • Bukit Timah

Raw and plant-based cuisine might rule the menu here, but the café also adopts a healthy philosophy of not using refined sugars, preservatives, and artificial additives or colourings in its food. Those on a keto diet can get the herbed salmon burger ($20) with lettuce buns instead (and skip the potato wedges) or pack some healthy fats from the zucchini lasagne ($20), which comes with layers of macadamia cheese, creamy cashew mayo, and taco ‘meat’.

  • Tanjong Pagar

More than just another #eatclean café, Kitchen by Food Rebel uses fresh ingredients and organic produce to create a menu suitable for those with various food intolerances. While not explicitly keto-specific, the menu has a few options that can be enjoyed by those on that HFLC diet. Browse its Ultimate Performance menu for a breakdown of each dish’s macronutrients. For instance, the low carb Rebel chicken burger ($21) swaps out regular buns for lettuce while the ultimate breakfast ($15) comes loaded with cage-free eggs, peppers, beef, mushroom, and avocado.

Desserts

  • Bakeries
  • City Hall

Bread and other sweet treats are a common craving for those on a keto diet. Baker Janti Joso Brasli knows this all too well, which was why it inspired her to create her own line of keto-friendly bakes. It started as an online outfit before growing into a brick-and-mortar store along Seah Street. Customers flock to Seriously Keto for its Blackout Bun ($9.20 for two pieces) and a range of savouries like the rosemary loaf ($10.90) and garlic pretzels ($5.90). It also serves a lean Thai ice tea ($6.50) complete with konnyaku jelly bits.

  • Bakeries
  • Outram

Kekito Bakery creates a range of Jap-inspired, keto-compliant cheesecakes. At just 1.3g of carbs per slice, the signature Yuzu Japanese cheesecake will satisfy those with a sweet tooth. In fact, indulging in the whole cake (from $32) will give you less than 8g of carbs (which is even lesser than consuming a whole avocado). To achieve this, baker and founder Charlene Yang uses a natural, zero-calorie sugar substitute that does not impact blood sugar levels. The cheesecake-focused menu also features strawberry, blueberry yoghurt, and a no-bake chocolate version.

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  • Shopping
  • Kallang

The bakery has always been creating healthier versions of sweet treats. So when baker Delcie Lam embarked on her keto journey, it was only natural that she started developing keto-friendly recipes for her desserts. Popular options include the opera cake (from $95) and the Coconut Rocher (from $90). Beyond cakes, the bakery also sells keto versions of double chocolate chip muffins ($36 for four), cookies ($32.80), bread, and more.

Delivery services

Ketomei and Gourmei

While it is easy to find Western versions of keto-compliant meals, it is much harder to find Asian dishes that are prepped with high-fat, low-carb ingredients in mind. Ketomei’s founder, Constant Tong, wanted to change that. In his keto meal subscription service, Ketomei, you’ll find dishes of Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and Korean bulgogi on the menu, alongside Western plates of peri peri chicken and Tuscan chicken. Carbs of rice and noodles are swapped with keto-compliant ingredients of cauliflower and konjac to create hearty meals filled with protein – and without the risk of raising sugar levels. Prices start from $14 a meal for a 12-meal trial plan, and the menu changes weekly to ensure variety.

Looking for something fancier? Gourmei turns the restrictive diet into fine-dining meals. Indulge without any worry with these guiltless creations that feature Côte de Boeuf ($128), duck leg confit ($23.60), and more.

Eating clean?

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