Here are some of the hottest new restaurant and café openings in Singapore in 2020 to check out…
Are you excited to dine out at restaurants even if your group size is still limited to a party of 5? Whether you are looking for somewhere for a romantic meal or a restaurant offering a different dining experience – we have you covered with our roundup of all the latest restaurants and new cafés to discover in town.
New Restaurants & Cafes in Singapore
Hathaway Restaurant
Dempsey welcomes a new all-day café and restaurant Hathaway Restaurant. We have a little style crush on the warm woods and nude palette of this cute café furnished with beautiful Second Charm pieces. The brunch items stand out. Pengat Pisang French Toast topped with caramelised bananas stewed in coconut milk, with fresh berries and a fight-for-the-last-spoonful of Apom Berkuah ice cream. The Mezze Platter is an Indian take on bread and dips with sourdough naan, Baigan Bharta eggplant dip, a Tofu Makhani and Coconut Chutney. In the kitchen is Head Chef Tom (formerly of SKIRT W hotel) and his menu spans Peranakan signatures like Ah Nya’s Fish Curry, an ode to Ivan the founder’s grandmother, to more Western slanted dishes like Confit Poussin made interesting with Asian touches. We hear they had Pamelia Chia (author of Wet Market to Table) help plan the menu to use interesting Asian ingredients. This spot is worth checking out for your next brunch. They have high chairs for babies but no kids menu (as yet). Prices are still being confirmed – check back soon!
Hathaway Restaurant, 13 Dempsey Road #01-07 Singapore 249674, www.instagram.com/hathaway_sg
Avenue 87 Modern Asian on Amoy St: EDITOR’S PICK!
Avenue 87 is a Modern Asian concept helmed by two Singaporean friends, co-Chef-Founders Glen Tay and Alex Phan (both ex-Tippling Club). There’s so much attention to detail in this tiny little spot on Amoy Street – from the name ‘Avenue 87’ itself – both chefs were born in 1987 and grew up in Hougang: Glen at Avenue 8; Alex – at Avenue 7. To the well thought out cuisine. The tasting menu here is inspired by foods that Glen and Alex loved growing up. There’s a 4 or 6-course dinner tasting menu at $76/$98++ while lunch sets start at $29++ for 2 courses and $38++ for 3 courses. Snacks to start might include chicken chips and an inventive Kueh pie tee with aerated assam pedas, eggplant, lady’s fingers, cherry tomato, and curry leaves – little morsels of pure deliciousness. The first course might be Fresh Norwegian salmon sashimi with pear, sour cream, and ponzu- pickled wakame, soy wasabi granita, Vietnamese rice paper crackers, followed by a comforting soup made with Sea bass from Ah Hua Kelong, and anchovy buttermilk sauce. For the 3rd course, grilled octopus with house-made sambal, confit egg yolk and torched calamansi in a banana leaf is a highlight, as is the 4th course of Australian baby lamb rack with stingless bee honey sauce. The finesse and thought that has gone into each dish is a celebration of Singaporean creativity and flavour. One to add to your must-try list!
Avenue 87, 47 Amoy St, Singapore 069873, Tel: (+65) 9839 8401, www.avenue87.sg
Luke’s Lobster of NY Fame
You waited with bated breath. And it’s now here. Luke’s Lobster of New York City fame brings their Maine-style lobster rolls to town. They have set up shack in a tiny 23 seater space on the ground floor of Isetan Scotts, next to the main entrance. The team rolls out soft toasted buttered rolls filled with sustainably sourced and traceable seafood. The big draw here is the wild-caught Maine lobster rolls (4 oz, $25.50) filled with chunks of lobster drizzled with lemon butter, but our fave roll was stuffed with sweet Jonah crabs ($21.50) from the east coast of North America. Get a Trio platter of Lobster, Crab and Shrimp in half portions for $33.50 if you want to try everything. Expect queues.
Luke’s Lobster, 350 Orchard Road #01-K4, Shaw House, Isetan Scotts, Singapore 238868, Tek: (+65) 6592 7642, www.facebook.com/lukeslobstersg
Aqua Gastronomy New Dining at Resorts World Sentosa
RWS has a new multi-sensory underwater dining experience called Aqua Gastronomy. Dine “under the sea” at S.E.A Aquarium’s Open Ocean Habitat, where special pods look out to the stunning site of marine life of Reef Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks and more. The four-course menu features seafood (sustainably sourced) and cooked with Asian influences. Think Thai-style glass noodle salad with Canadian scallop or fried Japanese pearl rice with sea bass, mussels and clams. The mood is completed with dynamic lighting effects and live choreography by professional underwater divers. Aqua Gastronomy’s four-course dinner menu is available at $118++ ($98 for RWS Members). Children above the age of 10 years old are welcome. Aqua Gastronomy is extended through the end of the year 2020 – book your seats from October 12th here.
Aqua Gastronomy, Open Ocean Habitat, S.E.A. Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269, www.rwsentosa.com/en/restaurants/aqua-gastronomy
Read more: Singapore rooftop restaurants with a view
Halal-certified Suki-Suki Thai Hot Pot Buffet
Who doesn’t love a good hot pot sesh? Brand new Suki-Suki Thai at the recently-opened HometeamNS Khatib offers delicious all-you-can-eat Thai cuisine at affordable prices for the family. A rich tom yum aroma engulfs you the moment you step through its front doors, and if that’s not enough to make you want to tuck in right away, the extensive selection of served-to-the-table buffet picks will leave you drooling! Prices start at $17.90++/adult, $13.90++/child (5-12 years old) for lunch and $23.90++/adult, $16.90++/child for dinner, with optional add-ons to try the premium selection (includes tiger prawns, wagyu beef, clams, mussels and more… highly recommend!) and free flow drinks and desserts. Suki-Suki has gotten really popular in the past few weeks, so we strongly suggest booking on Chope in advance to avoid disappointment. Look out for the upcoming promo where the 4th diner dines free from 2 - 30 November 2020 on Mondays-Thursdays! Before or after your meal, make sure you take the kids to check out the super fun T-Play indoor playground nearby – ball pits, multiple slides and even a dedicated toddler play corner!
Suki-Suki Thai Hot Pot, HomeTeamNS Khatib Club House, #01-01, 2 Yishun Walk Singapore, Singapore 767944, www.facebook.com/sukisukithai
Read more: The Best Indoor Playgrounds in Singapore
Nalati Restaurant: Garden-themed CBD Restaurant
Nalati Restaurant is a new restaurant by coworking space Distrii right in the CBD (remember that spot?). This garden-themed restaurant with smart screens on the walls showing stunning landscape is helmed by Executive Chef Gary Wu. The menu offers both European and Asian fusion creations. There are great lunch sets from $15 here or a la carte dishes like Soft-Shell Crab with Almond Flakes, deliciously cooked Pan-Seared Lamb Rack, and lip-smackingly good umami Squid Ink Pasta with Squid and Prawn.
Nalati, Level 1 & 2, Distrii Singapore, Republic Plaza 1, 9 Raffles Place, Singapore 048619, (access via Distrii main entrance), Tel: (+65) 9710 6471, www.facebook.com/NalatiSG
Dumpling Darlings second outlet: EDITOR’S PICK!
Popular Dumpling Darlings, the hip dumpling and noodle spot on Amoy Street has a new sister in town. The second Dumpling Darlings can be found on Circular Rd. You’ll be able to chow down on Dumpling Darlings’ signature specials of miso mushroom noodles ($6) and Sichuan pork noodles ($6), plus freshly made dumplings. We love The Dumpling Party of 15 ($20) where you get to nibble on five different dumplings (the fried pierogi stuffed with smoked bacon and potato is a favourite). At this second branch look out for new items; prawn and crab dumpling with chili rempah and Assam mayo and the XO prawn noodle (both $10). Another spot to add to your list – even the kids will devour the dishes here.
Dumpling Darlings, 86 Circular Road, Singapore 049438, Tel: (+65) 8889 9973, www.dumplingdarlings.com.sg
Starbucks: New Branch in Heritage Former Joo Chiat Police Station
Starbucks doesn’t often get a mention in Foodie News Flash (in fact this is a first!) but this newest opening of the mega coffee empire in a heritage building does look absolutely gorgeous from the pics. Housed within a conservation building of the former Joo Chiat Police Station in Katong Square, this Starbucks is all natural wood with plenty of natural light. Colorful art pieces by local artist Danielle Tay are hung on the walls. We can’t wait to check it out!
Starbucks, East Coast Road #01-02 Conservation Building, Katong Square, Tel: (+65) 69747327, www.facebook.com/StarbucksSingapore
Butter Bean: Casual Coffee and Toast New Café
Love Nanyang coffee? Butter Bean by BreadTalk Group redefines the traditional Nanyang coffee experience for the younger generation. That means more IG-friendly Nanyang coffee-based drinks – brewed with a custom blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. BBrûlée Kopi Latte ($3.20) boasts three layers of fresh milk, coffee, and salted cream foam, while the BB Rose ($3.50) is a pretty pink drink with rose water and rose jelly. To nibble: thick toasts (with Milo or Peanut Butter), sandwiches and affordable breakfast sets.
Butter Bean, Outlets at Funan and Vivocity, www.butterbean.com.sg
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Dim Sum in Singapore
In other Foodie News:
New Menu: Arbora Hilltop Garden and Bistro
Newly rebranded Arbora Hilltop Garden and Bistro at the top of Mount Faber has a new menu to check out. Executive Chef Kenny Yeo whizzes up salads like the Arbora Rojak and Caesar Salad (in a jar), mains like Pineapple-glazed Pork Ribs and for dessert, a Flower Pot Surprise. One of our team tried this with her kids and their verdict was that this dessert was “the best thing they’ve ever tried!”. Plus taking a cable car to get to your meal is pretty fun for the family. The views are stunning – walk over to Faber Point and Henderson Waves (or even all the way over to Hort Park) to make a whole afternoon of it.
Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro, 109 Mount Faber Road, Faber Peak, Singapore 099203, www.onefabergroup.com/arbora
New Menu: Thank-Goodness-It’s Seafood
Thank Goodness It’s (TGI) is back with a new seafood concept after their legendary Nasi Lemak concept ended on 30 August. The brainchild of Gastrogig, TGI presents a different virtual culinary pop-up every other month. This month Chef Shen Tan creates Mod-Sin dishes available for delivery, with herbs and vegetables harvested from Gastrogig’s 350sqm garden. Notably the TGI’s Nasi Ulam 2.0. uses over 20 different herbs some of which were grown especially for this dish! Other mains include Salted Egg Cured Barramundi (from local farm Ah Hua Kelong), 22-Spice Pork Shoulder Confit and handmade Oyster Sourdough Pasta made with fresh Japanese oyster puree and sourdough discard. TGI ‘s Seafood edition has something for everyone, including options for kids and vegans (the GG Garden Curry with freshly harvested green papaya, tapioca leaves, eggplant, and lady’s finger is a highlight). Thank-Goodness-It’s Seafood will be available from 9 September till 1 November 2020.
www.thankgoodnessits.com
New Menu: RVLT
Have you heard of RVLT? This hidden gem of a gastro bar with minimalist decor and red lighting giving it a speakeasy-style feel, serves boutique wines by small-batch winegrowers from around the world – lots of biodynamic and orange wines. And the food? The new menu offers creative elevated morsels. Think “Chicken NcNuggets”($20) which is a labour of love by the chefs, served with a spicy sidekick of house-fermented sriracha sauce. Whatever you do, don’t miss the stunning Wild spanner crab with dashi crystal bread and caviar ($36) – it will blow your mind, and the Buckwheat pasta with monkfish liver sauce, smoked Bouchot mussels and avruga caviar ($36). These guys know their flavours and there is so much effort that goes into the food from making sourdough bread to noodles from scratch. The menu has also thoughtfully introduced more vegan and vegetarian dishes, including Nori cracker with avocado, petit pois and sherry gel ($14), and Braised leeks with potato-leek veloute, buah keluak coulis and pine nuts ($28). Definitely one to add to your list!
RVLT, 38 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059917, Tel: (+65) 6909 5709, www.winervlt.sg
New Restaurants Featured in Past Foodie News Flash:
Lead image: Hathaway Restaurant by @FLAVOURFORAGER
