Here are some of the hottest new restaurants and recently opened cafés in Singapore in 2021…
New cafés and restaurants are popping up all over town! Had your fill of dim sum restaurants, steamboat, and Korean BBQ restos, and looking to dine somewhere new? Keep your finger on the pulse of the latest restaurant openings and new cafés so you can book that girls’ dinner or a night out with your plus one! Here’s our list of the hottest new cafés and recent restaurant openings in Singapore.
New Restaurants & Cafés to check out…
1. Tapas, 24 – Hot new tapas restaurant (Editor’s Pick!)
Tapas, 24 has just opened on Rob Quay (taking over the space occupied by defunct Summerlong)! Tapas, 24 is an award-winning restaurant by Chef Carles Abellán – in fact it’s one of Barcelona’s hottest dining destinations! There’s a fun buzzy atmosphere and tempting Sangria and Spanish cocktails (that also come in jugs!). Highlights from the tapas menu include the “Tapas 24” Bikini Sandwich ($16) with black truffles, Ibérico ham and buffalo mozzarella; the total umami powerhouse paella de Gambas Al Ajillo ($40) finished in the Josper (each rice grain was so flavourful coated in seafood stock, the perfect texture with crispy bits at the bottom). Plus don’t miss the Galician Octopus ($22) and the Clams flambed in Sherry with Artichoke, garlic and a kick of chilli ($32). This place is going to be a hit – fingers on the buzzer for reservations!
Tapas, 24, 60 Robertson Quay, #01-04, Singapore 238252
2. La Fez Bakery & Café: New Moroccan café
Love you some pink? Halal La Fez Bakery & Café has all the IG-feels with its Moorish architecture and pastel pink décor (a nod to the ‘Rose city of Marrakech’. On the menu, Moroccan dishes from brunch items like Majorelle Shakshuka with Feta Cheese ($19.90), Baghrir Pancakes ($15.90), and Kasbah Brioche French Toast ($18.90) to lunch/dinner bites like Marrakech Dip Platters and Vegetarian Tagine cooked in traditional Moroccan earthenware. Charge your phones before you go!
La Fez Cafe & Bakery, #01-03A, 907 East Coast Road, Singapore 459107
3. Basque Kitchen by Aitor
Basque Kitchen by Aitor helmed by Chef-Patron Aitor Jeronimo Orive, is back after a brief hiatus! Find them at the historic Fullerton Waterboat House. Head to the pintxos bar and lounge for drinks and nibbles or head to the dining room, for a Basque gastronomic experience with a tasting menu offered exclusively for lunch and dinner (from $158++ for lunch to $248++ for dinner).
Basque Kitchen by Aitor, 3 Fullerton Rd, #02-01/02/03 The Fullerton Waterboat House, Singapore 049215
4. sen-ryo – authentic new Japanese restaurant at ION
Japan import sen-ryo opens its first Singapore outlet in ION Orchard, to bring us authentic affordable Japanese cuisine using quality ingredients imported from Toyosu Fish Market and around the world. The swish sake bar greets you on entry, choose to dine here, in one of the private rooms or at the grill counter (where you can see the artisan chefs at work crafting sushi and grilled dishes). Highlights on the menu include the DIY Hokkaido Uni ($58) featuring 50 grams of sweet uni (sea urchin) from Hokkaido with fresh sushi rice, ikura and sheets of roasted seaweed so you can wrap your own maki! Other not-to-miss items include the Grilled US Beef Tenderloin and Foie Gras ($28) and the signature sen-ryo Sushi ($8.80) a circle of sushi with uni, negitoro (minced fatty tuna) and ikura – the perfect mouthful!
sen-ryo, ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #03-14, Singapore 238801
5. Permata Singapore (Halal)
The iconic yellow heritage building in the heart of Kampong Glam finally has a new restaurant within its premises! Muslim owned Permata Singapore offers over 60 elevated Nusantara-inspired dishes for both lunch and dinner in a buffet concept. The menu is all about bringing up feelings of nostalgia, from the unique salads using ingredients such as soursop and Tempoyak Ikan (fermented fish) to beautifully made Roti Jala, Wagyu Beef Rendang and more. Prices are from $42++/pax for the weekday lunch menu. Good to know: there’s a prayer room located on site too.
Permata Singapore, 73 Sultan Gate, Gedung Kuning, Singapore 198497, www.facebook.com/permata.restaurant
6. KULTO – New Spanish restaurant
Head Chef José Alonso, from Rioja, Spain, helms the kitchen of KULTO. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s behind one of the most well regarded Spanish joints in town, Binomio. On the menu, Spanish favourites like Jamon Ibérico Croquettes ($12), Octopus, Roasted Pork Belly with Paprika ($28) and three types of paella – choose from the Squid Ink, the Seafood or the Pork Sausage & Mushroom Paella (S$38/L$62) finished on the josper grill, for that crispy and smoky flavour. We spotted a great value two or three course lunch menu where you can nibble on a choice of starters and mains plus top up $5 for dessert of KULTO cheesecake or charcoal pineapple with ice cream (includes coffee).
KULTO, 87 Amoy Street Singapore 069906, Tel: (+65) 96205626
7. Sommer: New restaurant at Marina Bay
Sommer is a new 28-seater restaurant helmed by young star 27 year-old Chef Lewis Barker who has worked in the kitchens of Bacchanalia and Vianney Massot. The fine dining establishment serves up modern European plates that are a visual feast. Expect stunning creations like smoked Japanese saba on homemade crumpet, with kaluga caviar and glazed foie gras or the Mackerel on “Toast”, served as part of a trio of canapés. Menus range from $68++ for a 3-course Discovery lunch, to $168++ for the 4-course Inspiration menu and $228++ for the 6-course Experience menu.
Sommer, #01-02, The Sail @ Marina Bay, 2 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018987
8. Momolato Café: New gelato café in Kampong Glam
Momolato Café is a new late-night gourmet gelateria in Kampong Glam (it closes at 2am!). Wander down Haji Lane and squeeze yourself into this little nook (18-seats so grab one quick) offering artisanal gelato flavours with no artificial flavourings or additives. Momolato has quite a fan base – they supply lots of upmarket restaurants but this is their first standalone café. The Momolato gelato range ($4.90-8) changes weekly ranging from Chocolate Arabica Coffee from Ecuador, to Roasted Sicilian Pistachio, Mao Shan Wang durian, Oolong Hojicha Tiramisu and Ondeh-Ondeh Sweet Potato Swirl plus Keto flavours. This eco-friendly café offers scoops in a pandan leaf-wrapped cone ($1.50-$3), with waffles or croffles ($6.60 to $12 for Keto). Don’t fancy gelato? Try their popsicle spritzers in Watermelon Mint and Watermelon Kiwi Pop, Coconut Water Lychee pop or Mango Coconut and Passionfruit Pop ($8) – they look super refreshing! Psssst! Enjoy a complimentary beverage with every double scoop of gelato this Ramadan 12th April to 12th May, 8pm to 10pm, daily.
Momolato Café, 34 Haji Lane, Singapore 189227, Tel: +65 8883 7968
9. Drunken Farmer – natural wine bar and bistro
Drunken Farmer is the nomadic natural wine bar by Spa Esprit Group that’s finally found a forever home at Common Man Stan on Stanley Street. We love the idea of a split personality venue – by day café and by night the shutters come down, the neon lights go up and it’s time for the Drunken Farmer to takeover! There’s alfresco seating overlooking the street or choose a booth inside with funky projections of cinema screenings across the walls. Much of the cuisine by Chef Paul Albert involves fermenting and nearly everything is made from scratch! Start with Spanish Mackerel Rillette ($14) served with house fermented miso grain mustard and sourdough, followed by the refreshingly tangy locally sourced Drunken Farmer’s Salad ($15), Sourdough Karaage ($20) made with a batter of sourdough discard and TBB Beerguette Beer – a crispy, tangy delicious and rather genius dish. Sourdough Margherita Pizza ($20) is natural leavened over 30 hours to bring about a chewy, airy crust. It’s topped with tomato sauce and Stracciatella made fresh daily using locally sourced cow’s milk that is delivered from Viknesh Dairy Farm every morning – don’t miss ordering this whatever you do! Equally important throughout is the pairings of natural wines sourced from Europe to South America – all with the common denominator of celebrating the concept of terroir through age-old techniques.
Drunken Farmer, 11 Stanley Street, Singapore 068730
10. Three Michelin-starred Mirazur Pop-up
Three Michelin-starred restaurant Mirazur has a three-month pop-up in the Mandala Club (formerly known as Straits Clan) from May 14 to August 11. The French restaurant is helmed by Argentinian chef Mauro Colegreco, and is currently ranked first in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Mirazur has closed its home property in France and the entire culinary team will be based in Singapore for the three-month residency (with Chef- Mauro Colagreco in Singapore for the initial stages of the event). Mirazur in Singapore will serve up a six-course lunch ($388) or a nine-course dinner ($488), and there are still some spots left if you are looking to book.
Mirazur, Mandala Club, 31 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089845
11. Carne: New burger joint
Chef Mauro Colagreco has been busy! In addition to the Mirazur pop-up, he has set up the first international outpost of Argentinian burger restaurant Carne with chef Beppe de Vito from the Il Lido Group in Singapore. Located on Amoy street, Carne dishes out free-range, grass-fed Angus beef burgers, milkshakes, thrice-cooked fries and local craft beers. Carne is all about being eco-conscious so there’s lots of attention to sustainable growers, cage-free eggs, and farmers committed to responsible farming practices. What to order? Keep it simple with the Classic Burger of premium grass-fed Argentinian beef patty, local oak lettuce, and organic tomatoes in between artisan-baked brioche buns or for something more fun, the Singapore exclusive Beef & Chimichurri Burger ($24) with Argentinian grass-fed beef, artisanal murcian cheese, pickled jalapeno, organic red onion and local arugula.
Carne, 88 Amoy Street, Singapore 069907
12. Tiong Bahru Bakery Foothills: New TBB Café
Tiong Bahru Bakery has opened another outlet! Its seventh outlet is in the grounds of Fort Canning Park so if you need that caffeine fix (or let’s face it, a hit of their Kouign Amanns), now you know where to head! Or why not make a beeline to the Jubilee playground nearby with one of their picnic bundles ($19 and $28) to-go, packaged into breakfast and lunch comprising an assortment of bakes, salads and beverages for each picnic-er complete with a customised picnic bag and take-out TBB dining sets.
Tiong Bahru Bakery Foothills, #01-05, Fort Canning Park, 70 River Valley Road, Singapore 179037
In other foodie news…
Fat Prince
The Dandy Collection’s Modern Middle Eastern restaurant Fat Prince has launched a new dinner menu! Look out for new mezzes, like Roasted Bone Marrow ($19); Smoked Sicilian Olives ($12), with kalamata olive tuilles; and Kingfish Crudo ($22) of dry brined cold-smoked fish layered with burnt orange gelee, pickled shallots, and sweet poached radish. New for mains – the ‘Build It’ section – choose between Wagyu Beef Cheek ($29 per 100g), Fried Turbot, and the veggie Celeriac Shawarma ($14 per 100g). Each main comes with pitas with condiments of za’atar yogurt, pickled yellow chilli, and harissa sauce plus toppings for you to build your own stuffed pita. Best washed down with cocktails like the Meyhane Delirium ($24) featuring Milagro tequila, pomegranate, cardamom infusion, and tonic.
Fat Prince, 48 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079317
February & March editions: New restaurants & Cafés in Singapore
The Dempsey Project – New café spicing up Dempsey
Taking over from Jones the Grocer in Dempsey is The Dempsey Project. The owners are the same but there’s a new Culinary Director – the charming Gayatri Singh who has spiced the menu up (quite literally).. There’s an interesting mix of trending dishes (lots of gluten-free, vegan or dairy-free options too), café staples and then spice-infused dishes that take things up a notch! For brunch have Sweet Potato toast with smashed avocado, feta, poached eggs, lime and chilli ($24) the Spicy Miso Beans on sourdough toast ($21) or how about vegan Streetstyle Dahi Papdi Chaat to nibble on alongside a sharing platter of Mediterranean Mezze ($26). Feeling healthy? Tuck into the Ayurvedic Khichdi Wellness Bowl or a cauliflower steak with spiced coconut sauce, quinoa and turmeric oil ($28), probably the best version of this dish we have tried to date! Even the desserts are peppered with extra flavour – don’t miss the saffron and cardamom laced Mascarpone Mousse ($16). We spied some great deals on bubbly for weekend brunch from $12 a glass too. NB last orders at 8:30pm in the week and 9pm Friday/Saturday although they are open till 10:30pm
The Dempsey Project, 9 Dempsey Road, Singapore (247697), Tel: (+65) 6475 2005
Set of Six – Glam new bar
Set of Six is a new bar in Duxton inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novel. We are a little head over heels for the décor (pictured in our lead image) – pink feather lamps, turquoise velvet loungers, and lots of gold. Cocktails hover around the $25 mark. The menu features proper posh nosh rather than bar snacks – the chips are triple cooked and served with mushroom ketchup, there’s Sea-bass Ceviche ($28) pimped with popcorn, and Lobster and Fennel Ravioli ($29) with the option of adding truffle shavings on for an extra $15.
Set of Six, #01-01, 20 Craig Road, Singapore 089692
Nixta – Hottest new Mexican restaurant in town!
Nixta is the latest concept from the Travis Masiero Restaurant Group (the same people behind Blue Label Pizza and Luke’s Oyster Bar). This new Mexican restaurant is one hot ticket (we couldn’t get a booking at a respectable hour until March!). We hear great things about salsas made by hand in volcanic stone molcajetes – they even grind fresh masa for their signature corn tortillas. Chow down on tostadas made with tuna ($10) or sweet potato ($8), then plump for sharing platters of woodfired meats like slow roasted duck in aromatic hoja santa leaves ($48) or the Nixta Signature Spit & Herb-Roasted Chicken ($65). Do. Not. Miss. Churros ($16) – they look just spectacular!
Nixta Mexican Grill & Bar – 116 Amoy Street, Singapore 069936
Read more: Best New Restaurants of 2020
Moonbow – New restaurant in Dempsey
Moonbow is a new restaurant in Dempsey (in the old Blu Kouzina digs). This newcomer boasts stunning interiors of pink pastels and champagne hues with gold touches plus a gorgeous alfresco seating area (pictured in our lead image) overlooking the sports fields. Moonbow offers modern European cuisine with Asian accents cooked up by co-owner Chef Heman (also known as Iron Man Chef for the triathlons he competes in). Dishes include Moonbow Oysters ($10++ each), interestingly served with oyster leaves, yuzu gel, cucumber pearls, and yuzu granita; Barramundi with Fermented Red Yeast Wine ($38++), a traditional Asian dish reinvented; Black Silkie Poulet ($38++) with chargrilled black chicken, bearnaise sauce, and black garlic purée; and a personal favourite, Jerusalem Artichoke soup ($25++) served with a 64 °C sous vide egg, caviar, and sunchoke chips. This new restaurant is just gorgeous and it’ll probably make a good spot to bring parents to with its mix of Asian and European dishes.
Moonbow, Block 10 Dempsey Road, #01-21, Singapore 247700, Tel: (65) 9010 2717
Prairie by Craftsmen – New Cafe in Cluny Court
Prairie by Craftsmen is a new cafe and alfresco restaurant at Cluny Court near Botanic Gardens. You would probably miss this new cafe if you didn’t know where to look. Opened by Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, Prairie by Craftsmen is located where Bar Bar Black Sheep at Cluny Court used to be (behind Fishwives). This new cafe makes a lovely spot to enjoy breakfast before or after a walk in the Botanics nearby. Munch on Eggs & Bacon Croissants, Smashed Avo Toast, and other breakfast pastries. The lunch and dinner menu spans salads, and heartier mains like Duck Confit, Fish and Chips, Steak Sandwiches, pasta and burgers.
Prairie by Craftsmen, 501 Bukit Timah Rd, Cluny Court #01-05C, Singapore 259760
Read more: Best New Restaurants of 2020
Persea – Low carb restaurant
Want to eat out to your heart’s content but trying to ‘be good’? Persea (pronounced per-say-ah), is a new restaurant in Ann Siang that focuses on low-carb meals. Think Cauli-hummus ($10), Bone Marrow ($24), Calamari with Chorizo ($24) and free range chicken with garlic yogurt and cauliflower tabouleh ($24). You won’t miss out on desserts either with their Rosemary Basque Cheesecake ($16) featuring cream cheese, camembert, and blue cheese. And because cocktails are usually full of empty calories, they even do sugar-free cocktails. Persea is currently only open for dinner (except Mondays) and weekend brunch.
Persea, 23 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069703
The RITUAL – New mindfulness cafe on Bukit Timah
The RITUAL (by the same co-founder Cassandra Riene Tan of BOTANY) is a new cafe on Bukit Timah Rd with a call out to those looking for mindfulness, self-love and mental wellness through healthy living. The menu encompasses plant-based and gluten-free options plus more standard dishes like the Ritual Big Breakfast ($25) with sourdough or croissant with eggs, and sausage, the Signature Avo Toast ($18), and Ritual Protein Bowl ($25). Mental wellness advocates and coaches will be leading wellness programmes that include Ayurveda, herbal remedies, TCM and Reiki.
The RITUAL, 383 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-09B, Singapore 259727
Green Common – Plant-based new café in VivoCity
Look out for new plant-based café Green Common launched by Green Monday, creators of OmniFoods. Green Common has nine locations in Hong Kong as well as one in Shanghai and this first venture in Singapore sees a huge one-stop café and grocery concept store in VivoCity. Their aim is to give us plant-forward options, including a selection of Asian-inspired cafe dishes made with zero meat but instead OmniMeat, Beyond Meat, Just Egg and Chick’n Nuggets. On the menu – Meat Lovers Pizza ($19++), topped with Moving Mountains and Beyond Meat Sausage with melted Daiya cheese; Meatless Meatballs ($10++) using OmniMeat and Beyond Meat Meatballs stewed in a rich marinara sauce; and the Beyond Black Burger ($15++). There are lots of Asian dishes from Korean to hawker staples adapted to have zero meat too – Hainanese Trick’en Rice ($16++), with Heura ‘chicken’ or Rendang Chicken Roti ($13++) – with Heura ‘chicken’ and potato chunks served with freshly made roti prata.
Green Common, VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-169/170, Singapore 098585
Yum Sing! – New Restaurant in Clarke Quay
Yum Sing! is one of the newest restaurants to hit Clarke Quay, brought to us by the peeps behind Putien. Yum Sing! is an ode to Singapore with local faves from bak kut teh, ($10) to char kway teow ($10), chilli crab ($78) and Hainanese chicken rice ($10) – all offered in a modern setting with graffiti art on the walls and repurposed advertisement boards on the ceilings. Yum Sing! is where you can chow down on lo hei this Chinese New Year and all year round so it’s going to be fun place to bring out of town guests to (once everyone can freely travel). Look out for Singaporean cocktails to go with your meal like the Yum Sling ($18), their rendition of a Singapore Sling.
Yum Sing, #01-06/07, 3B River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 17902
Read more: Family Guide to Clarke Quay
The Brewing Ground – New Café in Joo Chiat
The Brewing Ground has set up a little “glasshouse” café filled with hanging plants, in the compound of The Yards, a space focused on arts, dance and drama. This casual café welcomes kids and pets (thanks to its alfresco area) and is open daily from 8.30am to 5pm (dinner will be launching soon). The Brewing Ground offers a European-inspired menu, featuring Homemade Granola ($12++), Avocado & Ricotta Tartine ($17++), Burrata & Tomatoes Tartine ($18++) as well as brunch from 11am – think Breakfast Burgers ($19++), and Not an Eggs Benedict ($21++).
The Brewing Ground, 406 Joo Chiat Place, The Yards, #01-24, Singapore 428084
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Dim Sum in Singapore
Little Farms Bistro Joo Chiat – New Café in East
Little Farms’ newest and largest outlet is open on Joo Chiat Road! This will be their fifth outlet spanning 6,000 square feet and features a bistro, supermarket, butcher counter and bar. Head over to Little Farms Bistro for their famous Smashed Avocado on Toast, Buttermilk Pancakes, Tempeh Tofu Salad and Vegetarian Lasagne, as well as freshly made juices, signature smoothies and Allpress coffee. Plus there will be a new dinner menu featuring Little Farms ingredients to go with artisanal wine and classic craft cocktails.
Little Farms Bistro, 451 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427664
Lead image: Set of Six
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