Foodie News Flash: New Restaurants and Cafes in Singapore this April

If you are constantly looking for foodie recommendations, the search stops here with all the latest restaurant openings in town

We bring you all the latest in new restaurants and bars in Singapore, condensed and served up in tasty bite-sized pieces just for you. This month, look forward to an IG-worthy brunch and desserts at Bearded Bella, new CBD vegan spot, HRVST launched by fitness space Kilter Avenue, contemporary Mexican with a view at LES45, Meatsmith Little India for Indian inspired fried and grilled meats, super healthy salads at Hilton’s new Verde Kitchen, yakitori in Bishan Park with ToriYard, soon to come crazy milkshakes and burgers at Black Tap, and craft beers and bar grub at Nickeldime.

Check out our gallery for all the mouth-watering new restaurant details!

Hungry for more Foodie Articles? Read These:
Foodie News Flash February
Secret Supper Clubs: the hot new dining scene
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Hidden Door Concepts (the peeps who gave us Angies, Sear and Empire) have just launched Lower East Side 45 (LES45) also housed on the 45^th floor of the Singapore Land Tower. LES45 takes after East Coast sister restaurant Lower East Side Taqueria, although this branch kicks things up a notch and the menu is more contemporary with more sophisticated flair (with views to match). In the kitchen is Chef Jorge, a true blue Mexican from Oaxaca, which his always a good sign. Start with the necessary tacos and guacamole (you can order it tableside En Molcajete ($30), where they will mix it up while you watch, or as a side dish ($15)). Scallops Agahile with avocado and jicama ($25) is a pretty dish that makes a refreshing sharing starter. For something fancy, Lobster Tacos with Ginger Mint Mojo and Brown Butter ($35). For something more filling the Chicken Tinga Tostadas with Mango Guacamole and Wasabi Fried Egg ($18). Favourites include the Tempura Hake Tacos ($18), of homemade corn tacos topped with stunning pink Hibiscus Mayo, Salsa Fresca and crunchy tempura hake. Brussell sprout fans – don’t miss their Brussels Sprouts with Guajillo, Cotija and smokey sweet Chorizo ($17). If you work in the CBD know that they do $12 lunches 12 pm- 2 pm and one-for-one on their churros between 1pm-4pm – a little fried sweetness to get you through your workday!

Lower East Side 45, 50 Raffles Place, Level 45, Singapore 048623, Tel: (+65) 6221 9555, www.hiddendoorconcepts.com/lower-east-side-45

Meatsmith Little India, sister restaurant to Meatsmith in Telok Ayer, takes the same American-style BBQ approach, adds a lot of spice, some Little India vibes and cooks it all up in a tandoori oven. Chefs Andrew Baldus and Manogren Murugan Thevar are in the hot kitchen cooking up the meat-focused Indian-inspired fare. The restaurant itself is a small, non-aircon outfit (though you can also eat upstairs in the cocktail bar Rogue Trader which does have the cool stuff blowing and makes a very cool nook for cocktails pre or post dinner in its own right). On the menu: Madras pork cheeks ($8) — tender cubes of pork spiced lentils, served on a skewer with madras mustard sauce and deep fried Gunpowder potatoes ($7). The biryani stuffed suckling pig ($48) is an interesting interpretation of biryani as it’s served inside a slice of suckling pig, the biryani rice flecked with currants and nuts (and almost stealing the show). All this is best washed down with Indian-inspired cocktails or the winner of a drink, the gin and tonic ($12) made with Colombo gin and spiced with pink peppercorns and curry leaves.

Meatsmith Little India, 21 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209894, Tel: (+65) 9625 9056. meathsmith.com.sg

Verde Kitchen is Hilton Singapore’s latest dining concept focusing on locally grown, organic ingredients and healthy salads, mains and smoothies. Verde Kitchen is set on Level 2 and errs a little more on the industrial chic than a ‘verde’ – green feel. The ethos comes into full play in the menu, however, where the ingredients are all pesticide-free with greens and herbs cultivated from the hotel’s own vertical garden where possible. Highlights include raw salad Salmon Sashimi & Pomelo Salad ($27), and the Low-fat Creamy Broccoli & Kale Soup ($16) which comes with a poached egg and an emmental and parmesan melted toast – which is great bang of your buck. Still, the star of the show is the less healthy sounding Pulled Pork Burger ($28) – it’s free range so points for that. It’s a wonderful BBQ sauce marinated pulled pork with just the right amount of salad for crunch and soft brioche bun with cheese and pickled veg. Desserts are refined-sugar-free; for a modern take on chendol, order the Homemade Gula Melaka Ice Cream ($14). or the Chia Seed & Caramelized Hazelnut Pudding ($14) is a don’t-miss item too.

Bearded Bella is one of the latest trending IG worthy Melbourne-inspired cafés, set on the ground floor of a shophouse. They offer mains like Smashed Avocado ($17) with meredith feta, sweet potato crisps, quinoa and pomegranate on toast; Pig & Eggs ($24) of slow-cooked pork jowls, poached eggs, green hollandaise and pickled daikon on baguette; plus mains of Lamb ribs ($16) and Beef brisket ($23). Coffee is a house-roasted blend (70% Ethiopian, 30% Honduras beans), and for dessert, a pantry of goodies from homemade donuts and pastries, to fancy cakes.

Bearded Bella, 8 Craig Road, Singapore 089668, www.facebook.com/beardedbella

Burger lovers get excited! Award-winning burger and milkshake sensation Black Tap will open its first restaurant in Asia, at Marina Bay Sands this summer. The menu will feature a large selection of burgers from the classic All-American Burger to the award-winning Greg Norman Burger featuring wagyu beef topped with house buttermilk-dill, blue cheese and arugula served on a soft potato bun. Ditching the carbs or going gluten free? Check out their novel burger salads or the Vegan burger made with gluten-free buns. We are pretty sure Black Tap’s signature CrazyShake™ milkshakes – with their over the top decorations and flavours – will get IG fans salivating. Look forward to milkshakes like Cotton Candy, a strawberry shake with a blue and pink pearl chocolate rim, a pink lollipop, rock candy, whipped cream and cotton candy.

Black Tap, L1-80, Bay Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants

ToriYard, by the people behind Canopy, has just opened up in Bishan Park. Chef Hasegawo Isao from Tokyo grills hot yakitori at the open-concept grill station served with house-made sauce. There are classic chicken skewers (tori), along with grilled beef, pork, seafood and vegetables. Non-yakitori items include Tsukune Ohba Tsutsumi Age (deep-fried chicken balls with perilla leaf) and Onsen Tamago Cocktail (of onsen egg, foie gras, salmon roe and uni). For lunch, check out their unagi don sets ($23++) or the Sashimi Salad ($19++), which comes with salmon, swordfish, sweet shrimp and tuna sashimi slices with goma dressing. ToriYard also serves sake and house-flavoured shochu, aged with coffee, yuzu, grape and apple.

ToriYard, 1380 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Bishan Park 2, Singapore 569930, www.facebook.com/toriyard

Nickeldime has just opened in River Valley and is the place to run to when the craving calls for craft beers and pub fare like Ale Fish and Chips ($15). Set in a shophouse, the hangout oozes grungy vibes with edgy graffiti brick walls and a casual atmosphere. Expect 16  international craft beers on tap, from Stone & Wood Green Coast Lager and Lervig Orange Velvet, to more complex brews – including Pirate Life Mosaic IPA and Black Butte Porter. Nickeldime’s bar food menu features Duck Waffles ($25) of crispy cheddar and thyme waffle with confit duck; and a modern version of Croque Madame ($18), prepared with house-made brioche, ham, spiced béchamel and a fried egg – the Chef’s personal favourite inspired by his time in France. Plus there’s comfort food like Mac & Cheese ($8) and beer snacks like Scotch Eggs ($6) to soak up the alcohol, too.

Nickeldime, 8 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-01. Singapore 238958, Tel :(+65) 6735 1035, www.nickeldimedrafthouse.com