Adira Chow

As Singapore gears up for its big birthday bash, the events calendar fills up fast with all things SG60 and beyond. This week, marvel at an enormous Lego mural of all things local and nostalgic at the National Museum, or be dazzled at a pretty light show at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (for the first time in its 166-year history). Also on the radar: a delicious beachside grillfest, jazzy tunes by international maestros at the Esplanade, and a walk-through pop-up installation by Yip Yew Cheong that will have you dreaming of the yesteryears.  Whether you're planning a hot date, a wholesome family outing, or just something new to do with the group chat crew, we’ve got ideas to keep you entertained all week long. RECOMMENDED: The 101 best things to do in Singapore and New attractions in Singapore in 2025    

When it comes to romance, the setting can make all the difference. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or just want to impress your date, Singapore boasts plenty of enchanting spots to enjoy a memorable meal with that special someone. From cosy, candle-lit corners to stylish venues with million-dollar views, these restaurants are perfect for setting the mood. But not just that — they come with stellar food and top-notch service to boot. So if you're planning to dial up the romance for your next date night, or perhaps pop the big question, then look no further than this list of the most romantic restaurants in Singapore. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic bars in Singapore and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore you must try Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Not everyone has the willpower to go to bed with an empty stomach, and if you’re here, chances are you don’t either. Lucky for us, Singapore’s food scene never really sleeps. Whether it’s a post-drinks refuel, hunger pangs after a late-night work grind, or just a case of the midnight munchies, there’s always a spot to hit up. From old-school hawker classics to round-the-clock diners and even bubbling hotpot joints that stay open till sunrise, these supper spots will keep you well-fed way past bedtime. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Singapore after dark and The best free things to do in Singapore at night Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

February 2025 The food scene in Singapore is always buzzing, and at Time Out, we're dedicated to uncovering the very best of it – right here, right now. This updated list brings together fresh, exciting dining concepts alongside beloved F&B classics and a few underrated spots we swear by. Welcome to the Time Out Eat List, where we've handpicked the finest spots in Singapore’s food scene, curated by our expert local editors. From innovative restaurants by acclaimed chefs to humble local haunts that won’t break the bank, we've got it all. Picking the 50 top places to eat is no easy task, which is why we’ve also crafted separate lists for the best Japanese, Spanish, and hawker spots, among many others. Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants. Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Great cafés in Singapore are everywhere – buried in shophouses, lined along bustling streets, perched on rooftops. Some draw in crowds with viral pastries and picture-perfect drinks, while others stay under the radar while still serving up quality brunch and brews. But what makes a café hidden? It’s not about being completely unknown (face it, that’s nearly impossible these days thanks to social media). Instead, it’s the thrill of discovery – finding a sleek coffee bar inside an old office building, or a café nestled within another business.  And yet, the phrase “hidden gem” is on the verge of being banned from the internet. Overused and stretched beyond meaning, it’s often used to describe spots that are about to become anything but secret. So let’s ditch the clichés. This list isn’t about cafés nobody knows, but those that require just that little extra effort to track down. Maybe they’re mysteriously located behind a nondescript door, buried deep in a quiet neighbourhood, or overshadowed by a bigger establishment. If you love the chase as much as the coffee, these are the best hidden cafés in Singapore to visit right now. July 2025: Since our last update in July 2024, we’ve swapped out several spots, including Kyuukei Coffee and Rookie’s Coffee Shop in Queenstown, which are a little more well-known now, with new finds like Bee Hoe Coffee in Joo Chiat. Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants. Discover, book, and save at hundreds of r

Need a change of scenery from your usual work setup? Whether your home office is less than inspiring or you just can’t stand another hour in a stuffy library, we’ve got you covered. Ditch the usual crowded coffee chains and check out these alternative spots instead. These cosy cafés offer free Wi-Fi, ample power points to charge your devices, and of course, great coffee to keep you fueled while you power through your to-do list.  RECOMMENDED: Your ultimate guide to the best cafés in Singapore and the best cafés in the CBD Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Singapore may be known as one of the most expensive cities to live in, and the recent GST hike doesn't make it much better. But we're here to prove that it's possible to dine on a dime yet enjoy a satisfying meal — if you know where to look. We're letting you in on some affordable finds in our city, apart from our trusty hawker centres that never fail to serve up delicious nosh for cheap. These places whip up solid meals for around $10 and under, whether it's a quality burger you're craving, traditional Thai fare, or a scrumptious banh mi that's sure to leave you stuffed. Here's helping you spend less on lunch so you can splurge on the things that matter. RECOMMENDED: The best hawker centres in Singapore and The best healthy bowls in Singapore under $15 Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Brunch has earned its place as a weekend ritual we all look forward to. There’s nothing quite like clocking in a few more hours of sleep and then waking up to enjoy a leisurely meal that combines the best of breakfast and lunch. Whether you’re craving classic eggs on toast, indulgent ricotta pancakes, a gourmet sandwich, or a vibrant plant-based bowl, our diverse brunch scene has something to satisfy every craving and diet.  What makes brunch in Singapore so special? It’s the way local and international influences find themselves blended effortlessly into menus, and how there are tons of options depending on the occasion – from elegant restaurants in the city to casual neighbourhood digs. In this list, we’ve narrowed down some of our favourites, including recent haunts and places we’ve been loyal fans of for years. Expect freshly baked goods, solid coffee, and dishes that go beyond the ordinary.  RECOMMENDED: The 50 best cafés in Singapore and The best brunch buffets in Singapore Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Finding great halal food in Singapore has never been easier. Gone are the days of sticking to just nasi padang and biryani—though, don’t worry, we’ve still got some legendary picks on this list. These days, the city is buzzing with Muslim-friendly spots dishing out everything from smoky American barbecue and fiery Xinjiang noodles to Cajun seafood boils and classic Italian fare. And whether you’re after a laid-back café, a lively group dining spot, or an upscale restaurant for a special night out, there’s something for every budget and occasion. So, grab your makan buddies and dive into our ultimate guide to the best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore. RECOMMENDED: The best halal Japanese restaurants in Singapore and The best halal restaurants in Orchard Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

We're called an island city for good reason – the skyline always dazzles, and the sea breeze is never too far away. Whether it's a romantic dinner, a celebratory night out, or even a special lunch with colleagues on the company card, Singapore has no shortage of pretty backdrops to make every occasion just a little more memorable. These are some of our favourite spots in city that serve plates as good as the views. We've got casual and classy options all in one list, whether it's a messy taco spread over happy hour pours you're craving, or a luxurious Michelin-starred meal worthy of splashing out on. The best part? They all come with a side of scenic views, either from up in the sky, or overlooking the sea. RECOMMENDED Done with dinner? Head up to these best rooftop bars in the city. These romantic restaurants in Singapore also know how to set the tone.

As we know all too well, not everything that tastes good is good for you. Thankfully, healthy eating in Singapore is no longer just about sad salads and dry chicken breast. Singapore offers plenty of wholesome eateries that serve up everything from vibrant grain bowls to flavour-packed dishes that dial back on the nasties. If you're after a clean post-workout refuel or a mindful midday meal, these are the places that you need to be adding to your 'saved' tab. In this carefully curated list, we've included CBD favourites like The Daily Cut and Grain Traders as well as breezy brunch spots like Carrotsticks and Cravings and The Butcher's Wife which carry tons of gluten-free options.  July 2025: Since our last update, we've made a few reshuffles to reflect Singapore's ever-evolving healthy dining scene. We also say goodbye to several old favourites which have since shuttered – spots like Aloha Poké and Bamboo Bowls.  RECOMMENDED: The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore and The best vegetarian local food in Singapore Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Indian cuisine in Singapore has evolved far beyond the usual go-to biryanis and ghee-laden curries, though these are droolworthy on their own too. Today’s top Indian restaurants in Singapore offer a thrilling range of flavours, concepts, and experiences, from creative tasting menus and Michelin-starred plates to time-honoured dishes that stay true to regional traditions.  This list is all about highlighting kitchens that are the best at what they do, whether it’s mastering the use of the tandoor oven and delivering lip-smacking, smoky dishes, or perfecting a simple meal of thosai and filter coffee. Expect everything from vibrant South Indian breakfasts to progressive North Indian dishes, and even Indian-inspired cocktails that surprise and delight.  We’ve scoured the city to bring you these top picks. Some are stalwarts that have stood the test of time; others are humble, delicious spots that are well worth a repeat visit. June 2025: Since our last roundup, we’ve refreshed the list with worthy additions like The Elephant Room while keeping trusted favourites like Shahi Maharani and thosai institution MTR Singapore that continue to deliver the goods. RECOMMENDED: The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Singapore and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants. Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reser

EG Coffee is a new café located below Alexis Condominium, which is an eight-minute walk from Queenstown MRT. The setup is simple – white and light-wood tones with four small tables indoors, and foldable camping chairs outdoors, where pets are welcome. The interiors are peppered with quirky knick-knacks, including a mini Sudoku corner where you can have a go at a puzzle while waiting. A friendly couple, Esther and Gavin (after whom the café is named), run the place. For a small neighbourhood café, EG Coffee offers a surprisingly extensive drinks menu. It’s got the usual roster of espresso-based drinks (a latte starts at $6.50, which is not the cheapest), filter coffee (from $9) and cold brews ($9). The proprietary Icons Blend is a medium-to-dark roast Guatemala and Uganda blend which is smooth and chocolatey with hints of caramel. You can also opt for Geisha and Yirgacheffe beans at a top-up, or ask the barista for the origin of the day. There are also interesting options like the dried orange latte ($6.90), mint coconut latte ($7.90), black sesame latte ($6.50), osmanthus latte ($6.90), as well as strawberry matcha ($9.50) and hojicha ($7.90). The black sesame latte ($7.50) is one of the most ordered items here, with a thick, velvety consistency, and a toasty, slightly savoury flavour. To beat the heat, EG also has refreshing soda-based coolers like the Strawberry Bliss ($6.50), Apple Tree ($7.50), Orange Sea ($7.50) and yuzu matcha ($8.90), as well as iced teas (from $5.90)

It felt like it wasn’t too long ago when we celebrated the debut of Singapore’s first contemporary Indian restaurant. Chef Manogren Thevar’s eponymous restaurant opened its doors in 2018 on Keong Saik Road, and after picking up two Michelin Stars, three Knives from The Best Chef awards and a spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants along the way, he’s now ready for something new. Enter Thevar 2.0 – a well-rebooted version of the original, now located at Mohamed Sultan Road. It’s twice as big for one, seating 28 guests in the main dining hall, two to three at a cushy chef’s table and up to 10 in the private dining room (which is fitted with its own kitchen, restroom and private entrance). The minimalistic, sanctuary-like space is a subtle callback to Chef Mano’s childhood home in Penang, with terracotta walls and Chettinad-inspired motifs embedded in its pillars and rugs.  While the design of the restaurant is muted, the menu and flavours are anything but. Yes, it’s the same signature items that greet you in the $298 tasting menu (and new sharing dishes are on the way), but if you’ve got a real penchant for South Indian cuisine like us, and even if you don’t, a meal at Thevar is not to be passed up. Expect nothing less than spot-on seasoning, complex spice blends and stellar presentation. Chef Mano brings his classical French training to the table – his creations are never so vibrant that they overwhelm, nor so restrained that they feel pared back. My meal kicks off with a flavour-

If the brief is ‘client meeting in the CBD’, The Spot is where many flock to for a fail-proof option. This all-day dining restaurant and bar is wedged in the heart of Marina One, and despite its semi-casual appearance, don’t expect the standard bistro fare here. The menu is pegged as contemporary European, but there’s a distinct Asian feel in the use of ingredients. Expect plenty of finesse and creativity, without anything being too far-reaching for a casual lunch appointment.  A must-order to start? The salmon nachos – a snackable, shareable tower of crispy gyoza skin with tartare, bonito mayo and wasabi guac. Another safe choice is the pork belly ‘char siu’, which is thoughtfully topped with pickled cucumbers, mustard and apple purée to cut through those fatty, melty layers.  Other table favourites include stuffed chicken wings packed with truffle chicken mousse and a hint of Sichuan peppercorn; hay-smoked hamachi with a trio of condiments – yuzu kosho, pickles and wasabi ponzu; and one of Chef’s signatures – the chilli crab pancake. The crispy dashi-infused egg layer comes with chunks of blue crab and is crowned with a heaping load of coriander – diabolical, but perfect if coriander is your thing.  Fill up on mains like a tamarind-glazed toothfish donabe, which is cleverly mixed with rice pops for extra texture, or gnaw on a heaving rack of Iberico pork ribs, grilled over binchotan and finished with a kicap manis glaze. Round off with desserts like the Chocolate Tart 2.0,

Ready to feel good, inside and out? Glow Festival is lighting up Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza for nine days from July 5 to 13 with a jam-packed lineup of all things wellness. Think sunrise yoga sessions with a stunning view, high-energy barre and HIIT classes, soothing sound baths, craft workshops and even ice baths if you’re daring enough to take the plunge.  Back for its fourth edition, this year’s Glow Festival is bigger than ever, with over 70 experiences curated by 26 wellness partners and 64 hosts, including folks like running queen Ling Er Choo, acclaimed yogi Dylan Werner and Australian sprinter Olivia May.  Run club addicts, there’s also a 60km ultra marathon if you’re up for a challenge. The Noble Ultra SG60 kicks off on July 13 in support of mental health causes, and you can grab tickets to join the 21km and 8km legs of the route. Not a self-professed fitness buff? There are plenty of other sessions to get involved in, from coffee pop-ups to yin yoga and breathwork classes, as well as workshops that teach you how to slay your motherhood journey or craft your own macramé keychains and marble coasters.  Check out the Glow Festival website and event schedule to find out about ticket prices for individual classes. Or, purchase packages which entitle you to curate your own festival experience, whether you’re keen on studio, workshop, or run sessions. 

Helmed by industry veteran June Baek, this tiny 12-seater bar is one of 2025’s most exciting openings. After winning competitions and honing her craft across South Korea and Vietnam, Baek brings her playful yet refined cocktails back to Singapore, where she previously bartended at Madame Fan and MO Bar. Now, in her very own space, she experiments with flavours from her Korean heritage, local Singaporean flavours, and other delightfully nostalgic concoctions.  HSSC’s debut menu Do What Brings You Joy is a two-pager spread of 14 cocktails, with interesting savoury concoctions like Cold Soup ($26), Achar ($25), and The French Fries 2.0 ($26). The Cold Soup is a take on a Ulsan summer quick-fix dish: oi naengguk or cold cucumber soup. The incredibly zingy yet potent blend consists of Tokki Soju with kelp dashi, sesame, cucumber, and apple vinegar.  Baek recommends the Camellia ($25) for those who love sour flavour profiles. The rum, galangal, and rose blend is one that’s close to her heart, having first debuted as a competition cocktail. Meanwhile, The French Fries 2.0 is as irreverent as it gets, featuring Monkey Shoulder whisky infused with fries, Heinz ketchup, tomato, chilli, and salt.  The vibeA pocket-sized, dark, underground den that's perpetually packed. It's quite the squeeze, but just right for intimate date nights. The food Before descending into Hup San Social Club, line your stomach with Club Street Laundry's menu of modern Australian plates — our favourite's got to

The new Club Street Laundry is anything but a laundromat, but the restaurant does pay homage to its past life as Hup San Laundry, frequented by second-generation immigrants nearly a century ago. The “Hup San” name also lives on in Hup San Social Club, the cocktail bar in the basement, inspired by the many Chinese social clubs that once lined the street in the early 1900s. If you’re looking for a place to people-watch, Club Street Laundry fits the bill perfectly. The breezy, open-concept bistro has high tables perched along walkways, staring out at the charming shophouses around the neighbourhood. You’ll quickly spot the happy hour board splashed out with $15 house wines, tap cocktails, and full-pint Peronis from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays. The menu is positioned as modern-Australian, but really, Chef Justin Hammond (previously from Neon Pigeon and Underdog Inn) works his way around any and every flavour profile just fine, with dishes based off his travels around the world. We have no qualms devouring the flame-grilled beef cheeks which sit atop a bed of buttery mash ($33). Cooked overnight in a master-stock of dashi, orange peel, star anise and other spices, the beef comes out fork-tender without even a need for chewing, and the ahi verde (a type of South American pesto) adds pleasant acidity to each bite.   Despite our biases against the usual beurre blanc, fennel, dill and fish combination, the charcoal-grilled sea bream ($31) turns out excellently executed. Pickled fennel grac

Some might scoff at the idea of a meatless omakase, but the opening of Ki Su is a big win for vegetarians and veggie lovers alike who now have the opportunity to savour the art and experience of omakase without any restrictions.  Inspired by shojin ryori, which is a traditional style of cooking practised by Buddhist monks in Japan, Ki Su’s plant-based menus feature both refreshing and rich flavours as well as diverse textures to keep things interesting. Look out for the Air Flown Tonburi Caviar which is spotlighted in the appetiser if it's available – it's a vegan delicacy consumed in Japan’s Akita Prefecture which is reminiscent of fish caviar. The lunch ($98) and dinner ($168) sets come with eight and ten courses respectively, all with a strong focus on dishes that are healthy and nourishing.

Think Korean barbecue and thick strips of samgyeopsal (pork belly) or slabs of galbi (beef ribs) might come to mind. Song Gye Ok offers something entirely new to Singapore’s K-BBQ scene – grilled chicken over charcoal. Hailing straight from Seoul, the chain commands hour-long queues in the Korean capital, with even celebrities and TV food programs singing praises.  Its Singapore outlet is wedged in the buzzing Telok Ayer area, joining the company of other popular Korean barbecue outlets, so it must be doing something right to be earning snaking queues despite only offering one kind of protein on its menu. The restaurant manages to replicate the look and feel of its Korean counterparts, with dark-wooden tones, rustic design elements, and Hanok-inspired interiors. For a more immersive dining experience, snag a seat along the raised counter tables under makeshift huts to watch the staff grill up your meal right before you. If you’re dining in a big group, regular table seats are available too. Song Gye Ok’s claim to fame is its SGO signature grill platter (720 grams, $98) with six chicken cuts including rare parts like boneless chicken neck fillets, gizzards, hearts, and chicken breast softbone. The standard grill platter (470 grams, $68) does away with the boneless neck fillets, and both platters also include chicken thigh and tenders.  A word of caution: dining here isn’t for the fainthearted, especially those who might find chicken innards (gizzard) or hearts a tad grisly to

Are things finally looking up in Singapore’s fine dining world? Amidst a dry spell in the F&B scene where closures outpace exciting new openings, the debut of mod-Spanish restaurant Sugarra offers a welcome glimmer of hope.  For those familiar with Basque Kitchen, Sugarra is the reincarnation of the Michelin-starred restaurant which shuttered in 2023, dressed up several notches. The mastermind behind both concepts is Chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive. But in his absence – the chef is mostly based in Melbourne – it’s his trusted Chef de Cuisine Aitor Gonzalez who takes charge of the kitchen. Northern Spain and the Basque Country are Chef Aitor Jeronimo’s main sources of inspiration, but his dishes also tap into the wider culinary landscape of the region, with sprinkles of personal memories here and there.  Perhaps understanding that the vast majority of diners might not know Spanish cuisine beyond paella and gambas, he chooses to start the meal with the tapitas, a show-stopping spread of eight bite-sized tapas representing different regions of Spain. Look out for signatures like the green spinach tart with pine nuts and crispy garlic, as well as the 45-day aged Galician beef tartare and egg confit sandwiched between flatbread.  Next, the traditional Spanish omelette is reimagined as layers of confit potato, sabayon and potato ‘espuma’ in the Tortilla de Patatas. Topped with luxurious shavings of black truffle, this comforting dish is an easy favourite. The bread course impresses as w

The Coconut Club welcomes a sister restaurant above its Beach Road digs – and no, it’s not plates of ayam goreng berampah it’s selling, but a whole new concept: ‘new-gen’ Singaporean cuisine. The term might invite some initial scepticism, but Chef Marcus Leow (formerly of Naked Finn and Magic Square) and his team are quick to quell it. Simply come wide-eyed and open-minded, and don’t expect to see jazzed-up laksa, glorified chicken rice, or anything of the sort.  Instead, the kitchen works with disparate flavours, obscure and long-forgotten ingredients, and a whole lot of creativity to whip up dishes that are noticeably Singaporean, yet delightfully foreign. We like the grilled firefly squid salad, where the iconic pairing of dark soy sauce and jambu in rojak is enhanced with briny – if slightly funky – firefly squid, strawberries, and kailan. The usually viscous hae gor (prawn paste) is also reworked into a golden, syrupy caramel that’s lighter on the palate. For dinner (four courses, $88 per person), a sharing course of crispy meesua is served among a spread of other oddball condiments. You’ve got the doughy pancakes, heavily deep-fried, and to pair: a heap of batang otah paste, fermented soy sauce with gula melaka, and a zesty salad with gado-gado and pineapple dressing. Whether you’re dining in for lunch (two courses, $58 per person) or dinner, you’re due to make the same tough decision on the main course: nasi ulam with grilled seasonal fish, or beef short rib satay wit

If you spot a long queue near Redhill Food Centre in the morning, especially on the first and 15th day of the Chinese lunar calendar, then it's probably temple-goers queueing up for Ruyi Yuan — or one of its diehard fans waiting on a plate of vegetarian bee hoon.  We’ve been patronising this humble stall at Redhill since the 2000s – yes, back when a plate would only set you back $1.50. Now priced at $4, you get the same standard mix of toppings above your noodles. Mushrooms, cabbage, fried soy pieces resembling chicken chop, sweet ‘char siew’ slices, and tofu come together to add different textures and flavours to the mix. As with any plate of vegetarian bee hoon, it's mandatory to add a serving of zai er (crispy soy skin) on top for the extra crunch. Noodle customisations are also available, with options like hor fun, bee hoon, or yellow noodles — all of which have a faint and pleasant wok hei aroma.  The cherry on top is the sweet sambal served on the side, similar to nasi lemak chilli. Granted, this isn't the healthiest plate of vegetarian food around, but with how well all the components go together, you might even forget that it's meatless while you're busy wolfing it down.  If it’s your first time visiting, the queue system is pretty systematic: order on the right, then proceed to the left side to pay and collect your food. The usual wait is around 15 minutes, but do note that the first and 15th day of the lunar month, as well as special occasions like Qing Ming Festiva

There are plenty of vegetarian gems in Fortune Centre, but we like New Green Pasture Café for its clean, homely environment, friendly service, and meals that are light and refreshing on the palate. Tucked away on the fourth floor of the establishment, this eatery has been around for over 26 years, and is patronised by both elderly regulars and the younger crowd. You’ll notice shelves lined with health foods, organic biscuits, and more. The thunder tea rice ($12.50) here is a must-try. Brown rice is the only option, but it adds to the myriad of textures in the bowl – think peanuts, crunchy and savoury cai pu, gluten (to mimic fried scrambled eggs), dried tofu skin for umami, and three kinds of veggies. The slightly minty, green gruel is also just the right consistency. Ladle as much of it as you like over your rice, but leave just enough to have on its own for a satisfying end to your meal. And unless you don’t mind leaving absolutely stuffed, we recommend asking for a half portion of rice for the lei cha – believe us, it’s more than enough to fill you up. Order a side of the stuffed tau pok to share ($10.50). Four pockets of baked or air-fried tau pok (either way, they're certainly not deep-fried, seeing that they're perfectly crisp without the slightest trace of oil) come stuffed to the brim with crunchy veggies like alfalfa, beetroot, carrots, and radishes. But the reason why folks love this might be the special house sauce that's drizzled over it. We can't quite put a fin

Weave at Resorts World Sentosa is shaping up to be quite the culinary destination, and adding to its list of F&B brands is Pierre Hermé Paris’ new concept store. This is the French pâtisserie’s first-ever flagship shop in Southeast Asia, and it also happens to be its largest store in the world to date. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect once the boutique opens to the public on August 1.  360-degree macaron and pâtisserie counter Photograph: Adira Chow for Time Out Singapore The centrepiece of the store is a dazzling 360-degree macaron and pastry counter, lined with Pierre Hermé’s signature creations. Diehard fans will be familiar with the pâtisserie’s three signature flavours: Ispahan (rose, lychee and raspberry); Mogador (milk chocolate and passionfruit); and Infiniment Vanille (a blend of three kinds of vanilla). These have become almost synonymous with the brand over the years, so much so that Chef Hermé has decided to dedicate a whole feature wall – called the Fetish Wall – in the Singapore flagship, just to highlight these creations. Photograph: Adira Chow | Fetish wall Guests can also explore 15 additional macaron flavours, including Arya (pistachio and orange blossom), Indulgence (fresh mint and peas), Infiniment Caramel (salted butter caramel) and others. Seasonal specials are also available, featuring anything from macarons infused with tomato leaves and black olive purée to matcha and yuzu macarons. Each macaron is priced at $4 and available in boxes of

As it is, Singapore’s Michelin Bib Gourmand game is pretty strong – we have got 89 eateries on the list, and the number keeps growing each year. Well, now we’ve got another to shout about, except this one’s from Hong Kong. Mak Man Kee, an iconic Hong Kong wonton noodle stall, is now serving customers in Singapore for the first time in the brand’s 70-year history. Affectionately known as MMK, Mak Man Kee has been a constant fixture on the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide for Hong Kong since 2018 – that’s eight years and counting. The heritage brand has been around since the 1940s, when it was a humble street cart stall along Temple Street in Hong Kong. Since then, the joint has been consistently dishing out up to 1,000 bowls of wonton noodles each day to regular customers. Photograph: Mak Man Kee Now, foodies in Singapore can enjoy MMK’s award-winning noodles, crafted with the same age-old recipe. They can be found at Joy Luck Teahouse’s new eatery in Food Republic at Causeway Point, Woodlands. This is also Joy Luck Teahouse’s first dine-in concept – the Singaporean brand is more known for its takeaway kiosks selling freshly baked Hong Kong pastries and delicacies. The only gripe some might have with MMK’s noodles in Singapore is the absence of pork in the wontons. As Joy Luck Teahouse is a halal-friendly eatery, it swaps out MMK’s silky pork wontons for prawn wontons instead. A bowl of noodles with prawn wontons is priced at $9.80, while the pork and chicken wonton version costs

Queenstown is a sorely underrated neighbourhood in terms of cafés. Just within a one-kilometre radius, you’ll chance upon unassuming joints underneath HDB blocks or nestled in industrial buildings – places like Kyuukei, Rookie’s, Cupo Coffee, Alchemist The Mill, Creamie Sippies, Tiong Hoe, and more. Add one to the list: EG Coffee is a new café located below the apartment complex Alexis, which is an eight-minute walk from Queenstown MRT. The setup is simple – white and light-wood tones with four small tables indoors, and foldable camping chairs outdoors, where pets are welcome. The interiors are peppered with quirky knick-knacks, including a mini Sudoku corner where you can have a go at a puzzle while waiting. A friendly couple, Esther and Gavin (after whom the café is named), run the place. We pop by before lunchtime on a Sunday and the café is still relatively quiet.  For a small neighbourhood café, EG Coffee offers a surprisingly extensive drinks menu. It’s got the usual roster of espresso-based drinks (a latte starts at $6.50, which is not the cheapest), filter coffee (from $9) and cold brews ($9). The proprietary Icons Blend is a medium-to-dark roast Guatemala and Uganda blend which is smooth and chocolatey with hints of caramel. You can also opt for Geisha and Yirgacheffe beans at a top-up, or ask the barista for the origin of the day. Photograph: Adira Chow | Rum canele, Ice black sesame latte, Flat white There are also interesting options like the dried orange latte

It seems like Blue Bottle Coffee is here to stay in Singapore. The world-renowned specialty coffee chain first landed on our shores last August, opening as a gift shop in the Japanese retail store Lumine Singapore at Raffles City. About seven months later, the space was converted into a full-fledged 42-seater dine-in café, much to the delight of coffee lovers and fans of the brand. Thanks to its soaring popularity, Blue Bottle now has a second outlet at Paragon Shopping Centre – its first standalone store in Singapore. That’s not all. The brand also has plans to expand and open at least 10 more cafés across the island by 2027, making its artisanal coffee accessible to more Singaporeans. Photograph: Blue Bottle Coffee For now, the latest Blue Bottle café in Orchard seats 70 customers across its indoor and alfresco dining areas, which combined, span a total of more than 980 square feet. The space is decked out in the same iconic minimalist design as other Blue Bottle outlets, with simple yet classy elements of stainless steel, oak wood and terra cotta-toned plaster.  Here, you’ll find the regular range of espresso-based beverages, cold brew and pour-over selections on the menu. And on top of coffee, there are two exclusive food items on the Paragon menu – the Liège Waffle ($8.50) and yoghurt bowl ($12) topped with granola and strawberries. Photograph: Blue Bottle Coffee Those who want to get their hands on Blue Bottle drip (no, not the coffee) can also purchase merchandise

It’s been a long time coming, but Punggol’s latest hawker centre – Punggol Coast Hawker Centre – is now open for business. The food centre starts welcoming patrons on Friday, July 25, 2025. It is located within walking distance of the new Punggol Coast Mall and Punggol Coast MRT Station.  The hawker centre seats over 600 people across 121 tables, and is open daily from 6am to 10pm. Expect 40 stalls, comprising 34 cooked food stalls and six selling drinks, juice and dessert. In particular, you’ll spot familiar names like Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee and Hock Hai (Hong Lim) Curry Chicken, listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected lists respectively.  Well-loved braised duck stall South Buona Vista Braised Duck, which shuttered early last year, is also making a comeback at Punggol Coast Hawker Centre. The former Desker Road eatery has a 50-year history and even made the news when owner Mr Ang Chiap Teck decided to close it in 2024. Other tenants at the new hawker centre include Pin Wei Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong Fun – this will be its tenth outlet in Singapore; Whampoa Traditional Fried Oyster; and halal options like Kedai Salima and SJ Sickander Ammal Muslim Food.  Old-school names aside, Punggol Coast Hawker Centre will also feature younger hawkers like Yuan Ming, Brandon Lim and Oh Chin Jie who own What The Puff, selling curry puffs with unique fillings like char siew, black pepper chicken and otah. Lei cha fans can also dig into hearty, healthy bowls of thund

The Guide has spoken: 288 restaurants in Singapore are worthy of a spot on the coveted red book this year, with one restaurant added to the one-star line-up, and another promoted to two-star status. Ahead of this evening’s Michelin Guide 2025 awards ceremony in Marina Bay Sands, the Guide first released its Bib Gourmand 2025 picks last week, with 11 new eateries joining the ranks.  2025 marks the ninth year since the Michelin Guide landed in Singapore. And while it’s no secret that the F&B industry suffered plenty of closures recently (this year has 32 one-star restaurants compared to 42 last year, mostly due to closures), tonight’s ceremony proves once again that our tiny city is still chock-full of culinary giants. Photograph: Omakase @ Stevens / Facebook Receiving both the Young Chef Award and his first star is Kazuki Arimoto of Omakase @ Stevens, the fine-dining restaurant at Novotel Singapore on Stevens specialises in omakase with French culinary inflexions. Then there’s chef-owner Yoshio Sakuta of Sushi Sakuta, who now has a shiny new two-Michelin-star plaque – a bump from his one-star award last year. The intimate 10-seater restaurant offers a seasonal omakase menu exclusively serving Japanese fish, and demonstrates precision in using two varieties of Japanese rice and five types of sushi vinegar.  New entries aside, most of the list remains the same, with the Michelin three-star category dominated by three familiar names in the fine-dining scene. You guessed it – on

Singapore’s finest coffee talent battled it out at this year’s Singapore National Coffee Championship (SNCC), held over three days this month. Organised by the Singapore Coffee Association, the event saw 71 participants compete across four categories: espresso-based drinks, hand-brewed filter coffee, latte art and coffee tasting. Winners from each category will go on to represent Singapore at the 2026 World Coffee Championships. In the espresso-based category, owner of Oaks Coffee Co. Jervis Tan takes home the title of the Singapore National Barista Champion. Previously, Jervis won the National Latte Art Championship five times, and this is his first time competing in the Singapore National Barista Championship category. For a taste of his brews, swing by Oaks Coffee Co. in Upper Thomson, which has been a reliable haunt for coffee and brunch since it first opened as Kinsmen Coffee in 2013. In the world of hand-brewed filter coffee, Ong Shen Choy is named the Singapore National Brewers Cup Champion. Shen Choy has been in the industry for over a decade and now runs Fluid Collective, a hole-in-the-wall coffee bar and roaster in Potong Pasir. You can even sign up for a filter or espresso subscription with Fluid to sample its monthly rotation of beans. Photograph: Fluid Collective / Instagram And with any good cuppa, you can’t deny that aesthetics play a part too – especially when it comes to latte art. This year, Singapore’s National Latte Art Championship goes to Robin Lee, ma

Popular homegrown sandwich shop Korio reopened last December in IOI Central Boulevard Towers with much fanfare, after closing for a year from 2023 to 2024. Now, you’ll still catch snaking lines outside its tiny shopfront during lunch hours in the CBD, with customers eager to sink their teeth into hearty sourdough sammies and brioche doughnuts. Thanks to its overwhelming popularity, the brand has decided to open a second outlet in town, located at the new Guoco Midtown II development in Bugis. Similar to the first shop, the Bugis outlet mostly does takeaway orders, though a small dine-in space is available for those who’d like to savour their sandwiches on the spot. Photograph: Korio All-time favourites like the gruyère, cheddar and mozzarella grilled cheese sandwich ($15) and the sausage and egg sandwich ($13) will be available. But on top of that, diners can also expect outlet-exclusive items like the brisket sandwich ($18.50) featuring slow-cooked grass-fed beef brisket with pickled onions and horseradish sauce. Another newly launched item is the BLT sandwich ($16.50) with crispy bacon, avocado, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, jalapenõ ranch and a sunny-side-up egg, encased in fluffy potato buns. Photograph: Korio | Brisket sandwich It’s not just the sammies that fans go ham for – Korio also doles out freshly-baked brioche doughnuts each day. Each batch undergoes an 18-hour fermentation process before they’re fried and coated in house-made glazes. The signature honey s

The year is 2019, and Singapore’s first African café and lounge just landed on the scene. These days, founder Kurt Wagner is more known for his West African restaurant Tamba, which offers a reasonable $138 dinner tasting menu, but before that, Kafe Utu was where curious diners would flock to for a taste of African cuisine.  My first visit to the café was in 2022. It didn’t accept reservations back then so a crowd was pooling outside during dinner time, but what turned out to be a 90-minute wait proved to be worth it. The three-storey building was impressive at every corner – stunning portraits of African women on the first floor, large leather couches on the second floor for lounging around and mingling with strangers, and a charming alfresco area overlooking the neighbourhood. Tasteful decor aside, the vibe was lively and communal, and the service warm and friendly.  Photograph: Adira Chow for Time Out Singapore Photograph: Adira Chow for Time Out Singapore Kafe Utu’s dinner offerings consist of a pan-African spread of curries paired with rice and condiments, and it also serves brunch and an extensive list of specialty coffee, all roasted in-house. The recent brunch menu refresh sees returns of fan-favourite dishes as well as a couple of additions to keep things fresh. We’re told that the previous version leaned more towards stews, rice and curries, while the updated features more bread – think chapati and batbout (a kind of Moroccan pita). Back by popular demand is the

Who would’ve expected that wedged between floors of vegetarian eateries in Fortune Centre is an intimate bar laser-focused on celebrating the vibrant maritime history of Singapore? You might have heard of the term ‘orang laut’ before – Malay for ‘sea people’. They are the seafaring communities who once roamed the shores of Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia in the 1800s, and it’s this rich heritage of theirs that Leon Tan champions over at Laut.  With just ten seats and a menu that kicks off each evening as a two-hour tasting experience, dining here feels more like a dinner party hosted by someone with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Southeast Asian flavours than the average dinner experience. First launched on Stanley Street, Laut has since made the move to a smaller, pocket-sized space in Fortune Centre, with the cosy spot feeling like an experimental lab for its talented team. We had the chance to visit the bar and chat about Laut’s unique cocktail programme, Leon’s personal drink recommendations and his unfiltered thoughts on the bar industry and cocktail trends. Read on for our five quick-fire questions – and don’t forget to check out more of Singapore’s best bars in the Time Out Singapore 2025 Bar Guide, out now and available for free here. Photograph: Daniel Iskandar for Time Out Singapore If Laut had a theme song, what would it be? Feel Good by The Kribo Brothers. They’re Singaporean music producers based in Bali now, and they produce a lot of funky tunes and feel-goo

Around a year ago, we bid farewell to the iconic McDonald’s store at the first-floor corner unit of Raffles City Shopping Centre. In its place, Casa Vostra opened. The Italian eatery is the sister restaurant of La Bottega Enoteca – an award-winning pizzeria in Singapore by Chef Antonio Miscellaneo – and is meant to offer a more accessible, affordable and casual dining experience compared to the original.  The reception? Polarising. Some loved that you could get Chef Antonio’s signature pizzas at a fraction of the price (from $15 per pizza) and at a more convenient location, since La Bottega Enoteca is located in Joo Chiat. Others found the quality to be inconsistent. And many had things to say about the long queues due to the restaurant’s no-reservations policy. Well, love it or hate it, you can’t deny the restaurant’s immense success, so much so that Chef Antonio has decided to open a second outlet in Singapore, this time in the heartlands. Casa Vostra’s second branch is opening this September, 2025 at Jem in Jurong East. So if you’re a Westie who’s curious to find out if this popular pizzeria lives up to the hype, here’s your chance. Photograph: Casa Vostra | Prosciutto e Fichi pizza, Baked Scamorza The new 80-seater restaurant will be larger than the Raffles City outlet, which only seats 60. It will also serve outlet-exclusive dishes like the Prosciutto e Fichi pizza ($27) and baked scamorza ($6). Of course, Chef Antonio’s trademarked Newpolitan and Doublecrunch pizzas w

It’s back to business for Tiong Bahru Market, which has reopened in July after three months of upgrading works. The beloved food centre has been serving the community for decades, from its early days as Seng Poh Market in the 1950s. The market was last renovated in 2017, and though it was still in good condition as of early 2025, the National Environment Agency (NEA) decided some light upkeep was needed.  The refreshed food centre boasts new tables and stools, new floor tiles, larger fans to keep the indoor area cool, and added awnings to keep the rain out and provide added shade to tables by the railings. The toilets have also been cleaned and upgraded. On top of that, you’ll also spot a fresh coat of paint on the building’s exterior and a new landscaped garden on the first floor.  After a long wait, regular customers can finally feast again and eat their fill of the many food offerings the market is known for. There are a whopping 342 food and drink stalls at Tiong Bahru Market, including Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Shui Kueh, which sells fluffy steamed rice cakes doused with homemade chilli and chye poh (pickled radish).  Many also love Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice, Hui Ji Fishball Noodles, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup. And of course, not forgetting the longstanding rivalry between Lor Mee 178 and Tiong Bahru Lor Mee. Meanwhile, those craving a light snack can visit Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun; Tiong Bahru Teochew