Update 19 Jan 2025: Nico Cafe has closed.
Orchard Road may be bustling with retail experiences and activities galore, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offer one or two spots for a brief respite. One of these is Nico Cafe, a floral-themed, Parisian-inspired cafe that offers a mix of decorative drinks and brunchtime bites.
Located directly outside Marks & Spencer at Wheelock Place, it’s also great for people-watching with its unobstructed views of one of the area’s quieter roads.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lil’s Taproom has closed.
Burger hunters and craft beer lovers, mark this place as your new hideout. Lil’s Taproom & Kitchen Playground has been around as a gastropub for a fair bit, but recently revamped its burger menu after taking over the reins from HAMBAOBAO, a hawker stall-turned-local burger brand.
Tucked away on the third level of Trio Building in Jalan Besar, one would never have guessed this nondescript building would be home to a hidden gem of gastronomic pleasures.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Manpuku Sando has moved to BON BON COFFEE at Taste Orchard.
I’ve found my new favourite sando place and it’s Manpuku Sando at Cuppage Plaza. Run by a sole Japanese owner-chef, this humble joint is open for 4 hours daily (except Mondays) and shares its space with Dosukoi x Donpachi.
Having visited Manpuku Sando’s sister(?) izakaya a few times and thoroughly loved it, I was excited for what was in store. And it definitely did not disappoint!
Rosti seems to be growing in popularity in Singapore, with numerous cafes and even hawkers offering this Swiss staple. Yet, it’s pretty uncommon to find places serving rosti exclusively, considering how quickly food trends come and go.
PÖONSTI is a new rosti concept currently operating out of Old Hen Kitchen in Farrer Park, serving various takes on it exclusively during brunch. Coincidentally, the cafe is also home to artisanal pizza joint, Chooby Pizza come evening.
Crawford Lane has no shortage of cozy cafes and eateries, making it one of the go-to neighbourhoods in Lavender for a casual, cafe-hopping experience. Adding to this enclave is Simple Cafe, an unpretentious joint with homely vibes.
Formerly located at West Coast Drive, Simple Cafe has earned a reputation as a Taiwanese-style cafe. Stepping in, you feel like you are about to play a calefare in a Mandpop music video with the warm lights and soft Mandopop beats playing in the background.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Oni Kimbap has moved to Eastwood Center, Taste Orchard, and Bukit Merah Central.
Kimbap is touted as one of the staples in Korean cuisine. Yet, you’d be hard-pressed to find a wide range of renditions of this street food as you would at Oni Kimbap, a former home-based Korean food business that recently opened its dine-in location at Aperia Mall in Lavender.
While it’s no secret that Tanjong Pagar is Singapore’s capital of Japanese food, there are still some hidden gems tucked away in little pockets of this central enclave. Today’s best-kept secret is Enishi Ramen, a Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen hailing from Kobe, Japan.
Located on the second level of International Plaza, Enishi Ramen is a no-frills ramen shop that sells no more than 100 bowls per day, supposedly to retain the quality of its cooking. With less than twenty seats available around the counter, it’s easy to see why Enishi Ramen is home to snaking queues daily.
Chue On It 