Fancy dining on modern European dishes in the heart of town, minus the markups that take your meal from “fairly reasonable” to “a costly hole in your wallet”? True Cost is the place for you.
Founded on a philosophy of making high-quality food accessible, True Cost made a name for its modern dishes served at cost price – or at least, close to it. All with a breathtaking view of Singapore’s cityscape from its premises in Suntec City Sky Garden.
The catch: an entry fee of $5 – $10 per diner.
I love cafes that step outside their comfort zone and try new things in the kitchen. Apollo Coffee Bar has become one of my favourite places to cafe hop for their ever-changing menu of classic and Asian-inspired foods.
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: Catkin has closed.
While I’m not big on sweets, I never fail to gravitate toward plated desserts, especially for their fine details and craft.
Catkin by Huishan is the latest space to launch its own line of locally-inspired desserts, led by ex-Willow head pastry chef, Soh Hui Shan. Situated within Twenty-Eight Cafe on Wilkie Road, Catkin appears to be a one-woman operation where you can watch your desserts assembled before you.
Dessert omakase is pretty uncommon in Singapore, and it’s Chef Soh’s mission to break into this niche market, starting with a trio of mod Sin creations that evoke memories of our favourite childhood snacks.
Update 19 Jan 2025: The cafe segment of 51 Tras has closed.
Aesthetic, minimalist cafes are having their moment, and I’m here for it. Named for its exact location, 51 Tras in Tanjong Pagar is a self-proclaimed “creative space” that brings together several local, artisanal F&B brands under one roof. Making it somewhat of a godsend for hipster cafe-hoppers who can never decide which new space to check off their ever-growing list.
There’s a running joke in Singapore that with Christmas and Lunar New Year so close to each other, it’s almost as though both festive seasons can be combined into one. Moonbow Patisserie, of Moonbow at Dempsey Hill, has taken this a notch further with its Pineapple Cranberry Butter Tarts ($16 for 180gm)!
Update 19 Jan 2025: Going Om has moved to Bali Lane.
I’ll admit that staying home 24/7 this circuit breaker season in Singapore has got me feeling a tad sluggigh, a little down. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to eat healthy and treat our bodies well!
I got to know about Going Om, a hipster salad bar meets yoga studio during one of my daily “Where shall I order from today?” monologues with the office on Google Hangouts. Turns out this neat little joint has been operating out of their eclectically-themed premises in Haji Lane for awhile now, with regulars returning for their gigantic salads and desi fries.
Chue On It 