Update 19 Jan 2025: Estation Cafe has closed.
Heartland cafes like EStation Cafe in Ang Mo Kio don’t get enough credit. Homely and inviting, places like these combine the convenience of heading down for a bite, with quality food at reasonable prices.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lots Gourmet has closed.
There’s something to be said about cafes that are able to stand the test of time in Singapore’s food scene – and the finicky fads that come and go with initially strong players that turn out to be no more than flashes in a pan.
The name Lots Gourmet might ring a bell with cafe goers of old. Established back in 2009 (way before hipster cafes and indie coffee joints started sprouting across the island), the humble establishment has come a long way from its cozy premises in Upper Changi Road, to its lavish new home at Changi Civil Service Club on Netheravon Road.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Lobsters & Ice Cream has closed.
While Singapore is certainly no stranger to lobster rolls by now, it can be challenging to find a decent lobster roll without burning the wallet. Enter Lobsters & Ice Cream, an American food kiosk sandwiched between two bustling Chinese eateries on New Bridge Road in Chinatown.
Sometimes you just want to break away from the seemingly endless cycle of food fads and overhyped “Instagram food” and head straight back for the classics, i.e. what works. Other times a little innovation goes a long way in re-inventing a timeless staple.
I have heard good things about Two Men Bagel House since their early days in Tanjong Pagar, but never got around to trying them while I was working in the vicinity. With the start of the new year, though, there was no better time to venture into new food territory than when I was in Novena, where their second store is located.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Fatburger has closed.
This is a trip that’s long overdue. Fatburger, coined as “The Last Great Burger Stand” , made its home in Singapore at KINEX and Velocity @ Novena Square back in September, with the gargantuan Quad (XXXXL) Burger making waves among foodies. Hailing from Hollywood, this famed burger chain has enjoyed a massive cult following in America, with celebrities like Kanye West and Pharrell among its clientele and partners.
With its famed reputation preceding its arrival, expectations were high when I visited Fatburger’s KINEX outlet for lunch.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Amber Ember has closed.
These days, it’s hard to find a cafe that truly stands out from the dozens of generic looking joints that pop up with forgettable or worse, mediocre dishes. Yet Amber Ember has somehow found its way against the norm, with an interesting menu of Asian inspired brunch items that tantalise both the eyes and the tastebuds.
Update 19 Jan 2025: Citrus Bistro has closed. Visit Cirus By The Pool in Woodlands.
Ah, Sundays by the pool. When I was a child, there was nothing better than escaping the relentless heat with an afternoon at the swimming pool, followed by a hearty lunch with family under the sturdy shelter of an umbrella table.
For families taking a refreshing dip at Woodlands and Sengkang Sports Centres, Citrus By The Pool and its sister cafe, Citrus Bistro, offer western and Asian fusion fare that is pretty bang for buck, in terms of flavours and portions!
Best of all, diners at Citrus Bistro enjoy free entry to the swimming complex – just dial the number on the signboard next to the gantry and a friendly staff will usher you in.
Chue On It 