Say hello to the season's best openings. As we head into the last quarter of the year, get out your wallets and support these brave new restaurants and cafes that chose to open up in this period of uncertainty.
OG Lemak
Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua
For Twiced-Steamed Nasi Lemak
Remember Chef Shen Tan of Revolution Coffee and Wok and Barrel? She's now revisiting her hawker roots with a new hawker store, OG Lemak, and Newton Circle Food Centre. Dig into her signature Twice-Steamed Nasi Lemak that's made with a whopping 11 ingredients. Burppler Veronica recommends the Chicken Rendang Set ($9.90) with a whole thigh ("it’s tender, moist and saturated in the rich and spicy rempah gravy"), fried egg, ikan bilis, cucumber and two kinds of sambal.
Wild Child Pizzette
Photo by Burppler Xing Wei Chua
For Neapolitan Pizzettes
There's a new pizza joint on the Boat Quay block, and it's created by the team behind the community-favourite spot Cicheti. Think superb 10-inch Neapolitan pizzas (or to be precise, pizzettes) in flavours like Crispy Fried Margherita ($21), Trio Formaggio ($19), and the Spianata Calabrese ($19) with spicy salami, fennel, Sichuan honey and Fior di latte mozzarella. Burppler Kenneth Lee said "it was one of those dinners that left me extremely jolly and satisfied and so were my companions."
Glacier
Photo by Burppler Xing Wei Chua
For Sweet, Sweet Desserts
Glacier is a pretty new cafe on Lavender Street that's decked out in all white. The colour comes from their appetising food, from ice cream to pastries and brunch staples like the Glacier Big Breakfast ($24), Seafood Vongole Pasta ($23) and Salmon Mentaiko Truffle Grain Bowl ($20). On the dessert from, Burppler Xing Wei Chua gave their Chocolate Babka with Gelato (from $16) a try and says "the toasted exterior holds up to the gelato well; so much that one wouldn’t be left with a soggy mess even as the gelato melts slowly to soak up the Chocolate Babka. The Osmanthus Oolong Gelato is a sheer pleasure to have."
Sevens Cafe
Photo by Burppler Russell Leong
For Seasonal Fruit Tarts
Looking for some of the freshest tarts and cakes in town? Sevens Cafe on Joo Chiat Place has you covered with everything from picture-perfect Kyoto Rolls ($7.80) to seasonal tarts ($9.90) that rotate from time to time. Burppler Russell Leong tried the Mango and Blueberry Tarts and said the "ripe, sumptuously sweet fruits are undeniable superstars. They’re also alluringly creamy & firm, and every bite is confirmation that these superb mangoes are at peak freshness & deliciousness." The cafe also serves up a selection of bowls like the salmon don-esque Sea Protein ($22) and Land Protein ($21) with smoked duck and smashed avo.
Asador
Photo by Burppler Cecil Dulam
For Basque-style Cuisine
This new Spanish restaurant at Joo Chiat (incidentally, next to Sevens Cafe) has got everyone talking with their rich flavours cooked using a Basque-style parilla grill. We're talking dishes like Txangurro ($26), a Basque-style deshelled spider crab and Vieiras ($28), or grilled scallops with green peas and Iberico ham. The Pulpo ($34), or Char-Grilled Octopus sitting on Spanish Pork Belly, was Burppler Cecil Dulam's favourite dish of the night, "cooked to perfection, moist inside with the char outside and a smoky flavour."
Eggslut
Photo by Burppler Coleats 🍟
For Uh, Eggsluts
Yep, it's finally here! The first Southeast Asian outlet of the popular LA egg sandwich chain has landed in Scotts Square, bringing their signature Fairfax Sandwich ($12) that sees "cage-free eggs beautifully scrambled with chives, caramelised onions, cheddar cheese and sriracha mayo sandwiched between two fluffy brioche buns", according to Burppler Maureen Ow. Other things you must try include the Duck Fat Truffle Hashbrowns ($4.50), Cheeseburger Double ($17), and Classic Bacon, Egg, Cheese ($12).
boCHINche
Photo by Burppler Cecil Dulam
For Argentinian Beef Lovers
One of our favourite steakhouses for Argentinian beef has reopened at a new hood at Club Street and is not ready to rekindle the flames with their famous jarrah charcoal grill. Meats are the name of the game at this 8-year-old spot, with an incredible new menu featuring things like crispy Argentinian Spring Rolls ($14) with tender pig ears and Bomba Arroz Verde ($27), a Spanish-style risotto. Then dig into cuts such as ‘Devesa' Argentinian grain-fed OP RIB ($22/100g) and Bone-In Vintage Galiciana Striploin ($140), best paired with a 50 label-strong wine list.
Carrotsticks and Cravings (Stanley)
Photo by Burppler serene goh
For A Wholesome Food Haven
Calling all CBD warriors! The well-established Aussie-inspired cafe Carrotsticks & Cravings recently unveiled a brand new outlet along Stanley Street. Be sure to check out the outlet-exclusive Stanley Breakfast for 2 ($46) with generous servings of Israeli salad, freshly-baked puff pastries filled with cream cheese and dill, falafel patties, avocado, smoked salmon, eggs, and more. Other favourites include the Red Shakshouka ($18), Dukkah Salmon Grain Bowl ($28) and Acai Berry Bowl ($14).
For Tsudoage-Style Tempura
Tempura Makino is a popular tempura speciality chain from Japan that's launching its first outpost outside of Japan! Look forward to handcrafted tempura made to order in front of you. A la carte tempura items are reasonably priced from $1.50 per piece, along with special dishes with Okinawan influences such as the Goya Tempura with Okinawan salt ($4.50), Mozuku Tempura ($5.80), Daikon Oden ($3.80), Mentai Seaweed ($6.80) and Uni Ohba ($8.80).
For All Things Dessert
Lick, eat, celebrate and drink at Amuse Dessert, the latest dessert sensation to hit Tanjong Pagar. As expected by the people behind famed dark chocolate dessert shop The Dark Gallery. Here, you'll find French bakes (from $4) like madeleines, macarons, and caneles; a rotating selection of ice cream flavours (from $5.50) such as Injeolmi Bingsu, Cookies After Midnight, Manuka Genmaicha, and Acai Banana Sorbet; and delish coffee and single origin Sencha drinks.
For The Ultimate South Indian Experience
Sitting along Upper Circular Road, this cosy restaurant serving authentic South Indian cuisine aims to evoke wonder, joy, nostalgia and bliss with every bite. Feast on a spread of Kozhi Ellu Varuval ($19) for starters, which sees chicken morsels fried to crisp perfection and tossed in fragrant spices and sesame seeds, followed by mains like Chicken Tikka Masala ($19) and Goan Fish Curry ($19). Finish off with the signature Seeraga Samba Mutton Biryani ($25)!
