This deli cum all-day dining restaurant by acclaimed chef Otto Weibel is a welcome addition to the recent string of openings at Raffles Holland V. The dine-in menu sees a good selection of familiar classics like pasta, burgers and grilled meats, making this a great spot for a casual family meal. Start your meal with the foolproof platter of excellent cured meats — Jamon Iberico de Bellota, Jamon Serrano Reserva and Beef Bresola ($13.50), which also comes with creamy burratina pugliese, cherry tomatoes and greens. Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua recommends the Beef Stroganoff Fettuccine ($17), which sees perfectly cooked hanger steak and al dente pasta laced in an earthy, creamy sauce. Do not leave without having Otto's Favourite Drink, Valrhona Chocolate ($9.50 hot/$12.50 iced) for a most decadent cocoa with hazelnut cream espuma, crunchy choco pearls and a touch of sea salt.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Picture by Burppler Muriel A
There's a lot on the extensive menu at this Somerset newcomer, but it's the quality of their Chirashi ($25) that bowled us over. Located at the front entrance of Hotel Chancellor @ Orchard, Zipang Japanese Dining Bar is helmed by three Japanese chefs, so you know your food is in good hands. Unlike other places where the chirashi can be a main, the one at Zipang is just enough for you to taste how fresh their ingredients are, but not so filling that you can't have other items. We reckon that the well-marinated cubes of sashimi on a bed of fluffy rice, topped with whitebait, makes a strong contender against Teppei's chirashi! For something heartier, order their specialty Crab Zipang Kama Meshi ($12) — traditional Japanese rice cooked in a small pot with generous chunks of crab meat and mushrooms. It takes 30 minutes to cook, so order this first before anything else. While waiting, the Deep-fried Eggplant in Special Sauce ($5) and the Asari Saka Mushi ($12) are both great for sharing.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
Canelés are hard to come by in Singapore, so when the craving strikes, head straight to this shop in The Concourse. Originating from Hong Kong, the brand specialises in the French confection, which resembles little fluted cakes. Baked on site, the canelés are crisp on the outside yet soft and chewy on the inside. Pick from four flavours — Traditional (vanilla and rum), Mediterranean (orange zest and Grand Marnier), Irish (coffee and whisky) and Framboise (raspberry and raspberry brandy); and three sizes — cocktail ($1.80, think petits fours), medium ($3.50, a good size if you're unsure) and grand ($5.50). You can also pre-order gift boxes online. Prices start from $28 for a box of 16 cocktail-sized canelés.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
Every ingredient in the grain bowls offered at Ninja Cut is well-executed — the honey glazed carrots are soft and sweet, the moreish miso cucumbers add a nice crunch and the onsen egg is wobbly, every single time. Located just across Raffles Hotel, this sister outlet of Ninja Bowl in Duxton can accommodate large groups — perfect for a class gathering in town. Unlike Ninja Bowl where the same beef chunks are used in quite a few dishes (not complaining — it's so good!), Ninja Cut serves a wider variation of meats including Squid Fix ($18) and What's Your Beef? ($18). The former features an entire squid, perfectly grilled on both sides and tender to the bite, while the latter comes with 150g of Australian ribeye, roasted with a pink ring in the centre. Apart from savouries and all-day brunch items, the desserts here are impeccable too. Share the Marvellous Matcha ($16), a green tea hotcake with a flowy, oozy matcha centre, topped with ricotta cheese, chewy dango and azuki beans.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
This hot spot along Neil Road offers a selection of sweets that are equal parts pretty and tasty. There's ample seating space around, but just to be sure, come early with your group of friends to snag that one coveted high table under the sun roof — perfect lighting there for pictures! The clear favourite is the highly Instagrammable Twilight ($10), a chocolate mousse cake infused with Cointreau orange curd and blanketed with a glossy, galaxy themed glaze. But for us, the standout is Terrarium ($12), which sees fresh mint custard buried below a bed of chocolate soil. The delicate piece of art is then topped with green sponge cake shaped like moss and bite-sized cubes of apple compote for that extra crunch. Mix in a shot of rum (additional $3) for an experience you won't find elsewhere.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Gavin Chan
By the team behind funky izakaya Neon Pigeon comes this Middle Eastern joint oozing hipster pizzazz. Prepare your taste buds to go on a journey of Middle Eastern spices and flavours — think kebabs, falafels and everything in between. Start with the Fat Prince Hummus ($11), which sees blended chickpeas enlivened with garlic, lemon juice and duck fat. Yes, you heard that right. Thankfully, the result is an extra creamy, unctuous dip begging that you repeatedly dip the side of spice-dusted crackers into. For mains, share the Beef Adana Kebab ($16) with a friend (portions are generous!). Expect flavourful minced beef adana chunks and harissa scrambled eggs, wrapped in pillowy pita. If it's your first visit, it might be worth splurging on the Pistachio Latte ($7) for the experience of tasting roasted pistachios in every sip.
Avg Price: $25 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
Things have changed at this cosy shop, previously known as Karafuru Desserts, along Jalan Klapa. They have rebranded to Kumoya (which loosely translates to "cloud house"), their famous eclairs are now more bite-sized and alcohol-free, and the menu includes savouries. Thankfully, their delicious and refreshing Yoghurt Parfaits (from $14.90) are still available! Go for the pretty-as-a-picture Sakura ($14.90) — house-churned yoghurt served with souffle cheesecake, vanilla pudding, cereal crunch and fresh fruits on the side. Made in-house daily and available in nine flavours, the Petite Eclairs ($3 per piece) are also a hit amongst ladies and sell out early in the day, so be sure to call in advance to check their availability!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
Taking over the now-defunct Moo Bar and Grill opposite Amoy Street Food Centre, Ash & Char offers delicious Western grub at pocket-friendly prices — nothing over $20 for mains. Run by the same folks behind Rise and Grind Co, the only mainstay on the menu is their signature Tom Yum Seafood Pasta ($17). Come with a few colleagues in tow and start the meal by sharing the heaping pile of Vietnamese Loaded Fries ($9). What Burppler Jayson Yeo describes as a "plate of sinful pleasure" sees golden wands of skin-on potatoes drenched in mayonnaise, hoisin sauce and Vietnamese chilli. For mains, opt for the crispy Chicken Leg Confit ($15) — beneath that crackling skin lies tender and moist chicken flesh that pairs well with the sweet potato mash. Wash it all down with a cup of Flat White before heading back to work!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo
Located on the first floor of Orchard Gateway, this South Korean chain doles out glossy soft serve in fancy gold-rimmed wine glasses. The soft serve (there is only one flavour but that's all you really need) is then topped with different items, depending on the flavour (tiramisu, banana or berries) you opt for. Go for the crowd favourite Tiramisu ($6.90), which sees a pile of mascarpone cheese buried beneath a swirly mound of soft serve, loaded with cookie bits and coffee liquor. To finish it off, the dessert is then topped with another swirl of ice cream and a a generous dusting of cocoa powder. It's a refreshing sweet treat to reward yourself with after a tiring day of shopping. Just be warned, the soft serve's recipe has been tweaked to be less sweet and it melts more quickly in this weather, so don't take too long for pictures!
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Ni Eats
Nestled behind The Working Capitol (access via the entrance facing the park), Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant specialises in charcoal grilled unagi. The new concept brought in by Teppei Group of Restaurants sees live unagi prepared a la order, so this is as fresh as it gets. Come with a group of friends and start your meal with the Umaki ($15.80) — egg omelette rolled with Japanese eel. The Una Don ($18.60) is a great introduction to unagi, but what we suggest you order is the Hitsumabushi ($26.80). Instead of the usual slab of unagi, it comes with unagi slices over a bed of rice, served with pickles, garnishes, a jar of bonito stock and an empty bowl. You can have the charcoal grilled unagi on its own first, but we recommend scooping out some of the rice and unagi into the empty bowl and adding in the soup stock to enhance the taste of the unagi! Oishii!
Pro tip: If you're not squeamish about blood, opt to sit in front of the glass kitchen, where you get to see Chef Nakagawa slicing and skewering the live, wriggling eels with ease.
Avg Price: $30 per person
Photo by Burppler John Kuan
This Bedok Point joint is easily the best place to accommodate a group of friends with varying food preferences. 5 Senses dishes out hearty Western plates that are bound to satisfy, well, all five senses. Salmon lovers, do not be distracted by the rest of the offerings and go straight for the Pan Seared Norwegian Salmon ($14.90). Burppler Jayson Yeo describes it as "a plate of salmon cooked perfectly with the flesh still juicy and moist and the skin seared so crispy". The pastas are pretty good too. What the unassuming Carbonara ($8.90) lacks in colour, it makes up in flavour. What's not to like about perfectly al dente spaghetti served with bacon and a wobbly onsen egg in the centre!
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayson Yeo
Head to this Neil Road ice cream shop if you’re looking for tried-and-tested flavours made from scratch. Apiary churns out 18 ice creams and sorbets — the perfect refreshing antidote to the recent sweltering heat. Choose from three cup sizes (single scoop $3.80, double $7.20, triple $10). We love the Black Sesame (premium flavour, additional $0.70). It's rich, creamy and smooth — everything you can ask for in an ice cream! Even if that's not up your alley, skip safe classics like Cookies and Cream and try something different like the Despicable (premium flavour) or Bergamot Sorbet. The former is a banana flavoured ice cream mixed through with with grounded walnuts and brownie bits, while the latter is a refreshing cross between yuzu and lemon.
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Irene Arieputri
This new noodle shop at Square 2 in Novena is high on the radar of many foodies, thanks to trending pictures of its mouth-watering Mee Tai Mak with Century Egg ($9.80) on social media. The Burpple community is raving over the dish's unmistakable wok hei, springy noodles and tasty homemade belacan. Besides this star, they also serve up several other noodle dishes (all $9.80) including Dry Mee Siam, Dry Laksa (both stir-fried with homemade rempah) and Heng Hwa Noodle Soup bathed in a gingery broth. Craving for dessert? Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Spanish Churro ($3.80). It comes with a choice of three dipping flavours — kaya, orange marmalade and milk tea. The churros are on the slightly biscuity side, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Teo TeeYuan
Something about Zouk lends itself nicely to large group outings, and Zouk’s first venture into food, Red Tail Bar at Clarke Quay, is perfect for both chill out sessions as well as celebrations. Spend quality time with friends over small sharing plates like the Scotch Century Egg ($9), Coffee Pork Collar ($18) and Shoe String Fries ($10) — we recommend topping the latter with lup cheong and cheese, or for something heartier, get the Yun Cheong Thin Crust Pizza ($25) to share. The house-made pizza dough is topped with caramelised onions, fried shallots, string cheese and Chinese liver sausage. Zouk, being Zouk, knows its way around drinks too. Try the cocktails inspired by famous party districts around the world like Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong and Itaewon in Seoul (from $18), prices are nett!
Avg Price: $40 per person with drinks
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo
Here's another spot to satisfy tempura don cravings! Located within The Centrepoint, Tensho by MOF dishes out bowls of freshly fried tempura complete with an oozy onsen egg, along with chawanmushi and miso soup on the side. The menu is scaled down to only two items — Mixed Tendon ($14.90) or Vege Tendon ($13.90). Seize the chance to try it before the crowds flock here, and opt for the heartier Mixed Tendon. It comes with two fried prawns, dory fish, mushroom and assorted vegetables, all deep-fried a la order. Pro tip: Don't be shy to ask for more sauce if you prefer your tendon a little saucier.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Gavin Chan
Located just below the perpetually buzzy Golden Shoe Food Centre, Mercado is the latest to jump on the grain bowl trend, but with a Spanish twist. They are open all day, which makes it the perfect place to kick back with some colleagues over a glass of Sangria ($8) after work. Mercado is by the folks behind the nose-to-tail restaurant Dehesa, so you know the meats are in good hands. You can choose to Create Your Own Bowl at $16.50, but there are several combinations (Hola Bowls, $14.50) that come with pre-selected grains, protein and sides, perfect for uninitiated diners. We especially enjoyed Cerdo Bowl, which features flavour-packed braised pork shoulder and their more unique side dishes of celeriac and pickled turnips!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A
Combine everything you love about froyo and coconut ice cream and you get frozen coconut, or Froco for short. This takeaway stand in Plaza Singapura doles out all things coconut from parfaits to smoothies and coconut water. The young coconuts used here are harvested straight from their own plantation in Thailand, and all the items are made with 80 percent coconut water. Its offerings are also low in dairy content and fat, making this a refreshing yet healthy post-meal treat. Order the FROCO Frozen Coconut ($3.80 for short cup, $5 for tall cup) and top it off with the likes of homemade muesli, fruits and chocolate ($0.80 per topping). Otherwise, share the COCO Parfait ($6.50) with a friend — it comes with three generous servings of toppings!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Ni Eats
Office workers in the Chinatown area — rejoice! Kin Cow, a casual Thai restaurant specialising in beef noodles, has just opened its doors on the third floor of Chinatown Point. On rainy days, come by with colleagues for a comforting bowl of hot soupy noodles. There are six bowls to choose from, each serving a different cut of beef. We recommend the Brisket Bowl ($10.90) with soup and Thai thin rice noodles — the most affordable of the lot and the tastiest! Expect tender chunks of double-braised brisket bobbing in a bowl of piping hot, flavourful broth, served with a generous portion of blanched kang kong. For those who prefer thinner cuts of meats, opt for the Ribeye Bowl ($17.90) — equally well-cooked beef slices soaking in the same flavourful broth. For even more variety, add on the collagen-rich Beef Tendon ($3). There is an option to change the type of noodles, as well as to have the noodles dry.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See
Get your cool on at this New York popsicle franchaise, which recently set up shop in the basement of Plaza Singapura (it's beside Awfully Chocolate). These popsicles are made fresh daily and free of preservatives and additives, and come in an array of gelato and sorbet flavours — yogurtPops and gelatoPops are $5.40 each, while sorbetPops are $4.90 each. The main draw is having unlimited dips ($0.50) and toppings ($0.50) — then again, you can only stick so much on one popsicle! If you're not quite sure what to order, Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua suggests getting the Green Tea popGelato ($5.40), dipped in milk chocolate and topped with chopped almonds.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua
Tucked away on the eighth floor of Orchard Central, this mookata restaurant is perfect for a eating session with a large group of friends. Prices start from $18.80 for lunch and $28.80 for dinner. Choose one of four soup bases — bonito, chicken, tom yum or salted egg yolk (more of a dip than a soup base) before heading straight for the king crabs, bamboo clams and slipper lobsters. Other note-worthy items include unagi, baby octopuses and oyster mushrooms. If it's your first time handling slipper lobsters, get the friendly staff at Talay Kata to guide you in cracking open the shell, so you don't waste time trying to cook the meat with the shell still on (like we did!). The stellar spread of meats and seafood is more than sufficient to feed your friends; if not there's always the DIY Som Tum and shaved ice dessert stations!
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Julius Lim