New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Singapore: June 2017

Located within OUE Downtown Gallery is this buzzy cafe run by the people behind Atlas Coffeehouse. Seating is aplenty — there are communal tables for large groups, window-facing counter seats for solo diners and round tables for small groups. Lunar Coffee Brewers's menu features quick and easy rice bowls like the tasty Beef Rendang Don ($16) and the Gochujang Chicken Don ($14.50). The crowd favourite Salmon Soba Noodles from Atlas Coffeehouse gets a remix here — the roasted shimeiji mushrooms are replaced by pickled vegetables, while the cilantro lime yogurt is removed. In its place are two slices of house-made miso nori butter stacked atop the salmon, which can get a little too rich when it melts, so we suggest asking for just one slice of butter in your bowl instead. If you're a fan of their cold brew, The Milky Way ($7), you'll love the Milky Way Soft Serve ($5.90). Smooth and creamy coffee soft serve topped with shortbread crumbles for some crunch. Pro tip: Help yourself to the free-flow sparkling water on tap — what a treat!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Muriel A

This stand-alone takeaway booth in the basement of Marina Bay Financial Tower is where you'll find teas topped with cheese foam that taste really good. Go for the Peach Oolong Cheesiato (from $4.80), an interesting combination of flavours topped with a smooth, savoury and creamy cheese foam made from New Zealand cream cheese and low fat milk. Matcha lovers will love the Uji Matcha Cheesiato ($5.20) that Burppler Jonathan Teo says has a strong green tea flavour. Apart from cheese teas, Living Botanica also serves milk teas, juices and smoothies, that can be topped with cheese milk foam, pudding or ginger at no additional charge.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Jonathan Teo

This new joint at Bugis Junction serves up fairly decent tendon, and it wins points for its fully customisable tendon bowls. Getting to select your choice of tempura (prawn, chicken, vegetable or mixed), your carb (rice, udon and soba) as well as spice level (from 0 to 3) essentially means you can put together the bowl of your dreams. If it's your first time here, you won't go wrong with the Mixed Tendon ($15.80), which comes with a good variety of vegetables, prawns and chicken tenders, all battered and fried till crisp and golden. The spiced sauce adds quite a kick, so go for 2 or 3 only if you're up for some heat! Alternatively, request to have both levels 2 and 3 on the side, and customise the heat intensity according to your preference. Add on $2 for the set, which comes with chawanmushi and miso soup or green tea.
Avg Price: $15 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Zhihui Lim

Fans of Waa Cow! at NUS can now get their fix in the CBD. True to its name, beef is the focus at this Raffles Xchange establishment. Waa Cow! serves an excellent wagyu beef rice bowl, so over here, you won't go wrong with the Signature Aburi Wagyu Beef Donburi ($21.90) — add $2 if you want the beef topped with mentaiko (!) or $5 with shaved truffle (!!). We also recommend ordering the Petite Wagyu Sushi Platter ($16.90), which comes with four different wagyu sushi — the classic, yuzu kosho, mentaiko and truffle parmesan. The latter is super earthy and aromatic from both truffle and cheese. Beefy business aside, you might also consider the Yuzukosho Iberico Butadon ($16.90), a really satisfying pork bowl, or the Mentaiko Salmon ($18.90), which features a really generous piece of fish over rice — perfect if you're really hungry! Pro tip: For a limited time only, like them on Facebook and Instagram to get 15 percent off your total bill.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo

If you're in the Chinatown area, pop by this new kid on the Keong Saik block at tea-time. The bakery serves European breads, local-inspired cakes and drinks, along with a good dose of nostalgia. We like how the wooden chairs and stools and vintage-esque murals bring about an old-time kopitiam feel. Try the Sor Hei ($3.20), a black and white Danish pastry that's buttery yet light, and sweetened with chocolate chips. For cakes, try the Chendol Delight ($6.50), which reimagines the local dessert into a delicious, modern slice layered with chendol custard cream, gula Jawa genoise, red beans and attap chee (palm seeds). Order the Kopi Susu ($2.80) to go with the bakes. The coffee uses beans used in local kopi but is brewed espresso style, resulting in a unique aromatic and milky brew. Pro tip: For best value, go for their recently launched All-Day Breakfast Set — $5 gets you two soft boiled eggs, a bread bun and a choice of coffee or tea.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua

Craving a spot of mala to tame the spice cravings? Come by this space in OUE Downtown Gallery at Shenton Way, which serves up one-plate Szechwan classics in a casual-chic environment — perfect for CBD lunches! Chen's Mapo Tofu is the brainchild of Shisen Hanten's chef Chen Kentaro, so expect a Japanese spin on some dishes. For example, the signature Mapo Don ($8.80) is served with short-grained Japanese rice. It is rather subdued on the spice while still offering an occasional numbing peppercorn hit. The absence of crazy heat means you can really enjoy the aroma and flavour nuances. You can also try the Dan Dan Mien ($8.80), served either dry or in a peanutty broth. Get the moreish Szechwan Popcorn Chicken ($4) to share and, if the need calls for it, the Almond Pudding ($4) to tame the fire.
Avg Price: $10 per person
Photo by Burppler Blueskies Cottonclouds

Neighbours to Konditori Artisan European Bakery along Bussorah Street, head to Lickety for a refreshing midday snack. This pastel-themed ice cream joint, complete with cheery and welcoming decor, serves Hong Kong-style Egglet Waffles ($4.50) folded into a cone to house your ice cream. Choose from waffle flavours such as Red Velvet or Buttermilk, the latter being light with a crisp exterior and a buttermilk fragrance. For something creamy, try their Coconut & Taro ice cream (from $4.50), earthy with distinct taro notes and hints of refreshing coconut. Dark Chocolate is a good choice as well, it comes with little nuggets of chocolate cake, providing a delightful chew with each bite. A wide variety of toppings such as Pocky sticks, mini marshmallows and crushed Lotus biscuits are available, guaranteed to end off your sweet treat on a high note!
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

Owned by the guys who run the motorcycle workshop next door, this Eastside motorbike-themed cafe near Telok Kurau serves up an all-rounded menu of feel-good food — Asian, Western and everything in between. While inspired by bikers, the cafe offers plenty of classics to keep the rest of the public happy. File this away for eclectic gatherings — prices are reasonable, and there's likely to be something for everybody, be it Thai Roasted Beef Salad ($6), Peking Duck Pizza ($9) or Spaghetti Bolognaise ($8). Burppler Dex Neo was particularly impressed with the Fish N Potato Chips ($13), which sees lightly breaded cod fillets (so crisp yet juicy!) served with housemade potato chips and tartar sauce. For dessert, try the Red Wine Poached Pear ($8), which Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua describes to be tender and juicy with an alcoholic kick. Yum!
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Dex Neo

The man behind this stall at Bedok Marketplace has earned his chops baking his way around the world, with stints in countries like New Zealand, New York City and Iceland. The latter was where he was exposed to the craft of sourdough breads and that's what he now specialises in here. Expect options along the likes of gorgeous loaves, sandwiches, tartines and soughdough pizza. We like how this young baker isn't afraid to get creative! The Cranberry Turmeric ($3 for a 250g loaf) boasts a soft-ish crust that isn't too overpoweringly flavoured while the open-faced Smørrebrød ($3.50) comes topped with salami, cornichons and cracked black pepper. The rye bread base (called rugbrød) is crisp on the outside yet moist within, and comes speckled with lots of nuts and seeds. Enjoy this for a light lunch, and then grab a couple of loaves to take home with you.
Avg Price: $5 per person
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua

Tucked within the newly opened boutique hotel, The Daulat, this Muslim-owned cafe is run by the guys behind Working Title, Afterwit and The Mad Sailors. Santap, which means to eat luxuriously in Malay, serves hearty grain bowls, sandwiches and pizzas. Indoor seating is limited to a communal table, so it's best to dress comfortably and sit alfresco on a cool day. Go for the Beef Rice Bowl ($15) that comes with cherry tomatoes, a poached egg and red onions set atop a bed of cauliflower and brown rice mix. It's topped with alfalfa sprouts, red daikon and drizzled with a housemade tonkatsu sauce. Otherwise, you won't go wrong with the Aubergine Pizza ($13), topped with feta cheese, okra and curry mayonnaise. Pro tip: During Ramadan, Santap opens only from 5pm on weekdays, and on offer is a $15 set meal for any main and a drink.
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Hilary See

Located at the courtyard of Rendezvous Hotel Singapore, this new craft beer restaurant offers 12 craft beers on tap, along with a menu of bar bites and beer-infused mains. The place is actually by the guys from Alchemy and the now defunct The RawR Kitchen, so expect comforting, hearty plates — perfect for a buzzy gathering with food-loving friends. Burpple Tastemaker Emily S was pleasantly surprised by how the beers are priced "by mileage", meaning a full pint is exactly double the price of the half, so it's great for beer drinkers who like variety. Some of her favourites include the velvety smooth Young's Double Chocolate Stout ($5/10) and aromatic Baird Temple Garden Yuzu Ale ($7/14). While you're here, tuck into delicious mains like the succulent Craft Beer Chicken Rice ($16) — the kitchen team's take on beer can chicken served with flavoured rice, and Beer Braised Pork Belly Linguine ($19), where the meat is braised in beer for days till tender, sticky and absolutely flavourful.
Avg Price: $35 per person
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh

This cosy ramen joint located in Chinatown Point is the place to go to for a casual meal with colleagues at lunch or a small group of friends for dinner. Hungry customers can start on the complimentary hard boiled eggs and kimchi flavoured radishes while deciding on your ramen. While the Tsukemen Dipping Noodle ($14.90) and the Spicy Mazesoba ($14.90) are decent and very tasty, the humble Shoyu Ramen ($10.90, $12.90 with soft-boiled egg) stood out. Thin, chewy noodles are paired with a light, flavourful and rustic broth which is not too salty and sure to bring comfort. Pro tip: All non-soup based ramen dishes (Tsukemens and Mazesobas) come with a free up size each! What’s not to love about that?
Avg Price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim