ANGEL’S BISTRO
Angel’s Bistro is a hit with the health junkies. Fusion vegetarian food prepared in a healthy and delicious way is their forte. Their signature brown rice set sells out by lunch time—and it’s easy to see why.
BENG HIANG HOKKIEN RESTAURANT
Beng Hiang, with its 30 years of heritage, serves up authentic Hokkien fare. This is a perfect place for extravagant Chinese meals. Choose from their set menus ($278‑978), which include abalone and steamed garoupas.
BOSTON WINE COMPANY
An incredibly cramped space this is, but the impressive interior décor and array of pizzas can make you forgive it all.
FOU DE FAFA
Helmed by a holistic nutritionist, the menu here is as healthy as it is quirky. The huge variety of options include jumbo sandwiches, juices, wraps, quiches, super‑thin crust pizzas and whatever new creations the owners can think of.
HACHI TEI
Customers have raved about the impeccable service provided at this Japanese eatery. Expect wallet‑friendly and perfectly executed bento sets such as the grilled teriyaki cod bento set.
HAM JI PAK
A must‑try on their menu is the Bo Ssäm—finely‑cut pork belly, tasty kimchi with fresh oysters all wrapped in a piece of lettuce. You can be sure of quality ingredients as the owner of Ham Ji Pak also operates Koreana Mart (a local Korean supermarket).
HIDE & SEEK
The name is apt. With a Chinese signboard at its shopfront, this indie boutique might confuse you but step right in and you’ll discover a treasure trove of uber cool brands (Karen Walker, Nooka, Vice & Vanity and Ksubi are among them).
HONJIN RESTAURANT & BAR
Popular with busy Shenton Way types, this hole‑in‑the‑wall Japanese joint specializes in business luncheons and à la carte buffet dinners. The negima shiru (tuna belly soup) is a star dish.
KA SOH FISH HEAD NOODLES
The history of this restaurant dates way back to the 1940s. Their signature fish head noodle is famous for the creamy texture of its soup.
L’OLIVIER
With an historic Chinese temple situated just opposite and a landscaped garden as part of its surroundings, L’Olivier provides an ideal ambiance. It’s fine French cuisine at reasonable prices. We think their braised short‑ribs in red wine and veal jus is a winner.
MANNA KOREAN RESTAURANT
The lunch specials (which include a wide array of side dishes, a meat main course and a jug of cold tea) at this unpretentious, inconspicuous Korean restaurant are tasty and really good value. Service is also prompt and efficient, making it a good alternative to the oily confines of a hawker center.
MOMENTOUS ARTS
This gallery specializes in a wide genre of contemporary arts featuring ceramics, paintings and sculptures with a huge focus on Asian artists.
NEW TAIWAN PORRIDGE RESTAURANT
The no‑frills interior of this restaurant doesn’t provide a hint of just how good the food is going to be. Order a bunch of items and have them with sweet potato porridge. Top sellers are the omelets; chicken and garlic in claypot; and delicious shrimp rolls.
OCEAN CURRY FISH HEAD
This place gets maddeningly crowded during office lunch hours. Even on scorching days, you’ll find this stuffy non‑air‑conditioned eatery packed with hungry corporate types.
PHO 99
This cramped little eatery is impossible to miss with its striking green exterior. We give their beef pho, which comes with thinly sliced beef and beef balls, the thumbs up.
PORTA‑PORTA ITALIAN RESTAURANT
This is a friendly family‑run establishment serving yummy home‑style Italian cooking. Porta’s sets are divided into seafood, meat and vegetarian—all really good, especially the black ravioli in crab meat sauce.
PURA VIDA
Nice food and a great ambiance are what sum up this six‑month‑old diner that serves up familiar food at really affordable prices. Order yourself some good old fish and chips or a black pepper chicken steak while soaking in the atmosphere.
STRANGELETS
If you’re seeking unusual items, this is the go‑to store. A polar bear bookshelf ($1,250) and a retro‑looking MP3 compatible radio ($440) are just a couple of the weird and wonderful things you’ll find here.
THE SUIT FACTORY
This store sells well‑made off‑the‑rack suits from Dan Stevenson and Benjamin Parker. Shoes and other stylish accessories for men are sold here too.
TASTE DELIGHTS
From $3.50 for the daily soup to $18 for a fish head steamboat, the spread of local favorites such as mee goreng and claypot rice is certainly a delight with the office workers around the area. Some of the chef’s recommendations include the tasty Kung Po chicken and prawn fritters.
TRUFFS
A place for true connoisseurs. Specializing only in dark chocolate truffles, choose from 55 percent équateur, 66 percent antilles or 70 percent Honduras. All cocoa‑dusted gems are handmade with ingredients flown in from France and free from preservatives.
URBAN BITES MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
Enjoy Western and Middle‑Eastern food cooked up by the native Lebanese chef here. The homely interior and value‑for‑money cuisine (all dishes at $5‑20) make for a welcome dining experience indeed. Their kebabs are highly recommended.
VANILLA BAR & CAFÉ
This charming little café focuses on Japanese and Western fusion desserts and snacks. Their Vanilla Dirt Cake is one of the highlights on the menu, as are their English breakfast and sandwiches.
More in Chinatown:
Duxton / Gopeng / Hoe Chiang / Tanjong Pagar / Teck Lim
Ann Siang / Club / Erskine / Maxwell
Bukit Pasoh / Keong Saik / Kreta Ayer
Smith / Temple / Trengganu