If, at this very moment, you’re panicking over where to bring the mothership for a nice meal to show your unconditional love and unwavering appreciation because you’ve been crazy busy at work trying to meet deadlines, fret not. We’ve shortlisted 23 restaurants that might suit your mom’s whim and fancy, whether she’s after a nice cut of steak, a smorgasbord of seafood or a boozy brunch. Make your reservations fast before they’re all fully booked.
The surroundings matter too
Botanico at The Garage (May 14, 11:30am-3pm)
Botanico is one of the two eateries housed in The Garage, a handsome, foliage-esconed heritage building within Singapore Botanic Gardens that’s spacious and high ceilinged. Take a nice stroll in the UNESCO World Heritage Site before indulging in a four-course brunch menu with a serving of freshly shucked oysters, Idiazabal croquette and lamb tartare before moving on to starters like the King Crab Salad dressed in yuzu sour cream. Choice of mains include signature creations like the Spanish Mackerel, which comes with charred brussel sprouts, grilled kumquats and black garlic sauce; tender glazed lamb shoulder; or the chargrilled wagyu flank that’s accompanied with burnt onions, ratte potato and romesco sauce. End it off with their house-made chamomile ice cream that has strong floral perfumed notes thanks to the dried chamomile flowers that’s been infused into the vanilla ice cream. Ask about their two themed cocktails ($15 each); one’s vodka-based and the other one gin-based. $80. Singapore Botanic Garden, 50 Cluny Park Rd. 9831-1106.
Open Farm Community (May 14, 11am-4pm)
Nothing beats dining in a lush and airy alfresco terrace that’s all decked out with clean and cushy deck furniture; just make sure you check the weather before you head out. Spanning across a 5,000 sqm plot on Minden Road, Open Farm Community has a dedicated garden to grow their own produce. For Mother’s Day, they’re dishing out a three-course brunch menu using farm-to-table ingredients. Highlights include a warm broccoli salad, Thai basil gnocchi with grilled king prawns and a Calamansi sponge with rose sorbet to end things on a sweet note. There’ll be welcome drinks, rose-soaked towels and a bunch of vouchers for your mom when you arrive. $58. 130E Minden Rd. 6471-0306.
ilLido at the Cliff (May 14, 12-2:30pm)
Besides a scrumptious meal, your mom also deserves a quiet break. Where else to bring her than a high hill in Sentosa that boasts picturesque sea views and lush greenery? Decked out in a palette of white, dark turquoise and mahogany hues, ilLido at the Cliff offers a respite from the bustling city for an intimate mother-and-child bonding session over a four-course Italian meal that includes hearty dishes like squid ink taglioini with razor clams and zucchini flowers and a portion of the ricotta cheese mousse with glazed strawberry and vanilla essence. $98. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Rd. 6708-8310.
The Summerhouse (May 13-14, 20-21, 27-28; 11:30am/12:30-2pm)
Until recently, there was little in Seletar except for the historical airport, a golf course and the sprawling JTC aerospace park. But that changed with the arrival of The Summerhouse, an English countryside-inspired restaurant, garden and bar housed in a gorgeous huge conservation bungalow. They’ve teamed up with fashion house Kate Spade New York and Poppy Flora & Nature Studio for a four-course brunch menu that’s inspired by fashion label’s Moroccan-themed Spring 2017 collection. Chef Florian Ridder has created dishes like a serving of eggplant caviar with clear tomato broth, mild goat cheese, leek ashes and coriander to start, and oriental spiced tajima wagyu beef ragout with cous cous and raz el hanout for main event. $160 per pair (additional $98 for free flow Veuve Clicquot Brut). 3 Park Ln. 6262-1063.
Sticking to the Asian roots
Birds of a Feather (May 12-14)
The interiors of this cozy nest are inspired by Chengdu—the capital of the Sichuan provice that’s known for its greenery and fertile land—which explains the liberal use of plants and wood. Overhead cloud-shaped lamps, a wall art-piece of bulbs and jointed branches with faux cockatoos complete the overall look. Get the whole family together and choose between two different sets (five-course and seven-course) meal made up of some of the restaurant’s signature dishes on the a la carte menu, such as the baby octopus with classic Sichuan white garlic sauce, Xiang Su Duck (seared braised duck breast and duck leg confit accompanied by roasted potato puree, Sichuan pickled vegetables and Tian Mian duck jus) and a spice sponge cake. From $89. 115 Amoy St. 6221-7449.
Peach Blossoms (now till May 21, 12-3pm [Mon-Fri], 11am-3pm [Sat-Sun], 6:30-10:30pm [daily])
It’s everything you’d expect a traditional upscale Chinese restaurant to be—oriental decor, waitresses in elegant cheongsams and a menu with lots of luxe items like abalone and lobster. In fact, each of the three different menus will come with complimentary longevity buns (talk about superstitions) and feature a platter of deep-fried scallop and banana wrapped with mash taro, deep-fried prawn coated with mayo and mixed nuts and chilled Japanese cucumber rolls with jellyfish; “Dong Po” pork ribs with honey sauce; and steamed sea grouper with green paper in light soya sauce, among many others. From $98. 5/F Marina Mandarin Singapore, 6 Raffles Blvd. 6845-1111.
VLV (now till May 14)
VLV might seem like an odd choice to bring your mom if you’re only familiar with the club lounge, but this multi-faceted entertainment destination is also home to a modern Chinese restaurant with a riverside dining area and an alfresco courtyard bar. They’ll be serving up six variations of an eight-course set menu prepared by executive chef Martin Foo, with modern interpretations of Cantonese-centric dishes like the black truffle roasted duck and Australian wagyu with shishito, ceps and wild bean sauce. From $298. #01-02 3A River Valley Rd. 6661-0197.
Yan (now till May 14)
Here’s another lavish and authentic Cantonese restaurant that might tickle your fancy, just in case the queen of the household don’t wanna go through the nightlife district of Clarke Quay to get to VLV. Housed in the former Supreme Court Building and Prime Minister’s Office now known as the National Gallery Singapore, Yan will offer a choice of two Mother’s Day set menus that will see a careful selection of Cantonese classics, ranging from a variety of dim sum and luxurious abalone to the restaurant’s signature peking duck and rose bun with red bean dessert. $86. #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Rd. 6384-5585
Mothers who could use a drink or 10
Colony (May 14, 12-3:30pm)
You can count on them to come up with a Mother’s Day itieration of their famed Sunday champagne brunches. Besides the seven “live” conservatory kitchens showcasing signature Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Western and of course, Singaporean dishes, this special edition will include highlights like flambe foie gras, roasted beef tomahawk and imperial pork ribs, complemented with unlimited glasses of Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2006, Moeet & Chandon Grand Vintage Rose 2004, house pours and soft drinks. $198. 1/F The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Ave. 6434-5288.
Monti (May 14, 12-3pm and 6-9pm)
Take your mom to the iconic dome along the waters of Marina Bay, which houses the fancy Italian establishment, Monti, and let her be mind-blown by the sleek interiors, decked out in bronze and copper hues, fresh flowers as table pieces, long-hanging lights and marble bartop. Their offerings are just as impressive—there’ll be a wide selection of seafood on ice, a live risotto station, a live carving station and paste from the kitchen, with free flow options available for non-alcoholic drinks ($110), wine ($140) and champagne ($160). All moms will also be served the Fruitti Di Mare seafood platter, a glass of Mimosa and exclusive cruises by the bay. $90. The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay. 6535-0724.
PS.Cafe (May 14)
There’s more to them than their mountain serving of truffle fries. While they have a total of eight outlets all across the island, the best one to spend some quality me-time with your mom is the one up on Dempsey Hill on Harding Road. The huge glass windows of the restaurant allows for natural sunlight to bounce off the walls and an unobstructed view of the lush fauna around. It’s also a perfect place for a fuss-free brunch, lunch or dinner, especially if your mom has a thing for Mimosas. The expert bartenders have concocted three different variations using aromatic and fruity ingredients—the Fresh Cucumber and Mint is a mixture of sparkling wine and fresh cucumber juice, shaken with mint lemon and sugar; the Spicy Pepper, Chili and Grapefruit is self-explanatory; and the Fruity Yuzu & Pandan marries the sweet and sour flavors of yuzu juice and sparkling wine, shaken with home-made pandan sugar syrup. $19 for each Mimosa. 28B Harding Rd. 9070-8782.
Seasonal Tastes (May 14, 12-3pm)
Here’s another great restaurant with unparalleled views of the city skyline, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Besides the modern-looking, laid-back vibe of the restaurant which sits on the 32nd floor of The Westin Singapore, Seasonal Tastes has interactive kitchens that boast a buffet spread of Asian and international fare, including fresh seafood on ice, a selection of cold cuts and sushi, salads, grilled meats and more. Wash it down with the restaurant’s house champagne, wines and beers. $148. 32/F The Westin Singapore, Asia Square Tower 2, 12 Marina View. 6922-6968.
Nothing beats a buffet line
1919 Waterboat House (May 14, 11am-3pm)
If you’re not well-versed in the kitchen enough to make a fancy meal for your mom, take her out to 1919 Waterboat House, where she’ll have plenty of choices and time to indulge in their all-you-can-eat Mother’s Day brunch. Highlights include their truffle onsen eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce, tater tots cheddar cheese casserole and their Signature Homard dish that comes with a big piece of maine lobster tail poached in paella butter, accompanied by a variety of seafood and lobster emulsion. An additional $20 gets you unlimited glasses of sparkling, wines, beers and other beverages. $78. #03-01 The Waterboat House, 3 Fullerton Rd. 6538-9038.
Lime Restaurant (May 14, 12:30-4:30pm)
The offerings at the sun-drenched lobby restaurant of the iconic nature-inspired Parkroyal on Pickering will spoil the leading woman in your life. Show your mom that you appreciate her by spending the day together, digging into the vast line-up of dishes, such as the poached maine lobster with marie rose sauce, tuna tartar with avocado and quinoa, the pan-seared foie gras with crispy pancetta, fruits chutney and split jus, and more. For desserts, expand those waistlines with guilty, unlimited servings of Nutella with gula melaka crepe and salted caramel creme brulee. This Super Lunch Sunday Mother’s Day Edition also comes with free flow of sangria, juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea. $108. 1/F PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St, 6809-8899.
Salted & Hung (May 14)
The hip and edgy contemporary Australian restaurant assumes a less intimidating outlook—warm lights, brown tones and chill vibes are the order of the day, so it won’t be too hard for you and your mom to loosen up and seize the day. For Mother’s Day, they’ve cooked up a special brunch program that will see an Italian communal-style buffet menu involving a delectable charcuterie and antipasti bar, along with a couple of free-flow plates that are prepared a la minute. Chow down on a variety of small and large plates like the 63-degree egg, chorizo and potato; fried pig ears with potato salad; chicken thigh with jus gras and black garlic; wagyu ragu with homemade pasta and beef fat crumbs and the their signature porchetta stuffed with duck and coppa. $58 (just the buffet), $78 (with non-alcoholic beverages) or $88 (with free-flow Prosecco and house pour wines). 12 Purvis St. 6358-3130.
The Kitchen Table (May 14, 12-2pm & 2:30-4:30pm)
It’s all about the sun, the food and the waters over at W Singapore’s The Kitchen Table. Make her feel like the queen that she is and let her soak in all that our tropical island has to offer. Of course, let her have her way with the vast selection of fresh seafood, meats from the parrilla grill, cheese and more than 15 desserts, such as the BBQ foie gras with cuban cinnamon toast and pineapple chutney, Riesling coq au vin in a cream sauce, 24-hours cooked spiced leg of lamb and Boston lobster Tandoori. This Treat Your Mama Right buffet brunch also comes with free-flowing champagne, house wines, cocktails and access to their Wet Pool. $188. W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way. 6808-7268.
Surf’s up
Carousel (May 14, 12-2pm, 3:30-5:30pm & 6:30-9:30pm)
This trendy spot on Scotts Road is no stranger to buffet lovers in Singapore, which is why we didn’t leave this one out. This award-winning hotel buffet restaurant has been lauded for its impressive Mediterranean, Asian, and Japanese fare, which sees a spread of Maine lobsters, Alaskan king crab legs, truffle-scented lobster risotto, over-roasted whole red snapper with lemon and chimichurri sauce, and more. There’s also a new ice-cream counter offering 13 new flavors, such as their signature kaya and toast, Thai milk tea, Chendol and oreo cheesecake ones to go gaga over, and reminisce the times when you were younger and pestering your mom to buy an ice-cream cone from the mobile ice-cream stores. From $55. Lobby Level, Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd. 6589-7799.
db Bistro & Oyster Bar (May 13-14, 11am-5:30pm)
Go all out this Mother’s Day and tell your mom to dress to the nines before spending a well-thought out day together. Start at the fancy db Bistro & Oyster Bar over at MBS, which was opened by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud. Dive in head first into their three-course brunch menu, slurping down freshly shucked oysters and digging into crowd favorites like the tagliatelle paste with Boston lobster. Adding on $25 gets you a glass of champagne for you to make toast to your mom, thanking her for everything she’s ever done for you. $68. #B1-48 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Galleria Level), 2 Bayfront Ave. 6688-8525.
Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare (May 14, 11:30am-3pm)
The Italians have a strong emphasis on family in their culture, which means their dinners are often a huge deal, and every member has to be present. At Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare, they’re pulling out all the stops to pay homage to mothers everywhere this Sunday with a free-flow, family-style brunch with seven (or more) all-Sicilian dishes. Making its triumphant return is the spectacular 6kg octopus from the waters of Sicily, which has been lightly blanched and will be served tableside. There’re also other favorites like their signature Sicilian red prawns (Gambero Rosso) and the white fish soup in terracotta pot. $78 (add $58 for free-flowing beers, wines, fruit juices and soft drinks). 34/36 Tras St. 6338-5498.
Stellar @ 1-Altitude (May 14, 12-2:30pm)
Take your Mother’s Day celebration on a whole other level and head over to Stellar at 1-Altitude, perched on the 62nd floor of One Raffles Place. The clean lines and minimalist decor here allows you to completely focus on the food, and of course, the panoramic view of the city. Executive chef Christopher Millar has laid out a delicious spread of coastal-fresh seafood, with towering platters of Boston lobsters, Pacific oysters, hamachi and salmon sashimi, basil and dashi cured ocean trout and steamed mussells and clams, all served fresh on ice for your easy pickings. Pair that with the unlimited gin-based cocktails that use small-batch craft gins. $95 (additional $65 gets you unlimited craft gin cocktails or Veuve Cliquot). 62/F, 1 Raffles Place. 6438-0410.
Meat me outside, how bout that?
Artemis (May 14, 11:30am-2:30pm)
Overlooking Chinatown and the Marina Bay precinct, this elegant-looking skyscraping establishment on the 40th floor of CapitaGreen is all about sustainable Mediterranean food. They do grass-fed and hormone-free meats, and there are vegetarian and gluten-free options, too. Thing is, they’re usually closed on Sundays. But just for this weekend, they’re opening up their tables for Mother’s Day. For three hours, executive chef Fernando Arevalo has crafted a special a la carte lunch menu of sharing platters which include the Australian bone-in wagyu striploin (800 grams), Adriana’s Lasagna and the Fadi Whole Organic Chicken. They also have a delicious-sounding vegetarian selection, like the citrus kale salad, grafitti eggplant soup, egg raviole and beetroot gnocchi. $17-$168. 40/F CapitaGreen, 138 Market St. 6635-8677.
Bedrock Bar & Grill (May 12-14, 12-3pm)
Despite being the quiet kid in the corner of 313@somerset, Bedrock Bar & Grill has earned its chops over the last few years serving up some of the most authentic New York style steaks in Singapore. And the theme is apparent in its decor—mood lighting, brown leather and circular booths… it checks all the boxes of a cool, subterranean Manhattan joint. Besides being a perfect date spot, it’s also the perfect venue to enjoy a nice steak over some deep conversations with your mom. Bring her here for a three-course Mother’s Day set lunch featuring seared scallops with iberico ham, mushroom and cauliflower puree, wagyu striploin with truffle fries, herb butter and beef jus, a sweet chocolate-cooked cream served with blackberries for the finale, paired with a complimentary glass of rose Prosecco. $69. #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites, 96 Somerset Rd. 6238-0054.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck (May 14, 12-3pm)
Meat-lovers who fancy a slice of MBS luxury should head down to CUT by Wolfgang Puck, the Singaporean of a contemporary steakhouse that sports an impressive menu of beef, among other things, and indulge in all their decadent, carnivorous offerings. For Mother’s Day, they’ve prepared a lunch set menu, starting with the Hokkaido scallop carpaccio with shaved myoga and wasabi-kosho ponzu before segueing into the mains—a choice of their famed Snake River Farms Flat Iron Steak or the Maine Lobster Club Sandwich. For the finale, take your time to fully indulge in the Kaya “Baked Alska” dessert, the restaurant’s take on local breakfast staple Kaya Toast, or dig into the Varlhona Chocolate Souffle. $88. #B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Galleria Level), 2 Bayfront Ave. 6688-8517.
