Every restaurant and bar in Singapore had to pivot to a takeaway and/or delivery model (or just close) the moment our nation’s circuit breaker measures came into effect on April 7.
While many can be found offering delivery via our go-to apps like GrabFood, Deliveroo and Foodpanda, not all can depend on those platforms. Plus, many of us do not live within close enough proximity of independent restaurants found in the CBD and Marina Bay areas for the delivery guys to get to us.
So, many establishments took it upon themselves to launch their own islandwide delivery service, some even free-of-charge with a minimum spend. It’s frankly amazing how fast these delivery menus and web pages got set up (some overnight), with staff members willing to go the extra mile—literally—to get the orders to your doorstep.
Meatsmith Little India
There’s also strength in numbers, and some of these independent restaurant groups have thus banded together to form Dine In Movement, a collection of many of our favourite restaurants that are now offering takeaway and/or delivery menus. The site is fully non-profit and 100% of transactions go to the restaurants themselves.
Spearheaded by The Dandy Collection (Neon Pigeon, Fat Prince, Summerlong), you’ll find some of the biggest names in F&B on the platform. Odette, Nouri and Burnt Ends; all award-winning and have appeared top on many foodie lists out there, are on it. Then you have fan favourites like Meat Smith, Lucha Loco and Cicheti too. Personally, we’ll be treating ourselves to some of Le Bon Funk’s natural vinos.
The true benefit of being able to order directly from the restaurants (besides the islandwide scope and free delivery) is that you know every cent you’re spending is helping keep the lights on and the staff paid. Not all venues are going to survive this lockdown, but you as the consumer get to decide which ones do with your spending.
Singapore’s amazing F&B scene has come a long way, and it’ll be a shame to see it regress. We’re just glad platforms like the Dine In Movement have sprung up in such dire times. So if you’re gonna be ordering in for your meals, why not do so directly with the restaurant. No more worries about getting a table reservation either.
More info on Dine In Movement here.
