Bartenders usually end their shifts while we’re sleeping. After a night of stirring, shaking, muddling and everything else in between, the best of us would get peckish (if not ravenous), too. So who best to clue us in on the city’s best hidden gems that stay open till the wee hours? We call up our bartending buddies to get some good recs on where to eat before calling it a night.
126 Dim Sum
This no-frills Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant (126 Sims Ave., 6746-4757) offers delish midnight munchies like pork belly buns ($3.50) and locally-inspired man tou with chilli crab sauce ($6). Located in Geylang, we all know just how many late-night eateries there are in this often shady neighborhood. Despite the glaring neon lights and plastic chairs, don’t be fooled by its looks. “Although you may hear horrible singing from the KTV next door, it seems like most bartenders make the pilgrimage to Geylang for late-night bites,” said Louis Tan of Mars Bar. Open 24 hours daily
Maxwell Food Centre
For those super late nights that suddenly turn into morning, this hawker (1 Kadayanallur St.) is your best bet. Not only is it close to the bars in Neil Road, Keong Saik Road, Duxton Hill, Club Street, Ann Siang Hill and all other surrounding Chinatown streets, Louis Tan recalls that “if you go there late enough, the hawker aunties and uncles actually prep for breakfast at around 3am.” With the likes of Tian Tian Chicken Rice, Zhen Zhen Porridge and Jin Hua Slice Fish Bee Hoon, you’ll never be short on options. Open 8am-10pm daily
Newton Food Centre
Both Eugene Chua of Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall and Zac Mirza of House of Dandy rely on and frequent this hawker (500 Clemenceau Avenue North) to fuel their late night munchies. With the diversity of stalls there, it doesn’t matter whether you’re craving sambal stingray or fried rice as this place pretty much as it all. They say to head straight to the Satay Chicken Wings Otah stall and Al-Amin Indian Muslim Food to stave off those hunger pangs. Doesn’t hurt that you can nightcap it with a cold bottle of Tiger beer, either. Open till 2am daily
Old House
The folks over at Fordham & Grand like to stay a little closer to their bar’s vicinity. Sharon Chio recommends this old-style-grandma’s-cooking restaurant (25 Neil Rd., 6223-1633) for their delicious Dinosaur prawn noodles. Whether you have it dry or with soup, between the huge prawns, pork bone or springy egg noodles, we simply can’t get enough of the rich broth. “It’s a little rough around the edges but I’ve converted so many people to these noodles, especially after a heavy night,” said Chio. Open until 4am daily
Swee Choon
It seems like Louis Tan has gained quite the reputation for being the go-to dim sum guy (183 Jalan Besar, 6225-7788). The Shanghainese-style dim sum has everyone’s perennial favorites from siew mai and chee cheong fun to heftier dishes like Shanghai pork chop la mian. If it’s even got Manhattan‘s new bartender Ricky Paiva swearing by it, we bet it’s worth the post-drink trip. Open till 6am daily, except Tuesdays
Usman Restaurant
Any late-night foodie list is incomplete without some spicy Indian food. Hilda Tan of The Spiffy Dapper treks all the way to Serangoon (238 Serangoon Rd., 6296-8949) to get her late night cravings. The menu is extensive so you’ll be hard-pressed to not find anything you like. Whether you’re more of a chicken tikka with butter naan kinda person or prefer seekh kebab, this place packs a spicy punch to clear the sinus and get your blood flowing. Open till 2am daily
