&MADE
From celebrity chef Bruno Ménard comes a casual Yankee burger-and-fries joint re-imagined with European sensibility for a liberal dose of escapist fun. Look forward to gourmet goods like the B burger, with beef, onion confit and Comte cheese, sandwiches and salads. End on a sweet note with desserts such as hot caramel lava cake. Plus, house wines are better quality and value than at a lot of more upscale restaurants.
GRUB
Set in Bishan Park, this idealistic eatery offers food that’s sustainably sourced where possible. The menu comprises dishes we could eat every day—unfussy recipes including lots of burgers, which you can wash down with value-for-money craft brews. They also do a good brunch on weekends.
Ippudo SG
If you’ve yet to visit this ramen joint, you really should. After all, which self-respecting noodle fan hasn’t heard of Shigemi Kawahara’s acclaimed ramen emporium? A long line of hungry patrons snaking out of and around the restaurant is a testament to their popularity, and we can assure you it’s wholly worth the wait. The ramen is incredibly satisfying, as are the addictive pork buns.
Lolla
Lolla’s a nice space with de rigueur industrial chic décor, an open-concept bar counter/ kitchen and a semi-private dining room with a large communal table in the basement. Food here is simple, if modestly-portioned, which is where they excel with items such as scrambled eggs crowned with generous shavings of bottarga. To wash it all down, there’s an excellent collection of wines from countries like Spain, Portugal and France.
Lucha Loco
A laid-back yet bustling spot, courtesy of Aussie brothers Christian and Julian Tan, with worthwhile options like pork belly tacos and Mexican street corn. With its lively atmosphere and music, good service and grub, this is one of those joints built for a great time. Be sure to try their cocktails (created by 28 HongKong Street bartender Michael Callahan) too.
