Arbite
Yes, it’s a bit of a trek all the way out to Serangoon, but this hidden gem is wholly worth the trip. A cozy restaurant helmed by chef-owner Marc Wee, breakfast items include good ole standby Eggs Ben ($10.90), as well as Smoked Salmon Smorgasbord ($12.90) of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and capers atop a foccacia base. For those after something sweet, give the Gardener French Toast ($16.90) a shot—ciabatta French toast stuffed with dark chocolate-almond ganache, accompanied by candied bacon, maple syrup and fresh berries.
Good for: Those times when you’re after a liberal dose of peace and quiet with your eggs.
Dean & Deluca Singapre | Orchard area
Dean & Deluca
Undoubtedly one of the hottest openings on the Singapore dining front of late is gourmet grocery giant/café Dean & Deluca that’s just under a month old. Head straight to the 50-seater bistro, replete with parquet flooring, where you’ll find an array of freshly baked treats like danishes (from $3.50) and azuki bean-green tea muffins ($3.50). After something more filling? Then order up a la minute breakfast dishes such as oatmeal flapjacks with berries ($18), eggs ibérico ($25) and delish cornflake-crusted brioche French toast alongside salted caramelized bananas ($22). Don’t pass on the NYC fave dirty chai latte (from $6)—the combo of chai latte spiked with a shot of espresso is a great way to get your daily dose of caffeine.
Good for: Greedy foodies who fancy picking up some gourmet goods for the road.
Kookaburra Restaurant & Gastrobar
This three-month-old Australian restaurant is casual and minimal—think industrial chic with white brick walls and black furniture. Thanks to executive chef Roland Graham who hails from Down Under, breakfast here translates to pancakes with caramelized apples, crispy pork belly and rhubarb-cinnamon ice cream ($22), corned beef hash ($22) and namesake The Kookaburra ($22). If you’re on a health kick, down some fresh-squeezed juices such as Detox (cucumber, green apple and celery; $10) or Ayurvedic (carrot, orange, mango and ginger; $10). We suggest grabbing a table outside overlooking the courtyard when the weather’s nice.
Good for: Grabbing a substantial, satisfying bite in laidback digs.
Le Jardin d’Antoinette
The latest (and biggest) of chef-owner Pang Kok Keong’s offerings, this ten-week-old establishment is a beautifully-designed space housed in the basement of Palais Renaissance. Like the other Antoinette outlets at Penhas Road and in Mandarin Gallery, it’s fashioned after an old world French salon du thé and makes for the ideal backdrop for your latest IT bag. Forget the no-carb diet temporarily and have some pain perdu (French toast) with caramelized bananas ($11.50) or blinis (pancakes; from $12). Also available is an assortment of sweet and savory crêpes ($14.50 upwards); our top pick is the Florentine ($17), adorned with Serrano ham, Emmental cheese, a sunny side up and hollandaise sauce. Awesome pastries, too.
Good for: Tai tais who want to brunch anytime and those with a serious weakness for sweets.
Le Jardin d’Antoinette Singapore | Orchard area
Wild Honey
There’s a reason why they won themselves I-S Readers’ Choice Awards 2012 for Best Brunch, and it has everything to do with their yummy breakfasts. Their second, swankier outlet at Scotts Square might lack the homey touch of the original Mandarin Gallery location, but at least you get to skip the ridiculous wait since the former takes reservations. The menu sports items such as Carribean ($20), coconut waffles with passion fruit crème pâtissière, the Breakfast Hangover ($18), a sarnie of scrambled eggs, smoked speck and Swiss cheese, and our top pick, their signature Tunisian ($19), a spicy shakshouka with chorizo.
Good for: Shopaholics who need to fuel up during a serious session of retail therapy.
