Boca
We don’t often see Portuguese restaurants, and this one looks promising. Spain’s often-forgotten neighbor has some equally delicious treats lined up in this three-story shophouse space. There are tons of bocas (better known as tapas) in the seafood-driven menu, with options like bacalhau (cod fish) and traditional chicken empadinhas. Plus, there’s a dedicated olive oil bar and wine library, too.
De Burg
To much fanfare, everyone’s favorite local burger joint is back. Although it has now shifted to Kallang, there are still snaking queues to battle before you can get your hands on burgers like the De Burg signature. The space also has craft brews to wash it all down with (though The Papa Shop is also nearby). Be advised, it’s still cash-only.
Druggists
Don’t be alarmed by the name as it merely takes over the space formerly occupied by the Chinese Druggists Association. The craft beer restaurant has 23 rotating taps of brews from Mikkeller, Thornbridge and To Ol. Hopheads will love the locally inspired menu that pairs well with beer, with dishes like chicken wontons and anchovies in sambal sauce.
Le Halo
It sounds a bit kitschy, but we’re excited that there’s a legit cafe further from the heart of the Tiong Bahru scene. The all-day breakfast cafe on Bukit Ho Swee serves up approachable and hearty plates of pork stew on toast, otak with a sunny side up and mushroom carbonara pasta to start (or end) the day on a good note.
Milkcow
Korean soft serve ice-cream seems to be the “it” dessert of the moment. This cafe in The Cathay also dishes out organic soft serve ice cream and honeycomb in 13 different flavors and tons of toppings like crunchy Milo chocolates.
Nude Seafood
This one is perfect for the CBD lunch crowd looking for something a bit different. The seafood restaurant focuses on fresh and healthy food with both Asian and Western flavors on the menu. There’s miso-glazed sea bass, soba noodles with fish and grilled prawns with forgotten grains. It also has wines by the glass, perfect for a sneaky lunchtime tipple.
Pizza Fabbrica
Who doesn’t love pizza? Italian chef Matteo Boifava puts approachable plates of squid ink pasta and gnocchi alongside pizzas with toppis like prosciutto and shrimp. What’s more is that the Arab Street-area place has craft beers like Hitachino and Cornish Orchards ciders, too.
Whisk & Paddle
The Punggol riverside is now home to a rustic garden cafe complete with lots of wood and iron furniture. Although it may seem like a trek, it’s full of favorites from breakfast items to pastas, pizzas and mains like seabass en papillote. Plus, they’ve got a great list of wines, beers, milkshakes and teas to start and end an afternoon.
