Bincho
This 70 year-old kopitiam may be best known as the atmospheric backdrop of Eric Khoo’s Mee Pok Man, but by night, the gritty Tiong Bahru joint is a hip yakitori gastrobar by Unlisted Collection. The menu is by chef Asai Masahi, who is inspired by Osaka’s famous street food culture, and offers three different dinner sets: Bincho Express ($65++ for five courses), Tori Zukushi ($90++ for seven courses) and the Ouka, which uses premium ingredients ($130 ++ for seven courses). Book now!
Why you should dine there: “They have really good ingredients and Chef Asai does a really good job with his grills. “—Petrina Loh, chef-owner, Morsels
The Black Swan
The Black Swan
Transporting diners back to the glamorous Jazz Age, The Black Swan is housed in a heritage building in the heart of the CBD. It may seem like a fancy establishment, but honest dishes like The Black Swan Burger ($32) and Duck Leg Confit ($36) are some popular choices there. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “An experience in a restaurant should be an overall experience, so I love the fact that the staff are very friendly.”—Intan Agustina, business development director, Asia City Media Group
Blue Lotus
Blue Lotus
Serving contemporary Chinese dishes in idyllic, waterfront surrounds, this airy, casual dining restaurant is known for its signature chili pomelo crab ($7.80/100g). On the menu are other popular items like the Szechuan style spicy Boston lobster ($78) and lemongrass prawn sticks ($18). Book now!
Why you should dine there: “They have the best chili crab in Singapore, and the huge dollop of pomelo on top of the chili is just perfect.” —Rosalyn Lee, DJ and media personality, Lush99.5FM
Cheek by Jowl
Unlisted Collection’s modern Australian joint is a produce-driven operation that’s run by husband and wife team Rishi Naleendra and Manuela Toniolo. While restaurants boasting a farm-to-table concept are a dime a dozen, Cheek by Jowl puts out creative, tapas-style plates without fuss. Try the Wild Venison ($22) or the to-die-for Confit Duck Leg with waffles ($36), a signature of Naleendra’s. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “It’s a fantastic, fun ambience, and the food is great.”—Daniel Sia, chef-owner, The Disgruntled Chef
“The restaurant has a very laid-back Aussie vibe, and the fish they use, especially the ocean trout, is just amazingly good.” —Chek Lim Cheng, senior partnerships manager (APAC), Tripadvisor
Cibo Italiano
A cozy neighborhood Italian diner/grocery store at River Valley, Cibo Italiano offers authentic Italian bites like pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, cold cuts and coffee in an unpretentious setting. While you’re there, we recommend browsing through the racks of gourmet ingredients—you just might be inspired to whip up your very own Italian meal. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “They serve basically pizzas, salads and stuff, but it’s also a shop. You can get your Italian beers, pasta, olive oils, and they really serve a mean burrata.” —Juwanda Hassim, chef-owner, The Fabulous Baker Boy
Jumbo
Jumbo
This seafood institution needs no introduction. Specializing in a variety of crab dishes, come here if you are craving for the ever-reliable chili crab served with deep fried mantou. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “Love the cute aunties there, plus the extremely delicious chili crab that I always go for.” —Sean Lim, chef-owner, Sin Lee Foods
Neon Pigeon
Neon Pigeon
The apex of cool, modern izakaya Neon Pigeon is all about Japanese-inspired sharing plates, cocktails, and craft sakes, wines, whiskey and other spirits. Set in a faux grungy, graffiti-covered space along Keong Saik, this is where you go to mingle with the trendy, in-the-know crowd. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “It’s very eclectic and quirky, and brings in a Melbourne vibe to Singapore, which I really love.”—Clara Lim, partnerships manager (APAC), TripAdvisor
Morsels
Helmed by chef-owners Bryan Chia and Petrina Loh, Morsels is a fusion casual dining restaurant with an uncomplicated sharing menu that takes inspiration from East-West flavors. Championing the unconventional use of common produce, dishes like zucchini pancake with gorgonzola panna cotta ($12) and griled Sri Lankan green tiger prawns with raspberry coulis and compressed pear ($20/36) are interesting highlights. Book now!
Sacha & Sons
Why you should dine there: “I find that it’s one of the best New York-style delicatessens in Singapore, if not the best. It’s got really good pastrami and rye sandwich as well as a chopped liver dish, which is a hidden menu item.”—Norman Hartono, general manager, The Dancing Crab
The White Rabbit
The White Rabbit
No trip to Dempsey is complete without brunch at this lush restaurant, which is located in a former chapel. The menu is a straightforward selection of French-influenced plates, and if you’re craving a drink, just head next door to gin and wine bar The Rabbit Hole. Book now!
Why you should dine there: “The food is reliable and you don’t have to make a wild guess about what you’re getting when you arrive there.” Loh Lik Peng, founder, Unlisted Collection
Kicking off 5 weeks of fabulous activities for their 5th birthday, Chope has launched an in-app game which lets you play and win exciting prizes, flash sales, and other fun surprises this month. For more information, head here.
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