Singapore Style- Restaurants

PS CAFÉ

This gorgeous restaurant in Dempsey Hill is a bright airy place to laze away an afternoon. PS Cafe has high ceilings, exposed brick walls painted white, retro Scandinavian chairs, and floor to ceiling windows which look out onto a grassy field. If you want to dine Al Fresco and are prepared to brave the heat, there's a fantastic outdoor terrace. The garden-like atmosphere is ultra-relaxing.

Though a bit on the pricy side, the food is fresh and delicious. Brunch is super popular. Try the Blue cheese and carmelized onion quiche that comes with a green salad topped with nuts. Delicious! Be sure to book a table in advance as the place gets packed. PS Cafe is also popular for dinner and has a romantic atmosphere at night.

Dempsey Road, Tanglin Village
28b Harding Road
+65 9070 8782
http://www.pscafe.sg/

WHITE RABBIT

This trendy eaterie is housed in an old church- giving it an austere but unique atmosphere. There' s bar area on one side with a '50's style lounge. Out back, there's a huge garden-like terrace with wood decking where you can enjoy cocktails under the stars. The main dining room has exaggeratingly high ceilings. Enormous stain glass windows and indoor potted trees add an interesting touch to the interior.

This place is quite expensive and some say the modern European cuisine is not exceptional however we did find the grilled vegetable pasta and the gourmet macaroni and cheese to be excellent! The Wagyu Cote de Boeuf is divine and there are other decent soups, appetizers and starters with a big focus on French and Italian cuisine.

Dempsey Road, Tanglin Village
39C Harding Road
+65 6473-9965
http://www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg

SPRUCE

This new restaurant feels like it's in the middle of a forest and it is! Spruce is a little out of the way in Phoenix Park but diners will find it more than worth the trek for the lodge-like atmosphere and the modern European/American comfort food with an emphasis on seasonal produce.

The restaurant is in a ministry complex that, back in the day, used to serve as internal security. The actual location of the restaurant used to be the old ministry canteen. However, Spruce is not an original building but built from scratch. There was no plumbing or electricity there- only the owner's vision for the interior design and what a gorgeous design it is!

There are hardwood floors, groovy hanging lamps, big works of art and of the forest as a natural backdrop. The overall feel of the place is reminiscent of a trendy ski lodge.

Sunday brunch is super popular so book in advance and do not arrive after 230! Spruce serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Popular dishes include burgers, rotisserie chicken, steak, seared tuna and macaroni and cheese. The prices are not outrageous and the quality of the food is decent.

The restaurant is new, hence they still seem to be working out a few kinks in service and in the kitchen, but they have been super busy and will be opening a groovy new bar next to the restaurant very soon. All the more reason to make the trip!

Phoenix Park
320 Tanglin Road
+65 6836 5528
http://www.spruce.com.sg/index.htm

RAW

This homey restaurant, in a residental area, used to be an old firestation back in the day and is a great spot to lounge, hangout and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.

The building that houses Raw full of retro charm. It still has the jalousie windows and a groovy cinderblock wall in the garden that was typical in that era.

There's an indoor dining room that has pleasant lighting, exposed brick walls, art and and eclectic array of wooden chairs. Out in the garden, there are festive hanging lamps and casual garden decor in the same eclectic mismatched style.

The menu is a fusion of modern Japanese and Italian cuisine. Recommended dishes are the ceviche, the seared-tuna encrusted with sesame and the zucchini pancakes coated with with cripsy fried parmesan cheese complimented by a parma ham and goats cheese filling. YUMM!

Take a trip around the world with the delectable desserts. There's a chocolate cake with a melt-in-your mouth interior complimented by vanilla ice cream. Cheese lovers will swoon over the deep-fried cheesecake encrusted with a tempura batter and those longing for Latin America can have the fried plantains topped with honey. A million calories later and you're in heaven!

The best thing about this restaurant is it's unpretentious family vibe. The owners walk around and host you, the service is fantastic and the crowd is generally arty and hip without trying too hard.

Spectra- The Old Firestation
276 Upper Bukit Timah Road
+65 6467 3987
www.rawkitchenbar.com

MIMOLETTE

This sexy European restaurant, set in a lovely old black and white country house, is only slightly elitist. They can afford to be with such beautiful country-chic decor, bucolic surroundings and a slick Friday night club scene at the bar.

You're not allowed to take any photos of the food and the service can sometimes be patchy but the food is not too bad. For dinner, try the pork belly, T-bone steak and rack of lamb. The desserts are also quite good. Come here more for the atmosphere than the food.

Mimolette serves brunch, lunch and dinner.

55 Fairways Drive
+ 65 6467 7748
http://www.mimolette.com.sg

KHA

This design gem of a restaurant set in the horticultural park serves modern Thai cuisine.

Horticultural Park
33 Hyderabad Road
+65 6476 9000
www.kha.sg
 

FLUTES AT THE FORT

Set in a beautiful old colonial black and white house in Fort Canning Park (built in 1908), this restaurant is easily accesible to the city center and a good place to lunch if you've been visiting the museums in the area. The lunch set menus are a better value and we found the service here to be first class- attentive without being overbearing. There's a great selection of wines to accompany the modern French-inspired cuisine.

Fort Canning Park
21 Lewin Terrace, end of Coleman Street
+65 6338 8770
http://www.flutesatthefort.com.sg/

THE CLIFF

Seafood lovers will love this romantic restaurant in Sentosa which is set in the middle of a lush jungle and overlooks the sea. Book a table in advance for a sunset dinner.

The service is very good here and the atmosphere is modern with clean lines, lots of wood and somewhat Japanese inspired.

2 Bukit Manis Road
The Sentosa Resort and Spa
+65 6275 0331
http://www.thesentosa.com

OSO

This Italian restaurant is extremely popular for it's amazing food and cute terrace. It's also right across from the funky New Majestic hotel so it's worth a try if you're staying there.

46 Bukit Pasoh Road
+65 6327 8378
http://www.oso.sg/home.html

SAMY’S CURRY

This restaurant in Dempsey Hill is not renowned for its decor but rather for it's amazing curries and authentic Indian food served charmingly on big banana leaves. As far as Dempsey Hill goes, this place can be considered 'budget'.

Dempsey Hill
25A Dempsey Road
+65 6472 2080
http://www.samyscurry.com/index.html

HAWKER FOOD

Lau Pa Sat is a historical Hawker Center which was originally built in 1825 as Singapore's first market. Lau Pa Sat has high ceilings with wrought iron accents and is usually packed at lunch as it's conveniently located near the Central Business District.
Robinson Road and Boon Tat Street.

East Coast Lagoon Food Village has gorgeous ocean views and is highly recommended.
1220 East Coast Parkway

Newton Food Center has a great variety of food and is full of tourists due to its accessibility and proximity to the Newton MRT.

500 Clemenceau Ave North #01-AXS

PHOTO GALLERY- RESTAURANTS IN SINGAPORE