The Buzziest New Restaurants, Cafes And Bars In Singapore: Hi Stranger, Hikiniku to Come And More
From elevated local cuisine to trendy cafes and bakeries, these are all the food spots to know right now.
By Jolin Lam and Nicole Ng - published
The continuous rise of Singapore’s food scene needs to be studied. While our island has always been famed for its gastronomic offerings, there has been a surge in viral spots lately, serving everything from elevated omakase dishes to every variation of matcha lattes under the sun. But amongst the slew of up-and-coming restaurants, cafes and bars in Singapore, which ones are really worth the travel?
We’ve done the legwork for you. Below, the newest and buzziest restaurants, cafes and bars to hit up next.
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Hi Stranger
There is a quiet thrill in the company of people we don’t know yet. Nestled along the streets of Neil Road, Hi Stranger emerges as a cocktail bar that leverages sensory touchpoints, including interactive scent walls and custom dice menus, to inject a sense of play into human connection.
The spirit of discovery is evident, with tasting portions of their premium spirits running from S$5/cl onwards. For first-timers, the bar’s signature mix includes The Funky Daiquiri ($26), with Jamaican rum, lime and chili; as well as The Smoky Sour ($24), which layers Scotch and Islay whiskies with citrus and bitters flavourings.
To ground the evening and those bellies, Head Chef Edwin Tay offers small bites like Pão de Queijo ($12) and Tuna Tartare with avocado purée and rice cracker ($12), to more filling dishes like Stir Fried Clams with Korean wheat noodles ($22) and Black Wagyu Skirt with smoked chimichurri ($48).
You can bring a friend, or don’t. Either way, it’s time to remember how to mingle.
Hi Stranger is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm to 11.30pm at 27 Neil Road. For more information, visit Hi Stranger’s site.
Hikiniku To Come
Japan’s crowd-favourite charcoal-grilled hamburg concept restaurant, Hikiniku to Come, is finally here in Singapore. Every morning, the staff begin a ritualistic grind of 100 percent fresh beef in-house. The menu offering is simple, with only one item available—beef hamburg and rice.
When you step foot into the establishment, you are immediately greeted with a thick, mouth-watering aroma of smoky umami. The Hikiniku to Come Set ($27.90) offers three 90g hamburger steaks, freshly cooked rice (with unlimited refills), miso soup, homemade ponzu, grated daikon, condiments, pickles and a raw egg.
Hikiniku to Come is open daily Monday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm at #01-102 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk. For more information, visit Hikiniku to Come’s page.
Noci Bakehouse
If you’re wandering through Suntec and find yourself lured in by the scent of fresh yeast and butter, you’ve likely stumbled upon Noci Bakehouse. This new Korean-inspired gem comes from the creative team behind Noci Pasta Bar.
While the “cottagecore” aesthetic featuring warm wooden textures and earthy beige tones is a dream for your Instagram feed, the main event is the glass display case. The bakery specialises in a blend of classic French techniques infused with trendy Korean flavours. From the signature Classic Shio Pans and Spring Onion Cream Cheese Bagels to an array of madeleines and fruit-topped danishes, the variety is mouth-watering. For those seeking something more filling, the menu extends to savoury sandwiches, fresh salads, and comforting soups, perfect for a quick brunch with your friends.
Given its popularity and central location, it’s wise to arrive early to secure your favourites before the lunch crowd clears the shelves.
Noci Bakehouse is open daily from 8.30am to 8.30pm at #01-604/605, Suntec Tower 3, Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard. For more information, visit Noci Bakehouse’s Instagram page.
Blob
Hidden away in the charming neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru, Blob is a quaint cafe with a Japanese aesthetic and a unique, experimental menu. The shop serves up matcha made using the famous Niko Neko powder alongside a creative lineup of savoury and sweet bakes.
Try the signature crab rangoon flavoured salt breads or explore more unconventional offerings like the Tobiko Baguette and Tako Floss Pretzel Balls. If you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up and a taste of Japan right here in Singapore, this one’s for you.
Blob is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm at #01-135,129, Kim Tian Road. For more information, visit Blob’s Instagram page.
1887 By André
1887 by André is a new opening that’s been garnering attention and a snaking wait list. The dining concept by Chef Patron André Chiang (who is the former head chef of three Michelin-starred Le Jardin des Sens and founder of restaurants such as the two-starred Restaurant André) is more of an experience than a simple meal—you’re transported from the entrance of the historic Raffles Hotel Singapore, to the Palm Court and into the hotel’s century-old formal dining room.
The space has been reimagined to reflect the stories of both the chef and the hotel, with features such as filament lightbulbs (a nod to Raffles Hotel Singapore being the first in the region to use electrical bulbs), mechanical leaf-shaped fans hanging from the ceiling and metallic sculptures of Traveller’s Palm trees, which the chef remembers from his days working there. The restaurant seats 42 guests, and has two cosy alcoves that seat about four to five each, a main seating area as well as a bar space perfect for solo diners.
The “Turtle Soup”.
On the menu is an extensive list of à la carte dishes (and set menu options) inspired by local flavours, including ones brought back from the hotel’s history. The “turtle soup”, for example, is recreated at 1887 by André with grouper and double-boiled chicken. Other standout items on the menu include Royale of Foie Gras (or Memory), a rich goose liver custard that was a signature on Restaurant Andre’s menu, and Boeuf aux Sept Poivres 1887, the Seven Pepper Beef served on the silver trolley buried in the hotel grounds during World War II.
Blanquette de ‘Bak Kut Teh’.
And don’t forget the drinks. If you’re a coffee connoisseur like the chef, try his collection of hand-dripped coffee from his favourite local roasters, Fluid, Nylon and Apartment, along with one from his private collection. But if you’re game for a drink or two, you’ll love the Spice Bomb, a lemonade infused with local spices such as clove, ginger and cumin, and Toasted Apple, which has notes of apple and earthy genmaicha.
1887 by André is open from Tuesday to Saturday at Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, for two seatings. The lunch seating runs from 11.30am to 1pm, and dinner runs from 6 to 8pm. For more information, visit Raffles Hotel Singapore’s site.
Aifokato
If you’ve got a serious case of FOMO for South Korea’s latest craze, the butter tteok (a chewy rice cake with a buttery golden exterior), you can now get it in the CBD, thanks to Aifokato, Tofu G’s sister concept. Aifokato is a new cafe offering the viral treat along with affogatos that feature gelato in its signature diamond shape, paired with fresh coffee in the middle. You can also DIY your affogatos—mix-and-match gelato flavours such as pistachio, matcha, dark chocolate and Madagascar vanilla with coffee, matcha and chocolate pours, depending on your mood for the day.
Or, you can try -86 Coffee, where hot coffee is layered over icy cold gelato—an unusual brew that is contrasting in temperature but balanced in taste.
Aifokato is open daily from 9am to 9pm at 111 Telok Ayer Street. For more information, visit Aifokato’s page.
Park Side
The PS.Cafe that we know and love has a new sister concept, and it’s a casual, cottage-style cafe situated in the lush Botanic Gardens. Inspired by its surroundings, the space is airy and open, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
Other dishes such as Tikki Toast and Bak Chor and Bacon Udon are also available.
The menu is created to be unfussy, so you’ll get dishes that can be eaten quickly and easily, perfect for sharing with friends and family over the table or for takeaway for a picnic. Flavour-wise, expect familiar tropical and Asian profiles such as tangy mango and tamarind, or fragrant curry, with dishes such as Tamarind Hot Honey Chicken Burger, Spiced Fish and Chips, and Woodlands Pesto. For something a little more sweet, try the Hummingbird Pancake, corn pancakes with coconut, pineapple and Okinawan black sugar caramel; or pick up a Mud Pie sundae at the ice cream kiosk.
The lineup for drinks looks to be stellar too, with handcrafted coffees, teas and alcoholic beverages such as Sweet After Rain, a coffee-based drink with cold brew, gula melaka and pandan, or the Taro Cloud Genmaicha, featuring Genmaicha, coconut milk and taro cloud.
Park Side is open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 7pm and Friday to Sunday from 8am to 9pm at Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, near the Nassim Gate. For more information, visit Park Side’s site.
Styxx
At Styxx, you’ll get fun and good food on your table. The menu at the Middle Eastern casual joint features kebabs grilled over an open fire for an extra smoky taste, then paired with a variety of dips and sauces to enhance the flavours. Whether you’re here with a loved one or a crowd of friends, dishes like skewers of chicken thigh, lamb, king oyster mushrooms are made for sharing.
You can also get their signature sets, where layered kebabs, a half chicken, wagyu and more are set straight on the table for a new dining experience.
Styxx is open Monday to Saturday from 5 to 11pm at 18 Teck Lim Road. For more information, visit Styxx’s page and reserve a slot on Sevenrooms.
Café Mary Grace Singapore
Beloved Filipino bakery-cafe Café Mary Grace has made Singapore its first international location. Unwind in the homey 28-seater space with its signature Ensaymadas, a soft brioche topped with Edam cheese, or a salted egg version that is exclusive to Singapore. The Kaya Egg Cheese Roll is also a dish only offered here, a play on their famous cheese rolls, which pairs well with their rich hot chocolate.
If you’re looking to have a heartier meal, try Angus Beef Tapa, a Filipino classic; or the Crabcake Brioche, another Singapore-exclusive that sees golden crabcakes wrapped in their ensaymadas.
Café Mary Grace also offers prepackaged Butter Lengua Thins (butter cookies) and Queso de Bola Lengua Thins (butter cookies with cheese), so you can take the experience home to your family.
Café Mary Grace Singapore is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm at 52 Tras Street. For more informantion, visit Café Mary Grace’s site.
Diff Specialty
What sets Diff Specialty—a new spot tucked away within Local Chapter coffee shop—apart from other cafes on our island is its guest shifts by brewer champions like Oscar Ong, the current Singapore Brewers Champion, and Nas Jaafar, who won the Malaysia Brewers Cup last year. During these events, visitors can grab a cup (or two) personally brewed by the award-winners, and get to know more about their brewing process.
On the regular menu of Diff Specialty is a series of filtered coffee, espresso-based drinks like lattes, matchas, cold brew teas and snacks like its popular Pandan kueh lapis.
In the months ahead, expect new and exciting additions to the roster. In April, there are plans to host weekend cupping sessions for coffee enthusiasts, where you get to take part in the process used to evaluate the aroma and flavour of coffee. At the end of April, Diff Specialty is also looking to launch its new in-house roasting programme, which will see them source and roast limited amounts of higher-grade, competition-level coffees and showcase them through a curated experience.
Diff Specialty is open daily from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends at Local Chapter coffee shop, #01-68, CT Hub 2, 114 Lavender Street. For more information, visit Diff Specialty’s page.
Living Room
Here’s one more reason to visit Late Morning, the popular store offering a curation of stylish boutique homeware. Within the space is a cafe tucked into a cosy corner, fitted with minimal furniture and accents like a candle holder that evoke the Zen vibe Late Morning is loved for.
On the menu? Sourdough toasts with unusual yet fun combinations such as blueberry, thyme, honey and ricotta; and capsicum and balsamic vinegar; though the team recommends its signature charred chilli ricotta version. Its matcha lattes also promise to have a toasty nut flavour, and for the coffee fanatics, opt for the espresso-based drinks and filtered coffee.
Living Room is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm at Late Morning, 230 South Bridge Road. For more information, visit Living Room’s page.
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Offsite
The Bukit Timah area is already home to a number of independent coffee shops selling good coffee worth travelling for, yet we can never have enough. Offsite is the newest addition to the scene, and the joint (which turns into a wine bar at night) at Beauty World offers classic and specialty coffee like guava americano, earl grey and osmanthus lattes, along with matcha options in equally interesting flavours.
You can get brunch here too—pick from a selection of sandwiches, pastries like a strawberry lava basque cake, sourdough and handmade dumplings.
Offsite is open daily from 11am to 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 8pm on weekends at #01-10, The LINQ, 118 Upper Bukit Timah Road. For more information, visit Offsite’s page.
Elephant Grounds
Sound the trumpets, because Elephant Grounds has arrived from Hong Kong to our shores, serving up its signature house-roasted coffee and pastries. Located in Guoco Midtown, the airy, nature-inspired cafe features indoor as well as pet-friendly outdoor spaces, creating an environment that caters to those who want to pause and reconnect with loved ones over a good meal.
If you’ve been wondering what’s the hype behind the joint’s popular coffee offerings, its house blend is sourced from Ijen Lestari, an award-winning farm in East Java, roasted in-house, then blended to produce a balanced and distinct taste. Pair your coffee of choice with pastries like croissants in chocolate, banoffee and almond flavours. Its bakes are made within the space, making its outpost here the second of its 10 regional branches to have an on-site production kitchen and its own baking team, so you’ll be served the freshest picks only.
Elephant Grounds is open daily from 8am to 8pm at #01-04, Guoco Midtown, 124 Beach Road. For more information, visit Elephant Grounds’ page.
Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Your favourite Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded chicken rice stall at Tiong Bahru Market just got a new home in the basement of Takashimaya Shopping Centre, BTW. Along with Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Rice’s beloved Hainanese Chicken Rice, Baked French Poulet with Japanese Rice and more, you can expect a slew of dishes that will make their debut at this outlet. For a spicy kick, try the Hainan Curry Fish Pot, the Chilli Soft Shell Crab served with soft mantous and the Hainan Style Spicy Prawns With Cucumber for a dose of wok hei.
Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Rice is open daily from 11am to 9pm on Monday to Friday and 10.30am to 9.30pm on Saturday and Sunday at #B2-36A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road. For more information, visit Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Rice’s page.
Sushidan
Sushidan has just made Singapore its first overseas outpost! The casual concept by chef-founder Hiroyuki Sato, former head chef of the Michelin-starred Sushi Tokami, sees wallet-friendly handrolls and ala carte sushi featuring classic ingredients like salmon belly, amaebi (shrimp), hamachi (yellowtail fish) and other seafood flown in fresh from Tokyo’s Toyosu market and Norway.
Omakase fans can also dig into sets that start at $19.90, available in both raw and aburi (flame-seared) styles.
Sushidan is open daily from 11am to 10pm at #B1-44C, Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road. For more information, visit Sushidan’s Instagram.
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Sundae Royale
There’s another ice cream parlour in town. Sundae Royale is a retro-style ice cream bar dreamt up by French chef Paul Pairet (who runs four restaurants in Shanghai) offering soft serves and sundaes that put premium twists on the nostalgic flavours from our childhood, like Caramel-Butter-Soy Ice Cream, Pistachio-Cherry Sundae and Mango-Raspberry Melba. With flavours like these and the option to complete them with french toast and warm churros, Sundae Royale might just be worth a trip down to Sentosa.
Sundae Royale is open daily from 11.30 am to 10pm at #B1-222, Weave Resorts World Sentosa, 26 Sentosa Gateway. For more information, visit Sundae Royale’s site.