· BURPPLE

Hottest New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Singapore: Dec 2018

Foodies, ready your tummies for one last hurrah in 2018! Our final newly opened shortlist of the year features exciting eateries, from a shrimp ‘ramen’ la mian hotspot to a hawker barbecue by Meatsmith and ‘demon chef’ Alvin Leung’s second opening in Singapore.

Last updated: 26 Dec 2018

Le Shrimp Ramen

leshrimpramen.png

Shared by Burpplers Alicia Kho, Daniel Food Diary & AC Chan

Rundown: Paradise Group’s latest venture pairs the simple Chinese la mian with ramen-inspired rich shrimp broth.
Perfect for: Casual, rainy day dinner dates or ramen lovers craving something new!
Order this:  Le Signature Prawn Ramen ($19.90) and Prawn Dumpling with Chilli Vinaigrette Ramen.
For those who like: LeNu Chef Wai’s Noodle Bar and Ramen Keisuke Lobster King.
FYI: The idea was birthed when Paradise Group CEO Eldwin Chua tried a bowl of Japanese shrimp broth ramen in Hokkaido.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS



15 Stamford

15stamford

Shared by Burpplers Alicia Kho & Rueann Dass

Rundown: Celebrity ‘Demon chef’ Alvin Leung pays homage to his favourite Asian dishes in this Capitol Kempinski hotel restaurant.
Perfect for: Family celebrations or splurge-worthy dinners with the gang.
Order this: Hokkaido Scallop with Adobo Butter and Ginger ($12), Chargrilled “Bak Kut Teh” Pork Chop ($38) and Bone-in Beef Short Rib Rendang ($68).
For those who like: Yellow Pot.
FYI: Look out for the beautiful, specially-commissioned plates with floral prints and a hidden ‘demon chef’ logo.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Niku Kin

nikukin

Shared by Burpplers Xing Wei Chua, K T & Justin Teo

Rundown: A smart-casual yakiniku joint crops up along Craig road.
Perfect for: Hamburg lunches with the team or after-work barbecue dinners.
Order this: Wagyu Katsu Hamburg Set ($14.90) and Niku Blue (grilled platter of five beef cuts, $108).
For those who like: Beef Yakiniku Dining Yakiniquest.
FYI: Expect 100% Hokkaido wagyu beef. You can also dig into that juicy hamburg as a side for dinner.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


A Summer in Paris

asummerinparis

Shared by Burpplers The Hunger Track, Natalie Wong & Rachel Chua

Rundown: Famous French pastry chef Yann Brys brings his craft to VivoCity.
Perfect for: Dessert with the girls.
Order this: Tourbillon Lemon Tart ($8.80) and PomPom ($9.30).
For those who like: Tarte by Cheryl Koh.
FYI: Yann Brys won the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France in 2011. For the uninitiated, the award’s known to be the the highest regard for pastry chefs in France!

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


The Mast'

themast

Shared by Burpplers K T, The Ranting Panda & Dex Neo

Rundown: One-month-old Italian osteria in Frasers Towers wins the community over with fresh cheese.
Perfect for: Solo pizza lunches or dress-down Italian date nights.
Order this: Pinsa Bufalina ($14).
For those who like: LINO.
FYI: The cheese lab is enclosed in glass windows, so you can watch your cheese come to life and eat it too!

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Hideout by Local Box

hideoutbylocalbox

Shared by Burpplers Xing Wei Chua & Veronica Phua

Rundown: The Heeren gets a local delights cafe with shiok, pocket-friendly fare.
Perfect for: Post-shopping nosh.
Order this: Soup Laksa with Soft Shell Crab ($13.80) and Wet Mee Siam ($8.50).
For those who like: Harriann’s Nonya Table and The Local Box.
FYI: Yes, this one’s by the same team behind Tanjong Pagar’s popular-for-lunch The Local Box.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Naganuma Ice Cream

naganuma.png

Shared by Burpplers Alicia Kho & Zhihui Lim

Rundown: Hokkaido’s famous milk ice cream shop lands in Carlton City Hotel.
Perfect for: Something cool for sunny afternoon walks, or after-lunch sweets.
Order this: Creme Brulee Soft Serve ($8) and Milk Soft Serve (from $5 for a scoop).
For those who like: Matchaya and Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory.
FYI: The parlour’s known as Naganuma ice-no-ie in Japan — which translates to mean an ‘ice cream shop’.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS



Meatsmith Western BBQ

meatsmith Shared by Burpplers Jason Wong, Xing Wei Chua & Rueann Dass

Rundown: Meatsmith puts an Asian hawker spin on their expertly executed meat dishes at Glutton Bay’s Makan Sutra.
Perfect for: Meaty dinners with friends on cool nights.
Order this: Salted Egg Chicken Chop ($9) and Charsiew Pork Ribs Rice ($10).
For those who like: Meatsmith (Telok Ayer) and Noods & Meats.
FYI: The stall also offers daily specials, like Burnt Ends’ well-loved Burnt Leeks done here with a sweet-sourish sauce.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Casa Rustico

casarustico

Shared by Burpplers Blueskies Cottonclouds & Xing Wei Chua

Rundown: Quiet, homely Italian cafe-bistro pops up along Mohamed Sultan road.
Perfect for: Comforting egg and pasta dishes over conversations with a friend.
Order this: Scrambled Eggs ($8.50) and Cavetelli ($25.50).
For those who like: Casa Tarfuto.
FYI: Opened by the same folks behind Casa Tarfuto, this offshoot sees co-owner Tammy baking her own goodies for the dessert counter.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Aburi-En

aburi-en

Shared by Burpplers Xing Wei Chua, Muriel AvdH & Cindy Q

Rundown: Nondescript Japanese joint for hearty dons in Tanjong Pagar Centre.
Perfect for: A treat-yourself dinner after a long day’s work.
Order this: Buta Bara Don ($15) and Wagyu Karubi Don ($19).
For those who like: Tokachi Tontaro.
FYI: Look out for the Miniso stretch to find this small, charming space.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Ristr8to

ristr8to

Shared by Burpplers Xing Wei Chua, Muriel AvdH & Rueann Dass

Rundown: Latte art champs from Chiang Mai open a cafe in unassuming Tai Seng food court.
Perfect for: A potent pick-me-up after lunch.
Order this: Satan’s Latte ($4) for the latte art, Ficardie ($4.50) and Dopper ($6) for a good kick.
For those who like: Toby’s Estate and 78 Alkofelic.
FYI: There are only five counter seats but you can also enjoy your cuppa at the food court’s spacious seating area.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Thevar

thevar

Shared by Burppler Veronica Phua

Rundown: One-half of Meatsmith Little India, chef Mano Thevar takes Indian cooking up a notch at his namesake restaurant.
Perfect for: A fresh, upscale experience with friends who love Indian.
Order this: Pork Ribs ($28) and Berry Pulao ($10).
For those who like: Meatsmith (Little India).
FYI: The promising new locale is also co-owned by chef Kim of Michelin-starred Meta.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Fat Chap

fatchap

Shared by Burpplers Alicia Kho & Sherlyn Chan

Rundown: Hip, casual Asian concept serving hearty, good-for-sharing eats in Suntec.
Perfect for: Group gatherings with a hint of nostalgia.
Order this: Crispy Pig’s Ears ($12), Marinated Whole Squid ($15) and Grilled Whole Fish ($53 for two pax).
For those who like: Indochili.
FYI: Also expect eclectic cocktails, made with Asian gin, Suntory whiskey and more.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Wonder Gelato

wondergelato

Shared by Burppler Raine Liu, Just Keep Eating and Alicia Kho

Rundown: Bright Instagrammable spot to get your gelato fix in Waterloo.
Perfect for: Ice cream breaks on hot afternoons.
Order this: Double Scoop ($6) with Sea Salt and Popcorn.
For those who like: aRoma.
FYI: Skip the rather dense and chewy waffles, and spend tummy space on more ice cream instead.

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Happy Cat Chuan Chuan

happycat

Shared by Burpplers Raine Liu, Sibeh Hungry - & Alicia Kho

Rundown: People’s Park Complex gets a cutesy, street-style ma la skewer concept.
Perfect for: When you’re feeling peckish and adventurous in Chinatown.
Order this: Lotus Root ($1.50 for two skewers) and Taiwanese Sausage ($1).
For those who like: Ri Ri Hong Ma La Xiang Guo.
FYI: The skewers come doused in a cold ma la sauce — tongue-numbing but superbly enjoyable on a hot day!

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS


Sesame & Bagel

sesamebagel

Shared by Burpplers Xing Wei Chua & Alicia Kho

Rundown: Cosy little bakery located off-the-beaten path in the West for bagelwiches.
Perfect for: Weekend excursions with bread-loving buddies.
Order this: Roast Beef Bagel Sandwich ($10.50) and Blueberry Bagel ($2.50).
For those who like: Two Men Bagel House.
FYI: The NEWest location is a little secluded, but the community describes those freshly baked, affordable bagels to be worth the trip!

READ COMMUNITY REVIEWS