New Restaurants, Cafes And Bars In Singapore: June 2016
Situated across from Novena Church, this famous pancake chain from Japan is known for its healthier pancakes. These are made using their signature Kyushu Pancake flour base — a combination of seven different Kyushu-grown grains. Bring your girlfriends to share the Sample Platter ($15), which comes with pancakes, waffles and French toast — perfect for trying a bit of everything. For something heartier, go for the American Big Breakfast ($22) — the full works with their famed pancakes is bound to fill you up. End with something sweet like the Matcha MontBlanc ($18) — a stack of pancakes served with yummy matcha chestnut sauce, matcha mousse and vanilla ice cream! Pro tip: Make reservations if you're coming on a weekend.
Avg price: $20 per person
Photo by Burppler ohappydaes W
Located at the corner of Bugis Junction, this non-air conditioned shop is a great alternative to Toast Box for a light bite. The brainchild of Chef Benny and sister outlet to Eighteen Chefs, Seng Kee The Black Seed serves local breakfast fare all day. Swing by in the morning or after lunch to grab a Kopi (from $2.60) or for an extra boost, try the Kopi Guyu (from $3) — black coffee with a shot of butter. Feeling hungry? Wolf down a plate of Chee Cheong Fun with Sambal Belacan ($3.20) or have a Kaya Butter Set ($6) — expect generously slathered, velvety smooth kaya and a slice of butter between two lightly toasted pieces of crusty Ciabatta or Focaccia bread. It is served with two perfectly wobbly 63°C sous vide eggs.
Avg price: $5 per person
Photo by Burppler Jayne Tan
In collaboration with Everything With Fries, the highly anticipated Pokémon Cafe has finally arrived on our shores. With the animated series' mascot Pikachu and other iconic characters featured widely in all their food and decor, every corner of the cafe at Bugis Junction screams cute! For take-home memorabilia, order the Pikachu Smiling Rice Omelette ($25) or the Pikachu's Sweeeeeet Pancake ($20) — you get to keep the mug afterwards! Try the oozetastic Pokéball Cream Puff ($5.90 each or four for $20, available for takeaway) while you're there. Be prepared for a long wait among fellow fans though.
Avg price: $30 per person without drinks
Photo by Burppler Wee Guan Fish
Go cheeky on your next night out at Xiao Ya Tou, an upmarket fusion zi char restaurant and bar on Duxton Hill. Borrowing inspiration from Duxton's sordid past of brothels and opium houses, the dining room is bathed in the glow of red lanterns, and pictures of vintage Chinese pin-up girls adorn the walls. The food, too, is no boring matter. The kitchen turns out creative interpretations of familiar Asian and other zi char dishes — think Lu Rou Fan ($9) topped with braised wagyu beef instead of minced pork, and Oil Fried Soon Hock ($42) with tamarind gochujang. There are also tapas-style choices like Kurobuta Pork Cheek Sliders ($6 each) and Crispy Otak Otak Rolls ($12) — perfect for munching on as you sip on the Suntory Highball ($15), which combines Suntory whisky with soda, ginger, lemon juice and sugar. Pro tip: We can't wait for their brunch menu, which launches mid June — expect Minced Beef with Fried Potato Biscuit ($21) and Coconut Tau Huay ($6).
Avg price: $35 per person for tapas and a drink
Photo by Burppler Shawn Loh
If you're old enough to remember eating Mini Melts in your childhood, then you're in for a nostalgic treat. Claimed to be the smallest nitrogen ice cream in the world, the tiny, frozen beads come in ten flavours, from classic Double Chocolate to tropical Pineapple Orange. As its name suggests, these tiny ice cream balls melt in the mouth. The Regular cup ($5.50) only gets you one flavour, so we highly recommend going for the Combo Cap ($7.90), which allows you to pair two flavours.
Avg price: $6 per person
Photo by Burppler Hwans Lim
In place of Char's old Guillemard digs is this British gastropub, which serves up good ol' English pub grub and beer. The space is cosy, with cushioned booth seats and wooden chairs, and an alfresco seating area for cool evenings. You won't go wrong with the classic Steak & Ale Pie ($19), which will comfort on rainy nights with its golden puff pastry and ale-scented filling of hearty beef chunks and vegetables. Fish lovers can go for the Fish & Chips ($22), which sees Hobgoblin ale-battered cod served with triple-cooked fries and mashed peas on the side. Wash that all down with a draft beer — we recommend the refreshing Hobgoblin Gold ($8 for half, $14 for whole pint).
Avg price: $20 per person without drinks
Photo by Burppler Raine Liu
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!