There’s something about summer that makes us want to get out and explore the city, especially if our urban journey involves great food and drinks. Lucky for us there are tons of new restaurants and bars in Singapore that have recently opened their doors. We’ve been scoping out the F&B scene for spots that we think are going to become fast favourites and we’ve come up with a list of potential gems. From modern Chinese cuisineto casual izakaya eats, fab French food, and a sophisticated cocktail bar dedicated to writers, these are our picks for Singapore’s hottest new dining and drinking spots.
Restaurants:
Beurre
The name means butter in French, so you can bet the food here is hearty, nourishing and rich. The menu features French influenced dishes that are designed to be shared, so we recommend bringing your posse along and ordering up a number of plates. Start with the portobello mushroom tart with poached eggs and leek cream, then move on to the Angus ribeye aged for 10 days in butter and cooked just the way you like it. Leave room for the peanut butter tart.
Beurre, 23 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089837. p. +65 9660 0597. Open Tues – Sat 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm, Sun 11am – 3pm
IZY FOOK
You may remember Izy as a cool izakaya serving contemporary Japanese bites. Well they’ve recently renovated and rebranded into a hip and happening dining and drinking den where you can grab Singaporean dishes and Cantonese cuisine amid boisterous music and vibes. Expect low lighting in the front living room and back dining hall, tempting smoky grilled eats, and stellar cocktails, spirits, sake and wine.
IZY FOOK, 27 Club Street, Singapore 069413. p. +65 9678 0027. Open daily 11am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 12am
Man Fu Yuan
Having opened at the Intercontinental Hotel back in the 90s, Man Fu Yuan isn’t exactly new to the dining scene, but the new menu by chef Aaron Tan is. Now you can try 13 signature dishes that prove the kitchen isn’t content to just rest on their laurels. The modern Cantonese sharing dishes include the Roma tomatoes with crab meat, ikura and yuzu dressing, deep-fried lobster with egg floss, asparagus and Asian cream sauce, and the slow-braised pork ribs with mantou buns.
Man Fu Yuan, 80 Middle Road, Intercontinental Hotel, Singapore, 188966. p. +65 6338 7600. Open Mon – Fri 12pm – 3pm, Sat, Sun & PH 11:30am – 3pm, daily 6pm – 10pm
The Riverhouse
Set in an old secret society house that was built in the 1870s, The Riverhouse offers three different concepts in one two-storey space. Each venue pays homage to its Chinese history with elegant Asian-inspired architecture and design. Mimi is a modern Chinese restaurant doing up fusion food, Yin is an al fresco bar and lounge, and Yang is a sleek nightclub. If you’re in Clarke Quay and want a swanky spot for tipples and bites, this is a good bet.
The Riverhouse, 3A River Valley Road #01-02, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020. p. +65 6261 1189. Hours: Mimi: daily 5pm – 10:30pm, Yin: Wed, Fri & Sat 6pm – 3am, Yang: Wed, Fri & Sat 10pm – 3am
Bars:
KOMA
Newly opened at Marina Bay Sands, KOMA is a great place to start the evening with a few Japanese inspired drinks before heading to the rooftops bars or nightclub. Walk through the massive entranceway with orange arches and you reach the main dining room with soaring ceilings, a reflecting pool, and a giant Japanese bell taking centre place. Settle in at the bar for luxe libations like the Satsuma Imo Sour or the Lake of Kyoto with rum, Kodakara La France, pear puree and lemon.
KOMA, 10 Bayfront Avenue, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Galleria Level #B1-67, Singapore 018956. p. +65 6688 8690. Open Sun – Thurs 5pm – 12am, Fri – Sat 5pm – 2am
Writer’s Bar
Raffles has been undergoing a huge revamp over the past year with new drinking and dining venues being added to the iconic hotel, and the Writer’s Bar is the latest to open. The bar pays tribute to all the famous writers who have stayed at the hotel throughout its illustrious history and provides a space that is perfect for sparking inspiration. Think a solid brass bar, glittering chandelier, and a selection of handcrafted cocktails, champagne, and premium spirits.
Writer’s Bar, 1 Beach Rd, Raffles Singapore, Grand Lobby, Singapore 189673. p. +65 6337 1886. Open daily 5pm – 12am