Spring is all about new beginnings, and we can’t think of a better way to get into the spirit of the season than by experiencing something new and exciting in Singapore’s ever-evolving foodie scene. We have our eye on a few new restaurants and bars that we think are really going to add great things to the culinary landscape including a hip and happening Mexican chicken joint, a sleek spot for Sichuan cuisine, and a cocktail bar that whips up fresh creations using herbs flown in from the French Alps. Get in now because we have a feeling that it won’t be long before these places get packed out.
Restaurants:
Chico Loco
Leave it to the Loco Group to refuse to rest on their laurels. The superstars of the Singapore Mexican cuisine scene have just opened Chico Loco, a casual eatery on Amoy Street where the signature dish is succulent spit-roasted chicken. And like their other venues, quality is key here, so they only use ethically-farmed, hormone-free chickens and sauces made in house from scratch. They also offer brekkie dishes until 11am and snacks like chips and guac until late.
Chico Loco, 102 Amoy Street, Singapore 069922. p. +65 9738 7828. Open Mon – Thurs 8am – 10pm, Fri 8am – 12am, Sat 5pm – 12am
Clove
Where do you go when you’re hungry but can’t decide which type of cuisine you’re hankering for? Let us introduce you to Clove at the Swissotel Stamford, a bright and airy all-day dining buffet spot. Settle in amid warm wood tones, lush greenery and lots of natural light and feast your eyes on an array of dishes from around the world. Start with the poke bar, salad bar or seafood station for fresh, healthy bites, then pile your plate with roasted meats, noodles, casseroles and sweets.
Clove, 2 Stamford Road Singapore, Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore 178882. p. +65 6338 8585. Open Mon – Fri 6am – 11am, 12pm – 2:30pm, Mon – Sat 6pm – 10pm
Culina COMO Dempsey
Fans of Culina will be relieved to know it hasn’t closed, but just moved a few blocks down in COMO Dempsey. The new space is bigger and features the Culina Bistro with a long bar and tons of tables for dine-in eats and the Culina Market for gourmet goods to take home. The bistro menu includes homey European dishes and an option where you can select your own cheeses, charcuterie and oysters from the market counters.
Culina COMO Dempsey, Block 15 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249675. p. +65 6474 7338. Open daily 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
The Masses
You’ve got to love creative cuisine that comes with an affordable price tag. The Masses is brought to us by Dylan Ong (former co-founder of Saveur) who offers up French cuisine with Japanese influences. Share some small plates like the pork crackling and grilled sesame shiitake mushrooms or order up a main all for yourself like the duck confit with rice noodles, cured egg yolk, mushrooms and mirabelle plum vinaigrette. Most dishes ring in under $20++.
The Masses, 85 Beach Road #01-02, Singapore 189694. p. +65 6266 0061. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs 12pm – 9:30pm, Wed, Fri, Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 12pm – 9pm
Min Jiang at Dempsey
Set in a beautiful black and white bungalow in the leafy environs of the Dempsey hood, this is the second installment of the award-winning Min Jiang restaurant, operated by the Goodwood Park Hotel. There’s plenty of space to spread out here with a main dining room, timber deck, three private rooms and a bar. Authentic Sichuan and Cantonese fare is the focus, so you can dig into offerings like dim sum, hot and sour soup and Beijing roast duck.
Min Jiang at Dempsey, 7A & 7B Dempsey Road, Singapore 249684. p. +65 6774 0122. Open daily 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Bars:
6 Grey Bar & Gin
Gins fans need to make their way down to 6 Grey Bar & Gin, a funky new watering hole where there are 52 gins to choose from including unique bottles like the Green Ant Gin by Adelaide Hills Distillery. Non-gin drinkers can quaff Paulaner beer or sip on a Moscato, Aperol Spritz or red or white wine. At the moment they have some crazy opening specials going on like $5 beers and house pours during happy hours from 5pm to 8pm daily.
6 Grey Bar, 6 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089262. p. +65 8228 5112. Open Mon – Fri 5pm – 12am, Sat 6pm – 12am
The Lounge Bar
Craft cocktails are the name of the game at this cosy bar on the second floor of a shophouse above JAG Restaurant. But these aren’t just random bespoke creations, they all focus around fresh herbs flown in from the French Alps. Grab a seat at the bar or on one of the leather sofas and try an Alps-inspired concoction like the Sapin with infused vodka, blueberry puree, lime juice, maraschino syrup, prune eau da vie and eggwhite.
The Lounge Bar, 76A Duxton Road, Level 2, Singapore 089535. p. +65 9686 5440. Open Tues – Sat 6pm – 11:30pm
*All images sourced from respective venues
