Eggs Benedict and avocado toast—brunch often gets a bad rap amongst foodies for trotting out unimaginative dishes at inflated prices. Still, not all brunch menus are made equal. For those with discerning palates, a rising tide of restaurants is reclaiming the mid-morning meal, elevating it into an occasion as experiential as a tasting menu.
Indulge in the inventive medley of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours at Sushisamba—where brunch comes complete with a sushi buffet spread, delectable ceviches and roving performers in glittering outfits—or enter the rustic enclave of Summer Hill, where chef Anthony Yeoh whisks diners away to Provence via his signature brunch trolley, promising a taste of la cuisine du soleil (the cuisine of the sun) made even more tasteful with illustrative storytelling as part of the table service.
Elsewhere, one Singapore’s top gastro wine bars—the first in the country to have earned a Michelin star—transforms into Bonjour Ma Cuisine on weekdays, offering up contemporary renditions of French classics alongside decadent pastries and sweets. Meanwhile, at The Masses, brunch is a decidedly laid back affair, kicking off with a plethora of freshly-shucked Irish & French oysters from a live bar.
Here, we shortlist the restaurants in Singapore offering unique experiences worth your while.
1 / 6
Summer Hill
Having incorporated nifty wheels during service by way of a brunch trolley buffet, Summer Hill’s chef-owner Anthony Yeoh transformed the way buffets are done. Servings are made smaller and available upon request, which allows for zero-waste, portion control as well as freshly cooked creations that channel Yeoh’s take on French cooking.
You start off with bright and colourful sides, from olive and artichoke tapenade to a healthy smattering of various greens like roasted eggplant, chickpea salad, marinated fennel and grilled peppers. All of which are made to remain and join the mains that follow after. Of course, not before an intoxicating palate cleanse through a generous plate of fresh clams simply cooked in white wine, garlic and tomatoes. As far as the mains go: a halibut that is well steeped in the heady notes of olives and capers; a roast pork nicoise that will delight meat lovers with its crackling skin; and grilled lamb ribs, slathered in spices and best enjoyed with the aforementioned sides.
In case the sweets on the table (an olive oil cake and a cherry frangipane tart) haven’t quite filled the brief, leave it to Summer Hill’s build-your-own snow cones to do just that. All you can eat, of course.
The brunch trolley is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Summer Hill, 442 Orchard Rd, #02-17 Claymore Connect, Singapore 238879
2 / 6
Bonjour Ma Cuisine
By night, Ma Cuisine is one of Singapore’s top gastro wine bars—the first in the country to have earned a Michelin star, thanks to its elegant French plates and exceptional wine selection. By day, however, the celebrated restaurant becomes Bonjour Ma Cuisine, a weekday brunch concept serving up casual and affordable, but no less delicious, bistro fare. You’ll find elevated, contemporary renditions of all the French classics here, from a decadent croque madame with truffle, to a parmesan linguine pasta cooked to al dante perfection.
Don’t leave without trying the restaurant’s pastries and sweets, cheekily listed on the menu under ‘The Bad Habits’. In particular, the Pain Perdu Kaya puts a local spin on traditional French toast by taking inspiration from the kaya butter toast that we know and love. Accompany your meal with a glass of wine from the restaurant’s excellent offerings, and you’ll have yourself a winning brunch.
Brunch is available from 8am to 2.30pm on weekdays. Bonjour Ma Cuisine, 39 Craig Road, Singapore 089677
3 / 6
Akira Back Brunch Club
Akira Back’s Saturday brunch club is a great way to experience the best of the restaurant’s unique approach to modern Japanese cuisine with a Korean flair—starting with classic staples such as the iconic Tuna and Mushroom Pizza. With ultra-thin slices of fresh tuna and mushroom atop a light, crunchy baked tortilla, it’s easy to understand why this scrumptious dish is known globally.
Fresh harvest from Japan is showcased in the free-flow sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls—of which the Red Dragon with crab meat, shrimp tempura and spicy tuna is a highlight. As for hot dishes, look forward to five savoury creations. The Beef Toban, in particular, is a standout exclusive to the brunch menu, with thinly sliced angus beef tossed with an assortment of mushrooms. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, as brunch concludes with a platter of three intricate sweets—the AB Cigar, Apple-y and Hojicha Ice Cream—each as memorably delicious as they are beautiful.
Brunch is available on Saturdays from 12pm. Akira Back, 30 Beach Road, Level B1M, 189763
4 / 6
The Masses
In Singapore, the charms of alfresco dining often come second to its potential downsides: scorching heat and humidity. Owing to its location within the sunbathed—and yet, air-conditioned—Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, French-Asian bistro The Masses offers the best of both worlds. Helmed by chef Dylan Ong, the restaurant’s fare is marked by fresh ingredients and refined flavours—preserving a French core with Asian flair.
The restaurant’s communal, farm-style Sunday brunch strikes a fine chord between rustic and luxurious dining, starting the meal with freshly-shucked Irish & French oysters alongside an assortment of appetisers made for easy grazing. A platter of cold cuts arrives laden with pork and chicken liver pâté, smoked salmon rillette, Parma ham and hot smoked mackerel; while the fresh Haricot Vert Bean Salad puts French green beans and pickled French strawberries front and center. Simplicity seems to be at the heart of the mains, from a creamy scrambled egg elevated with generous shavings of black truffle to a crisp yet succulent chicken leg prepared over 36 hours and served with velvety jus. If you’re in the mood to indulge, opt for Prosecco and wine on tap—if only to pair with the picture perfect French strawberry tart which closes out the meal, laden with Chantilly and rhubarb jam for a memorable sweet ending.
Brunch is available from 11am to 5pm every Sunday. The Masses, 15 Stamford Road, #01-84, Capitol Singapore, The Arcade, 178905
5 / 6
Sushisamba
Known for its unique medley of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours, Sushisamba has earned itself the reputation of being the place to be in each of the cities it has opened up in—from Las Vegas to Dubai. Things are no different in its Singapore outpost, which opened to grand reception last year. Now, the venue is upping the ante with a new offering: its world-renowned Copacabana brunch.
An experiential affair that combines excellent food, top-notch bubbly and exuberant music, this is the brunch to book when you’re celebrating something special—or just in the mood for an afternoon of unabashed fun. Tuck into a delectable buffet spread spanning from fresh sushi and sashimi to juicy grilled meat skewers. Don’t miss out on the restaurant’s ceviches either, which comes in smaller, but equally delicious, portions for brunch. Roving performers in glittering outfits (a Sushisamba signature) come around every so often, getting you up on your feet—we can’t think of a more ebullient way to celebrate the weekend.
The Sushisamba Copacabana brunch is available on Saturdays from 12pm to 3pm. Reservations can be made here.
6 / 6
Le Bon Funk
Discerning foodies will instantly recognise Le Bon Funk as chef-owner Keirin Buck’s beloved gastro wine bar, with its two outlets on Club Street and Holland Village packed to the brim each evening with bon viveurs from around the island. What you might know, however, is that the restaurant also offers a brunch (or lunch specials) menu on the weekends, tailor made for leisurely afternoons.
Here, you’ll find an array of elevated brunch classics that have each been given the signature Le Bon Funk treatment. An impossibly fluffy cast iron pancake arrives in a pool of dark maple syrup and topped with a thick slab of butter, with the choice of adding foie gras for an indulgent twist. A buckwheat crepe is stuffed with a heady combination of blue cheese, figs and candied walnuts, accented deliciously with an apple cider sauce. Diners more familiar with the restaurant’s evening offerings will also be able to choose from a smaller edit of the dinner menu, while pairing their meal with cold brew coffee, homemade iced shaken tea, craft cocktails—or natural wine, of course.
Le Bon Funk‘s weekend lunch specials are available every Saturday and Sunday, from 12 to 3pm.
