Where’s the it-crowd dining tonight? With new restaurants seemingly cropping up in Singapore every week, you might find it difficult to discern which ones are worth your time and dollar. Here, Vogue compiles the trendiest new food and drink establishments newly launched on our shores and worth checking out. No more bad dinners, and no more decision fatigue.
Hathaway
Seated in the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill is Hathaway, the newest addition to Singapore’s ever-growing list of posh cafes. The weeks-old establishment is complete with the gorgeous, woodsy interiors expected of a venue where a plate of eggs Benedict goes for $36, but the food—which leaves the kitchen beautifully plated on rustic stoneware—might surprise you.
With a menu that deftly interlaces French and Middle-eastern flavours with local influences, Hathaway turns traditional brunch fare on its head. The aforementioned eggs Benedict, for example, comes with layers of smoked salmon mousse, trout roe and a special Hollandaise Ulam sauce that results in a luscious umami flavour unlike any other variant of this commonplace dish. Also on their menu is a heirloom fish curry recipe inherited from the owners’ grandmother, which features a glistening steak of barramundi enveloped in an aromatic, silky curry that has such depth of flavour—it will have you polishing off your plate in a matter of minutes.
Hathaway, 13 Dempsey Road, #01-07, Singapore 249674
Contact: 9665 0681 / [email protected]
French Fold
Tucked within the buzzy enclave of Telok Ayer is Merci Marcel Group’s newest all-day dining venture, French Fold. Read closer into the restaurant’s name and you’ll know exactly what’s on their menu: a plethora of delectable crepes alongside their savoury counterpart, galettes.
Within the confines of the delicate French pancakes, French Fold whips up an assortment of dishes that range from the classic— crepes laden with lemon butter or homemade hazelnut spread—to the novel. Among their more adventurous recipes are galettes infused with local flavour, like No. 11, which features savoury chunks of satay chicken peppered with ginger and peanuts. Designed by Takenouchi Webb, French Fold’s breezy ambience exudes an air of laid-back style that lends itself to a versatile range of occasions, whether it’s a business brunch, a lunch-time catch up with friends or your next date.
French Fold, 204 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068640
Contact: 6970 7626
Lucali BYGB
If there was a restaurant on everyone’s lists, Lucali BYGB is it. Taking over the spot where Kilo used to be in Kampong Bugis, the first thing that will hit you when you emerge from the elevator is the intoxicating scent of Le Labo Santal 26. Step in and the subtle smell of pizza and heady chatter will envelop you.
The collaboration between Singapore-based hospitality pioneer, Gibran Baydoun and creator of the famed Lucali in Brooklyn, Mark Iacono is phenomenal. Come hungry and in a group of five, because everything on the menu is for sharing. Both pastas—the pecorino-infused cacio e pepe and spiced rigatoni—are mesmerisingly good. Their meatloaf, inspired by Baydoun’s mother, is moist and addictive. And of course, their ‘Lucali pie’, also known as a beautiful 18-inch wood-fired pizza, is a necessary expense. The base is perfectly light and fluffy, layered with a secret ‘four-hour tomato sauce’ passed down from Iacano’s grandmother and your choice of toppings (we are partial to pepperoni).
Finish your evening with their homemade soft-serve ice cream with chocolate or rainbow sprinkles—a nod to your best childhood fantasy.
Lucali BYGB, 66 Kampong Bugis, Level M, Singapore 338987
Contact: 8284 1325
Junior the Pocket Bar
Even if you’ve never been there, you would have heard of Junior the Pocket Bar. Its first iteration, which opened its doors in 2017, was a diminutive space which held a select 10 people every evening. As one would imagine, as cocktail lovers caught on, the queues grew longer and soon, they were forced to turn people away. “We simply outgrew the old space,” says propreiter Joe Alessandroni. Junior 2.0 is the result of their burgeoning popularity.
Tucked away on the Ann Siang Hill strip, the sleek bar has high ceilings and gorgeous heritage touches while retaining its cosy charm—and now seats 25 people. Junior’s current concept, Washi, is inspired by the bars of Shinjuku’s Golden Gai. While all their cocktails are stellar, our personal favourite is the Tree Frog, a sumptuous blend of passionfruit, shiso, morning dew cognac, lemon and green chartreuse. Our advice? Pop over at 7pm and make a dinner date out of it, because their selection of dishes is just as rave-worthy. Call for the furikake-spiked popcorn, marinated octopus calamansi and the charred broccolini, paired with roasted curry vinaigrette and pork crackling. For something heavier, the mala fried chicken burger is sinfully delectable.
Junior the Pocket Bar, 6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069787
Contact: 8121 1462
Miznon
With an international footprint of 10 outlets situated across the cities of Vienna, Paris, New York, and Melbourne, Israeli eatery Miznon lands in Singapore with fresh pitas in tow. Founded by Masterchef Israel judge and celebrity Chef Eyal Shani, Singapore’s branch of Miznon is helmed by Israeli native Chef Or Hakmimi.
Their approach to food boils down to picking the most premium ingredients and produce and presenting them in ways that best let them shine. Methods like blanching, roasting and high-temp searing are used to create deceptively simple dishes like a roasted baby cauliflower that comes whole, with a creamy interior enclosed within a smoky, crispy crust. Other favourites include 12 signature pitas—with variations like charred chicken liver, seared sirloin steak and ratatouille—and tahini made with Chef Or’s secret recipe. Located in a cosy shophouse on Stanley Street and featuring a show kitchen that allows guests a generous peek behind the scenes, Miznon is the spot to head to do for an authentic slice of Israeli cuisine and culture.
Miznon, 6 Stanley St, #01-01, Singapore 068725
Contact: 9015 5319
East Coast Commune
This promising new gem might look a tad out of place in family-friendly East Coast Park, but perhaps its modern, minimalist design and marine-themed artwork by local artist Wu Yanrong is just what the enclave needs. From a selection of delicate foliage to lounge-y sofa seats, the interiors will ensure you slip into relaxation mode, even before the food arrives.
Go for their one-of-a-kind sourdough waffles with the classic combination of almond flakes and maple butter, or jazzed up with peanut butter and butterscotch banana. For savoury tastebuds, there is also a rendition with fried chicken and chilli-picked daikon. Pair it with a well-balanced cup of coffee, a good book, and you’ve got your next couple of hours sorted.
East Coast Commune, 1000 ECP, #01-03, Singapore 449876
Contact: 8950 4142
