Best Orchard Central food to enjoy in town
Orchard Central is one of the prime shopping and dining hubs in town, along with other contenders such as Paragon, Takashimaya, and 313 Somerset right next door. The sprawling vertical mall, which is the tallest mall in Singapore, has tons of different cuisines from Western to the bustling Japanese food court down in the basement. Here’s our guide to dining at Orchard Central for any occasion!
Table of Contents
1. Soi 47 Thai Food
Tucked away on the fourth floor of Orchard Central is Soi 47 Thai Food, a Thai restaurant serving up a wide range of affordable offerings. Out of all the dishes we tried, we liked their Tom Yam Soup Clear ($9++) best as there were plenty of ingredients in the piping-hot soup: prawns, squid, mussels, mushrooms, and fried fish. To go with this, we recommend getting their Phad Thai with Seafood ($6.80++), a delicious mix of sour, sweet, salty, and savoury flavours. And finally, end your meal on a sweet note with a bowl of Red Ruby ($3.50++) that’s perfect for the sultry weather.
Read our Soi 47 Thai Food review.
Website
Soi 47 Thai Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
Soi 47 Thai Food Review: Affordable Thai Restaurant At Orchard Central
2. Aburi-EN
With a total of 14 outlets in Singapore, Aburi-EN has made a name for serving up wallet-friendly Japanese rice bowls in a variety of flavours. Seafood lovers will surely enjoy the Aburi Mentaiko Kaisen Bara Chirashi ($19.90++), starring hearty portions of diced tuna, salmon, and swordfish. The highlight, though, is the creamy mentaiko cheese sauce, which goes well with the ikura, caviar, and shredded tamago! Alternatively, the Truffle Roast Wagyu Don ($19.90++) is a great choice if beef is your preferred choice of protein. This comes with Australian roast Wagyu slices paired with truffle paste, and topped with shimeji mushrooms and an onsen egg.
Read our Aburi-EN review.
Website
Aburi-EN is not a halal-certified eatery.
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3. Nantsuttei
Nantsuttei is known for their Negi Ramen (from $14.90++), which comes with a creamy, thick, and fragrant tonkotsu broth that’s flavoured with copious amounts of black ma-yu garlic oil. It’s then topped with several pieces of soft chashu that melts in the mouth. The overwhelmingly spicy Dragon Ramen ($14.90++) hits you with a burst of heat right from the very first sip. It uses a house-made spicy paste that comprises minced pork, chilli paste, chillies, sake, and cayenne pepper.
Read our Nantsuttei review.
Website
Nantsuttei is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. Hokkaido Marche
The closest thing to a food court in Orchard Central is Hokkaido Marche. Located down in the basement, right next to Don Don Donki, this Japanese food court is made from a series of eight stalls that serve Japanese cuisine. One of the more impressive dishes is the Pork Katsu Don ($13.50), which comes with a bed of rice topped with deep-fried breaded pork cutlet and a blanket of egg. Some other notable mentions are the Tonkotsu Ramen ($12) and Hokkaido Spicy Miso Butter Corn Ramen ($18).
Read our Hokkaido Marche review.
Website
Hokkaido Marche is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. Tempura Tendon Tenya
Known for their affordable yet premium tempura rice bowls, Tempura Tendon Tenya offers exclusive items such as Tenya Tendon ($10.10++), which features prawns, fish, squid, pumpkin, and French beans. You can choose to add a variety of side dishes, including Calamari ($6.90++), Tako Yaki ($5.90++), and Hiroshima Oyster Tempura ($9.90++)
Read our Tempura Tendon Tenya review.
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Tempura Tendon Tenya is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. NBCB
Short for “Nothing But Cheese Burgers”, NBCB is a popular homegrown brand with handmade burgers. There are currently two outlets in Orchard and Katong. Their DCB ($15.90) is the most popular item on the menu, and it features a juicy beef patty with fresh lettuce, cheddar cheese, and a secret sauce packed between brioche buns. For seafood lovers, there’s the HAHA ($10.90) burger, which uses shrimp paste boneless chicken as the hero ingredient.
Read our NBCB review.
Website
NBCB is not a halal-certified eatery.
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7. FYP Cafe
FYP Cafe is short for “For You People”. They are a new-ish cafe that opened their doors in 2023 as a collab between well-known brownie shop Whiskdom and Big Big Fries. While you’re there, try the handmade Big Big Fries ($12.90+) with two sauces of your choice. There are six for you to choose from, including Himalayan Pink Salt, Nacho Cheese, Seaweed Mayonnaise, Truffle Mayonnaise, Mentaiko Mayonnaise, and Chicken Floss Special. They also have a good selection of grain bowls such as the Triple Egg ($14.90+). This colourful dish combines three types of egg—obiko, mentaiko mayo, and Japanese tamago—with short-grain rice,sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, and fried mushrooms.
Read our FYP Cafe review.
Website
FYP Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
FYP Cafe Review: Glamping-Themed Cafe By Whiskdom And Big Big Fries At Orchard Central
8. Equate Coffee
Minimalist cafe Equate Coffee is well-loved for their filter roast coffee and brunch items. Their Orchard Central outlet carries exclusive items that can’t be found in their Tanjong Pagar branch! Get your hands on the Rueben ($19.80++) sando made using salted beef and sourdough slices. This umami-infused sando makes for a satisfying meal! Don’t forget to try their pastries such as Ondeh ($7.80++), a cube-shaped croissant brimming with house-made gula melaka ganache. You can pair these meals with a cup of their Dirty Matcha Latte ($8++) or Iced Chocolate ($6.50++).
Read our Equate Coffee review.
Website
Equate Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Equate Coffee Review: Ondeh Croissant, Tonkatsu Sando And More In Orchard
9. Walking On Sunshine
Walking On Sunshine is rather unique in what it offers. The Korean concept store is a two-in-one cafe and beauty salon, with neither aspect being a mere gimmick. The signature Luke’s Favourite ($25++) is a hot favourite here; a salad bowl topped with salmon, avocado, poached egg and drizzled with red rice sesame dressing. And once you’re done with your meal, you can spend a lazy afternoon lounging around and enjoying the salon’s beauty services, including haircuts, hair colouring, nail polishing, and foot care.
Read our Walking On Sunshine review.
Website
Walking On Sunshine is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet
Image credit: @ashleyoms
All the way up on the seventh floor of Orchard Central sits K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet. Besides a generous selection of marinated meats, the buffet also has pre-cooked food such as kimchi pancakes, gimbap, tteokbokki, and roasted rosemary chicken. One of the popular choices here is the Japchae, and customers have plenty of good things to say about it. The wallet-friendly buffet costs $18.90++ for weekday lunch and $28.90++ for weekday dinners.
Read our K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet review.
Website
K.Cook Korean BBQ Buffet is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Gangnam Story
Image credit: @feedmethatnow
While most malls close late at night, Orchard Central is open 24/7. Gangnam Story operates till 6am daily, so you can drop by at pretty much any time. This KBBQ and steamboat buffet also includes two free soup bases for your hotpot, such as Ginseng Chicken, Mala Soup, Gangnam Collagen and more. The premium items are available at both lunch and dinner, including salmon, cheesy scallops, and tons of other seafood options. The lunch set is $25.90++, but for those seeking a late-night buffet, dinner costs $32.90++.
Website
Gangnam Story is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. Tapas Club
Image credit: @zq_83
A tapa is a Spanish snack or meal starter that’s typically mixed and matched with other dishes to make a full meal. Tapas Club is a restaurant that serves simple, no-frills Spanish cuisine. You can pair together sides such as their Croquetas De Setas ($16++) and Gambas Al Ajillo ($20++) for a substantial meal. Else, the Paella is priced from $40++, and include flavours such as squid ink, chicken and seafood.
Website
Tapas Club is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Tanuki Raw
Image credit: @qihao_lau
Tanuki Raw serves up sashimi, rice bowls, sushi rolls, and a couple of their own inventions. They dish up live Fresh Raw Oysters for $5++ per piece, and you can get it upgraded with a bunch of different flavours such as Ikura ($9++), Mentai ($7++) and Truffle ($7++). At lunchtime, you can enjoy their rice bowls such as the Truffle Yakiniku ($24.90++) and Chirashi Don ($22.90++). Some of their original creations also include the Chilli Cheese Gyoza ($12.90++) and Lobster Salad & Salmon Bao ($16.90++).
Website
Tanuki Raw is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Henri Charpentier
Image credit: Petite brush
Henri Charpentier started out with the intention of perfecting the crepe suzette, a French dessert that enthralled the founder when he first tasted it. A must-try item is The Shortcake ($10.40), which contains mixed fruits and cream. It’s delightfully luscious and sweet, with distinct textures and flavours contained in one slice. There’s also Iced Americano ($5.60) and Cappuccino ($6.70) to pair with your sweet treats.
Website
Henri Charpentier is not a halal-certified eatery.
15. Lady M
The sprawling Lady M boutique is visible from Orchard Central’s street level. The bakery’s main attraction is the Signature Mille Crepe ($9.50++), which has a top layer that’s lightly torched to give a layer of delectable caramel. It’s made from dozens of thin layers, causing it to melt right in your mouth. Lady M’s crepe cakes come in other flavours, such as green tea, rose, and marron glace. Apart from the signature items, there are also rich and luxurious desserts such as strawberry shortcake, yuzu cheesecake, and chocolate eclairs to choose from.
Find out the best Lady M cakes you must try.
Website
Lady M is not a halal-certified eatery.
16. Maccha House
Image credit: @janealbites
Maccha House offers a range of matcha desserts, but they also have main courses where you can grab a full meal. Matcha lovers will enjoy their bittersweet Maccha Latte ($4.40++/$4.90++), or their signature Matcha Tiramisu ($7.99++). The latter is a square dessert that has its ingredients transported from Japan, and is made from matcha powder, layers of cream, and light, spongy chiffon.
Website
Maccha House is not halal-certified eatery.
17. Real Food
Image credit: @kaekae_adventures
Real Food is a cosy vegetarian cafe that prides itself on using all-natural ingredients. Start your day right with a healthy breakfast of Scrambled Tofu with Broccoli ($12.80++) consisting of stir-fried tofu with turmeric on sourdough bread. If you’re looking for something more filling, treat yourself to one of their bestselling Beet Millet Burger ($16.80++) that’s made with a tasty vegetarian patty and accompanied by fresh greens on the side. Vegetarians and those looking to eat healthy will surely love the clean-tasting and low-cal food served here.
Website
Real Food is not a halal-certfied eatery but uses no pork or lard.
18. Dancing Crab
Image credit: Ali Jumabhoy
Eating at Dancing Crab is a sloppy and messy affair, but the sheer amount of food gives you a good reason to dig in without regard for table manners. The food is served in either a bag or a bucket, and then dumped onto the table for you to enjoy. Their signature combo is the Live Crab Combo With World Famous Signature Cajun Sauce ($118++), meant for a big group to share. It consists of a live crab, prawns, clams, a heap of grilled corn with their tangy cajun BBQ sauce, and chicken sausage.
Website
Dancing Crab is not a halal-certified eatery.
19. Kimchi Dining
Image credit: Kimchi Dining | Korean Restaurant Singapore
Kimchi Dining is the perfect spot to have Korean fare on a fancy occasion with your loved one. They offer a variety of dishes here, but out of the many, their Myeongran Bibimbap ($23++) is a popular choice among patrons. It features multigrain rice topped with salted pollack roe and vegetables. You can also add on Soy Marinade Prawn & Scallop ($7++) or Beef Bulgogi with Wild Mushrooms ($6.50++) for a more substantial meal. There’s also the Jeju Pork Noodle ($19++) here, which is a rare find in Singapore. This dish boasts yellow noodles submerged in a Jeju-style pork broth with pork belly.
Website
Kimchi Dining is not a halal-certified eatery.
20. Armoury Steaks and Craft Beer
Image credit: Vallence Huang
You may think that steak is best paired with a glass of wine, but Armoury Steaks and Craft Beer begs to differ with their selection of craft beers. Start your meal with their Strawberry And Avocado Salad ($20++), and move on to their Ribeye ($27++) or Angus Striploin ($25++). You can choose two sides along with a sauce for your steak; the former includes Mac & Cheese, Baked Jacket Potato, and Butter Glazed Broccoli. For their sauces, there’s the Red Wine, Peppercorn, Mushroom Cream, and Chimichurri. And of course, complete your meal with a pint of their craft beer for $10++!
Website
Armoury Steaks and Craft Beer is not a halal-certified eatery.
21. TungLok Peking Duck
Image credit: Wenhui Lee
There’s nothing like TungLok Peking Duck on occasions when you want to impress your parents and relatives. If you’re ready to splurge, we recommend their whole Peking Duck ($98++) to share with your loved ones. To substantiate your meal, get the Deep-fried Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk and Crispy Oats ($34.80++) and Steamed Oyster with Pickled Chilli and Vermicelli ($28.80++) if your fam loves seafood.
Website
TungLok Peking Duck is not a halal-certified eatery.
Orchard Central food guide
Orchard Central is one of the largest malls in town, and is located right smack in the middle of Orchard Road. Some of the places might be pricey, but there’s a huge amount of variety here. You’ll definitely be able to find a place to eat at, no matter the budget or occasion.
For more good food around the area, read our Kai Kai Sushi & Grill review for affordable Japanese food. Alternatively, read our guide to the best halal food places in Orchard!
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