New year, new you, new reasons to feast. We’re here to encourage you to supplement the New Year’s resolutions you’ve made to hit the gym with our guide to all the new restaurants, cafes, and eateries to check out in Singapore this January 2023, because life is all about balance.
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SMU is a treasure trove of affordable dining finds, especially now that Ima-Sushi has entered the mix. Located in the basement of the Li Ka Shing Library, the cosy restaurant is run by the team behind Burnt Cones. They specialise in affordable, fresh sushi and sashimi, with prices that work out to as low as $1 for some dishes—provided you have a student card, of course.
Even if you don’t, Ima-Sushi still offers serious bang for your buck, with dishes like their Sashimi Moriwase ($23.80), which comes with five different types of sashimi, thickly sliced into threes, for sharing. Also, try their maki rolls, including their signature IMA Roll ($15.90) that’s filled with lobster salad and topped with tobiko.
Read our Ima-Sushi review.
Address: 70 Stamford Road, #B1-24, Singapore Management University, Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore 178901
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 8pm, Fri 11am to 9pm, Sat 11:30am to 2:30pm
Website
Ima-Sushi is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you remember The Glasshouse from their pop-up cafe days at CHJIMES, you’ll want to add their Neil Road outlet to your brunchtime roster. The minimalistic cafe offers an array of brunch staples, all served in hearty portions—great for diners with big appetites, or those just looking to share.
The Roast Beef Sanger ($28++) is a highlight on the menu, packed with medium-rare Aussie ribeye, caramelised onions, melted red cheddar, and pickles. For something sweeter, the Avocado Nut Parfait ($20++) is a colourful beauty, reinventing the smoothie bowl with avocado puree, fresh fruits, and edible flowers. The menu also has a range of coffees and teas to round off the meal.
Read our The Glasshouse Cafe review.
Address: 136 Neil Road, #01-01, Singapore 088865
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8am to 6pm
Website
The Glasshouse is not a halal-certified eatery
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes to Singapore, sort of, with Mr Bucket’s latest concept. The homegrown chocolaterie has opened their flagship in Dempsey Hill, and the space encompasses a chocolate factory, a chocolate cage, a retail store, and a DIY station where you can custom-make your own chocolate bar for $21.90.
If you’re not keen to channel your inner Willy Wonka, then opt to dine in and satisfy your sweet tooth via their cafe menu. Tuck into their indulgent desserts and cakes, from the Dark Chocolate Choux Puff ($10++) to the Signature Chocolate Dome ($12++), all of them made with premium, sustainably sourced chocolate. Naturally, a visit to a chocolate cafe is not complete without hot cocoa, and Mr Bucket hits the spot just right with their 72% Single Origin Hot Chocolate ($8++).
Read our Mr Bucket review.
Address: 13 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249674
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 10pm
Website
Mr Bucket Chocolaterie is not a halal-certified eatery.
Froyo brand Yole has opened their first-ever cafe in the world in Chinatown. Here, diners enjoy a wide range of sweet and savoury treats beyond just frozen yoghurt, making this a great spot to hang out at with friends if you’re looking for a causal meal or just dessert.
Try the Pistachio Brioche ($18.80+), served with fluffy brioche buns and a rich pistachio butter as well as pistachio ice cream. Else, the Honey Orange Toast ($14.90+) is a healthy, refreshing pick, comprising multigrain bread, fresh cream, orange slices, and a cranberry puree on the side.
Read our Yolé Cafe review.
Address: 30 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059189
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
Yole Cafe is a halal-certified eatery.
Another new entrant in the Clarke Quay scene is Hot Buns, a casual fast-food restaurant that focuses on Asian-style bao bun burgers. The menu here has a few appealing treats, so to make things easy for yourself, order The Threesome ($18), which comes with three of their baos, the their Ol’ Skool Bao, Classic Pork Belly Bao, and Beef Galbi Bao.
Accompany your main with sides such as the Spam Shaker Chips ($9), fried to order and served with your preferred seasoning, either Seaweed Plum or Fiery Mala. Another item we highly recommend is their Spiced Corn Ribs ($6), where sweet corn slices are similarly tossed in your preferred seasoning.
Read our Hot Buns review.
Address: 3 River Valley Road, #01-02/03, The Cannery, Singapore 179024
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 4pm to 12am
Website
Hot Buns is not a halal-certified eatery.
Famed Japanese unagi franchise Unatoto has announced that it’ll be opening its first local outpost in Tanjong Pagar’s Guoco Tower on 25 January. They specialise in affordable, charcoal-grilled unagi dishes, ranging from donburi bowls to histumabushi. Also on the menu are other Japanese sides and mains, should you want to cut all that eel with something different.
Their Unagi Don ($9.50) is their frills-free classic, where pearl rice is topped with a slab of grilled eel and a generous serving of teriyaki sauce. Try their Unagi Tempura Don ($15) if you’re looking for something unique, or the wallet-friendly Hitsumabushi ($13.50) to enjoy your eel four ways.
Read our Unatoto review.
Address: 7 Wallich Street, Guoco Tower, #B1-03, Singapore 078884
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
Unatoto is not a halal-certified eatery.
A Hot Hideout first made waves online for its unconventional mala offerings, including deep-fried mala toppings in their xiang guo, and mala tang made with a collagen soup base. They’ve since opened a sophomore outlet in the North, near Springleaf MRT Station, so you don’t have to travel into the deep West to get your hands on their dishes.
Items here are priced according to weight, at $2.48 per 100g, so you’re definitely getting bang for your buck. Definitely try their scrambled egg and fried potato toppings, as they’re really what makes A Hot Hideout stand out. Quell the burn with their beverages, including their Original Thai Milk Tea ($3.50).
Read our A Hot Hideout review.
Address: 39 Sembawang Road, #01-04, Singapore 758382
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 9:30pm
Website | Full list of outlets
A Hot Hideout is not a halal-certified eatery.
Popular Taiwanese cafe Abundance has expanded its footprint beyond Redhill to Jalan Besar. The cafe’s newest, second location has all you know and love from their OG menu, crafted by ex-Din Tai Fung chefs.
Opt for their Niu Yolk ($19++), for short-grained rice fried with beef fat, then served with slices of 24h-slow-cooked beef short rib. The Gua Bao ($7.90++) is another crowd fave, served with a thick slice of pork belly, and generously topped with house-roasted peanuts for crunch.
Read our Abundance review.
Address: 399 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209008
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 3pm, 4pm to 10pm
Website
Abundance is not a halal-certified eatery
New to the Orchard dining scene is La D’Oro, an elegant Italian restaurant located in Mandarin Gallery. Helmed by chef-owner Yohhei Sasaki, the restaurant focuses on pairing classic Italian fare with seasonal Japanese produce, so you’re getting the best of both worlds. Wine choices are aplenty too, with over 500 Italian and French labels to pick from.
Start your meal with the Trippa alla Fiorentina ($19++), a light appetiser comprising crisp bread served with tender beef tripe, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Italian parsley. Then, move on to the sharing plates, with highlights such as the Tagliatelle Hokkaido Snow Beef A5 Bolognese ($58++), a simple yet hearty dish of house-made pasta with a Wagyu meat sauce. Another must-try is the Pizza Bismarck ($32++), a showstopping pizza featuring mushroom, mortadella ham, mozzarella, and a Japanese poached egg atop a thin-crust pizza base.
Address: 333A Orchard Road, #01-16/17, Mandarin Gallery, 239987
Opening hours: 12pm to 3:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 8382 6200
Website
La D’Oro is not a halal-certified eatery.
For a special occasion or splurge-worthy date, head to The House Bar, a speakeasy concept tucked behind a hidden door at the lobby of Conrad Singapore Orchard. Here, the cosy spot serves a slew of Japanese-inspired fare that’s a step up from your regular bar grub. Tuck into photogenic picks such as the Wagyu Sando ($65++), as well as the beautifully plated Hotate Truffle Somen ($32), a cold and refreshing noodle dish spiked with fragrant truffle oil and shio kombu for added umami.
We also recommend The House Bar Maki ($22++) to share if you’re a sushi fan; this roll comprises fresh salmon, avocado, and creamy mentaiko, complemented with sweet mango pieces. Alternatively, the Negitoro, Uni and Caviar Handroll ($28++), is another luxurious pick for those who love tuna belly.
Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, Conrad Singapore Orchard, Singapore 249715
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 3pm to 12am
Tel: 8031 2697
Website
The House Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
Check out all these new restaurants, cafes, and eateries in Singapore for January 2023. If you’re looking for dining options for the upcoming CNY festivities, check out our reunion dinner guide.
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