October is a long month, with nary a public holiday in sight. Food is always a great way to soothe the soul after the grind, so here’s our line up for all the new restaurants and cafes in Singapore for October 2023. From famed Japanese franchises setting up local shop to new retro dessert cafes, here are all the new eateries you can check out to treat yourself this month.
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We’ve a fair few famed Japanese eateries opening in Singapore lately, including Katsu-an, a popular and affordable katsudon joint now open in Suntec City. The brand has over 50 outlets in Japan, so you know they’re good. Their signature Katsu Don is priced at just $5.90 for a medium portion, and comes with a good amount of rice, dashi eggs, and a deep-fried pork loin cutlet.
If katsudon doesn’t strike your fancy, get their Cheese Loin Katsu Teishoku, priced from $11.30 for 80g of meat. Each set comes with a whole pork cutlet that’s deep-fried till golden brown, but still juicy within, a cabbage slaw, pickles, soup, and rice. This set also has the addition of a rich cheese sauce atop the katsu cutlet.
Read our Katsu-an review.
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-149A Tower 2, Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Katsu-an is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cai Lin Ji is one of the OG breakfast franchises in China. Hailing from Wuhan, they’ve been open since 1928, serving up their signature re ge mian, AKA hot dry noodles, and other Chinese breakfast classics. The Jurong Point outlet is their first-ever opening outside of China.
The Zha Jiang Hot Dry Noodles ($7.90++) are a must-try: springy la mian is dressed in a garlic and sesame oil sauce, and topped with minced meat. Also try their Three Delicacies Dou Pi (two for $8.50++), a street food staple where an omelette is stuffed with minced meat and glutinous rice.
Read our Cai Lin Ji review.
Address: 1 Jurong West Central 2, #03-56, Jurong Point, Singapore 648886
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Cai Lin Ji is not a halal-certified eatery.
Tori Sanwa opened at Raffles City in August this year, and has swiftly followed up their initial opening with another Great World outlet. They’re an oyako don specialist that hails from Japan and have been operating for more than 120 years.
Most of the items here are affordable and come in at under $20. If you’ve not tried out their signature dish, it’s best you start off with either their regular Oyako Don ($12.90++) or the Aburi Oyako Don ($14.90++). The latter comes with torched chicken thigh pieces, adding a bit of smokiness to the sweet-and-savoury combo.
Read our Tori Sanwa review.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-75 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Website
Tori Sanwa is not a halal-certified eatery.
Sushi-GO is an affordable kaiten sushi joint with several outlets islandwide, including an all-new one at Marina Square. They have over 150 items on the menu here, including outlet exclusives, and—the best part—AI robot servers.
Most of the items are priced under $10, though some are as cheap as $2.50. You get a broad range of items to pick from, be it nigiri, sashimi, hot donburi, noodles, elaborate maki rolls, or even Japanese-Western bites.
Read our Sushi-GO review.
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-277, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6980 8812
Website
Sushi-GO is not a halal-certified eatery.
Offbeat-themed cafes have been on the up and up in Singapore, and Bing Tang Tang Shui has followed suit with their retro interior that has influences from Hong Kong. The “office-style” cafe is decked out in old-school knick-knacks and furniture, and even has different rooms aptly named Chairman Room and Meeting Room.
Known as their bestseller, a bowl of Osmanthus Infusion ($12.50++) comes with three black sesame tang yuan, crushed ice drenched in goji berry syrup, and fermented rice bits. If you prefer warm desserts, get their Orh Nee ($7++) instead. The combination of yam paste, ginkgo nuts, sweet potato chunks, and chrysanthemum-infused syrup will surely tickle your fancy if you dig a good balance of sweet and savoury. Else, there’s also the Kueh Pai Tee ($6.80++) that is ideal for sharing with your friends or family.
Read our Bing Tang Tang Shui review.
Address: 15 Thomson Hills Drive, Singapore 574759
Opening hours: Wed-Thurs 4:30pm to 1:30am, Fri-Sat 12:30pm to 1:30am, Sun 12:30pm to 12am, Mon 4:30pm to 1:30am
Website
Bing Tang Tang Shui is not a halal-certified eatery.
One of the biggest food news to hit Singapore in the last month is the opening of Cédric Grolet in COMO Orchard. This is the famed Parisian patissier’s first outlet in Asia, and it is where you can get your hands on some of his signature bakes, as well as Singapore exclusives.
We’ll let you decide if it’s worth paying for the minimum order fee and the staggering $26 price tag for some of his more elaborate entremets, but what we can say is that you’ll be able to get Cédric Grolet’s signatures, such as their Paris Brest Flower and hyper-realistic Vanilla Bean. You can also get their viennoiseries in the morning, between 8:30am to 11am.
Read our Cédric Grolet review.
Address: 30 Bideford Road, Level 1, Como Orchard, Singapore 229922
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 8:30am to 6pm
Website
Cédric Grolet Singapore is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you’ve ever been to Sarawak, you might have heard of The Coffee Code, a popular cafe there. They’ve recently come to Singapore with their very first outlet along Neil Road. The gorgeous interiors are split between indoor and outdoor dining areas, with neutral hues and mid-century modern decor aplenty.
They’re famed for their Bak Kwa Waffles ($18+), which come flower-shaped and topped with chicken bak kwa, whipped cream, and chicken floss. The unlikely combo of flavours is actually quite the balanced sweet-savoury treat. They also have savoury items, including their Avocado Mushroom ($17+), where avo toast is topped with stir-fried mushrooms.
Read our The Coffee Code review.
Address: 37 Neil Road, Singapore 088822
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am to 10pm, Thurs-Sun 11am to 11pm
Tel: 8208 9500
Website
The Coffee Code is not a halal-certified eatery.
Address: 435 Orchard Road, #04-01, Wisma Atria, Singapore 238877
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8pm
Website
Baristart Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Famed for their double-baked croissants, Brotherbird Bakehouse is finally opening a new outlet in City Hall, located at Raffles City. Here, instead of selling croissants prepared at the central kitchen, they bake all their goods fresh on–site, every hour.
There are multiple flavours to choose from, including seasonal specials. There are usually 15 on rotation, including their bestsellers, such as the Mentaiko Prawn Twice-Baked ($7.02), packed with mentaiko and mozzarella cheese, and Rocher ($5.40), a riff on the hazelnutty Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
Read our Brotherbird Bakehouse Raffles City review.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-67, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Brotherbird Bakehouse is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Milan Shokudo
If Saizeriya is on your budget eats rotation, you’ll want to add Milan Shokudo to the list. The new Junction 8 dining concept is a Japanese-Western take on the Saizeriya concept, with most of their dishes coming in under $10. Expect a selection of pasta, and pizza, as well as meats and dorias.
Image credit: @daniellekopi.sg
Interestingly, the pasta is freshly made to order. You can try this for yourself in their Japanese Clam Pasta ($5.90++), a creamy riff on vongole, or the Smoked Duck Carbonara ($10.90++), to which you can add an onsen egg for an additional $1++.
Read our Milan Shokudo review.
Address: 9 Bishan Place, #02-34/35 35A, Junction 8, Singapore 579837
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 10pm
Website
Milan Shokudo is not a halal-certified eatery, but does not use pork or lard.
Image credit: @mrbucketchocolaterie
Marymount Bakery is a popular home-based bakery that grew to popularity during the pandemic. Since then, they’ve been a regular presence at farmer’s markets, and have finally set up a permanent shop in Sin Ming, with Mr Bucket Chocolaterie.
Image credit: @marymount_bakehousesg
Here, you can get Marymount Bakery’s sourdough bakes, from English muffins to open-faced toasts, as well as their other signatures, such as the Shepherd’s Pie ($28). You’ll also be able to grab some of Mr Bucket’s delectable bon bons to end your meal on a sweet note.
Read our Marymount Bakery review.
Address: 23 Sin Ming Road, #01-15, Singapore 577155
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 8:30am to 7:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am to 6:30pm
Website
Marymount Bakehouse is not a halal-certified eatery
For a date night-worthy dinner spot, consider Bacata, a fun and sexy addition to the CBD district. Helmed by chef-owner Fernando Arévalo, the modern Colombian restaurant is inspired by the vibrant culture of Latin America. The dining space is adorned with striking artwork and knick-knacks sourced from the region, while the communal-style menu is influenced by Chef Fernando’s Latin American heritage.
We recommend splurging on the Chef’s Tasting Menu ($159++) for a special occasion. This extravagant meal kicks off with Pan de La Casa: rye-infused bread that’s topped with a fermented mushroom, bacon, and maple glaze, sea salt flakes, and thyme. Another highlight is the Chipiron, which features torched cuttlefish on a flavourful sauce of chimichurri, nduja (spicy pork sausage spread), and house-cured egg yolk salt. If you want to go all out, top up $48++ for the Langosta, a showstopping main of Boston lobster chunks with grilled white corn, corn mousse, capers, avocado and more, topped with potato soup right before serving. Round up the meal with the Plantanitos Con Queso, an innovative dessert of roasted sweet plantain, rum-soaked date sponge, and burrata ice cream.
OG ice cream parlour Tom’s Palette has officially reopened its doors in Bugis! The popular gelato cafe offers a whopping total of 36 flavours to choose from at any one time. Top picks include Soya Bean Fritters AKA dou jiang you tiao, Taiwanese Sesame Brittle, and White Chocolate Nori.The latter, comprising Japanese Seaweed gelato with white chocolate-coated almonds, is a mainstay on the menu. Dessert fans can also try their latest creation, Maple Pecan: toasted pecans, milk gelato, and pound cake soaked in maple syrup.
If you’re here with friends, get the Tom’s Palette ($29.80) to share! This platter gets you six scoops of gelato, and flavours change from time to time. Otherwise, we recommend their Belgian Waffles ($7.50), topped with two scoops of gelato for $9.60. If that’s not enough sweetness, you can even add on a side of pure maple syrup for $1.50.
Check out our Tom’s Palette review!
Address: 51 Middle Road, #01-01, Singapore 188959
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 6977 9749
Website
Tom’s Palette is not a halal-certified eatery.
Located in PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering is Lime Restaurant, a buffet restaurant that serves a variety of cuisines. In light of the hotel’s 10th year anniversary, the restaurant has launched a special buffet named “Lime Capsule”, and it will take place until 31 October 2023.
We tried their Pickering Lobster Laksa, Spicy Crab Meat Kueh Pie Tee, Beef Short Rib Rendang, Pickering Lobster Risotto, and Alaskan King Crab Char Kway Teow. Among these, we particularly enjoyed their beef rendang, which is made using a house-made paste. Their kueh pie tee also captivated our attention thanks to the black-coloured casing! The addition of spicy crab made for a moreish snack, and had us going back for more. The Weekday Buffet Lunch costs $64++, while a Weekend Buffet Brunch is priced at $98++. Alternatively, you can opt for the Weekday Buffet Dinner or ($88++) or Weekend Dinner ($108++).
Address: 3 Upper Pickering Street, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore 058289
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 6:30am to 12am, Fri-Sat 6:30am to 2am
Website
Lime Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
CHIJMES restaurant HANAZEN, which debuted earlier this year, has seen a menu refresh under the hands of 27-year-old Chef Taisei Iwao. Back in Osaka, he’s also the Executive Chef of one Michelin-starred restaurant Lumiere, and chef-owner of Karato.
Choose between the nine- or 10-course menus here, priced at $180++ and $210++. Both start with a show-stopping Uni Brioche, topped with Murasaki sea urchin, and feature lobster, Wagyu, as well as a house-made beef curry that’s stewed for over two days with Miyazaki mangoes!
Opt to sit al fresco to enjoy HANAZEN’s a la carte menu, with highlights including Amaebi Salad ($24++), HANAZEN’s Signature Beef Curry Rice ($26++) and more.
Address: 30 Victoria Street, #01-21/22, CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6pm to 11pm
Tel: 9820 2963
Website
Hanazen is not a halal-certified eatery.
When ultra-popular private diner Casa Nostra opened his own Italian restaurant, fans went wild. Now, La Bottega Enoteca has been crowned 19th in the Top 50 Pizza Asia Pacific 2023, AKA number one in Singapore, and released new menu items: there’s no better reason to visit.
Start with Calamaretti alla Griglia ($25++), for perfectly grilled baby squid served with a pea and mint puree, and crispy kale.
You can’t miss Chef Antonio’s signature Newpolitan pizzas, especially the new Broccolini (from $28++) and Mortadella (from $32++). We highly recommend Pluma alla Griglia ($58++) too.
Address: 346 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427596
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 2pm, 5:30pm to 11pm, Sun 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 9071 8400
Website
La Bottega Enoteca is not a halal-certified eatery
We’ve covered the affordable omakase at Haku Sushi, tucked in the basement of Great World, but you should also check out the other half of this restaurant: Kou Teppan, which complements it with equally wallet-friendly teppanyaki.
Headed by Executive Chef Sawada Ko, the concept features a dual teppan experience where diners also get a personal teppan pan! The Enya Lunch Omakase is priced at $58++ for six courses, while the Hino menu at dinner is an eight-course feast for $88++, which includes A5 Wagyu!
Address: 1 Kim Seng Promenade, B1-134, Great World, Singapore 237994
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6235 1634
Kou Teppan is not a halal-certified eatery
There’s a new steakhouse on Club Street: Wagyu X, named after a new crossbreed of cattle from Hokkaido, a product of Japanese Kuroge Black Wagyu cows and Aberdeen Angus bulls.
The result: marbling akin to that of A5 Wagyu, with the meatier flavour of Angus beef. The Wagyu X Sirloin ($160++) is a 500g serve of this. while a similarly sized Wagyu X Ribeye will set you back $125++. Each comes with garlic chips and a house-made sauce that’s made with beef drippings.
On the side, enjoy your beef with Matsutake Fries ($12++), which are their take on truffle fries, Roasted Japanese Pumpkin with Walnut ($12++) and more.
Address: 82 Club Street, Singapore 069450
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 8795 6664
Website
Wagyu X is not a halal-certified eatery
Here are all the new restaurants and cafes to check out this October 2023. For other options, check out our guide to cheap Japanese restaurants in Singapore, and our guide to the best happy hour promotions, if you’re looking to celebrate TGIF.
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