Over the years, Singapore has attracted numerous influential artists and big-name museum exhibitions—from renown Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama to prized specimens from the prestigious Natural History Museum London. In addition to all that rich culture and wonderful art, there are some excellent cafes and restaurants in these museums as well.
We have put together a list of places where you can expect great food and magnificent art under one roof; you’d be surprised that many of these places offer a lot more than just coffee and cake—some even deserve a visit of their own.
Here is a guide to 8 Museum Cafés And Restaurants In Singapore To Appreciate Art And Food.
FabCafe puts innovative state-of-the-art 3D printers and laser cutters together with food and drinks, creating a space where technology, creativity and food collide. Besides aromatic roasted coffee, you can find your usual fare at this futuristic café such as pastries, cakes and croissants.
If that isn’t enough, FabCafe offers workshops and meetups where you can learn about the latest happenings in the arts and technology fields.
Fab Café
6 Bayfront Avenue
ArtScience Museum Lobby
Singapore 018974
Tel: +65 6688 7023
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront
Photo Credit: foodanatomysg
#2 FOOD ANATOMY
Known for their Instagram-worthy dishes shaped in cubes, Food Anatomy recently shifted from Tanjong Pagar to Red Dot Design Museum. You’ll be thrilled to know that the venue not only offers a visual gastronomic experience, they even serve craft beers as low as S$6!
Unlike other museum cafes in Singapore, Food Anatomy exudes a chill vibe very much like the bars in Clarke Quay.
Food Anatomy
1 Marina Boulevard
Red Dot Design Museum Lobby
Singapore 018940
Tel: +65 6514 0111
Mon to Thu: 10am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront
Photo Credit: adjimantoro
#3 FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Set in Singapore’s oldest museum, Food For Thought features a range of delectable dishes that are full of Southeast Asian flavours, such as Red Rice Wine Chicken Leg Mee Sua, Crispy Curry Chicken and Soy Beef Brisket.
The decor of the restaurant pays homage to old-school home-style dining rooms and kopitiams Singaporeans grew up with—a great reminiscent of childhood days.
Food For Thought
93 Stamford Rd
National Museum of Singapore #01-04/05
Singapore 178897
Tel: +65 6338 9887
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah
#4 GALLERY & CO
Housed within the historic City Hall wing of National Gallery Singapore, Gallery & Co is a design store with a bookstore, café, and bar. Featuring a Southeast Asian theme, the café offers an all-day dining menu and seasonal sweet treats that are often inspired by ongoing exhibitions.
If you seek something stronger than coffee, visit the POPbar where cocktails start at S$15 and beer buckets go for S$25 during happy hour.
Gallery & Co
1 St Andrew’s Rd
The National Gallery
City Hall Wing #01-11
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 6385 6683
Sat to Thurs: 10am – 7pm
Fri: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
Photo Credit: beckybecsbeca
#5 LOVE PAL CAFÉ
SAM at 8Q—housed right across the street from Singapore Art Museum—is where you can find Love Pal Café.
This quaint spot serves a mix of Western and Asian fare and the Korean Kimichi Shabu Shabu Pork Don (S$7.90) is a crowd favourite. The best part? No GST and service charge and there’s even complimentary WiFi!
Love Pal Café
8 Queen St
SAM At 8Q
Singapore 188535
Tel: +65 6338 1884
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah
Photo Credit: nardypoh
#6 PRIVÉ ACM CAFÉ
Boasting a magnificent view of the Singapore River, Privé at the Asian Civilisation Museum is a casual all-day dining concept which offers both indoor and al fresco dining options. The retro-style cafe is furnished with marble tables, wire-mesh doors and rattan chairs.
Serving simple yet hearty food, this café is perfect for a quick meal during the day or post-work drinks with colleagues at night against the stunning CBD skyline.
Privé ACM Café
1 Empress Place
Asian Civilisation Museum #01-02
Singapore 179555
Tel: +65 6776 0777
Mon to Thurs: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Fri and Sat: 8.30am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay
Photo Credit: moycindy
#7 TRATTORIA LAFIANDRA
After exploring the stellar collection of contemporary Southeast Asian Art at Singapore Art Museum (SAM), visitors can drop by charming Italian restaurant, Trattoria Lafiandra for scrumptious Italian cuisine.
From antipasti, homemade pasta, risotto to main courses, you will definitely be spoilt for choices.
Trattoria Lafiandra
71 Bras Basah Rd
Singapore Art Museum #01-02
Singapore 189555
Tel: +65 6884 4035
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah
Photo Credit: visit_singapore
#8 TRUE BLUE PANTRY
If you need a light bite after touring the Peranakan Museum, indulge in nonya kuehs over a cup of refreshing floral tea or aromatic local coffee at True Blue Pantry. Salads and quick nonya meals are available here too.
During Chinese New Year, the café sells festive traditional homemade cookies that are absolutely divine. You can also purchase nonya kebayas, jewellery, bags and beaded shoes from the cafe’s merchandise corner too.
True Blue Pantry
39 Armenian Street
Peranakan Museum
Singapore 179941
Tel: +65 6337 7514
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
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