It is always heartening to hear stories that make you restore your faith in humanity be it through seeing others being kind to the people around them or simply just do a good deed. And what’s better is when restaurants take it upon themselves to do good for the community, all while serving scrumptious food at the same time.
From a social enterprise that trains people with special needs in culinary skills to a restaurant that employs at-risk youth and former offenders, this guide brings you to 10 places where you can enjoy good food and support a good cause too while you’re at it.
BLISS
This social enterprise has gone all out to give back to society. Apart from providing employment opportunities to all without discrimination, Bliss also tackles environmental issues such as recycling waste oil to biodiesel and using biodegradable disposable corn ware, as well as helping the elderly with lower income by donating used carton boxes and groceries to them.
Located within the heart of Cheng San Community Club, Bliss Restaurant serves a variety of Western grub mostly under S$20.
6 Ang Mo Kio Street 53
Cheng San Community Club
Singapore 569205
Tel: +65 6280 3389
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri and Sat: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio
Photo Credit: Dignity Kitchen
DIGNITY KITCHEN
First look at this food court may seem like a regular food court but if you look closely, you will find height-adjustable countertops for the wheelchair-bound and braille markings on the cash register for the visually impaired. Located just a few minutes away from NEX, Dignity Kitchen is Singapore’s first hawker training school for the disabled and disadvantaged.
They provide on-the-job training and place their graduates in jobs so that they can have hope for a better future and better opportunities to be successful in their own right.
Blk 267 Serangoon Avenue 3 #02-02
Singapore 550267
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3.30pm
Closed on Sundays
Tel: +65 8189 7678
Nearest Station: Serangoon
EIGHTEEN CHEFS
Committed to hiring ex-offenders and youths-at-risk, Eighteen Chefs is the fruit and labour of Benny Se To, who was a former drug offender. Having been through the tough process of failing to secure a job due to his past, Benny vowed that if he ever becomes a business owner, he would hire ex-offenders because he understands the difficulties they have to go through.
At Eighteen Chefs, you can look forward to a variety of Western delights at really affordable prices. Students get to enjoy the set meal at only S$6.80 and families with a tight budget can still enjoy a hearty meal in the mall for less than what other restaurants would charge.
200 Victoria Street #04-06
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 6734 9741
Mon to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
*Multiple outlets islandwide
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Housed in Singapore’s oldest National Museum of Singapore, Food For Thought exudes heritage charm and grandeur, with lots of natural light. Furnished with beautiful marble table tops and wooden chairs, having a meal here makes you feel as if you are transported back in time to the 70s.
Committed to bringing people together while dining for a good cause, Food For Thought serves hearty bistro fares that are unique and delicious. Food For Thought channels part of their profits to provide clean water and free food for the poor and they aim to raise funds for third world countries.
93 Stamford Road #01-04/05
National Museum of Singapore
Singapore 178897
Mon to Sun: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen/Bras Basah
NOX–DINE IN THE DARK
In this modern culture where the focus on visual presentation is constantly increasing, how would you feel if you’ve lost your sense of sight and living in complete darkness? At NOX, you get to go on a multi-sensory dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds even without your sense of sight.
It is truly a human experience when the roles are reversed, with the blind becoming your eyes—they are specially trained to guide you through dining in the dark. This is definitely a great experience, which allows you to understand the value of their work.
269 Beach Road
Singapore 199546
Tel: +65 6298 0708
Mon to Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest: Bugis/Nicoll Highway
SOON HUAT BAK KUT TEH
Like Eighteen Chefs, Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh is a business of second chance. The founder, Jabez Tan, who successfully turned over a new leaf, believes in paying it forward by hiring ex-convicts and giving them a chance. By providing them with a non-judgmental working environment, they are given a chance to work on their recovery, which will eventually allow them to find a better and happier path in life.
Here at Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh, the pork broth consists of pork ribs boiled in a unique herbal yet peppery soup, a combination of both Singaporean and Malaysian styles. What’s even better is their Dry Bak Kut Teh, which boasts a rich and luxurious gravy that packs a whole lot of umami goodness.
302 Bedok Road
Singapore 469460
Tel: +65 6273 3338
Mon to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah
SOUL FOOD
Located in The Enabling Village–a community that serves people with special needs—Soul Food Enterprise is a modern European restaurant that trains youths with special needs. Inspired by his daughter who has learning disabilities, founder Gerald Png decided to help his daughter fulfil her interest in cooking by opening Soul Food.
Here, you get to enjoy three-course set lunch with impressive mains all cooked by youths with special needs. These set lunches range from S$25 to S$30.
20 Lengkok Bahru
#01-10 Enabling Village
Singapore 159053
Tel: +65 9823 4455
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2pm
Nearest Station: Redhill
ART FACULTY
Also located in the heart of Enabling Village, The Art Faculty is a platform that allows people with autism and related challenges to showcase their artistic side. The Art Faculty collaborates with professional artists to maximise the potential and showcase the talents of artists with special needs.
For every sale of artwork and product, artists are able to earn royalties and learn the value of work and financial independence.
20 Lengkok Bahru
#01-07 Enabling Village
Singapore 159052
Mon to Sat: 9am – 7pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Tel: +65 6513 0706
Nearest Station: Redhill
Photo Credit: The ART
THE ASSUMPTION RESTAURANT FOR TRAINING
The Assumption Restaurant for Training–also known as The ART, was established in 2011 within the premises of Assumption Pathway School (APS). It is a casual dining restaurant that equips APS students with the real-life working environment to put their F&B knowledge and skills into practice.
Dining at The ART not only allows you to enjoy a meal in a comforting, al fresco setting, it also allows you to support the students’ passion for cooking.
30 Cashew Road
Singapore 679697
Tel: +65 6892 6187
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 5pm
Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm
Closed on weekends
Nearest Station: Cashew
UGLY CAKE SHOP
Don’t be fooled by its name because Ugly Cake Shop serves a stellar array of desserts that are anything but ugly. Nestled in Geylang Bahru, this humble bakery strives to use only natural ingredients in their bakes, which are more beneficial to the body.
Ugly Cake Sop donates a part of their profits towards feeding the children in Timor-Leste. Show your support by trying their beautiful cupcakes! One of the must-try is definitely cupcake Sally, which is a dark chocolate cupcake topped with rich and luscious peanut butter frosting.
535 Kallang Bahru
GB Point, #01-06
Singapore 339351
Mon to Sat: 10am – 7pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Geylang Bahru