Diwali, or Deepavali, as it is known to some, marks the most important date on the calendar of Hindus all over the world. It is also one of the biggest and most widely celebrated religious occasion.Diwali In Singapore, What Is Diwali, Diwali Fun Facts, Holidays In Singapore, Festivals In Singapore, Cultural Awareness, What Is Diwali, Light Festival Diwali,

Across many regions, Diwali takes place over the course of five days and it represents the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. As part of the festivities, families decorate their floors with kolam or rangoli and light oil lamps to symbolized inner enlightenment which protects them from spiritual darkness.

In fact, there is more to this Indian Festival of Lights than just the pretty lights, bright colours, good food and beautiful sarees. Here are 14 interesting things you did not know about this dazzling light festival.

#1 CELEBRATED IN HONOUR OF LAKSHMI, THE HINDU GODDESS OF WEALTH AND PROSPERITY

In the Hindu faith, Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity and she symbolizes good luck. It is widely believed that Diwali is the day on which Lakshimi would roam the Earth and bless people with wealth.

Photo Credit: mahadev_ka_diwanaa_

#2 CELEBRATED ON THE 15TH DAY OF THE HINDU MONTH OF KARTIKA

According to India’s official holiday calendar, Diwali in 2018 will be on 07 November which coincides with the 15th day of Kartika, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Known as the festival of lights, Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

Photo Credit: deehkooh

#3 CELEBRATIONS USED TO TAKE PLACE AT HIGH STREET

Located in the Downtown Core, High Street used to be lighted up in festive lights every Diwali. This is because it is home to Sindhi and Sikh jewellers and textile merchants who once ran their businesses there back in the early 1900s.

Photo Credit: chahat_creations_

#4 FINAL DAY OF DEEPAVALI IS KNOWN AS BHAI DOOJ

The final day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Dooj and brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other.

On this day, brothers would visit their sisters and perform a tilak ceremony where their sisters would apply rice and vermilion on the brother’s forehead that symbolises good health and fortune.

Photo Credit: thelotusshakti

#5 FLORAL DRAWINGS ON FLOORS OF HINDU HOMES CREATED USING COLOURED RICE FLOUR

Kolam or Rangoli is a form of drawing that is drawn by using rice flour, chalk or rock powders which is made as a visual form of prayer to welcome deities into homes and ask for blessings. Some also believe that the Kolam or Rangoli stops evil from entering homes.

Photo Credit: vivi_ktanjoeng

#6 HINDU TEMPLES WERE THE CENTRAL SPACE FOR CONGREGATION OF INDIAN PIONEERS

Back in the days, whether they were labourers or civil servants, Hindus temples were the place to visit when it comes to the Indian community’s festive celebrations, especially on the morning of Deepavali.

Photo Credit: bakchormeeboy

#7 INDIAN PERFORMING ARTS

Held during the festive period of Diwali, the Kalaa Utsavam is an annual arts festival that celebrates the Indian arts. This 10-day arts festival presents an exciting line-up of classical and contemporary performances by Indian artists from Singapore and beyond.

Photo Credit: streetsofmadras

#8 INDIAN SWEETS ARE MILK-BASED AND GHEE-BASED

Traditional Indian sweets are mostly milk and nut-based which comes in a wide assortment such as burfi (milk-based sweets), laadu (flour and ghee-based balls) and jalebi (deep-fried flour batter coated in syrup), achu murukku (sweet crunchy snack made from rice flour and coconut milk) and kesari (semolina pudding).

#9 MARKS THE RETURN OF LORD RAM AND SITA

Diwali is primarily celebrated to mark the return of Hindu God, Lord Ram, and his wife, Sita, to their kingdom of Ayodhya after being exiled for 14 years following the defeat of demon king, Ravanna.

To celebrate, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the city with fireworks and diyas (light candles) to welcome them and celebrate their victory.

Photo Credit: kurudimath

#10 NOT THE CELEBRATION OF THE INDIAN NEW YEAR

Deepavali is not a celebration of the Indian New Year and the Indian New Year actually falls in April.

In fact, Diwali is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness in several stories from Hindu mythology and ancient literature.

Photo Credit: s_nilesh_s

#11 OIL BATHS DURING DIWALI CELEBRATIONS

During Diwali or the fourth day of Diwali, the oil bath ritual is practiced in getting rid of dirt and evil and those who do perform the oil bath will be blessed with wealth and prosperity. The traditional method of taking an oil bath is massaging sesame oil or coconut oil all over the body.

Photo Credit: super_handloom_creations

#12 SAREES ARE THE LONGEST PIECES OF GARMENTS IN THE WORLD

Sarees are a traditional Indian costume and worn by numerous Indian women during Diwali. Measuring between 4.5 metres to 8 metres in length, sarees come in multifarious weaves, textures and colours.

Photo Credit: rocky2j13

#13 TAKES PLACE OVER 5 DAYS

Diwali stretches for 5 days and every day has its own significance and importance, with each day dedicated to a different deity.

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and it is an auspicious day for purchasing utensils and gold. The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi and it signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Lakshmi Puja is the third day of Diwali and it marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations where Hindu homes light lamps and burst crackers to welcome prosperity. Govardhan Puja is the fourth day of Diwali and it is when people worship their instruments, arms and machinery. The fifth day of Diwali is celebrated as Bhai Dooj, and brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for one another.

Photo Credit: ron_kuks

#14 WHAT YOU SHOULD SAY DURING DEEPAVALI

‘Shubh Diwali’ or ‘Shubh Deepavali’ means ‘have an auspicious Deepavali’ and it is the greeting exchanged during the festive time. Happy Diwali is fine too but why not use this chance to show off your cultural awareness?

The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park is often dubbed as the “Dempsey in the North”. Located in the far-flung area of Singapore, this lifestyle dining enclave is home to several eateries housed in refurbished colonial bungalows.

The rustic vibes from these grand colonial buildings exude a tranquil English countryside charm where visitors are able to enjoy some quiet time away from the mayhem of the city.

Whether you are looking for an adventure to discover new OOTD spots or a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle, here is what you can find at The Oval At Seletar Aerospace Park.

WILDSEED CAFE & BAR

Searching for a place to avoid the crowd? Wildseed Café & Bar would be your best bet. Tucked away in Seletar Aerospace Park, this idyllic garden themed café whips up hearty meals during the day and transforms into a casual bar with a delectable grill selection in the evening.

From a wide selection of mains and desserts in their menu to an even larger assortment of alcoholic beverages, there is something for everyone to indulge in at Wildseed Café. On Fridays through Sundays, there’s even live acoustic music in the evening where you can sing along as you sip on some garden-inspired cocktails.

Wildseed Cafe and Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wildseed Café
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Wildseed Bar
Sun to Thurs: 5pm – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol or Yishun

THE SUMMERHOUSE DINING ROOM AND BALCONY BAR

Situated on the second floor of one of a colonial building, The Summerhouse Dining Room is a one-of-a-kind dining destination. Offering blooming views and best ingredients from their humble garden and farming collective, this exquisite restaurant prides itself for its “nature-inspired” cuisine which focuses on local and seasonal produce.

With its farm-to-table concept that supports local and regional farmers, the restaurant provides not only the freshest ingredients, but also healthy and sustainable dishes. However, do note that the restaurant only serves dinner and weekend brunches.

The Summerhouse Dining Room and Balcony Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wed to Sun, Eve of PH and PH: 6pm – 10pm (Dinner)
Sat, Sun & PH: 12pm – 3pm (Brunch)
Mon & Tue: Closed
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

WHEELER’S ESTATE

Brought to you by the same folks behind Wheeler’s Yard, Wheeler’s Estate is a 2-acre wide former British military airbase-turned heritage building.

Set against lush greenery, Alfresco Café by The Lawn on the first floor is where you can sip on refreshing beverages or have your fill of Australian pizzas at the Grill House. Diners can also feast on European cuisine at The Verandah.

Wheeler’s Estate
2 Park Lane Singapore
Singapore 798386
Tel: +65 6262 0001
Alfresco Cafe By The Lawn
Tue to Thurs: 3pm – 11pm
Fri: 3pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
The Verandah
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

YOUNGS BAR AND RESTAURANT

With its interior decked out with luxuriously padded walls and marble flooring, this 130-seater bar and restaurant exudes a modern vibe with a hint of old-world charm. Diners can tuck into an array of modern European fare such as the Duck Confit with Mashed Potatoes (S$24), Bacon and Eggs Pizza (S$16), and Vanilla Bourbon Crème Brulee (S$10).

This laid-back restaurant also features a speciality bar that is perfect for post-work drinks on weekdays with your colleagues or hanging out with friends for a late-night gathering during the weekends.

YOUNGS Bar and Restaurant
3 Hyde Park Gate
Singapore 799531
Tel: +65 6734 2850
Mon to Thurs: 11.30am – 1am
Fri: 11.30am – 2am
Sat: 8.30am – 2am
Sun: 8.30am – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol /Yishun

DI WEI TEOCHEW RESTAURANT

For a traditional Teochew option, visit Di Wei Teochew Restaurant to feast on Teochew dishes such as their Teochew Cold Crab (seasonal prices), Pork Rib Yam Ring (S$25) and Teochew Liver Roll (S$12 per roll).

Helmed by owner and Head Chef Khoo Tai Guan who has over 50 years of culinary experience under his belt, you can expect scrumptious dishes with light flavours that are a reflection of Teochew flavours in Singapore.

Di Wei Teochew Restaurant
1 The Oval
Singapore 797859
Tel: +65 6262 5946
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Punggol/Yishun

Over the years, mookata is an increasingly popular dining concept and we are seeing a rise in mookata restaurants and eateries on our little island.

As sinful as mookata is, there is just something inviting about gathering around the table with friends and family to feast on grilled meat and slurp down rich, tasty broth.

Craving for mookata but have no clue where to start? Here are 12 Places In Singapore To Curb Late-night Mookata Cravings. It is time to put those diet plans on hold for now.

Photo Credit: 2211 MOOKATA

#1 2211 MOOKATA

Despite its relatively inconvenient location, 2211 Mookata is the place to visit if you are looking for an affordable late-night supper that is not too crowded. We recommend ordering the spicy Tom Yum Soup Base (S$3) and The Platter (S$22 for 2 pax, S$40 for 4 pax), which comes with with your usual mookata fare.

Add on items such as squid, instant noodles and luncheon meat (starting from S$1.90 per plate) are also available. On top of that, the eatery serves delicious Thai Milk Tea.

2211 Mookata
907 Jurong West Street 91
Singapore 640907
Tel: +65 9159 9729
Daily: 5pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Joo Koon

#2 888 MOOKATA

Founded by local celebrities Chew Chor Meng and Zhou Chongqing, 888 Mookata serves mookata sets with premium ingredients such as scallops and prawns at very affordable prices.

Ordering is relatively straightforward at 888 Mookata as they only have 2 options on their main menu—Platter For 2 (S$26) and Platter For 4 (S$45). A la carte dishes are available if the platter still isn’t enough to fill your tummies. Each a la carte dish will cost you S$1.80; other add-on platters include the Mushroom Platter (S$6.80), Vege Platter (S$6.80) and Meat Platter (S$10.80).

888 Mookata
212 Hougang Street 21
Singapore 530212
Tel: +65 9656 2655
Mon to Thurs: 5pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Kovan

#3 AROY MAK MOOKATA

Aroy Mak Mookata prides itself on offering authentic traditional Thai Cuisine BBQ and steamboat. You can indulge in Chiang Rai style Mookata marinated pork and chicken sliced meat, non-MSG soup stock and authentic homemade Thai chilli dips.

Located along Macpherson Road, this eatery offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with no time limit. At S$17.80 from Mondays to Thursday, you get to choose between 60 dishes including pork, chicken and vegetables. Top up another S$10 to enjoy the Premium Buffet and indulge in Snow Flake Beef, Bamboo Clams, Flower Crab and many other seafood. On weekends, eve of public holidays and public holidays, the buffet is priced at S$20.80 instead.

Aroy Mak Mookata
476-478 Macpherson Road
Singapore 368191
Tel: +65 9052 0555
Daily: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: BANGKOK STREET MOOKATA

#4 BANGKOK STREET MOOKATA

Right off the corner of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Bangkok Street Mookata is the perfect spot for family and friends to huddle around the table for a delicious mookata and steamboat meal.

From S$0.50 to S$3.90 per item, the menu offers a myriad of ingredients including pork, chicken, fresh seafood, noodles and many more. Platter sets for two (S$22) or four (S$39) people are available as well.

Bangkok Street Mookata
421 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
#01-1149 Singapore 560421
Tel: +65 9090 8842
Daily: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

Photo Credit: Charcoal Thai

#5 CHARCOAL THAI

Nestled in the basement of NEX shopping mall, Charcoal Thai is a family-style restaurant that offers authentic Thai cuisine. With a cosy modern interior and Thai pop music playing in the background, you can enjoy a hearty meal in an upbeat atmosphere.

The restaurant offers a range of a la carte mookata sets and Thai Beauty Collagen sets (S$39.95 to S$57.95). If you’re craving for other Thai delights, fret not for the restaurant also offers Thai mains such as Tom Yum Soup (S$9.95), Thai Green Curry (S$10.95) and many more.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Charcoal Thai
23 Serangoon Central
#B1-30/31 NEX
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 6288 6260
Nearest Station: Serangoon

Photo Credit: Happy Mookata

#6 HAPPY MOOKATA

A stone’s throw away from Nicoll Highway Station, Happy Mookata offers Thai Steamboat in a fuss-free eatery. They offer an all-you-can-eat Mookata buffet with two soup bases at S$26.90 on weekdays and S$25.90 on weekends.

Popular steamboat ingredients include fresh seafood such as Snow Crab and Crayfish. Besides that, there is also deep-fried finger food including Popcorn Chicken.

Happy Mookata
6001 Beach Rd
#01-55D Golden Mile Tower
Singapore 199589
Tel: +65 8113 0774
Daily: 3pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

#7 HUAY KWANG THAI KITCHEN

Situated at Upper Thomson, Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen is a popular spot for supper-goers. Prices for the mookata buffet range from S$25.90 per adult during weekdays to S$28.90 per adult on the weekends, eve of public holidays and public holidays.

Do bear in mind that the all-you-can-eat mookata buffet is strictly limited to 90 minutes. For those visiting in groups, there is a Huay Kwang Deluxe Set (4-5pax) going at S$69.90 where you can feast on a variety of meats, vegetables and even fresh prawns.

Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen
244R Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574369
Tel: +65 8588 9990
Daily: 5.30pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Marymount

Photo Credit: MOOKATA TRADITIONAL THAI BBQ

#8 MOOKATA TRADITIONAL THAI BBQ

Mookata Traditional Thai BBQ is one of the pioneer mookata F&B establishments in Singapore. Located at Bugis Junction, this outlet is a convenient and affordable lunch option for people working around the area.

From Monday to Friday, this 120-minutes lunch buffet (S$14.90) offers free flow drinks and ice cream on top of an array of meats, seafood and vegetables. As part of the buffet spread,, they even have a homemade chili sauce with three different levels of spiciness. They also have a 90-minutes dinner option at S$25.90 per person.

Mookata Traditional Thai BBQ (Bugis Junction)
200 Victoria Street
Bugis Junction Mall #02-53
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 6837 0171
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: SEDAP THAI MOOKATA

#9 SEDAP THAI MOOKATA

This no-frills halal-certified mookata in Jalan Bersar replaces pork with chicken and beef, making it one of the few places where Muslims can enjoy mookata. The stall offers a meat and seafood platter for 2 pax at only S$20.

Each platter includes more than 10 items so you get a good variety of ingredients. All a la carte dishes are priced from S$1.50 per plate, while premium items such as beef slices and fresh prawns are priced at S$2.50 per plate.

Sedap Thai Mookata
166 Jalan Besar
#01-08 Berseh Food Centre
Singapore 208877
Tel: +65 9187 0739
Daily: 4.50pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Jalan Bersa

Photo Credit: SOI 51 MOOKATA

#10 SOI 51 MOOKATA

A 15-minute walk from Khatib MRT station, Soi 51 Mookata (Yishun) is located at the coffee shop in Acacia Breeze housing estate where you can dine amidst lush greenery.

Priced at S$22 per adult, diners can feast on a free-flow buffet that features more than 50 different options including scallops, mussels and a variety of marinated meats. However, the eatery does not offer beverages.

Soi 51 Mookata
504 Yishun Street 51
Singapore 760504
Daily: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Khatib

Photo Credit: THAI HAO CHI MOOKATA

#11 THAI HAO CHI MOOKATA

With its brightly lit ‘Mookata’ sign board, it is hard to miss this place. What makes Thai Hao Chi Mookata special is the use of charcoal stoves instead of gas stoves to cook the meats—resulting in a fragrant, smoky aroma.

This humble eatery also offers MSG free soup base. For S$39.90, the Mookata Set (2-3pax) includes chicken, pork belly, prawns, squids, vegetables and pork liver.

Thai Hao Chi Mookata
908 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 787111
Tel: +65 8553 5581
Daily: 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

Photo Credit: THE MOOKATA EMPIRE

#12 THE MOOKATA EMPIRE

The Mookata Empire is not only known for its affordable prices but also their superb service. Situated in Ang Mo Kio, this eatery is probably one of the cheapest ones out there. Each platter set for 2-3 pax is only S$25.80, while a Platter Set for 4-6 pax is priced at S$43.80.

Besides the platter sets, diners can also opt for the a la carte items starting at S$1.90 per plate. The best part? There are no extra charges for the free-slow soup!

The Mookata Empire
Blk 133 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
Singapore 560133
Tel: +65 9489 4210
Daily: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

As more and more cafés pop up across our sunny island, the café scene in the North has surprisingly grown quite a bit through the recent years. From bakeries, burger joints, ice cream and waffle parlours to picturesque cafés, cafe-hopping is equally satisfying—minus the hassle of traveling to town, if you stay in the North.

Everyone talks about the “Stranger Things in Yishun” but guys, it is actually still a pretty peaceful neighbourhood with much to offer!

Whether you are on an adventure to hunt down good food or simply seeking solace with a good cup of coffee, here are some of our picks on 31 Cafes In The North Of Singapore You Must Visit.

Photo Credit: Baker’s Brew Studio

BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Nestled amongst a cluster of eateries opposite Sembawang Shopping Centre, Baker’s Brew Studio is a baking studio cum café concept. If you are into sweet treats, try the Earl Grey Lavender (S$8.80), Salted Caramel Chocolate (S$8.80).

Baker’s Brew Studio
No. 6 Jalan Tampang
Singapore 758950
Tel: +65 6635 7166
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Sembawang

BURGERUP EXPRESS

BurgerUp Express is a burger joint where dining is intended to be indulged on the go without compromising on the taste. Dive into an exhaustive selection of burger sliders and an array of delicious sides such as Chicken Nuggets and Breaded Mushrooms.

BurgerUp Express
930 Yishun Avenue 2
Northpoint City
South Wing #B2-113
Singapore 769098
Tel: +65 6570 0203
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

CANOPY GARDEN DINING & BAR
If you are looking for a place to chill out while enjoying some late-night drinks in the midst of lush greenery, then this would be it. Do try out their Crabmeat Aglio Olio (S$19) – the pasta is tossed with fresh crabmeat and garlic before it is topped off with corianders and spring onions.

Outdoor seats are available too so you can bring your fur-kids along!

Canopy Garden Dining & Bar
1382 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569931
Tel: +65 9113 4666
Mon to Thurs: 9am – 10.30pm
Fri and Eve of PH: 9am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bishan

Photo Credit: seahlc

CHEVAL CAFÉ BAR BISTRO

Established in 2009, Cheval Café Bar Bistro offers diners a casual and relaxing atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of central Singapore. Set against lush greenery, you will be treated to superb European cuisine and spectacular sights of horse-riding activities.

The bistro also has live music, a pool table and darts if you are looking to have a night of casual fun and games with friends.

Cheval Café Bar Bistro
1 Equestrian Walk
Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre
Singapore 737863
Tel: +65 6269 0918
Sun to Thurs: 10am – 12am
Fri: 10am – 3am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Nearest Station: Marsiling/ Kranji

Photo Credit: Citrus By The Pool

CITRUS BY THE POOL

Located in between Woodlands and Marsiling MRT Stations, Citrus By The Pool is a Halal-certified cafe situated within the premises of Woodlands Swimming Complex. The retro-themed bistro prides itself on its wide selection of Western and Asian fusion food at affordable prices.

The best part? Everything is set at a nett price with no service charge.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Citrus By The Pool
3 Woodlands Street 13
Woodlands Swimming Complex
Singapore 738600
Tel: +65 6366 6581
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Woodlands

COMMON CHEFS CAFE & BAKERY

Common Chefs Café & Bakery is an exception and it will be a good enough reason for you to make a trip down to this Northern part of Singapore. A café plus bakery, Common Chefs Café & Bakery offers a wide spread of Western dishes, drinks, delightful desserts at affordable prices.

8 Jalan Legundi, #01-13,
Singapore 759274
Tel: +65 6659 1208
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sembawang / Yishun

DOUBLE SCOOPS

Living in the heartlands of Singapore does not mean artisanal gelato is inaccessible. Situated right in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, Double Scoops is an artisanal gelato cafe that offers premium low-fat gelato at very reasonable prices, alongside a plethora of desserts.

Double Scoops
Block 226A Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
#01-627 Singapore 561226
Tel: +65 6452 0208
Sun to Wed: 12pm – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Thursdays)
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

DOUGHWORY BAKERY

Known for their crispy made-to-order buttermilk waffles, Doughwory Bakery offers pocket-friendly bakes like pies, puff pastries and cakes. Pair the waffles with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream for that perfect sweet-savoury combination.

Doughwory Bakery
Blk 504 Yishun Street 51 #01-03
Singapore 760504
Tel: +65 6425 5028
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

EATZI GOURMET BISTRO

Located in SAFRA Yishun, Eatzi Gourmet Bistro is a Halal-certified bistro by popular restaurant chain Jack’s Place. Diners can feast on a myriad of value-for-money Asian fusion and Western cuisines in a cheery and cosy environment.

The bistro offers daily Executive Lunch Deals with prices starting from S$13.80++.

Eatzi Gourmet Bistro
60 Yishun Ave 4 #01-V2
SAFRA Yishun
Singapore 769027
Tel: +65 6852 8270
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

Photo Credit: Factory Cafe

FACTORY CAFÉ

Factory Cafe is a two-storey café that sits within the industrial enclave of Admiralty. Besides serving a menu of local flavours, the rustic café offers a peaceful environment and complimentary wifi that makes it an ideal place to get some work done. Be sure to try their Raspberry Lychee Cake (S$7) if you are up for a sweet treat.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Factory Café
8B Admiralty St
#01-10 Singapore 757440
Tel: +65 6266 3088
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 2pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Admiralty MRT

FART TARTZ

Following the success of the other outlets in Chinatown and Singapore Expo, fArt tArtz is a garden-themed café that has opened in Yishun. The cafe is known for their signature fusion style pasta-in-a-jar and no-bake cakes.

Aside from these Instagram-worthy delights, they also offer light bites, pastas, burgers and many other desserts.

Fart Tartz
18 Yishun Avenue 9 #01-02
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 6252 0280
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

FAT PAPA’S BURGERS & SHAKES

Halal-certified Fat Papa’s Burgers & Shakes is the place to visit if you ever find yourself craving for some juicy burgers. Besides a wide selection of specialty burgers, pasta, finger food and sweet treats, you can also customise your very own burger.

Fat Papa’s Burgers & Shakes
930 Yishun Avenue 2
Northpoint City
South Wing #01-150
Singapore 7690981
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

Photo Credit: cindytqy

FO.H CAFÉ

FO.H (Forever Happy) Café is a humble hole-in-the-wall café that aims to serve excellent coffee in the Woodlands district. Brewed with a Carmelo Blend from Allpress Espresso in Australia, you can expect medium roast coffee with a lively acidity that is not as sharp as your usual black coffee.

The food menu there is concise so expect only light bites such as quiche, croissants and a small selection of cakes.

FO.H Café
30 Woodlands Avenue 1
#01-18 The Woodgrove
Singapore 739065
Tel: +65 8642 0988
Mon to Fri: 9am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Marsiling

GRUB

At Grub, diners will be able to feast on hearty wholesome food in a casual, family-friendly setting while being surrounded by the gorgeous greeneries of the park. Instagram enthusiasts will also be thrilled to know that the idyllic cafe boasts a great stream of natural lighting which is perfect for gorgeous photos.

Dishes to try are the Mentaiko Fries (S$9.50) and their GRUB cheeseburger (S$14.80).

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Grub
Bishan Park 1
Blk 510, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
Singapore 569983
Tel: +65 6459 5743
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest MRT: Bishan

GRIN AFFAIR

Known for their cakes in a jar, Grin Affair impresses with their Soy Meringue Waffles made with healthier ingredients such as soy milk, whipped egg whites and canola oil. Sink you teeth in a crispy pretzel-like waffle with hints of egg white and soy flavours.

Grin Affair
Blk 505D, Bishan St 11
#01-408 Singapore 570505
Tel: +65 8222 2678
Mon to Fri: 2pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 2pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Bishan

HOLY COW CREAMERY

Located in the quieter side of Yishun, Holy Cow Creamery is the place to visit if you ever need a waffle-and-ice-cream fix. Serving rich and creamy handcrafted ice cream, you can pair it with crispy waffles or a cup of aromatic coffee for a refreshing combination.

Holy Cow Creamery
292 Yishun Street 22 #01-291
Singapore 760292
Sun to Thurs: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Yishun

POISON IVY BISTRO

Why not escape the city for once and dine in the beautiful Kranji countryside? With a farm-to-table menu offering, Poison Ivy Bistro whips up delicious healthy dishes that is well liked by children and adults alike.

You can find favourites such as the Nasi Lemak Platter, seasonal farm-to-table specialities, handmade desserts and farm fresh brews.

Poison Ivy Bistro
100 Neo Tiew Rd
Singapore 719026
Tel: +65 6898 2013
Wed to Fri and Public Holidays: 8am – 6.30pm
(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Kranji

PRODIGAL ROASTERS

Tucked away in the heartlands of Yio Chu Kang, Prodigal Roasters is an independent speciality coffee shop that serves caffeinated beverages to nearby residents and basically anyone who loves a good cuppa.

The tiny cafe’s location might seem relatively obscure but is actually easily reachable within an eight-minute stroll from Yio Chu Kang MRT station.

Prodigial Roasters
Blk 625 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9
#01-112
Singapore 560625
Tel: +65 9450 0484
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 5pm
Closed on Wednesdays
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

QUENCH! BISTRO & BAR

Just a 10-minute walk from Khatib MRT, Quench! Bistro & Bar is one of those places to visit when you need a short getaway from the crowd. Nestled in ORTO, the bistro faces both the prawning ponds and the main fishing ponds, so you can expect to be immersed in laid-back “kampong” vibes.

Quench! Bistro & Bar
81 Lorong Chencharu
ORTO #01-10
Singapore 769198
Tel: +65 6257 3657
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3am
Sat and Sun: 9am – 3am
Nearest Station: Khatib

Photo Credit: RabbitOwlDepotWoodlands

RABBIT OWL DEPOT

Taking over the premises of the now-defunct Two Plus One Creamery, Rabbit Owl Depot at The Woodgrove is the company’s second initiative after the original outlet at North Bridge Road.

The heartland cafe serves ice cream as well as their signature Snowflake Waffles and a variety of toppings.

Rabbit Owl Depot
30 Woodlands Ave 1
#01-01 The Woodgrove
Singapore 739065
Tel: +65 6336 4075
Mon to Fri: 1pm – 12am
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marsiling

SAN GLOO

Calling all fans of Korean shaved ice dessert, Bingsu—your next cafe stop in Yishun should be San Gloo. With 26 different flavours and prices starting from as low as S$4.90, you can easily satisfy your bingsu craving without breaking the bank.

San Gloo
18 Yishun Avenue 9
Junction 9 #02-41
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 8198 1848
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

SCHOOL CAFÉ

School Café is where you should visit if you are looking for a quick lunch or a sweet fix. With a decent selection of soft serve ice cream and 20 toppings to choose from, you can customise your own waffle or pancake right down to the batter mix and toppings.

Besides that, the humble café also offers savoury dishes such as Beef Bolognese (S$7.90) and Curly Fries (S$2).

School Café
729 Yishun Street 71 #01-107
Singapore 760729
Tel: +65 9180 1109
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

SOEK SENG 1954 BICYCLE CAFE

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe is a hidden cafe that is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We suggest visiting in the evening to catch a breath-taking view of the sunset while enjoying delicious comfort food such as Fish & Chips (S$11.80) and Ayam Panggang (S$10.80).

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe
80 Seletar Aerospace View
#01-01 Maj Aviation Building
Singapore 797563
Tel: +65 6659 6124
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Punggol

THE DAILY SCOOP

Established in 2004, The Daily Scoop started out as a small ice cream parlour in Clementi Arcade, and it currently has three outlets scattered across Singapore.

The smooth Kaya Ice Cream (S$3.50) at The Daily Scoop tickled our taste buds and left quite an impression. Other unique flavours include Chilli Choc and Passion Pinada which is made with three tropical fruits—Pineapple, Passionfruit, and Mango.

The Daily Scoop
#01-05 Sembawang Cottage
Singapore 758382
Tel: +65 6754 1233
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 2pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

THUS COFFEE

A fairly new addition to the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood, Thus Coffee is a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee. Coffee lovers will be interested to know that the coffee beans at Thus Coffee are freshly roasted in-house.

The Hearty Chicken Stew (S$16) deserves a special mention; this lovely bowl comes with herbed potatoes and succulent chicken in a thick, savoury stew.

Thus Coffee
4 Jalan Kuras
Singapore 577723
Tel: +65 8411 7565
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

TWENTY GRAMMES

Essentially a dessert cafe and ice cream parlour, Twenty Grammes specialises in waffles and ice cream.

If you are not a fan of chocolates, try The Sassy Fellow (S$12.90). This waffle features slices of fresh bananas cooked inside the waffle, topped with more bananas, walnuts for an added crunch, drizzled with maple syrup and a huge scoop of Vanilla or Honey-Scotch Ice Cream.

Twenty Grammes
529 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-2353
Singapore 560529
Tell: +65 6816 1916
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

WHEELER’S ESTATE

Brought to you by the same folks behind Wheeler’s Yard, Wheeler’s Estate is housed in an impressive heritage building.

Filled with rustic vibes, the Alfresco Café by The Lawn is where you can relax. Otherwise, head to the Grill House and watch the chefs grill some meats and burgers. If you are up for European cuisine, The Verandah has a few signature dishes that will impress you.

Wheeler’s Estate
2 Park Lane Singapore
Singapore 798386
Tel: +65 6262 0001
Alfresco Cafe By The Lawn
Tue to Thurs: 3pm – 11pm
Fri: 3pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
The Verandah
Tue to Thurs: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Sat: 9am – 3pm, 6pm – 12am
Sun: 9am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Punggol

WILDSEED CAFE AND BAR

Searching for respite away from the crowd? Wildseed Café & Bar would be your best bet. Sharing a space with other F&B establishments in The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park, this garden themed café whips up hearty dishes during the day and transforms into a casual bar in the evening.

On Fridays through Sundays, diners are serenaded with live acoustic music while sipping on some garden-inspired cocktails.

Wildseed Cafe and Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Tel: +65 6262 1063
Wildseed Café
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Wildseed Bar
Sun to Thurs: 5pm – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 5pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

WIMI ICE CREAM

Wimi Ice Cream offers refreshing coconut ice cream that tastes identical to the ones you can find in Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok. For S$4.90, you can get a scoop of coconut ice cream on a halved husk with three toppings of your choice. The toppings range from fresh pomegranate to taro and Thai red ruby.

Wimi Ice Cream
18 Yishun Avenue 9
Junction 9 #02-58
Singapore 768897
Tel: +65 8183 1167
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

WORKBENCH BISTRO

This industrial-themed cafe at Ang Mo Kio whips up affordable cafe fares priced below S$20, such as their Crab Meat Linguine (S$15.90) and crowd favourite Egg Lava Beef Burger (S$16.90). The cafe is also known for their array of ice creams flavours that are bound to leave you spoilt for choice.

Workbench Bistro
Blk 332, Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
#01-1881 Singapore 560332
Tel: +65 6452 0810
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat: 10 – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ang Mo Kio

YAHAVA KOFFEEWORKS

Specialising in coffee, Yahava Koffeeworks is on a mission to travel the world in search of the finest specialty coffee and amazing Arabica coffees. The cosy café also offers a humble selection of pastries to go with your beverage.

Free koffee tasting sessions are also available for you so patrons get to customise their very own coffee.

Yahava Koffeeworks
4 Jln Gelenggang
Singapore 578188
Tel: +65 6554 7080
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

Read: The ultimate guide to cafes in the West of Singapore.

Read: The ultimate guide to cafes in the East of Singapore.

Nestled in Seletar Aerospace Park, Wildseed Café & Bar is a picturesque venue where you can break out of the city’s hustle and bustle. Located on the ground floor of The Summerhouse Dining Room, this farm-to-table concept café serves hearty lunch and brunch during the day and transforms into a casual bar with a delectable grill selection in the evening.

From a wide selection of mains and sweet treats in their daytime menu to an even larger range of alcoholic drinks on their bar menu, there is something for everyone to indulge in at Wildseed Café. From Fridays to Sundays, there is live acoustic music in the evening.

Here is what you can expect from this idyllic garden themed café at Seletar Aerospace Park.

Featuring an Industrial-Scandinavian interior decked with lots of potted plants, Wildseed Café emits a soothing ambience where you can dine indoors amidst lush greenery and vibrant fresh flowers provided by Poppy Flora & Nature Studio.

The café’s Wagyu Beef Burger (S$19) comprises 125g mouth-watering wagyu beef, cheddar cheese, smoked abalone mushroom, slathered with light truffle mayo and sandwiched between toasted sesame bread. It comes with a side of crispy curly fries.

This amazing burger was oozing with delicious goodness and robust flavours that will satisfy any burger cravings.

You can never go wrong with their popular Avocado Shake (S$7.50). What makes this drink so special is the gula melaka added to the blended avocado. The slight sweetness cuts through the creaminess of the avocado which makes the entire flavour less intense and a lot more enjoyable.

The Highland Pancakes (S$9) is unlike your usual Instagram-worthy stack of pancakes.

From the crunchy roasted sweet corn to the fluffy pancakes with house-made butter, the combination of these simple ingredients made it the perfect stack of pancakes for brunch!

Diners can also look forward to other options such as salads, pizzas, pasta and many more mains from their brunch and all-day menu. Coffee lovers can also drop by to enjoy some aromatic coffee proudly roasted by Nomad The Gallant coffee roasters.

With the tranquil greenery and cosy environment, Wildseed Café is a great respite to unwind after a hectic work week over some good food. The location is slightly inconvenient but this is one of those places that would work great for those seeking some quiet alone time.

Wildseed Café & Bar
3 Park Lane
Singapore 798387
Sun to Thurs: 9am – 11pm
Fri, Sat and Eve of PH: 9am – 1am
Nearest station: Punggol MRT Station

Looking for more cafes in Johor Bahru?

With the surge of new cafes across the border, cafe-hopping is no longer confined to our sunny shores. From the folks that brought you The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen and Faculty of Caffeine, Shakespeare Milkshakes is a wonderful addition to the hipster enclave in Johor Bahru.

This Scandinavian-style café specialises in decadent milkshakes (that isn’t for the weak). Besides sweet treats, look forward to a range of savoury croffles (croissant pressed between a waffle iron) and a wide selection of hot beverages and iced tea that will keep you coming back for more.

When it comes to Instagram-worthy interiors and flat lay-worthy food, Shakespeare Milkshakes is your best bet. Time to cross the border for this beautiful cafe in Johor Bahru!

Chocolate lovers can go all out with the café’s Kinder Bueno Specialty Shake (RM18). The milkshake comes with a chocolate dipped glass encrusted with nuts on the outside, filled to the brim with a rich dark chocolate shake and topped with a savoury cheese stick, salted cookie, and a mini Kinder Bueno Chocolate.

Even though the shake was simply delicious and not overly sweet, it might be overwhelming for one. That’s a lot of sugar for one person!

The café’s Salted Caramel Affogato (RM18) features fluffy waffles sprinkled with gula melaka crumbs, vanilla soft serve lined with salted caramel sauce, a mini Kinder Bueno and a shot of espresso. The whole idea is to drizzle the espresso over the waffles and ice cream. But with so much going on the plate, the different elements did not seem to work out very well.

However, Shakespeare Milkshakes’ Beef Pastrami and Cheese Croffle (RM10) is a must-order! A croffle is essentially a croissant pressed between a waffle iron. Sink your teeth in a crispy puffed pastry stuffed with beef pastrami, sweet onions and packed with cheese.

Pair the croffle with the refreshing Watermelon Lychee Ice Fruit Tea (RM10) for the perfect afternoon snack. The medley of fruity tea and savoury croffle was a match-make in heaven.

Shakespeare Milkshakes is a great stop over for a sweet fix after a long day of shopping and feasting on street food in Johor Bahru. As we all know, there is always room for desserts.

Shakespeare Milkshakes
9 Jalan Trus
Johor Bahru 80000
Tel: +60 16 421 8530
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 12am

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Johor Bahru.

While Yishun is known for making strange news headlines regularly, some good does exist in this bizarre neighbourhood.

Nestled amongst HDB flats in Yishun, Heng Hua Restaurant is a hidden gem which serves authentic Heng Hwa delights and a wide variety of zi char dishes at pocket-friendly prices. You can expect to find mouth-watering Chinese food that is perfect for your family.

A stone’s throw away from Yishun MRT Station, this eatery is one great destination you must visit if you are ever in the vicinity.

The Stir-Fried Yam Slices (S$10) is a classic Heng Hwa dish that we hardly see in Singapore. These bite-sized delights are coated in a sweet-savoury sauce and then deep-fried to a slightly golden colour. The yam was extremely soft and it would simply melt away in your mouth in a matter of seconds.

The one dish that you must order is the Heng Hua-Style Fried Bee Hoon (S$4.50). This popular dish features vermicelli stir-fried with clams, topped with beancurd puffs, peanuts and dried seaweed. Not only did the vermicelli had hints of the seafood flavour from the clams, the crunchy peanuts and seaweed made the dish even more addictive.

If you prefer a dish with more ‘soup’ or gravy, try the Heng Hua-Style Lor Mee (S$4.50) instead. Served in a rich pork broth, this dish was packed full of umami flavour that had us slurping down everything. Pair this with some Stir-Fried Yam Slices to balance out the savoury flavour with some sweetness.

Another must-order item is the Deep-Fried Tenggui Fish (S$10). Deep fried to perfection, the fish is moist on the inside and golden brown on the outside.

Dip your fish with some of their special homemade soy-based sauce and chopped garlic to highlight that sweet fish flavour.

The eatery gets pretty packed during the weekends and we highly recommend calling in for reservations. Nevertheless, service here is very efficient so you will never have to wait that long for a table.

Heng Hua Restaurant
748 Yishun Street 72
#01-212 Singapore 760748
Tel: +65 6756 1762
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest station: Yishun MRT

Nestled amongst private housing estates in the Lorong Ah Soo neighbourhood, Purist Patisserie is a beautiful boutique patisserie tucked away on the end of shop houses of The Promenade @ Kilat. Primarily opened for custom cake orders and collections, this boutique patisserie is on a journey to make exquisite pastries fun and delightful for everyone.

With an assortment of exquisite cakes and French bakes, you can expect to indulge in creative desserts that are put together with quality ingredients and a whole lot of heart.

Decked in pastel pink and featuring rose gold and marble elements, Purist Patisserie exudes a serene ambience which makes an ideal spot to unwind over a good book or an afternoon tea with friends in Kovan. Only open for walk-ins from Friday to Sunday, Purist Patisserie is the next place you should pop by this weekend.

The boutique patisserie’s delicate Fleur (S$8) is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and definitely made for the ‘gram. Expect a luxurious raspberry mousse sandwiched between a crispy thin waffle biscuit and a layer of delicate white chocolate, and topped with freeze-dried berries, popping lychee bobas and blue cornflower.

Much like your mango sticky rice, the Cebu Surprise (S$8) features similar components but with a slightly different flavour profile. Made with coconut and Jasmine rice mousse, the cake is filled slightly with mango gelatin and it sits above a base made of puffed rice and crushed cookies that is laced with white chocolate.

The aromatic mousse went really well with the mango filling but it was the crunchy texture from the base that brought the entire dessert together and made it simply addictive.

Apart from what we have tried, Purist Patisserie also offers a selection of single cakes and French bakes such as madeleines, financiers and chouquettes.

Purist Patisserie offers interesting and unique cakes which are worth a try. We would highly recommend this new patisserie for some sweet fix over the weekends and away from the bustling crowd.

Purist Patisserie
183 Jalan Pelikat
#01-01 The Promenade@Pelikat
Singapore 537643
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 6pm
(Closed on Mondays to Thursdays)
Nearest station: Kovan MRT Station

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.

#1 FABCAFE

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

Culture buffs have to check out these 11 fascinating museums in Singapore to visit over the weekend.

Looking for a new spot to bring your Muslim amigos for dinner? The Great Mischief is a new Halal Catalan-inspired Tapas concept in Little India that you need to know about it!

Look no further for this new concept by The Black Hole Group offers a menu of savoury Spanish cuisine and house blend coffee. An overdue catch up with your compañero is calling!

From the folks that brought you Working Title, Afterwit, The Mad Sailors and Santap, The Great Mischief is a new halal-certified Spanish tapas bar and the fifth installation from The Black Hole Group.

Sprawled across the lobby of The Great Madras hotel, The Great Mischief adds a vibrant and playful Catalonian twist to the vintage setting of the hotel and rich heritage of Little India.

Photos Credit: The Great Mischief

Besides a humble range of delectable and affordable Catalan-inspired savoury tapas such as Coca Pizza, Croquetas and Calamares Sliders, the restaurant also offers a selection of Spanish-style desserts such as Churros and Torrijas alongside mocktails, speciality coffee and tea.

Inspired by the gastronomical culture of Catalonia, this place makes the perfect spot for sharing good food and spending quality time with family and friends.

If Spanish cuisine isn’t up your alley, you can check out these other Instagram-worthy Halal-certified cafés in Singapore for that caffeine fix or some late night sweet treats.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

The Great Mischief
28 Madras Street
Singapore 208422
Tel: +65 9392 2762
Sun to Thurs: 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 2am
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Rochor MRT

Photo Credit: The Maple Mania SG

The Maple Mania—Tokyo’s famous Maple Butter Cookie—is now in Singapore!

Established in 2013, The Maple Mania is well-known for its Maple Butter Cookie that is ranked as the number one best-selling product in Tokyo Station for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.

A sister company of famous cheese cookie chain, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, The Maple Mania focuses on using pure maple syrup directly sourced from Quebec, Canada in its pastries.

What makes their maple syrup unique is the mixture of toffee, spice, herbs and floral flavours in it. Packed with this sweet syrup, The Maple Mania’s buttery cookies are perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Here’s what you can expect from The Maple Mania’s flagship store at ION Orchard.

Photo Credit: The Maple Mania SG

The Maple Mania’s latest international business expansion to Singapore shores means that so you no longer have to fly all the way to Tokyo to get your hands on their delicious pastries!

Photo Credit: The Maple Mania SG

Besides the Maple Butter Cookies (S$13.50 for 9, S$25 for 18 and S$42 for 32), the store is also known for its Maple Baumkuchen (S$29.90) with a caramelised top, as well as the delicate Maple Financiers (S$16.80 for 6 and S$32 for 12).

Photo Credit: The Maple Mania SG

The notable Maple Baumkuchen is another bestseller at Tokyo Train Station. The cake is infused with pure maple syrup and the crystallized maple sugar are sprinkled over the cake to create a crunchy texture.

Photo Credit: The Maple Mania SG

If you are looking for a special Christmas gift to give this year, then look no further as these maple treats are not excessively sweet while retaining its original maple flavour that will delight both children and adults.

The Maple Mania
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-K2, ION Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 9248 8475
Mon to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

If you have a soft spot for Japanese pastries, you’re in for a treat. Japan’s number one cheese cookie confectionery, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, has made its way to our sunny island and opened its very first outlet at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Hailing all the way from Tokyo, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory is widely known for their luxurious Salt & Camembert Cookies made from the finest ingredients—Hokkaido milk and rare French Guérande salt. The combination of sweet and savoury tones in this melt-in-your-mouth cookie would get you hooked in no time.

Here’s what you can expect from this popular Japanese confectionery’s first outlet in Singapore.

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory’s cookie range features well-balanced flavours and ingredients that are sourced from different countries.

There are Salt & Camembert Cookies made with rare sea salt from France (S$12.80 for  10 and S$24 for 20); Honey & Gorgonzola made with Rosemary Honey from Spain and veined Italian blue cheese from Gorgonzola Italy (S$14 for 10 and S$26 for 20); and Porcini & Gouda Cookies made with Porcini mushrooms from Italy (S$14 for 10).

Alternatively, if you’re a die-hard milk lover, The Milk Cheese Cake (S$29.50) is another treat to go for. The moist fluffy cake is made with cream cheese from France and blended with Hokkaido fresh cream, along with premium cheese and milk mousse that gives it that rich, luscious flavour and soft texture.

The Milk Cheese Cake is only sold as a whole but one slice is never enough, right?!

Here’s another one of their bestsellers—Strawberry Milk Roll Cake filled with milk and strawberry cream made from sweet and juicy Amaou strawberries and a touch of strawberry jam. This fluffy sponge cake is a perfect teatime snack to share with your friends and family.

Photos Credit: Tokyo Milk Cheese Singapore

Looking for something different? Try their Cow Cow Sundae (S$8.50). This velvety soft serve ice cream is made with the finest ingredients such as cream cheese, rich Jersey milk and gouda cheese from Hokkaido.

The sundae is served in a cup (S$4.50) or a cone (S$5.50) with a piece of Salt & Camembert Cookie and a slice of Milk Cheesecake—the best of Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory all gathered in a cup. What more can we ask for?

Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-73, Raffles City Shopping Center
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 9248 8476
Mon to Sun: 11am - 9.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall