Established in 1989 by Michael Allpress in Auckland, New Zealand, Allpress Espresso has become a renowned specialty coffee roaster for independent cafés worldwide including Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

Allpress Espresso Singapore is opening its first pop-up cafe in Singapore at 73 Duxton Road on 2 May 2023 for 6 months.

To celebrate its opening, Allpress @ 73 Duxton will be having a 1-for-1 promotion for all espresso-based coffees for a week from 9 to 14 May 2023

Allpress Espresso Singapore will be serving its signature drinks such as Espresso (S$5), Long Black (from S$5), Flat White (from S$6) and Latte (from S$6).

It has partnered The Dark Gallery team to curatee a food menu to enhance the coffee experience, which includes delicious savory bagels, pastries, cake, and ice cream.

Photos credit: Allpress Espresso Singapore

Some of the desserts include Coffee Basque Cheesecake (S$8), Vanilla Espresso Cake (S$9), Allpress Dirty Caramel Chips ice cream (from S$6), as well as a vegan-friendly Allpress Cold Brew Sorbet (from S$6).

Fans of Allpress Espresso can also get limited-edition merchandise such as t-shirts and tote bags that are specially-designed for this pop-up, as well as Allpress Espresso’s range of products are also retailed at the shop.

Allpress Expresso Singapore @ 73 Duxton
73 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089532
Tuesday – Sunday: 8am – 5pm

In conjunction with its tenth anniversary, Kilo Singapore reopens at 97 Duxton Road with an evolved concept on 19 Oct 2021.

The new food menu brings diners on a journey through Latin America and it features an open format natural flame kitchen with wood-fired grill.

“Parrilla” Argentina when directly translated means grill, and also refers to an establishment that specialises in grilling; this takes the centre stage of the kitchen at Kilo Singapore where you can watch the chefs in actions.

Kilo Singapore is using two main types of wood for the grill—apple and cherry—to give an aromatic flavour to the grilled meat and seafood dishes.

They have a new dry-age machine where they store prime cuts including

• T-Bone Wagyu 1.1kg
• Australian Angus Rib Eye 550g
• Argentinian Grass Fed Rib Eye 500gm.

The cuts from Charcoal Fired Grill segment are served with sides of Kilo Fries and Chargrilled Romaine Lettuce.

Other than meat, there is also a selection of seafood dishes to choose from. From the seafood display, pick your seafood of choice:

• fish of the day
• oyster
• clams
• mussels
• Grilled Argentinian Red Prawn Skewers with Tomato & Corn Salsa
• White Clams with White Wine & Garlic

Photos credit: Kilo Singapore

Singapore’s food scene is extremely competitive and it is nice to see that a deserving restaurant like Kilo Singapore celebrating its 10th anniversary and it has survived for so long by constantly reinventing itself over the years.

Kilo Singapore
97 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089541
Tel: +65 9625 0279

A laid-back, casual dining space nestled in serene Quayside Isle, Sabio By The Sea exudes a stylish charm perfect for a date, or a casual dinner by the docks. Their food and array of cocktails lean towards traditional Spanish but are all refreshingly unique and made using high-quality ingredients.

A glass of sangria in one hand and a repertoire of delicious food in another, be prepared for one gastronomic fiesta you won’t forget.

PULPO A LA GALLEGA

Undeniably the highlight of our meal, the Pulpo A La Gallega (S$18++) impressed us with its robust flavours and lovely texture. In this dish, the octopus is cooked simply in a mixture of paprika, olive oil and lemon, bringing out the natural sweetness of the octopus and giving it a charred quality that amped up its flavour tenfold.

CHORIZO AL VINO

As far as quality Spanish sausages go, you won’t go wrong with the Chorizo Al Vino (S$14++). Smoky with a heady aroma of paprika, the sausages were beautifully charred on the outside while remaining soft and sweet in the middle.

CHURROS

A quintessential confectionery at any Spanish restaurant is, of course, Churros (S$11++). Here, their churros are surprisingly light and crispy from edge to edge, making it hard to resist seconds or even thirds. The chocolate sauce served alongside it? Just divine.

Sabio By The Sea
31 Ocean Way #01-02,
Quayside Isle,
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6690 7568
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Managed by famous sommelier Gerald Lu—two-time National Sommelier Champion—and his partners, Praelum Wine Bistro is a welcoming space for not just wine connoisseurs, but anyone who enjoys good food with even better wine.

Its location at Duxton Hill is just one of many reasons why working professionals head there after work for a good time with their colleagues and friends.

Service is intimate, food is impressive and they have their very own walk-in cellar which houses about 1,000 bottles of vino. What other reasons do you need to visit Praelum Wine Bistro?

Their wines, oh their wines. Wine aficionados will appreciate the splendid array of fine wines that are sourced from all over the world—including Italy, France and Germany. But for someone who is just starting out on wines, it can be somewhat intimidating to go through the extensive wine menu but this is when the servers step in to give suggestions.

Whether you are looking for bubbles, pinks, reds or whites (from S$17++/glass onwards), Praelum Wine Bistro has them all. We have been told by Gerald that the wine list is updated frequently so guests can probably expect something new on every visit. Well, more reasons to keep going back then!

While wine is the main focus here, we actually like how the bistro keeps their food menu concise—focusing on quality instead of quantity.

You cannot go wrong with the Pork Parcels, Tomato-Basil and Pineapple Chutney (S$27++), Foie Gras, Caramelised Apple and Balsamic Reduction (S$28++) and Salmon-En-route, Dill-Tarragon Butter (S$35++). Ask the wait staff for their recommended wine pairing and you are on your way to a gastronomic journey!

If you are curious and wish to sample on a variety of wines, opt for the wine flights where you can get to taste three to five different types and even rare wines that are not easily found anymore. The sommeliers will also share about the history and story behind the wines.

Praelum Wine Bistro
4 Duxton Hill
Singapore 089590
Tel: +65 6238 5287
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 1am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Xiao Ya Tou, or better known as XYT,  is a modern Asian restaurant bar on Duxton Hill that serves up a plethora of playful and somewhat cheeky food and drink offerings—all of which find their inspirations stemming from cuisines from all across Southeast Asia.

The eatery is hard to miss. Its distinctive red lanterns, plastic chairs, and loud decor just call out to you as you walk past. Xiao Ya Tou is one establishment that will undoubtedly guarantee you and your mates a solid meal, yummy locally-inspired cocktail but more importantly, a great time out.

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Standing out amongst the bustling nightlife of Duxton Hill, Xiao Ya Tou is a restaurant bar that exudes charm and quirkiness beyond anything we have ever seen. The fun begins right at the doorsteps as you walk through an array of lanterns and old-school magazine covers from old Chinatown.

XYT’s food is loud, bold and in-your-face and just looking at the restaurant’s menu—with all its quirky illustrations and cheeky puns—you can tell that this is a place worthy of bringing your friends for a good time out.

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This kitschy-cool dining concept offers an interesting mashup of modern Asian cuisine from their pimped up XYT Hokkien Mee that features top quality seafood as well as a wide range of locally inspired cocktails for your after-work tippling pleasure.

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Their signature XYT Hokkien Mee (S$16) took us by surprise. The dish takes your typical hawker stall-bought Hokkien mee and elevates it a notch higher by introducing ingredients such as smoked pancetta and premium seafood.

The noodles oozed an apparent ‘wok hei’ note and the pork broth, along with the various ingredients, did well to amp up the flavour of this dish.

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Although slightly on the pricier side, the Crispy Otak Otak Rolls (S$12) makes for a good snack to pair with an ice cold beer. Wrapped in wonton skin and deep-fried until golden and crispy, what you can expect from the initial bite is a nice crunch followed by the spicy, tangy and subtly sweet otak paste that spills out all over your mouth.

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Tender and brimming with chargrilled flavours, the XYT Ayam Percik (S$26) is something that will definitely appease even the most discerning of carnivores.

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This tasty chicken dish comes served with a spiced coconut cream that pairs very nicely with the deep roasted flavours of the chicken and the chargrilled lime served on the side cuts through the richness of the coconut ensuring a well-balanced dish that won’t leave you feeling too stuffed.

For something a little less heavy but still promises unbeatable flavour, consider the Drunken Flower Clams (S$23) that is cooked in a mixture of sake, wolfberry, Shaoxing wine and ginger.

Xiao Ya Tou
6 Duxton Hill,
Singapore 089592
Tel: +65 6226 1965
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 12am
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

Niku Katsumata in Ebisu Japan is exclusive for members only but the grilled meat restaurant has since expanded to Singapore shores at Duxton Road. Their menu features yakiniku (grilled meat) and they are best known for their Kagoshima wagyu beef.

Known for offering reasonable prices without compromising on quality, diners at this Japanese restaurant can expect premium beef cuts in their A4 Wagyu Beef Set (S$38++) and A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++). What a steal!

Drop by the restaurant after work for a delectable dinner and a range of alcoholic beverages.

For the uninitiated, wagyu is classified into five different grades (from 1 to 5) to rate its meat quality based on various factors with a rating of five being the best. With that being said, you should know that Niku Katsumata’s A4 Wagyu Beef is of a pretty high standard.

Before we begin, the friendly server shared with us about the various cuts of the beef we were going to try. We had our wagyu beef grilled to medium rare doneness on the crystal plate and the tender meat melted in our mouths—it was so good! You cannot leave the place without trying this.

Another affordable option is the A4 Wagyu Donburi (S$25++) which is moist Japanese rice wrapped with Tataki Wagyu and topped with Ikura. Try the wagyu on its own first before pouring in the soup that is given to complement the rice.

There are also condiments at the side to enhance the taste of the wagyu but we think that it is great on its own.

For S$38++, our A4 Wagyu Beef Set came with six pieces of Wagyu beef, rice with beef curry, salad and pickles.

Choose a topping of your choice for the A4 Wagyu Donburi including Caviar, Foie Gras, Ikura and Urchin.

Niku Katsumata
47 Duxton Road
Singapore 089511
Tel: +65 9162 7502
Daily: 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Update: MEATliquor Singapore has officially closed.

With several outlets across the U.K. and now Singapore too, MEATliquor has really come a long, long way.

The world-famous burgers had its humble beginnings; they were served right out of a van in a car park at Peckham, South London in 2009. Today, award-winning MEATliquor is one of the most established brands for burgers in the competitive food industry.

MEATliquor’s burgers have became quite a legend at its place of origin, where the Brits would queue up for more than an hour in the freezing winter just to get their hands on a burger! Like every other enthusiastic foodie, we were thrilled to experience what MEATliquor in Singapore has to offer. Was it going to live up to its hype or would it be a disappointing fad?

MEATliquor Singapore has taken over a 4,500 sq ft space at Duxton Hill. Expect catchy neon lights, banging loud music and artistic graffiti strewn all over the ceiling and walls at the specialty burger restaurant.

The signature burger is the Dead Hippie (S$22++), which comprises two mustard-fried beef patties, minced white onions, pickles, lettuce, American cheese and their in-house secret sauce sandwiched between two fluffy buns.

The Cheese Burger (S$19++) and Bacon Cheeseburger (S$23++) were unfortunately lacklustre in comparison to the bestselling Dead Hippie.

In an attempt to cater to the locals’ tastebuds, MEATliquor Singapore has introduced a few new exclusive items such as Shambal Fries (S$12++) and Thai Thighs (S$15++) – the former is essentially fries covered with crispy onions, fried egg and sambal-like sauce, while the latter is panko-breaded boneless chicken thigh with chilli, fresh mint and Thai dressing.

The burgers are priced between S$18++ to S$24++, which is actually considerably decent given its global reputation – until the shockingly tiny burgers were placed on our table. We were honestly expecting something bigger than palm-sized!

We may have been expecting too much, but that was only because the outlet in London sure left a great impression since our first visit. Truth to be told, MEATliquor is a lot sexier there in the U.K..

MEATliquor Singapore
99 Duxton Road
Singapore 089543
Tel: +65 6221 5343
Mon to Wed: 5pm – 12am
Thu to Fri: 5pm – 2am
Sat: 5pm – 3am
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

A new cozy coffee shop has sprung up around the corner of Duxton Hill and seems like it is here to stay. Unlike the typical café concepts, MavRx Coffee Apothecary is a specialty coffee shop that only serves what they do best – coffee.

The striking monochrome geometric marbled walls of MavRx Coffee Apothecary and their eye-catching cups of bold capitalized captions “GET SHIT DONE” have probably made an appearance on your Instagram feed at some point of time.

Besides the aesthetics aspect, what really had us sold was their aromatic coffee. MavRx Coffee Apothecary hands down serves one of the best coffees in town and had us instantly teleported to our café hopping days in Melbourne.

The quaint coffee shop uses the Carmelo Blend, which has been imported from Australia’s coffee roaster and espresso specialist All Press Espresso. Rich and satisfying with distinctive notes of caramel flavours, it is no surprise that many first timers were effortlessly convinced to return regularly for more caffeinated drinks.

Former Farm to Table Café barista Edmund is currently singlehandedly taking your caffeine orders and is doing a great job in manning the operations. Drop by and wake yourself up with an invigorating cold brew (S$5) that is served in 5 medical syringes or stick to the standard flat white (S$5) and espresso (S$3).

MavRx Coffee Apothecary
1A Duxton Hill
Singapore 089587
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Sat to Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Department of Caffeine (D.O.C.), one of our favourite cafes in Singapore, has recently introduced two lobster dishes that everyone must try. The Lobster BLT “Roll” is reasonably priced at S$18.50, while the more luxurious Lobster Club – the full works on a toasted brioche – is S$21.50 and only available during weekend brunch.

Technically speaking, Department of Caffeine’s rendition is more like a BLT sandwich rather than a lobster roll, but we’d like to think of it as the same thing, but with more bang for the buck.

At S$18.50, you get a Lobster BLT with butter poached Boston lobster tail, Louisiana hot sauce mayo, rocket, wasabi sprouts, fresh tomato, flying fish roe, streaky bacon sandwiched between toasted sesame bun. Seriously, we have no ideas how the folks at Department of Caffeine can price it so cheap, but no one is complaining. It just gives us more reason to pig out, that’s it. Same for you, right?

The Lobster Club (S$21.50) is the full works topped with butter poached Boston lobster tail, tangy mayo, streaky bacon, and sunny side up on a toasted brioche. We are salivating just at the thought of it.

Both options come with crinkle cut fries, and we strongly recommend you to “upsize” it with extra lobster (S$5). For the full lobster experience, you can also get a cup of homemade Lobster Bisque with creme fraiche and croutons at only S$4.

Now, pick up your phone and make your reservation pronto.

Department of Caffeine
15 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6223 3426
Mon to Fri (except Wed): 10.30am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Located within the vicinity of Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area is Duxton – the ideal destination for an interesting foodie experience. Many hipster cafes and fancy restaurants are housed in the beautiful restored colonial shop houses lined up along Duxton Road and Duxton Hill.

From Melbourne-inspired hipster cafes to Italian restaurants, the dining scene in the Duxton neighbourhood is undeniably vibrant and nobody would have thought that Duxton was once infamous for its strip of sleazy karaoke lounges.

Here is our guide to Duxton Hill’s best restaurants, cafes and bars, featuring 11 dining destinations in the neighbourhood.

BUYAN RUSSIAN RESTAURANT & CAVIAR BAR

Fancy some caviar and Russian vodka? Buyan at Duxton Hill stands out for being one of the few Russian restaurants in Singapore. Some of the classic dishes that you can look forward to include Chicken Kiev (S$26), Beef Stroganov (S$30) and Kulebyaka (S$24) – traditional Russian pie with layers of salmon, rice and mushroom. For those who are working in the area, Buyan serves a value-for-money 2-course set lunch at S$15.

9 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6223 7008
Mon: 6pm – 10.30pm
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

DEPARTMENT OF CAFFEINE

Department of Caffeine, also known as D.O.C., is renowned for their excellent coffee and delicious brunch food. The passionate baristas roast their premium coffee beans with Five Senses Coffee – a dedicated Australian wholesale coffee roaster that aims to source the best single origin and blends via sustainable means.

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The brunch food served ranges from fresh poached salmon to fluffy buttermilk waffles, exuding homely vibes like its warm woody interiors. D.O.C. keeps its prices reasonably affordable, where a main course and regular salad costs only S$15 on weekdays. Reservations are strongly recommended as D.O.C. is usually packed to the brim on a daily basis.

Department of Caffeine is listed in our guide to Singapore’s best coffee shops.

15 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6223 3426
Mon to Fri (except Wed): 10.30am – 7.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

ETNA ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Etna Italian Restaurant is named after Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, where the world’s most excellent Italian ingredients are produced. Anna Borrasi, Singapore’s only female Italian Executive Chef, leads this fine Italian restaurant. Etna is one of the few restaurants awarded the Ospitalita Italiana Gold Seal Award, an award that acknowledges the superb Italian food and services provided. The elegant ambience is perfect for those looking for a place to celebrate that special occasion without burning a hole in the pocket.

49/50 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6220 5513
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

FLOR PATISSERIE

Flor Patisserie is no ordinary bakery. The pastries are largely influenced by the French but made with Japanese-origin ingredients and Japanese techniques, hence resulting in uniquely delicious East-meets-West creations. With a focus on freshness and quality, Flor’s surprisingly light soft sponge pastries are made possible with an absence of artificial additives and preservatives.

Treat yourself to Flor’s signature Berry Berries (S$6.40/slice, S$31.80/whole cake) or an iced cheese tart (S$3.40) that comes in 8 different flavours; caramel, choco orange, earl grey, green tea and yuzu, mango, maple, original and strawberry).

Flor Patisserie’s Strawberry Souffle is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s 50 Must-Try Desserts.

2 Duxton Hill #01-01
Tel: +65 6223 8628
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 7.30pm
Sun: 10.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

GROUP THERAPY CAFE

Finding Group Therapy is far from an easy feat; one has to navigate through the strip of restored shop houses, climb up a flight of stairs and push through a heavy door before stepping foot into the café.

But once all that was been done, a cozy café featuring an array of all-day brunch food and fantastic coffee (S$5.50) await. The food is unpretentious, featuring simple classics like poached eggs and smoked salmon on thick toast (S$15) & bacon and mushroom aglio olio (S$19).

Group Therapy Cafe is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best cafes.

49 Duxton Road
Tel +65 6222 2554
Tue to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

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KIKU

Japanese restaurant Kiku occupies a two level shop house along Duxton Road. Opened by Hong Kong restaurateur Calvin Yeung, Kiku has boldly defied Japanese dining conventions by incorporating both Kappo and Izakaya styles, presenting to customers an extensive Japanese menu that ranges from premium fresh blue fin sashimi flown in from Japan’s famous Tsukiji market to innovative sushis inspired by Southeast Asia cuisines.

21 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6225 5567
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

LATTERIA MOZZARELLA BAR

Family-style Southern Italian Restaurant Latteria Mozzarella Bar is truly mad about the fragrant cheese. From Burrata (fresh artisanal cheese from Apulia with a solid outside and soft center, made from cow milk) to Bufala (fresh mozzarella made from water buffalo milk in Naples), Latteria is unsurprisingly home to Singapore’s widest selection of Mozzarella.

All the cheeses are directly from in from Italy, hence guaranteeing unrivalled freshness. When night falls, fairy lights light up the outdoor patio, exuding romantic vibes that are perfect for a cheesy affair.

40 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6866 1988
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

L’ENTRECOTE

L’Entrecote follows a Parisian concept that was started in the 1930s, where only one main, the E’entrecote steak (S$29.90/standard, S$39.90/large) is served. The thin slices of beef are complemented with a fresh walnut salad and free flow crispy golden French fries. Do note that Lentrecote on Duxton Hill does not accept any reservations, so do show up early to secure a seat.

L’Entrecote is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best steakhouses.

36 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6690 7561
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

MARS BAR

Mars Bar is a pop up bespoke bar that is well known for incorporating local flavours into their cocktails. If you feel adventurous, go for the exotic Chilli Crab Cocktail (S$22), which is interestingly made of kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass reduction, chilli crab paste, orgeat, Malibu and Tanqueray.

Safer alternatives include the creamy delicious Milo from Mars (S$20) and Atas Ribena Cocktail (S$20). The bar tenders are passionate mixologists dedicated in giving you the best experience possible. Simply tell them a drink you desire and watch in awe as they work their magic. Mars Bar will only be around till the end of the year, so what are you waiting for?

83 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 9651 6714
Mon to Sun: 4pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

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MERCHANTS OF WINE

Merchants is a boutique wine cellar door selling over 200 artisan wines from New Zealand and Australia. These bottles of wine (from S$30 and onwards) are directly shipped from the outback and cannot be found in other stores.

Besides wine, Merchants is also a café-cum-bar serving excellent coffee (S$4/small, S$5/large) made from Dutch Colony blend. The food menu features all day brunch, bar bites and Western mains with wine pairings. Merchants also hosts pop-up cellar door tastings and wine pairing dinners from time to time. You know who to look for now if you are looking to host a private wine event.

52 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6222 1162
Mon to Fri: 8am till late
Sat: 9am till late
Sun: 10.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

SABIO TAPAS BAR

Sabio Tapas Bar is the perfect place to unwind after a long day at work. Its extensive menu boasts over 50 hot and cold authentic mouthwatering tapas as well as a variety of imported wine and beers.

Must-orders include the succulent scallops (S$14), spicy chorizo in red wine (S$11), churros (S$9) and homemade sangria (S$12/glass, S$49/jug). The bar features a one-for-one tapas promotion every Monday where the complimentary tapas must be the same as the one ordered.

5 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6690 7562
Mon: 12pm – 11pm
Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12midnight
Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng was previously a marketing executive and freelance photographer in the food industry. Her work has been published on Epicure, Lifestyle Asia and Meld Magazine etc. She is currently on a break and traveling around the world. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram or The Keepers Map where she shares useful curated travel itineraries.

The Duxton Hill area has seen a revival in the recent years, and there are many new restaurants, bars and cafes opening in the neighbourhood. If you work in the area, or if you are looking for a new weekend brunch spot, one of the places that you should check out is Department of Caffeine.

With a name like that, it goes without saying that the folks at Department of Caffeine take their coffee seriously. They use sustainably-sourced speciality coffee beans, and you can be assured that every cuppa is up to the standard. This is a coffee joint in Singapore that we will definitely recommend. For non-coffee drinkers, the speciality hot chocolate here is also known to be very good.

For a fuss-free meal, Department of Caffeine has dishes from the counter which are prepared readily. A main course and regular salad is only S$15 – you get to choose between roast chicken and poached salmon for the main course; and for the salad, they have roasted beetroot, soba noodles or roasted cauliflower.

Main courses on the weekday menu include Minute Steak (S$16), Chicken Fillet Burger (S$15), and a 8 Hour Pulled Pork Burger (S$14.50). You must not leave without trying its Buttermilk Waffles (S$12.50). It is very very good. Crisp on the outside and light and fluffy in the centre, it makes for a luscious breakfast or a dessert after brunch.

Department of Caffeine is nothing fancy, but that is the main reason why we like it. Good, honest and simple food which represent decent value for money.

Department of Caffeine
15 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6223 3426
Mon to Fri (except Wed): 10.30am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

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

Singapore has no shortage of good Italian restaurants, but it is not easy to find a pocket-friendly option. After having dinner at Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria at Duxton Road, I am happy to share that it is one of the places you should check out for pizzas and pastas.

Etna has a fairly large menu. For starters, you would be tempted by the popular antipasti ($18-24) like carpaccio di manzo, prosciutto e melon. They have pastas ($18-24) like linguine al granchio, gnocchi, and carbonara, while pizzas ($18-26) like margherita, frutti di mare and parmigiana are also available on the menu. Main courses ($26-64) such as the 600g bistecca alla fiorentina, and osso buco, are also very appealing.

For starters, we had burrata, and it was followed by the signature Etna pizza. Both dishes were good, and I’d definitely recommend them if you are dining at Etna Italian Restaurant.

Next, we had the risotto porcini ($23) which was slightly disappointing. A good risotto is smooth and creamy, with the rice having the perfect texture. But the one that we had did not meet expectations. I definitely have had better risottos before.

Luckily, the taglierini al nero di seppia ($24) was good. It was flavourful and cooked to the right consistency – not too wet, not too dry. If you have always wanted to try squid ink pasta, this is a good place to start.

The merest mention of the word “tiramisu’ can turn my head, and not surprisingly, we had it. We did not know what to make of Etna’s tiramisu with pistachio flavour ($10). On one hand, it was a good cake – something that you will finish on your own; on the other, it was lacking in terms of the flavour of liqueur and coffee. We also had the Etna lava cake ($10), and while I liked it, frankly, I was not overwhelmed.

All in all, the food at Etna at Duxton Road is decent enough for me to return when I want a reliable and hearty Italian meal.

Etna Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
49/50 Duxton Road
Tel: +65 6220 5513
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10:30pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

For more recommendations, please read my list of best Italian restaurants in Singapore

One of the newest cafes to open in the trendy Duxton Hill area, Group Therapy Cafe is a space tucked away on the 2nd storey of a reconstructed shophouse.

Even though I’ve been to the Duxton Hill area many times, I’ve never noticed them until my friend told me about it. Just in case you are wondering where they are located, the cafe is directly above Etna Italian restaurant on Duxton road.

I fell in love as I stepped inside the cafe. It is one of those places that you would find it impossible not to like. Definitely one of my new favourite cafes in Singapore.

From what I understand, Group Therapy started out mainly as an event space for birthday parties, media launches and corporate workshops, but the cafe business has slowly grown with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations.

The menu changes from time to time, but you can expect comfort food like salad ($15), soup ($11), sandwiches ($14), eggs ($11-15) and desserts ($4.5-8.5). When we were there on a Saturday afternoon, we ordered from their all day breakfast menu to share.

The Poached Eggs ($15) that we had was gorgeous. Stacked on top of an extremely thick and fluffy toast, the poached eggs with salmon came with a generous helping of the hollandaise sauce. It was fantastic!

I was slightly disappointed when I found out that they only serve pancakes (from a special brunch menu) on Sunday. But that feeling was gone with the arrival of the waffles.

Weekends are made of Belgian style waffle ($8.5) with maple syrup and butter.

Group Therapy Cafe at Duxton road does not serve out-of-this-world good food; the menu is simple and unpretentious. They have a very comfortable and relaxing space, and I love the fact that not many people know about them YET.

Singapore Food Blog Review
Group Therapy Cafe
49 Duxton Road #02-01
Tel: +65 6222 2554

Tue to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Closed on Mon

For more recommendations, read my list of the best cafes in Singapore

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Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant is located on the slope of Duxton Hill, alongside Buyan Russian Restaurant and Flor Patisserie.

There’s just something intoxicating about eating in a tapas bar. Maybe it’s the idea of having a glass/(es) of wine with many plates of Spanish appetisers. Maybe it’s the fact that you get to chill out with a group of friends after a long day of work. Or maybe it’s simply because I am a big fan of Spanish cuisine.

Like the Chinese dim sum, Spanish tapas offer you the luxury of having small bites of everything. Then, you also have the pinchos, which are somewhat similar to tapas. It is the name of certain snacks typically eaten at bars in the Basque country. The main difference is that they are usually served in individual portions with a skewer or toothpick, often to a piece of bread.

Gambas pil pil – prawns in olive oil & garlic

Anyway, I digressed, let’s get back to Sabio. The Spanish restaurant was full when we were there on a weekday night, with mostly expats enjoying a drink and some snacks after work.

The menu is broadly divided into four parts: Cold Tapas ($6-19), Jamon & Chorizo ($8-25), Hot Tapas ($8-18) and desserts ($6-8). It took us a while to scan through it.

I was rather attracted by the cold tapas like Boquerones en Vinagre ($9) – Anchovies served in vinegar; Sombrero de Setas – Mushroom hat in olive oil and garlic; or the Chipirones en sa tinta ($16) – Stuffed squid in ink. But my friends were not interested in cold tapas, so we focused on the hot tapas. Some of the options that were waving frantically at us include: Tortilla espanola con chorizo ($12) – traditional Spanish omelette with chorizo; Revuelto de esparragos ($12) – scrambled eggs with asparagus; and Pulpo gallego ($11) – Octopus cooked in olive oil and lemon.

There were over thirty Spanish small plates to choose from, and we were tempted to order everything. We eventually settled for some hot tapas, a paella and a jar of sangria.

I love Spanish food!

The Embutidos Mixtos ($25) – a selection of Spanish ham, sausages, and cheese – arrived before the hot tapas. We ate the fantastic Spanish ham, drank sangria, and ate more ham.

A must-try tapas at Sabio is definitely the Vieras en salsa de cava ($14) – Sea Scallops with sparkling white wine sauce. What a sexy dish! The scallops were kind of openly flirting with each other in a pool of sparkling white wine sauce.

It would be perfect if they were meatier (if there’s such a word), but it didn’t really matter because the sauce was the highlight. The sparkling white wine sauce was divine. In fact, it was so good that we had the other tapas with it. I was actually a little sad when the waiter cleared the pan away.

The Gambas pil pil ($15) – sizzling prawns in olive oil and garlic – was equally good. I also liked the Bacalao al ajo arriero ($18) – salt cod with red capscium, and the Calamares a la plancha ($11) – pan fried calamari.

The Chicken & Seafood Paella ($22), on the other hand, was disappointing. I can’t put my fingers on what’s missing, but it just isn’t something that I’d order again on my next visit to Sabio Tapas Bar.

Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant at Duxton Hill is a good place to chill out with a group of friends. If your office is near the Tanjong Pagar/Duxton area, why not drop by Sabio after work? At the same time, you can also check out the other new restaurants in Duxton Hill.

The idea of tapas bar hopping has always been at the back of my mind. I’m going to shortlist a few Spanish Restaurants, and go on a tapas bar hopping adventure!

Singapore Food Blog Review
Sabio Tapas Bar & Restaurant
5 Duxton Hill
Tel: +65 6223 4645
Weekdays 12pm – 12am, Sat 5pm – 12am

For more recommendations, read my list of Spanish Restaurants in Singapore

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