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

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

When prompted about good cafes to visit in Singapore, rarely does a café outside of the East or Central Singapore come to mind; and especially not one from Sembawang.

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. Here’s what to expect if you are taking a trip down.

The Single Cheese Burger (S$13 for beef, S$12 for chicken and S$11 for fish) features a juicy single patty packed together with freshly sliced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, mustard, mesclun salad and ketchup in a beautifully buttered brioche bun. All burgers come with fries on the side.

We thoroughly enjoyed the beef patty which was extremely tender and bursting with flavour. For an additional S$1, we upgraded the regular fries to truffle fries. While it was decent, it was not the best truffle fries we’ve tried.

As matcha lovers, we could not help but order the Matcha Latte (S$5) which was not too sweet and the notes of the matcha really came through.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery gives you the opportunity to customise your own Dessert Waffle. We decided on the charcoal waffle (S$7.50) with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream (S$3.50 for a single scoop; S$6 for a double scoop) topped with a wonderful caramel sauce.

As the salted caramel ice cream (and caramel sauce) was surprisingly sweet, we were glad that we chose the charcoal waffle as its neutral and muted taste complemented the sweets perfectly.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery is a hidden gem for folks who are staying in the North of Singapore.

Common Chefs Café & Bakery
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

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Sunshine Plaza is an ulu building with both commercial and residential units that is located near Bras Basah MRT Station. While there is generally nothing much to do there, many who work or study nearby flock to Sunshine Plaza during meal hours as the place is home to a few popular eateries.

If you have not been to Sunshine Plaza, drop by the mall next time when you are hanging out in the Dhoby Ghaut area—the unassuming building may have more dining options than you think!

Here is our guide to 9 Hidden Eateries and Restaurants In Sunshine Plaza even locals never knew about.

#1 DISTRICT SUSHI

District Sushi is a Japanese joint that serves up delicious Japanese fare at wallet-friendly prices. Their stellar Bara Chirashi Don, which is priced at an unbelievable S$13 per bowl (no GST and service charge), is stacked high with generous cubes of fresh marinated fish and is one of their most frequently ordered items.

Besides that, the casual eatery also has a range of sashimi, nigiri sushi and a la carte sides that are mostly below S$15.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-15, Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Nearest Station: Bencoolen 

#2 ICHI TEI

This low-key Japanese eatery is where one can find affordable Japanese food in town. If you are on a budget, Ichi Tei serves simple and flavourful meals below S$14. We thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Set which comes with a small portion of potato salad and miso soup.

Otherwise, Ichi Tei also has other options such as Curry Rice, Udon, Udon Curry and some of the basic side dishes.

91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

#3 MERELY ICE CREAM

A popular hang out for students who are studying in the area, Merely Ice Cream is an inviting place with bright cheerful colours splashed across its door front.

The insides are entirely different, as the owner has made full use of wooden furniture and clean white walls to give off a soothing vibe. Merely’s ice cream are homemade and they use natural ingredients such as nuts and fruits as toppings.

There is little chance that you will stumble upon Paper Crane unless you have heard of that place. Hidden in the grounds of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) in Waterloo Street, this cafe is within walking distance from Bras Basah MRT Station.

Paper Crane is an unpretentious cafe that serves comforting Western food. Their attractive menu boasts All Day S$10 Deals and other Western main dishes that are below S$20.

Visitors do not have to pay for GST or service charge at this cafe.

Choose from the spacious al fresco seating area and indoor seating by the window if you prefer to stay away from the heat. However, do note that indoor seating is limited to four to five people only due to space constraints.

The Beer Battered Ah Hua Kelong Sea Bass and Chips (S$15) is a value-for-money dish. Under the beer battered crispy skin is soft and juicy sea bass which tastes great on its own without the need for any sauce.

Another favourite is Paper Crane’s Southern-style Fried Buttermilk Chicken with Slaw and Fries (S$15). We could hear the delightful crunch from the crispy skin crumbling into pieces in our mouths. The dish comes with the usual western sides—coleslaw and fries.

Those who enjoyed their homemade chilli can purchase it in bottles at the cafe.

If you are on a budget, they have a range of dishes for only S$10 on the menu such as Spaghetti in Pesto, Greek Chickpea Salad and Popcorn Chicken with Chili and Coriander Mayo.

Otherwise, pick from Kimchi Fries with Grilled Steak and Cilantro Mayo (S$15), 48 Hours Sous Vide Beef Brisket Sandwich with Fries (S$18), Spaghetti with Grilled Prawns in Prawn Butter Sauce (S$20) and more.

Paper Crane
96 Waterloo Street
Singapore 187967
Tel: +65 6837 0836
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

Nobody goes to Sunshine Plaza unless they are printing name cards, but you would have heard about the famous Victor’s Kitchen and made a trip there for dim sum.

But we have another reason for you to visit that otherwise random mall.

Our search for good and affordable eateries led us to this discreet Japanese shop called Ichi Tei, which is located inside Sunshine Plaza. Ichi Tei’s set meals are less than S$14, which makes for a decent lunch or dinner.

Upon stepping into the mall, you will definitely notice the bright red colours of the signboard of Ichi Tei, which will stand out in the plain-looking mall.

Affordably priced at S$8.90, the Chicken Teriyaki Set Meal is a good go; flavourful, and we liked that the chicken skin was slightly charred and crispy. The sweet teriyaki sauce enhanced the flavours of the chicken without it being overwhelming.

Every set meal entitles you to a rice set, creamy potato salad and a bowl of miso soup.

Another popular choice at Ichi Tei is the Unadon Rice Set Meal (S$12.90), where visitors get a generous serving of unagi (Japanese eel) with rice.

While we also enjoyed this rice bowl, the chicken teriyaki fared much better.

There is more on Ichi Tei’s menu—Udon Set, Curry Rice Set and Curry Udon Set. Sides include Deep Fried Shumai (S$6), Salmon Sashimi (S$9) and Tori Karage (S$8).

Ichi Tei
91 Bencoolen Street
#01-52 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 8pm
Sun & PH: Closed
Nearest Station: Bras Basah

A dining experience at Orchid Live Seafood is akin to teleporting yourselves back into time. While the old-school seafood restaurant is not located in the most convenient locations, its inaccessibility has not deterred its loyal customers from patronising it.

Award-winning Orchid Live Seafood has received many public figures over the years and that list includes Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Orchid Live Seafood’s superbly fresh dishes are seriously worth travelling for, and can we say just how much we love the kampong-style experience?! The restaurant is also home to a huge collection of South African craft beers.

From now until 31 December 2016, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 40% off craft beers with any purchase of items on the menu (valid only on weekdays). Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect from Orchird Live Seafood—also the creator of the famous Lobster Porridge.

THE BEST LOBSTER PORRIDGE IN SINGAPORE

Nobody leaves Orchid Live Seafood without ordering the signature Lobster Porridge (S$10 per 100g). While lobster porridge can be found in many other Chinese restaurants, Orchid Live Seafood is actually the original creator. In fact, the Lobster Porridge has been served to customers since 1999. This iconic main course is indeed the epitome of indulgence.

A 600g, 800g, 1kg, 1.5kg and 2kg portion will feed two, three, four six and eight pax respectively. The freshness of these lobsters is guaranteed as they catch your lobsters right after you place your order. These crustaceans are cut into halves, and the plump and juicy lobster meat attributes to the Teochew porridge’s sweetness and aromatic broth.

BOSTON LOBSTER

The massive Boston Lobster (S$70) took us by surprise and we devoured every single bit of it. The succulent flesh is best eaten with the accompanying sauce—a complex blend of butter, cheese, milk and spices. We were almost licking the plate clean!

You can save S$10 and order this chunky lobster for just S$60 as an add-on to any set menus.

TEOCHEW COLD CRAB

The Teochew-style Cold Crab is a crab dish that is almost forgotten, but one that our parents and Teochew descendants will definitely relish.

The Teochew Cold Crab is prized for its roe, and just look at the generous amount of roe on Orchid Live Seafood’s Teochew Cold Crab (S$52)! These briny crabs taste naturally sweet on its own.

STEAMED MINCED PORK WITH SALTED EGG

Orchid Live Seafood is introducing pork in its menu for the very first time and we are totally digging their rendition of the fragrant Steamed Minced Pork (S$18). The meat patty is served with a bright orangey salted egg yolk and drenched in superior sauce.

It’s one of those ‘comfort food’ options, and the kids will love it!

STEVEN CHICKEN

The Steven Chicken (8 pieces – S$12, 12 pieces – S$18, 16 pieces – S$24) blew our minds; it is no surprise this signature has been keeping regulars back for more for many decades.

Marinated in a sweet sauce (inhouse secret!) and deep-fried to perfection; this bestselling dish ain’t no ordinary chicken wings. We dare say it’s even better than Korean fried chicken! Take a closer look and you will notice that the flesh has been scraped from one wing end to the other for easy consumption.

TOP-SHELL WITH FRIED TOFU

Orchid Live Seafood’s chef-recommended Top-shell With Crispy Tofu (S$12) instantly reminded us of a Thai salad. This semi-spicy dish features tofu with sliced cucumber, onions and sesame seeds; the mixture is then drizzled with a hot sauce.

SPINACH WITH THREE EGGS

This plate of Spinach With Three Types Of Eggs (small – S$12, medium – S$15) is a Chinese classic that nailed all the right spots.

The sweet hearty clear chicken broth and fresh greens are served in a pot set atop a fire so your dish stays warm throughout your meal.

SWEET POTATO BALLS WITH YAM PASTE

These Sweet Potato Balls with Yam Paste (S$20 per set) might look unassuming, but it sure left an everlasting impression. Who would have thought these bite-size balls could be so addictive?!

These warm mini balls are delightfully soft inside—with the first layer being sweet potato mash, and the inner layer yam paste. Each golden-brown orb is dusted with icing sugar.

A HUGE SELECTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CRAFT BEERS 

Interestingly, Orchid Live Seafood is home to a huge collection of South African craft beers. You can purchase these imported bottles from S$8 for a Eversons Cloudy Apple Cider to S$14 for a Citizen Beer Pacifist Winter Porter.

Quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy 40% off craft beers with any purchase of items on the menu (valid only on weekdays and until 31 Dec 2016).

Orchid Live Seafood has also opened its reservations for Chinese New Year dinners. Set menus are available; premium seafood and honest cooking are befitting of that annual reunion dinner. Prices start from S$268 nett for 4 pax, to S$468 nett for 6 pax and S$488 nett for 8 pax.

Orchid Live Seafood
16 Jalan Kelulut
Singapore 809033
Tel: +65 6484 2495
Nearest Station: Fernvale

This post is brought to you by Orchid Live Seafood.