With all the hype over major events such as the opening of Jewel and Shilin-inspired Night Market in April, it’s time to take things down a notch and bask in some slow and easy vibes. Make May the month for a rendezvous in a speakeasy bar or a casual catch-up in a luxe F&B with pampering gourmet food.

For a change from the usual café-hopping and quick Instagrammable bites, wind down with classy nosh and artisanal concoctions for drinks. We found quiet spots right in the city hidden away from its hustle and bustle.

Here is our curated list of 10 new openings for you to drop by this May. We made sure to include an izakaya, some quiet places with lip-smacking bowls, plus a couple of enclaves to explore over toasts with tipples.

Photo Credit: 51 Soho

51 SOHO

51 Soho is a luxurious restaurant that bathes you in blue light and serenades you with acoustics as you step in. Their all-day dining concept elevates one-bowl lunch meals in the Central Business District with their Pan Seared Chicken Breast. Dinner with them is made interesting with Salmon & Pearl.

51 Telok Ayer St, #01-01
Singapore 048441
Tel: +65 9755 1058
Mon to Fri: 8am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

B BAR

Rendezvous over tipples at b bar, a speakeasy beyond the Wines and Spirits alley in habitat by honestbee. Slide open their full-length mirror facade of a door and step into a green-hued classy bar that is heavily enshrouded in darkness. Their cocktails are grouped by alcohol content; look forward to stellar grub too, such as our favourite rosemary fries.

34 Boon Leat Terrace, #01-01
Singapore 119866
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 12am
Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Panjang

Photo Credit: botany.sg

BOTANY BY DAZZLING CAFE

Dazzling Cafe may have closed but you can still get your honey toast fix at Botany By Dazzling Cafe—co-owned by local actress Julie Tan. Dine slow by the river where sinful eating coexists with healthy nosh.

86 Robertson Quay, #01-03
Singapore 238245
Tel: +65 6951 4861
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8:30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: CHEEK BISTRO

CHEEK BISTRO

CHEEK BISTRO takes over Cheek By Jowl but with a cheeky and different direction. Their menu pushes out small and large sharing plates with familiar flavours but in exciting guises with bold flavour combinations or unconventional executions. Think Beef Tartare with millet and desserts such as Goat Cheese Parfait with berries.

21 Boon Tat St
Singapore 069620
Tel: +65 6221 1911
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 6pm – 10:30pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: Idlewild

IDLEWILD

Plan your next cocktail destination to Idlewild. They give you a globetrotter experience with drinks inspired by 10 cities along the popular Transatlantic Route—Dublin, Rome, Lima, Lisbon, New York, Casablanca, London, Paris, Mexico City, and Havana. Signatures include Rooster of Barcelos and Journey of Limun.

80 Middle Rd
Lobby Level
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1045
Tue to Thu & Sun: 5pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 2am
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

JW360° CAFE

JW360° is a Japanese concept store that comprises JW360° Cafe, Suju Restaurant, and a retail corner called Nomono. Try their ultra premium strawberry gelato made from Amao strawberries after enjoying Western-influenced Japanese cuisine. Their Mixed Katsu set is crispy and their Gindara Misozuke Yaki features a grilled miso-marinated codfish that easily melts in your mouth.

78 Airport Boulevard, #01-223/224/225
Jewel Changi Airport
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6243 2466
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

Photo Credit: Olivia Restaurant & Lounge 

OLIVIA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

Nestled in the Keong Siak neighbourhood in KeSa House is Olivia Restaurant & Lounge which is a window into dining in Barcelona. Their menu embodies a Mediterranean essence with elevated homestyle cooking so you can relax late into the evening over their dishes. Some highlights are their Japanese Tuna Cheek and Olivia’s Creamy Homemade Cheesecake.

55 Keong Saik Rd
Singapore 089158
Tel: +65 6221 0522
Tue to Sat: 9am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Outram Park

THE DRAGON CHAMBER

Singapore’s only speakeasy restaurant, The Dragon Chamber, has reopened behind a corner fridge in an unassuming coffee shop. With its enigmatic “secret society” decor, it is a spot to visit at least once for the experience. Complete it with their Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun which still gets us raving and their Dragon’s Claw which remains a showstopper for the brave.

2 Circular Rd
Singapore 049358
Tel: +65 6805 8181
Mon to Fri: 10am – 12am
Sat: 5pm – 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: The Old Man

THE OLD MAN

‘The Old Man and the Sea’ is a novel on perseverance in pursuit of a big fish and, in that same vein, The Old Man is Agung Prabowo’s big catch and dream. This award-winning cocktail bar is furnished with touches of island life. Order inventive sips like Death In The Afternoon which blends absinthe, sparkling wine, and coconut-pandan yoghurt or A Farewell To Arms for a safe favourite.

YUJIN IZAKAYA

Yujin Izakaya is tucked away along Zion Road with dynamic manga scenes hung on their wall. Step past their metal mesh doors to an open kitchen for creative bites inspired by traditional Japanese izakaya. Their menu includes cold and hot appetisers, smokey grilled dishes, beautifully singed skewered items, lip-smacking bowls, and light desserts.

56 Zion Rd
Singapore 247781
Tel: +65 6235 0429
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 12am
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Gram—famous souffle pancakes from Japan—is coming to Singapore.

You’d probably have seen photos and boomerang videos of these fluffy pancakes on Instagram. They jiggle when you shake the plate, they really do. Gram Cafe & Pancakes will be opening in Singapore at VivoCity level 2 in June 2019.

The soufflé pancakes come in a stack of three thick pieces. The cream-coloured goodie is cooked to order and served warm, and freshness is guaranteed. This means you should tuck into it right after taking your photos and boomerang videos.

And yes, they do live up to the hype. It is not just a marketing gimmick as you might see it as. Well, we admit we were sceptical too but hell, were we proven wrong!

In Japan, Gram Cafe & Pancakes serves only 20 soufflé pancakes at these three timings—11am, 3pm & 6pm. It is not clear if Gram Cafe & Pancakes Singapore will have the same approach.

Gram Cafe & Pancakes Singapore
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Consecutively awarded the ‘World’s Best Airport’ for its sixth year in 2018—the first time in the history of the awards—, Changi Airport dubs itself as ‘an airport worthy of being a destination in itself’ for good reason. 

Jewel Changi Airport will be Singapore Changi Airport’s newest addition and unmistakably one of the most highly-anticipated openings in our city. Opening on 17 April 2019, this complex will house some of the world’s biggest f&b brands such as popular American burger franchise Shake Shack, A&W and London’s famous Burger & Lobster.

Before the official opening, a public preview will be held from 11 to 16 April 2019 for everyone to have a sneak peek. A total of about 500,000 free tickets will be available and it will run in four three-hour time blocks from 10am to 10pm daily.

The 14,000 sq m Canopy Park—located on the top floor of Jewel Changi Airport—is not available and it will be open to the public only in the middle of the year.

Here’s what you can expect to find in Jewel Changi Airport!

The 10-storey complex will cover a gross floor area of 134,000 meters square and will comprise a whole range of play attractions for both kids and adults alike, a variety of popular restaurants and retail brands.

To date, more than 90% of their retail space has already been occupied by big brands, including NYC’s famous Shake Shack and sportswear giant Nike. Whether you’re looking for international cuisines or local fare or even a place to sit down and sip on a pint of beer, this new mall has covered it all.

A&W

After having left our sunny shores 10 years ago, we thought that the popular American fast food chain A&W will be gone for good. Good news to fans of their famous root beer float, waffles and curly fries—A&W will be re-opening in Singapore as one of the tenants in Jewel Changi Airport!

BURGER & LOBSTER

Those who have travelled to London should be familiar with Burger & Lobster, London’s famous lobster roll restaurant. Known for its rustic yet luxurious concept, the brand’s Singapore outpost will include new dishes that are inspired by local flavours, alongside their signature lobster rolls and burgers.

Photo Credit: Collin’s

EL FUEGO BY COLLIN’S®

Good news to our Muslim friends—well-known Western chain, COLLIN’S, will be opening a branch that specialises in halal European cuisine at Jewel Changi Airport. Branded as El Fuego, diners can tuck into the edible likes of steak, oysters, seafood and more here!

Photo Credit: Laderach

LÄDERACH

Consistently ranked among the top chocolate brands in Switzerland, Läderach has been around since 1962 and now has 65 outlets across Switzerland, Germany, the Middle East and Asia. Promising the use of top-quality cocoa beans, their handmade chocolates will be air-flown and sold in their new outlet in Jewel Changi Airport come end-March.

Photo Credit: Pink Fish

PINK FISH

A Norwegian brand, Pink Fish is a salmon-centric restaurant that focuses heavily on sustainability. Using solely fresh Norwegian salmon, the restaurant aims to serve as a wholesome, healthy alternative to fast-food restaurants and their outlet at Jewel Changi Airport will its first ever outlet outside of Norway. Here you can expect a variety of salmon dishes in the form of burgers, wraps, hot pots and salads!

POKEMON CENTRE

The world’s only Pokémon Centre outside of Japan is set to open in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport next year. As with every Pokémon Centre, you can expect to find seasonal and regional exclusive toys, stationery, trading cards, jewellery and even chopsticks! In addition, this outlet will be selling Pikachu plushies in pilot and cabin crew uniform, which are only available exclusively in Singapore!

SHAKE SHACK

Since its humble beginnings as a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park, Shake Shack is currently one of the most well-known fast food chains in the world, operating 136 locations internationally. The fast-food brand will be making its debut in Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport and will be having the same menu as Shake Shack in the US and South Korea.

TIGER STREET LAB

Sip on some local beer whilst touring the new mall with homegrown beer brand, Tiger Beer. The local brand will be unveiling a first-in-the-world concept in Jewel, Tiger Street Lab which will feature both F&B and retail elements. Look forward to Tiger’s usual range of beers as well as exclusive-to-Jewel seasonal brews and pair them with some of Singapore’s street food which will also be available on Tiger Street Lab’s menu.

Photo Credit: Yelp

RETAIL STORES

Besides the myriad of dining destinations, Jewel Changi Airport will also host numerous retail brands where you can shop till you drop and get some retail therapy.

Of which, sportswear giant Nike will be opening a 1000 square meter store, its largest outlet in Southeast Asia. Local, homegrown brands such as Naiise and Supermama will also be introducing first-of-its-kind concepts for their stores in Jewel as part of Changi Airport’s efforts to introduce Singaporean brands to the rest of the world.

Read: Jewel Changi Airport Food Directory – 111 restaurants, eateries and cafes to dine at

Famous American fast food restaurant chain, Shake Shack is coming to Singapore in 2019! Shake Shack has officially confirmed the news on its Instagram account that it will be opening the first outlet at Jewel Changi Airport which is scheduled to open in end March 2019.

Even if you have not tried it, you would have seen pictures of their juicy burgers all over social media. And now, this New York City institution—known for its simple, yet extremely satisfying burgers, hot dogs and shakes—is expanding to Singapore shores. Isn’t this every burger lover’s wildest dreams come true?!

Since its humble beginnings as a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park, Shake Shack is currently one of the most well-known fast food chains in the world, operating 136 locations internationally.

Shake Shack Singapore will be having the same menu as Shake Shack in US and South Korea. Unlike Shake Shack Dubai which is halal certified, Shake Shack Singapore does not have a halal certification. But we are definitely hoping that they will be halal certified so that our Muslim friends will get to enjoy the burgers and shakes.

Shake Shack Singapore
Jewel Changi Airport
Airport Blvd
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

Read: A&W Singapore is also opening at Jewel Changi Airport in 2019.