We all have a soft spot for nostalgic places that remind us of the good times and bring us back to rekindle the fondest memories of the past.

Especially the old-school ones, just family-run traditional eateries in Singapore that serve up hearty and honest food. These are the OG spots where our parents and even grandparents used to eat at years ago.

Here are 10 old-school eateries in Singapore that you should visit before they close down for good.

ANANDA BHAVAN RESTAURANT

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. The very first restaurant that opened was located along Selegie Road, at the rim of Little India and is a popular spot among locals.

Ananda Bhavan has many traditional snacks and tiffin dishes on its menu with their thosai, thali sets and bhatura being crowd favourites.

58 Serangoon Road
Singapore 217964
Tel: +65 6396 5464

CHIN CHIN EATING HOUSE

Chin Chin Eating House has been around for decades and it is known for their chicken rice and Hainanese dishes. You must order the signature Hainanese pork chops!

19 Purvis Street
Singapore 188598
Tel: +65 66337 4640

COLBAR

Offering a full-on menu of both Asian and Western fare, Colbar is one of the few gems in Singapore that we can safely say, has truly stood the test of time. Opened in 1953, the establishment formerly served as a canteen for the British army. It, therefore, gave rise to its name, Colbar, otherwise referred to as ‘Colonial Bar’.

Granted, Colbar’s food isn’t exactly cheap. But few places in Singapore can match the dining experience here.

Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859

HEAP SENG LEONG

Heap Seng Leong is one of the surviving coffee shops in Singapore that still sells this old-school drink. Entering their humble space is often described as walking into a museum showcase of a 1950s kopitiam.

The old furnishing and dim lighting inside felt like a serene contrast to the modern coffeeshop right beside Heap Seng Leong. Time stood still as we started our day there and nourished ourselves while the uncle who wears the same pajamas each day went about pouring coffee for other customers. Having a slow breakfast there made for a peaceful morning.

10 North Bridge Rd, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Tel: +65 6292 2368

GUAN HOE SOON

Guan Hoe Soon is a hidden gem in Joo Chiat that has dedicated itself to Peranakan cuisine ever since 1953. The restaurant might be a little bit of a hassle to get to unless you drive, but the food speaks of something worth the effort of getting to.

Here is where you can get proper Peranakan food as good as the ones your Nonya grandparents used to whip up (if you ever had any). Expect the classics such as their Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Fish and Babi Panggang.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761

LOVE CONFECTIONERY

When it comes to traditional confectioneries done right, nothing beats a good-old vintage bakery or confectionery. One such confectionery that still stands and is still a perennial favourite among many Singaporeans, is Love Confectionery.

At this neighbourhood bakery located in Alexandra Village, you won’t find dainty designs or out-of-this-world flavour pairings. Instead, what you can be sure of, are rich, sweet and intensely flavoured cakes that will no doubt have you yearning for the gym after—from their oh-so-decadent buttercream cake and their ever-popular, pandan chiffon cake.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-60
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385

RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—that comes with middle-aged ladies pushing food carts around with a myriad of edible dim sum treats—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any most of the great dim sum restaurants in Singapore, in fact, quality has dropped a lot over the years. But it will always hold a special place in our hearts as we have grown up dining here.

54 Chin Swee Road #07-23
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266

SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM

Serving up delicious murtabak since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is a humble restaurant located along North Bridge Road that is no stranger to locals—especially the meat lovers. Our personal favourites include the mutton murtabak that sees generous amounts of minced mutton, egg and onions as well as the chicken murtabak that uses shreds of chicken instead.

697-699 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Tel: +65 6298 6320

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast places in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and traditional coffee.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083

YY KAFEI DIAN

Located in an old shophouse at the junction of Beach Road and Purvis Street, YY Kafei Dian is known for its traditional Hainanese fare and their famous old-school kaya toast, kopi.

On the menu, you can find Hainanese fare including chicken rice, Hainanese-style pork chops, Hainan Braised Pork Belly and a range of zi char dishes.

There is always a long queue during lunch hours, so make sure that you get there early.

37 Beach Rd, #01-01, Singapore 189678
Tel: +65 6336 8813

Before the trend of hipster and thematic eateries, there were the old-school ones, just simple family-run establishments that serve up good grub. These are the original spots where our parents and even grandparents used to eat at during their youth.

Sure, they may not dish out fancy culinary skills or possess any aesthetic qualities worthy of the ‘gram’, but what you can expect are honest food and a homely atmosphere. Here are 9 old-school eateries that you should visit before they officially become history.

#1 ANANDA BHAVAN RESTAURANT

Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. The very first restaurant that opened was located along Selegie Road, at the rim of Little India and is a popular spot among locals.

Ananda Bhavan has many traditional snacks and tiffin dishes on its menu with their thosai, thali sets and bhatura being crowd favourites.

58 Serangoon Road
Singapore 217964
Tel: +65 6396 5464
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Little India

#2 BISCUIT KING

If you happen to be an avid fan of nostalgia and all things authentically Singaporean, then Biscuit King is a place you most definitely have to check out. Stepping into this humble snack shop will transport you back to your beloved childhood days—that is if you happen to be born before the late 90s.

Biscuit King is an old-school tidbit and toy wonderland that brims with nostalgia. From iconic past-times such as ‘pick-up sticks’ and ‘snakes and ladders’ that we used to indulge in back in primary school, to childhood snack time favourites such as iced gems to pineapple jam biscuits, this is a place worth checking out no matter which generation you belong to.

130 Casuarina Road
Singapore 579518
Tel: +65 6458 0925
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

#3 GUAN HOE SOON

Guan Hoe Soon is a hidden gem in Joo Chiat that has dedicated itself to Peranakan cuisine ever since 1953. The restaurant might be a little bit of a hassle to get to unless you drive, but the food speaks of something worth the effort of getting to.

Here is where you can get proper Peranakan food as good as the ones your Nonya grandparents used to whip up (if you ever had any). Expect the classics such as their Ayam Buah Keluak, Assam Fish and Babi Panggang.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

#4 KENG ENG KEE SEAFOOD

Starting out as a Hainanese chicken rice stall and progressively transforming itself into a zi char stall in the 1970s, Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK) is one of the more prominent standouts in the sea of zi char stalls in Singapore.

Dishes that come highly recommended include the Salted Egg Crab, Fried Hor Fun and Coffee Pork Ribs, but as much as those items are our all-time must-haves whenever we go there, most, if not all their dishes are pretty spot on as well.

KEK is very popular and

124 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-136
Singapore 150124
Tel: +65 6272 1038
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#5 LOVE CONFECTIONERY

When it comes to traditional confectioneries done right, nothing beats a good-old vintage bakery or confectionery. One such confectionery that still stands and is still a perennial favourite among many Singaporeans, is Love Confectionery.

At this neighbourhood bakery located in Alexandra Village, you won’t find dainty designs or out-of-this-world flavour pairings. Instead, what you can be sure of, are rich, sweet and intensely flavoured cakes that will no doubt have you yearning for the gym after—from their oh-so-decadent buttercream cake and their ever-popular, pandan chiffon cake.

122 Bukit Merah Lane 1 #01-60
Singapore 150122
Tel: +65 6278 2385
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

#6 RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—that comes with middle-aged ladies pushing food carts around with a myriad of edible dim sum treats—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any of the finer dining dim sum concepts around, in fact, far from it. But what it can promise you, is an exceptional dim sum meal that will leave you full and happy.

54 Chin Swee Road #07-23
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#7 SINGAPORE ZAM ZAM

Serving up delicious murtabak since 1908, Singapore Zam Zam is a humble restaurant located along North Bridge Road that is no stranger to locals—especially the meat lovers. Our personal favourites include the mutton murtabak that sees generous amounts of minced mutton, egg and onions as well as the chicken murtabak that uses shreds of chicken instead. But of course, mixing your meats is an option as well so go right ahead and ask the staff.

697-699 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198675
Tel: +65 6298 6320
Daily: 7am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#8 TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Previously located in an iconic red and white building, Tong Ah Eating House is a traditional coffee shop that has been around since 1939 and has gained recognition for both its charcoal-toasted and steamed kaya toast.

While there is no lack of kaya toast sets in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that keeps customers going back for more. Everything is kept simple—from the modest wall decorations to their humble kaya toast and coffeeshop-style coffee.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

We’ve seen countless food and restaurant concepts from all over the world opening up here over the years and while Singapore remains a hub for all things new and trendy with regards to gastronomy, there are several heritage gems that still, and will always, bear timeless appeal.

These are the places that our parents and even grandparents used to frequent, the original hangout spots before the era of modern cafes and posh eateries. Taking a trip down memory lane, here is our list of 8 dining establishments that will transport you back to old Singapore.

BRITISH HAINAN

Tucked in the estates of Joo Chiat lies a quaint family-run restaurant—British Hainan—and dining here feels like we are taken back to 1960s. Once you step into the restaurant, you can find lots of vintage collectables like old gramophones, mixers and pay phone that we used in the past.

They serve multiple classic British dishes with a Hainanese twist, but the dishes to-die-for include their signature oxtail stew and their braised lamb shank.

75 Carpmael Road
Singapore 429812
Tel: +65 6336 8122
Mon to Sun: 11am – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar/Eunos

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COLBAR

First opened in 1953 at Jalan Hang Jebat to serve as the unofficial canteen for members of the British Army back in the day, Colbar is both a heritage site as well as a popular haunt for lovers of craft beer and a wide variety of both Chinese and Western grub.

The food is nothing much to rave about but what you do get is a charming and fascinating look into old colonial Singapore—and a couple of ice-cold artisanal beers too while you’re at it.

9A Whitchurch Road,
Singapore 138839
Tel: +65 6779 4859
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Queenstown

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COLONY

What sets Colony apart from other buffet restaurants is that they adorn a classic charm that transports you back to a time to when Singapore was still a developing state and the culinary journey at Colony will remind you of our heritage.

The Colony impresses even the most discerning taste buds through seven kitchens that showcase a mouth-watering spread of Chinese, Indonesian, Indian, Malaysian, Western and local dishes.

7 Raffles Ave
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
Singapore 039799
Tel: +65 6434 5288
Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 3.30pm – 5.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

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HEAP SENG LEONG

They say that you need to keep making changes in order to improve but Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop has proved that philosophy wrong. Established in 1974, this coffee shop has kept maintained its heritage by doing things the way it used to be done 40 years ago.

Apart from the traditional breakfast, Heap Seng Leong is well known for their kopi gu you, which is also known as butter coffee. The taste of kopi gu you is similar to that of a normal kopi but much creamier with a slice of cold butter that melts on top.

10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109
Singapore 190010
Daily: 4am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Lavender

KILLINEY KOPITIAM

Singapore’s second largest kaya toast chain with more than 20 outlets nationwide, Killiney Kopitiam is a well-established coffee shop with outlets conveniently located at popular locations, easy for their customers to find.

Many might think of Ya Kun when it comes to kaya toast but Killiney definitely puts up a good fight. Slathered with sweet kaya and butter in between the two slices of soft bread that have already been toasted to perfection, the aroma of the slightly burnt toast is hard to forget.

67 Killiney Road
Singapore 239525
Tel: +65 6734 3910 / 6734 9648
*Mon, Wed to Sat: 6am – 10pm
Tues & Sun: 6am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

(Killiney Kopitiam has multiple outlets)

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OLD SCHOOL DELIGHTS

Modelled to look like a typical classroom, Old School Delights is one of the most interesting vintage cafes we have ever been to. Decorated with chalkboards, wooden furniture, and a menu in a form of an exercise book, this place definitely makes us wish we were back in school because as much as we hated school, we have to admit that school days were definitely the best days of our lives.

Old School Delights strives to relive culinary memories of Singapore’s past through their authentic recipes that have been passed down through generations. A must-try at the café is their famous Old School Heritage Mee Siam that boasts over 30 years of history. The rich flavour of the mee siam paired with a touch of zesty lime just makes the whole dish perfect!

180 Kitchener Rd
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 6458 4518
*Mon to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

(Old School Delights has multiple outlets)

TONG AH EATING HOUSE

Although kaya toast sets can easily be found in Singapore, Tong Ah Eating House is one of those eateries that we just can’t get enough of, from its rustic, old-world charm to their stellar kopi and kaya toast offerings.

Their Traditional Kaya Toast Set comes with kaya toast, two soft-boiled eggs, and a drink. Toasted till slightly charred, the kaya toast was exceptionally crispy with a smoky aftertaste.

35 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089142
Tel: +65 6223 5083
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

YET CON RESTAURANT

Founded in 1940, Yet Con Restaurant has been dishing out plates of their popular and oh-so-tasty chicken rice even way before the Japanese occupation.

At Yet Con, their chicken is cooked for hours, which enhances the flavours of the meat and gives it its signature tenderness. You can really feel the firm texture of the meat, which was not too drying and their chicken skin is definitely not oily at all.

25 Purvis Street
Singapore 188602
Tel: +65 6337 6819
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

The Upper Thomson enclave is regarded by many as a foodie’s haven; you’d never go hungry there.

With so many food options to choose from and quite a number of eateries that open late into the night, you will never be short of options at any time of the day. From local delights to slightly more posh nosh and a smorgasbord of cafes and ice cream parlours, Upper Thomson is easily one of our favourite neighbourhoods to stuff ourselves silly at.

The food scene here is rather dynamic with eateries opening and closing as the months go by. If you are unsure of where to start, here is our comprehensive guide to 29 food places in Upper Thomson.

ALL THE BATTER

Weekends just got “all the batter” (all the better) with their exclusive Avocado Dessert Menu featuring highlights such as avocado cakes, smoothies and Avocado Milk Balls! Before you rush down to All The Batter at Jasmine Road—off Upper Thomson road—do note that it is open only during the weekends.

17 Jasmine Road
Adelphi Park
Singapore 576585
Tel: +65 8510 6313
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

AUNTIE KIM’S KOREAN RESTAURANT

One of the longest standing Korean restaurants in the neighbourhood, Auntie Kim’s sees a relatively large pool of regular clientele who constantly return for its delicious Korean fare.

Although a tad pricey, what you can expect from this humble establishment is a wide array of comforting stews, soups and even barbecue options that are just perfect for cold, rainy days.

265 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574392
Tel: +65 6452 2112
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

BAKER’S BREW STUDIO

Baker’s Brew Studio is a sanctuary for the baking enthusiasts in Singapore. Looking for a birthday cake? Look no further! Baker’s Brew is Singapore’s leading cake specialist.

Choose from their wide selection of artisanal bakes and if you are feeling adventurous enough, sign up for one of their baking classes too!

246H Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6493 2246
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

BAN LEONG WAH HOE SEAFOOD

Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood is packed with hungry diners daily and its slight inaccessibility is clearly not a deterrent as foodies would travel all the way there just to satisfy their seafood and zi char cravings.

Besides their famous chilli crabs and black pepper crabs, Ban Leong Wah Hoe is also renowned for their mouthwatering zi char. They have the best Har Cheong Gai (prawn paste chicken wings) in Singapore.

122/124 Casuarina Road
Singapore 579510
Tel: +65 6455 2824
Mon to Thu: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

BROWNICE ITALIAN VEGAN ICE CREAM & KITCHEN

Brownice is a restaurant and ice cream parlour that promises 100% vegan food, making it quite a rare find in Singapore.

As much as sceptics will go on about how vegan ice cream is not an ‘authentic’ dessert, we beg to differ. Their ice cream still packs the rich and creamy qualities of any typical ice cream.

8 Sin Ming Road, #01-03
Sin Ming Centre,
Singapore 575628
Tel: +65 6456 6431
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

CASUARINA CURRY

Casuarina Curry is hugely popular among the morning breakfast crowd for several good reasons. For one, they manage to nail the basics every time, whipping up crispy roti prata accompanied with a hearty fish or mutton curry.

Their ability to keep prices relatively low—considering how large their portion sizes are—is another reason why this humble prata shop has managed to retain a loyal customer base after all this time.

136 & 138 Casuarina Road
Tel: +65 6455 9093
Daily: 7am – 12am
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

COLUMBUS COFFEE CO.

Situated amidst the hustle and bustle of Upper Thomson Road is a brand new addition to Singapore’s cafe scene—Columbus Coffee Co.

Managed by the same people behind Atlas Coffeehouse and Lunar Coffee Brewers, Columbus Coffee Co. is a stylish new brunch concept that delivers a straightforward menu with exceptional yet not overly-pretentious dishes and a curated selection of coffee brews. Coffee aficionados may be interested to know that the coffee beans are roasted by Two Degrees North Coffee Co.

220 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574352
Tel: +65 6253 6024
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

DAAWAT TANDOORI

If you ever find yourself craving for a solid tandoori or even some North Indian sweets, Daawat Tandoori is the place you go to. Their kitchen is formed by a team of professional chefs from India so you can bet that their food is as authentic as it can get.

Some of the must-haves include their butter chicken as well as their assorted naan and tandoori meat offerings. For dessert, consider the gulab jamun, a milk-based dessert that swims in a rose flavoured sugar syrup.

207 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574346
Tel: +65 6822 3716
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

EDWIN & COOKS

Run by a team of experienced chefs from a multitude of culinary backgrounds, Edwin & Cooks started off as a kitchen and storage space for private chef services for parties and events and has since opened up their own bistro.

Some must-try items include the Sloppy Joes Dog (S$12) as well as the oh-so-sinful Chicken Burger (S$16) that features a crispy fried chicken thigh, generously slathered with their homemade buffalo wing and cheddar cheese sauce.

11 Sin Ming Road, #01-13
Thomson V Two
Singapore 575629
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

FATBOY’S THE BURGER BAR

At Fat Boy’s, it’s either go fat or go home.

The massiveness of their burgers is what makes this burger joint most attractive. Indulge in the sinful Fat Bastard (S$19.80); double beef patties, extra thick bacon, cheesy cheddar and a fried egg in between the fluffy sesame buns, or challenge the chef’s creation with the ‘Build Your Own Burger’ option.

187 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6252 8780
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 12am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

HABITAT COFFEE

Habitat Coffee needs no further introduction. It is easily the most popular cafe along the Upper Thomson stretch. While Habitat’s food remains subjective to those with discerning palates, it certainly serves one of the better coffees in Singapore. They are passionate about bringing different coffee blends of varying origins and each dine-in coffee is complemented with a caramel biscuit.

223 Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 6456 2567
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

LITTLE PART 1 CAFÉ

Little Part 1 Café is an indie cafe tucked away on the obscure Jasmine Road, situated among big bungalows off the main road. In a nutshell, they serve up comfort food from chicken and waffles to buffalo wings and decent coffee.

Beer aficionados get excited because they also house some rare Trappist beers from Belgium.

15 Jasmine Rd
Singapore 576584
Tel: +65 6451 7553
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 12am
Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

MANEKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

New to the bustling food enclave, taking over what used to be Nunsongyee Koran Dessert Cafe, Maneko Japanese Restaurant is a cosy, 30-seater eatery that serves quick, fuss-free Japanese delights ranging from sashimi, sushi, donburi, soba, udon and a huge selection of sides.

227 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574359
Tel: +65 6909 5401
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

MENG’S KITCHEN

Meng’s Kitchen is opened till 4.30am daily and 99% of its customers are there for their heavenly bak chor mee (minced pork noodles).

Despite the abundance of bak chor mee options all over Singapore, our love for Meng’s Bak Chor Mee remains loyal and sturdy.

246B Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574370
Tel: +65 6455 4890
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4.30am
Sun: 9.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

ONE MAN COFFEE

One Man Coffee is a speciality coffee concept that focuses on the art of the espresso. They share the premise with French eatery, Garçons, which operates in the evening once the humble coffee shop closes. As stunning as their humble brews and latte art are, we absolutely love their food as well.

Their Gashaus Eggs and Berries French Toast is a crowd favourite and just what you’d need for that weekend brunch.

215R Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 9658 1685
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Marymount 

PACAMARA BOUTIQUE COFFEE ROASTERS

This coffee shop that sits on the edge of the Upper Thomson stretch has a menu of salads and brunch items, wonderful coffee and a variety of hipster bottled drinks as well.

Their truffle fries are by far one of the best we have ever had and makes an excellent side item. Other stellar dishes to consider include their Chicken Mushroom Mac & Cheese (S$17.50), Slow Cooked Ox Cheek (S$24) as well as their Blueberry Pancakes (S$17.50).

185 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574333
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PARKER KOREAN RESTAURANT

Parker boasts a homey, no-frills vibe that is great for family dinners. Compared to Auntie Kim’s, this Korean eatery is more affordable. While it looks unassuming, do not let its dodgy exterior intimidate you.

They serve up a massive variety of yummy Korean dishes and stews that ooze comfort especially during cold days.

209 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574347
Tel: +65 6251 2606
Daily: 11am – 3.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PASTA J

What initially began as a hawker stall that used to focus on a small variety of dishes and their signature bottled pesto is now a full-service restaurant where you can find excellent pasta and unconventional dishes such as Ultimate Kaya Toast and Western-inspired dumplings.

Dogs are allowed on the premises in the restaurant (although they do not have a menu for your furballs) so feel free to bring your four-legged pals along as well.

205 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574345
Tel: +65 9004 1800
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marymount

PEPERONI PIZZERIA @ THOMSON

At Peperoni Pizzeria, all their pies are cooked traditionally in a wood-fired oven and topped generously with fresh ingredients and this is no different at their Upper Thomson outlet.

From the classic pancetta that features cured bacon, sliced tomatoes and an egg to their newer chilli crab pizza, there is bound to be something fit for your palate.

267 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574394
Tel: +65 6509 1575
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

PHO VIET

A relatively new addition to the slew of cafes and eateries in Upper Thomson, this humble Vietnamese eatery—situated along the same stretch where Maneko Japanese Restaurant and One Man Coffee are located at—serves up hearty bowls of pho as well as a variety of rice dishes. Though not the best we’ve tasted, they are the only Vietnamese joint in the whole of Upper Thomson.

215M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 8518 0090
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

SCISSOR CUT CURRY RICE

For rustic and affordable grub that spells hearty but isn’t something fit for the ‘gram’, Scissor-Cut Curry Rice is the place to go.

Choose from their wide selection of ingredients and watch as the cook cuts them up into all sorts of odd shapes and sizes. The finale comes when the thick curry is ladled over to give you what is probably the most soul-satisfying meal you will ever have.

244p Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574369
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

OMOTÉ

Popular chirashi don eatery in Thomson Plaza, the humble Japanese joint had recently moved into a much bigger space on level 2, adopting its new name, Omoté. Their awesome value-for-money Bara Chirashi Don is a must-try. But do not be fooled by its unbelievably affordable price tag because what you get are insanely thick cubes of fish and a generous amount of Japanese rice.

No doubt the queues might be off-putting, but we assure you it is definitely worth the wait!

#01-22/30, 301 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574408
Tel: +65 9450 1020
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 11.45am – 2.15pm, 5.45pm – 9.15pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

THRIVE

New to Upper Thomson Road’s cluster of vibrant cafes and eateries is Thrive, a new boho-themed cafe that specialises in artisanal coffee, loaded healthy toasts and acai bowls—or should we say cups. They are a joint collaboration between Boxgreen and An Acai Affair and the very first one to set up shop.

215B Upper Thomson Road,
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 9688 9211
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

THE ROTI PRATA HOUSE

One of the best crispy roti prata according can be found right in The Roti Prata House. The pratas here strike a perfect balance between crispy and fluffy which we absolutely adore.

Sweet pratas such as kaya pratas and strawberry pratas are also available. Other mains include nasi briyani and mee goreng in endless variations. The Roti Prata house opens till as late as 4am on Fridays and Saturday,s which makes it an ideal supper place.

246 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 574370
Sun to Thu: 7am – 2am
Fri & Sat: 7am – 4am
Nearest Station: Marymount

THUS COFFEE

Nestled in the Sembawang Hills Estate neighbourhood is Thus Coffee, a chic cafe that offers stellar grain bowls, pasta, brunch, hearty stews and coffee.

Not only that, coffee aficionados can take pleasure in knowing that their coffee beans are freshly roasted in-house—something often overlooked at many cafes in Singapore.

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

TOMOE JAPANESE CUISINE

From their early beginnings in 1990, Tomoe Japanese Cuisine is a cosy eatery that has a menu of bento sets, udon and sashimi.

They may not possess anything unique but what you can definitely bank on is decent Japanese food when you do not want to be part of the queues for Japanese restaurants in town.

263 Upper Thomson Road, #01-01
Singapore 574390
Tel: +65 6732 7522
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

TUK WAN KITCHEN

Known for dishing out tasty Thai dishes with a slight local twist, it didn’t take long for Tuk Wan Kitchen to gain immense popularity among the residents of Upper Thomson.

Evenings often see a full house and just looking at their stellar line-up of tasty dishes from their deep-fried barramundi with a Thai-style sambal to their pimped up mango sticky rice, we can see why.

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.

10 Jalan Leban
Singapore 577551
Tel: +65 6748 9909
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WILDER MANN GERMAN RESTAURANT BAR

Set in a quaint stretch of old shophouses along Upper Thomson Road, Wilder Mann has been decorated to reproduce a unique German atmosphere, where you and your friends can have a solid time over beers and good old German food.

Fridays and Saturdays are pork knuckle days so be sure to snag those bad boys quick before they run out.

906 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 787110
Tel: +65 9879 9544
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11.45pm
Sat: 6pm – 1am
Sun: 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WORD CAFE

Word Cafe is a Muslim-owned cafe that exudes hipster-esque vibes. They are also very popular for their rainbow bagels.

But aside from being pretty to look at, they are also used in a variety of tasty burgers. Their Handsome Burg (S$20) is an absolute show stopper.

906 Upper Thomson Rd
Singapore 787110
Tel: +65 9742 9224
(Closed on Mondays)
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

WONG CHIEW EATING HOUSE

Despite being around for over a decade now, this humble corner coffee shop hasn’t gotten much limelight, but trust us when we say that these folks are worth a visit. Opened 24-hours a day, they dish out anything from roast meat, various rice and noodle dishes, dim sum as well as their signature Kampung Chicken.

19 Sembawang Road
Singapore 779075
Tel: +65  6456 6838
Nearest Station: Khatib/ Yio Chu Kang

British Hainan is a quaint family-run restaurant tucked away along Carpmael Road in the estates of Joo Chiat. They serve a myriad of classic British dishes with a Hainanese twist, but the dishes to die for include their signature oxtail stew and their braised lamb shank.

The owner, Mr. Frederick Puah, considers himself an aficionado of antiques and all things vintage, so dining here will no doubt give you a feel of the good old days. Expect to find age-old vinyl records, old gramophones, and even a public pay phone.

Combining great food, old-school vibes, and exceptional service standards, British Hainan is a place that deserves a visit by generations old and new.

British Hainan exudes a homely feel with no regards whatsoever to organisation—antiques can be seen strewn all over the place. Nonetheless, this organised chaos is precisely why we find this humble establishment so charming.

They cater more to dinner crowds, and only open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays.

British Hainan’s Sambal Wings (S$8) arrived piping hot and they were well fried without being oily. The sambal sauce was incredibly fragrant and we liked that just the right amount of sambal sauce was used, ensuring that the chicken wings still retained its crispiness.

The Traditional Hainanese Oxtail Stew (S$27.90) is no doubt our favourite item on the menu—this is a stew that is hard to beat. The oxtail itself is melt-off-the-bone tender and the sauce is incredibly luscious without being too heavy, unlike many other stews we have tried.

An interesting point to note is that their stew base is sweetened using root vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots, not regular cane sugar. The restaurant also prides themselves with not using MSG in any of their dishes.

When the Hainanese Pork Chop (S$14.90) arrived, we were a little taken aback because it did not look like anything special—but how wrong we were. Upon taking the first bite, we were transported to textural and flavour heaven.

The pork chop was incredibly crunchy and the sauce that accompanied it was immensely flavourful. The sauce is sweetened the same way as their stews with no MSG.

British Hainan is undoubtedly one of our favourite restaurants in the East Coast neighbourhood for the very simple reason that it is a place brimming with great food and humble hosts who will do their utmost to ensure you feel at home every time.

British Hainan
75 Carpmael Road
Tel: +65 6336 8122
Sun to Thu: 6pm - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2017/07/british-hainan-singapore/feed/ 1 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/10/krazy-salad-bar/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/10/krazy-salad-bar/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2016 02:00:54 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=108197 Continue reading →]]>

Sitting in the heartlands of Singapore, in the bustling neighbourhood of Toa Payoh is Krazy Salad Bar, a nondescript eatery that is more than just salad. It is a semi-buffet place that has a full menu of Western main courses and we love them for their value-for-money main course + salad bar concept.

Of course, it is up to you whether you want to go for the full works, and you can always just opt for just the main course or the salad buffet. But if we are telling you that for under S$20, you get free flow of main courses, salad and desserts, would you not be tempted?

Now, this offer right in the heart of Toa Payoh Central is a gem—yes you need to check out Krazy Salad Bar.

From now until 30 November 2016 (Mon – Thu), readers of ladyironchef can simply quote “ladyironchef” or flash this post to enjoy the free top-up of a salad buffet, or to enjoy a discounted top-up of S$5 for free flow main courses from the special promotional menu.

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SALAD BAR

While you may frown upon salads, let’s just say Krazy’s salad bar is more than just vegetables and healthy whatnots.

There is a selection of soups on a weekly rotation. Soup choices range from the highly popular Mushroom Soup to comforting Clam Chowder Soup and Country Pumpkin Soup. The Mushroom Soup is a mainstay because it is the most well-loved for its chunky, creamy goodness.

The salad and toppings are also on rotation. Enjoy free-flow Smoked Duck Salad on the first week; Pumpkin and Cashew on the second; and Hawaiian Chicken on the third… you get the drift.

At Krazy Salad Bar, some vegetables such as Tangy Romaine, Green Caesar and Lollo Red are actually local produce from Singapore’s very own vegetable farm. And the best news is that they are pesticide-free! Indeed, the vegetables are a lot more crisp, fresh and sweet.

And did we mention that there is free-flow soft serve, too?

The all-you-can-eat salad bar is available as an a la carte at S16.90 (lunch) & $19.90 (dinner) and S$9 as an add-on to your main. But you know what is the good news?

Simply flash this post upon ordering and the add-on fee of S$9 will be waived entirely. In other words, with every order of a main course, you are entitled to a buffet at the salad bar too!

KRAZY PEPPERY RIBS

Oh, just look at that glorious rack of ribs. Baked slowly in the oven, the Krazy Peppery Ribs (S$28.90) are glazed with homemade peppery BBQ sauce. We enjoyed pulling the ribs apart and have it fall into a beautiful mess of tender meat and sticky peppery BBQ sauce.

TENDERLOIN STEAK

You might sceptical about a steak at a salad bar. We shared the exact sentiments too before taking a bite into the tenderloin. Our medium rare steak (S$29.9) was juicy and flavourful, to say the least.

Red wine infused gravy poured over the steak gave it an extra oomph, and it was the kind of comforting Western food goodness that reminded us of good old childhood days when our parents would reward us with a good Western meal if we did well in school.

HOT LAVA CHICKEN

This one is for those who want something spicier and more kickass. The Hot Lava Chicken (S$13.90++) is served with Chef David’s homemade hot and spicy lava sauce, and was strongly recommended to us as one of the best sellers in the house.

We could see why it is a favourite among regulars for the marinated chicken thigh was so tender, with hints of BBQ sauce and chilli, and complete with a smoky aftertaste.

TYSON PORK CUTLET

It is not just the Japanese who serve up good pork cutlets. The pork cutlet (S$13.90++) we had at Krazy Salad Bar was extremely crispy. Every piece is double crumbed and deep fried till golden brown, and Chef Tyson’s recipe carries a mild charred taste which balances well with the accompanying sweet sauce.

OTHER MAINS AT KRAZY SALAD BAR

Besides the dishes that we’ve mentioned, Krazy Salad Bar has an extensive menu which has other main courses such as Battered Fish & Chips, Surf & Turf, Pan-seared Salmon Steak, Lemongrass Pacific Dory, Pan-seared Duck Breast and Oriental Pork Chop.

EXCLUSIVE PROMOTION FOR READERS OF LADYIRONCHEF

There are various top-up options, but our readers are exclusively entitled to a complimentary salad bar top-up when you quote “ladyironchef” or flash this post upon placing your order. This means you are only paying for your main course but your meal will come complete with salads, pasta, soups and more at the all-you-can-eat salad bar.

The next option, which is the one we prefer, is a top-up of S$9 (Option B) on top of your mains from Krazy’s special promotional menu—which includes mains such as Hot Lava Chicken, Salmon Steak, Pork Cutlet, Sirloin Steak and American Sticky Ribs—to enjoy the salad bar buffet and endless mains!

That means paying only S$9 for your second or even third plate of Sirloin Steak. How awesome is that? And for Ladyironchef readers, the add-on fee for Option B will be only S$5 when you flash this post upon ordering. Yes, S$5 for a complete buffet. You know this is one deal you must not pass up on!

This exclusive promotion is valid on Mondays to Thursdays (not applicable on eve of and Public Holiday) from 13 October to 30 November 2016.

By the way, you don’t have to pay for GST when you dine at Krazy Salad Bar. This is really one wallet friendly semi-buffet place – for students, for those who are tight on their budgets, for those who are after a casual yet satisfying meal, for everyone who loves both their greens and meats!

Krazy Salad Bar
Toa Payoh Central (Above KFC)
#02-516, Block 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6
Singapore 310190
Tel: +65 6254 7872
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm (last order 9.30pm)
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

This post is brought to you by Krazy Salad Bar.

We all have a weak spot for nostalgic places that remind us of the good times and bring us back to rekindle the fondest memories of the past. Singapore is evolving so rapidly, as it takes its place in being one of the busiest countries in the world. In the midst of all these mayhem, we sometimes find ourselves going back to our comfort zones to reminisce the good old carefree days.

For those who are looking for a piece of the past to hang on to, we are here to provide some guidance on where you can do so. These cafes in Singapore will bound to invoke some of your coveted childhood memories, or you can take the time to simply discover the vintage objects that the older generations used to live with when they were young.

You will love these Nostalgic and Retro Cafes In Singapore That Will Take You Back To The Good Old Days.

#1 BRUNCHES CAFE

Situated along Rangoon Road, this furniture-cum-bakery cafe has an exceptional decor, cluttered with countless of vintage furniture which you can bag home at a price. Here at Brunches Cafe, you will not feel like you are dining in the usual cafe setting but in a factory store instead. One of the most distinct furnishing includes a mini-cooper turned dining table, allowing you to dine with an nostalgic experience you will never forget.

96 Rangoon Road
Singapore 218381
Tel: +65 8685 8488
Mon, Wed to Sun: 9am – 7pm
Closed on Tue
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

#2 LE HALO

Nothing screams retro as much as Le Halo does. They have also paired up with an online shop to sell vintage merchandises; talk about things that will sweep you back to the past. The warm and inviting cafe is a delight to step into, every time. Expect to find games of the 90′s such as Happy Family, 5 Stones and rubrics cube on every table.

Blk 4, Jalan Bukit Ho Swee, #01-162
Singapore 162004
Tel: +65 9736 8087
Mon, Wed – Sun: 10:30am – 6pm
Closed on Tue
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#3 MY AWESOME CAFE

This cafe will be hard to miss with a signage screaming “Chung Hwa Free Clinic” and an exterior of an old medicine hall – donned with hanging bulbs, retro furnitures and vintage knick-knacks. The Awesome Cafe serves really awesome sandwiches, croissants and salads and not to forget, Chinese medicine wines! Did we mention how much we love those motifs on the wall too?

202 Telok Ayer Street
Singapore 068639
Tel: +65 8428 0102
Mon to Tue: 7:45am – 10pm
Wed to Fri: 7:45am – 12am
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

#4 OLD SCHOOL DELIGHTS

Old School Delights at Upper Thomson Road is possibly one of the most interesting vintage cafes around, with an interior modelled after a typical classroom – wooden tables, tiled walls, menu in the form of a student handbook and vintage supplies packed at the corner of the cafe. The cafe ties in with the cultural roots of Singapore, dishing out old-school favourites such as Nasi Lemak (S$6.90) and Hainanese Chicken Cutlets (S$8.90).

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.

215 Upper Thomson Road
Singapore 574349
Tel: +65 6458 4518
Tue to Fri: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10:30pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Marymount

#5 OLD HABITS

Setting foot on Old Habits cafe is like walking into a museum filled with incredible finds of classic and retro items – typewriters, gramophones, vintage toys – you name it, they have it. They were all solely collected by the owner himself, and he now displays them in his cafe for everyone’s viewing pleasure. Time to snap away because those photos will be great for story-telling to your future generations.

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.

Blk 38, Telok Blangah Rise
Singapore 090038
Tel: +65 9644 2777
Tue to Thu, Sun: 11am – 9:30pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10:30pm
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

#6 SINPOPO BRAND

By the people of Awfully Chocolate, Sinpopo Brand caught our attention with its huge striking red signboard and its accompanying red gates. The cafe is furnished with a touch of retro-ness; think wooden stools, antique furniture and portraits. The menu is very locally inspired, with dishes such as the Rojak Slaw (S$10) and Luncheon Meat Marling Chips (S$6).

458 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427671
Tel: +65 6345 5034
Tue to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 12am
Closed on Mon
Nearest Station: Dakota

#7 TIAN KEE & CO

This vintage provision shop turned cafe is no stranger to many, well known for its Paddle Pop Cheesecake (S$7.50) and its other range of delicious bakes. It sits at the foot of a two-storey old shophouse and is embellished with wooden stools, old marble table tops and a welcoming front. It also has an alfresco dining area where you can soak in the quaint vibes of the neighbourhood.

12 Dakota Crescent, #01-48
Singapore 390012
Tel: +65 6344 8527
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dakota

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s best cafes.

About the writer:
Cassandra is a staff writer for ladyironchef. During her free time, she fuels her passion for fashion through shopping and indulges in all things food. She loves anything egg related and is always ready for a cafe-hopping adventure.