If you love luxuriating in weekend brunches, then you need to check out the all-new Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens for your next weekend indulgence.

Comfortably nestled in the spanking new Novotel Singapore on Stevens, this sleek restaurant spins up a plethora of international cuisine, allowing you to tuck into delectable food while overlooking the view of the hotel’s infinity pool.

As far as lavish Sunday brunches are concerned, freshness, quality and variety are some of the factors that we value most. Helmed by award-winning Finnish Head Chef Janne Ollikainen, the extensive buffet line at Food Exchange encompasses everything from fresh sashimi and seafood to hot cooking stations that serve up eggs, pasta and risotto à la minute, a myriad of roasted meats and more. They even have their very own DIY Bloody Mary bar so you can concoct your own brunch-time cocktail!

Food Exchange really epitomises the notion that brunch need not be stodgy to be immensely satisfying—just good quality ingredients executed properly. This Sunday Brunch is available at S$78++ per person; should you wish to further amplify your meal, a nominal top-up of S$50++ will entitle you to free-flow Moet Chandon champagne, red, white, rosé wine and draft beer.

Sunday brunches are a costly affair, but here’s the thing: what if we told you we have a special price for our readers? Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy the Sunday Brunch at S$120 for two pax that will run from now all the way until 25 February 2018! Do note that this promotion does not include alcohol, you can top up S$50++ per pax for free-flow alcohol.

Adorned with marble tabletops and lush leafy backdrops, the restaurant exudes a chic and stylish vibe. There is also an infinity pool located right outside where you can dine al fresco or simply take a dip before or after your meal.

Food Exchange’s Sunday brunch buffet offers a tempting fusion of Thai, Singaporean, Indian and European cuisine. Dishes are skilfully prepared using the freshest of regional ingredients at the open kitchen stations where curious diners are able to watch and marvel at the chefs at work.

CHARCUTERIE

One of our favourite things to pair with a dry, crisp glass of champagne is charcuterie (cold cured meats) and we were absolutely blown away by the restaurant’s range of cold cut options. Help yourself to endless servings of charcuterie options including the rich, robust flavours of the Jamon Iberico ham that boasted a sweet, nutty acorn flavour as well as the salty and rich coppa ham.

Other cured meat options to look forward to is the mortadella ham, smoked duck, beef salami and turkey ham which pair just as well with a bubbly or even a regular glass of wine. All their charcuterie are sliced on a regular basis to ensure utmost freshness.

THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD ON ICE WITH GIANT PRAWNS AND SNOW CRABS

If there was any way to accurately judge the standard of a buffet restaurant, perhaps looking at how fresh their live seafood offerings are would be one of them—and Food Exchange is definitely not one to disappoint.

Tuck into a sizeable yet manageable variety of crustaceans and shellfish from crayfish, snow crabs, mussels to MASSIVE tiger prawns as big as your face. Savour them alongside the many sauce options from the classic cocktail sauce to the piquant wasabi mayonnaise.

When you come across a restaurant that dedicates an entire long table just to cheese, you just know that they are mighty serious about it.

Whether it is a mild, creamy camembert or brie or a bold, stinky blue that you are after, you can bet that the cheese “shrine” will have something to entice. Man, we spent so much time there!

INDIAN TANDOORI SELECTION

Showcasing the very best of North Indian food, the Indian tandoori section consists of tandoori chicken, a few curry options and a variety of Naan bread for you to soak up those glorious curries and chutneys.

LIVE MEAT CARVING STATION

For the religious meat eaters, head on over to the live meat carving station. Simply approach one of the chefs behind the counter who will gladly carve up a slice or two of your preferred meat(s).

Be blown away by the incredibly moist and succulent roast chicken that comes served with a hearty chicken jus or let your senses take flight with the tender roast beef and pork neck that ooze flavour as well as a gorgeously pink interior.

FOIE-GRAS, EGG & PASTA LIVE STATION

Over at the live cooking stations, you can get a full array of enticing à la minute options from pasta, risotto and eggs; but our favourite was the pan-seared foie-gras prepared à la minute. Crispy on the outside but luxurious and fatty in the middle, this was the ultimate indulgence that had us going back for seconds and even thirds.

Served alongside a sweet and tangy berry compote and balsamic reduction, the rich goose liver was balanced out very nicely.

DIY BLOODY MARY

No brunch is ever truly complete without a Bloody Mary cocktail. This iconic brunch time aperitif is famed for its immensely savoury qualities that do well to stimulate the appetite and over at Food Exchange, they even have their own DIY Bloody Mary counter.

For the uninitiated, here is our pro tip: For a traditional Bloody Mary, you’re always going to start with a shot or two of good quality vodka followed a dash of Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, tomato juice as well as a tiny drop of tabasco for some heat. Lastly, squeeze a few drops of lime or lemon juice to brighten the drink up.

S$78++ per pax (S$60++ per pax if you quote ‘ladyironchef’) and it is inclusive of unlimited Bloody Mary cocktails? Sounds more than fantastic.

FREE-FLOW CHAMPAGNE, WINE & BEER

For an additional fee of S$50, you get to enjoy free-flow of Moet Chandon champagne, rosé, red and wine, as well as draft beers. The way we see it, if you’re planning to eat like royalty, you may as well drink like it too.

This Sunday Brunch is available at S$78++ per person or at S$128++ for free-flow Moet Chandon champagne, red, white, rosé wine and draft beer.

And to make things better, from now until 25 February 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy this lavish Sunday brunch buffet for 2 persons at only S$120++!

Sundays rarely get better than this and with so many enticing eats in store at Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens, you’d be incredibly silly to pass off this opportunity.

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

Weekday Lunch: Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, S$42++
Saturday Lunch: Saturday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, S$52++
Sunday Family Brunch: Sunday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, S$78++ / $128++ (Free flow Moet Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)
Hoiday Brunch: S$150++ for 2  (Non Alc) on 25 Dec 2017 Brunch and 01 Jan 2018

Weekday Dinner: Monday to Friday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, S$58++
Weekend Dinner: Saturday to Sunday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, S$68++

Food Exchange
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road,
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Email: h9543@accor.com
www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/food-exchange/

Mon to Fri: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 6.30am – 11am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6.30am – 11am, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Stevens

This post was brought to you by Novotel Singapore on Stevens.

This March, the Pearl Of Orient Penang Fiesta makes its return to the award-winning 10 at Claymore, situated in the lobby of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.

Since its debut last year, Executive Chef Andy Oh (who hails from the quaint town of Penang, Malaysia), has worked with his team to put together a big spread of authentic Penang dishes, which features iconic dishes as the tangy, spicy Penang Assam Curry Fish and the traditional Penang Bak Kut Teh. 

The Pearl Of Orient Penang Fiesta will only be running until the end of May this year, so be sure to make a reservation and have a taste of the finest and authentic Penang cuisine in Singapore.

On top of the Penang dishes, the buffet also features fresh offerings of seafood, especially freshly shucked oysters, lobsters and scallops—you will get your money’s worth when you dine there during dinner.

From 01 March 2017 to 31 May 2017, simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy a Pearl Of Orient Penang Fiesta Dinner buffet at S$98++ for 2 persons.

During the process of creating this menu, Executive Chef Andy and his team sought to design a menu that would reflect and “carry on the tradition of offering a variety of classic Penang dishes to bring diners as close as possible to the experience of walking along the streets of Penang.”

With that mission in mind, diners would be pleased to note that ingredients used have either been directly sourced from Penang or are the freshest and most premium of ingredients from local suppliers.

One dish you must look out for is the new Penang Assam Curry Fish. This is definitely one of the most exciting dishes that Executive Chef Andy has added this season!

We loved it for its extremely tasty and tangy sauce. Till today, we cannot forget that distinct aroma when the dish was first served to us. The robust flavours lingered, and we are salivating just at the thought of it now!

The Penang Nonya Perut Yikan is a dish that is prepared with Fish Stomach meat—a rarity in Singapore. Although most would usually avoid eating this part of the fish, we encourage you to throw away all preconceived notions of the fish stomach and to dig right into this dish.

The meat is soft and tender sans the overly strong fishy smell.

Although the signatures of 10 at Claymore include the Penang Char Assam Laksa and the Penang Prawn Noodles, our absolute favourite has still got to be, and will always be the Penang Char Koay Teow.

As the saying goes, old is gold. This is the dish that most would definitely want to get their hands on during a trip to Penang. The tasty fried flat noodles, coupled with juicy prawns and Blue Crab meat (oh my goodness!) amongst other ingredients, is accompanied by the distinct Wok Hei taste that is so hard to replicate and find in Singapore today.

One of our favourite dishes of the buffet is the traditional Penang Bak Kut Teh. A pork rib broth infused with special herbs and Sarawak peppercorn, Executive Chef Andy’s version of the Bak Kut Teh is a blend of both the peppery Singaporean version and herbal Malaysian style.

The broth is extremely nourishing for it is cooked with dang gui, chuan kong and ginseng root. What made this broth perfect for us was the slight hint of pepper amidst the amazing aroma of pork.

A crispy tart shell that is filled with savoury sliced vegetables and prawns, the Penang Kueh Pie Tee is another intricate yet simple and timeless Penang dish that is hard to not love.

This year, the Pearl of Orient Penang Fiesta buffet spread will also carry one of our local favourites—the five spices Ngoh Hiang. Paired together with sliced century eggs, this was a dish that we thoroughly enjoyed as the beancurd skin was crispy and the meat filling was super juicy!

The rojak offered at this year’s Penang Fiesta would comprise for the first time, Penang Pasembur (a rojak that is almost similar to our Singapore Indian Rojak). When eaten, it is dipped into a savoury, spicy sauce served on the side.

What makes the Pasembur really special is that it is closely associated with Penang, and can be eaten at Gurney Drive.

Then there is the Penang Rojak – also known as mixed fruit salad with shrimp paste – made with the shrimp paste hand-carried by Executive Chef Andy, all the way from his hometown in Penang.

It was brilliant. The Penang Rojak’s sweet sauce is infused with rich prawn flavours before being showered with a generous helping of peanuts, which brings about the ideal balance of sweet and salty.

Compared to regular expectations of a Singapore-style rojak, we are confident that this dish will strike a positive chord with all, even for those who usually avoid eating rojak.

Before you stuff yourselves silly with all the other savoury dishes, do make sure that you leave some space for the great spread of homemade Penang desserts; the Penang Kueh Katayap and the Penang Ondeh Ondeh are to die for.

Indeed, it is the touch of hands that really transforms a dish from zero to hero. Pastry Chef Eric has made the Penang Kueh Talam from scratch by extracting the juice from pandan leaves as well as freshly grated coconut milk.

When we tasted the Penang Kueh Talam, the dessert had an extremely smooth texture, and the fragrant flavours of the coconut and pandan melted in our mouths. Definitely a must-try, guys!

Once again, our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy the Penang Fiesta buffet at S$58++ for two (U.P. S$42++ per pax) during lunch from Monday to Friday, and at S$98++ for two (U.P. S$68++ per pax) during dinner from Monday to Sunday.

If you are going for lunch, do note that it is more of an international buffet with a limited selection of Penang dishes; only the signature Penang items will be available. The dinner buffet is where you get the full range of the Penang local dishes that we’ve featured in this post.

However, do also note that the menu items at the Penang Fiesta buffet are on a rotational basis, and subject to change without prior notice.

This exclusive promotion** is available from 01 March 2017 to 31 May 2017, terms and conditions apply.

**Not valid on any special occasions, the eve of public holidays or on public holidays. **Blackout and closed-out dates apply.
**Not valid with any credit card discounts and promotions or any ongoing promotions.
**Reservations are required.
**The hotel reserves the right to amend the promotional details without prior notice.

For all dining enquiries and reservations, please call +65 6831 6686 or email dining.ppsgo@panpacific.com.

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 6831 6686
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.

The Hotel Jen line of hotels is a perennial favourite among travellers of all sorts. It is a fun brand that plays around with modern touches and cheery colours, and the all new Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore is a swanky property with cosy vibes that is so easy to fall in love with.

After undergoing a whopping S$45 million renovation, Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore is now ready to impress with its facelift.

As part of the re-opening, Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore has a room stay deal that you totally cannot miss. With introductory room rates from S$165++ onwards that includes complimentary breakfast and wi-fi, this is a fantastic opportunity to check out the property. Travelers coming to Singapore, this is perfect for you. For the rest of us Singaporeans, does this not sound like a staycation to book right away?

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore sits at the end of Orchard Road, and is but a eight-minute stroll to the heart of the shopping street. All of Hotel Jen’s 565 rooms have been renovated and now boasts a spunky new interior, and it is one that guests can call home.

The rooms include free WiFi, USB charger outlets, high pressure walk-in showers, and king-sized “floating” beds with 300-thread count linen.

Of course, the pool is no less inviting, and it is almost crowd-less, making it a conducive environment for a quiet swim or some relaxing me-time.

For a limited time only, rooms will start from a promotional price of S$165++. Both breakfast and wi-fi will be included in this offer. The offer is open for bookings from now till 09 January 2016, and is valid for stays till 31 January 2016. For more information, visit their site here.

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore is open to guests and taking bookings through the website: hoteljen.com/tanglin or through phone reservations: + 65 6831 4333

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore
(Next to Tanglin Mall)
1A Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249716
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore.

Sunday brunch just got kicked up a notch with Hilton Singapore’s newly revamped Champagne buffet brunch special. We are telling you that this is easily among the best champagne brunches in Singapore, for the spread features only the most premium of ingredients at reasonable prices.

You bet we were awed by the array of fresh seafood, premium Australian meat cuts, gourmet European delicatessen and more. To say we were enticed by the sheer spread is an understatement. Very often, champagne brunches come with an exorbitant price tag, and for those who do not drink, paying the premium just does not make sense.

And it does not happen here at Hilton Singapore. There is an option for those who prefer to indulge in only the food at S$88++/pax, and there are two options for those who want to luxuriate further with sparkling wine, red and white wines, and champagne.

Readers of ladyironchef will be entitled to S$50 off Hilton Singapore’s Sunday brunch with a minimum of two paying adults. More details at the end of this post. Meanwhile, here are the highlights of Hilton Singapore’s Sunday Champagne Brunch.

WELCOME DRINK, SERVED TABLE-SIDE

But of course, a warm welcome first!

Alright, not really warm, but hey, we are talking about a complimentary Bloody Mary that is served table-side as a welcome drink. This pleasantly savoury drink is the perfect way to kick-start your meal here at Hilton Singapore. Think about how much a cocktail would typically cost, and you would know that you are beginning your meal with value already.

GREAT APPETISERS TO START THE BUFFET

Appetisers range from a fantastic Smorgasbord station to adorably plated small dishes. The latter really impressed us with the intricate plating, coupled with the use of premium ingredients.

Our picks are Alaskan Crab Meat with Mango Jelly, Tiger Prawn with Green Mango, Tuna Tartare with Avocado Mousse, Seafood Ceviche with Spicy Dressing and more. These spherical beauties sure whet our appetites with the freshness and clean tastes.

Not photographed here but another one you would enjoy is the gazpacho. We love our soups hot, but for gazpachos, anything goes. That refreshing, chilled tomato soup by Hilton Singapore tastes so close to the ones we’ve had in Spain.

The Smorgasbord section here is a little different – in a very good way, of course. The charcuterie will be thinly-sliced for you at the station itself, with care and precision. The meats that are included in this section range from imported whole leg of Iberico ham to Saucisson sec cured meat.

A good range of olives and pates are also available to complement the cured meats. We don’t know about you, but olives always get us all excited. There are pitted and stuffed ones here, and the chefs will gladly explain their region and preservation methods.

THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD – OYSTERS, MAINE LOBSTERS, SCALLOPS

Now, we have arrived at the truly good part and everyone’s favourite – seafood! What’s not to love about fresh premium seafood, especially when you can have them free flow? Get ready, because the spread will make your eyes pop!

Think freshly shucked oysters (3 varieties), fleshy Maine lobsters, yabbies (a type of crayfish), half-shell scallops and more.

Can we just say how much we love the oysters in particular? Most brunches or buffet spreads only serve one type of oysters, but Hilton Singapore will offer you three – the ever popular Fine de Claire, succulent Irish oysters and Pacific Oysters.

The seafood is also served alongside fresh sashimi and a sushi selection.

A LA MINUTE SELECTION

One of the reasons why we were immensely impressed by the selections here at Hilton Singapore is the a la minute selection.

The residential dish is Scotch Egg with Truffle Hollandaise Sauce. Scotch Eggs are extremely hard make, even more so to perfect it. Here at the champagne brunch, have it unlimited – all you want. The perfect runny yolk is encased in tasty and well-seasoned meat, then drizzled with fragrant black truffle hollandaise sauce.

Another a la minute dish that is also included in the brunch line-up is the egg cocotte. So hearty, so warm and the addition of savoury meats made the dish a lot more dimensional.

Well, foie gras lovers would be elated to know that pan-seared foie gras is also part of the a la minute selection – unlimited. Hilton Singapore’s version is served with an apple and passion fruit compote, and the sweet-and-sour mixture cuts through the creaminess of the piece of liver so beautifully.

INTERNATIONAL COOKED DISHES

Pizzas, Asian dishes and even beef pho? They will have you covered in this section. Grab either a Seafood or Mushrooms & Anchovies pizza. And if you want something creamy and comforting, go for the Seafood Fricasse with Bisque & Parmesan. The Pan-Fried Chilean Sea Bass with Orange & Fennel Compote sounds boring, but the sweet compote brought out the freshness of the sea bass so well, you’ll love the combination.

For the Asian dishes, dim sum is a must and Hilton Singapore offers both Custard Bun and Braised Pork Ribs, alongside wok-fried dishes such as Stir-Fried Garlic Prawns with Cilantro and Kam Heong Style Crab; bursting with flavours and wok hei, this might be where your grandparents would camp at if they prefer only Asian food.

MEATS, MEATS AND MORE MEATS

If you love  quality meat selection, you will be glad to know that Hilton Singapore’s brunch includes popular meats such as Premium Flank Steak, Lamb Chop and even Tenderloin. All cooked on an open flame charcoal grill, to your preferred doneness with a much loved smoky flavour.

ROAST MEATS 

If you like your meat roasted, fret not; like we said, there is something for everybody.

Think Herb-Roasted Baby Chicken, US Prime Rib and Roasted Pork Rack. Despite being pre-cooked roasts, the meats were not dry and we enjoyed the seasoning of herbs, salt and pepper.

AMAZING SELECTION OF CHEESES

We have never experienced a fuller cheese spread than the one here at Hilton Singapore. A selection of more than 20 cheeses are available on the cheese board, and boy were we spoilt for choice.

Any cheese lover will go gaga over this spread that includes premium selections – Parmigiano Reggano, Fromage Du Maquis, Lavort, Comte, Bleu D’Auvergene and even Persille Du Beaujolais.

… AND A BIGGER RANGE OF DECADENT DESSERTS

Our eyes lit up and our jaws dropped. Nothing screams a good dessert spread like the one at Hilton Singapore. It is literally a dessert shrine! They have even incorporated cool molecular gastronomy techniques into a blueberry meringue dessert that tasted nothing short of amazing.

Cakes are in abundance too – Chocolate Passion, Ivory Coffee, Cassis Caramel, Rainbow Cake and Red Velvet Mascarpone; quite basically a cake for any preference.

Individually-plated desserts include crème brûlée, Orange Chocolate Hazelnut, Red Wine Poached Pear with Chantilly and our favourite one – a glass cup of Sake, Cassis and Butter Sponge that had all the right flavours and textures.

FREE-FLOW CHAMPAGNE!!!

Well, of course, drink to your heart’s content if you get the champagne option. Prep yourselves; you will be treated to free flow of house pours, sparkling wine and beers. That’s some massive weekend there, huh?

Prices:
S$88++ – brunch buffet only.
S$108++ – brunch buffet and free-flow sparkling wine, selected white and red wines and beer.
S$138++ – brunch buffet and free-flow of Louis Roederer champagne, selected white and red wines and beer.
S$39++ – child below 12 years old (toddlers below 4 years of age dine for free)

Readers of Ladyironchef will be entitled to S$50 OFF Hilton Singapore’s Sunday Brunch

- Quote “LIC50” to redeem S$50 Off with a minimum of 2 full paying adults
– One redemption per table
– Valid only on 22, 29 Nov and 6, 13 Dec 2015
– Cannot be combined with other offers/ discount benefits
– 1-day prior reservation required (to mention promo code upon reservation to enjoy offer).
Reservation Tel: +65 6730 3390, or email sinhi_F&B@hilton.com
– Subject to availability

Hilton Singapore Sunday Champagne Brunch is available at Opus, lobby level, from noon until 3pm.

Hilton Singapore
581 Orchard Road Hilton
Singapore
Tel: +65 6730 3390
Nearest Station: Orchard Road
sinhi_F&B@hilton.com
http://bit.ly/hiltonsgsundaybrunch

This post is brought to you by Hilton Singapore.

The beautiful pool on level 5 of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has been given a makeover and re-opened with a bang this August 2015! Think resort vibes with relaxing poolside cabanas, revamped pool terrace rooms, and spanking new a la carte, set lunch and brunch menus at the refurbished Pool Grill – an exciting menu of mainly grilled items awaits.

Get the whole experience of dining and staying here at the luxurious Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, with a view overlooking the towers of Orchard Road, while basking in the glorious sunshine in this urban resort.

Be amazed by an atypical city experience and the new pool area, while you take in a picturesque view of Singapore’s most bustling shopping district, and enjoy a sumptuous meal by the pool.

The pool has been refurbished to include new and modern deck chairs, with an addition of lush cabanas where you can let your hair down and enjoy a margarita from Pool Grill. Pool Grill is located strategically in front of the pool, so you can unwind over a great meal while enjoying the serene atmosphere.

Drop by at night for a dinner with your loved one or friends, and the restaurant will not only captivate your heart with its mouthwatering food and innovative cocktails. You will also be swept off your feet with the romantic candle-lit ambience, complemented by the starry night sky and enchanting music.

Pool Grill has gone through a makeover and is now a stunner with show-stopping a la carte, brunch and set lunch menus to beat. Whether you are looking at a relaxed set lunch at $33++ or a romantic date night, Pool Grill offers the perfect location for you to dine in.

Start your meal with the Pool Grill’s tableside Caesar Salad, and be treated to a ‘show’ by a staff member who will prepare your salad ala tableside-style for you.

This salad rides up a notch because of the thought put into the preparation, and we were more than excited to see how the salad was tossed and served. The signature salad is with romaine lettuce, bacon, parmesan, anchovies and more. It is dressed with a nice combination of Worcestershire sauce, olive oil and tabasco.

The Rare Yellow Fin Tuna Tataki with compressed watermelon, goat cheese mousse and chia & flax seeds is a complex creation, but this colourful dish balances refreshing watermelon and cheese mousse with the freshly-seared tuna slices; it is light on the palette yet substantially satisfying.

You can also choose to start your meal with a refreshing soup. The Chilled Honey Melon Soup with poached prawns and Serrano ham is unique combination that intrigued us with its surprising taste; it was like drinking a fruit juice! When you balance out sweet and savoury to a faultless result like this, you know your meal is going to be enjoyable.

While some people choose to not take lamb, we say they are missing out when there are amazing lamb dishes such as this Seared Lamb Loin out there. The preparation of the lamb is inspired by the traditional Wellington – blackened on the outside like the conventional Wellingtons do with mushroom duxelle.

Accompanied by foie gras pate and croutons, the lamb still stole the limelight with an immaculate medium-rare centre.

Tuna is loved by many and is especially great when cooked with a nice and light sear on the outside, while still retaining a pink and raw center. The Fresh Tuna is a main that looks simple, but trust us when we say it delivered so much more. The balsamic vinegar added a nice acidic bite and the concentrated garlic skordalia made the dish more complex and tasty.

We know that Pool Grill takes pride in their grilled meats, but before we get to that, a dish that deserves a special mention is the Pan-Fried Cod Fish that comes with cauliflower tempura, confit garlic and Shiraz reduction.

Cod fish is one of our favourites fishes because of its moist and flaky white center. And Pool Grill’s version tasted better than it looked! Its natural sweetness is complemented with light vegetables, and if you happen to prefer white meat or fish over red meats, then this is for you.

Another highlight of the meal was our Ribeye of 400-day grain-fed Australian Wagyu beef. What got us rejoicing was the fact that the steak came with a side of roasted bone marrow, which we all know it to be a flavour pot of umami goodness.

Jazz up your steak with a side of Thyme & Garlic Sautéed Mushrooms or Beer-Battered Potato Fritters with truffle salt. The latter looked completely ordinary, but this was one dish that totally surprised us with its rich aroma of truffle that was nothing short of invigorating. Its crisp-on-the-outside-and-mushy-on-the-inside texture also got us completely hooked.

White meat lovers are not forgotten here at Pool Grill. You can dig into this Roasted Baby Chicken Breast and Leg Confit , over some potato mash and mushrooms. Sometimes, all you need is such rustic comfort.

We hope you still have space in your tummies for desserts, because you will be missing out otherwise. The Banoffee (Toffee-Banana Dessert) hit all the right spots, and is one of the best renditions we’ve had in town. The crumbly crust, the sweet toffee and the bananas all came together beautifully. By the way, if you need a representative shot of your lunch for your Instagram feed, this shall be it.

For something sweeter with the added acidity of berries, try the bombe Alaska, served freshly flambéed table side-style. The charred outer layer gave the Alaska a nice crisp, and we liked the finishing touches of edible flower petals on the plate.

Drinks are always important, and it is a bonus if they are served prettily. These two signature cocktails are clear winners – Smoking Cactus and Fiery Mango Cooler.

The former is a tequila-based cocktail that is coupled with refreshing fruit juices and a foaming egg white mixture. Cleanse your palate in between sips with a little bite of grapefruit and salt.

The latter was perfect because it was a lot more like a tropical fruit cooler than an alcoholic drink. The vodka-based cocktail is pimped up a notch with refreshing basil leaves and a special chilli syrup – well, the spice from the chilli sets in only shortly after. We liked it that way.

For dining reservations at Pool Grill, please call +65 6831 4605 or email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is also offering an amazing deal for couples with a Couples Getaway Special at S$898++ per night.

Benefits you will enjoy from the package are:
- One night stay in the newly-revamped Pool Terrace Room
- Signature welcome cocktails for two
- American breakfast with Champagne for two, served in your room
- 3-course romantic dinner with wine for two at the poolside cabana
- Personal butler service throughout your stay

This is such a treat to surprise your special someone, and what better way than to be pampered together like this? We say book your amazing staycation (www.marriott.com/sindt) with booking code (LVU) for that upcoming special occasion!

*Promotion is valid from 1 August to 31 December only. T&C apply.

For room reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6831 4555.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
310 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.

It has been four years since we wrote our guide on restaurants in Orchard Road and though we update them from time to time, we thought it is high time to re-curate and to introduce a new guide, featuring even more dining places in Singapore’s most famous shopping street.

Options are aplenty and no doubt we are all spoilt for choice, but are they really worth their queues/ price tags/ waiting time? We have friends from overseas who visit Singapore and have limited time on our sunny island, and then we have our locals who do not want to waste their calories unnecessarily.

The next time you head to Orchard Road, you need not face the risk of stepping in to a random diner and not knowing what to expect.

Here is the Ultimate Orchard Road Food Guide—Top Places to dine at Orchard Road, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut:

ANTOINETTE PATISSERIE

Undoubtedly one of the prettiest tea salons in Singapore, Antoinette is a perennial favourite for elegant French pastries and sweets. Nothing quite like your usual cakes and tarts, Antoinette promises nothing but surprises.

Antoinette Patisserie is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s 58 must-try desserts.

333A Orchard Road
Mandarin Gallery #02-33/34
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

AKASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Among the many mid-tier Japanese outlets in Singapore, we love Akashi for its consistency. The menu is neatly categorised, and whether you are looking for sushi, sashimi or teishoku, there will be something to please. Or you can sit by the sushi counter and do an omakase meal while interacting with the chefs to understand more about what goes on your plate.

Akashi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

290 Orchard Road
#B1-01 Paragon
Tel: +65 6735 8887
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

AKANOYA ROBATAYAKI

A meal here would be exceptional, and despite its hefty price tag, it is still worth saving up for and splurging on. Robatayaki is a fun experience; pick from the array of fresh ingredients, point to order, and the chefs will grill them over charcoal, and serve it to the customers using a long wooden paddle.

1 Tanglin Road
#01-01 Orchard Parade Hotel
Tel: +65 6732 1866
Daily: 6pm – 1.30am
Nearest Station: Orchard

AOKI

Les Amis fans would stand united when we talk about Aoki, a Japanese outlet that has always been well-received over so many years. Its Bara-Chirashi don is listed as one of the Best Chirashi Dons in Singapore.

1 Scotts Road
Shaw Centre #02-17
Tel: +65 6333 8015
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ARTEASTIQ TEA LOUNGE

A stunning tea lounge Arteastiq is, this gem in Mandarin Gallery sees us returning regularly for its collection of superior teas. The Iced Lychee Tea is a clear winner among the crowd, but we also love the range of hot ginger teas. Arteastiq also has an art jamming studio, so it is a post-lunch alternative away from the crowd in Orchard Road.

333A Orchard Road
#04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 8370
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ARTISAN BOULANGERIE CO

Towards the Killiney side, we have Artisan Boulangerie Co – or better known as ABC. Any time is a good time for ABC’s Vanilla Eclair. We love the minimalistic vibes at ABC, and how we can enjoy a cuppa while reading our magazine on a lovely weekend.

118 Killiney Road
Tel: +65 6444 8130
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ASTONS SPECIALITIES

They are no strangers to locals now. But if you do not already know, Astons’ shot to fame when they introduced very affordable steaks and casual Western food in a quick dining setting. They may not have the sexiest facade, but the food is nowhere near lacklustre. Choose from a huge menu of steaks, seafood, poultries and burgers, that all come with two side dishes.

2 Orchard Link
*Scape #03-04
Tel: +65 6509 4806
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

BEANSTRO

Offering a wide variety of mains, desserts and drinks, Beanstro is a lovely bistro that boasts a casual and laid-back vibe for shoppers. Let us not forget that Beanstro offers The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s signature drinks like coffee and ice blended drinks; perfect pair-ups with your hearty mains.

Unit B1-37, Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road
Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6235 1610
Daily: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

BEDROCK BAR & GRILL

Bedrock Bar & Grill at Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is a modern New York style steakhouse. The restaurant boosts a dark, sexy, and classy interior; making it the ideal place to bring your client for a business luncheon, or your date for a romantic dinner.

The menu is small and concise. There are three US beef – 300g Dry Aged Ribeye ($96), 220g Tenderloin ($89), and 400g USDA Prime Black Angus Ribeye ($96); and three Australian beef – 400g Ribeye ($79), 350g Bone in Striploin ($69) and 500g Porterhouse ($89). For those in a big group, get the massive Tomahawk Steak for the table share.

Bedrock Bar & Grill is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best steak restaurants.

96 Somerset Road
#01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
Tel: +65 6238 0054
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Somerset

BISTRO DU VIN

Bistro Du Vin has been seeing a steady following since its opening in 2009. Classic French food that offers fair value, head down for a French affair when you need some Duck Leg Confit or Braised Oxtail.

1 Scotts Road
#02-12 Shaw Centre
Tel: +65 6733 7763
Daily: 12am – 2pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

BROTZEIT GERMAN BIER BAR & RESTAURANT

An outlet for the discerning meat and beer lovers, Brotzeit is always packed with regulars and expats. Toast to a great meal with a pint of beer and lots of meat and sausages, Brotzeit offers a sexy and laidback environment for you to loosen your tie for some after-work fun.

313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road #01-27
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12am
Tel: +65 6834 4038
Nearest Station: Somerset

CAFÉ & MEAL MUJI

Fans of MUJI, the popular Japanese concept store, rejoice as they bring you something even bigger and better. Café & Meal MUJI – the first MUJI cafe in Singapore is now open at The Paragon. The Japanese cafe is adjacent to their current merchandise store in the mall, and we were most certainly thrilled by their arrival.

Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road, #04-36
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6735 0123
Daily: 10am – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard or Somerset

CAFFE BEVIAMO

Caffe Beviamo has firmly established itself as a popular haunt for locals and expats alike. It is not difficult to understand why it is always packed. It offers affordable and well-prepared Australian-inspired food. A simple Scrambled Eggs with Toast is only S$8. If you want something more substantial, go for Pasta (S$12 – S$18) or Pizza (S$12 – S$14). It also has a range of tempting desserts (S$3.50 – S$7.50), including cupcakes, carrot cake, and sticky date pudding.

Caffee Beviamo is also listed in our guide on Singapore’s Top 20 Inexpensive Restaurants.

163 Tanglin Road
#02-K1 Tanglin Mall
Tel: +65 6738 7906
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

CAJUN ON WHEELS

Located on Level 3 at the new extension of Plaza Singapura, Cajun On Wheels is a Halal-certified seafood diner serving unadulterated and fresh seafood in true American fashion. This is their second outlet—after their first food truck at Pasarbella Suntec City—and you would be delighted to know that their menu at Plaza Singapura is exclusive to that outlet too.

68 Orchard Road, #03-92 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

CHOCOLATE ORIGIN

Look out for a little kiosk at the basement food hall of 313 @ Somerset, and you will be in for a decadent chocolate treat. Primarily serving chocolate lava cake, Chocolate Origin makes a good pit stop in between shopping.

#B3-10A, 313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 68844019
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CHURRO101

A popular churro chain in Korea, Churro101 has a big range of different churros, but the ones that appealed to us the most on our first visit were their filled churros and churros coated with dark chocolate.

The churros are deep-fried fresh and served to us a la minute. We picked the Dark Chocolate Churro with Strawberry Crunch (S$5.90). The dark chocolate range is also available in two other coatings – almond and coconut.

313 Orchard Road
B3-49 313@Somerset
Singapore 238895
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO

The Crystal Jade brand is renowned being one of the leading Singapore-based restaurant groups to preserve the rich traditions of Chinese cuisine.

As far as comfort food is concerned, one of our all-time favourite places to dine at is Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. We grew up enjoying their classic and contemporary interpretations of the much-loved xiao long bao and la mian which finds its roots from the Jiangnan region in China!

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao has officially opened its latest outlet at Basement 2 of Ngee Ann City which was previously occupied by Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng Chicken and BBQ. Paying homage to its opening on 01 Dec 2017, the restaurant will be bringing back their limited-edition local-inspired Hainanese Chicken Rice Xiao Long Bao.

391 Orchard Road, #B2-36A,
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6733 3229
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

CRYSTAL JADE GOLDEN PALACE RESTAURANT

One of the grandest outlets by the Crystal Jade empire, Golden Palace Restaurant is a longstanding favourite among locals and its constant crowd is a testament to its superb food quality. We always covet the idea of a Sunday dim sum brunch with our family here, what about you?

Crystal Jade Golden Palace is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

290 Orchard Road, Paragon Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6734 6866
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

DANCING CRAB AT ORCHARD CENTRAL

After the resounding success of their first outlet at Grandstand, Dancing Crab has since opened a brand new outlet at Orchard Central, replacing the space where Noodle Stories used to be.

Of the many Louisiana seafood restaurants in town, Dancing Crab has the most competitive prices without compromising on the quality of their ingredients and seafood. And with the introduction of new lunch options, burning a hole in your pocket is the least of your worries now.

Orchard Central #07-14/15
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6509 1878
Fax: +65 6509 1879
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30 – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DEAN AND DELUCA

There is absolutely nothing to not love about this New York brand. Dean And Deluca continues to wow the local crowd with its spacious Orchard Central outlet, spanning across Level 4 with takeaways, retail merchandise and a huge dine-in area. Weekend brunch is our favourite.

Dean & Deluca’s Rainbow Cake is also listed in our list of Best Rainbow Cakes in Singapore.

181 Orchard Rd, 04 – 23/24, Orchard Central
Tel: +65 6509 7708
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DIN TAI FUNG

Din Tai Fung – a household name in Singapore since 2003 – is a popular favourite among locals and visitors alike. Talk about xiao long bao and we all think of Din Tai Fung’s legacy. Among the 18 locations Paragon’s outlet is the flagship restaurant and it showcases three VIP rooms that can be expanded to accommodate up to 30 diners.

#B1-03/06, Paragon Shopping Centre
290 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6836 8336
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sun & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Paragon

FOOD EXCHANGE

If you love luxuriating in weekend brunches, then you need to check out the all-new Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens for your next weekend indulgence.

Comfortably nestled in the spanking new Novotel Singapore on Stevens, this sleek restaurant spins up a plethora of international cuisine, allowing you to tuck into delectable food while overlooking the view of the hotel’s infinity pool.

As far as lavish Sunday brunches are concerned, freshness, quality and variety are some of the factors that we value most. Helmed by award-winning Finnish Head Chef Janne Ollikainen, the extensive buffet line at Food Exchange encompasses everything from fresh sashimi and seafood to hot cooking stations that serve up eggs, pasta and risotto à la minute, a myriad of roasted meats and more. They even have their very own DIY Bloody Mary bar so you can concoct your own brunch-time cocktail!

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.

Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road,
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Email: h9543@accor.com
www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/food-exchange/

GOOD MORNING NANYANG CAFE

When we need our comfort food in the form of kaya toast and eggs, our go-to place in town is Good Morning Nanyang Cafe. Sitting on level 2 of Far East Plaza, this old-school outlet stands the test of time and has been lathering fragrant kaya on their crispy toast for we-lost-count-how-many years. Some traditional kopi for you too?

#02-23, Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 9650 3256
Daily: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

HOSHINO COFFEE

Known for its hand-dripped coffee, Hoshino Coffee is located in the newer wing of Plaza Singapura. And we really love this popular Japanese coffee chain’s soufflés – Vanilla Soufflé (S$9.80) and Matcha Soufflé (S$9.80).

68 Orchard Road
#03-84 Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6338 3277
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

HUA TING RESTAURANT

One of the most reliable tables in town, Hua Ting at Orchard Hotel has been serving Cantonese delicacies for years and you can always be assured of a good meal here. The interior is not fancy, nor is the food particularly sophisticated. What it is, however, is simple and well-executed Chinese food.

Level 2, Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6739 6666
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IMPERIAL TREASURE SUPER PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT

Because the Peking Duck is really super, and it is our guilty pleasure when we crave some good Chinese meat. Its fatty goodness is a sin, but that extra few rounds of jogging will be worth it for Imperial Treasure’s Peking Duck. But of course, if you are already there, go for some dim sum too.

290 Orchard Road
#05-42/45, Paragon Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6732 7838
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 10.30am – 2.45pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IPPUDO RAMEN

Ippudo’s ramen empire is showing no signs of slowing down as it opens more and more outlets across the globe, including New York City, Seoul, Shanghai and Sydney. Its first outlet in Singapore – Mandarin Gallery – continues to see queues for their world-famous Japanese noodles, and if you haven’t tried, what are you waiting for?

Ippudo Ramen is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

333A Orchard Road
#04-02/03/04 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6235 2797
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

ISHINOMAKI GRILL & SAKE BAR

This Japanese restaurant at Palais Renaissance truly an undiscovered gem. Opening its door to public since December 2014, Ishinomaki Grill & Sake Bar is a welcoming diner helmed by Chef Chi – a well-experienced chef who has been in the industry for 25 years.

His keen passion for Japanese food has seen him travelling to different parts of Japan and building relationships with the best suppliers, so expect nothing less than the freshest catches when you dine at Ishinomaki.

390 Orchard Road
#B1-02/02A/03 Palais Renaissance
Tel: +65 67371065
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ITACHO SUSHI

Salmon skin sushi for S$0.40 – everyone will know Itacho Sushi because of this. And more than that, they are a favourite because of the wide variety of sushi creations at very friendly prices. When dining at Itacho, treat yourself to a selection of makis, rolls and nigiris made with fresh ingredients. They have very value-for-money lunch sets, too.

Itacho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

Ion Orchard, #B3-20 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 8911
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IZAKAYA NIJUMARU

Izakaya Nijumaru is one hidden gem (literally) in Cuppage Plaza.

It is tucked at a corner on the second level of Cuppage Plaza and you wouldn’t otherwise walk past it unless you were particularly looking out for it. The nondescript outlet has been around for three decades. We actually only discovered it about seven years ago but it has since remained as a favourite of ours whenever we want a simple, affordable Japanese meal in Orchard Road.

5 Koek Rd, #02- 228796, 10 Cuppage Rd
Tel: +65 6235 6693
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

J65 AT HOTEL JEN TANGLIN SINGAPORE

Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore’s gorgeous all-day dining restaurant J65 is an ultimate gourmet paradise if you are keen on mainly local fare.

Now, you can get excited every day of the week with the themed buffet nights through the week! There are 6 different buffet themes including Crab, Beef, Lobster, Prawn, Seafood and local food.

Lobby Level, 1A Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249176
Reservations: hoteljen.com/bookJ65
Tel: +65 6831 4374 / J65@hoteljen.com
Daily: 6.30am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Dinner Buffet
Sun to Thu: 6pm – 9.30pm / S$55++ per pax
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 10pm / S$60++ per pax

JADE PALACE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

It is pretty inconspicuous, and you might miss it unless you are familiar with its location. However, Jade Palace is a popular spot for those in-the-know, and the claypot rice, in particular, is one of the more memorable ones around. Jade Palace also has one of the most impressive selectionss of wines among the Chinese restaurants in town.

#B1-12, Forum The Shopping Mall
583 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6732 6628
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

JANE THAI

Orchard Towers is definitely not the best place to step in to, but if any, we would go there for Jane Thai. Sleazy as the building may be, any time is a good time for Thai food at Jane’s. They open till 4am, so it is perfect supper option. And the other good news is, they have an outlet at Simpang Bedok, too!

Jane Thai is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

400 Orchard Road
#04-30 Orchard Towers
Tel: +65 6887 5677
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

JIANG-NAN CHUN

The showpiece of the luxurious Four Seasons Singapore, Jiang-Nan Chun presents well-executed Cantonese fare – using traditional cooking techniques, with a slightly modern twist - in a refined setting.

Jiang-Nan Chun is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

190 Orchard Boulevard
Four Seasons Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 7220
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

KAIHO SUSHI

Kaiho Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall sushi joint, is one of those nondescript Japanese restaurants in Cuppage Plaza. It has been around for years and it is where food lovers in-the-know head to for some authentic Japanese cuisine indulgence. During lunch, it serves nine sets (at S$30) – pick from Anago Don Set, to Sushi Set and Ebi Tendon Set.

Kaiho Sushi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best chirashi-don.

5 Koek Road, Cuppage Plaza, #03-01/02
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9734 9822
Nearest Station: Somerset

KITH CAFE

One of our all-time favourite cafes in town has got to be Kith Cafe. They serve honest food and good brew, and the al fresco seating area is a lovely spot to catch up on some me-time or to simply people watch. Most of the items on their menu are reasonably-priced under $20.

163 Penang Road, #01-01
Winsland House II, Singapore 238463
Tel: +65 6235 0582
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

K COOK KOREAN BBQ RESTAURANT

K. Cook Korean BBQ Buffet has just opened at Orchard Central for a few months, but it has already earned the loyalty of many customers for a simple reason. It is one of the most affordable Korean BBQ buffet restaurants in Singapore. On weekdays, the Korean BBQ buffet is S$14.90++ /pax for lunch, and S$24.90++/pax for dinner.

#07-01, Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6884 7282
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

KOH GRILL & SUSHI BAR

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is a small eatery that sits within Wisma’s Food Republic, and the one dish that everyone queues up for is the very famous Shiok Maki. It is a maki made up of avocado, unagi and aburi salmon, drenched with a supremely addictive sauce that is seemingly a legit mixture of mayo and mentai, then topped with a copious amount of tobiko. Sounds tempting already?

Koh Grill & Sushi Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

435 Orchard Road #04-21
Wisma Atria Singapore
Tel: +65 9180 3805
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

LOKKEE

Located on the 3rd storey of Plaza Singapura is American-Chinese establishment Lokkee that is not just your ordinary Chinese restaurant. It is worth mentioning that the up-and-coming gourmet eatery is successfully pushing the boundaries of traditional Chinese cuisine – without compromising on key oriental ingredients – and introducing a tantalising variety of revamped Asian classics that will impress even the most discerning diners. Expect unique renditions of steamed baos, spicy Sichuan diced chicken and whatnot.

Plaza Singapura
#03-01, 68 Orchard Road
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

LUKE’S CHOPHOUSE & OYSTER BAR

Luke’s is a classy and upmarket chophouse, the sort of restaurant that you will find in New York. Known for its seafood cocktails, steaks and oysters, Luke’s Chophouse also does an impressive rendition of the classic lobster roll too.

Luke’s Chophouse & Oyster Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best steak restaurants.

260 Orchard Road
#03-02 The Heeren
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MAISON KAYSER

We love the eclairs at Maison Kayser! They do not have the best coffees, but the outlet at Scotts Square makes a decent pitstop in between shopping. And we love their spread of breads, too!

#B1-09, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6636 3672
Daily: 8am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MAK’S NOODLE

Hong Kong’s famous Mak’s Noodle has just opened its very first overseas outpost, and it is in Singapore no less! Sitting on the ground level of The Centrepoint, Mak’s Noodle in Singapore brings you the familiar authentic taste of Hong Kong with its concise menu of noodles and beef brisket.

176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-63/64
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MANHATTAN BAR

This sleek, dark and sexy bar is exactly the kind of place where you’ll refuse to call it a night, which would be for the best, since your refusal will be met with a number of discreetly potent cocktails. Or you could give them a wild-card route (layman’s term: bespoke)—tell them your poison of choice, serving style and whatever preferences pop into your head, and watch them do their magic.

1 Cuscaden Road
Regent Singapore
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6725 3377
Mon to Sun: 5pm to 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard

MAKAN @ JEN

This all-day dining restaurant at the new Hotel Jen orchardgateway that offers both a la carte and buffet-style options. Weekday Semi Buffet Lunch is affordably priced at S$19.90, while its Weekend Singapore Brunch is only S$30 – quite possibly the most affordable weekend brunch buffet in Singapore.

277 Orchard Road
Hotel Jen orchardgateway
Tel: +65 6708 8899
Daily: 6.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MARRIOTT CAFE

One of the best buffet restaurants in town where you can indulge yourself, Marriott Cafe at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is best known for its local high tea buffet which comes with an amazing lineup of more than 50 treats including Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice, Laksa, Hokkien Mee, as well as Western desserts like Scones, Crepes and Toffee Date Pudding.

During the dinner buffet, you can find the freshest selection of oysters, snow crabs, crayfish and prawns at the Seafood Station. Seafood aside, you can look forward to local favourite such as Singapore Chilli Crab, Chicken Rice and succulent roasts.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Daily: 6am – 11am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MARUTAMA

The popular ramen shop is now in town! Away from the crowd and sitting unassumingly along the stretch of eateries at Killiney, Marutama serves their famous chicken-based ramen all day. We usually prefer tonkotsu soup base for ramen, but nobody says no to Marutama’s spicy chicken soup. Period.

Marutama is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

75 Killiney Road
Tel: +65 6352 6369
Nearest Station: Somerset

MENYA MUSASHI

Menya Musashi commanded long queues in the first few months, but the hype has died down since then which is unfortunate, as they’ve opened a few more branches around and out of town.

The broth is boiled for more than nine hours, and the chef has to stir it every half an hour to prevent the bottom from being burned. Menya offers three different types of ramen – ‘White’, ‘Red’ and ‘Black, each featuring different combinations of noodles and broth.

Menya Musashi is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best ramen shops.

Ion Orchard
2 Orchard Turn, #B3-25
Tel: +65 6509 9394
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MEZZA9

Dining at mezza9 is always a comforting familiarity akin to dining at home. They offer superb value for their weekday set lunches. Else, indulge in a Sunday Champagne Brunch. “The ultimate champagne brunch,”- that was the only thought we had on our minds while enjoying our feast. Read more here.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Sun Brunch: 11.30am – 3pm
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MITZO

We will go out on a limb and say that Mitzo at Grand Park Orchard is the sexiest Chinese restaurant in Singapore. It combines a contemporary and intimate design with modern Cantonese cuisine. Quite unlike your usual Chinese restaurants, Mitzo actually has a lounge-like feel, and they have song curator for the daily loops.

270 Orchard Road
Grand Park Orchard
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 12midnight
Nearest Station: Somerset

NAKAJIMA SUISAN GRILLED FISH

Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish at Takashimaya’s Japanese food court is gold. The prices of the set meals — choose from Salmon Teriyaki ($12.50), Gindara Teriyaki ($14.50), and Shio Saba ($7.50) — are so pocket-friendly. We’ve had their grilled fish for a decade, and still falling in love with it with every visit.

Nakajima Suisan is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

391A Orchard Road Basement 2
Takashimaya Food Hall Ngee Ann City
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

NAMNAM NOODLE BAR

The pho and banh mi at NamNam Noodle Bar are not only delicious, but also very value-for-money. A bowl of pho is less than S$10, while the Banh Mi is only S$5.90. They also have extremely value-for-money lunch sets.

501 Orchard Road #B2-02
Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6735 1488
Nearest Station: Orchard

NANA’S GREEN TEA

A modern Japanese tea house that offers a selection of Japanese food like  as well as matcha drinks and desserts. From matcha parfait, to matcha latte, and matcha Anmitsu, fans of matcha will enjoy every item here.

68 Orchard Road
#03-80/81/82, Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6684 4312
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

NARA THAI

We used to go to Bangkok for Nara Thai, for its fine Thai cuisine is truly deserving of all its credits and accolades. The well-known name is now in Singapore, and has an outlet at Ion Orchard.

2 Orchard Turn
#B3-21 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6634 5787
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

NASSIM HILL BAKERY & BISTRO BAR

Tucked at the end of the Orchard Road, Nassim Hill Bakery & Bistro Bar sits beside Singapore Post at Tanglin, and is a quaint outlet when you need a break from the crowd. Its menu is comprehensive and we dare say almost every dish is enticing. Oh, it is a family-friendly spot too!

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56 Tanglin Road
Tanglin Post Office #01-03
Tel: +65 6835 1128
Tue to Sun: 8am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

NIKU KAPPO

A brand new dining concept by WATAMI originating from Tsukiji, Japan, Niku Kappo offers diners authentic Japanese Kappo-style delights through its colorful menu filled with a diverse selection of food options.

As the word “Niku” suggests, Niku Kappo’s menu has a strong focus on meat. From Meat Sushi to Meat Hot Pot, Niku Kappo only seeks to present Japanese cuisine at reasonable prices.

NOODLE PLACE

If you find yourself stranded in Orchard Road with nothing “budget” to eat, well we’d say to head straight to Noodles Place @ 313 Somerset for a bowl of hearty dumpling noodles. Or more affectionately known as wanton mee.

The restaurant prides themselves on Hong Kong-style food, mostly simple one-dish meals that you would typically expect from a regular cha chaan teng, and at S$10.80, you will be served a bowl of noodles with prawn dumplings in soup. Fuss-free, but so good.

Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Road #01-17
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 3171
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

OMAKASE BURGER

Quite arguable the best cheeseburger in Singapore is Omakase Burger’s rendition. The Omakase Cheeseburger oozes with flavours – delicious hand-ground beef patty with melted cheese, iceberg lettuce, sweet tomato slices and sauce in a nicely toasted bun.

#01-02/38 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6737 3218
Mon to Thu: 10am – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

ORIOLE CAFE & BAR

Oriole Cafe & bar has been making headlines in the Singapore National Barista Championships 2010. Coffee lovers can always get a good cup of coffee here, and it is conveniently located just right beside 313@Somerset.

96 Somerset road
#01-01 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites
Tel: +65 6238 8348
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 12midnight
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

OPUS BAR & GRILL

What used to be Checkers Brasserie at Hilton Singapore is now revamped and known as Opus Bar & Grill. The culinary team is helmed by Aussie chef Nick Philip, and the menu is contemporary with Australian influence. The charcoal grill and dry-age cabinet are what Opus Bar & Grill are building their success on, and they are on a mission to spoil you with only the best meals.

581 Orchard Road
Hilton Singapore
Tel: 65 6730 3390
Daily: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard Road

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

Outback Steakhouse, the largest steakhouse chain in the world, is known to serve reasonably-priced steaks and mains in a casual ambience with friendly service. Even if you are not a fan of steaks, you will be spoilt for choice with its array of mains. They have a fantastic range of cocktails as well.

#04-01 orchardgateway
277 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6702 6842
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

PARADISE DYNASTY

Known for its colourful xiaolongbao (steamed pork dumplings) that are available in eight different flavours – original, garlic, ginseng, Szechuan, crab roe, cheese, foie gras, and black truffle – Paradise Dynasty is where we like to head to for a simple and fuss-free meal.

2 Orchard Turn, #04-12A
ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9118
Mon to Fri: 11am to 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am to 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PARADISE TEOCHEW

Singaporeans should be familiar with Paradise Group – the Singapore-based restaurant group with an impressive portfolio of mainly Chinese restaurants under their belt. Think Taste Paradise, Paradise Dynasty and Beauty In The Pot.

The reputable empire has recently launched an entirely new concept – Paradise Teochew Restaurant, where its speciality lies in authentic Teochew-style offerings to preserve and glorify the Teochew culture that many Singaporeans are more than familiar with.

6 Scotts Road, #03-04 Scotts Square
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 0644
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PARIS BAGUETTE

This famous Korean bakery cafe serves a pretty lineup of pastries, cakes and breads, sandwiches and salads. Drop by its branch at Wisma Atria for a pitstop in between shopping.

#02-48/53 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre
435 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6836 2010
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PAUL BAKERY

Paul Bakery has opened in Singapore with much fanfare, and it’s not difficult to understand why the French boulangerie/patisserie is packed with customers everyday. For those who have been to Europe, Paul Boulangerie is the place for them to relive those wonderful memories of having a warm croissant and a cup of coffee during winter. For others who have heard much about Paul from their friends, the restaurant in Singapore gives you the chance to taste a piece of Europe.

391A Orchard Road
#03-16/16A/17
Ngee Ann City Tower A
Tel: +65 6836 5932
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PETE’S PLACE

Pete’s Place is one of the most established Italian restaurants in town, specialising in authentic Italian homemade pasta and wood-fired oven pizzas. Tiramisu is always a good way to measure the standard of an Italian restaurant, so you have to try the rendition at Pete’s Place – it always tugs our heartstrings.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Daily: 12pm – 4.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sunday: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

POOL GRILL RESTAURANT

Pool Grill at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has gone through a little makeover and is now a stunner with a show-stopping menu to beat.

Drop by at night for a dinner with your loved one or friends, and the restaurant will not only captivate your heart with its mouthwatering food and innovative cocktails. You will also be swept off your feet with the romantic candle-lit ambience, complemented by the starry night sky and enchanting music.

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
310 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PS.CAFE

Everyone knows PS.Cafe, and it is almost synonymous with Palais Renaissance. This outlet is ever popular, and you can always count on these folks to whip up scrumptious dishes to put on the table. It also makes a perfect pit stop in between shopping, and a quaint afternoon with the girlfriends over some cakes and coffee sounds like a splendid idea, yes?

390 Orchard Road
Palais Renaissance
Tel: +65 6887 2207
Mon to Thu: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Fri & Sat: 9.30am – 1am
Sun: 9.30am – 12 midnight
Nearest Station: Orchard

RAMEN SANTOUKA

Here is a worthy contender for the best all-rounded ramen. A robust broth, chewy noodles and one of the most tender chashu we have had (it is the prized pork cheek after all), it is one easy ramen to love.

Ramen Santouka is also listed in our Best Ramen in Singapore here.

21 Cuppage Road
Cuppage Terrace
Tel: +65 6235 1059
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 12midnight
Sat: 12pm – 12midnight
Sun: 12am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SABOTEN

Many consider Saboten to be one of the best tonkatsu restaurants in town, but I cannot really agree with that. Don’t get me wrong, though. Saboten definitely has one of the better breaded meats. Try the signature loin katsu ($23), katsudon ($20), and katsu Curry ($19.50).

Saboten is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

#B2-02/03, 313 @ Somerset
313 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6333 3432
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SALT GRILL & SKY BAR

Among the Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Singapore, Salt Grill & Sky Bar stood out with its magnificent view, classy setting, impeccable service and fair cuisine. It has the complete dining experience.

2 Orchard Turn Level 55 & 56
ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6592 5118
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SHANGRI-LA SINGAPORE LOBBY COURT

If you are looking for somewhere to spend a quiet afternoon with a group of friends, we cannot think of a better place than Lobby Court at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. Treat yourself to a traditional English Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea.

22 Orange Grove Road
Mezzanine Level Shangri-La Hotel
Tel:+65 6213 4486
Nearest Station: Orchard

SHINJUKU

Another haunt at Cuppage Plaza that we go to for a simple Japaanese meal is Shinjuku. It may not have the most attractive facade, but if you give them a chance, you might just fall in love with their S$10 lunch sets.

#01-01 Cuppage Plaza, 5 Koek Road
Tel: +65 6734 8436
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 1am
Sun & PH: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

STEEPLE’S DELI

Steeple’s Deli is a bit of a hidden gem, tucked away at Tanglin Shopping Centre that makes you feel transported into a different space. They have been around for years, and what keep regulars coming back again and again are the Reuben Sandwich (S$13.90), Beef Burger (S$12.90), and the super thick and rich Milkshakes (S$5.90).

Steeple’s Deli is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

#02-24/25 Tanglin Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
Tel: +65 6737 0701
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SUPPLY & DEMAND

Since its inaugural outlet at Esplanade, we’ve always enjoyed the fusion spread at Supply & Demand. And they are now at Orchard Gateway too. Of pastas and pizzas and even Asian dishes, its variety is comprehensive and you can always count on the joint for a good dinner with family and friends.

#02-13/14, Orchard Gateway
277 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6702 6218
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

SU SUPERSTAR KOREAN CUISINE

Su Superstar Korean Cuisine is a casual Korean eatery in *SCAPE that is popular among students and youngsters who hang around the area.

With 12 varieties of Korean ramyeon that are priced below S$10, it is no wonder why the Korean eatery is mostly packed during lunch and dinner hours. If you are looking for a quick Korean fix without burning a hole in your pocket, give Su Superstar Korean Cuisine a try.

2 Orchard Link
#02-18/18A/28 *SCAPE
Singapore 237978
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

STRAITSKITCHEN

Renowned for its uniquely Singaporean buffet, StraitsKitchen is one of the most popular buffet restaurants for two reasons. It is the place where you bring overseas guests to savour the best of our local hawker food in a stylish and comfortable setting. And it is a showcase of and opportunity to sample all the popular local dishes in one seating. And, it has a Halal-certified kitchen.

10 Scotts Road, Lobby Level
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TAMPOPO RESTAURANT

Tampopo is one of those top-of-mind restaurant when we need a fuss-free Japanese meal. Their Tonkatsu Ramen is always good – a bowl of springy ramen accompanied by Tampopo’s signature tonkatsu in a spicy broth. We also love their range of chiffon cakes!

391 Orchard Road
#B2-33 Ngee Ann City
Tel: +65 6235 2318
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TASTE PARADISE

Taste Paradise at ION Orchard is one of our favourite dim sum restaurants in Singapore. The food is always consistently good, and we can never get sick of its spread of classic dim sum. Try the char siew sou and custard bun when you are there; we promise you won’t be disappointed.

2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Tel: +65 6509 9660
Nearest Station: Orchard

TATSUYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart of the local dining scene, Tatsuya is where in-the-know locals go for top quality Japanese food. It comes with a price, of course. Omakase – where the chefs decide the menu for dinners based on the guests’ preferences and the freshest ingredients available – here is S$280++/pax for 8-10 course dinner. We would suggest going for their set lunches. The Sashimi Bento (S$45), Sushi Bento (S$45) and Bara Chirashi (S$35.90) sets offer excellent value.

Tatsuya Japanese Restaurant is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best Japanese restaurants.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6887 4598
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TENSHO JAPANESE SPECIALITY TENDON

Found in the basement of the recently revamped Centrepoint, Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon is a recent venture by the Ministry Of Food, which officially opened late September last year.

If you are searching for a reason to visit, the Mixed Tendon (S$14.90++) at Tensho Japanese Speciality Tendon might be your answer.

176 Orchard Road, #B1-20 The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6733 0449
Mon to Thu, Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE BETTERSHIP

The Bettership, a sashimi-centric eatery, has recently opened up on the ground floor of The Cathay. This humble Japanese eatery serves up boats—yes, boats—of fresh restaurant-standard sashimi as well as show-stopping donburi.

Priced decently at no more than S$20 for a sizeable donburi, this makes it a rather affordable option as opposed to many restaurants.

2 Handy Road #01-03,
The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 6835 9006
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE HUNGRY CAVEMAN

Bringing the very best of China’s skewer cuisine to Singapore, a colossally popular barbecue skewer restaurant chain, called The Hungry Caveman. Located on the 6th floor of Orchard Central, this new barbecue skewer restaurant aims to blaze the trail in Singapore’s meat skewer scene by being the first to adopt automated barbecue skewers. Just how cool is that?!

181 Orchard Road, #06-25
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TIM HO WAN

Opened by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, Tim Ho Wan is the cheapest 1 Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong. The star on the menu and what you must order at Tim Ho Wan is the legendary Baked Buns with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3). we can say with confidence after trying, that the buns are as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

#01-29 Plaza Singapura
The Atrium @ Orchard
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THAIEXPRESS

Quite contrary to “popular beliefs”, ThaiExpress is not a fast food chain. It is a restaurant chain, yes, but its casual dining style is what makes the household brand so popular and affordable.

The chefs here take their Thai food very seriously, and the kitchen is kept busy all day through because every item that is served on the table is prepared in-house with fresh ingredients and homemade sauces – cooked to order in each kitchen daily.

ThaiExpress has launched 3 brand new Sanook Sets which are priced not more than S$10.90++. Our favourite is the Sweet Chilli Fish Set (S$9.90++) which comes with Jasmine rice, Tom Kha Mushroom Soup, and Sweet Potato with Ginger Slice Dessert.

ThaiExpress is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

68 Orchard Road
#03-24 Plaza Singapura
Tel: +65 6339 5442
Daily: 11am to 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE COFFEE ACADEMICS

The Coffee Academics has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Scotts Square. If you have been to Hong Kong, chances are that you have either seen or heard of The Coffee Academics, voted one of the best coffee shops in the world by international publications such as Vogue, CNNGo and Buzzfeed.

Lvl 2 Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
Singapore 228209
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

THAI TANTRIC

Another Thai eatery that is worth checking out at Orchard Towers is Thai Tantric. Prices range from S$6 to S$10, and some of the items that you should try – other than the usual classic Thai dishes – include Thai Fried Rice (S$6), Deep-fried Pork with Garlic & Pepper (S$10), and Deep-fried Chicken Wings with Honey (S$10).

Thai Tantric is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 affordable Thai restaurants.

400 Orchard Road
#03-23 Orchard Towers
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE ASSEMBLY GROUND

This relatively new addition to the cafe scene is a pleasant one. Spacious, dimly-lit and sexy, very good green tea latte and more. On the food menu, they’ve got you covered with appetizers, sandwiches and burgers, salads and soup, pastas and pizzas and brunch food. Of course, their regular brews are aromatic too. Cappuccinos and Flat Whites are at S$5.50 each for single shot.

#01-21 The Cathay
2 Handy Road
Tel: +65 67333375
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE DRAGON CHAMBER

The Dragon Chamber is the first speakeasy restaurant in Singapore. A new dining concept by TungLok Group, The Dragon Chamber is hidden within Lokkee at Plaza Singapura.

For the uninitiated, a speakeasy usually refers to a bar which is hidden from plain sight; with that, part of the fun is in digging out its whereabouts. Go through a secret entrance in Lokkee and enter a different world. The Dragon Chamber is effortlessly hip and cool without trying too hard.

68 Orchard Road
#03-02 Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6884 4566
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

THE LINE

The highly popular The Line at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is one of the best buffets in town. Everyone loves a good buffet treat, and at The Line, be lost in the wondrous world of international and continental spread. You can eat a bit of everything and before you even reach the end, you might already be completely stuffed.

Yes, the spread is that extensive. Sixteen live stations for your ala minute dishes too, and a special drinks station where you can order the very satisfying Teh Tarik.

22 Orange Grove Road
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Lower Lobby, Tower Wing
Tel: +65 6213 4275
Daily: 5am – 1am
Nearest Station: Orchard

THE PROVIDORE

A nice brunch spot at Mandarin Gallery is The Providore. It is a cosy European-styled cafe, with a retail corner where you can take home colourful tea pots and tea cups, English tea, house jams and homemade chocolates.

#02-05, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6732 1565
Daily: 09:00 – 23:00
Nearest Station: Somerset

THE SUSHI BAR

The Sushi Bar at level three of Far East Plaza serves the standard dishes like sushi, sahimi, Japanese-style pastas and donburis, but if you only have room for one dish, you must try the much-lauded Salmon Aburi Sushi (S$14.50). It is really good, and the main reason why this hole-in-the-wall sushi bar is always packed with regulars.

The Sushi Bar is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s affordable sushi places.

#04-28 Far East Plaza
14 Scotts Road
Mon to Fri: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat: 12.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TONKATSU BY MA MAISON

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison at Mandarin Gallery is as close to authenticity you can get – easily the best tonkatsu in Singapore. The Kurobuta Rosu Katsu (S$31.80) is excellent, but the highlight is the to-die-for Hungarian Mangalica Rosu Katsu (S$31.80) that will melt in your mouth.

Tonkatsu by Ma Maison is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

333A Orchard Road
#02-35/36 Mandarin Gallery
Tel: +65 6733 4541
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TONKICHI RESTAURANT

Another Tonkatsu restaurant that retains its popularity among loyal customers for so many years is Tonkichi. Weekends would have the Ngee Ann City’s outlet see long queues of waiting time up to an hour, and it is little wonder because they do their breaded pork so well. Servings are huge, too.

Tonkichi Restaurant is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best tonkatsu restaurants.

391 Orchard Road
Ngee Ann City #04-24
Tel: +65 6735 7522
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TOSS & TURN

The worship ground for health nuts, Toss & Turn is like an institution for salads. You mix and match and create your desired salads, and a regular plate is only S$9.90. Very affordable, very healthy and very (surpringly) filling. The dine-in area is really small, but that does not stop us from popping by when we need to do a VS Angel’s diet.

#B4-55 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Tel: +65 6636 5835
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TSUKADA NOJO

Love a good pot of Japanese collagen soup? Then Tsukada Nojo will not disappoint. Trust us on this – because its premium jidori chicken soup is so out of the world that every night for dinner, people queue up for 1-2 hours for a table. And we can assure you that it would be so very worth the wait. Priced at S$26.90 per pax, it is also pleasantly affordable!

#03-81, Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6336 5003
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET RESTAURANT

Japanese food lovers, you need to know about this secret Japanese restaurant on the rooftop of Orchard Central—Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant! It houses 5 different restaurant concepts in one, serving up flavourful Japanese fare in generous portions at fairly affordable prices.

Dishing out a vast variety of Japanese food options spanning from sushi and sashimi, ramen, tempura and an assortment of chicken dishes and wagyu dishes, to say diners will be spoilt for choice is an understatement. And the best part is being able to order from any of the 5 menus and having them served and billed together!

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish and sashimi and you’d be happy to know that most of their seafood products are all air-flown from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week.

181 Orchard Road, #12-02
Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TSURU KOSHI UDON

The udons on the menu here range from the basic Kake Udon (S$6.5) to the popular Curry Udon (S$9). We had the Ebi Tempura Udon (S$9) and Niku Udon (S$9) and they were fairly decent. Add S$5 to get a set meal with Mini Soboro Don or Mini Kakiage Don.

Tsuru Koshi Udon is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 10 budget restaurants in Orchard Road.

391 Orchard Road
Takashimaya Shopping Centre Food Hall
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

TUNGLOK SEAFOOD

Seafood restaurants are aplenty in Singapore, but it is considerably harder to find one that serves consistently good seafood at affordable prices. Tung Lok Seafood specialises in the best of Singapore-style seafood prepared with the quality and standards synonymous with the Tung Lok brand.

181 Orchard Road
Orchard Central
Tel: +65 6834 4888
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TUNGLOK SIGNATURES

TungLok Signatures has been around for a long time and has since branded itself as one of Singapore’s most established and well-loved Chinese restaurants for impeccable service and high quality food. The restaurant serves modern interpretations of traditional Chinese food, while still keeping traditional flavours intact, hence, appealing to both the older and younger generations.

TungLok Signatures’ cuisine concept is centred upon offering a menu which is planned and executed by Hong Kong-born Senior Executive Chef Li Man.

It features a unique combination of traditional Chinese cuisine, such as Cantonese Shanghainese and Sichuan dishes with a dash of Modern creations – authentic in tastes but with TungLok’s distinctive touch.

Orchard Parade Hotel #02-18
1 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247905
Tel: +65 6834 0660
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TUNGLOK XIHE PEKING DUCK RESTAURANT

There are many Chinese establishments that impressed us and left us good memories, but TungLok XiHe is one that is timeless. We love its concise menu and how it does not differ too much from its origins – nothing but the comforting familiarity of Chinese food at competitive prices. It is the kind of place that you can host your business associates, throw a celebration or to simply gather with your close ones.

Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road, #07-07/09
Tel: +65 6736 0006
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

TWG TEA SALON

TWG Tea Salon is a homegrown brand that has won over the taste buds of many tea and dessert lovers. Its growing reputation as a tea institution that offers a variety of exclusive and interesting tea blends and tea-infused delicacies has cemented its popularity in the local food scene.

TWG Tea Salon’s macarons are also listed in our guide to Singapore’s best macarons.

2 Orchard Turn
#02-21 Ion Orchard
Tel: +65 6735 1837
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WAN HAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

A stalwart in the local dining scene, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has been serving its loyal regulars since its opening in 1995. What makes Wan Hao a place where you can return to again and again is its familiarity and consistency; standards are always very high and you will never be disappointed by the food.

320 Orchard Road
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Mon to Fri: 12pm to 3pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Sat, Sun and PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WILD HONEY

In a city that has seen almost every restaurant and café serving brunch on weekends, Wild Honey has done remarkably well. It is one of the first few places that offers all-day brunch. It seems to have the right formula: brunch food made from produce that is sourced from the best in-season markets over the world – with very familiar flavours that would appeal to diners of all age.

6 Scotts Road
#03-01 Scotts Square
Tel: +65 6636 1816
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WINDOW ON THE PARK AT HOLIDAY INN SINGAPORE ORCHARD CITY CENTRE – THE BOSTON LOBSTER WEEKEND

While many other buffet restaurants out there pride themselves on having the largest and most extensive range of food and cuisines, Window on the Park adopts the ‘less is more’ approach by dishing out a substantially sized spread of only the good stuff, allowing diners to be able to savour each and every item before their bellies beg them to stop.

11 Cavenagh Rd, #02-00
Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre,
Singapore 229616
Tel: +65 6730 0170
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset / Dhoby Ghaut

YA KUN KAYA TOAST

Sometimes, all we need is a cup of kopi, two half boiled eggs, and Singapore’s well-loved kaya butter toast. And that is when we need to make a trip to Ya Kun Kaya Toast. Totally unpretentious but extremely comforting, this is one joint that will tug every Singaporean’s heartstrings with their traditional offerings.

313 Orchard Road
#01-32/33/34 313@Somerset
Tel: +65 6238 1872
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

YAYOIKEN

We are always on the hunt for inexpensive and decent Japanese food, and it ended at Yayoiken. Of course, it does not have the most incredible tastes, but it is casual and fuss-free and satisfying enough, and the prices won’t have your wallet take a beating. Set lunches are mostly around S$10, too.

313 Orchard Road
313@somerset #B3-33/34
Tel: +65 6884 7550
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

YAN TING

The luxurious St Regis Singapore has no lack of good restaurants. Our favourite, however, is Yan Ting. The restaurant is classy and exudes an air of understated elegance. You’d be delighted to know that the average check per person for dim sum is actually S$30. Exquisite bites crafted from scratch and using the most premium ingredients, the dim sum at Yan Ting has always been a favourite all these years.

Yan Ting is also listed in our guide to Singapore’s top 30 Chinese restaurants.

29 Tanglin Road
The St Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6888
Nearest Station: Orchard

49 SEATS

Gone are the days where you can indulge in a mouthwatering western meal without burning a hole in the pocket. Fortunately, 49 Seats at Orchard Central exists and has made it a point to keep its fusion gourmet very affordable and accessible amidst the rising costs in this competitive industry. Most of the dishes are priced below S$16.90 and there is no GST and service charge.

Orchard Central #08-08
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +65 6509 5895
Nearest Station: Somerset

5 ON EMERALD HILL

Possibly the oldest cocktail bar in Singapore, 5 on Emerald Hill has been taking residence in an old Peranakan-styled shop house near the outskirts of town since the early 1990s. The two-level bar exudes an air of nostalgia that envelops you into thinking you’re in the 1990s—think oak wood paneling, worn out furniture and walls covered in black and white pictures of customers and celebrities from that era.

5 Emerald Hill
Singapore 229289
Tel: +65 6732 0818
Mon to Thu: 12pm to 2am
Fri to Sat: 12pm to 3am
Sun: 5pm to 2am
Nearest Station: Somerset

10 SCOTTS

10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is more than just a hotel’s tea lounge. Impeccably designed with a collection of rooms, it makes you feel right at home. On days when you feel like taking a break and giving yourself a little treat, the afternoon tea at 10 SCOTTS at Grand Hyatt Singapore is just the thing you need.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Tel: +65 6732 1234
Afternoon tea: Daily 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

10 AT CLAYMORE

10 at Claymore at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore is an a la carte buffet concept you can enjoy unlimited servings of premium meats, seafood and other seasonal specialities, served in petite portions and prepared à la minute for the best experience.

Look out for its much anticipated and highly raved Oyster Occasions buffet where you can indulge in premium oysters sourced from five different parts of the world as well as an array of the freshest seafood.

Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore
10 Claymore Road, Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 6831 6686
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard