Holland Village and its plethora of cool entertainment offerings isn’t news. But if you’ve ever taken a walk around this ‘hood, the sheer number of bars, cafes and restaurants might just overwhelm you. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on all the best digs in the area. Read on for all the top spots!
Guide to Holland Village: Eat and drink
Sunday Folks
Celebrate the weekend with a bang at this ice cream parlour and enjoy its wonderful selection of delicious desserts. They’re lovingly crafted using raw natural ingredients and homemade toppings. We’d recommend you order a waffle with your choice of soft serve. Our fave flavour? It’s gotta be Earl Grey. Sunday Folks also brews seriously good coffee that’ll pair perfectly with the treat of your choice.
Sunday Folks, #01-52, Chip Bee Gardens, 44 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278116
d’Good Cafe
Afternoons at this whimsical garden-themed cafe for weekend brunch are fab. The two-story shophouse features three spaces – The Lawn, The Attic and The Balcony – all inspired by the founder’s extensive travel experiences. On the menu, you’ll find savoury staples like carbonara, beef sliders, seafood risotto and lobster rolls. Those with a serious sweet tooth can look forward to treats like the eggy, buttery Deutsch skillet pancakes.
d’Good Cafe, #02-01/02, 273 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278992
El Patio Mexican Restaurant & Wine Bar
Take a walk down Lorong Mambong, which runs the gamut of culinary styles. El Patio is a rustic, homely eatery that offers fuss-free and reasonably priced Mexican food. If you’re seated outdoors and the heat gets a little too much for you, just order a round of Mexican-inflected cocktails!
El Patio Mexican Restaurant & Wine Bar, 34 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277691
The Daily Scoop
Nothing beats the heat better than ice cream. The Daily Scoop takes pride in its sweet treats, which are made from local ingredients and seasonal fresh fruits. Choices like lychee martini, chocolate and Mao Shan Wang are must-haves! But a word of caution: Its menu rotates regularly for fresh updates. If you want to go ahead and really treat yourself, have your ice cream with a fluffy waffle or a brownie. You won’t regret it.
The Daily Scoop, #01-78, Chip Bee Gardens, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278115
Original Sin
One for the herbivores, Original Sin serves some of the best vegetarian Mediterranean plates in the city. You won’t even miss the meat. Don’t leave without trying the cheesy baked portobello mushroom with tomato basil sauce (aka the Magic Mushroom), or the principessa salad with roasted pumpkin, avocado, asparagus, mushroom and tomato tossed in a balsamic dressing.
Original Sin, #01-62, Chip Bee Gardens, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278115
2am:dessertbar
If you’ve got a late-night craving for something sweet, ditch the convenience store candy and treat yourself to avant-garde plates of quirky dessert creations at 2am:dessertbar. Chef Janice Wong takes the Singaporean dessert scene by storm with goodies like Cacao Forest – an amalgamation of Earl Grey and cherry cacao pod, sea salt caramel ice cream, cotton candy and chocolate fondant cake. Sweet tooths who are tired of their favourite course being an afterthought will find themselves at home here.
2am:dessertbar, 21A Lorong Liput, Singapore 277733
Project Acai
The only thing harder than pronouncing acai correctly is finding restaurants specialising in healthy superfoods like the eponymous berry. Project Acai will whip you up some takeaway-friendly super bowls and smoothies that are big on taste and low on guilt.
Project Acai, 27 Lorong Liput, Singapore 277738
Fatboy’s The Burger Bar
We love ourselves a good ol’ American-style burger and Fatboy’s really hits the spot with staples such as bacon cheeseburger. Plus, let’s not forget oddities like The Elvis, a bacon-stuffed pork patty with grilled bananas and peanut butter. Though definitely a burger place, the chicken mac and cheese or fried chicken waffle sandwich are no slouches in the taste department either.
Fatboy’s The Burger Bar, 29 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277689
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Crystal Jade is a household name, and the consistent hordes of hungry patrons stand testament to the franchise’s crowd-pleasing xiao long baos. Filled with hearty, rich broth and tender pork, Crystal Jade is the standard that xiao long baos are judged by.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, 241 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278976
Fosters Steakhouse
With a signature dish named Fillet Fantastique, you know Foster’s Steakhouse isn’t even going to try to be modest. And why should it? This joint has been in the game since the 60s offering classic English steaks. The quality cuts speak for themselves, rather than being drowned in overpowering sauces. Its signature dish, however, isn’t completely unembellished – the prime fillet comes on a bed of fried onions, topped with field button mushrooms, served with a side of garden vegetables and potatoes.
Foster’s Steakhouse, 277 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278994
Sanpoutei Ramen
Fans of ramen swear by Sanpoutei’s shoyu ramen and its rich umami-packed vegetable, chicken and pork bone broth. But if the spice seeker in you wants sizzling, not soothing, opt for the rendition with a lick of heat: Nikumori spicy rich miso ramen.
Sanpoutei Ramen, 253 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278982
Da Paolo Pizza Bar
Da Paolo’s pizzas are thin, crispy and – best of all – loaded with heaps of your favourite toppings like parma ham, salami and burrata. White-based or tomato-based, we love ’em all. Dining with your squad and can’t decide on a flavour? Go for the four-way pizza! As the name suggests, you get to tuck into four different types of pizzas on one plate: Red pizza with parma ham and rocket leaves, fried pizza filled with mozzarella and tomato, white pizza topped with mushroom and truffle, and folded pizza with salami and ricotta.
Da Paolo Pizza Bar, #01-46, 44 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278116
Black Marble by Otto
Taking over the space of Chef Otto Weibel’s first restaurant, Otto’s Deli Fresh, Black Marble spotlights tasty meats like dry-aged Angus ribeye and grilled lamb rack. Seafoodies can dig into the seafood platter, which features Boston lobster tail, Tasmanian mussels, tiger prawns, octopus and red snapper or saffron risotto, which is topped with sweet lobster chunks and scallops.
Black Marble by Otto, #02-01, Raffles Holland V Mall, 118 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278997
Martin Zwerts
In a place like Holland Village, one would expect a Dutch restaurant, and that’s where Martin Zwerts comes in. Hailing from Eindhoven, this Dutch snack shop takes top spot for the best fries in the Netherlands. No points for guessing what to order when you’re at the Singaporean offshoot! While you’re at it, put in an order for bitterballen (a Dutch meatball with a stew-like filling) and the frikandel special (a meat sausage that’s cut in the middle to make space for onions and a slew of delightful sauces).
Martin Zwerts, #B1-07, Holland Piazza @ Holland Village, 3 Lorong Liput, Singapore 277725
Cha Cha Cha
Good Mexican food isn’t easy to find, so we think it’s a little unfair that Holland Village gets two great Mexican joints right on the same lane! Like El Patio, Cha Cha Cha dishes out authentic grub like burritos, enchiladas and chimichangas. Oh, and for dessert, pick the churros – you won’t regret it.
Cha Cha Cha, 32 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277690
Haakon Superfoods
A firm believer of the Danish wellness philosophy hygge, this Nordic-inspired cafe is known for nosh that’s good for the body and soul. We especially love the tasty acai offerings but save that for dessert and dive right into the protein bowls first. Our fave has to be the green curry chicken, a delish low-cal option that comes with brown rice, raw cabbage slaw and baked maple carrots.
Haakon Superfoods, #01-03, Raffles Holland V Mall, 118 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278997
% Arabica Coffee
Joining the ranks of the cool cafes in Chip Bee Gardens is this popular Japanese coffee joint. The beans are sourced from all over the world in countries such as Ethiopia, Brazil and Japan, depending on the season. A popular choice? Spanish latte. Mixed with condensed milk, it balances out the acidity with a mellow sweetness.
% Arabica Coffee, #01-58, 44 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278116
#WTF by IndoChine
Short for ‘wine, tapas, friends’, #WTF offers a wide variety of Indo-Chinese dishes like freshly made rice paper rolls, beef kway teow and Vietnamese beef noodle soup. Look past the wine menu and you’ll find a decent selection of cocktails that need no introduction.
#WTF by IndoChine, 44 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277697
Kinara
Don’t for a second think Indian cuisine isn’t represented in this food paradise. Kinara’s your go-to for tasty North Indian dishes like kebabs, tandoori meat and seafood, naans and keema. It also offers quite a wide selection of wines that’ll pair delightfully with your meal.
Kinara, 24 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277683
363 Katong Laksa
Like the prata at Jalan Kayu, there are throngs of laksa specialists claiming to be the original Katong Laksa. We don’t know that for sure, but 363 Katong Laksa checks all the boxes for us with chewy rice noodles (short enough to eat with just a spoon), rich spicy broth, and a generous portion of prawns. It’s also one of the cheapest places to grab lunch in the area.
363 Katong Laksa, #01-15, 1 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277700
Wala Wala
Bar bites, beer and live music? If those are the three things you look for when you’re out for a good time, head to Wala Wala and let your hair down with good company and great music. Brews on tap include Heineken, Kronenbourg 1664 and Asahi, while the drinks menu features classic cocktails galore. When you’re feeling hungry after all that booze, fill up with bar bites like deep-fried chicken wings and pizzas.
Wala Wala, 31 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277689
Baden
Who needs posh when you’ve got good German nosh like pork knuckle and curry-wurst? The former is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside – proof that pub grub doesn’t always mean cheap and fried frozen food. Of course, like any self-respecting German pub, Baden offers a variety of classic German brews like Erdinger Weissbier.
Baden, 42 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277698
The Pit Restaurant & Bar
The Pit Restaurant and Bar offers a range of Archipelago brews in a casual, laidback space. It’s worth noting the buffalo wings are delish if you’re looking for something to pair with your beers.
The Pit Restaurant & Bar, 21 Lorong Liput, Singapore 277733
Guide to Holland Village: Shop, explore and more
Virgin Active
The team of personal trainers at Virgin Active are ace at guiding you through sets of workouts for a killer bod. Keen on lunchtime exercise? Opt for the quick 45-minute sessions, which range from pilates and yoga to spinning and strength training.
Virgin Active, #03-05, Raffles Holland V, 118 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278997
Cecilia Westberry
Got your pool party invite in the mail but don’t have time to get rid of your body hair? Cecilia’s the one to look for. Known for being the fastest waxing specialist in town, Cecilia Westberry Salon at Holland Village is great if you need a quick sprucing up in your nether regions. Bonus: She also provides home waxing services at your convenience. Sweet! Quick, efficient and no-nonsense – you’ll be ready to hit the beach in under 30 minutes.
Cecilia Westberry, #01-02, 6 Holland Close, Singapore 271006
Ling Wu
Mention the name Ling Wu and images of luxury handbags immediately come to mind. The label’s collection of luxe bags and accessories is absolutely to die for. We’re talking cool clutches, stunning satchels and très chic totes in butter-soft leather and exotic skins. Want understated luxury? This is it.
Ling Wu, #02-78, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, Singapore 278115
Strip
Strip has become a household name for waxing in the years since it opened. In addition to the standard bikini wax, Strip also does boyzillians, so there’s no excuse for the men out there not to keep your hardware nice and neat.
Strip, 34C Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277691
Chip Bee Gardens
After eating your heart out, walk it off by gallivanting around this charming ‘hood. Known for playing host to Design District Dialogue during Singapore Design Week, Chip Bee Gardens gives major throwback vibes with its old school bungalows. A stroll down Jalan Kelabu Asap to daydream about living at this little artsy community is the perfect way to cap off your weekend.
There you have it – all the reasons why we love Holland Village. Check it out for yourself!
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