Get ready for ah-mazing April with new cafes mushrooming around the island; a new contender for Singapore’s best burger joint, a wallet-friendly alternative for all you Teppei fans, and more.
Elffin & Elffin
Haji Lane shows no signs of shaking off its reputation as the veritable hipster enclave of Singapore. A labour of love between two friends – Ivan and Rachel – who share a passion for the arts, Elffin & Elffin fits right into this bustling, cultural neighbourhood. Step into this gallery cafe and you’ll admire gorgeous artworks while nibbling on light bites and sipping on gourmet coffees and tea. If you’re a lover of the arts, good food, and coffee, Elffin & Elffin will tick all the right boxes for you.
Elffin & Elffin, 29 Haji Lane, Singapore 189222, p. 98156701. Open Tue-Sat 11am-7pm.
Waffle Slayer
Waffle Slayer
Famed Strangers’ Reunion café has heard our pleas and expanded their shop space to open Waffle Slayer, a dedicated waffle café that serves up Strangers’ Reunion’s signature buttermilk waffles. Dig into sweet treats like passionfruit white chocolate waffle and red velvet waffle for dessert, or if you’re feeling famished, try savoury options like squid-ink waffles (topped with smoked salmon or bacon) and chicken schnitzel waffle drizzled in kaffir lime mayo. Warning: Waffle Slayer is no less packed than its sister café, so be prepared to wait to get your waffle craving sated!
Waffle Slayer, 37 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169356, p. 6222 4869. Open Mon 9am-10pm, Wed-Fri 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-10pm, closed on Tues.
Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar
If good ol’ American grub is your kind of comfort food, we’ve got something right up your alley – Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar. Sharing the address with Candlenut Kitchen, hit up this casual diner to get your burger and milkshake fix. Our votes are on the juicy Teddy’s 100% US Beef Burger and the sinfully irresistible salted caramel milkshake! Roosevelt’s also dishes out brunch from 830am-6pm daily; order up the hearty Teddy’s Big Breakfast if you want to start your day right.
Roosevelt’s Diner & Bar, 331 New Bridge Road, Dorsett Residences, #01-02, Singapore 088764, p. 6538 3518. Open Mon-Thu 830am-10pm, Fri-Sat 830-12am, Sun 8am-10pm.
Char
Char
If you’re like us and enjoy scouring the island for the best roast meats, you’ve gotta make Char one of your pit stops. This heartland resto has ambitiously claimed to serve up the best Cantonese roast in Singapore, and they don’t disappoint. Choose from the four main roasts – duck, crispy pork belly, honey barbequed pork, and soy sauce chicken – and complete your meal with a slew of seafood, vegetables, and rice dishes. Chase it all down with a bottle of craft beer from their (surprisingly) European-label-heavy alcohol menu.
Char, 393 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399790, p. 6842 7759. Open Tue-Sun 11am-230pm, 6-10pm.
Hanare
If you don’t have the cash to splash or were told that you had to wait six months till there was an available omakase spot at Teppei (we feel you), Teppei’s sister restaurant Hanare might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Offering a self-service buffet concept, you can feast on 15 pre-prepared dishes for only $19.90. Don’t be expecting Teppei’s omakase dishes at the buffet, but you’ll definitely get a decent selection of Japanese classics like chicken karaage, udon, edamame, and Japanese curry. Opt for the Bara Set ($17.60), which features a Bara Chirashi bowl and free flow of four side dishes, if you crave a taste of Teppei’s famed Chirashi.
Hanare, 99B Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088520, p. 62221976. Open Mon-Fri 1145am-230pm and 630-1030pm, Sat 12-230pm and 630-1030pm.
DIBS Restaurant & Bar
DIBS Restaurant & Bar
Holding its own amongst stellar competitors like Tippling Club, Lucha Loco, and Etna, what DIBS lacks in accolades and star power, they supplement with earnest gastronomy and personable service. Riding on the communal dining trend, DIBS serves up Asian-Western fusion sharing plates and a limited, but decent assortment of wines, Japanese plum wines, and sakes. Indulge in the meat butter, which offers generous servings of veal bone marrow, slathered in teriyaki sauce and topped with bonito flakes, or order up the trio of crabcakes which is served on a slurp-worthy bed of rich lobster bisque. The charred lamb, served with a side of root vegetables, is another standout to try!
DIBS Restaurant & Bar, 51 Duxton Road, Singapore 089515, p. 6223 3784. Open Mon-Fri 12-3pm and 6pm-12am, Sat 6pm-12am.
Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee
Owner/baker Lynn kicked off her baking journey when she had to bake for her daughter’s class party. Years on, with a Professional Cake Maker Diploma in Sugar Frosting and years of experience in events catering under her belt, Lynn and her husband decided to start a café of their own! Located along Eng Kong Terrace, Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee serves up freshly baked layer cakes, special blend coffees, and artisan teas. But most importantly, it allures as a peaceful, cozy respite from the perennial crowds at neighbouring Necessary Provisions.
Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee, 11 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598893, p. 90235678. Open Tue-Thu 11am-7pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-8pm.
The Audacious Cakery
The Audacious Cakery
Being the sweet tooths that we are, Everton Park’s new gem The Audacious Cakery easily captured our attention (and wallets). From the rich chocolate tart with a moist soufflé centre to the intricately designed forest noir with kirsh soaked cherries to their rainbow-coloured cupcakes made from unusual flavours like black sesame and matcha, you’ll be utterly spoilt for choice. We don’t blame you if you wanna chow down everything! So, make sure you gather your pals so that you can order up a spread.
The Audacious Cakery, Block 2, Everton Park, #01-61, Singapore 081002, p. 6223 3047. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm.
Sprigs
Joining the eclectic mix of restos on Purvis Street, alongside dining spots like French bistro Saveur, Yakitori gem Shinryoku Yakitori, and local eating house Chin Chin, Sprigs serves up modern European fare which is simple, yet sophisticated on the palate. Its clean, white décor and use of open space exudes a comforting, down-to-earth ambience, perfect for diners looking for a relaxing meal with friends or fam. Check out the wallet-friendly lunch menu, it’s bound to chase your work blues away!
Sprigs, 12 Purvis Street, #01-01, Singapore 188591, p. 6338 5844. Open Mon-Sat 1130am-230pm, 6-10pm.
My Awesome Café
Don’t be mistaken by the Mandarin signage at the door. Nope, it’s not a free clinic for the elderly. Taking over the now-defunct Chung Hwa Free Clinic, My Awesome Café is a note-worthy new kid on the block along the bustling Telok Ayer stretch. From its bare cement walls, shelves of vintage trinkets, and intriguing use of dangling naked bulbs to illuminate its sprawling space, My Awesome Café oozes industrial chic glam. We were pleasantly surprised when we read the menu too; alongside a selection of classic French pastries like croissants and quiches, you can also dig into lunch money-worthy subs, cheese and vegetarian platters, and sip on flavoured bai jiu (Chinese spirit)!
My Awesome Café, 202 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068630, p. 8428 0102. Open Mon-Tue 7am-9pm, Wed-Fri 7am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm.
Top Image: My Awesome Cafe