PUBLISHED August 18th, 2020 01:12 am | UPDATED February 21st, 2022 07:48 pm
The inner city neighbourhood of Robertson Quay is heavily frequented for good reason. There’s just something enticing about the riverside: the cool cafes, the chilled out vibes, and plus, our favourite sake shop is there. So without further ado, here are the best restaurants and cafes along the quayside that offer everything from steakhouses to Japanese restaurants to sake and whisky bars.
Japanese Restaurants in Robertson Quay
Ishi
Modern kaiseki establishment Ishi flies in seasonal seafood from the land of the rising sun four times a way, thus you can expect their offerings to change regularly. For lunch, they offer different sets such as the Chirashi (S$68) and the Wagyu Beef Don (S$78). Dinner time sees Omakase menus ranging from S$196 to S$300, where the Chef Masaaki Sakashita picks the best of the day for your enjoyment.
Ishi is located at 1 Nanson Road, #02-06, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909. Open from Tues – Sun, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm. Closed Mondays.
Esora
Tucked away in a heritage shophouse along Mohamed Sultan Road, The Lo & Behold Group’s kappo-style fine dining restaurant Esora is helmed Chef Shigeru Koizumi. Their eight-course dinner menu is priced at a hefty S$388++ per person, with which you can opt for a unique tea-pairing programme, is by all accounts very much worth it. Check out our review here.
Esora is located at 15 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238964. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-10.30pm. There are two seatings for weekend dinners at 5.30pm and 8pm.
Mikoto
Taking over the space that was once Foodbar Dada at Robertson Court, Mikoto reminds us of the ‘Yakitori Alley’ in Ueno, Tokyo. A narrow and simple setup translate into an authentic izakaya experience. Good news is Mikoto upholds the excellent food aspect, known for its S$12 assorted tempura, champon ramen noodles (S$18), and two-hour free flow drinks with five dishes from S$55++ per person.
Mikoto is located at 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252, p. +65 6235 5277. Open Tue-Sun 5pm – 11.30pm.
Yakiniku Yazawa
A veritable heaven for meat lovers, Yakiniku Yazawa’s convivial atmosphere provides a fantastic backdrop to enjoy Kurobe Wagyu flown in directly from Japan. While you won’t find much seafood or vegetable options here, the beef here is amazing – like the Misuji in Tare (S$38), thinly sliced marinated brisket – as well as the Mangalica pork ($22) and tori momoniku ($16, juicy chicken thigh marinated in tare).
Yakiniku Yazawa is located at 11 Unity St, #01-01 Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995, p. +65 6235 2941. Open daily 6pm – 11.30pm.
Sushi Kaishin
Hidden just off the riverside is a plethora of unassuming smaller eateries. One of them is Sushi Kaishin, holding its own as a simple sushi omakase concept. Priced from S$40 to S$60, lunch comes in the form of assorted sushi with miso soup, salad, and a simple dessert. Dinner is pricier, ranging S$100 to S$200, but diners can look forward to more – appetisers, sashimi courses, and even freshly grilled fish.
Sushi Kaishin is located at 30 Robertson Qy, #01-04 Riverside View, Singapore 238251, p. +65 6733 3720. Open daily 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm.
Other Restaurants in Robertson Quay
Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
Love Italian-style steaks? Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse might have moved one door down, but they’re still serving traditional Tuscan sharing steaks. Their signature dish – Bistecca alla Florentina (S$198), a thick-cut T-bone steak, is cooked over a wood-fired grill to produce a tender and juicy steak with a charred crust. Served alongside a rosemary cream sauce and tarragon hollandaise, this will be the centrepiece of your meal. Check out our review here.
Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse is located at 26 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238970. Open from Tues – Sun, 12pm – 2.30pm, Mon – Sun, 5pm – 10pm.
Decker Barbeque
Authentic Texas bbq joint Decker Barbeque smokes all their meats daily, low and slow overnight. Dig into their signature 2 Meat Plate (S$30), piled with slaw, a side – think mac and cheese, kale salad, and cornbread – and a choice of two meats such as tender pulled pork, smoky wagyu brisket, spicy lamb sausage and even fried chicken. For a truly satisfying experience, go for one of their sharing platters (from S$60 for two) with your choice of meats and sides.
Decker Barbeque is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-17, The Quayside, Singapore 238252. Open on Tues – Fri, 5.30pm – 10pm, Sat – Sun, 12pm – 10pm. Closed Mon.
Les Bouchons Rive Gauche
For all things French, head to Les Bouchons Rive Gauche, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Singapore River. They serve up classic French bistro cuisine, from buttery escargots to traditional steak frites. Start with a hearty French Onion Soup (S$14) before ordering the house special, Angus Beef Filet (S$47), with free flow French fries, handmade and cut to perfection.
Les Bouchons Rive Gauche is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-02, The Quayside, Singapore 238252. Open for lunch on Tues – Fri, 12pm – 2pm, for dinner on Tues – Thurs, 7pm – 10pm and Fri – Sat, 6pm – 10.30pm. Open on Sun from 11.30am – 8.30pm. Closed on Mon.
The English House
The English House made waves when it opened in Singapore, courtesy of its English Chef Patron Marco Pierre White. Expect classic British dishes, elevated, like Beef Wellington (S$125, feeds two), a tender filet mignon in buttery puff pastry, and Braised Pork Cheek (S$38) with apple sauce and spiced noodles. Sundays are special here; you can have everything from a Full English (S$20) breakfast, complete with crumpets, to a Traditional Sunday Roast.
The English House is located at 28 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238972. Open from Mon – Fri, 11.30 am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm, Sat, 8.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm and Sun, 8.30am – 8pm.
Super Loco
From the same people behind Lucha Loco, Super Loco is a fun, festive place with delicious Mexican fare. Be sure to try their tacos, from the popular Carne Asada (S$10) with chargrilled rib-eye and chimichurri to the vegetarian Baja Tofu (S$8), paired with a chipotle mayo and mango salsa. For a little of everything, El Loco (S$45) is a chef’s selection of six dishes to kickstart your Mexican journey. Finish off your meal with Super Churros (S$13), dipping them into a spicy chocolate sauce.
Super Loco is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-13, The Quayside, Singapore 238252. Open from Mon – Fri, 11.30am – 10.30pm, and Sat – Sun, 9am – 10.30pm.
Summerlong
With a focus on Greek food, Summerlong brings Mediterranean vibes to Robertson Quay. Meat lovers can look to their range of skewers, from Lamb Kebabs (S$26) to Pork Koftas (S$25), all marinated with in-house Greek spices. If you love seafood, try the Grilled Octopus (S$30), with a drizzle of olive oil. Don’t forget to try one of their specially crafted drinks. Opt for the Peanut Butter Jelly Shake (S$16) for something fun or the Pandan Colada (S$20) for a boozy summer drink. Check out our review here.
Summerlong is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-04, The Quayside, Singapore 238252. Open from Mon – Fri, 3pm – 10.30pm and Sat – Sun, 10.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm.
Publico Ristorante
Situated along the Singapore River, Publico Ristorante is a social hotspot offering a haven of tropical paradise away from the bustle of city life. The lively restaurant emphasises bold and authentic Italian flavours in their dishes. A must order is their Publico Lobster Spaghetti (S$44), with fresh Boston lobster sautéed in garlic, cherry tomatoes, and white wine. Truffle lovers be sure to check out the Black Truffle Tagliatelle (S$36). With just parmesan and shaved black truffle, its’s simple but delicious. Check out our review here.
Publico Ristorante is located at 1 Nanson Road, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, Singapore 238909. Open from Mon – Sat, 12pm – 11pm, Sun, 12pm – 10.30pm.
Shabestan
Persian food is something of a rarity in Singapore, and Shabestan offers relatively authentic cuisine allowing you to partake in the Persian experience. Charcoal grilled mains like the Lamb Kubideh (ground lamb and tomato skewers) and Pasand Kebab (beef fillet marinated in golden saffron and olive oil) start from $35.
Shabestan is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-13 The Pier @ Robertson, Singapore 239013, p. +65 6836 1270. Open daily 12pm-10pm.
Bars
Orihara Shoten
A small liquor shop and bar, Orihara Shoten is the company’s first overseas branch outside Japan. Don’t be fooled by their small interior, the bar stocks a comprehensive list of sake, shochu, and umeshu for drinking in and takeaway. They also share a space with sister restaurant Shirokane Tori-Tama, so expect delicious charcoal grilled yakitori and steaming bowls of oven with your nihonshu of choice. Reservations highly recommended.
Orihara Shoten is located at 11 Unity Street, #01-02, Robertson Walk, Singapore 237995. Open Mon-Sat 6pm to 11pm. Closed on Sundays and every third Monday of the month.
MoboMoga
A quaint little sake bar with plenty of personality to match, MoboMoga used to be one of the best kept secrets of Robertson Quay. With a collection curated by a sommelier with more than 20 years of experience, MoboMoga if perfect for Japanese-style dinner and drinks – we have it on good authority that they have the best Napolitan Spaghetti in town, and their Yakisoba looks delish – or just a laid-back night out fuelled by good booze.
MoboMoga is located at 207 River Valley Road, #01-58 UE Square River Wing, Singapore 238275, p. +65 6219 3430. Open Mon-Sat 5pm-10.30pm. Closed Sun.
La Maison du Whisky
Now, you can’t leave Robertson Quay without a visit to La Maison du Whisky, one of the best purveyors of fine whiskies and spirits in Singapore. Featuring over 700 labels of the golden liquid, grappas, spirits, wines, and other specialist alcohol from around the world, they have a fantastic service team that’ll find you something you never knew you’d love, whether it’s a Caol Ila 18, ultra-rare Highland Park 1970, or one of their specially crafted cocktails. Do note that the bar only opens from 3pm onwards daily.
La Maison du Whisky is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-10, The Pier @ Robertson Quay, Singapore 239013. Open Mon – Sun, 2pm – 10.30pm.
Cafes in Robertson Quay, Singapore
Toby’s Estate
Almost a decade old in Singapore, Australia import Toby’s Estate is a stalwart along Robertson Quay. The team definitely knows their coffee – they import and roast their own beans in-house, leaving a fragrant scent of coffee in the air. Besides their signature single origin coffees, their brunch staples are sure to fuel you up, be it the savoury Confit Chicken Burger (S$22) with chipotle mayo or Toby’s French Toast (S$14).
Toby’s Estate is located at 8 Rodyk Street, #01-03/04, Singapore 238216. Open from Sun – Thurs, 7.30am – 6pm, Fri – Sat, 7.30am – 7pm.
Laurent’s Café and Chocolate Bar
A visit to Robertson Quay isn’t complete without visiting Laurent’s Café and Chocolate Bar. This gem offers a relaxing ambience to enjoy desserts by the renowned French chocolatier. Order one of their most popular menu items, the Dark Chocolate Souffle (S$18.50). Imagine a rich, fluffy chocolate cake paired with a Tahitian vanilla ice-cream and vanilla sauce. For something more tropical, the Exotique (S$15) is a mango and yuzu-flavoured sponge cake, topped with a coconut covered marshmallow.
Laurent’s Café and Chocolate Bar is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-11, The Pier @ Robertson Quay, Singapore 239013. Open from Mon, 6pm – 11pm, Tues – Thurs, 1pm – 11.30pm, Fri – Sat, 12pm – 12am, and Sun, 12am – 11pm.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
Is this the best coffee roaster in Singapore? Perhaps. Common Man is about much more than quality coffee – it’s also one of our favourite lunch and brunch spots in Singapore, seeing creations like Ricotta Eggs in pita bread, signature Fluffy Pancakes, and hearty Big Breakfasts laden with eggs, bacon, beans, and sausages. Come here for your coffee bean needs, too.
Common Man Coffee Roasters is located at 22 Martin Rd, Singapore 239058, p. +65 6836 4695. Open daily 7.30am – 6pm.