PUBLISHED February 17th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED December 21st, 2017 05:28 pm
Bustling areas like Dempsey, Tiong Bahru, and Jalan Besar have been firmly established as brunch havens. So we’re introducing a neighbourhood that’s been on our radar (that you guys might have forgotten about): the tranquil Bukit Timah stretch. Home to a growing number of cafés and restaurants with stellar brunch fare, here are our 10 favourite spots for our favourite meal of the day.
The Missing Pan (CLOSED)
Those who relished the house-baked breads and subs at the now-defunct Uppercrust by The Organic Baker will be thrilled to dig into a larger brunch menu available at The Missing Pan. We like the 62 Degrees Eggs Benedict slathered with avocado for that extra oomph and their signature (massive) French Toast Salpicon, stuffed with meat and greens and topped with assorted tropical fruits. If you’re planning to whip up weekend brunch at home, stop by and pick up freshly baked artisanal breads and pastries on the first floor.
The Missing Pan is located at 619D Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269724. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday : 9am – 10pm. Sundays & Public Holidays: 9am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.
Little Hiro
If you’re looking to switch things up from the usual egg-y dishes, Hawaiian-Japanese themed Little Hiro will have you sorted. Order up their Foot-Long Fried Chicken Karaage Waffles, drizzled with sweet honey béchamel sauce, to share along with their wallet-friendly ramen burgers. Our pick goes to the BBQ Bacon Bleu Ramen Burger – think thick, tender beef patty with bacon strips and the perfect amount of blue cheese sauce, sandwiched in two springy ramen buns. Go all out with a side of sinful but addictive Spam Fries with Curry Mayo. Chase it all down with swigs of refreshing from their selection of Japanese labels like Hitachino Nest and Suiyobi no Neko.
Little Hiro is located at 559 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269695. Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 11.30am to 9.30pm. Friday & Saturday – 11.30pm to 10pm.
My Little Spanish Place
A cozy, family-friendly bistro, brunch is no small affair here (have you seen the Spanish eat?). Expect a spread of traditional savoury dishes like Bocadillo de Cerdo Desmenuzado (tender Spanish braised pulled pork, with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, toasted baguette, and fries) and Coca de Cebolla (Catalan flatbread toast with caramelized onions, roasted peppers, anchovies and Manchego cheese). Save space for desserts and sink your teeth into their Churros con Chocolate – crisp cinnamon-dusted churros served with warm chocolate sauce for dipping.
My Little Spanish Place is located at 619 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269720. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 6.30pm to 11pm. Saturday & Sunday – 11am to 3pm, 6.30pm to 11pm. Closed on Mondays.
Rider’s Café
Brunch and horse riding – why not? Located next to the Saddle Club, here’s where you can unwind over a meal amidst the lush greenery after a round of leisure horse riding. Opt for the classic Blackstone Benedict with crispy bacon strips and juicy tomatoes, or ditch the diet for a serving of delish French Toast with Bacon and Burnt Bananas dressed with maple syrup. Burger lovers are in for a treat as Rider’s Café’s succulent Rider’s Burger arrives with an inch-thick beef patty, generous portions of caramelized onions, salty bacon, and crunchy arugula rocket salad.
Rider’s Café is located at 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286965. Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 8.30am to 9pm. Friday & Saturday – 8.30am to 10pm. Closed on Mondays.
Baker & Cook
This popular artisan bakery and grocer, with new outlets scattered around the island, opened its first store in the unassuming Hillcrest neighbourhood. All their brunch dishes are served with a side of freshly baked Baker & Cook bread or bagel. Opt for the Sharing Platter of Bread and Croissants to be savoured with an assorted selection of butter, jams, and spreads. Pancake lovers; try the Pancake Stack served with caramelized apples compote, Greek yogurt, and lashings of homemade toffee sauce.
Baker & Cook is located at 77 Hillcrest Road, Singapore 288951. Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 7am to 8pm. Friday & Saturday – 7am to 10pm. Eve of Public Holiday – 7am to 8pm.
Shelter In The Woods
Just when we were thinking that the Shelter Quiche, with forest mushrooms, cheese, onions, and fresh herbs would be perfect for brunch, the folks at Shelter made our dreams come true by launching their weekend brunch. Admittedly, we haven’t actually tried the rest of their brunch-y additions like the Shelter Eggs Benedict and the Vol-Au-Vent Chicken-Mushroom, but we loved what we had for dinner (see full review here) so we’ll go out on a limb for this one.
Shelter in the Woods is located at 22 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289218. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6pm to 10pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Little Diner
Brunch that cures a hangover? We’re sold! American-styled Little Diner offers a tempting Hangover Burger with a hand formed beef party, cheddar, and the must-have sunny side up egg for that weekend pick-me-up. The Delancey Red Velvet Pancakes served with homemade cream cheese and maple syrup is another dish we can’t get enough of, along with the Krusy Crab Benedict with bacon and tangy chipotle aioli atop toasted brioche.
Little Diner is located at 789 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269763. Open Tue-Sun 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm. Closed on Mondays.
Violet Oon’s Kitchen
Jazz up your next brunch date with a dash of Peranakan flavor from Violet Oon’s Kitchen. The only problem here would be a tough time choosing from the mix of Western, Peranakan, and Asian fusion dishes – like the Otak Panini and the Vietnamese Pulled Pork Burrito – on offer. If you’re like us and can’t get enough of all things gula melaka, you’ll love Violet Oon’s take on the classic Brioche French Toast with rich gula melaka sauce and sliced banana.
Violet Oon’s Kitchen is located at 881 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 279893. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 11.30am to 10pm. Friday – 11.30am to 11pm. Saturday – 10.30am to 11pm. Sunday – 10.30am to 10pm. Public Holidays – 11.30am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays.
Spruce @ Bukit Timah
Converting an old fire station into a sprawling open concept restaurant, Spruce @ Bukit Timah is a great alternative brunch spot to the usual café spaces. But the fact that it’s nestled in the forested territories of Upper Bukit Timah is a boon and a bane – driving would be your best mode of transportation (parking is usually not a problem). The menu is not extensive but the prices of the usual British and American breakfast sets are kept reasonable. Portions are large too.
Spruce @ Bukit Timah, 260 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #01-01, Singapore 588213. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday – 10.30am to 10.30pm. Saturday & Sunday – 9am to 10.30pm.
Choupinette
Tucked away in the corner of shop houses adjacent to Coronation Road, Choupinette is a quaint, homely French bistro that serves up freshly baked croissants, baguettes, and assorted sweet treats along with some of the best poached eggs in the ‘hood! Brunch ranges from $10 for a kid-friendly Viennoiserie Set to $23 for an Egg Royals Set, inclusive of fruit juice or a hot drink.
Choupinette is located at 607 Bukit Timah Road, #01-01, Singapore 269708. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 9am to 8pm. Friday – 9am to 10pm. Saturday – 8am to 10pm. Sunday – 8am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.
Top Image: The Missing Pan