Just Opened April 2021: New Restaurants and Bars in Singapore This Month

PUBLISHED April 1st, 2021 05:00 am | UPDATED April 10th, 2021 03:44 pm

Don’t let your feasting stop at Easter this April, as the month brings new grub havens to the table. Highlights this month include a hawker stall turned chic pet- and kid-friendly cafe in Bukit Timah, a new Japanese omakase concept, and a Mediterranean watering hole in the CBD.

New Restaurants in Singapore

Nusantara

Indulge in some comfort food in the form of Nusantaran cuisine as local chef Firdauz Nasir serves up signatures like the Belimbing Lamb Bowl (S$15.90) and Beef Rendang Bowl (S$10.90). Made with fresh local ingredients, all dishes are prepared sans MSG and preservatives, with less oil and sugar for some guilt-free enjoyment. Vegan options include Nusa’s Vegan Longtong Bowl (S$7.90) and Vegan Nasi Sambal Goreng Bowl (S$7.90). Don’t miss out on their small bites, with a familiar Mashed Banana Fritters (S$2.50), or Kole Kole (S$2), slow-cooked gula melaka mousse with “burnt” coconut milk reduction crumbs.

Nusantara Singapore is located at 182 Cecil Street #02-16/17, Frasers Tower, Singapore 069547. Open daily 10am-6pm.

Fukui

With omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) at the heart of what it does, Fukui is serving up seasonal delights fresh from Japan. Head Chef Nick Pa’an incorporates modern twists into his dishes, with cooking methods like warayaki (traditional straw fire) that accentuate his handmade creations. Go on a gastronomic journey with fresh produce from Hokkaido, Saga Prefecture, and the famed Toyosu Market in a hideaway inspired by the serenity of Fukui prefecture. Lunch starts from S$88++ and dinner from S$158++. See our review here.

Fukui is located at 25 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238969, p. +65 6509 0909. Open Mon-Sat, 12pm-3pm and 6pm-10.30pm. Closed Sun.

Kulto

Chef-Owner José Alonso is here to show how Spanish food is done. Think Paellas (S$38/62) on a Josper grill, or swap the bomba rice out for pasta to have a traditional Fideuà. Tapas include Jamón Ibérico Croquettes (S$12), and the mains boast scrumptious crossovers between land and sea, like the Crayfish with Ibérico Pork Belly & Truffle Potatoes (S$32). Wash your hearty meal down with red sangria on tap and boutique wines from Spain. For dessert-lovers: the freshly-baked basque burnt Kulto Cheesecake (S$12) is a buttery, zesty temptation that’s quasi-impossible to resist.

Kulto is located at 87 Amoy St, Singapore 069906, p. +65 9620 5626. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm and 5pm-10.30pm, and Sat 5pm-10.30pm. Closed Sun. 

Nixta

Dedicated to authentic preparation of Mexican delights, Nixta is bringing tortillas made from scratch and margaritas to the CBD. Their wood-fired rotisserie grill churns out beauties like Wood-Fired Oysters (S$26) with charred jalapeño butter & tomato vinaigrette, and Travis’ Cadillac Fajitas (S$95) with Tajima Wagyu, house mole, ember-roasted chiles and onions, and mezcal butter. The bar is home to creations like the Nixta Especial (S$22) and Classic Palomas (S$24).

Nixta is located at 116 Amoy St, Singapore 069936. Open Mon-Sat from 12pm-10.30pm. Closed on Sun. Make your reservation here.

Sommer

With years of experience at top restaurants in England, Australia, and Singapore, Head Chef Lewis Barker take diners on a journey by imbuing nostalgic elements of his childhood and food memories at Sommer. His canapés feature a childhood-inspired Mackerel on “Toast”, crafted with homemade crumpet, smoked Japanese saba, and kaluga caviar. Those with a sweet tooth can relish in his Caramelised White Chocolate dessert, constructed with armagnac-soaked medjool dates, aerated 72% dark chocolate cubes, and caramelised Piedmont hazelnuts.

Sommer is located at The Sail @ Marina Bay, 2 Marina Boulevard, #01-02, Singapore 018987, p. +65 6436 3668. Open Tue-Sat 12pm-2pm, and 6pm-9.30pm.

New Bars in Singapore

Levant

There’s nothing quite like cocktails at a rooftop bar after a long day at work. Levant is the new tippling den in Tanjong Pagar, bringing Mediterranean zest to the neighbourhood with a backdrop of skyscrapers and heritage shophouses. From the Greek-inspired, tsipouro-based Greek Forest (S$18), to the Italian Negroni-inspired Amber Constellation (S$22), with Gran Classico, bergamot, and star anise replacing Campari. Pair the tipples with nibbles like crispy Whitebait Fish Fries (S$18) with sumac harissa yogurt and savoury Beef Kofta Sliders (S$18) with eggplant fritters.

Levant is located at 32 Tras Street Level 4, Singapore 078972, p. +65 6304 3298. Open daily 4pm-10.30pm. Make your reservation here.

Persea

High in good fats, low in carbs, big on flavour, low on guilt – that’s Persea‘s philosophy. On-menu selections include Chicharrónes (S$6) topped with chilli lime salt, and Lamb Rump (S$28) with mint chermoula. Even their tipples are keto-friendly, with Clarified Pina Colada (S$18) and ABC Milk Punch (S$18) being some of their concoctions. With weekend brunches and tantalising Cheat Day specials, your diet will be on its toes at this gastro bar on Ann Siang.

Persea is located at 23 Ann Siang Road Singapore, Singapore 069703, p. +65 8138 3217. Open Tue-Sat 5.30pm-10.30pm, and for brunch on Sat 11am-2.30pm and Sun 11am-3.30pm. Make your reservation here.

New Cafes in Singapore

Pâtisserie CLÉ

If French pastries are the clé to your heart, Pâtisserie CLÉ has opened their second outlet at Lucky Heights in the east of Singapore. From the rich Truffle Ziggy pastry with wild mushrooms, arugula, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes, to the delectable Lucky Clover puff pastry swirl with spring onion, garlic, and bacon, this is pastry heaven. Spoil your sweet tooth with their crowd-favourite Orh Blanc Tart, an unexpected orh nee-Mont Blanc crossover.

Pâtisserie CLÉ is located at 79 Lucky Heights, Singapore 467627, p. +65 8127 3925. Open Wed-Sun 9.30am-6.30pm.

HotChic²

Bursting from humble beginnings as a hawker stall just over a year ago, HotChic² is injecting fun into casual dining at The Grandstand. Case in point: its 3-course set meal, When Chef Tries to Be Atas (S$68), starts off with a bacon foie gras pate, spiced furikake sourdough and accompanied by rich flavours crushed nuts, and Japanese musk melon. Don’t miss out on other bold plates like the Oppa Su Dong Po (S$27), where Chinese-inspired slow-braised pork belly is paired with Korean peach kimchi. With complimentary colouring kits and an alfresco area for furkids, this is one for fam bam.

HotChic² is located at at The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road #01-04, Singapore 287994, and is open Mon-Fri (except Tue) from 12pm – 10pm; Sat from 9.30am–10pm, and Sun 9.30am–7pm.

Top image: Sommer’s Caramelised White Chocolate dessert