Just Opened June 2015: 10 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out

PUBLISHED June 12th, 2015 05:21 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:47 pm

From a London-based burger joint with awesome cocktails, to a rooftop tapas bar in Chinatown, we’ve sussed out the hottest new restaurants and bars that have just hit Singapore’s food scene. Here’s our pick of the bunch:

MEATLiquor SINgapore

The first international outpost of MEATLiquor has finally made its way to Singapore! Famed for revolutionising London’s culinary scene, these British boys have picked the hip ‘hood of Duxton to offer their smattering of wacky burgers and dangerous cocktails. While their signature Dead Hippie ($22), a burger with two mustard fried beef patties slathered in dead hippie sauce was surprisingly underwhelming in terms of flavour, the Buffalo Chicken Burger ($20), Chilli Cheese Fries ($18), and Fried Pickles ($9) are some of the best grub we’ve had in awhile. Get smashed on cocktail concoctions like the Space Gin Smash ($22), Game Over ($25), and Kameltoe ($90 for sharing).

MEATLiquor SINgapore is located at 99 Duxton Rd, 089543. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 5pm to 2am, Saturday: 5pm to 3am. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Tel: +65 6221 5343.

Vasco

The new kid on the Hong Kong Street block, Vasco, has laid claim to being Singapore’s very first Latin American inspired cocktail bar. Owned by Joel Fraser and Christian Hartmann of The Cufflink Club, the flamboyant drinks here mainly use only South American spirits like Pisco. The food served is a wide variety of South American cuisine, with the national dishes of Peru, Chile, Brazil, Cuba, and Argentina making appearances on the menu. Our favourite dish of the lot? Do check out the El Cubano Sandwich, which makes for an excellent bar snack.

 

Vasco is located at 42 Hongkong St, Singapore 059681. Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6pm to 1am. Closed on Sundays. Tel: +65 8799 7085.

Hanamidori

Plaza Singapura’s latest dining addition will have poultry fans purring with delight. Chicken is the only culinary focus on the menu, albeit cooked in different Japanese styles. We recommend the signature Chicken Karaage, which is marinated in a glorious mixture of yuzu pepper, ponzu, and chicken soup for a richer taste, as well as the tender Sanzoku Yaki (black pepper chicken). If you work in the vicinity, their set meals are great for lunch, but we reckon their hotpot option may be more suitable for gatherings with family and friends.

 

Hanamidori is located at Plaza Singapura, #04-01, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839. Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11.30am to 10pm. Tel: +65 6333 9287.

Tin Hill Social

Made up of two former horse stables, Tin Hill Social is the latest addition to Bukit Timah’s burgeoning dining scene. The tranquil environment and vast spaces offer an escape from the city’s bustling streets, while their signature culinary technique of hay smoking (food smoked over a fire made of hay) is reason enough to pay a visit.

 

Tin Hill Social is located at 100 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287992. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10am to Midnight, Saturday & Sunday: 9am to Midnight. Closed on Mondays. Tel: +65 6466 0966.

TAP Craft Beer Bar

With 20 beers on tap and a seasonal range of 80 bottled options, TAP,  at the revamped Capitol Piazza, is a craft beer paradise for all self-professed beer geeks. When it comes to the food, though, our advice is to be cautious. Most of the dishes we tried were disappointing so they have plenty of room for improvement. That being said, we were there for the beers anyway and it’s a lovely place for a pint or two before catching a show at the spanking new Capitol Theatre.

 

TAP Craft Beer Bar is located at  15 Stamford Road, Capitol Piazza (Galleria), 01 – K1 / K2, S’pore 178906. Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 5pm to Midnight, Thursday to Sunday: Noon to Midnight. Tel: +65 6384 7188.

Osteria Art

The Il Lido Group (the same people behind &SONS, il Lido, and Southbridge) have upped their game with the elegant Osteria Art in the heart of the CBD. Mains like the Black Cod Caciucco with Scampi ($32) and Suckling Pig Porchetta ($98 for two) are quality dishes as good as any self-respecting Italian establishment will offer. While the Antipasti selection is decent, the quality still needs a little brushing up. Vino lovers can look forward to sampling over 500 different wines and aperitifs at their glamorous bar.

 

Osteria Art is located at 55 Market Street, Singapore 048941. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to Midnight. Saturday: 6pm to Midnight. Closed on Sundays. Tel: +65 6877 6933.

London Fat Duck

Taking after London’s Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant and cheekily describing themselves as the ‘Wagyu of Duck’, this new restaurant at Scotts Square specialises in quality duck dishes and other roasted meats. Fans of Hong Kong cuisine will be pleased to know that there is also a selection of tantalising Cantonese and Dim Sum favourites like Char Siew ($14.80), Duck Buns ($4.80 for 3), and Xiao Long Bao ($5.20) on offer.

 

London Fat Duck is located at 6 Scotts Road B1-16/17, Singapore 228209. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11am to 10pm. Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm. Tel: +65 6443 7866.

Lepark

Located on the former sixth storey carpark of People’s Park Complex, Lepark is a new rooftop tapas bar overlooking the heritage streets of Chinatown. Being one of the largest rooftop spaces in Singapore and situated close enough to the CBD makes it a great hangout spot after work. On top of it’s ever-changing tapas menu and draught beer from $6, these guys regularly organise events like flea markets, movie screenings, and concerts.

 

Lepark is located at 1 Park Road Level 6 People’s Park Complex, Singapore 059108. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 4pm to 10pm. Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays. Tel: +65 9658 9938.

Wholly Crab

After the success of The Mama Shop, Mediacorp actress Felicia Chin is at it again. Her latest pet project comes in the form of a Louisiana styled seafood bar at the Singapore Flyer’s food centre, Satay by the Bay. Expect messy, wholesome seafood dishes that incorporate local flavours, with the likes of Laksa and Kung Pao being thrown in the fray.

 

Wholly Crab is located at 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Satay by the Bay, Singapore 018953. Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 2pm to 10pm. Friday & Saturday: 2 to 11pm. Eve of PH: 2 to 11pm. PH: 2 to 10pm.

Twins

Named for the restaurant’s chefs (who are, as you’d expect, identical twins), Twins is yet another start-up Korean eatery trying to establish itself in Tanjong Pagar. There are too many Korean Fried Chicken (cheekily abbreviated KFC) places to conquer so we haven’t been down ourselves but word is the Soy and Garlic Chicken ($20 for half, $35 whole chicken) and Seafood Noodle Soup ($16.90) are pretty good.

Twins is located at 7 Craig Road, Singapore 089667. Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11am to 3pm, 5pm to Midnight. Tel: +65 6221 5205.

Cover image: MEATLiquor SINgapore & Osteria Art