Where to Eat & Drink in City Hall, Singapore: Casual Restaurants, Cafes, Cocktail Bars, and Fine Dining in the Neighbourhood
PUBLISHED December 13th, 2018 12:22 pm | UPDATED October 22nd, 2019 09:02 pm
With City Hall being such a popular meeting spot, deciding where to grab a bite or even a quick drink can be a hassle even with the plethora of dining options. To make planning for your next meal easier, here’s our curated list of places that’ll suit any occasion you have in mind, from late night hangouts with great tipples to photogenic brunch spots, and even communal dining in Chinese restaurants and local eats.
Casual Dining and Coffee
The Stamford Brasserie
Looking for a classy yet casual place to meet? Head over to The Stamford Brasserie, where they serve familiar and hearty dishes like Pulled Kurobuta Pork Sandwich ($17), Fresh Catch Seafood Stew ($20), and Taproot Salad ($16) amongst others. The brasserie comprises of a Grab & Go counter, perfect for the busy bees in a rush, and a laid-back bistro well stocked with craft beers from around the globe. Read our full review here.
The Stamford Brasserie is located at Swissôtel The Stamford Level 1, 2 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178882, p.+65 6431 6176. Open daily from 12pm – 10pm.
El Mero Mero
Satisfy your Mexican cravings at El Mero Mero with their vibrant selection of contemporary Mexican dishes. All their ingredients have been hand-picked and sourced directly from Mexico, with salsas and sauces made fresh in-house daily. Some menu highlights include their Barbacoa de Lengua ($18++), comprised of Veal Tongue and Oxtail on a flour tortilla, as well as their Slow-cooked Pork Carnitas ($15++), served with Pico de Gallo on a corn tortilla. For an unforgettable night out, try their selection of tequilas, mezcals, as well as Hispanic wines and beers.
Chope Deals: Save up to 35% off at El Mero Mero
El Mero Mero is located at CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 6337 1377. Open for lunch daily 12pm – 3pm and dinner on Sun-Wed 5pm – 11pm, Thur-Sat 5pm – 1am.
Kurasu
Kurasu serves up quality Japanese coffee along with the equipment and beans you need to make your own cuppa at home. Founder, Yozo Otsuki, encourages coffee lovers to talk to their friendly baristas to learn more about the art of brewing and they’ll gladly give you tips and tricks of the trade. Their bar seat arrangement also gives you a great view of the baristas at work as they prepare your Flat White ($5), Iced Black ($5), and Matcha Latte ($5) right in front of you.
Kurasu is located at 331 North Bridge Road, Odeon Towers #02-01, Singapore 188720. Open Mon-Fri 9am – 6pm and Sat-Sun 12pm – 6pm.
The Glasshouse
One of the rare few that open at 7.30am, early birds can now enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee at The Glasshouse. Start your day right with their gourmet sandwiches and cosy ambience, perfect for hiding out with a good book or meeting up with friends. Their minimalist design and floor to ceiling windows makes for an inviting and bright space that you (probably) don’t want to leave.
The Glasshouse is located at CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 9793 0234. Open Mon-Fri 7.30am – 5pm and Sat-Sun 8.30am – 6pm.
Hoshino Coffee
Known for their Soufflé Pancakes (from $9.80) and French Toast (from $9.80), Hoshino Coffee also has a decent savoury menu of omu rice and pasta. Get your caffeine fix with their specialty hand-drip coffee, which makes use of premium Arabica roasted coffee beans. Signature blends include the “Hoshino”, a smooth coffee with notes of light chestnut, the full-bodied “Hikoboshi”, and the milld and clean “Orihme” blend.
Chope Deals: Save up to 50% off at Hoshino Coffee
Hoshino Coffee is located at Capitol Piazza #B2-55, 113 Stamford Road, Singapore 78905, p.+65 6384 5131. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 10.30pm and Sat-Sun 10.30am – 10.30pm.
The Botanic
The Botanic, as the name suggests, is a celebration of nature. Its menu offers a variety of plant-based sharing dishes, perfect for vegans, vegetarians, environment- and health-conscious diners alike. Their set lunch menu at $24++ gets you a main and a side; we recommend their gluten free Botanic Bowl – brown rice with raw marinated tuna, avocado and free-range egg – with a side of Young Mango & Papaya Salad.
The Botanic is located at Raffles City Shopping Centre #01-22A, 252 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179103, p.+65 6837 0995. Open daily from 12pm – 11pm.
Privé CHIJMES
When all else fails, look to Privé Chijmes for a relaxing brunch or dinner spot. Their al fresco seating, complete with romantic festoon lights and benches overlooking an open lawn, is just what you need to unwind. Top off your experience with their range of robust comfort dishes like Ultimate Fish & Chips ($23) and the Bad Ass BBQ Burger ($25), as well as decadent desserts, particularly the Sticky Date Pudding ($12) and Sticky & Sweet Packham Pear Crumble ($12).
Chope Deals: Save 10% off at Prive CHIJMES
Privé is located at CHIJMES, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 6776 0777. Open Mon-Thur 11.30am – 12am, Fri and Eve of PH 11.30am – 1am, Sat and PH 10am – 1am, Sun 10am – 12am.
Bars
Anti:dote
Traditional bartending meets experimental mixology techniques over at Anti:dote. Helmed by Korean dynamo Bannie Kang, this cocktail bar has a list of innovative cocktails such as the Rabbit Hole ($23), using Hendrick’s Gin, pineapple, elderflower liqueur, and carrot Juice, and the spirit forward Donkey Kong ($25), a whisky-based drink with Amontillado sherry, Amaro (an Italian herbal liqueur), and roasted hazelnuts. Pair your tipples with their menu of satisfying Asian influenced tapas. Read our review here.
Anti:dote is located at Fairmont Singapore Level 1, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560, p.+65 6339 7777. Tapas menu is available Mon-Wed, Sat-Sun 6pm-10.30pm and Thu-Fri 6pm-11.30pm. Bar is open Sun-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am.
The Single Cask
The Single Cask is your go-to whisky wonderland in City Hall, with a fully stocked bar boasting over 400 single malts, boutique blended malts, and single cask rums. Discover lesser known distilleries along with a wide range of independent bottlers. What’s more, The Single Cask also hosts an impressive collection of their very own exclusive single cask whiskies and single malts from family-owned distilleries.
The Single Cask is located at CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 6837 0953. Open Mon-Sat 5pm – 12am. Closed on Sundays.
Smoke & Mirrors
Perched at the top of the National Gallery Singapore, Smoke & Mirrors dishes out visually stunning and beguiling drinks like the M.C-N.L ($24) – a blend of cacao vodka, sweet vermouth, and coconut nectar served in a flower pot complete with soil and a leafy shrub – and Kurokawa ($22), a cocktail using kombu vodka, yuzu, and sea grapes, served in a traditional Japanese masu cup. Along with the great view, Smoke & Mirrors is a feast for the eyes.
Smoke & Mirrors is located at National Gallery Singapore #06-01, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, p.+65 9380 6313. Open Mon-Thur 3pm – 1am, Fri 3pm – 2am, Sat-Sun and PH 12pm – 2am.
Loof
Spend a whimsical night at Loof, one of Singapore’s best rooftop bars that offers uniquely crafted cocktails inspired by Southeast Asia. Pair your Kopi Cat ($19) – a blend of overproof rum, orange liqueur, and mocha – with their signature Chilli Crab Waffle Fries ($15) served with an original blend of chilli sauce & blue crab dip. Or snack on some Bacon Lollipops ($16), to go with a cool glass of Loof Bubble Tea ($21) putting an alcoholic twist on everyone’s favorite drink. Check out their very own Mama Shop, which sells a range of nostalgic novelty items.
Loof is located at 331 North Bridge Road #03-07, Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop, Singapore 188720, p.+65 6337 9416. Open Mon-Thur 5pm – 1am and Fri-Sat 5pm – 2am. Closed on Sundays.
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is the new kid on the block at CHIJMES. Offering 15 craft beers on tap from $14 a pint, you can enjoy brews such as the crisp Passionfruit Wheat Ale by Vietnamese brewery Pasteur Street or Anderson Valley’s Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout, a smooth roasted malt with slight chocolate notes. Premium craft beers are available at $16 a pint, boasting selections like the Lemon Tea Pale Ale by Young Master x Smith Street Taps and fruity Love Wild Ipa by Brewlander, amongst others.
Almost Famous is located at CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 9772 1787. Open daily 3pm – 12am.
Chinese Restaurants & Local Eats
Yàn
Yàn offers authentic Cantonese cuisine, from a premium selection of live seafood and abalone to a hot variety of wholesome wok-fried dishes. Perfect for gatherings of all sizes as dishes can come in small, medium, or large portions – now you can accommodate those picky friends or gluttonous relatives. Menu highlights include Yàn’s House Special Baked Pork Ribs with Black Olive ($13.80), Braised ‘Mee Pok’ with Fresh Mushroom and XO Sauce (from $22), and Deep-fried Eggplant with Seven Spices Powder ($10).
Chope Deals: Save up to 35% off at Yan
Yàn is located at National Gallery Singapore#05-02 , 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, p.+65 63845585. Open daily for lunch 11.30am – 2.30pm and dinner 6pm – 10.30pm.
New Ubin Seafood
New Ubin Seafood presents local fare for the soul. Each bite takes you back to kampong times, reminiscent of simpler days when meals were created for the sole purpose of warming hungry hearts and stomachs. Munch on some Pork Rendang Nachos ($19) as an appetizer before moving onto their famed cze char dishes. Choose from the likes of Stir Fried Kang Kong with Sambal Belacan ($10 for small), Har Cheong Gai ($18 for 6 wings), and Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab ($15).
New Ubin Seafood is located at CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996, p.+65 9740 6870. Open daily for lunch 12pm – 3pm and dinner 5.30pm – 10pm.
Famous Treasures
Can’t wait till Chinese New Year to get a taste of roasted pork and steamed fish delights? Head over Famous Treasures, serving all your favorites like Deep Fried Pork Belly, Fermented Bean Curd, Steamed Marble Goby, and more! Boasting a colletion of wines as well to pair with your meals, you’re sure to have an oppulent experience at Famous Treasures.
Famous Treasures is located at Capitol Piazza #02-28, 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905, p.+65 6881 6668. Open daily for lunch 11.30am – 3pm and dinner 6pm – 10.30pm.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon
Sink your teeth into hearty Peranakan fare at National Kitchen by Violet Oon. Serving gourmet dishes close to our hearts, like Violet Oon’s own take on the Kuay Pie Tee ($17), Beef Rendang ($23), and their famed Dry Laksa ($22). Plus, their inviting interior – think Peranakan tiles complemented with dark green and black hues – along with verandah seating surrounded by the National Gallery’s majestic Corinthian columns is the perfect cherry to top off your feasting.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon is located at National Gallery Singapore #02–01, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, p.+65 9834 9935. Open daily for lunch 12pm – 2.30pm, tea 3pm – 5pm, and dinner 6pm – 10.30pm.
Fine Dining
JAAN
Apart from being a Michelin Starred restaurant, JAAN is simply a feast for all your senses. Located atop Swissôtel The Stamford, your eyes will have a great time taking in the overwhelming panoramic scenes of Singapore, on top of being treated to the aesthetic presentations of Head Chef Kirk Westaway’s dishes. Their weekday set lunch menus start from $98++, with a selection of four-, five-, or six-courses and wine pairing. While their eight-course set dinner menu starts at $268++.
JAAN is located at Swissôtel The Stamford, Level 70 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882, p.+65 6837 3322. Open Mon-Sat for lunch 12pm – 2.30pm and dinner 7pm – 10.30pm. Closed on Sundays.
Odette
If two Michelin stars (a testament to Chef Julien Royer’s modern French cuisine) or the soft hues and pastel palette of Odette‘s interiors haven’t already enticed you to reserve a table, we don’t know what will. With the vision to make Odette an honest and welcoming experience for everyone, every ingredient has been chosen to serve a specific purpose, treated with utmost care to highlight the dish’s purest flavours, and sourced from the best produce.
Odette is located at National Gallery Singapore #01-04, 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, p.+65 6385 0498. Open Tue-Sat for lunch 12pm – 1.30pm and Mon-Sat for dinner 7pm – 9pm. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Top Image: Smoke & Mirrors at The National Gallery
