Australian cafes are known for good coffee as well as hearty and wholesome brunch fare. Australian cuisine has a lot of overlaps with Western food in general, but some foods that are more prominent Down Under are ricotta pancakes, barbecued food, lamingtons, and avocados.
That’s definitely just scratching the surface though – opt to dine like an Aussie and expect filling platters of breakfast food, savoury roasted meats, crusty bread, and aromatic coffees as well.
Hungry yet? Check out 10 of the best Australian cafes and restaurants that Singapore has to offer.
10) Intrepid Gastro Bar
Other than the usual brunch dishes such as The Breakfast Pan ($18) (pictured above), Intrepid Gastro Bar is a chill and laid back place for a hearty steak, comforting sandwiches, soups, and unusual meats.
If you’re daring enough, or rather if you’re intrepid enough, you can try the Chargrilled Kangaroo Loin ($38). I don’t know if it’s good or not, but it’s sure to hit the spot for thrill-seeking foodies.
Intrepid Gastro Bar: 40 Pekin Street, Singapore 048770 | Opening Hours: (Weekdays) 8am – 10pm, (Weekends) 10.30am – 5pm | Tel: +65 9068 8297 | Website
9) Dimbulah Coffee
Dimbulah Coffee is made from Arabica beans that are grown at the Dimbulah Mountain Estate in Australia and have strong notes of chocolate and caramel with a long finish.
Be sure to pair your coffee with a Raspberry Lamington ($3.50), an Australian cake that is sometimes coated in desiccated coconut, for a burst of sweet and tart flavours that contrast well with strong and bitter coffee.
Dimbulah Coffee has a few outlets around the CBD but you should check out its latest outlet at the beautiful South Beach Avenue.
Dimbulah Coffee: #01-14, 38 Beach Rd, Singapore 189767 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Fri) 7.30am – 7pm, Closed on Saturdays & Sundays | Website
8) Fynn’s
Fynn’s is another really good Australian cafe that is located in South Beach Avenue (this is not a sponsored post, I promise). Not only is the food nice, it also has a lovely ambience with plenty of natural light and beach-coloured tones.
You can expect a variety of hearty salads, sandwiches, burgers and fresh homemade pasta at Fynn’s.
We recommend the Cavatelli ($25) which arrived as a beautifully plated mess of pork sausage, red wine braised octopus, shaved parmesan, fennel seeds and a delectable tomato sauce. But the star of the dish was the octopus which was as tender as the sausage and packed a punch with the spice from the sauce.
Fynn’s: #B1-21, 26 Beach Road, Singapore 189768 | Tel: +65 6384 1878 | Opening Hours: Lunch (Tues to Fri) 11am – 3pm; Dinner (Tues to Fri) 6pm – 10pm, (Sat) 6pm – 10pm; Brunch (Sat) 11am – 3pm, (Sun) 10.30am – 4.30pm, Closed on Mondays | Website
7) Luxe
Luxe is an all-day dining restaurant with modern Australian food, that is located at Keong Saik Road. Indulge in wholesome Toasted Artisan Breads ($9) and Merryberry Ricotta Hotcakes ($20) as some of the non-dinner additions that make the selection of food even better.
If you don’t mind waiting while you’re there, order the Pork and Fennel Sausage Roll ($18), a buttery pastry that encases a juicy and hot mixture of pork and sausage. It takes about 20 minutes to be served as it is made to order, but it will be totally worth it.
Luxe: The Working Capitol, 1 Keong Saik Road #01-04, Singapore 089109 | Opening Hours: (Sun & Mon) 9am – 4pm, (Tues & Weds) 9am – 10pm, (Thurs – Sat) 9am – 10.30pm | Tel: +65 6221 5615 | Website
6) Toby’s Estate
Toby’s Estate is a good choice for a casual brunch and sound coffee. The cafe serves various styles of Eggs Benedict ($17), meaning not just salmon, but also prosciutto and beef.
Plus, the house-made Eggs Benedict sauce is a little lighter and tangier than regular hollandaise sauce, which is something you’ll either appreciate or hate.
You might choose to pass on the eggs benny, but don’t leave Toby’s Estate without getting an aromatic cup of Coffee ($5 – $6). You see, the coffee beans at Toby’s Estate are dry-processed instead of being washed, which is actually a good thing since washing the coffee beans will result in a lot of the flavours being stripped off.
Toby’s Estate: 8 Rodyk Street, 01-03/04 Singapore 238216 | Opening Hours: (Sun to Thurs) 7.30am – 6pm, (Fri & Sat) 7.30am – 8pm | Tel: +65 6636 7629 | Website
5) Salted & Hung
Salted & Hung is pushing the boundaries of Western meat as we know it, with nose-to-tail cooking, and even cured seafood. For instance, the Charcuterie ($28), which consisted of Pig’s Head Terrine, Duck Prosciutto, Lardo with Truffle Honey, Chorizo and Oxtail Rillette alongside slices of peppers and toasted bread.
But for something more orthodox, try the Blackmore 9+ Wagyu Flank ($48), which is served medium rare, and is incredibly tender. It comes with lentils, quinoa stew, and a surprisingly tasty pomegranate aioli that will elevate the flavours of the steak.
You can also opt for a Beer Pairing ($70 for five beers) if you want special craft beers optimally paired with your mains. With ultra cute names and designs, they can be pretty tempting regardless of whether you drink beer or not.
Salted & Hung: 12 Purvis St, Singapore 188591 | Opening Hours: (Weekdays) 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm, (Sat) 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 10.30pm | (Sun) 11.30am – 4pm | Tel: +65 6358 3130 | Website
4) The House of Robert Timms
The House of Robert Timms was the first Australian cafe to open in Singapore. That was seven years ago, in 2010, but it is still known for nice classic Australian food, such as ribs, roast chicken, and steaks.
However, you have to try the delicious, thick, and fluffy pancakes ($13.80 – $14.80) that are stacked with berries, fruit compote, and creme fraiche. Do keep an eye out for the restaurant’s occasional pancake competitions as well, as you can eat a stack of pancakes, like the one above, FOR FREE if you eat it within 15 minutes!
The House of Robert Timms: Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd, 01-02/03, Singapore 238880 | Opening Hours: (Sun to Thurs) 8am – 11pm, (Fri to Sat) 8am – 1am | Tel: +65 6735 9201 | Website
3) Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
Wooloomooloo Steakhouse is a well-known name when it comes to Australian restaurants, despite the unorthodox pronunciation (it is named after a town in Sydney).
This is the go-to place in Singapore for well-executed steaks with nice charred crusts, but tender and juicy centres. The Onion Bread (complimentary) and Creamed Spinach ($12) are some of the best sides Wooloomooloo has to offer, and you should enjoy them with your steak for a thoroughly satisfying experience.
Wooloomooloo Steakhouse: Swissotel the Stamford, Level 3, 2 Stamford Road | Opening hours: (Weekdays) 12.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm; (Weekends) 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 11pm | Tel: +65 6338 0261 | Website
2) Whitegrass
Whitegrass has an impeccably well-designed interior that is almost as well thought out and executed as its food. The Australian chef there uses native Australian ingredients to make dishes that usually have Korean and Japanese influences.
Meals cost between $48++ and $225++, depending on the meal time and the number of courses. For a delectable Australian meal with immense attention to detail, Whitegrass is a lovely place to book especially if you want to impress your parents, or a date.
Whitegrass: Chjimes, 30 Victoria St, #01-26/27, Singapore 187996 | Opening Hours: (Tues to Sat) Dinner; 6pm – 9.30pm, (Weds to Sat) Lunch; 12pm – 2pm, Closed on Mondays and Sundays | Tel: +65 6837 0402 | Website
1) Burnt Ends
Burnt Ends is an obvious choice that deserves the top spot on this list, being the 53rd best restaurant in the world, and the 10th best in Asia.
It’s a little difficult give a specific review of the food here, as the menu changes daily. There have been all sorts of barbecued food here, from burgers to Alaskan King crabs, all of which are said to be extremely delicious and savoury.
It’s kind of like an Australian omakase/teppanyaki experience where the chefs cook all the food in front of you, in addition to curating the menu daily. You should definitely make a reservation, but first, set aside a pretty penny.
Burnt Ends: 20 Teck Lim Rd, Singapore 088391 | Opening Hours: (Tues) 6pm – 12am, (Weds to Sat) 11.45am – 2pm, 6pm – 12am, Closed on Sundays and Mondays | Tel: +65 6224 3933 | Website