Many know Biopolis as Singapore’s research hub for Biomedical Sciences. What you may not know is that Biopolis is actually a hidden treasure trove of many fantastic food options.
I’ve recently made a trip around this business district that is almost like a little food village on its own. Here are 10 food places in Biopolis that the office crowds working here get every lunch break!
1. Bodacious Bar & Bistro
For those working in the vicinity, the Bodacious Bar & Bistro is a great place to unwind, and has vibrant artistic decor perfect for hipsters.
There are attractive happy hour options that make it the go-to after-work haunt in Biopolis. You can look forward to a Pint ($11) of chilled beer to relax.
I tried the bestseller, a baked Sea Bass Steak ($17.80++) served in a lychee-saffron white wine broth.
I just loved how the crispy skin perfectly contrasted with the soft flesh which flaked apart easily. With some sautéed zucchini for crunch, the dish was well-balanced with a tinge of sweetness from the lychee essence.
While the food here is one of the pricier options in the vicinity, it has great portions, and it’s the perfect place to splurge a little.
Expected Damage: $15 – $40 per pax
Bodacious Bar & Bistro: 70 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138547 | Tel: +65 6778 9585 | Opening Hours: (Mondays to Fridays) 11am – 10pm, (Saturdays) 10am – 10pm, Closed on Sundays| Website | Facebook
2. Pallakkuoly Hawker Treats
I happened to stumble upon Pallakkuoly Hawker Treats, Biopolis’ very own hidden prata shop! With a ridiculously long queue extending to outside the entrance, there was no way I could give this place a miss.
Like a typical Singaporean, I got in line first and asked questions later. Thankfully, the service at Pallakkuoly was quick and I only waited roughly 5-10 minutes before I ordered.
I got the basic Roti Prata Plain ($1) and Roti Prata Egg ($1.50). While mine came a little cold, the prata still had a slightly chewy consistency and enjoyable stretchiness. What made it a winner was the potato curry and the spice that tantalised my taste buds.
Although not the best I’ve had, the prata definitely justified the hype. Of course, the affordability of the food here is undeniable too.
Expected Damage: $2 – $8 per pax
Pallakkuoly Hawker Treats: 8 Biomedical Grove, Neuros Block, #01-03, Singapore 138665 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 6.45am – 9pm | Facebook
3. The Lawn
At The Lawn, you can now grab an affordable lunch while getting your daily dose of greens with their customisable salad bowl concept.
With check-the-box order forms, making your own salad bowl is simple. A Salad Bowl ($8.40) consists of romaine lettuce and mesclun, five toppings and a salad dressing of your choice.
You can even complete your bowl with hot mains. As recommended, I tried the Butter-Seared Dory with Parsley Rub (additional $3.30). With the abundance of greens, I had zero guilt ordering the buttery fish main that was tender and moist.
If the weather’s good, you can even enjoy your salad bowl on their outdoor lawn. So pair your salad bowl with some fresh air for a truly detoxifying meal before heading back to the office.
Expected Damage: $10 – $20 per pax
The Lawn: 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos Block, #01-07, Singapore 138669 | Tel: +65 6478 9739 | Opening Hours: (Mondays to Fridays) 10.30am – 9pm, (Sundays) 10.30am – 4pm, Closed on Saturdays | Website | Facebook
4. Manchurian Club
Boasting a fresh fusion concept, Manchurian Club has an interesting take on Chinese wok cooking by infusing Indian spices, all served in bento boxes.
We ordered the Manchurian Club’s Lunch Set ($9.90). For under $10, you can get the daily special that is served in colossal bento boxes.
My box consisted of ginger capsicum rice, chilli eggplant, szechuan veggies and a lemon chicken main. While the lemon chicken wasn’t my favourite, I was impressed with the crisp chilli eggplant that didn’t hold back on the spice. The capsicum rice was also quite fragrant.
While some of the dishes were a miss, the bento was definitely value-for-money. If you’ve got the appetite, spice up your next lunch with Manchurian Club’s unique Chinese-Indian fusion!
Expected Damage: $12 – $25 per pax
Manchurian Club: 21 Biopolis Road, Nucleos North Tower, #01-05, Singapore 138567 | Tel: +65 6266 6920 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm | Website | Facebook
5. Tete-a-Tete Cafe
A bit of a walk away from Biopolis’ Epicentre, Tete-a-Tete Cafe offers up affordable cafe fare in a relaxing environment.

Ranging from $6.90 to $10.90 each, take a tea break with their decadent selection of Instagram-worthy cakes and pastries. Get their very popular Lemon Meringue Tart ($6.90) that was tart and smooth.

Even better, you can get a good cuppa coffee while fawning over these dainty foam animals frolicking around inside!
Expected Damage: $20 – $45 per pax
6. Bigmama Korean Restaurant
At Biopolis, the office workers can get all their favourite Korean treats at Bigmama Korean Restaurant.

Their speciality is Suyuk ($25/$40), which is thinly-sliced steamed pork belly. Unlike other suyuk, they use a special steaming method that strips the pork of unnecessary fats for a cleaner taste.
Crisp on the edges but oh-so-tender in the middle, the pork belly is served with assorted vegetables meant to be eaten together. There are even some sides like the gorgeous pink pickled radish to add a refreshing tanginess.
Who knew succulent pork belly could be healthy?
Expected Damage: $25 – $70 per pax
Bigmama Korean Restaurant: 20 Biopolis Way, Centros Block, #01-01, Singapore 138668 | Tel: +65 6738 8887 | Opening Hours: (Mondays to Saturdays) 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm, Closed on Sundays | Outlets | Website | Facebook
7. Raj Restaurant
Vegetarians, rejoice! Right in the heart of Biopolis is Raj Restaurant, an Indian restaurant with sumptuous vegetarian selections. You can find both North and South Indian cuisine in one place.
I opted for Raj’s Palak Paneer ($11.50) accompanied with some Garlic Naan ($3.50). Made from pureed spinach leaves cooked with cottage cheese, the Palak Paneer had a creamy consistency with a strong and tasty herb flavour.
The Garlic Naan was buttery and fluffy, which went well with the Palak Paneer.
The food is all vegetarian, so if you aren’t in the mood for devouring chunks of meat, Raj’s vegetarian food might be the refreshing change you need.
Expected Damage: $15 – $30 per pax
Raj Restaurant: 20 Biopolis Way, Centros Block, #01-03, Singapore 138668 | Tel: +65 6478 9495 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 11am – 9.30pm | Outlets | Website | Facebook
8. Peperoni Pizzeria
One unique feature of Peperoni Pizzeria is that you can get multiple flavours, all on the same pizza! So if you’re an indecisive eater like I am, make things easier for yourself and just get both.
I got a Large ($24) pizza with both Pancetta and a rather unusual Chilli Crab flavour, enough for two to three people.
While the Chilli Crab pieces had a mild briny taste, I really enjoyed the sweetness of the crab meat. The pizza was just spicy enough to tickle my taste buds delightfully, although more onions and coriander would balance the flavours.
Between the two, my favourite was actually the Pancetta. Filled with cured bacon, sliced tomatoes and a whole sunny-side-up, the flavours reminded me of a luxurious all-American breakfast.
I adored the sunny-side-up which had a gooey yolk that added richness to the pizza. Be quick and chope the piece with the glorious egg!
If you’re feeling up to the challenge, get the XXL ($55) family-sized pizza for five to six people. Take-out is also available at Peperoni Pizzeria, so just make the call and throw your very own office party!
Expected Damage: $10 – $25 per pax
Peperoni Pizzeria: 10 Biopolis Road, Chromos Block, #01-01, Singapore 138670 | Tel: +65 6478 9091 | Opening Hours: (Mondays – Fridays) 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm, (Saturdays & Sundays) 11am – 10pm | Outlets | Website | Facebook
9. Little Big Coffee Roasters
Head down to Little Big Coffee Roasters on your coffee break, a small coffee roaster outlet at Biopolis that serves speciality blends of coffee.

What makes Little Big Coffee Roasters different from the commercial coffee brands in Biopolis is the seasonal coffee offerings. Currently, they are serving a special roast of Miravelle Coffee sourced from El Salvador.

For your daily cuppa, opt for the blends roasted from these speciality beans for a unique coffee experience. The El Salvador Miravelle Coffee had a more complex flavour profile with a sweeter and deeper body.
For less than $5, you can get a large cup of Flat White ($3.80/$4.80).

There are also affordable plates such as their appetising Avocado + Feta Cheese + Sundried Tomato ($7) toast!
Expected Damage: $7 – $20 per pax
Little Big Coffee Roasters: 8 Biomedical Grove, #01-06, Singapore 138665 | Opening Hours: (Mondays to Fridays) 8am – 5pm, Closed on Saturdays & Sundays | Website
10. Nanyang Old Coffee
To get a taste of old-school local delights, check out Nanyang Old Coffee, a quaint kopitiam in a corner of the Genome Block.
Their lunch sets are rotated daily, and are quite value-for-money. There’s even Bak Kut Teh ($5.50) with three chunky pork bones, shitake mushroom and tau pok. This bowl was a treasure trove of delicious goodies.
The pork meat was quite tender and fell off the bone rather easily. While the broth could have been a tad more flavourful, it was hearty with light herbal notes and a bit of sweetness.
Complete your lunch set with traditional Kopi (additional $1) that is served in rustic china cups. With a strong aromatic flavour, this pick-me-up will keep you going even during the longest of work days.
Expected Damage: $5 – $7 per pax
Nanyang Old Coffee: 60 Biopolis Street, Genome Block, #01-05, Singapore 138672 | Tel: +65 6100 3450 | Opening Hours: (Mondays – Fridays) 8am – 5pm, Closed on Saturdays & Sundays | Outlets | Website | Facebook
The only drawback is that most of these Biopolis eateries are only opened during the weekdays since they cater specifically to the office crowd. With that said, I’m still astounded as to how this hidden food haven has managed to stay a secret for so long.
With food this good, I’d gladly come to work every day! Can the food near your office compete with these offerings at bustling Biopolis?