Most of us are no strangers to commuting along Singapore’s MRT lines and I’m sure we all need to recharge with some grub after a long day of travelling. If you happen to be on the lookout for restaurants scattered within your area or are simply keen on exploring new food places, this could be a helpful guide to get you started.
Who knows? Station hopping might just be the new cafe hopping.
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Introducing 11 great eats conveniently located along the five respective MRT lines:
—North East Line (NEL) / Purple Line—
1. JINzakaya (Farrer Park)
Conceived by the award-winning Les Amis Group, JINzakaya is a casual Japanese dining restaurant that is reminiscent of one of those pubs located at Tokyo train station in Japan. Located just off Rangoon Road beside sister outlet Sushi Jin, this Izakaya bar is best known for its affordable lunch sets, sharing plates and most of all, yakimono skewers that accompany a wide sake selection.
With an assortment of 19 grilled skewers to choose from, prices range from $2.50++ for the Tori Momo (Chicken Thigh) to $9.50++ for a Gyutan (Ox Tongue). Prepared in an open kitchen, their menu items consist of comfort food that can be enjoyed in a laid back setting, all at a pocket-friendly rate.
Address: JINzakaya, 1 Farrer Park Station Road, Owen Link, #01-08/10, Singapore 217562 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 2.15pm (last order 2pm), 6pm – 10pm (last order 9.50pm) daily
2. The Square Restaurant (Novotel, Clarke Quay)
On the 7th floor of the Novotel at the heart of Clarke Quay is where you will find The Square Restaurant, a popular buffet restaurant that has been bringing in international cuisine whilst offering local favourites such as, seafood laksa and home-made dim sum. For that reason alone, it has been frequented by Singaporeans and tourists alike.
As new themes are specially curated each month, guests can always expect something different from their buffet spread. In addition, the restaurant boasts a live cooking station which allows diners to interact with the chefs who are in the midst of preparing the dishes.
From sashimi and crab dishes to Asian inspired noodles and mini dessert cakes in their buffet line-up, you will certainly be spoilt for choice when dining at The Square Restaurant.
Address: The Square Restaurant, 177A River Valley Road, Singapore 179031 | Opening Hours: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm daily
—Downtown Line / Blue Line—
3. Meatsmith (Telok Ayer)
Selling BBQ grub, Meatsmith is a smokehouse that has a flair for slow cooking their meats to a grilled perfection. Helming the kitchen is Chef Andrew Baldus who whips up premium cuts of meat along with delectable Southern sides to go with.
Some of their great mains include a juicy and tender Brisket ($28) and a mouth-watering and slightly spicy Nashville Fried Chicken ($12) sandwich. Pair these juicy meat cuts with craft beer such as, Miller Genuine Draft ($9 for half pint, $16 for a pint), and I’m sure you will walk away feeling satisfied.
Highly recommended to all you carnivores out there looking for a true Southern taste!
Address: Meatsmith, 167-169 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068620 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 12am daily
4. Long Chim (Marina Bay Sands)
Inspired by Bangkok street food, Long Chim is a stunning restaurant-bar situated within The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Aptly named, Long Chim translates to “come and sample” in Thai, encouraging patrons to try their street style dishes and wide range of Thai inspired cocktails with a contemporary twist.
With a menu crafted by star chef David Thompson, you can expect only the finest ingredients whipped up into the best renditions of Thai street food. Popular favourites among customers are the Minced Beef ($26) and Fried Rice With Crab Meat ($28). To complement these dishes, try their refreshing 555 ($22) and fiery Bangkok Blazer ($23), from the bar selection.
Address: Long Chim, 10 Bayfront Avenue, #02-02, Atrium 2 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018955 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 11pm daily
—Circle Line / Orange Line—
5. The Flame Cafe (Tai Seng)
Set within an industrial chic interior, The Flame Cafe greets diners with the most comforting cafe grub you will ever find. Found on the first level of the Centro Bianco Building, you will be pleasantly surprised at the superlative customer service that you get regardless of whether you’re ordering a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee or staying for a full meal.
The highlight of their extensive menu is most definitely the 4-Tier Cheesy Hotpot & BBQ Pagoda Steamboat, a part fondue and part barbecue hotplate that is served all day on weekends and only after 3pm on weekdays. With combos such as the Seafood & Meat Combo ($48.90), customers can dip sear their fresh meat on a hot BBQ pan before dipping it in the gooey cheese sauce for an extra burst of flavour.
A boiling pot on the top tier also allows for vegetables and other ingredients to be cooked without the grill. Having steamboat in a cafe is truly a gourmet affair.
Address: The Flame Cafe, Level 1 Centro Bianco Building, 73 Upper Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 534818 | Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (9am – 10pm), Saturday (11am – 12am), Sunday (11am – 10pm)
6. Casa Verde (Botanic Gardens)
At Casa Verde, guests get to dine on the stunning premises of the casual trattoria set among the gorgeous greenery of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. And rightly so since the restaurant name simply translates to Green House in Italian. Serving up delicious Italian cuisine made completely from scratch using quality ingredients, the extensive menu of pastas, sandwiches and thin crust pizzas will surely make for a hearty meal.
Before you dive into the mains, you should try their salads such as the Insalata di Pera Grigliata ($16) which, consists of arugula, caramelised pear, parma ham and gorgonzola, before being topped with white balsamic vinegar. You can expect no less from a pizzeria belonging to the Les Amis group.
For those looking to tuck into some local delights, Casa Verde also serves a delightful heritage menu featuring Seafood Hor Fun and Nanyang Laksa to name a few.
Address: Casa Verde, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569 | Opening Hours: 7.30am – 11pm daily | Tel: 6467 7326
—East West Line / Green Line—
7. Sea Tripod Seafood Paradise (Outram)
Housed in the Dorsett Residence on New Bridge Road, Sea Tripod Seafood Paradise imports the freshest seafood available to the market. Steamed using state-of-the-art steaming equipment, customers get to enjoy fresh ingredients paired with a large variety of dips and sauces.
Indulge in the Seafood Set A ($88 for 2 pax, $168 for 4 pax, and $248 for 6 pax) and you will get fresh seafood ingredients consisting of tiger prawns, clams, gong gong (sea snails), oyster, sea bass, scallops and yellow roe crabs. This is accompanied by chicken thigh and pork belly slices along with, vegetables and mushrooms. The juices of the seafood in the steamer will also be infused into a bowl of porridge underneath to further enhance the flavour.
Address: Sea Tripod Seafood Paradise, 331 New Bridge Road#01-02 Dorsett Residences, Singapore 088764 | Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm daily
8. PastAmore (Buona Vista)
For authentic Italian cuisine, head over to PastAmore at Buona Vista’s Rochester Mall. Prepared by skilled chefs, their menu boasts a whole list of Italian favourites ranging from pizzas such as the Capricciosa ($21.20) with tomato, mozzarella, cooked ham, mushrooms, artichokes and olives to pastas like the Linguine Al Nero Di Sepia ($23), a black squid ink pasta with calamari rings and prawn.
With quality food at an affordable price and hospitable service provided by the staff, you will be in for a great dining experience.
Address: PastAmore, 39 Rochester Park, Singapore 139250 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm-10pm daily
—North South Line (NSL)/ Red Line—
9. PocoLoco (Ang Mo Kio)
Craving for Italian cuisine while you’re in the heartland area? Well, PocoLoco should be your go-to destination. Conveniently found just behind Siam Square Mookata in the Ang Mo Kio neighbourhood, this humble eatery serves genuine Italian dishes at super pocket-friendly prices.
You can find dishes like the Pasta Delle Langhe ($10) that may have an unassuming appearance, but seasoned with truffle essence, the dry egg pasta is simply heavenly. Although their prices may come cheap, they certainly don’t cut back on costs when it comes to importing quality ingredients from direct from Italy. No need to burn a hole in your wallet, now.
Address: PocoLoco, Block 408 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 #01-779, Singapore 560408 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm daily | Tel: 8436 3363
10. INDOCAFÉ – the white house (Newton)
Home to the very best of Peranakan cuisine, INDOCAFÉ – the white house is the ideal place for diners who wish to sample traditional Nyonya cooking. Located in The White House, a colonial-era building on Scotts Road in Newton, the dishes they put out are a rich and flavourful mix of savoury mains and sweet desserts.
The signature INDOCAFÉ Otah Klasik ($12) is testimony to that. Delicately steamed, the chawanmushi-like egg custard with fish fillet is seasoned with coconut milk and a special blend of herbs and spices. Traditional Nyonya desserts, like the Bubur Cha Cha ($10) is also available on the menu. The classic soup features yam, sweet potatoes and banana doused in a rich coconut milk.
Constantly tweaking their recipes and adding a contemporary touch here and there, INDOCAFÉ – the white house continually ensures that their dishes evolve together with the taste buds of the current generation.
Address: INDOCAFÉ – the white house, 35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227 | Opening Hours: Monday – Friday (12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm), Saturday & Sunday (12pm – 5.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm)
*This article was brought to you in partnership with Quandoo.
