New restaurants, bars, or seasonal menus perfect for a fancy date night or casual dining with friends …would be how we start this article off with a slew of SEO-keywords, can you tell? Though that’s still an honest description of these establishments which have earned their spot on this written highlight reel. Or if you have already been eyeing these places, take this as a lowdown of key dishes and worthy mentions to try.
When a no-frills bar lands at 56 on the extended World's 50 Best list (one pin if you're into The Pinnacle Guide) this early in the game, you pay attention. While the playground is new, owners Jesse Vida and Gabriel Lowe are industry names with years of experience behind the bar. They continue to express in agave and rice spirit renditions, conveniently marked by matching icons.
Still, they're adamant on not classifying themselves under say, a soju-bar type specialisation. Even if they do carry over 200 bottles of agave. The goal is to retain the taste of the classics, with the spirit at the forefront. Just watch them geek out on the difference between agave and sotol.
The 12 new drinks feature expertly maneuvered martinis and swap outs like Italian strega in place of yellow chartreuse, if your palate is that discerning. Liver Let Die is a wonderfully acquired taste with its savoury and oily profile, further pushed with a petite cheese cube for garnish.
Crowd hits from past menus are still available in House Faves, like the Milk Punch For A Cause, where SGD4 will be contribute to cat charities. It's the spot for you if you consider yourself of a classic connoisseur than a flavour-chaser. And if you're eyeing that ceramic coaster, be better than pocketing it. Their recent merch drop has that and more.
Vibe: The bar your favourite bartenders go to
Must-trys: Liver Let Die, Shiso Foine, Meow Now Brown Cow
Cat Bite Club is located at 75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534.
This sleek space has a two-halves-make-a-whole thing going—a place to imbibe next to a place to dance. Hall, its bar/restaurant, has all the vibes in the world. The mood lights; the eclectic music that features laugh tracks and children laughter (let's hope they keep the playlist or I just sound mad); and floor-to-ceiling views of the Robinson crosswalk are all aspects you have to visit to experience.
The Southeast Asian-inspired roster including Gula Melaka Old Fashioned and Bak Kwa Manhattan are not on the nose, unlike their spiritless counterparts. Funk You Up and Onde-Onde are more dessert than drink, especially when served in sweet, goopy spoonfuls.
All this is not on an empty stomach with hot dogs and bar bites by Boss Dawg to fuel the rest of your night on Floor, RASA's music lounge. Whether live shows or international sets, the programming is ever evolving and up for your discovery.
Vibe: The bar scene you want to be caught dead in
Must-trys: Toca, Spiced Grapefruit Cooler, Cempedak Lassi
RASA is located at Republic Plaza Tower 1 #02-01/02, Singapore 048619.
If you're big on coffee—like properly, where you know that overconsumption is leading to high prices and it's been a long time coming given how exploited the industry is—, then you'll be happy to know that Bettr has opened their first sit-down cafe (for a couple months now, sorry guys).
As consumers, we now have access to truly sustainable coffee. We don't just mean paper cups. Bettr has the bragging rights of being the region's first certified B Corporation for a decade now. What that means is the company fulfils high standards of accountability encompassing employee benefits to charitable supply chain practices and a lot more goodwill that won't fit the page.
TLDR: Ever since conception in 2011, Bettr has been operating B2B and as an academy training over 15,000 individuals in professional barista skills, including at-risk youth and prison inmates. This B2C venture simply extends the responsibility for us to participate in and benefit from. Not only bean-free alternatives like Prefer but direct-trade partnerships with farmers and producers who share likeminded commitment to ethical labor practices.
On top of hearty food, there is a wide selection of cocktails using upcycled spent coffee and caffeinated variants. Try Madagascan cola with the brand's highly accoladed Eureka blend in Black & Cola. Otherwise, Coconut Russian where an iced white goes hard with brown sugar syrup, coconut milk, and cream top. Each cup serves our delight but equally, towards the livelihoods of those harvesting the raw material.
Vibe: A pet-friendly, plant-friendly, work-friendly cafe that earns you good karma points
Must-trys: Coconut Russian, Eureka Martini
Bettr Coffee @ Foundry is located at 11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949.
The cuisine has been steadily on the rise here where we're spoiled with a range spanning K-bbq to traditional han-sik. So upon seeing the reinterpreted menu in collaboration with a reputable grooming brand, there was no need to think twice.
Fans of yukhoe and ceviche will find no flaw in the Tuna Hwe. Another starter that deserves high praise is the Black Sesame and Ginseng Samyetang Pao Fan for having a unique take without straying so far you can't perceive the original. Mains (apart from the vegetarian Naengmyeon in a broth colour that will intrigue your IG following) don't look conventionally Korean, but the meats are perfectly tender. We're more partial to the Doenjang Chicken with Yeonnipbap because of the consistency of the sticky rice.
Both desserts earn the best Asian compliment of "not too sweet", but the Insam and Cointreau Gâteaux rounds off your dedicated meal with the Sulwhasoo-themed colours. Additionally, if you'd like to reminisce the pandemic fad, we'll say the Dalgona Coffee is pretty damn balanced. You are free to enjoy the dishes a la carte but opting the Two- or Three- Course Set Menu gifts you a little travel kit that's almost like a reward for having a good meal.
Must-trys: Black Sesame and Ginseng Samyetang Pao Fan, Naengmyeon
When: Until 13 July 2025
Sulwhasoo Café is located at 1864, Sofitel Singapore City Centre Level 5, Singapore 078885.
