New restaurants, bars, or seasonal menus perfect for a fancy date night or casual dining with friends …would be an honest, albeit SEO-driven description of these establishments. Not that we are any authority, but each has definitely 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. Succinct? You betcha.
Some bars you just know are helmed by veterans the moment you step in. There's an ease in the air despite the orange glow of the lowlights and aesthetic wall finishes. That's the whole schitck here too. The team just wants you to have access to a great sip without being intimidated by how little you may know about tipples. Throw classics out the (drive-by inspired) window. Though they're certainly able to expertly craft you one, you'd be much better off ordering from the 16 signatures, especially if you like your blends savoury.
Flavour is key here, where the core ingredient (conveniently what the cocktails take name after) precedes base spirit. Meaning presentation is not priority, if you happen to be big on flaunting your drink on social media than quietly enjoying it. While it's a pity that you won't be seeing garnishes, the unfussy-ness of it all is very on brand. There's Apple for the faint-of-heart, to Orbium to get sh*t-faced with. Mushroom (which includes rye, bourbon, agave, citrus AND beef; you read that right) for the experimental, and Cake, which is a dessert-style call-back to another prominent watering hole where one of the bartenders cut his teeth (take a guess). Find our subjective personal favourites listed below. The line up rotates quarterly so you know what to do.
Vibe: A dive bar that's classed to a T
Must-trys: Watermelon, Sesame, Tomato
Casper is located at 59 Duxton Road #01-01, Singapore 089523.
Basque burnt cheesecakes are apparently still thriving and this little nook makes us glad that they are. Slices are close to perfectly done AKA a touch of citrus that is present but not overbearing, and the texture a right amount of oozy (yeah, we had a couple back in its heyday). They also give in to the Singaporean penchant for introducing fan-favourite flavours into the mix. For someone who isn't mad about kaya, the Pandan Kaya (handmade, by the way) was easily wiped off the plate. Do keep an eye out for the special releases, which refresh every month.
What we relished equally if not more are the coffees. A regular one would be sufficiently complementary, but no, these guys had to up the stakes with a personally curated list of Thai-sourced coffees. Orange'cano, for the weirdos amongst us who enjoy the combination, is freshly squeezed but topped with a good serving of syrup. The Literal Smoked Brew is fairly novel because why had no one thought to transfer the same application from an Old Fashioned to a classic black before? And if you want the best of both worlds, Basq Brew is cheesecake in a latte, though it's a little milky for our liking.
Vibe: The perfect spot to "yums and yaps", as the kids say
Must-trys: Original, Basq Brew, Literal Smoked Brew
Basq&Bean is located at 85 Beach Road #01-02, Singapore 189694.
You're forgiven for thinking that the menu plays on the infusion of flowers like we did. Instead, florals are the blooming motif that envelop the space. Besides effectively providing a garden escapade in the middle of our major shopping district, the big ethos is food that sincerely puts health first. If you're wondering why the name is a kitchy combination of 'Tomato' and 'Avocado', firstly, ten points for your brilliant guess. Secondly, they are the two ingredients its founder discovered to have the best dietary benefits when used together. Which she often did when crafting nutritious meals for her kids; the inspiration for the restaurant.
As its very first overseas flagship, Tomacado brings a decade of excellence from China (its Hong Kong outpost won "World's Most Beautiful Restaurant" last year). Apart from exquisite Chinese artworks in the store (that take commissions should you be keen) and a dedicated florist, our greatest surprise is how impeccably they can execute a steak. No, truly. It's a great date night option to impress the lady, but also where you can enjoy a hell of a protein and fibre fix.
Vibe: The place to show how in touch you are with your feminine side
Must-trys: MBS 6/7 Wagyu Steak, Signature Honey Roasted Pumpkin Salad
Tomacado is located at Paragon Shopping Centre #01-22, Singapore 238859.
No, this one's not at Weave …which only adds to the mystery, doesn't it? It's at the adjacent Crockford's Tower at Resorts World Sentosa, and is fairly easy to overlook unless you're actively looking for it. Named after a fictitious traveler of the 19th century (who just so happens to be an avid whisky man), the bar is both an emporium for internationally-esteemed whisky labels and a secret space to imbibe.
The signature menu each come with a story, but the intimate ambience is likely the thing that occupies your attention most. By the way, the hidden bar comes with another, fancier hidden chamber. It's accessible by invitation only (or with a hefty minimum spend) with its own exclusive cocktails. Why are we telling you? So you can try figuring out where it's located when you make a visit.
Vibe: The bougiest speakeasy on the city's bougiest island
Must-trys: Pirate Radio, Dragon's Breath, Falling Petals
Horatio is located at 26 Sentosa Gateway, #02-135/A, Singapore 098138.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Not a new venue, but a new menu. Which we couldn't leave out because it remixes Chinese, Laotian, Thai, Bangladeshi, Indian and Burmese influences—and beyond, to be honest. Piquillo pepper in sushi, creamy guacamole scooped with khakhra crisps, tempura-fried avocado paired with tea leaf kimchi. You suspect it’s all performative, until you pop them in your mouth. It doesn’t hurt that the presentation is thoughtful without trying too hard.
If you favour savoury cocktails, the spice-tinged profiles seep into the beverage menu. Infused aromas do more than complement dishes; going further to expand on the flavours in them. You can still request classics, but why revert? Ambience across the three floors of the Tras outlet also share is a conviviality that take after the food—refined yet homey in perfect unity.
Vibe: That Asian feast so sumptuous you forgot what the occasion was
Must-trys: Truffle Edamame & Chili Foam, Avocado Lahpet Thoke, The Great Salted Plum
Burma Social is located at 34 Tras Street, Singapore 079026 and 907 East Coast Road #01-02,
Singapore 459107.
