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The Best Lunch Places in Singapore I Escape to in the Middle of a Work Day
If there’s one thing that gets me through a hectic workday, it’s my lunch break. The moment I take a bite of my burger or spaghetti (my go-to dishes for lunch), I forget about work.
Sometimes, I add a plate of decadent cake for dessert, and after that, I’m ready to go into a food coma.
These are my favourite local places to go for a mid-day fix. Check them out!
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles
From: bimmy_bim
Address: 466 Crawford Ln, #01-12
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +6592723920
Hill Street Tai Hwa may not seem like much from the outside, but this restaurant actually has a Michelin star! And I can understand why; the bak chor mee (pork noodles) is absolutely divine.
The noodles are freshly made and cooked to order, so they’re always springy and absorb the savoury, umami flavours from the pork and the sauce. The bowl also has pieces of pork liver, which are super tender and add a bit of sweetness and nuttiness to every bite.
Pro Tip:
- Because of its popularity, this spot attracts long queues no matter the time of day. So, be prepared to wait for a good while if you want to eat here.
Odette
From: odetterestaurant
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01-04 National Gallery
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday—12 pm to 1:15 pm, 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Contact Number: +6563850498
Speaking of Michelin-starred restaurants, another one that you have to check out is Odette. Located inside the National Gallery, this European restaurant boasts fancy French-inspired dishes in a contemporary, luxurious setting.
Since the tasting menu here changes often, your dining experience is different with every visit.
The last time I came here, I was utterly obsessed with the Aveyron Lamb Saddle, which looked super stunning with flowers in its presentation. The meat was so tender; it practically melted on my tongue!
Pro Tip:
- Odette is well-known, so it gets fully booked in no time. I recommend booking your reservation at least a month before your preferred date.
Common Man Coffee Roasters
From: commonmancoffee
Address: 22 Martin Rd, #01-00
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7:30 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6568364695
Most people enjoy their coffee first thing in the morning, but for me, I prefer it during mid-day. When I crave coffee, Common Man is where I usually go first.
My usual drink is iced mocha with milk, and I tend to pair that with chilli chicken. I love how the chicken breast is super moist and absorbs the heat from the sauce. It also has tangy notes thanks to the avocado salsa and burnt lemon.
Pro Tip:
- You can book a class here to learn how to brew the best coffee. They also offer corporate workshops where you and your team can learn how to make coffee together.
JAAN by Kirk Westaway
From: jaanbykirk
Address: 2 Stamford Rd, Level 70 Swissôtel The Stamford
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—11:45 am to 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6591999008
If extravagant dining is the mood you want for lunch, then you can’t go wrong with JAAN by Kirk Westaway. This restaurant is located on the 70th floor of Swissôtel the Stamford; it boasts gorgeous sweeping views of the city!
The lunch menu here is prix fixe, which means you’ll be paying one price for multiple courses. I’m such a big fan of the roasted venison. I love that it doesn’t taste too gamey; it’s sweet and savoury.
Pro Tips:
- Every Valentine’s Day, this restaurant has a special menu. You can give a lunch experience as a gift to a loved one.
The Coconut Club
From: thecoconutclubsg
Address: 269 Beach Rd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—11 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 10:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6587253315
As you can guess from the name, The Coconut Club is all about all things coconut; they try to incorporate coconut milk into every dish. I was sceptical at first, but after trying their nasi lemak, I’m convinced: yes, coconut is life!
Their nasi lemak hits your olfactory senses first. The smell is fantastic; it makes me drool! Then, once I dive in, I relish the fluffy, slightly sweet Jasmine rice, and the super savoury and crispy chicken. The dish comes with sambal, which adds even more sweet and savoury flavours.
Pro Tips:
- You can host a party at this restaurant.If you already have a venue, you can book their catering services instead.
Swee Choon
From: sweechoon.sg
Address: 183/185/187/189 191/193, Jln Besar
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Monday—7 am to 4 am
Contact Number: +6562257788
If you’re a big fan of dim sum, then I have a recommendation for you: Swee Choon. This restaurant has several outlets in the country, but I prefer the one on Jalan Besar.
My go-to order is the Minced Pork and Century Egg Congee because it’s just incredibly hearty and comforting. The congee has rich, umami flavours on its own, and the minced pork and the egg add savoury notes to every spoonful.
I also like the texture of the century egg. It’s almost like jelly, which is fun to bite into!
Pro Tips:
- You can order frozen dim sum here if you want to stock up for late-night cravings.This restaurant also offers catering services.
Le Petit Chef
From: le.petitchef
Address: 70 Amoy St
Contact Number: +6588605935
I confess I’ve only been to Le Petit Chef for lunch once, but it’s such a fun experience that I have to recommend it. It does get fully booked pretty fast, though, which is why I haven’t returned in a while. So, keep that in mind.
What makes dining here memorable is the fact that your table will have an animated projection of a tiny chef (hence the name) making your food. It’s super fun to watch!
As for the menu, you can enjoy several courses. The last time I was here, the standout dish was filet mignon, which was super tender and had mild, savoury notes. It came with potato mash that was super thick and creamy.
Pro Tip:
- Book your spot ahead of time before the restaurant becomes fully booked.
Birds of a Feather
From: birdsofafeathersg
Address: 115 Amoy St, #01-01
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +6597557115
Get ready to have your tastebuds tingling from the heat at Birds of a Feather! This restaurant specialises in Sichuan flavours, and let me tell you that they don’t skimp on the spices in their dishes.
This restaurant has a prix fixe lunch menu, but they also have an a la carte version. I usually get the Oriental Bolognaise, which has capellini pasta, pork ragu sauce, and onsen egg. It’s rich and tangy, with a hint of spiciness at the end.
Pro Tip:
- If you want to host an event here, you need to send a request via email ([email protected]).
KOMA Singapore
From: komasingapore
Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, B1-67 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Contact Number: +6566888690
Located inside The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, KOMA Singapore is a Japanese restaurant that exudes luxury vibes. Whenever I come here for lunch, I’m almost tempted to never leave; the place is just too gorgeous and the food too good!
Personally, I think the Wafu Carbonara with Uni is one of the main highlights of the menu. It’s creamy, rich, and buttery, as you would expect from the carbonara, but it’s also smoky and even sweet thanks to the uni.
It tastes even better with shaved black truffle. The earthy flavours elevate the dish to another level!
Pro Tips:
- Every Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, this restaurant has an exclusive menu.You can host your private event here.
MTR Singapore
From: mtrsingapore
Address: 438 Serangoon Rd
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—8:30 am to 3 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8:30 am to 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6562965800
Craving Indian food? Then MTR Singapore is the best place to go. This is also a vegetarian restaurant, making it perfect for people who want to start a healthier diet.
What I usually eat here is Uddin Vada, which is a kind of savoury doughnut made from lentils. It comes with sambar and chutney, and I love smearing both onto the doughnut for the best minty-sweet flavour combination!
Pro Tip:
- If you want to host a private dinner here, you need to send a request via email ([email protected]).
Artichoke
From: theark.studio and artichoke_sg
Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-02 New Bahru
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday—5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Wednesday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
If I’m having an especially hectic workday, I love coming to Artichoke because the atmosphere here is cosy and chill. The food is also wonderful; they take inspiration from Middle Eastern cuisine, so the flavours are bright, earthy, and a bit spicy.
My favourite thing to order is the lamb shoulder. The meat is slow-roasted, so it’s super tender; it practically falls apart when you poke it with a fork! The sauce has a distinct milky taste, and it complements well with the meat’s savoury and earthy flavours.
Pro Tip:
- Book this restaurant for your special event. You have several venues to choose from: the indoor dining room, the alfresco rear deck, and the front yard.
Shabestan
From: shabestan.sg
Address: 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-13 The Pier at Robertson
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6580587360
Another great spot you can go if you’re craving Middle Eastern cuisine is Shabestan. This restaurant specialises in Persian cuisine, with influences from the Mediterranean.
You have to get Koofte Parsi or Persian-style meatballs. The meatballs, which are made of minced lamb, are super juicy, and they taste herby and savoury, with a bit of nuttiness from the pistachios. They’re also aromatic; my stomach grumbles as soon as I get a whiff of them.
Pro Tips:
- This restaurant always has monthly specials, such as discounted wines and limited-time chef’s special dishes.
- Book their private room for an intimate dining experience with loved ones.
The White Label
From: twl_sg
Address: 101 Jln Sultan, #01-02 The Sultan
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6582022358
Have you ever wondered what French-Malayan fusion cuisine tastes like? Well, now you have your answer thanks to The White Label! This is also a halal restaurant, so my fellow Muslim foodies will love this place as well!
I’m such a big fan of the duck confit here. It’s your classic French-style duck leg, so expect tender and succulent meat, paired with thick and creamy mashed potatoes.
To end my meal, I get the durian flan. I love how silky smooth it is and how it’s not too sweet.
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant has a romantic venue that’s perfect for weddings. You can also host other types of special events.
Osteria Mozza
From: osteriamozzasingapore
Address: 333 Orchard Rd, Level 5 Hilton Singapore Orchard
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 3 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6568316271
Osteria Mozza is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Los Angeles, California. When I heard it now has an outlet in Singapore, I, of course, had to give it a try. Now, it’s one of my favourite places to go when I’m craving Italian cuisine for lunch.
My absolute favourite dish is the tagliolini pasta, but I don’t order it often because it’s expensive. It’s not a surprise why it’s expensive; two of its ingredients are Alaskan king crab and saffron!
The delicate, subtly sweet crab meat with the floral, earthy sauce—it’s simply perfection!
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant has several venues if you want to host a private event here. The private dining room is perfect if your group is small, but if you have more than 80 guests, the Mozza Garden is the ideal choice.
Publico Ristorante
From: publico_sg
Address: 1 Nanson Rd, Floor 1 InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 11:30 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6587252800
What I love about Publico Ristorante is it makes me feel like I’m in the Italian Riviera. The restaurant is just gorgeously decorated, and it boasts a scenic view. Oh, and the food is fantastic as well!
I love ordering the meatball sub because it’s tasty and super filling. The meatballs are juicy and savoury, and the Pomodoro sauce is tangy and acidic. The sandwich also tastes creamy and nutty thanks to the fior di latte and Parmigiano.
Pro Tips:
- You can host your special event here.This restaurant’s alfresco dining area is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend here.
The Spot
From: thespot.sg
Address: 5 Straits View, #01-26/27 Marina One East Tower
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562842637
If you’re in Central Singapore, then The Spot is a must-visit. Located in Marina One, this restaurant specialises in contemporary European cuisine with Southeast Asian influences.
When I come here for lunch, my go-to order is the Iberico Pork Loin. The meat has a subtle sweetness to it that I like, and that flavour is complemented well by the spicy jus and rich, buttery cauliflower couscous.
Pro Tips:
- This restaurant has a secluded whisky and cigar lounge. Come here to unwind by drinking old-school whiskies.
- If you like the whiskies served here, you can buy your own bottle at 1855 The Bottle Shop, the restaurant’s own whisky store.
