With a burgeoning dining scene that’s not showing any signs of abating, there’s definitely no lack of cool cafes and trendy restaurants in Singapore. Take advantage of studying in a city campus to explore the hip new dining joints within the vicinity. Just a leisurely stroll—or short ride away!—check out these five hot new dining spots.
Sumo Bar Happy
Can’t resist ramen? Get your fix at this hole-in-the-wall ramen bar at the heart of Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. Helmed by the people behind Standing Sushi Bar and Tanuki Raw, Sumo Bar Happy serves up a selection of modern tonkotsu ramen, donburi, sides, one-cup sakes, cocktails and get this—free-flow ramen eggs! You won’t go wrong with the Sumo Ramen—the signature umami-rich pork broth ramen that’s topped with slow-roasted oxtail and boneless short ribs, braised beef tendons, sautéed US beef slices and Nagano pork char siew.
Located at: 261 Waterloo Street, #01-24, Waterloo Centre
Opening hours: Closed on Mondays | Tues & Wed, 5.30pm – 10.30pm | Thurs & Fri, 12pm – 2.30pm | Sat, 12pm- 10.30pm | Sun, 12pm – 10pm
https://www.sumobarhappy.com/
PS. Cafe Raffles City
For East-meets-West bistro-style fare with a side of Instaworthy pics, this is the place to be. Perfect for lazy brunches, casual catch-ups—or a respite from shopping—PS. Café’s latest outlet resembles a gorgeous greenhouse with its glass façade, high walls adorned with lush greenery and black-and-white awnings. Expect the usual café classics of salads, sandwiches, pastas and light nibbles, as well as familiar favourites such as the PS. Truffle Shoestring Fries and indulgent Sticky Date Pudding.
Pro-tip: P.S. Café always has specials that aren’t on their menu, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Located at: 252 North Bridge Road, #03-37, Raffles City Shopping Centre
Opening hours: Mon – Sun, 9.30am – 10pm
https://www.pscafe.com/pscafe-raffles-city/
The Glasshouse
Grab a cuppa and that perfect #OOTD shot in this charming little glass house that’s just a stone’s throw away from the SMU Administration Building. Mirroring its minimalist aesthetics, the café has a pared-down menu comprising specialty coffees, artisanal sourdough toasts and pastries. Prices range from $3 for a Long Black to $8 for a Classic Salmon Toast.
Pro-tip: Just so you’re not caught unaware, there isn’t the usual long list of coffee types on their menu—just Black, White, Filter, Cold Brew, Mocha and Iced. Let the friendly barrister know what you’re looking for and they’ll take care of your order.
Located at: 30 Victoria Street, #01-K11, CHIJMES
Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm | Sat & Sun, 9am – 6pm
https://www.facebook.com/theglasshousesg/
Kogane Yama
(Photo by @FionaRae666)
A generous helping of crisp, golden tempura atop a bowl of steaming hot rice? Yes, please! This tempura specialty restaurant in Bugis Junction has been drawing crowds with its premium tendon bowls. The best part? You can opt for a Vegetable Bowl, a Mixed Bowl, or even customise your own tendon bowl—from the ingredients (chicken, prawn, vegetable or mixed) and base (rice, udon or soba), to the sauce and the level of spiciness.
Pro-tip: Be warned, it’s not a light meal, so you might want to order more conservatively if you’re a light eater.
Located at: 200 Victoria Street, #02-50, Bugis Junction
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs & Sun, 11am – 10pm | Fri & Sat, 11am – 11pm
https://www.facebook.com/koganeyamasingapore/
Gu Thai Noodle Café
Sawadee ka! A short trip out to Thailand is a pretty much a once a year affair for many Singaporeans—reasonable flight prices, great shopping, and most importantly, delicious food that is simple but no less indulgent. So, what do you do when you’re in the Dhoby Ghaut/City Hall area and really craving authentic Thai food? Well you could take a bus ride to Golden Mile (aka “Little Thailand”), or better yet, just take a slow stroll to PoMo and visit Gu Thai Noodle Café.
Incredibly reasonable prices for authentic (and pretty spicy) Thai cuisine awaits you at the humble eatery with its wooden furniture and bright red sign. Savour a small (or large) bowl of the popular Thai Boat Noodles—the umami broth and silky noodles will leave you wanting more. Don’t forget to wash down the heat with a cold, fragrant cup of cha yen (Thai iced milk tea). There is, of course, much more to order from Gu Thai, such as perennial favourites Tom Yam Kung, Pad Thai, Papaya Salad, and Mango Sticky Rice.
Pro-tip: Gu Thai is opened into the wee hours of the morning. So if you’re struggling to find a good meal after a long day of school activities or work, you’re definitely covered!
Located at: 1 Selegie Road, #01-04 PoMo Mall.
Opening hours: Mon – Sun, 11am – 5am
https://www.facebook.com/Thainoodlecafe/
Have more suggestions? Share it with us in the comments below. Or tag us on Instagram @SgSMU.
Check out the hashtag #FoodAroundSMU on Instagram for more yummy highlights! Here are more meal tips around SMU from The Royce Lee:
