Singapore’s Newest Tables
Led by the city’s insatiable appetite for good food, it’s no surprise that Singapore’s restaurant and bar scene continues to flourish. Here are the newest standout spots, spaces that give as much attention to their interiors as their dishes
Alchemist @ The Heeren
In a sheltered open-air space off Orchard Road, the new outpost of specialty coffee roaster Alchemist offers an escape from Singapore’s sweltering heat. Envisioning the space as a timber pavilion, Wynk Collaborative has created an attractive interplay of materials, lines and grids, with conversation pits formed from wooden seating blocks of varying heights — it’s a memorable retreat from the bustling thoroughfare.
Image by Jovian Lim
Image by Jovian Lim
Bottega Di Carna
Housed in the new Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Bottega Di Carna is a chic steakhouse by celebrity butcher Dario Cecchini with interiors by Studio Carter. Also part of the dining experience are the rooftop garden views, and designer Robbyn Carter brought that greenery indoors by incorporating lush planters, grafting foliage around the skylight and introducing green accents all around.
Fico
Once a sleepy stretch, East Coast Park has sprung to life with Fico, a casual Italian restaurant helmed by Puglian chef Mirko Febbrile. Referencing Puglia’s masserie (farms), the designers at Nice Projects have crafted an inviting seaside manor by weaving local and Italian elements, such as custom furniture by Roger&Sons and an intricate luminaire from Parisi 1876 on the ceiling. The terrace courtyard is the highlight: terracotta tiles, huge earthenware and overhead drapes come together for a rustic sense of place. As one of the rare restaurants to provide an escape from the city, it’s no surprise that Fico is one of Singapore’s hottest tables.
Image by Lisa Cohen
Image by Lisa Cohen
FURA
FURA is an eco-conscious cocktail bar by chef Christina Rasmussen and bartender Sasha Wijidessa. From mealworm-infused cocktails to kelp ice-cream, the menu hints at the future of food. Studio Gin&G was a natural design partner as the practice often explores unconventional materials. The bar countertop, for example, uses recycled glass, wall sconces make use of offcuts and the Panelogue stools are made from earth-friendly wood sources.
Image by Finbarr Fallon
Image by Finbarr Fallon
Le Bon Funk Holland Village
Le Bon Funk’s second outpost feels like a breath of fresh air in Holland Village. Inspired by European neighbourhood bars, it seeks to do the same with well-executed dishes and delicious natural wines. Also completed by Nice Projects, the space is all warm tones and classic furniture, and everything is made to grow with time, just like Le Bon Funk’s budding role in the locale.
Nesuto Jewel Changi Airport
Parable Studio explores the intersection between architecture and pâtisserie at Nesuto’s new venue in Changi Airport. The cylindrical entrance is hand-painted with a brushstroke pattern while sinuous wood fixtures resemble larger-than-life tuiles, and the interiors hum with haptic qualities, drawing you in just like the delicate cakes on display.
Image by Hosanna Swee
Image by Hosanna Swee
Paaru
Stepping into Paaru, tucked away in Pearl’s Hill Terrace, is like stepping into a Japanese house, with an open kitchen at the front and a private tea room at the back. Moody timber, granite and vintage furnishings ground the serene space where guests can enjoy a taste of home cooking courtesy of owners Vincent Teng and Hui Shan Pang.
Image by Sarah Kee
Image by Laura Phay
Wildcard
Inspired by the unassuming bars they visited abroad, Wildcard co-founders Charlene Yeap and Denise Lum envisioned a cafe by day and wine bar by night. Hui Designs realised their dream by creating a welcoming scene, complete with a record player, an open fridge, and vintage furniture. Pop in for an afternoon coffee, sit back and watch the space transform come sundown.
Text by Joseph Koh