21 food establishments that Singaporeans miss this SG60

Singapore’s food scene is famously fast-paced – where hawker gems can vanish overnight, and global chains come and go with barely a whisper. 

But every so often, a closure leaves a lasting sting. Whether it was the thrill of a spinning skyline dinner, burning the midnight oil at the McDonald’s at Terminal 2, or the unmistakable tang of Yami Yoghurt’s signature peach blend, these makan spots have since faded into bittersweet memories of moments past.

As we mark this SG60, we look back at 21 beloved food establishments that made their mark, disappeared too soon, and still live rent-free in our heads.

Fast Food

1. Wendy’s

Square patties, chili and baked potatoes – Wendy’s was the American fast food chain with a cult following. After a short-lived run in the ’80s, it made a comeback in 2009 and grew to 12 outlets, including Lau Pa Sat, Holland Village and NUS UTown. 

It quietly exited again by 2015, citing lease issues.

2. Taco Bell 

First opened at the then-Funan Digilife Mall in 1999, the American chain served tacos and burritos before Tex-Mex had a foothold here. It left Singapore’s market in 2008. 

Taco Bell has since focused on other markets, with outlets in Cyberjaya, Johor Bahru and KL.

3. Denny’s

A 24-hour American diner chain best known for its pancakes and all-day breakfasts. Once found at Holland Village and Orchard Point, Denny’s was a late-night favourite in the ’80s and ’90s before shutting its doors in 2002 – a solid run, all things considered.

4. Terminal 2 McDonald’s

Since 2003, this round-the-clock McDonald’s inside Changi Airport Terminal 2 has served up comfort food to jetsetters, students cramming for exams, and night owls alike.

When it shut its doors in early 2020 for terminal renovations, it certainly left behind a patch of Singapore’s collective memory – a place where many marked late nights and early mornings over McFlurries and fries.

Equally missed is the Raffles City McDonald’s – a go-to late-night hangout whose central location and 24-hour service made it a rare sanctuary for those seeking a familiar spot after hours. Closing after 14 years in 2024, it was replaced by Italian restaurant Casa Vostra.

5. Everything With Fries

Then-famous for its har cheong gai burger and seasoned fries, this homegrown fast-food brand won fans with scratch-made patties and fresh buns. Born from the Awfully Chocolate team, EwF operated outlets at Orchard Central, Holland Village, and Bugis Junction before a landlord dispute closed Orchard Central in 2015, with the last outlets shutting in 2017. 

Since then, it has made occasional pop-up comebacks – most recently in 2024 – leaving behind quite the crispy legacy.

Restaurants

6. Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant

Perched 70 metres above Keppel Road atop grain silos, Prima Tower offered diners a slow-spinning panoramic view of Singapore’s harbour and skyline since 1977. Famous for its Peking cuisine and unique Beijing desserts like “Three Non-Stick”, it was a dining destination with a unique industrial charm. 

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt the final blow to this iconic spot, which closed permanently in April 2020 after over four decades of service.

7. Yet Con Chicken Rice

A cornerstone of Purvis Street since 1940, Yet Con was a heritage Hainanese chicken rice stall beloved for generations. The loss of its head chef and the pandemic’s blow led to its quiet closure in 2020, ending over eight decades of rich culinary history. 

Though talks of a reopening surfaced, the iconic stall remains shuttered – a bittersweet chapter in Singapore’s hawker legacy.

8. Wheeler’s Yard

Nestled in Balestier, Wheeler’s Yard was a beloved bicycle-themed cafe known for its striking blue warehouse doors and rustic, vintage charm. Since opening in 2013, it drew cyclists and cafe lovers alike with hearty brunches like chilli crab pasta and buttermilk waffles, in addition to hosting community rides and cycling-related events.

After a decade, it closed in September 2023, leaving behind a warm legacy and a final farewell lap in Singapore’s cafe scene.

9. Ponggol Seafood

After over five decades as a local seafood institution, Ponggol Seafood shut its doors at The Punggol Settlement on May 2, 2024. Founded in 1969 by Mr Ting Choon Teng under the name Hock Kee, the restaurant won over generations of Singaporeans with its signature chilli crab, distinctive mee goreng, and rustic charm.

Despite its rich heritage and nostalgic appeal, the restaurant struggled under new ownership from 2023, grappling with soaring costs, high rent, and manpower challenges. After a year of losses, the brand ceased operations.

10. Tony Roma’s

Serving up hearty ribs and American grill classics since 1992, Tony Roma’s was a go-to for family dinners and casual celebrations in Singapore. Its last outlet, located at Suntec City, closed in 2019. 

The chain is owned by Revenue Valley Group, which also ran The Manhattan Fish Market – another familiar name that quietly exited the scene just this year.

11. Chili’s Grill & Bar Singapore

Chili’s Tex-Mex flavours came to Singapore in 2009 with its first outlet at Tanglin Mall, later expanding to Resorts World Sentosa, Clarke Quay Central, and JCube. Known for its baby back ribs and casual dining vibes, the American chain closed all four locations in 2019, ending a decade-long run that followed its initial ’90s stint, which shuttered after the Asian Financial Crisis. 

While Chili’s still serves up its favourites in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, Singaporeans will have to say goodbye to the triple dipper – at least for now.

12. Ponderosa Steak & Salad

Long before #fitspo was a thing, there was Ponderosa – where a hearty steak came with a free-flow salad bar and, on a cheat day, a trip to the soft-serve machine.

Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, this Old West-themed American chain served up grilled meats and all-you-can-eat greens on a treat-yourself budget. Its Plaza Singapura outlet, especially, was where students and families alike went for steaks, grilled chicken, and that elusive sense of “Western” dining – and, for many, it was their first taste of buffet anything.

With today’s appetite for salad bars and nostalgia, maybe it’s time for a revival. Stranger things have happened.

13. Cafe Cartel

Cafe Cartel, a Singapore-based chain known for affordable Western fare with a New York twist, served up a wide range of dishes – from pastas and pizzas to sandwiches, snacks, and hearty mains. On weekends and public holidays, its outlets filled early with customers eager for breakfast favourites like the Bacon & Ham Omelette, Pancake Delight, and French Toast Delight, all accompanied by freshly baked homemade bread.

Founded around 1998, Cafe Cartel had multiple outlets including J8, Suntec City, Cathay Cineleisure, and Plaza Singapura, before closing down between 2014 and 2015.

14. TGI Fridays

Once a slice of Americana on Penang Road in the ’90s, TGI Fridays was where many Singaporeans got their first taste of loaded potato skins, Jack Daniel’s sauce, and flair bartending – often during birthday dinners or teenage hangouts. The red-and-white stripes and upbeat service made it feel like a novelty, a little escape from the everyday. 

It resurfaced briefly in 2017 with outlets at Orchard and East Coast, but all three franchisee-run locations shuttered within two years. A comeback was teased in 2022, but plans appear to have stalled following the US parent company’s bankruptcy filing in 2024.

15. Country Manna

A 1990s comfort food favourite, Country Manna was known for its hearty chicken soup with puff pastry and the signature Manna Spring Chicken. At its peak, it had 13 outlets, beloved for its homely flavours.

After co-founder Francis Low sold the brand in 1998, outlets dwindled, closing completely by 2010. Though Low reopened Country Manna at Suntec City in 2011 and later at West Coast Plaza in 2015, there have been few updates since, and the brand closed down again not long after.

16. Sizzler

Known for its affordable Western fare, Sizzler was a popular spot among students, offering steak, seafood, and a generous free-flow salad, soup, pasta, and dessert bar, complete with complimentary bread and lunch deals.

Once operating multiple outlets – including a move from Bishan to Toa Payoh in the mid-2000s – the chain’s locations included Suntec City, as well as heartland mall Toa Payoh Central in its later years. Sizzler shut its doors around late 2016 to early 2017, closing the chapter on a beloved budget Western dining option.

Desserts and drinks

17. Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen was another quiet casualty, operating locally from 2011 until 2016.

Though its time here was brief, it left behind one memorable legacy: the irresistible urge to flip any ice cream cone upside down before taking a bite.

18. Yami Yoghurt

Yami Yoghurt, reportedly around since 1983, was a local frozen yogurt institution beloved by millennials and Gen Z for its soft-serve froyo topped with fresh fruits, nuts, and a range of tasty extras.

With several outlets including Bishan Junction 8, Yami Yoghurt carved out a niche long before froyo became a global craze. And, the ongoing Llao Llao vs. Yolé debate aside, fans agree that nothing quite matches up to the distinctive peach-flavored frozen yogurt that Yami perfected.

Despite its popularity, Yami’s physical stores quietly shuttered one by one from around 2010, with little official word and its last Facebook update dating back to 2019.

19. Frolick

Besides Yami Yoghurt, Frolick was another one of Singapore’s original frozen yogurt pioneers, arriving in 2008 with a playful, cheeky brand – with slogans like “We stay hard longer” – that stood out from the rest of the dessert scene.

Known, also, as much for its “pretty froyo girls” as its icy treats, Frolick carved a niche before bigger international brands like Yolé and llaollao entered the market. But as the frozen yogurt craze cooled, so did Frolick’s fortune. It shuttered around 2013, leaving behind memories of a froyo trendsetter that faded with the hype.

20. Orange Julius

Best known for its frothy orange blend, Orange Julius was a mall and cinema staple in the ’80s and ’90s – with outlets notably at The Cathay, Bedok cinemas, and Causeway Point. 

Though acquired by Dairy Queen in 1987, it struggled to compete with newer juice and smoothie bars. Comeback attempts fizzled out, and its menu was eventually folded into Dairy Queen’s offerings.

21. Donut Factory

When Donut Factory burst onto the scene in 2006, it sparked a full-blown frenzy – complete with hour-long queues and sold-out trays. Its doughnuts, supposedly lighter and more pillowy than their American counterparts, came in bold, unconventional flavours like Spicy Cheese. 

Still, like all sugar highs, the craze didn’t last. By 2008, the buzz had waned, and the brand quietly bowed out, shutting down its final outlet in June 2013.