Photo: Instagram / @venuebysebastian
Downtown Gallery is a pretty awesome place for food options.
Need a quick lunch because it’s crunch time at the office? No problem, places like Dosirak or SAMA Curry & Cafe have food delivery options so you can have healthy bibimbap or hot soup curry delivered to your office.
Or have you got time to spare? Then spend your break in one of the instaworthy cafes with a cuppa, or pick a healthy meal by creating your own bibimbap or grain bowls.
Check the list down below to browse through the restaurants and cafes.
Downtown Gallery is at 6A Shenton Way.
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1. Lunar coffee brewers
Here you can wash down homely rice bowls with a robust cup of coffee.
Or are you feeling adventurous? Some of the more unique options are the nitro coffee (a nitrogen infused brew that takes on the consistency and taste of stout beer), the Eclipse (a macchiato style tea that’s sweet and savoury), and cold brew matcha.
As for food, the mains include homestyle-inspired rice bowl (such as beef rendang or lu rou belly) that come with a runny onsen egg and pickled vegetables for a bit of acidity.
Expect to spend around $20 – $25 for a main and a drink; mains start from $13.50.
Lunar Coffee Brewers is on the first floor of Downtown Gallery (#01-49/50)
2. Wafuken
Sous vide meats are the focus at Wafuken. From Honduras prawns, to Norwegian saba fish and Australian oyster blade steak, they’re all placed in air-tight bags and cooked at precise temperatures to seal in all the juices and flavour.
Even the chicken breast is said to be so juicy you might not realise it’s chicken breast.
The thing about Wafuken we really appreciate is how healthy the food is. No bad fats, excessive sugar or tenderizer are used in the cooking process.
And when it comes to sides you have a lot to choose from, like konbu yoghurt, furikake brown rice, teppanyaki mushrooms, and soba salad.
Wafuken is on the second floor of Downtown Gallery (#02-23).
3. Dosirak
Dosirak is one of our favourite places to go to for clean, non-processed food. And we love how it’s Korean bibimbap, instead of the more common grain or protein bowls.
You know you can eat guilt-free here, when even the smallest details are taken care of for you. For example, the gochujang sauce is made from cold-pressed pears and apples, instead of fructose, which normally used in Korean gochujang sauces.
And if you’re watching your diet, you’d be happy to know that all the bibimbaps here are under 500 calories. Expect to spend around $10 – $20 per bowl.
Dosirak is on the first floor of Downtown Gallery (#01-44).
4. HRVST
If you’ve got a vegan or vegetarian friend you’d like to take to lunch, consider HRVST. The dishes are nourishing, creative, and beautifully plated. Just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s limited.
Lunch set deal: $15 for one main and a cold pressed juice. Mains you can choose from are barley risotto, sourdough with housemade nut butter and pumpkin gnocchi.
HRVST is on the fifth floor of Downtown Gallery (#05-01).
5. SAMA Curry & Cafe
Here’s where you should go for a quick fix to your craving for for something spicy. You can customise your curry soup however you like. (And yes, it’s curry soup – thin enough to drink on it’s own, but spicy and rich like curry.)
There are 30 levels of spices to choose from, four soup bases (tomato, coconut, Japanese, shrimp), and eight types of curry bases which each come with their own types of meat.
For example, the Ocean Trophy comes laden with prawns, squid, mussels and scallops, and Oink Oink comes with large and fatty slabs of pork belly.
You can also choose to have udon or rice with your curry soup. Prices start from $13.90.
SAMA Curry & Cafe is on the floor of Downtown Gallery (#03-26).
6. Marutama Ramen
When rainy days in the office get you in a slump, this bowl of hot ramen in a nourishing chicken broth, topped with a sea of fresh scallions, slabs of soft cha shu, and a runny egg might just put you in a good mood again.
Just be careful not to get into a food coma, with this comfort food, and maybe grab a cup of coffee from Lunar Coffee Brewers before you head back to office.
Prices range from $15 – $20 per bowl.
Marutama Ramen is on the third floor of Downtown Gallery (#03-25).
7. Pho Stop
It’s not just pho at pho stop. Sure, they have a variety of pho with sliced ribeye beef, beef meatballs, or chicken, but if you’re wanting something less soupy, order the deep fried spring rolls with dry noodles.
The spring rolls are meaty with a crisp skin, while the noodles taste lightly spicy and citrusy from the vietnamese sauce.
As for side dishes, try to popular fresh summer rolls with chicken and prawn – plump spring rolls stuffed with leafy greens, and with curls of prawn showing through the translucent skin.
Pho Stop is on the second floor of Downtown Gallery (#02-28).
8. The Autobus
‘Autobus’ is cycling jargon for a group of cyclists. Quite appropriate for the cafe, which is all about bicycles. You’ll find them hanging on the wall, and displayed on stands around the large space. You can even get bicycle accessories and equipment here.
But if we’re talking lunch, you could opt for build-your-own protein bowls.
The proteins and sides are the classic fare you’d expect at shops like these, like onsen eggs, kale chips, asparagus, sirloin steak, and baked chicken.
If you don’t want carb-heavy options like rice or pasta, you can swap it out with mesclun mix or romaine lettuce. Vegetarians could switch their protein option for two additional sides as well.
You’ll spend about $12 – $20 per bowl, depending on what you choose for your toppings.
Pro-tip: Get free bicycle parking outside the cafe, but know that there are only 30 lots.
The Autobus is on the first floor of Downtown Gallery (#01-01)
9. Takayama
Takayama’s where you should go for an elegant and authentic Japanese meal. You can choose between dining in a private room, in a booth that seats four, or at the counter for some kappo-style dining (the Japanese equivalent of eating at the chef’s table).
We think a private room might be nice for a refined business lunch followed by discussion over hot tea.
The food is curated depending on the four seasons, and you’ll only get the freshest ingredients each time you visit.
Lunch sets are $68++ onwards. After GST, you’ll spend around $80 – $120 per pax here for lunch.
Takayama is on the first floor of Downtown Gallery (#01-09/10).
10. Venue By Sebastian
This sleek restaurant decked in mostly white is good for a semi-casual business lunch.
The concept is a little more laid back, as you tick the dishes you’d like on a piece of paper and they are served as soon as they’re done cooking instead of going course-by-course; kind of like when you eat zi char.
Note that the dishes change every day as seasonal ingredients are used. But in general you can expect Asian-European cuisine like Jerusalem artichoke soup with crispy duck flakes, or cold konbu and truffle oil pasta.
Lunch sets are $50++ per person, but there needs to be a minimum of 4 diners, and orders are taken only from 11.15am – 12pm, so come early.
Venue By Sebastian is on the first floor of Downtown Gallery (#01-02).
11. The Providore
Aside from classic cafe nosh (pancakes, pasta, and open faced toasts) at The Providore cafe, you should make a stop at the other stations in The Providore as well.
For starters, drop by the bakery for freshly baked bread (baked once a day), pastries and cake. The live juice bar at the other end of The Providore is a great option if you want to have a healthier ‘dessert’ of sorts after your meal.
Next to the bakery is the deli which stocks artisanal grub like antipasti, cheese, charcuterie, and jars of olives. And did we mention there’s a walk-in cheese room?
Though you probably aren’t racking up a charcuterie platter for lunch, maybe take away some for dinner later, and grab a bottle of wine as well.
The Providore is basement one of Downtown Gallery (#B1-07).
12. Chen’s Mapo Tofu
You might be thrown off by the vibrantly red hue of Chen’s Signature Mapo Tofu, which seems to threaten dangerous spice levels.
But it is actually easy on the palate and goes well with the Japanese short grain rice at the bottom which soaks up the gravy.
You can also try the Dan Dan Mien noodles (served with minced meat) and the Nasu Don – tender chunks of eggplant and minced meat coated in sze chuan gravy and poured over a bed of white rice.
Pro-tip: If you want to try more while saving money, get the lunch set which includes half a bowl of mapo tofu with rice, half a bowl of the signature noodles, and a drink to boot; all for $10.80.
Chen’s Mapo Tofu is on the second floor of Downtown Gallery (#02-29).
Want to know what else there is to do at Downtown Gallery, check out the gallery below.
https://www.herworld.com/life/foodanddrink/dining-downtown-gallery-singapore-restaurants-lunch-brunch-places-food-options-asian-western-cuisine/
10 reasons why we hang out at the newest CBD shopping and fitness destination Downtown Gallery
Downtown Gallery
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Beyond being just another retail destination in Singapore, Downtown Gallery is a one-stop location for like-minded people to commune, look well, keep well and eat well. OUE Limited Senior VP of retail, marketing and leasing Patrina Tan says they worked with a New York-based trend futurist to better understand evolving consumers (because we can’t stop hearing about how the mall scene is dying).
The result? The team decided to focus on three key trends – wellness, bespoke and luxury. The idea is that you can head over and spend an entire day at Downtown Gallery, says Patrina.
We’ve been spending quite a bit of time there (see what we had to say about The Work Project and GuavaLabs) and frankly, it’s not hard to get swept up by the draw.
Opening hours: 10am-9pm
Location: Downtown Gallery, 6A Shenton Way Singapore 068815
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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The high-tech mall directory
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Made up of 12 55-inch monitors, interactive mall directory Wayfinder will point you towards where you need to go. Unlike your regular mall directory, this one reflects the outside weather in real-time and you can motion to set off fireworks and pop balloons on-screen. Using tech to elevate the retail experience has also hit the fast fashion scene as Zara launches a mobile AR experience that will enable in-store customers to see models come to life on their devices.
Patrina and her team wanted it to be a more fun and engaging experience. Constantly thinking about how to incorporate tech into the retail experience, what’s next will hopefully involve converting diners into hair salon and mani-pedi customers while waiting for their turn at restaurants.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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The 9 boutique gyms
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Two of which – Recognize! Studios (#02-25) and Wings to Wings (#03-06/07) – are dance studios. There has been a redefinition of what luxury means to the everyday woman. Sure 10 years ago, it would’ve been referring to your Hermes or Chanel, but these days, it’s all about wellness. From boxing at GuavaLabs (#B1-04-06) to pilates at Upside Motion (#B1-02), from rhythm cycling at Absolute Cycle (#02-01) to HIIT at Haus Athletics (#02-03), you’ll be spoiled for choice. Muve Fitness will be the new kid on the block come May.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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Downtown Gallery is big on cycling
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“Cycling is the new golf,” says Patrina who took up the sport, got a personal trainer, and hung out with fitness friends in order to find out more about the new craze. Spinning may still be relatively female-dominated but retail stores like Specialised (#01-43 and 47) don’t alienated the middle-aged men in lycra (Mamils) – cycling enthusiast fathers aged between 35 and 45 who ride expensive racing bicycles for leisure and wear spandex for comfort. And it’s at bicycle themed cafe-meets-retail store Autobus (#01-01) that you can tuck into protein bowls and coffee while browsing gear and apparel. To celebrate the mall’s opening, 30 bicycles were used to power up the interactive façade. Yet another tech initiative.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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You'll actually want to visit the healthy restaurants
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In-house vegan restaurant and bar Hrvst recently opened at Kilter Avenue (#05-01). Our personal fave was the orange-glazed grilled tofu on nut spread sourdough. It was topped with broccoli and cauliflower blanched in kelp stock, layered with pickled yellow ribbons ($14).
A close second was the soy satay. Unlike the way that some vegetarian places try to replicate meat, the soy satay with peanut sauce and veggie chips ($10) isn’t trying to imitate the texture of chicken or beef. It’s crumbly, seasoned with spices used to make traditional satay and pleasantly perfumed with lemongrass. The peanut sauce was much sweeter and milder than what we’ve been accustomed to. Made with gula melaka, it complemented the bold spicy flavour of the soy skewers nicely. The veggie chips – made of lotus, zucchini and carrots – were generously salted and absolutely addictive. It’s $15 for a main course and juice, or $25 for an appetiser, main course, and dessert.
Speaking of healthy eateries, Dosirak (#01-44) recently extended its opening hours to 8pm on weekdays.
Photo: Hrvst Restaurant and Bar
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Its pop-up corner brings local online brands into the fold
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Having bought a car online herself, Patrina is no stranger to online shopping. Yet she believes that it isn’t all doom and gloom surrounding brick-and-mortar, but rather how you repurpose the two to co-exist. The Gallery Edit is a pop-up corner created to give local names a physical space. Although stereotype has it that millennials enjoy novelty, Patrina realised is that we’re all still creatures of comfort.
Drawing inspiration from her own children – two of whom are millennials – she noticed that while they possess different personalities (one grounded, the other flighty), they both crave familiarity – going to the same sites where you can bank on the style and fit. That’s why the Gallery Edit will be a familiar platform to introduce different local labels throughout the year.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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You can order lunch from an automated food deli through the Downtown Gallery app
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Can’t spare a full hour to brave the crowd to get your hands on lunch? A relaxed respite on busy days is the Re:Store (#03-11/12/13). How it works is you place your order under OUE Re:Store, select your preferred dish, collection time, then make an e-payment.
“It all started with us being CBD workers ourselves and lunchtime being a nightmare,” says Patrina. From having to chope a place and stand in line to eating quickly while others eye your table, it’s all such a pressuring experience. “You want to be eating well in a comfortable area without hassle,” says Patrina. “We started with our end objective then worked backwards on how to deliver the experience, working with vendors on how to create food vaults and a systematic flow.” Makansutra is behind the menu, serving food not easily found in the vicinity. Think: Filipino, Indonesian and Peranakan choices.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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You can cook without having to clean up or own a kitchen
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In co-cooking space OUE Social Kitchen (#03-02) are more than a handful of stations – two of which are halal-friendly. All you need to do is bring your raw ingredients (bring them from home or place a RedMart order to be delivered to OUE Social Kitchen, where its team can receive and store them till you arrive), cook and eat. Basic condiments such as salt, pepper, sauces, and spices are provided at no charge.
It also runs various specials like the upcoming Sayur Lodeh Lunch Party (May 2 to 21) and Lentil Burger Nights (May 22 to 25) where the recipe and all raw ingredients are fully provided. The idea is that in a space like this, cooking enthusiasts will be able to meet one another and bond over food. The concept was inspired by Patrina’s trip to New Zealand, where different travellers came together to cook and talk about different cultures and food.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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Quick access to your skin and makeup staples
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The OUE Beauty Bar – beauty vending machines on the ground floor – are stocked with skincare and cosmetic products from Clarins, Nars and Shiseido. Great if you know what you want – whether it’s for yourself or a last-minute gift. Quicker than shopping online because you don’t need to wait for the delivery service or make small talk with the staff.
Browse, explore and choose your favourite skin and makeup products through the giant touchscreen display. Last we checked, there are 140 items to choose from. Prices range from $30 to $300 and are restocked weekly.
Photo: Downtown Gallery
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There’s a quiet zone in the heart of the CBD
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You can get yourself a room
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Starting to think that you might never want to leave Downtown Gallery? You don’t have to if you stay at luxury serviced apartment Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore. In line with wellness and to tackle our stressful and sedentary lifestyles, Oakwood Premier OUE is running a series of activities open to both in-house guests and members of the public. “Fit to inspire” wellness talk series will be hosted bi-monthly by different professionals in the fitness and wellness industry. Plus pilates and community runs are conducted by World Trainer (a global network of personal trainers) on Saturdays. Oh and did we mention that there is an infinity pool? Aquaspin classes will be held here.
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