From The Straits Times    |

Image: Meyer House

1. Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant – Woodlands Jetty


Image: Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant

This remote halal restaurant leads to beautiful sunset views from a jetty. Pick from hearty local fare like satay (barbecued meat skewers), chilli crab, mee goreng (fried noodles with seafood) and barbecued stingray.

2. Morsels – Mayo Street


Image: Morsels

Kick back in this unpretentious eatery tucked inside a quaint wooden shophouse on the outskirts of Little India. As its name suggests, Morsels dishes up small plates of fusion fare. Highlights here are the Hokkaido scallop ceviche and Firecracker Duroc pulled-pork shell pasta.

3. Yorimichi Yakitori Bar – Golden Mile Tower


Image: Yorimichi Yakitori Bar

Yorimichi (which means detour in Japanese) has its hidden entrance located right before the ramp leading to the carpark. This dimly-lit, narrow joint could be mistaken for one found in a Tokyo alley. Wash down affordable sushi and yakitori (grilled skewers) with ice-cold Kirin beer. Favourites include grilled scallop with cheese.

4. Tamarind Hill – Labrador Villa Road


Image: Tamarind Hill

Traditional and modern Thai cuisine is prepared skillfully here. Housed in a colonial mansion in verdant Labrador Park, this off-the-beaten-track spot makes for a romantic night out.

5. The Flying Squirrel – Amoy Street

Blink and you may miss The Flying Squirrel. The hip eatery with a concrete-meets-brick interior has its entrance is located in a narrow alley off Amoy Street. Savour Japanese fusion food here, especially its chirashi dons (sashimi rice bowls).

6. Tims Restaurant and Cafe – Lorong 4 Toa Payoh

Run by a Nepali, this humble joint in the heartlands of Toa Payoh serves up lip-smacking Nepalese fare like chicken momo (dumplings), as well as value-for-money comfort Western food like steaks and lamb chops.

7. The Boiler – Howard Road

The Boiler brings Cajun boiled seafood to the warehouse-filled estate of Tai Seng. Here, you can messily dig into bags of boiled seafood – including seasonal crabs, prawns, mussels and clams – without shame. The Boiler also has a good selection of sides, including crispy fish skin (coated in salted egg yolk).

8. Meyer House – Changi


Image: Meyer House

Overlooking Changi Beach, Meyer House occupies a colonial bungalow built in 1927. Inside, the decor recalls the1930s with an elegant bar and dark wood panelling. Enjoy generous portions of pizzas, pastas and burgers.

9. Cacio e Pepe – Chu Lin Road

Ensconced in a quiet residential neighbourhood, Cacio e Pepe serves up rustic Italian fare in a cosy space with cheery yellow walls. Dishes here feature time-honoured pairings like prosciutto ham and melon, while there also sumptuous pizzas, pastas and risotto. Look out for their weekend specials like hearty lamb shank.

This story was originally published in SilverKris