New Food Court In A "Garden" In Singapore Has Thin-Crust Pizzas, Claypot Dishes, Texas-Style Barbecue & More

By Karmen on 10 Dec 2021

Digital Editor

The next time you're immersed in nature at Singapore Botanic Gardens, you can take a breather and grab a bite at the new Cluny Food Court.

[Update: Cluny Food Court has permanently closed.]

Ambience at Cluny Food Court

Located about a 10-minute stroll from the visitor centre at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Cluny Food Court has a breezy alfresco setting with a view of the surrounding nature.

Photo from Cluny Food Court

This food court has a relaxing and slightly elevated ambience similar to that of a hipster alfresco cafe, with a quiet location, lush greenery and stylish furnishings in shades of green, brown and white. Best of all, they have a queueing system to enter the food court when all the seats are taken. That means no hungry people hovering over you and eyeing your seat while you eat.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The sun was shining at full force that afternoon, but thankfully, not on the diners. The heat was surprisingly forgivable and it felt quite airy and breezy, probably because of the space's open, elongated design.

Expect a queue as seating is fairly limited, at 47 diners; There was a constant short line when we were there at noon on a weekday.

Food at Cluny Food Court

The food court houses five food stalls and a drinks stall that offers breakfast. Each stall takes turns to have an off-day; If there's a particular stall you're keen to try, check out their opening hours before heading down.

Laifaba Express

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30am to 6pm; Last order at 5:30pm. Closed on Mondays.

This stall has our favourite dish of the bunch - the Signature BJT Char Siew & Wanton Noodles ($8). This seemingly ordinary bowl of noodles had a thin, clear sauce that looked like it'd be bland but boy, we we wrong.

The secret sauce, as they call it, was light yet satisfying and the noodles had a lovely springy texture. The wood-fired char siew had a succulent fatty and tender bite. Taken from a tiny part, about 2kg, from a whole pig, this precious cut is highly fat which gives it that tender, juicy texture.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The cherry on top was the meaty boiled wonton and crispy fried wantons.

Piccante Pronto

Open from Friday to Wednesday, 11:30am to 9:30pm; Last order at 9pm. Closed on Thursdays.

Just one look at the medium Suprema pizza ($12.50) brought to mind the chain Peperoni Pizzeria, and no wonder as Piccante Pronto is their sister establishment helmed by a Muslim chef and with a more economical express menu. This medium 9-inch pizza costs $12.50 while Peperoni Pizzeria's pizzas of the same size are priced from $19.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

It was topped with chicken sausage, shiitake mushrooms, onions, and a generous sprinkle of chilli padi. Turns out, it tastes pretty similar to Peperoni's Pizzeria's pizzas too, checking all the boxes from a crispy crust and rich tomato base to a generous portion of toppings.

The stall also offers baked pasta, antipasti, salads and sides with a local twist.

Project Penyek by Ansar

Open daily, 11am to 2pm; last order at 1.30pm | 6pm op 9.30pm; last order at 9pm | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays from 11am to 9.30pm; last order at 9pm. Closed on first and third Monday of every month.

This Muslim-owned brand is famous for their Nasi Ayam Penyet ($6.50) which was non-greasy yet crispy, but their Satay in a cup ($5) trumps it by a mile in our opinion.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

It comes with any five skewers of your choice: chicken, mutton, beef or tripe. They're served in a cup with rice cake, onions, cucumber, and house-made peanut sauce so you can enjoy it on the go.

Novel presentation aside, the satay holds up in terms of flavour too. The thick, aromatic sauce was subtly sweet and and the meat was tender and meaty.

Satay is available from 6pm daily and can also be ordered a la carte at $1 per stick or $2 per stick for BBQ prawns.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Mui Kee Express

Open from Thursday to Tuesday, 8am to 6pm; Last order at 5:30pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Originating in 1979 at a small stall from Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Mui Kee is still offering its well-loved congee.

We tried the Garoupa Belly Congee ($13.80) which had a silky smooth texture and large charred chunks of fish belly. The congee is cooked in a copper pot which gives it a fragrant wok hei taste.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Other signature dishes are the Drunken Chicken in Shaoxing Wine ($10) and Claypot Frog Leg with Ginger & Spring Onion ($22).

Pop by on a weekday and enjoy their value-for-money Congee Set Lunch ($10.80) which comes with congee, crispy dough fritters and century egg.

S'Mao Barbecue

Open from Wednesday to Monday, 11:30am to 2:30pm (lunch), 6pm to 9pm; Last order at 8.30pm (dinner). Closed on Tuesdays and lunchtime on weekends.

This food stall specialises in Texas-style barbecue meats - prime cuts seasoned with salt and coarse black pepper, and grilled over a hardwood fire for a smoky taste. Menu highlights include the All in Plate ($24); a dinner-exclusive platter with ribs, pork belly, pulled pork and fries, and S'mao Beef Burger ($12).

Photo from Cluny Food Court

And finally, there is the Drinks Stall that opens daily from 8am to 9.30pm. On the menu are classics like Teh and Kopi ($2/$2.40 each), as well as homemade desserts like Cheng Tng and Ice Jelly with Lime Juice ($2.80). They also serve old-school breakfast from 8am to 4pm like Traditional Toast Set ($4.80), Nasi Lemak ($6.80) and Mee Rebus ($6.80).