14 New Cafes & Restaurants In Sept 2021 - Carnival-Themed Bar, All-White Interiors, & Chic French Bistro
Dine-in ban on, dine-in ban off, on again, off again, and repeat - it seems like history is replaying all too often these days, much to the chagrin of keen foodies and F&B companies alike. Let’s hope the previous tightened restrictions were our last, for there’s loads of good food waiting to get in our bellies. If you’ve already gotten your shots as a responsible citizen should, here are 14 new cafes and restaurants in September 2021 for you and your pals to enjoy.
While you’re here, check out our list of 20 things to do in September 2021!
Read on for 14 new cafes and restaurants in Singapore for September 2021!
#1: Acoustics Coffee Bar - a music enthusiast’s haven
Photo from @eatwithfelz via Instagram
Once located in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, Acoustics Coffee Bar has since closed and reopened at a spanking new spot in town that’s more accessible to the masses. If you haven’t already guessed from its name, this cafe gives a nod to all things music-related, with walls lined with timber acoustic panels - not just for aesthetic purposes, but also to reduce surrounding background noise for the peace and comfort of customers.
Adding to the calming ambience are green and white walls paired with rattan furniture for that laidback touch.
Photo from @eatwithfelz via Instagram
All-day brunch here includes the Brie & Mushroom Croissant ($13), Acoustics’ Fluffy Pancakes ($12) topped with nutty crumble, coconut caramel, and caramelised banana, and Breakfast at Acoustics ($24), which is essentially the good ol’ big brekkie with eggs, cheese sausage, maple glazed bacon, mushrooms, and kale salad served with sourdough.
Photo from Acoustics Coffee Bar
Beverages cover the standard coffee and teas, with the more unique picks being Orange Mocha (from $7) and Kyoho Grape Oolong (from $5).
Photo from @doggaebi via Instagram
Well, music is currently still banned at F&B establishments, but once that’s lifted, we look forward to savouring our meals with some good tunes streaming from their classy lacquered wood floorstanding speakers.
Address: 61 Neil Road, Singapore 088895
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 5:30pm | Friday to Sunday: 8:30am to 9:30pm
Website
#2: Glacier - all-white botanical-themed cafe
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Glacier indeed lives up to its moniker. From its tables and chairs to walls and shelving, the cafe is entirely washed in white, with the only splash of colour coming in the form of lush green potted plants - lots and lots of plants, scattered across every corner of this welcoming space.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Perhaps the minimalist colour theme is strategic, with colourful dishes like the Glacier Big Breakfast ($24), Glacier French Toast ($16), and Salmon Mentaiko Truffle Grain Bowl ($20) looking extra vibrant and attractive amidst all that pristine white.
Photo from Glacier
Photo from Glacier
Those who love all things chewy should go for their Pandan Mochi Waffle ($8), which you can pair with a variety of 12 gelato flavours including Lychee Rose, Milk & Honey, and Oolong & Osthmanthus - mostly palatable fruity or floral ones, nothing too wacky. These start from $4 for a single scoop and $7.50 for double, with premium flavours requiring a $1 top-up.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Address: 161 Lavender Street, #01-09, Singapore 338750
Opening hours: Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday: 10am - 10pm | Friday to Saturday: 10am - 1am (Closed on Monday)
Website
#3: Joséphine - chic 2-storey French bistro with patio
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Bringing Parisienne vibes to the heart of our little red dot is Joséphine, an elegant 2-storey French bistro and wine bar located within a refurbished shophouse. The decor here is well worth a mention, with hanging vines and floral wallpaper adding to the whole stylish French vibe of the establishment.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Food-wise, expect classic French fare such as South West Duck Rillettes ($12), Honey Baked Half Camembert ($22), and of course, Foie Gras Mi Cuit ($28) for starters, and charcoal-grilled meat like Tenderloin ($38) and Duck Magret ($35) for mains.
Photo from Joséphine
Drop by during lunch and be treated to an affordable $24 3-course set meal with salad, a burger, tartine, half chicken, and and dessert of the day.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Try to snag a seat at their al fresco patio, which has a clear glass shelter overhead that allows light to stream through while protecting you from any sudden downpour. It’s the perfect spot for clinking glasses, and with rosé from $12 and champagne from $20 here, you sure don’t want to miss out.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Address: 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069917
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:45am - 2:30pm, 6pm - 11pm (Closed on Sunday)
Website
#4: Takeshi-San - sushi “staircases” and saketinis
Photo from Bryant Choo via Burpple
Eat your way to the top at Takeshi-San, a mod sushi bar at Holland Village that just opened earlier this year. Instead of simply being served in trays or dishes, their Sushi Kaidan Sets are beautifully arranged on mini wooden “staircases”, which somehow makes everything look that much more appetising.
Prices are reasonable too, starting from $18 for a 6-piece Nigiri Set. You know how you get more rice than ingredients at certain low-tier sushi places? There’s no need to worry about that here, for the pieces of fish, prawn, tamago and the like hang well over the Japanese rice mounds.
Photo from Takeshi-San
The presentation of the food almost takes away the limelight from the restaurant’s interior, which is simple and tasteful with 3D flowers on the ceiling and a single neon signage at the bar counter reading “kanpai!” (cheers) in Japanese characters. Speaking of which, try their Yuzu Beer ($12) or special Saketini ($16), which comes in Momo, Lychee, and Sakura variants.
Photo from Takeshi-San
Address: 38 Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277694
Opening hours: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm daily
Website
#5: Man Tang Hong - pink minimalist joint with traditional desserts
Photo from Man Tang Hong
Think of slurping down a traditional local dessert and what comes to mind is probably a kopitiam or a run-down, old-school joint at Chinatown. While both types of spaces have their own unique charm, we’re not gonna lie - sometimes we just want to relax somewhere sleek, clean, and photogenic. Hashtag Instagram Generation.
Man Tang Hong (满糖红) is your answer to that. Located in a HDB estate at Bedok, this hole-in-the-wall cafe has minimalist pink and white walls, trendy terrazzo tables spruced up with mini potted plants, and artsy-looking cushions.
Photo from Man Tang Hong
A number of their ingredients are painstakingly made from scratch, with their yam paste all steamed in-house and mashed by hand. A bestseller here is the refreshing cold Cheng Tng ($4.30), which comes with premium longans. Other thirst-quenchers here include Watermelon Sago ($3.80), Natural Aiyu Jelly ($3.50), and Yam Paste ($6.80).
Photo from Man Tang Hong
Address: 218 Bedok North Street 1, #01-11, Singapore 460218
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5pm - 11pm (Closed on Monday)
Website
#6: Pocha in a Forest - Korean street tent dining
Photo from Pocha in a Forest
If you’ve ever strolled along the food streets of Korea, you would have come across pojangmacha - small food tents with plastic stools and colourful string lights serving local delicacies. That experience is recreated in an indoor air-conditioned space with Pocha in a Forest, complete with dangling foliage from the ceiling that’ll make you feel as though you’re outdoors.
Photo from Pocha in a Forest
They serve all the must-haves including Bibimbap, Kimchi Fried Rice, Kimchi Stew, and Marinated Pork or Beef - along with bar bites like spicy chicken wings and Korean pancakes. Of course, Milkis soju and makgeolli (Korean rice wine) are part of the menu too, the latter of which comes in a whopping 11 flavours.
Photo from Pocha in a Forest
Read our full article on Pocha in a Forest here.
#7: SILK Tea Bar - Chinese teahouse with a contemporary touch
Photo from @silk.teabar via Instagram
Treading the line between tradition and modernity is SILK Tea Bar, a cosy contemporary space in a Chinatown shophouse serving up fine Chinese brews. Time seemingly stands still in this little nook, which cocoons one from the outside world while offering a good opportunity for people-watching through tall arched windows.
Photo from SILK Tea Bar
For the full authentic experience, we recommend going for their Session Brews, where prices of single-origin Chinese tea vary from $10 to $35 depending on the type of tea chosen. Examples include Shui Xian Oolong, Wild Peony ($15), and Dancong. These are brewed in 3 to 4 progressive steeps, with each one bearing slightly different notes, and are only prepared after the previous round has been drunk.
Apart from these are also Single Brews by the glass from $5.50, house-made Kombucha ($7), and Wild Honey drinks ($9).
Photo from @silk.teabar via Instagram
Nibble on their specialty Kueh Kosui ($2.50) or a saucer of peanuts ($2) if you’d like some munchies to go along with your brews. At time of writing, there’s no service charge or GST, though there’s a minimum order of 1 tea per person - which shouldn’t pose an issue since that’s what you’d be heading down for anyway!
Address: 26A Sago Street, Singapore 059021
Opening hours: Sunday, Tuesday, & Wednesday: 11am - 7pm | Thursday - Saturday: 11am - 10pm (Closed on Monday)
Website
#8: Carrotsticks and Cravings Stanley - pastel tropical-themed outlet in the CBD
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Carrotsticks and Cravings already has an outlet at Dempsey in a colonial house, along with a second one at Robertson Quay that faces the river, but their third opening at Stanley Street, Tanjong Pagar, is sure takes their aesthetics cred up a notch - especially for those who love all things pastel.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
With a tropical theme, this chic outlet is clad in shades of pink and green, making for a comfortable and carefree environment for a brunch date out with your girlfriends.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
Sticking true to the owner’s Australian roots, the cafe serves healthy Aussie-inspired fare and solid coffee, with a highly recommended dish being their Signature Smashed Avo ($18) with feta and dukkah. While they do place an emphasis on vegan dishes, protein-lovers can still look forward to items like Cream Cheese Smoked Salmon ($22) and the Chicken Goat Cheese Sandwich ($20) served with salad.
Photo from @saltyaaron via Instagram
There’s also an outlet-exclusive Breakfast Platter for two, which includes this extensive spread: Sourdough bread, labneh cheese, israeli salad, hummus with roasted eggplant, falafel, avocado slices with feta, puff pastries with herb dill cream cheese, your choice of smoked salmon or ham, along with choices of 2 eggs and 2 coffees.
Address: 5 Stanley Street, #01-01, Singapore 068724
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm daily
Website
#9: Nom Gelato - quirky & vibrant ice cream parlour
Photo from @layerplaysg via Instagram
It seems like new ice cream parlours are popping up left right centre on a monthly basis, but one look at Nom Gelato and your diet will be thrown right out of the window. It’s impossible to resist their quirky interiors, which are simple but full of life with bright sunny shades and a kooky mural.
Photo from @layerplaysg via Instagram
Be drawn in by the decor, but stay for the spread of flavours - up for your choosing are Blue Cheese with Walnut Praline, Strawberry & Basil, and Whiskey with Bacon as some of the more adventurous ones. Those who like to stick to the safe and familiar can go for Cold Brew Coffee, Bronte Pistachio, and Piedmont Hazelnut, among others.
Photo from @fin.barr via Instagram
Classic flavours cost $5 for single scoops and $8 for double scoops, while premium ones cost $6 and $10 respectively.
Photo from @layerplaysg via Instagram
Address: 33 Erskine Road, #01-08, Singapore 069333
Opening hours: 12pm - 10.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Website
#10: Bedrock Origin - smokey steak and seafood at Sentosa
Photo from Bedrock Origin
Following the longstanding success of their flagship Bar & Grill at Somerset comes Bedrock Origin, a swanky new second branch, this time at sunny Sentosa. While the former has a slightly more brooding atmosphere that may be favoured for intimate dinners, this new space has a soothing light interior of white, sea green, and woody tones that makes it just as ideal for lunch too.
Photo from Rockett
Like with the other Bedrock outlet, this one serves up smokey steaks and seafood, though the menu does differ. 3-course set lunches with a starter and dessert start from just $38 depending on your choice of mains, while 2-course lunches with dessert, soft drinks or juice are fixed at $32.
Photo from Bedrock Origin
A la carte Applewood Fire Grill steaks for dinner include Japanese wagyu (from $138) and dry-aged USDA Prime (from $98) selections.
Photo from Rockett
Address: 23 Beach View, Palawan Ridge, #01-02 Oasia Resort Sentosa, Singapore 098679
Opening hours: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10.30pm daily
Website
#11: Lalaland - romantic heartland dessert cafe themed after the 4 seasons
Photo from GirlStyle SG
Experience all four seasons at once at Lalaland, a romantic nature-themed cafe in the heartlands that offers a new change of scenery at every turn - Singapore’s tropical climate ain’t got nothing on their on-point decor, which includes sakura trees, Autumn foliage, and a feature wall with a 3D lavender field reminiscent of the ones in Hokkaido.
Photo from GirlStyle SG
Desserts here are made to match. Some items with standout styling include the Cherry Blossom ($16.80) choux puffs filled with sakura cream and strawberries, Flower Blossom Latte ($8.50) topped with dried raspberries and sakura petals, and Loving Swans ($28.80), an arrangement of choux pastries, ice cream, macarons, and berries made to look just like its name describes.
Photo from GirlStyle SG
Read our full review on Lalaland here.
#12: Hello Kitty pop-up cafe - kawaii character-themed hotpot
Photo from Kumoya
While the previous Kumoya character cafe pop-ups featured mainly Western-Japanese fusion dishes, the new Hello Kitty one at Orchard Central veers away from the predictable with a special hotpot experience. The presentation of the food is on point, with ingredients like rice, Beauty Chicken Collagen ($6), QQ Mochi Rice Cake ($8.90), and Japanese Tamago ($10.90) all shaped like the Sanrio character!
Photo from Kumoya
There are 10 soup bases to choose from including Szechuan Mala with Milk, Fresh Garden Tomato, and Sawadee Tom Yum. Opt for meat or seafood sets with ingredients like premium beef short rib, salmon, scallops and more. This might just be the cutest hotpot feast you’ve ever had.
Photo from Kumoya
Read our full article on the Hello Kitty Shabu Shabu Cafe here.
#13: Bones ‘n Slaw - Western meals with free-flow coleslaw & river views
Photo from The Red Marker
There’s this misconception that “outside food” is unhealthy, but that isn’t the case if you know where to look. The key is to go for balanced meals that don’t just come with a pile of carbs, and Bones ‘n Slaw delivers with their heartily-portioned Western mains - all of which come with free-flow coleslaw. There’s no excuse for not getting your fill of veg now! In fact, you’ll spot a vertical aquaponics tower at their entrance, where they’re growing their own healthy produce.
Photo from Bones ‘n Slaw
Pick from Pizza (from $15.80), pastas like Truffle Carbonara Linguine ($18.90) and Hokkaido Scallop Kombu Linguine ($20.90), and meaty mains like French Style Chicken Stew ($18.90) and 12 Hours Sous Vide Pork Rib ($24.90).
Photo from The Red Marker
Spacious and filled with verdant plants, the cafe overlooks the idyllic Singapore River - opt for a window-facing booth seat for the best eyeful of those views, which look great both day and night.
Photo from The Red Marker
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-82/83 Clarke Quay Central, Singapore 059817
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 11am - 9.30pm | Saturday, Sunday, & PHs: 11.30am - 9.30pm
Website
#14: Lai Lim Bistro - funfair-themed bar that Jay Chou fans will love
Photo from Lai Lim Bistro
It’s certainly a party any time at carnival-themed Lai Lim Bistro (来Lim), decked out in multi-coloured string lights and neon wall art featuring ferris wheels and hot air balloons. The booth chairs mimic roller coaster seats, and the walls are painted to look like carnival tentage, but wait, there’s more - tons of Jay Chou photo prints plastered on those red and white striped patterns.
Photo from Lai Lim Bistro
To the Mandopop noob, this might seem like a highly random combination, but true blue fans of the Taiwanese singer would recognise the reference - this entire setup is a fitting ode to his song, 园游会 (Fun Fair). And a fun is indeed what’s in store when you have shot towers shaped like ferris wheels (from $30 for 12) and even chess boards (from $80 for 32)!
Photo from Lai Lim Bistro
Other alcoholic treats here include White or Rosee Hoegaarden on tap ($15 per pint), classic cocktails ($18), Japanese whisky (from $20), and various hard liquors.
Photo from Lai Lim Bistro
You don’t wanna be drinking on an empty stomach, so fuel your night with their local dishes like Signature Hor Fun, Fried Rice, and Signature Fried Kuey Teow ($10 each), and sharing bites like Truffle Fries ($12) and Chicken Wings ($12).
Photo from Lai Lim Bistro
Address: 2 Venture Drive, #02-33 Vision Exchange, Singapore 608526
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10.30pm (Closed on Sunday)
Website
For previous editions of our monthly compilation of new cafes and restaurants:
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Text by: GirlStyle SG
