New Restaurants, Cafes & Bars in Singapore: July 2020

Rebel Rebel specialises in boutique natural wines from less conventional producers, but their food menu is much to rave about too. Headed by Chef Deborah Yeo (formerly of Burnt Ends and The Ledge by Dave Pynt), the menu sees treasures like Pig's Head Tagliatelle ($28) and Whipped Pork Fat ($6). On the Prawn and Uni Paste Toast ($12), Burppler Veronica Phua says "Everyone needs to make a beeline for this. It combines aromatics-forward finely-minced prawn with fragrant and crunchy brown butter for an enthralling bite."

Photo by Burppler Veronica Phua

From the same people behind Kream Beer in Duxton comes Kreams Krafthouse. Located at Maxwell Chambers, this brand new cafe looks like it came out of a Korean drama, complete with autumn leaves and rustic wooden furniture. The drinks (from $7 to $9) are like what you'd find in a Korean cafe, like Dalgona Coffee (that you don't have to whip yourself), Creamy Choco, and Sweet Potato Latte. Give their scones ($4.50) a try too, with flavours such as Cranberry, Coffee, and Korean Yuzu Citrus!

Photo by KREAM

Cocktail fan? You have to check out the Sago House in Chinatown. Launched by veterans of the drinks industry (Spiffy Dapper founder Abhishek Cherian George, Monkey Shoulder Brand Ambassador Jay Gray, and former EC Proof sales specialist Desiree Jane), this is where you'll find tipples with a cheeky twist. The menu ($16 onwards) changes every week, but you can expect drinks similar to the Honey I'm Homeless for a blend of Scotch, green apple, and chamomile vanilla tea, as well as {Insert Generic Tiki Name} with cucumber gin, passionfruit tea, and gasp, toasted marshmallow!

Photo by Sago House

Yes, there's now another spot in Singapore selling the famous Thai chicken rice from Bangkok's Pratunam! Located along 27A Geylang, this coffeeshop stall dishes out heaping plates of bite-sized juicy chicken and pork leg swimming in a thick braising sauce. Burpple Xing Wei Chua recommends the Combo ($8.90) if. you are looking to have the best of both worlds - coming with White Chicken, Pork Leg, Shallots, Braised Egg and Crispy Pork Lard."

Photo by Burppler Xing Wei Chua

The conveyor belt sushi legend Sushiro takes over Woodlands with its third Singapore outlet. This budget-friendly brand offers an impressively fresh array of sushi with ingredients flown in from Japan. And really, the food is very good for the price. Feast on delivery options like the Sushi Deluxe Platter ($18.30), which includes fatty tuna, premium grilled eel, prawn, salmon belly, and salmon roe. As Burppler Jessica imsohhungry puts it, "because I saw fatty tuna, and that's my favourite!"

Photo by Burppler Khaw Han Chung

Miss Vanda is the latest venture by Chef Han from the Michelin-starred Mod Sin restaurant Labyrinth. In fact, this more casual concept takes over the location of Labyrinth at Esplanade, as the latter is temporarily put on ice. Expect things like Singapore-style Laksa ($28) served with Hokkaido Scallops, Crab Meat Her Geow, and local Green Lip Mussels. Or his famous Claypot "Ang Moh" Chicken Rice ($28) that includes a creamy roux of chicken stock and chicken oil. Other Burpplers recommend the Boneless Har Cheong Gai ($14) and Pandan Swiss Roll ($24).

Photo by Burppler Justin Teo

Many of us have been waiting for Chef Rishi Naleendra (of Cheek by Jowl and Cloud Street fame) to open a restaurant serving his heritage cuisine, and it's finally here! This Sri Lankan concept has dishes like the spicy battered calamari Dallo Baduma ($22), Beetroot Curry ($16) with toasted cumin and green chilli, and fried beef cheek Poricha Erachi ($24). Burppler Ethel Tan is a fan of the Beef Rolls ($12), "Sri Lankan croquettes with spiced beef filling. It's very crispy and the beef was flavourful too."

Photo by Burppler Ethel Tan

Laut is all about the rich diversity of produce and culture from Southeast Asia, and it shows in cocktails like the Kumquat ($21) and Dragonfruit ($21). Currently open only from the evening onwards, Laut has an amazing food programme with dishes such as Thunder Tea Rice ($29) with king prawns, century eggs, and petai, as well as a Burnt Eggplant Dip ($15) with curry spiced papadums, chickpea, and tomato onion relish. Burppler Alex Loh says "If you have not ordered this, don't ever tell anyone you have been to Laut".

Photo by Burppler Alexis Cheong