Looking to treat Mom to a fancy lunch? Making plans to spend a day with your girlfriends? Here are some great ideas for those girly dates
So you’ve got a date with your gal pals and you’re ready to get all pampered and dolled up for a day of shopping and relaxation… but where’s a good place to go for a nice catch up session over tea (or coffee) and plenty of damn good food? Check out our list of cafes, brunch spots, and restaurants in Singapore where you ladies can while the afternoon away before some much-needed retail therapy (and perhaps an amazing facial, too?)
The Providore @ TANGS
Located within the TANGS department store, The Providore is the perfect hangout for you girlies after a hardcore retail therapy session on Orchard Road. Order yourselves a cuppa and tuck into bites like the Spanish baked eggs on a grilled chorizo sausage, lobster mac and cheese (mmm…), or the Bomba rice paella, which features shrimp, squid, and ahi tuna. Remember to leave room for their cakes and pastries such as scones and croissants; the treats are baked fresh at their PasarBella outlet.
The Providore, #02-22 TANGS Orchard, 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864, p. 6235 1425.
Wild Honey
Thinking about brunch? Wild Honey’s the answer. Serving up all-day breakfast, this cosy joint in Orchard’s Mandarin Gallery puts out delectable items spanning across a variety of cuisine types. Choose the English for the full works, the Mexican for a breakfast burrito, or the Tunisian for a spicy shakshouka.
Wild Honey, #03-02 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897, p. 6235 3900.
Original Sin
With a meat-free menu, it’s no wonder plenty of women flock to this long-standing restaurant in Holland Village. Their specialty? Mediterranean flavours. Creations like the cheesy baked portobello mushroom with pesto and tomato basil sauce (aka the Magic Mushroom) are a must-try. Plus, the portions are pretty huge – another reason to love this spot.
Original Sin, #01-62 Block 43 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village, Singapore 278115, p. 6475 5605.
Pollen
Pretty, elegant, chic – these are the words that sum up Pollen, a fine dining establishment (with a killer view to boot) in Gardens by the Bay. Try their Mediterranean-inspired creations like the seared foie gras with chrysanthemum gel. Need some vegetarian options? Fret not – there’s a special vegetarian menu on offer.
Pollen, #01-09 Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953, p. 6604 9988.
The White Rabbit
Everything’s very pristine-looking and grand in this beautifully restored old chapel, and you can expect the same feels with the Modern European nosh. Here to celebrate Mother’s Day? There’s a special buffet on 5 May ($118 per pax; 10am to 3pm) featuring highlights like a seafood bar (hello, freshly shucked Fin de Claire oysters!), and mains like the roasted iberico pork loin, and snapper en papilotte.
The White Rabbit, 39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541, p. 9721 0536.
TWG Tea
There’s nothing quite like tea at TWG to make us feel like true blue ladies. Choose between four tea sets – which come with freshly baked scones and a pot of premium tea (the massive selection gives us a thrill) – with pastries and sandwiches at additional costs.
TWG Tea, #02-21 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, p. 6735 1837.
Riders Cafe
Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Riders Cafe (which is, in our opinion, the best thing you can get if you’re thinking of a short “country”-style escape). Tucked away in the lush greenery of Bukit Timah Saddle Club (yes, there are adorable horsies all around), this peaceful spot is great for any meal of the day. Try the Blackstone Benedict for brunch, the rosemary flatbreads (comes with sundried tomato hummus) for lunch, or the pan fried snapper with miso-creamed kale if you’re here for dinner.
Riders Cafe, 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286965, p. 6466 9819.
The Marmalade Pantry
Doesn’t matter which outlet you choose to visit (there are three: Orchard, Bukit Timah, and Novena), this lovely spot and its Western-inspired offerings are fab for that posh afternoon date. Don’t you dare leave without trying their desserts, particularly the cupcakes (red velvet FTW) and the sticky date and toffee pudding.
The Marmalade Pantry, #03-22 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, p. 6734 2700.
Antoinette
Find classic French creations like eggs Florentine and boeuf bourguignon at this fine restaurant. Their dainty, prettily-plated desserts are also not to be missed, especially the macarons and the signature Antoinette – a milk chocolate mousse infused with earl grey tea.
Antoinette, #02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897, p. 6836 9527.
Hyde & Co.
Anglophiles, make a beeline for this English-themed café that’s all about sweet and savoury crumpets, the full English breakfast, and tea (obvs) – a whopping 45 kinds to choose from, to be exact. Expect a couple of local twists here and there – think gula Melaka crumpets and a croque madame sprinkled with hebi hiam (spicy dried shrimps).
Hyde & Co., 785 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198753, p. 9369 4369.
Top image: Wild Honey