We've got plenty of reasons for you to hop over to the hip 'hood of Keong Saik. The food is top-notch, the drinks are superb and the shophouses are quite the sight!
Keong Saik Road is a mecca for local eats, French food, Italian cuisine and the coolest bars in town. It’s hard to imagine that the area was once a prominent red-light district peppered with brothels back in the 60s. Today, a new wave of residents sits nicely in this buzzing ‘hood. Plus, it’s located just a stone’s throw away from the bustling Chinatown. We let you in on Keong Saik’s coolest hangs, from the hottest food spots to hotels and even wall art to admire. Clear out your day – there’s just so much to do!
Keong Saik Road guide: Food & drinks
1. Tipo Strada
This casual halal Italian restaurant is your best bet for wallet-friendly handmade pasta. Choose your noodle, the accompanying sauce, and additional toppings that you fancy. If you’re undecided, go for the favourites such as prawn aglio olio or creamy pesto. Order some bruschetta and its signature orange coffee spritz, and your meal is settled.
Tipo Strada, #01-02, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
2. Chez Suzette
Tucked away in a corner of Teck Lim Road is this quaint little hideaway. Founded by duo Suzette and Jonathan (both of whom worked at the now-defunct Joel Robuchon), the space was inspired by their love for hosting gatherings. The space’s French doors welcome you into a home away from home. Cosy up for a weekend brunch of classic eggs benedict, croque monsieur or avocado toast. And you can’t forget about the crepes Suzette with caramelised sugar and orange zest. Top up for a tableside show with a Grand Marnier flambe!
Chez Suzette, #01-01 & #02-01, 5 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088383
3. Esquina
Get a taste of Spain in this buzzingly vibrant restaurant. Take a journey through Catalan cuisine with Barcelona-born head chef Carlos Montobbio. Every dish is crafted with the utmost care, using only quality products. You’ll be transported to the vibrant tapas bars of Spain with light bites like thyme and onion bread, or Iberico ham croquetas. Pick mains from soil, sea, or land – aka veggies, seafood, or other red meats. Delish!
Esquina, 16 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089267
4. Kafe Utu
Want a taste of African food? Swing by this cool cafe decked out with gorgeous crafts – the ground floor offers coffee and cosy seats, the second floor lounge is perfect for a private gathering, and the terrace area beckons one and all for a late-night drink. With dishes influenced by places from Kenya to Morocco, the menu features flavourful items like Liberian peanut chicken stew, goat curry, charred aubergine lamb stew and more. If you’re here for brunch, you’ll find classics like scrambled eggs with sausage and ricotta hotcakes offered alongside minced lamb chapati wrap and bessara soup.
Kafe Utu, 12 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089265
5. Naema
Satisfy your cravings for Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine at this cosy restaurant that feels like a warm hug. A vibrant fusion of both cuisines, tuck into beloved classics and authentic flavours with a unique twist. You can’t go wrong with standout starters like chicken pastilla, honey and figs burrata, and eggplant caviar. For signatures, try the quintessential lamb tagine, Royale couscous, as well as succulent prawn, lamb and beef fresh from the charcoal grill. Wash it all down with Moroccan wines and cocktails, of course.
Naema, #01-04, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
6. Gaston
So you’ve had French cuisine. How about Burgundian? We went on a jaunt and were floored with Gaston. Must-tries include oeufs en meurette (poached eggs in red wine sauce), hearty boeuf bourguignon and the oh-so-creamy mashed potato. Don’t forget to save space for sweets like a trio of cream puffs or pan-fried French toast with vanilla ice cream and fruit.
Gaston, 25 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089132
7. Pasta Bar
Once you’ve had fresh pasta, you can’t go back. Case in point: a throwback to our dinner at Pasta Bar. Watch the chefs whip out regional Italian pasta dishes based on family recipes in the open kitchen. Every pasta shape is handmade daily for the ever-evolving menu. It features plates like beef ragu tagliatelle, lobster linguine, crab pappardelle, truffle fettuccine and more. Or try starters like wagyu beef tartare, marinated octopus and pork cheek arancini.
Pasta Bar, #01-05, 55 Keong Saik, Singapore 089158
8. Leckerbaer
Besides swanky restaurants, this stretch of shophouses is also home to aesthetically pleasing cafes. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, Leckerbaer is the one-stop shop for delicious Danish pastries that are mega picture-worthy. Indulge in the assortment of mini tarts, cakes and buttery cookies for your tea-time snack while sipping on a cuppa. The perfect spot to seek respite from the midday sun, we say.
Leckerbaer, 14 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089121
9. Kok Sen Restaurant
A no-frills spot for local eats, Kok Sen is the kind of place you’d swing by if you fancy an authentic coffee shop-style experience – and Singapore Michelin Bib Gourmand zi char (also a perfect spot to impress the in-laws). Order up dishes like claypot yong tau foo, big prawns hor fun, curry fish head and the crowd-favourite, prawn paste chicken.
Kok Sen Restaurant, 4 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089110
10. Heart of Darkness
Craft beer lovers, rejoice! Vietnam’s Heart of Darkness has relocated to Keong Saik with an upgraded space that’s bigger and better. You’ll find great craft beers on tap at the bar, that include limited releases and guest taps. In the mood for food? Nibble on bar snacks like nachos, tacos, fried octopus, or Bangkok fries loaded with toppings. Oh, and you won’t miss the larger-than-life dragon and merlion mural symbolising the collab between the brand’s home country and Singapore, done in partnership with local visual artist Tobyato.
Heart of Darkness, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
11. Olivia Restaurant & Lounge
You can’t walk around Keong Saik Road and miss a chance to dine at Olivia Restaurant & Lounge. Step into the concept restaurant to experience Barcelona’s vibrant, cosmopolitan dining culture smack in the middle of Singapore. Expect hearty homestyle Catalan-inspired dishes created using traditional cooking methods and presented with modern sensibilities. We’re talking about treats like king crab with caviar, squid ink rice with Mediterranean red prawns, and wagyu ribeye and foie gras carpaccio. And of course, an array of Spanish and international wines to pair.
Olivia Restaurant & Lounge, #01-03, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
12. Potato Head Singapore
The undisputed face of Keong Saik, there’s no doubt that Potato Head has taken the neighbourhood by storm. Offering an awesome dining concept, here’s where you can dig into gourmet burgers – including the highly-raved Impossible Burger – at Three Buns. Lounge at cosy drinking den Studio 1939, or hit the rooftop garden and soak up the sights and sounds of Chinatown over a cocktail.
Potato Head Singapore, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143
13. Wine & Chef
Fancy a fusion menu made up of Italian classics and Asian ingredients? Wine & Chef blends both cuisines with dishes like salmon “risotto”, pan-roasted black pork, scallop capellini and duck confit. Wash it down with a glass of wine from the featured collection or take home a bottle from the wine cellar.
Wine & Chef, 7 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089115
14. Thevar
A two Michelin-starred modern Indian restaurant, Thevar whips up creative interactions of traditional Indian flavours. Tuck into a fixed course menu, featuring the likes of heirloom tomato chaat, oyster rassam granita, and mysore spiced lamb. Finish off your meal with a drink or two!
Thevar, 9 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089117
15. Tilly’s by Butcher Boy
We love a good Sunday roast, and Tilly’s by Butcher Boy has just the kind of roast meat we live for. From roast beef to roast chicken stuffed with sage and onion filling, the menu is absolutely delightful. Who needs cutlery when you have the most tender roasts in front of you? Other dishes on the menu include kimchi chicken wings, chilli crab baos, and beer battered fish and chips.
Tilly’s by Butcher Boy, 31 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089138
16. The Guild
Have a penchant for craft beers? The Guild will quench your thirst. Hailing from Hong Kong’s acclaimed and largest independent craft brewery Young Master Brewery, The Guild serves great craft beer on tap, along with natural wines and cocktails concocted with small batch, artisanal spirits. Browse through the food menu for the likes of meatballs and mash, crab tagliolini, chye poh hummus and more.
The Guild, #01-01, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
17. Tong Ah Eating House
We’ve got more than a few happy memories of chowing down on flavourful zi char plates and old school kopi and kaya toast brekkies at this nostalgic golden oldie. Pop by for a traditional coffee shop experience!
Tong Ah Eating House, 35 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089142
18. Cure
Ah, the cure for hunger (no pun intended). Cure hosts a fine dining experience without burning a hole in your pocket. Chef-owner Andrew Walsh takes you on an expedition through his Irish heritage with a menu spotlighting Nua Irish cuisine, taking inspiration from the Celtic nation. It’s an elegant culinary journey you won’t want to miss.
Cure, 21 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089128
19. Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant
This popular spot on Keong Saik Road serves fresh charcoal grilled unagi imported directly from Japan. You know it’s fresh when the chef cuts, skewers and grills the freshwater eel in the flesh upon your order. If you can’t stand the sight of blood, there’s always a spot away from the “prime seat”. Find eel-ectric dishes like unagi don and unagi served Hitsumabushi-style.
Man Man Japanese Unagi Restaurant, #01-01, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
Keong Saik guide: Explore & shop
20. Binary Style
On the hunt for elegant, locally-inspired gifts that are beyond the ordinary? Bookmark this hidden gem that is a stone’s throw away from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and mere steps away from restaurant and bar Potato Head. Founded by Singaporean twin sisters, Binary Style is a homegrown lifestyle brand that specialises in creating unique prints inspired by the city’s nature, architecture and heritage. These bold and colourful prints feature the likes of Singapore’s national flower, cityscapes and shophouses.
Shop these one-of-a-kind designs on a wide range of products. We’re talking about tote bags, purses, apparel (including scarves, dresses and blouses), as well as a homeware collection to jazz up your abode. The brand is also part of the Made With Passion brands endorsed by the Singapore Tourism Board – which means you’ll be supporting local businesses while indulging in retail therapy. Talk about a win-win situation!
Binary Style, #02-01, 25 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089132
21. Coach Play Singapore Shophouse
ICYMI, fashion brand Coach has taken over a shophouse in Keong Saik and painted it baby pink! The multi-concept store features a retail section stocking the latest bags and ready-to-wear collections, vintage gems and accessories. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a Coach Cafe within the space offering exclusive items inspired by American classics and artisanal coffee.
Coach Play Singapore Shophouse, 5 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089113
22. Street art
Commissioned by The Working Capitol, art duo Ripple Root turned the boring white walls at Keong Saik into playful backdrops filled with their own take on floral motifs of traditional Peranakan tiles located around the area. See if you can spot this back-alley artwork! For more wall mural inspo, check out our guide to street art in Singapore.
Street art, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
23. Mills
After you make one visit to Mills, you’ll realise why people keep coming back – even if you aren’t a menswear connoisseur. The team always looks to go above and beyond in the art of tailoring. You’ll be given practical but creative suggestions during the process, and if you have any questions, just ask away! Your suit will be bespoke to your specifications, down to the types and colours of the buttons.
Mills, #02-01, 30A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089137
24. Duxton Plain Park
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle, Duxton Plain Park is a peaceful respite. Surrounded on both sides by the backs of shophouses, it’s a narrow and curved park between New Bridge Road and Yan Kit Road. It offers a spin on the typical shophouse back alley and gets its shape from the site’s past as an old railway line.
Duxton Plain Park, Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089140
25. Dustbunny Vintage
Is your wardrobe filled with vintage gems? You’ll fit right in at Dustbunny Vintage. Spilling with in-house label items and finds from around the globe, here’s where you can step up your style with sailor shift dresses, pencil skirts, and fit-and-flare pants in the most vibrant prints and patterns.
Dustbunny Vintage, 2A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089110 (by appointment only)
26. The Working Capitol
It’s difficult to miss The Working Capitol — this massive facility sprawls across multiple shophouses and occupies an old 1920s biscuit factory. Adopting a minimalistic approach to the interior design scheme, the biz provides co-working spaces, event venues, private offices and a cafe concept within its premises. Talk about killing multiple birds with one stone.
The Working Capitol, 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109
27. Style by Louis & Co.
Jazz up your look with a fresh cut or dye at this hair salon located on the third floor of a preserved shophouse. With personalised service at the heart of it, your beloved tresses will be in great hands. Pamper your hair with a keratin smoothening treatment, scalp therapy, or get a rejuvenating wash, blow and style service.
Style by Louis & Co., Level 3, 43B Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089147
28. KēSa House, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood
Looking for a staycay or need temporary living space for a month? Imagine living in the heart of it all – with bars, restaurants and local eats located just steps away from you. Ahh… sounds like heaven to us. You can have it all with Kesa House’s flexible living concept. Choose between cosy options in the 60-room building, including apartments with a kitchenette and even a private patio. Plus, you can hang out and mingle in communal spaces like the lounge and common kitchen after a day out.
KēSa House, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood, #01-01, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158
There you have it, our ultimate guide to Keong Saik Road’s restaurants, bars, shops and more!
