Park Side cafe review: Relaxing brunch hangout for families and pets in Singapore Botanic Gardens

A new casual concept by the group behind PS.Cafe, Park Side is the perfect pitstop for weekend explorers and picnic-goers.

Park Side is a charming new cafe surrounded by lush greens at the city’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Located at the main visitor entrance, the concept by PS.Gourmet Group invites you into its cottage-style open space for relaxed conversation (pets are welcome, too!). If you’re after a solid brunch in Singapore, the cafe’s Asian-influenced comfort food will feed the whole family. I spent an afternoon lunching and lounging at Park Side, and it’s now firmly on my must-visit list the next time I’m at the Botanic Gardens.

Park Side cafe review: Details at a glance

Best for: Family weekend brunches, fur-parents exploring the gardens, and picnic takeaways
Must-try items: Spiced fish & chips, luncheon bun, bak chor & bacon udon
How much: Brunch dishes from $22, mains from $24, sides from $10, desserts from $14
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8am to 7pm; Friday to Sunday, 8am to 9pm
Address: Park Side, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Nassim Gate, Visitor Centre, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Cottagecore aesthetics by the park

If you’re dreaming of a romanticised countryside life, Park Side provides a glimpse of that with its decor. Featuring floral prints, hand-sketched illustrations of animals found in the gardens, and nature-inspired lighting, the interior is cosy and charming. It’s like you’ve stepped into a quaint cottage that, well, happens to serve good food.

The vibes are relaxed and the service is friendly, making it a laid-back spot to unwind before or after you explore the Botanic Gardens. I dropped by on a weekday afternoon and was surprised to see a line already forming out the door. Heads up: you can’t make reservations, so avoid peak timings if you’re not a fan of queues.

Not a fan of sweating in the sun? I feel you. It’s an open concept, but the indoor tables are comfortably air-conditioned, offering a pleasing escape from the scorching heat. Outdoors, the seats are ideal for those with pets or little ones who love to run around and say hi to roaming wildlife. I picked a spot in between to enjoy the cool air while hanging out by the windows, gazing at the greenery.

Oh, and if you’re planning a picnic at Singapore Botanic Gardens, head to the takeaway counter for all the treats your heart desires.

Brunch with a tinge of Asian flavours

With a bold, brunch-style menu from the folks behind PS.Cafe, there’s no disappointment when you dine at Park Side. Taking inspiration from Singapore’s culinary heritage and Asian flavours, the team uses familiar ingredients such as mango, turmeric, curry leaves, and rojak flower to realise its modern vision of comfort food. Brunch dishes are available from 8am to 4pm, while the all-day selection (which includes a kids’ menu) is served from 11am till closing.

If you love a hearty morning meal, the Park Side breakfast ($28) or build-your-own plate (items from $3) will fill you up. I went for the kaya, bacon & eggs ($22) and relished the sweet-savoury flavours in each bite. The fluffy kaya French toast soaked up the syrupy Okinawa black sugar caramel, while the fried egg and bacon delivered everything I love about a classic breakfast.

However, the true star of the brunch menu for me was the luncheon bun ($24). Before you scoff, the luncheon meat is house-made and nicely seared, paired with an omelette, cheddar, and tamarind tomato jam for the ultimate comfort food creation. Crispy tater tots accompany the burger, which I’ll take over fries any day.

For those who can’t resist a saccharine start to the day, get the Hummingbird pancake ($22), which is made of corn for a slightly grainier texture. Swimming in a pool of Okinawa black sugar caramel, topped with caramelised pineapple, coconut mascarpone, and cashew and coconut almond granola bits, it’s basically a dessert masquerading as breakfast. But hey, no judgment for those who like it sugary. Tip: don’t leave it till the end, or the pancake will soak up all the caramel, bringing its sugar level up to 200%.

Food Guides

Best brunch in Singapore for a weekend treat

All-day mains that impress

If you’re only gunning for one dish at Park Side, the bak chor & bacon udon ($28) dazzles. Those soft, chewy, bouncy noodles soak up every bit of the umami pork and bacon bolognese, while the onsen egg’s jammy yolk adds a rich, creamy layer.

Mix it all up with the braised mushrooms, crispy chilli shrimp, and spring onions, and you’ve got a spicy, savoury winner. It left such an impression on me that I simply had to recreate it at home over the weekend (and failed).

Another main I’d recommend? The spiced fish & chips ($28). Curry is added to the light, crisp beer batter to deliver a levelled-up version of your childhood favourite. Served with addictive amchoor fries and a tangy mango slaw to cut through the oiliness, the dish is worth a detour when your cravings strike.

Apart from salads (from $22), pizzas (from $24), and sundaes (from $14), the menu also includes dishes for tiny tots. Yes, a mini version of the scrumptious luncheon bun ($12) is available for the kids, alongside tuna melts ($12) and the classic cheeseburger ($14).

Desserts and drinks for a decadent ending

Fans of PS.Cafe will be delighted to see similar desserts at Park Side, such as key lime pie ($14), fudgy brownie ($16), and a rich chocolate cake ($14) drowning in dark chocolate sauce. But I’m spotlighting the ondeh ondeh pudding ($16), a localised rendition of sticky date pudding jazzed up with gula melaka sauce and grilled pineapple. With swirls of vanilla soft serve, this creation is undoubtedly for the sweet tooths.

Sugary concoctions continue in the drinks section, which offers iced signatures like taro cloud genmaicha ($9), a taro-heavy brew made with coconut milk. On a hot day, you’ll appreciate slushies such as chrysanthemum tea with calamansi juice ($8). It’s a perfect refresher to beat the heat, and I downed mine in minutes.

Curious about a drink that identifies as a dessert? Try the mango sago slushy ($8) and lap up the thick blend of coconut, mango, lime, grapefruit, and sago – no regrets there.

Is Park Side worth visiting?

Absolutely! I’d recommend Park Side to anyone looking for a new brunch spot or a family-friendly place to quieten those hunger pangs after a day out at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Fair warning: arrive hungry, ‘cos the menu doesn’t hold back.

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