Don’t let restaurant-hunting stress you out during the first holiday weekend of 2020. We’ve rounded up various cuisine options for some fancy feasting over the CNY break.
Praise be to the first long weekend of the year. We’re already anticipating more CNY snacking (i.e. the fuel behind your January reads), festive fashion spotting, a healthy dose of lo hei excitement and lots of quality time with our favourite people.
Not partaking in the festivities? Take advantage of the break to explore our island – we’d hit up cultural enclaves like Little India or Kampong Glam for some awesome snaps. But whether you’re celebrating CNY or having some holiday fun, we reckon it’ll be wise to plan your dining adventures in advance as many restaurants (especially Chinese ones) might be closed.
Thankfully, we’ve done some homework for you: Here are the restaurants to book a table at over the CNY break.
FOR CHINESE CUISINE
Finding Chinese restaurants that are open over CNY is a slight challenge, but we’ve got your back. Hit up these spots for your fix.
Mimi at the Riverhouse
Mod-Chinese tapas dishes are served with beers, wines and baijius at Mimi. Taking inspiration and flavours from Sichuan, Shanghai and Mongolia, the kitchen serves intriguing plates like mapo tofu with chilli caviar or beef pasta with that wok hei flavour. The restaurant’s name is derived from the Mandarin word for ‘secret’, but it won’t remain so for long.
Mimi at the Riverhouse, #01-02, Level 2, 3A River Valley Road, Singapore 179020
Usual operating hours for all except for Mimi, which opens for dinner from 6 to 10.30pm during 25 to 27 Jan.
Yan
National Gallery’s resident Cantonese restaurant never disappoints with the authentic classics. Chef signatures like the roast suckling pig or Peking duck, live seafood options, wok-fried delights and dim sum platters await.
Yan, #05-02, National Gallery, 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Mitzo
Chinese and Cantonese cuisine paired with artisanal cocktails are Mitzo’s specialty, with the unmissable Mitzo special barbecued pork keeping regulars coming back for more. This CNY season, try the auspicious #888 cocktail while you’re there.
Mitzo, Level 4, Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857
Si Chuan Dou Hua
Fun fact: A bowl of silken beancurd (or dou hua) is the welcome greeting of choice for house guests in Sichuan, inspiring this restaurant’s name. Expect Sichuan, Cantonese and dim sum picks on the menu, plus warm brews from the tea room to wash it all down.
Si Chuan Dou Hua, multiple locations including UOB Plaza and ParkRoyal
Cassia
Visit Cassia for Chinese cuisine with a twist, right on the island of Sentosa. Regional recipes and seasonal ingredients come together in dishes including the double boiled chicken broth with fish maw, five spice roasted Yorkshire pork belly, and a dainty assortment of dim sum treats.
Cassia, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Min Jiang
Head to Min Jiang for contemporary Sichuan and Cantonese fare. Roast meats and dim sum aside, the Beijing duck is the star of the menu, prepared with an ancient Chinese recipe for the most authentic-tasting bite.
Min Jiang, two locations at Goodwood Park Hotel and Dempsey Hill.
FOR OTHER CUISINES
From Thai to Italian, it’s business as usual for these restaurants. While you gather your foodie crew, we spotlight some great menus for your feasting pleasure.
Atlas
You know we love Atlas for its lobster rolls, gorgeous interior and intriguing tales. Pop by for a glamorous dinner or some stylish grazing at this restaurant that’s definitely grander than your average. Menu highlights include the fork-tender beef short ribs and the simple yet flavourful vongole.
Atlas, Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778
The Banana Leaf Apollo
When the briyani cravings call, this is the place to Be. Have it with veggies and get communal sides to share: The chicken masala and mutton mysore are some of our faves. Alternatively, get a serious spice and flavour kick with the fiery fish curry.
The Banana Leaf Apollo, #01-32 Little India Arcade, 48 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217959
Blue Jasmine
This Thai outpost cooks up a pretty storm with multiple butterfly pea-infused dishes (that’s what makes the steamed rice blue!). Then there are classics like the green mango or green papaya salads, Thai red and green curries, tom yum soup and more.
Blue Jasmine, Level 5, Park Hotel, 10 Farrer Park Station Road, Singapore 217564
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse
This New York steakhouse needs little introduction. If you’re a regular, you’ll already know about the well-loved prime USDA black Angus meat. But if you want a dish that’s only available on our shores, order up the Singapore special black pepper beef rice.
Wolfgang Steakhouse, #02-01, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
Tablescape
The pastas and risottos at Tablescape will wow you, but don’t pass on the meats and bread basket either – seconds are necessary. Take it from us; there are no lack of stunners on the menu of classic European fare.
Tablescape, Level 3, Grand Park City Hall, 10 Coleman Street, Singapore 179809
Porta
At Porta, the menu is as eclectic as the space, with various European recipes up for ordering. If you can’t choose between mains like Norweigian salmon with spiced pumpkin puree, prawn and chorizo, and rib eye steak with wild mushrooms, let the chef surprise you with the weekly special.
Porta, 1 Unity Street, Singapore 237983
Kinou
The menu at Kinou is a melting pot of international flavours that pair amazingly with the concoctions mixed at the bar. Kinou is the nickname of founder (and chef) Benjamin Tilatti’s mother, so it’s no surprise that the dishes here are all made with an approachable, homely flair.
Kinou, 81 Tras Street, Singapore 079020
Gordon Grill
A meal at Gordon Grill is a fine dining affair, perfect if fancy-schmancy is your mood for the weekend. The roast lunch is one for the meat lovers (think ribeye, lamb chops and the like), while the five-course dinner menu serves you delicacies like foie gras and lobster bisque – delish.
Gordon Grill, 22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221
