Ready to start planning the mid-morning reception of your dreams? We suss out 15 venues in Singapore for intimate brunch weddings.
Calling all brides who brunch! The world’s most-loved portmanteau has clamoured its way into the wedding circuit, and looks set to be a key trend in the industry. With more couples bucking the grand banquet tradition for intimate and casual dos, brunch receptions have become the way to go: they’re a) money-saving, b) easier to plan (expect better availability of venues) and c) photogenic, thanks to the abundance of natural light.
The White Rabbit
It can’t get more atmospheric than this. Charming chapel-turned-restaurant The White Rabbit is nothing short of swoon-worthy, with stained glass windows, high ceilings, and long rustic tables in its main dining area (up to 120 persons). In addition, the gorgeous garden bar outside (up to 60 people) is perfect for scenic solemnisations and photo opps. Food-wise, the menu is no less swanky with classic European dishes and signature gin concoctions for brunch-time cocktails.
The White Rabbit, 39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541, p. 6473 9965, e. [email protected]
Lewin Terrace
The crown jewel of Fort Canning Park’s dining scene is Lewin Terrace: a Japanese-French fusion fine dining resto. Housed in a historic black and white bungalow, the interiors are kept simple yet refined to enhance the verdant surrounds (and complement your decor too). Couples can work closely with Chef Keisuke Matsumoto to create a bespoke menu that best suits their tastes and wedding theme. Bonus: There’s even a bridal room for all your bridal primping needs.
Lewin Terrace, 21 Lewin Terrace, Singapore 179290, p. 6333 9905, e. [email protected]
Forlino
Boasting sweeping views of Marina Bay, fine dining Italian resto Forlino is the ultimate swish backdrop for elegant, mid-day receptions. Sunlight pours in from floor-to-ceiling glass windows, opulent chandeliers hang dramatically from pristine ceilings, and white linen-covered tables promise intimate celebrations in a truly swanky setting. The main dining area fits up to 90 guests.
Forlino, 1 Fullerton Road, One Fullerton, #02-06, Singapore 049213, p. 6690 7564, e. [email protected]
Open Farm Community
It’s hardly a surprise to find Dempsey’s hottest restaurant of the ‘mo on this list. Helmed by urban farmers collective Edible Garden City, OFC is the stuff of dreams for eco-loving couples: think lush, natural surrounds and farm-to-table dishes made with with fresh produce. With artfully mismatched furniture and an abundance of wood elements, it’s perfect for intimate, rustic weddings. The indoor space fits up to 48 people, while the outdoor locale accommodates up to 39.
Open Farm Community, 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819, p. 6471 0306, e. [email protected]
Corner House
Gourmet foodies: The delectable gastro botanica menu – based on exquisite botanicals (tubers, roots, fungi) and carefully sourced meats, seafood and poultry – is one good reason to wed here. A few other factors to fawn over? Elegant and customisable dining spaces, romantic surrounds and tranquil locale. The restaurant can fit up to 66 guests –so gather only your closest friends and family.
Corner House, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, E J H Corner House, (Nassim Gate Entrance), Singapore 259569, p. 6469 1000
Masons Restaurant and Bar
We’ll let you in on a little secret: Masons is one of our favourites on this list; despite its gorgeous monochromatic interiors and garden surrounds, it’s relatively low-key and lesser-known, perhaps due to its hidden location in Gillman Barracks. The restaurant seats up to 200 guests in both its indoor and outdoor spaces and offers all the services you need to plan a perfect wedding, including a planner, florists, photographers and an audio system.
Masons Restaurant and Bar, 8 Lock Road, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108936, p. 6694 2216, e. [email protected]
Tamarind Hill
Luxuriate in old-world charm – think high ceilings, candle-lit wall lamps and exquisite antiques galore – at this chic Thai resto perched atop Labrador Nature Reserve. Housed in a stand-alone restored colonial bungalow amidst lush greenery and quiet water, Tamarind Hill accommodates up to 200 guests and provides customised menus, layouts and entertainment.
Tamarind Hill, 30 Labrador Villa Road, Singapore 119189, p. 6278 6364
The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Hidden in the Ginger garden of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Halia’s proximity to the city and tranquil setting makes it the perfect escape from the city. Through full-height glass windows, guests can wine and dine over brunch while enjoying the warmth of the sunlight in total air-conditioned comfort. What The Halia has over its competitors is an experienced team that’ll easily turn your wedding into one to remember. The dining area can seat up to 210 guests.
The Halia, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Garden, Singapore 259569, p. 8444 1148
UNA at One Rochester
Nestled in the quiet Rochester enclave is a lush haven for city-dwelling couples. Serving up sizzling Spanish food, UNA’s big on flavours (can we say tantalising tapas and creamy paellas?) and two dining concepts, with an alfresco garden setting great for small solemnisations, and a classy tapas bar in the second level for afternoon cocktails.
UNA at One Rochester, 1 Rochester Park, Singapore 139212, p. 6773 0070, e. [email protected]
Riders Café
Long before the cafe-hopping trend exploded here, Riders Café was reigning high on the brunch scene. Situated in the countryside surrounds of Bukit Timah, the charmingly rustic cafe, which seats up to 60 people, boasts high ceilings, huge white-washed windows, and balcony doors – perfect for soft, dreamy garden weddings. Brunch timings are fixed from 11am to 3pm.
Riders Café, 51 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286965, p. 6466 9819
House at Dempsey
HOUSE at Dempsey guarantees the personalised Pinterest-worthy reception of your fantasies with its cosy, configurable three function areas (up to 150 people) – you can even include a dressing area and a private lounge – and backyard-esque outdoor area. Coupled with kooky decor of industrial design accents and vintage furniture, as well as elevated, comfort food, your wedding will be a hearty bash your guests will be raving about for ages.
HOUSE, 8D Dempsey Road, Singapore 249672, p. 6475 7787
Aura
For understated elegance in the heart of the city, it’s hard to top Aura, National Gallery’s chic 90-seater Italian resto. But if you’re gunning for killer views, it’s the adjoining 200-seater Sky Lounge that steals the show with bewitching vistas of the Marina Bays kyline. The menu is no runner-up either with delectable, homey, Italian dishes concocted with the freshest ingredients.
Aura, National Gallery Singapore, 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, level 5 & 6, Singapore 178957, p.6866.1977, e. [email protected]
Empress
Score points with your traditional in-laws with the Chinoise chic Empress at Asian Civilisations Museum. Perfectly juxtaposing Chinese tradition with a contemporary dining style, the restaurant seats 86 people in its indoor space, and 40 outdoors. Situated next to the Singapore River, the waterfront restaurant offers both buffet and set menus featuring succulent, signature roasts.
Empress, 1 Empress Place, #01-03, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore 179555, p. 6776 0777, e. [email protected]
Flutes
Occupying the oldest section of the National Museum, Flutes is the epitome of a history buff’s dream wedding – think of the proximity to sprawling galleries, stunning spiral staircases for photo backdrops and turn-of-the-century style dining areas. With three gorgeous dining areas for up to 150 people, the obvious choice is the opulent Jubilee Room – outfitted with high ceilings, large windows and chandeliers – and the outdoor terrace for drinks and canapes.
Flutes, National Museum, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897, p. 6338 8770, e. [email protected]
La Ventana
This one’s for down-to-earth brides looking for laid-back receptions. Located in the lush green surrounds of Dempsey Hill, La Ventana doesn’t just serve up a mean Catalan brunch – it also offers three dining spaces of varying sizes. Our recommendation? The outdoor space (accommodates up 55 people seated) is great for a garden-themed solemnisation and intimate meals with your closest friends and family members.
La Ventana, 16A Dempsey Road, Singapore 247695, p. 6479 0100, e. [email protected]