With limitations now strictly enforced during CNY visit in the wake of Phase 3, you might find yourself finishing house visiting earlier than expected. With all that free time, there’s no better activity to partake it than to do the most Singaporean thing ever—eat!
Unlike other years, this year, many places are taking the opportunity to have their business resume earlier to cater to the influx of customers who are all looking for something to eat that is not steamboat and Lo-hei. Here, we’ve put together a list of 10 F&B establishments that are open during CNY 2021 where you can flock to with the whole family and have a good meal together.
Potato Head Singapore
There may be many cocktail spots in Chinatown, but Potato Head Singapore isn’t just any run-of-the-mill bar. Located inside a 3-storey shophouse, Potato Head is home to a branch of Three Buns Burgers & Cocktails, Studio 1939 cocktail bar and one of the most tropical rooftop bars in Singapore.
Each level of the shophouse houses a different concept, so whether it be dinner, drinks, or a mixture of both, you’ll be able to tailor your very own experience.
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???? 36 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089143
????️ 11am-12am (Mon-Sun)
KARA Café and Dessert Bar
Bringing up our embarrassing childhood memories may be a parent’s favourite pastime during family gatherings. But just like how former yoghurt chain, Sogurt, has turned into an aesthetic café, we’ve also grown into strong, independent adults throughout the years–hopefully.
Although, there’s a slight chance that the S’mores Sensation (S$12.50) will bring out the kid in you. With crispy graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and dollops of chocolate sauce, this treat is one sticky situation you’ll want to be in.
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???? 617 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 269718
????️ 11am-10pm (Tues-Thurs), 8am-10pm (Fri-Mon)
Little House of Dreams
CNY is the only time you’re allowed to shamelessly flaunt your outfit on IG, and the Little House of Dreams has prepared us for that. The floral arrangement of pink and gold makes for a great backdrop for your #ootd, so there’s no need to pose awkwardly at the HDB void deck anymore.
The place is also co-shared with Ben & Jerry’s—perfect for an ice cream run in-between visits.
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???? 58 Seng Poh Rd, #01-15, Singapore 160058
????️ 8am-9pm (Sun-Thurs), 8am-10pm (Fri-Sat)
Citrus By The Pool
Heartlanders within Woodlands will be familiar with this one. This retro-themed cafe prides itself on serving food at pocket-friendly prices, without service charge built into your bills. Besides serving delectable mains such as Baked Salmon (S$16.90) and Fried Chicken & Waffle (S$15.90), it also offers a range of milkshakes for a much-needed sugar rush.
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???? 3 Woodlands Street 13 Woodlands Swimming Complex, 738600
????️ 11:30am–10:30pm (Daily)
Meld’s Boba Café
Most of our favourite bubble tea brands will be closed during CNY, but you can still get your boba fix at Meld’s Boba Café, with one catch: they’re alcoholic.
With flavours such as Sour Plum Green Tea (S$8) and Sake Yuzu Boba (S$9), they’re a refreshing change from beer, which tends to leave you gassy and bloated.
Aside from boba, the cafe also serves Moonlight Bak Kwa Carbonara (S$15.90), a smooth creamed based pasta topped with bacon bits, bak kwa and an onsen egg. The pairing of ingredients is debatable, but definitely fitting for the occasion.
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???? 44A Prinsep St, Singapore 188674
????️ 10am-10pm (Mon-Thurs), 3pm-11pm (Fri-Sat)
Bee’s Knees
For those who are bringing your fur kid out this CNY, Bee’s Knees is the place to go. Snugged right in the middle of Botanic Gardens, Bee’s Knees is a pet-friendly garden café that offers an alfresco dining area, perfect for dining with pupper.
There are light bites such as Boxing Chicken Drumlets (S$15) and Truffle Tater Tots (S$12) to share, but the Carnivore Pizza (S$28) will satisfy any hungry stomach. Baked with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, smoked chicken breast, salami, and Italian sausage, this is a pizza that even Rover will want a bite of.
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???? 50 Cluny Park Rd, Level 1 Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488
????️ 8am-10pm (Mon-Sun)
SPRUCE (HillV2)
SPRUCE may have closed its Old Bukit Timah Firestation outlet, but their legacy continues to thrive at HillV2, where regular customers still flock the place.
The modern European American restaurant has a weekend brunch menu, with The Benny Collection offering eggs benedict done in five different ways. From the savoury Crab Cake Benny (S$25) to the hearty Pulled Pork Benny (S$18), it’s breakfast fuel that’ll last you through the day.
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???? 4 Hillview Rise, #01-01 HillV2, Singapore 667979
????️ 10.30am-10.30pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-10.30pm (Sat-Sun)
Café de Paris
Mothers from all around Singapore have warned us about the ‘heatiness’ of eating too many oranges, but for Café de Paris’s limited edition Mandarin Bonbon, we’ll make an exception.
The parfait is served with refreshing sorbet and non-dairy cream, then topped with huge juicy chunks of fresh fruit. Though prices may seem steep with the Mango Bonbon priced at (S$18.80)¸ the portion can be shared between three people, making it one of the best places to head to during CNY.
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???? 313 Orchard Rd, #B1-37, Singapore 238895
????️ 11am-10pm (Sun-Thurs), 11am-11pm (Fri-Sat)
Eagle Wings Loft
If you find your thoughts drifting away during mindless conversations, get on board Eagle Wings Loft, a nautical-themed restaurant at King Albert Park.
Besides serving Italian cuisines such as Foie Gras Wagyu Burger (S$22) and Mushroom Risotto (S$18), the Duo on Deck (S$45 for two) tea set is available too—with all that ang pao money, you can afford to live that taitai life, even if it’s just for a brief moment.
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???? 9 King Albert Park, #01-33/34/56/57 KAP Residences Mall, Singapore 598332
????️ 12pm-10pm (11-14 Feb)
Timbre+
Chances are it’ll be hard to find hawker fare during CNY, but some of the stalls will still be opened at Timbre+, Singapore’s very first hipster foodpark.
The website has a list of operating stores and their opening hours, and you’ll be glad to know that craft beer specialist The Bottle Shop will be open over all three CNY days. With over 120 labels of craft beer and ciders, you’ll get drunk on choices.
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???? 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, JTC Launchpad, Singapore 139957
????️ 6am-11pm (Mon-Sat), 11am-11pm (Sun)
Though some of us may find our relatives annoying, it’s still a novelty to be able to visit them this CNY. With the pandemic not showing any signs of abating, many are still barred from visiting their families overseas and may be stranded alone in the country.
Perhaps we can learn to appreciate these moments with our families, and just maybe, have an unconventional gathering at one of these places that, thankfully, are open during CNY.
I leave the office at 6PM on the . to rush home and play games. My boss has no control over me!!