Being the food paradise that we are, it’s no secret that we can find many different types of cuisines on our island. But we bet you didn’t know that these hidden gems are lurking around in Singapore and waiting to tantalise your taste buds.
Why settle for the usual? If you’re in the mood for something different and unique, head over to these food joints for a new culinary adventure.
1. Lime House
Caribbean cuisine is a combination of many different cuisines which made their way to the Caribbean, with cooking styles and creations that are unique to the islands.
Get a taste of the popular Jamaican jerk chicken and other yummy Caribbean food when you visit this restaurant and bar near Chinatown.
Don’t miss the goat curry, baby back ribs glazed with Trinidad BBQ sauce, slipper lobster cocktail, Caribbean seafood cakes, Calypso fish and their wide range of rum cocktails. (We love their Lime House Signature Punch.)
This venue can also host awesome parties during the weekends, bringing the sounds of the Caribbean islands right here to Singapore’s shores. Occasionally, the party is even extended onto the streets!
Lime House
Address: 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260
Tel: 6222 3130
Opening hours: Check here
Website
2. Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro
There’s more to Swedish food than meatballs and a lot of the traditional dishes have simple yet contrasting flavours.
Looking for a Scandinavian restaurant in Singapore to tuck into some traditional Swedish cuisine?
Head over to one of Fika’s outlets for some Swedish meatballs, pannbiff (beef patties), pyttipanna (diced beef) or have a go at the smörgåsbord which (as you can guess) is a range of delectable items on your plate.
For dessert, try some tasty Swedish pancakes or the Kladdkaka (a dense Swedish chocolate cake similar to a brownie).
You can also check with them about throwing themed parties, corporate events or even weddings.
Fika Swedish Cafe & Bistro
Address: 257 Beach Road and 11 Tanjong Katong Road
Tel: 6396 9096 and 6702 2456
Opening hours: Check here
Website
3. Mamacita’s Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine
Traditional Costa Rican meals include a staple of rice and black beans along with some fresh fruits and vegetables.
While Mexican food is within relatively easy reach in Singapore, go further down South and try some Costa Rican food the next time you’re at Lau Pa Sat or Amoy Street Market. Yup, you can get an authentic array of dishes from the Central American country right in the middle of our favourite food haunts.
Be introduced to the chalupa, casado (a popular Costa Rican rice meal), picadillo de ayote, beef taco bowl and a special dish of fried rice with seafood (arroz con marisco) at an affordable price range.
Who says you can’t have exotic food for lunch on a weekday in between work?
Mamacita’s Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Telok Ayer Market, Singapore 048582
Opening hours: 11:30am to 09pm
4. BOCA
Portuguese cuisine is known to have Mediterranean influences. Besides the all-time favourite piri-piri chicken, it is also famous for seafood.
Translating to “mouth” in Portuguese, Boca features vibrant Portuguese cuisine that reflects a strong Atlantic and Southern European influence.
Top picks include the bacalhau (cod fish served in different flavours and styles), carne de porco a alentejo (pork with clams), chouriço em chamas (flamed pork sausage), bochecha de porco (pork cheek) and the famed Portuguese egg tart.
After you’ve had your fill, end your meal with a popular Portuguese cocktail, Caipirao, which is said to be an aromatic version of Caipirinha.
BOCA
Address: 6 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089820
Tel: 6221 0132
Opening hours: Daily; 12pm to 2:30pm (Lunch), 6pm to 12mn (Dinner)
Website
5. Tiger’s Milk
Peru may seem far away from Singapore but fortunately its food is not. Reflecting indigenous ingredients and influences from other parts of the world, Peruvian food is often spicy and has been named as one of the most important cuisines in the world.
If you’ve always wanted to go on an Inca Trail, you can start with one right here in Singapore. But instead of hiking, you will be dining your way through the best flavours that Peru has to offer in a social and familial setting.
Start with a ceviche (seafood dish) and causa (classic Peruvian potato-based starter) along with anticuchos (inspired by Peruvian street food) before digging into a plato principal (a choice of platters to share).
Don’t leave without trying some their awesome pisco cocktails and if you can’t decide what to get, you can never go wrong with the classic pisco sour.
Tiger’s Milk
Address: 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708
Tel: 6808 2183
Opening hours: 5pm to 1am (Mon to Thur), 5pm to 2am (Fri to Sat)
Website
6. Big Bern’s American Grill
The Southern United States put itself on the map when it comes to food. Southern cooking often borrows from Native American tribes along with notable influences from Europe and Africa.
This is not your average “western food”. This spot is all about quality American comfort food from the Southern state of Louisiana. You don’t want to miss the selection of Po’ boys — a traditional sandwich from Louisiana served on baguette-like French bread. You can choose to fill it with fried oyster, soft-shell crab, shrimp, fish or different flavours of chicken.
Tender steaks and fish and chicken plates are also available if you’d like something a little more familiar.
They also have a food truck at Timbre+ and we were thrilled to taste some delicious Louisiana Chicken Gumbo there.
Big Bern’s American Grill
Address: 978 Toa Payoh North #02-01, Singapore 319001
Tel: 6710 7362
Opening hours: 11:30am to 9pm (Daily)
Website
You are never out of options on our little island when it comes to food, so take the chance to try food from beyond our shores and region. The next time you’re planning a new gastronomic quest, take a leap of faith and try something a little out of the ordinary! Who knows, you might just find your new favourite grub.
Header image source: Facebook
Also, read Best Brunch Spots In Singapore For The Non-Early Risers
