7 new restaurants and dining destinations in Singapore to check out this December 2021

Perfect for your gatherings now that we can dine out in a group, elevate your festive spirits this December with these new dining concepts. From Julien Royer’s casual French offerings to Dempsey Road’s new omakase offerings, impress your friends with these novel experiences.

BRDL Bar & Restaurant and Glean Cafe

Braddell Road is not exactly the first location that comes to mind as a dining destination, but both BRDL Bar & Restaurant and Glean Cafe are set to liven up the area. Part of The Refectory collection of F&B concepts, both restaurant and cafe are located side by side at 351 Braddell. 

BRDL offers a modern and elegant setting with a refined menu of contemporary favourites such as Wagyu Rump Rendang, Josper Grilled Octopus and Cajun Cauliflower Steak. The artfully decked out bar serves a wide range of wine and cocktails, making it your new watering hole for a casual drink any time of the week. Its neighbour is a casual cafe with an all-day dining menu (think sandwiches, pastas, salads) that can be enjoyed with a cuppa and fresh juices. While you are there, don’t forget to check out the festive menus that are available for dine-in or delivery. 

Claudine

Claudine, the highly anticipated second restaurant by chef Julien Royer of three-Michelin-starred Odette, has finally open its doors. Situated atop Dempsey Hill (taking over the former White Rabbit), Claudine has been designed to inspire a sense of authenticity and communal warmth – not a surprise as the restaurant is named after his mum and is a tribute to the food he grew up with. It represents the quintessential French neighbourhood restaurant where diners get to enjoy a menu created to enrich the simple joys of shared meals but crafted with the same exceptional quality of a fine-dining establishment.

Highlights include the Mozambique Langoustine, a rich combination of seafood and pan-roasted langoustine, the Claudine “Bouillabaisse”, inspired by Royer’s personal take on the classic Provençal fish stew on his days off, and the Baked Alaksa, Claudine’s signature dessert featuring delicate meringue over layers of chestnut ice cream, pear-ginger sorbet, and hazelnut dacquoise punctuated with wafer-thin dark chocolate, flambéed tableside for that spectacular contemporary experience.

Cluny Food Court

A multi-concept dining destination by the Les Amis Group, Cluny Food Court is situated within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, offering diners an escape from the bustling cityscape. An initiative that hopes to support and encourage the growth of hawker-entrepreneurs in Singapore, Cluny Food Court houses 5 exciting new concepts.

Mui Kee Express offers popular favourites like Garoupa Belly Congee and Cantonese-style claypot dishes like Claypot Frog Leg with Ginger & Spring Onion. S’Mao Barbecue specialises in authentic Texas-style barbecue, serving delicious prime cuts grilled over hardwood fire. Piccante Pronto’s menu includes Roman-style thin-crust pizzas and baked pasta. Project Penyek by Ansar requires no introduction with their beloved Nasi Ayam Penyet, Ikan Penyet, and signature Seafood Platter. Laifaba is a noodle house best known for their Signature Bu Jian Tian Char Siew & Wanton Noodles.

SOFI Cafe+Keto+Rooftop Bar

SOFI is a full-fledged keto-compliant cafe boasting an extensive menu curated by owner and keto advocate, Sofi Sui. Located in The Scarlet Singapore along the edge of the Ann Siang heritage district, SOFI’s all-inclusive menu features the likes of popular all-day brunch items and Pasta Brava’s bestsellers, welcoming both regular and keto-diet diners.

Sushi Sato

Quietly located along Dempsey Road, Sushi Sato invites diners on an exquisite dining experience for the soul and senses. Nestled within a Zen garden, master chef Yuji Sato is uncompromising in his delivery of consistent quality and brilliant technique honed over more than 26 years of dedication to the craft.

He draws on his relationship with highly sought-after suppliers in Japan to bring exclusive produce only seen in select top restaurants into Sushi Sato’s kitchen and menu. For the late autumn and winter season, he will be looking to feature seasonal fish such as katsuo, kamasu, winter buri, and kohoda.

Timbre+ Eastside

Timbre+ Eastside is Singapore’s first sustainable food park, home to 30 food and retail stalls and complete with amenities such as kerbside pick-up points, a playground, cyclist pit stop, as well as live music and entertainment. Located outside Expo’s Hall 5, find popular local and international food partners such as Huat Huat BBQ Chicken Wings, Lao Niang De Dian and their Malaysian-Thai fare, Ajiya Okonomiyaki, and Kopifellas with their renowned Smoked Duck Lor Mee there.

A version of this article first appeared on SG Magazine.