If you’re even a little familiar with the Singaporean landscape, you’ll know the importance Upper Bukit Timah holds in people’s lives. All the fitness freaks in the house will remember Bukit Timah for its lush greenery and rocky hiking expeditions, but it is way more than just that.
Not everyone knows that Bukit Timah also goes by the name District 21 and that the area is swarming with some of the most sought after eateries in town. Expat Choice is here to compile a list of the best ones you can check out in the area. Keep reading to find out. Image Credit: Micasa Kitchen & Bar Facebook Page
Karu’s Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant
Not for nothing is Karu’s Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant known as the Fish Head King. Yes, you guessed it right. The delicious Fish Head Curry happens to be their signature dish, and is cooked with the ever so piquant Indian spices thereby enhancing the flavours of the dish. Having been on the Bukit Timah radar since 1993, this place specializes in traditional Indian cuisine and has been serving mouth watering food to customers. The Mutton Mysore is reminiscent of the city of Mysore in Karnataka in South India and is packed with chunks of meat. Or you can always fall back on the classic Chicken Tikka. Image Credit: Karu's Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant, TimeOut
a. 808/810 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678144
Revelry
Revel in the flavours of the food at Revelry. Located near Lorong Kilat, this dainty looking cafe takes pride in their savoury and sweet Belgian waffles. The signature dish is a unique take on burgers and waffles put together, and it works like a dream. “Waffle points” for guessing the name of the dish! YES! It’s called Burffle. Two perfectly baked waffles sandwich a thick and decadent patty which is accompanied with cheese and some green veggies. Not sure how you feel about experimenting? Don’t worry. They also have the renowned Laksa Prawn Pasta, a work of art loaded with crispy enoki mushrooms. You can even call for the Full Band if you feel like you want to indulge in a hearty brunch. It comes with scrambled eggs, bratwurst and grilled tomatoes which are perfect for a brunch regardless of what day it is. Image Credit: Revelry Facebook Page
O.BBa
Book a table at O.BBa and get a taste of Korea in our very own Singapore. Be it seafood, tangy variants of iconic dishes or meat you can sink your teeth into, there is something here for everyone. Call for the Jajangmyeon and lose yourself in the classic black soybean sauce noodles. They are reworked in a unique fashion and they will most certainly leave you craving for more. If you’re in the mood for some delectable seafood, try out the Jjampong which is priced at a modest $15. On the other hand, if you love your meat, then you definitely don’t want to miss the Jokbal with Bossam. It is a humongous plate overloaded with pig trotters and steam pork coupled with fresh kimchi and lettuce on the side. Image Credit: O.BBa Jjajang Facebook Page
a. 19 Cheong Chin Nam Rd, Singapore 599743
Lomba the Gurkha Bistro
Bukit Timah really is the epitome of culture and diversity when it comes to food. As if India and Korea weren’t enough, now you can add Nepal to the list too. Ever wondered what Nepali food tastes like? Well, if you’re a foodie and trying out new delicacies brings you joy, look no further beyond Lomba the Gurkha Bistro. A chock full of stir fried mushrooms, edamame beans packed with fresh green veggies comes to you in the form of the Chyau Mushroom Set for a meagre $18. Oh and there’s no way you don’t know about the Momos which come in not one but three variations. There’s Chicken Momos (of course) which is the go to option more often than not. But they also have two options for our herbivores, the Vegetarian Momos and the Chilli Veg Momos. Pair this up with the Egg Curry Thupka and their steaming hot and comforting noodle soup for the perfect meal. Image Credit: Lomba The Gurkha Bistro Facebook Page
a. #04-12 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 588179
w. lomba-the-gurkha-bistro.business.site
Coexist Coffee Co.
Alliterations are awesome! Coexist Coffee Co comes to you with a rather cute and minimalist vibe. Add a full day breakfast to that and you’ve got yourself the best deal you could hope for. If you missed dinner last night, then definitely opt for the Coexist Breakfast which is loaded with more ingredients than you can think of. We’re talking eggs, streaky bacon, sausages, herbed mushrooms, potatoes and of course, sourdough toast. Wash it down with their special Hojicha and you’ll be smiling for the rest of the day. Image Credit: Coexist Coffee Co. Facebook Page
Bukit Timah Food Centre
Each one on this list is better than the previous one. The Bukit Timah Food Centre is home to some of the finest eateries you can find. It simply depends on what you’re in the mood to eat. Head over to Zhou Pin for a Pork Congee or get a whiff of coconut with the Terry Katong Laksa. Nice and easy on the stomach and packed with flavours which burst in your mouth with the first mouthful. If you’re feeling rebellious, get your hands on Xie Kee Hokkien Mee for some wok hei fun. Make sure you have time to go through the entire food court. There are more than 80 hawker stalls, so you could be there the whole day. But then who’s complaining? Video Credit: Piggypuggy Youtube, Singapore Hawker Food
Sixteen Ounces
Anyone up for a spot of beer and some tacos? Head over to Sixteen Ounces (we promise you the name doesn’t reflect the quantity of food). You’ll never get tired of their beer selection. With as many as eight craft beer taps, you’ll always have a myriad of options to choose from. A few things go really well with beer. The Tacos from Taco Mantra happen to be one of those. The Birria Tacos contains slow stewed beef brisket and cheese with an extremely warm and comforting consomme on the side. If you decided to bring your friends to the place, then definitely order the Mantra Platter which comes loaded with wings, bratwurst, steak and some crunchy samosas with a dash of cauliflower pickle on the side. Image Credit: Sixteen Ounces Craft Beer Bistro Facebook Page
a. 398 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, The Rail Mall, Singapore 678049
w. www.sixteenouncesbistro.com
Ajiya Okonomiyaki
And now we have Japan here too. If you haven't guessed it yet, this is the place for some delicious Okonomiyaki. What’s more is that you can make your own variant at Ajiya Okonomiyaki. Hailing from Osaka, the okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake with a ton of toppings. There are four different flavours you can choose from. The Veggie Delight is of course the favourite for leaf eaters, whereas there is the Meat Lovers Okonomiyaki for the meat lovers out there. The Seafood Deluxe is known to satisfy peeps with a hankering for seafood while you can always go for the Ajiya Combo if you can’t pick and choose. Oh, and did we mention that they also serve the juicy Scallop Mentai loaded with ikura? Image Credit: Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant Facebook Page
iO Italian Osteria
Did someone say handmade pasta? iO Italian Osteria brings to you some of the most appetizing pasta dishes around the block. Go for the Baked Lasagna “Grandma” Style and Tender Meatballs swimming in heavenly tomato sauce or call for the more posh option with the Handmade Tagliolini which comes accompanied with prawns, asparagus and a dash of lemon. Pair that up with a glass of pour wine straight from the draft barrels. We know you’re going home satisfied. Image Credit: iO Italian Osteria Singapore Facebook Page
a. 4 Hillview Rise, 02 - 01, Singapore 667979
Micasa Kitchen and Bar
Over the last five years, Micasa Kitchen and Bar has consistently gained a lot of appreciation from fans and critics alike. What started off as a homegrown kitchen in Jalan Jurong Kechil has now grown into one of the most preferred places for Spanish and Italian cuisine in not only Bukit Timah but also Singapore. You’ll find the best quality of seafood like the Micasa Famous Crab Bongo, Crab Claws, Live Clams and Fresh Prawns swimming in a beautiful seafood broth. However, the signature is definitely the Barley Fed Angus Beef Tomahawk, a beef slab perfectly marbled and smoked over some sugarcane bagasse. We recommend opening a bottle of wine or at least ordering a pitcher of beer. Image Credit: Micasa Kitchen & Bar Facebook Page
a. 102c Jln Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598602
w. www.micasakitchenandbar.com
