If you’ve been along Telok Ayer lately, you already know that it’s home to numerous bars, restaurants and eateries – a hub for cuisine, you might say.There is certainly no shortage of foodie experiences here and without doubt, you might just find yourself spoiled for choice trying to decide on which places to try first.
Here to make that decision easier is a list of restaurants Expat Choice Readers frequent and suggest for you to put high on your must-try list. Picture Credit : Cheek Bistro Facebook page
Sarnies
A café that’s just as passionate about sandwiches as you are, Sarnies is famous for their sizable portions and wholesome food – which is as affordable as it is delicious. Besides sandwiches, Sarnies has a range of mains that include Crispy Salmon (a must-try at SGD $24.40), Pulled Pork Ragu (SGD $19) and Beef Cheek (SGD $26), as well as a brunch menu (fry-up anyone?). You can view their extensive menu here.
A.136 Telok Ayer Street 068601 W. sarniescafe.com/
My Awesome Café
Video Credit : Official NYPTV
Still riding high with its popular menu and awesome vibe, with its Chinese medicinal store façade, and charming interior made up of random bits and bobs, My Awesome Café is a go-to destination to put on your list. Open 7 days a week, morning noon and night - till late, everybody loves this gem on telok Ayer. They offer a great range of light, medium and heavier meals all day well into the evening. We can’t go past the My Awesome Salad, a generous portion of mesclun leaves with smoked salmon, herbed chicken breast, duck rillettes, avocado and tomatoes.
A. 202 Telok Ayer St 068639 T. +65 8428 0102
Cheek Bistro
Run by husband and wife team Chef Rishi Naleendra & Manuela Toniolo, Cheek Bistro was recently awarded a Michelin star, and it’s not hard to see why. Serving up authentic Australian fare such as Barramundi (with bonito butter, braised leeks & puffed rice at SGD $36) and Lamb Ribs (with eggplant, yoghurt & mint for SGD $28), all their dishes are available in small or large sharing plates. Customers rave about their Burrata (with heirloom tomato and fermented green chili at SGD $28) & their Buttermilk Quail (with sriracha mayonnaise for SGD $28), but the truth is you could try pretty much any dish here and leave a very happy chappie. The ambience is both classy & casual; complementing the food perfectly.
A. 21 Boon Tat Street 069620 T. +65 6221 1911 E. [email protected]
The Market Grill
Meat lovers unite – and congregate. The Market Grill is a haven of delicious dishes offering everything from flown-in live Boston Lobsters to Wagyu steaks, pork chops and burgers. This is not gourmet food in small portions, but full hearty meals made from the highest quality ingredients. If you’re looking for the perfect meat-eater experience, look no further. A Whole Lobster goes for SGD $56 (with garlic butter sauce, greens & mashed potatoes) while their steaks start at SGD $40 and go up to SGD $60. If you love burgers, you can’t visit The Market Grill without trying their Bleu Cheese (with sweet burnt onion marmalade, bleu cheese, bacon, lettuce & house sauce in a walnut raisin bun) which goes for SGD $29-33 depending on the size.
A. 208 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068642 T. +65 6221 3323
13% Gastro Wine
Apart from having an extensive wine list (this is great place for those of you who know your wines), 13% Gastro Wine is also known for their superb food. From their SGD $10 Gougeres (crispy cheese puff pastry with roasted garlic tomato dip) to the Pork (Black Iberico "la Pluma" marinated with 5 spices at SGD $38) and their legendary Grilled Sanchoku Wagyu sirloin (SGD $66), 13% Gastro Wine delivers on all fronts.
A. 123A Telok Ayer Street 068592 T. +65 6224 6885
Preludio
Preludio is a concept restaurant at which the food is an artistic creation of Chef Fernando. Divided into three sections – the dining area, private room and lounge area – Preludio prefers not to tie itself to down to any one cuisine. Rather, Chef Fernando creates concept-themed dishes, the first of which was Monochrome. They have both lunch & dinner deals: the Executive Lunch (4-course at SGD $58), the Chef’s Selection (7-course lunch at SGD $$118++ ) a Complete 8-Course Dinner (SGD $238) and the Abridged 6-Course Dinner (SGD $188) as well as an a-la-carte menu that you can view here.
A. 182 Cecil St, #03-01/02 Frasers Tower, Singapore T. +65 6904 5686
F. www.facebook.com/preludio.sg/
Chuan Hung Noodles
In the mood for a steaming hot bowl of noodles? Chuan Hung is well known for their noodle bowls which integrate traditional & unique Sichuan spices for an utterly flavourful experience – guaranteed goodness from Sichuanese chefs that have to undergo a year of training before getting a position at Chuan Hung. Apart from the noodle bowls, don’t forget to try their specialty – the Crispy Fried Pig Intestines (SGD $5.50) – which is an absolute customer favourite.
A. 51A Telok Ayer St, #01-01, Singapore 048441 T. +65 9755 1058
The Mast’ of Mozzarella
Italian restaurant and cheese lab in one, this is a place you can be sure will hit the spot for cheese lovers. The Mast’, which means ‘cheese master’ in Southern Italian dialect, stays true to its name, creating fresh burrata, mozzarella & stracciatella on the daily, which is also added to their sinfully delicious dishes, such as the Mortadella Schiacciata (traditional stuffed Roman bread with mortadella, stracciatella and truffle at SGD $18) the Campano Burger (black Angus beef, buffalo mozzarella, fresh tomato & onion at SGD $22) and an array of flat bread pizzas, pastas and mains that will keep you coming back for more.
A. Frasers Tower, 182 Cecil Street, #01-05/08 069547 T. +65 6513 8010
Gaig Restaurant
Owned by Chef Charles Gaig – whose family opened Michelin-starred Barcelona restaurant Taberna d’en Gaig in 1869 – customers are guaranteed an authentic Catalan dining experience. The rustic & cosy interiors will take you on the start of a journey to Catalonia, accompanied by dishes such as their Gaig’s Traditional Cannelloni (SGD $14, with roasted pork & beef), the Presa Iberica and Mushroom Paella (SGD $27.20) or the Shrimp ‘all-i-pebre’ (SGD $22.30, a traditional Catalan stew). A visit to Gaig’s wouldn’t be complete without trying out one of their light & delicious desserts as well.
A. 16 Stanley St, Singapore 068735 T. +65 6221 2134
