Expat Choice is a trusted, expat-led guide to the best places to eat, drink, stay and explore across Singapore and the region. In each feature, you can expect practical, first-hand insights on the experience, atmosphere and what to order—so you can decide quickly whether a venue suits your taste, timing and occasion. In this article, our reporter steps into the Singapore Botanic Gardens to see how Wildseed Café has settled into its new home at The Garage and which dishes make it worth the visit.
The Garage, tucked into a lush corner of Singapore Botanic Gardens, the first and only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO's World Heritage List, has long been the kind of secret residents nearby hoped would stay hidden. A lavish outdoor space spilling into the gardens and a cosy indoor cafe to retreat into, should you wish for air-conditioned comfort, it is my favourite spot to pause at during my evening walks and treat myself to a little something before I head back home.
In its swanky new avatar, it now has a new name on the door, one that fits right into the vibe. Wildseed Cafe, known for languid brunches in picturesque locations across the island, sits pretty across the lower level of The Garage. A menu with a nod to Singapore’s heritage, albeit with a modern and international twist, is easy to love and a relief for families with varied tastes.
On a sunny afternoon, we visited Wildseed Cafe for lunch and experienced an instant calm that only nature can provide. Parisian-style rattan chairs, sheltered outdoor tables, and large standing fans make this a true all-day café, even in the tropics.
As you sit in the covered patio, the refreshing greenery outside is reflected indoors as well. Faux living walls look lush and tropical and wallpapers lend a sense of indoor-outdoor living.
The refreshed menu at Wildseed Cafe gives a nod to local flavours while remaining true to its essence of delicious and wholesome food for the entire family. Among the array of dishes we tried, a few earned unanimous praise. Local flavours get a global boost with the ever-famous chilli crab sauce, which luxuriously coats silky linguine, and fried soft-shell crab adds crunch. The chilli crab sauce is sweet enough to balance the heat, but not too spicy.
My favourite dish in the menu, however, was a deceptively simple Kelong Prawn and Scallop Pizza, the perfect item to share across the table as you soak in the garden vibes. Freshly made pesto drizzled across the hand-tossed pizza and sweet Cameron Highland cherry tomatoes remind us that often it is the simplest addition to a dish that makes it shine. It is all about freshness and local produce, something that canned ingredients just can not replicate.
If you’re an Eggs Benedict lover, the version here sits atop a sliced croissant. Choose between classic bacon or my favourite, smoked salmon, to complete the dish. The Atas Kaya Toast is said to be a hit among the younger crowd, served as a giant half loaf of sourdough. It can get messy to share, so be prepared to use your hands and break bread the traditional way.
The new beverage menu at Wildseed Café gives a thumbs-up to those choosing to go sober, with a wide range of mocktails on offer. I loved Sun kissed, a refreshing mix of pineapple, mango and thyme. Just what you need on a sunny afternoon. The cocktail menu impresses too, with the Basil Punch drawing 'oohs' and 'aahs' at the table, lifted by a dash of yuzu.
Wildseed fits seamlessly into its new home in the lush Botanic Gardens. The vibe, décor and menu are all in sync with their surroundings, a harmony that’s bound to please. Perfect for a relaxed family weekend lunch.
