As the year progresses, the wave of restaurant openings in Singapore continues unabated. This month, Singapore reaffirms its status as the culinary hub of Asia with an impressive lineup of newcomers. Among them is Korea’s leading craft beer and fried chicken chain, making its debut in the city-state.
Additionally, a fresh modern European restaurant has emerged, boasting a design that could rival a contemporary art gallery. Alongside these, a variety of new eateries and culinary styles have emerged, catering to every palate. Here are our top picks for the most exciting new dining destinations to explore this May.
Best New Restaurants in Singapore this May 2024
La Table d’Emma
| Address | #01-04 Mercure Icon Singapore City Centre 8 Club Street Singapore 069742 |
| Contact | +65 8101 8691 |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Sun 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm |
Coinciding with the launch of Mercure Icon Singapore City Centre hotel is the unveiling of La Table d’Emma, a sprawling 130-seater French restaurant nestled within the establishment. While French cuisine is plentiful in Singapore, La Table d’Emma stands out by specializing in Alsatian delicacies from the Alsace region in northeastern France.
Among their standout dishes is the tarte flambée or flammekueche—an authentic Alsatian flatbread adorned with crème fraîche (starting from $20). Available in four sharing variations, this dish features tantalizing toppings such as caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, savory bacon, emmental cheese, and smoked salmon.
Another culinary gem to savor is the Bouchée à la Reine ($34), showcasing delicate butterfly-shaped puff pastries paired with succulent veal, chicken, and a velvety mushroom velouté. La Table d’Emma invites diners on a gastronomic journey through the flavors of Alsace, offering a unique and memorable dining experience in the heart of Singapore.
Nou
| Address | 45 Craig Road Singapore 089683 |
| Contact | +65 8768 1224 |
| Opening Hours | Wed-Sun 5pm-midnight |
Prepare your taste buds for an exciting culinary adventure at Craig Road’s Nou Noodle Bar, where diverse Asian flavors and cooking techniques converge to create a symphony of noodle dishes. This innovative concept explores fermentation, marinades, umami, and spices, all incorporated into soulful bowls of noodles that will leave you craving for more.
Indulge in the signature Nou Umami Noodles ($18), featuring noodles tossed in olive scallion sauce, garnished with pickled jalapeno, tea-marinated egg, and drizzled with a koji fermented hot sauce for a burst of flavor. Don’t miss out on the creative cocktail offerings crafted by head bartender Bernadine Chan, formerly of Underdog Inn and Neon Pigeon. Sample unique mixes like the Tomato Tomato ($24), a savory cocktail that ingeniously incorporates repurposed tomato brine from the kitchen, creating a delightful twist on the classic dirty martini.
Nou Noodle Bar promises a gastronomic experience that combines tradition with innovation, inviting diners to savor the rich tapestry of Asian flavors in every bowl of noodles and sip of cocktail.
Daily Beer
| Address | 212 Telok Ayer St Singapore 068645 |
| Contact | 6669 8090 |
| Opening Hours | Sun-Thu 11.30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-12.30am |
This year, South Korea’s renowned craft beer and fried chicken chain, boasting over 370 outlets in Korea, makes its debut in Singapore’s Telok Ayer neighborhood. With a devoted following among craft beer enthusiasts, the chain has even caught the attention of Korean celebrities like the cast of Running Man and actor Kim Da Mi.
Prepare to indulge in a selection of seven exclusive craft beers, crafted in collaboration with small-batch Korean breweries, all poured fresh from the tap into the brand’s iconic beer glasses. Additionally, Singapore diners can enjoy exclusive brews like the Telok Hazy IPA ($15), Telok Pale Ale ($14), and the K-Ginseng Lager ($13).
The restaurant promises to delight with its signature Angry Bird fried chicken (starting from $27.90), available in four tantalizing flavors: spicy, sweet garlic with aged soy sauce, kimchi, and sweet and spicy corn flakes with garlic seasoning. Get ready for a flavorful experience that combines Korean culinary excellence with a passion for craft beer!
Ducking Good
| Address | 487 Geylang Rd Singapore 389446 |
| Contact | +65 8814 8366 |
| Opening Hours | Daily 11.30am-9.30pm |
The team behind Boeuf, known for their delectable dry-aged meats, has unveiled their latest culinary venture: Ducking Good at Geylang, a dedicated duck-focused restaurant. At this establishment, you’ll encounter a diverse array of duck dishes crafted using various cooking techniques to showcase the versatility of this protein.
Indulge in traditional Asian duck specialties like the aromatic herbal roast duck ($69), the restaurant’s signature braised duck ($69), or the flavorful salted duck ($69). Can’t decide? Opt for the triple ducking platter ($49), offering tasting portions of all three signature dishes. Additionally, the menu features tantalizing options such as claypot duck, braised duck, double-boiled duck soup, duck fat garlic rice, and deep-fried duck confit style.
Ducking Good promises a culinary journey filled with innovative duck creations, inviting diners to explore the rich flavors and textures of this beloved protein in the heart of Geylang.
Nana Dolly’s
| Address | 10 Perak Rd Singapore 208131 |
| Contact | +65 8068 0010 |
| Opening Hours | Daily 10.30am-10pm |
On our island, Peranakan cuisine has found a beloved place, and Nana Dolly’s is the latest addition to this flavorful tapestry. Their menu is a treasure trove of family recipes, spanning from timeless classics like Nonya chicken curry ($17) and sambal brinjal ($7) to creative delights such as laksa pasta ($10) and the indulgent otak croffle ($15) crowned with a sunny side up egg and sambal mayo.
One cannot leave without savoring the signature mengkabao – tender pork belly simmered in a tantalizing tamarind sauce. Choose between the communal sharing plate ($16) or opt for the individually plated mengkabo don ($15.90) paired with rice, achar, sambal egg, and fish keropok. For a perfect finish, enjoy an ice-cold ondeh ondeh latte ($7) infused with rich gula melaka. Nana Dolly’s promises a culinary experience that’s both nostalgic and innovative, a true celebration of Peranakan flavors.
Moxie
| Address | Medical Alumni Association Level 1 2 College Road Singapore 169850 |
| Contact | +65 9339 3380 |
| Opening Hours | Tue-Thu 11.30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-11.30pm; Sun 11.30am-10pm |
The creators of the beloved Siri House introduce Moxie, a contemporary Mediterranean eatery drawing inspiration from the stunning Mediterranean coast. Tucked away near the Singapore General Hospital, Moxie transports diners to a picturesque beach house setting, exuding tranquility and charm.
Embracing the ethos of communal dining, Moxie offers an array of sharing options, including delectable mezzes. Every table is adorned with the Moxie Dip Platter (starting from $18), featuring a medley of dips such as black garlic hummus, brown butter roasted kabocha squash, and whipped ricotta with sundried tomatoes, served with pita or sourdough for a delightful grazing experience.
For the main course, don’t miss the indulgent Umami Rice ($28), showcasing a luscious shellfish bisque teeming with clams, mussels, octopus, and grilled tiger prawns. Moxie promises an unforgettable dining journey, blending the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with the warmth of communal feasting in an enchanting setting.
Nook
| Address | 11 Craig Rd Singapore 089671 |
| Contact | +65 8300 7274 |
| Opening Hours | Daily 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-midnight |
Nook, the newly launched multi-storey restaurant and bar on Craig Road, offers a unique fusion of culinary delights and artistic ambiance reminiscent of a contemporary art gallery. The space, with its gritty industrial vibe and a mix of thrifted vintage furniture, showcases artworks by the brand’s in-house artist, creating an otherworldly experience.
On the first floor, indulge in modern European and Asian-inspired dishes like the tantalizing heirloom tomatoes and burrata ($24), featuring aromatic tarragon sorbet and quinoa puffs for an intriguing texture. Another must-try is the Aqina organic chicken ($42) served with Koshihikari rice ($18), a chef’s reinterpretation of chicken rice. The chicken is dry-aged for seven days for enhanced flavor, and the rice is adorned with torched pieces of chicken cockscomb for a delightful twist.
Venture to the second floor to discover Nowhere, the cocktail bar that crafts refreshing libations like Garden ($23) with Hendricks, apricot, elderflower, green apple, cucumber, mint, and lime, or the tantalizing Chichi ($23) featuring vodka, watermelon, coconut, pineapple, and lime. Nook offers a truly immersive dining and drinking experience that stimulates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
