There is no shortage of things to do in Katong’s eastern neighbourhood, but dining takes centre stage. The historic district is rich in Peranakan culture and offers a wide range of cuisines, thanks to the presence of Vietnamese and European groups. There are also the ultra-hip cafés that have sprung up in recent years that are worth visiting. With that, Glitz is dishing it hot with recommendations of restaurants and cafes around Katong for your next meal or hang out spot!
1. Petit Pain
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Address | 315 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427566 |
Operating Hours | Wednesday to Sunday (11am – 5pm), Monday & Tuesday (Clsoed) |
Contact | – |
Petit Pain is a well-kept secret in the Joo Chiat area. The bakery, which specialises in croissants, bakes small quantities of baked goods every day that sell out rapidly. Improvers, preservatives, and artificial flavouring are not used in the baking process.
The croissants, which are reported to be created in a three-day process, are light, buttery, and flaky, and are finest when eaten fresh. Other must-tries include the honey brioche, which is only available during operating hours, and the apple danish.
2. Good Intentions
Address | 45 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428765 |
Operating Hours | Wednesday to Monday (10am – 10:30pm), Tuesday (Closed) |
Contact | +65 8611 8897 |
The border between café and bar is blurred at Good Intentions. The first floor has snug corners and a drink bar with beer taps, while the second story offers a breezy eating room with views of Katong’s bustling streets. Happy hour runs until 7pm daily, and there’s a 15-strong beer list to choose from. Aromatic drinks that are safe for work and cost $3 include a floral-scented chamomile agave ice tea with undertones of earl grey and citrus, as well as other non-alcoholic alternatives. But, whether you’re here for coffee or drinks, this is a restaurant that can accommodate you at any time of day or night.
3. Birds of Paradise
Address | 63 E Coast Rd, #01-05, Singapore 428776 |
Operating Hours | Every day (12pm – 10pm) |
Contact | +65 82989291 |
The botanical-inspired flavours of Birds of Paradise are delicately fragrant and refined, tasting like culinary poetry. This teeny-tiny gelato shop on East Coast Road is often full to the brim. Flowers, herbs, nuts, and spices are used to create trademark flavours including white chrysanthemum, strawberry basil, and lemongrass ginger, which start at $4.70 per scoop. Even their thyme-scented waffle cone is manufactured in-house!
4. The Humble Scoop
Address | 865 Mountbatten Road B1-92, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844 |
Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday (12pm – 9:30pm), Monday (Closed) |
Contact | +65 8803 5981 |
The Humble Scoop, a new ice cream parlour in the East, is located in the basement of this ancient retail centre. Unlike other ice cream shops, this one specialises in homemade ice cream with regional and nostalgic flavours. There’s guava with sour plum, pulut hitam, the In-Kueh-dible, a salted coconut and gula Melaka mixture, and plenty of other delectable flavours you’ll recognise.
5. Tigerlily Patisserie
Address | 350 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427598 |
Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday (9am – 5pm), Monday (Closed) |
Contact | +65 8887 0988 |
What began as a virtual bakery during last year’s lockdown has developed into a full-fledged 24-seater café in the east, replete with a dine-in area and an enlarged menu of sweets and savoury treats. Bakes abound, but with a new and larger kitchen comes hearty brunch fare like the Monsieur Kim and Salmon Tzatziki. But be warned: expect to stand in line on every visit because owner Maxine Ngooi’s sweets are still the main attraction.
6. Chin Mee Chin
Address | 204 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428903 |
Operating Hours | Tuesday to Sunday (8am – 4pm), Monday (Closed) |
Contact | – |
For years, Chin Mee Chin has been a morning staple, famed for its charcoal-toasted buns and traditional bakes. The old-school Kopitiam has reopened with a fresh coat of paint after being closed for two years. Plan to reopen in its original position along East Coast Road in conjunction with Ebb and Flow Group.
7. Baba Chews Bar and Eatery
Address | 86 E Coast Rd, Katong Square, Singapore 428788 |
Operating Hours | Every day (11:30am – 9:30pm) |
Contact | +65 6723 2025 |
Baba Chews is filled with black-and-white Peranakan tiles, themed art pieces, and ancient leather furniture blended with warm wood media, giving it an old-world appeal. There’s something for everyone here, including trendy Asian and Western food. Guests can now look forward to more exciting, imaginative meals like the No Rice Paper Roll and the Granchio- Singapore chilli crab inspired tagliatelle, according to a freshly revised menu.
8. Zaffron Kitchen
Address | 137 E Coast Rd, #135, Singapore 428820 |
Operating Hours | Every day (11:30am – 10:30pm) |
Contact | +65 6440 6786 |
At Zaffron’s entryway, a glass-paned window box juts out, exposing the chefs at work and the main attraction: a charcoal-fired tandoor oven. Fragrant garlic naan and fiery red, seasoned boneless dory fish tikka nuggets emerge from the oven, meaty and soft with crisp, charred edges. The dum chicken biryani for $11, a dish of fluffy, moderately spiced basmati rice with a delicious entire chicken leg, spicy au jus sauce, and flawlessly cooked whole hard-boiled egg contained in a sealed naan top, is the genuine show-stopper.