The Art of Decor: 7 restaurant toilets in Singapore that are actually pretty aesthetic

Singapore has so many incredibly designed restaurants, but we can’t help but notice that the toilets are usually very simply designed and, sometimes, basically an afterthought.

The facilities are not glamorous and we feel that’s a bit sad, especially since we’ve chanced upon some absolutely splendorous washrooms, while overseas. 

Can we say, it’s a crappy feeling to go into an artfully designed restaurant, and be met with the most utilitarian, lowest-effort powder rooms.

To commemorate World Toilet Day, which fell on Nov 19, we thought: Why not do something fun (and probably a bit silly)?

So, we decided to hunt down the nicest restaurant bathrooms in Singapore — the art of decor is not just about how your dining area looks, after all!

After snooping around multiple restaurants and bars, here are the seven restaurant toilets in Singapore that really caught our eye!

1. Tamba

The toilet situation: Tamba might just be one of the most stunningly designed dining outfits in Singapore — the modern African restaurant just has personality unlike any other in Singapore.

We’ve actually done a piece on the art of decor at Tamba before and, unsurprisingly, we were also obsessed with its bathroom.

It’s simply exquisite: Stunning alabaster micro-cement floor, dynamic lighting, and intricate brassware set the stage, while a majestic crocodile statue that’s submerged into the floor just adds that je ne sais quoi. 

Why you should also visit the restaurant: Well, you can’t just visit Tamba for its facilities. No worries, though, since it serves up some rich and spice-laden African dishes including its best-selling jollof rice that’s chock full of umami — and might give the spice-intolerant guests a reason to visit the can!

2. Ami Patisserie

The toilet situation: Some would say Ami Patisserie’s toilet embodies “wabi-sabi”. The Japanese patisserie is located in a svelte Japandi minimalist cottage along Scotts Road, and its chic Japanese sensibilities leak into its bathroom design, too.

Its centrepiece is the one-of-a-kind rock sink, where the water flows over a stately waist-height stone. An actual rock. It’s not slate. It’s not granite. It’s not even limestone.

But it’s not just that — what makes Ami Patisserie’s washroom one of the best in Singapore is also the little touches, such as the meticulously trimmed bonsai that sits right above the toilet. 

It adds a sense of zen and peace, in case you need it to focus on your business.

Why you should also visit the restaurant: This is the place to go in Singapore for top-notch Japanese-style pastries, such as its signature choux pastry range. Besides dainty artisan bakes, Ami Patisserie also has a special six-course Chef’s Table experience at S$118 that involves a medley of intricately crafted seasonal sweets and savouries.

3. Offtrack

The toilet situation: Offtrack is a bar that has it all. Being ranked as one of Asia’s 50 Best bars shows it has great drinks, and having music-scene veterans behind it means good music is always flowing. But you know what’s a surprisingly underrated aspect?

You guessed it, the toilet. 

While we wouldn’t really argue for it as one of Singapore’s prettiest toilets, it has plenty of character — half of the “semi-al fresco” area is open-air, nicely jazzed up with hanging plants and fairy lights.

The orange paint job also adds a pop of vibrancy, while the faintly brutalist influences in the fixtures makes you feel like you wandered into a garden in Europe’s countryside.

Why you should also visit the restaurant: There are plenty of fun and easy-to-drink cocktails on the menu, such as the tea milk punch, but the modern Asian grub at Offtrack is just as fascinating. If you’re someone who loves punchy flavours, the intoxicatingly fragrant garlic noodles are a must-order for most regulars. 

4. Firebird by Suetomi

The toilet situation: There’s two aspects to the design of the washrooms at Firebird by Suetomi. First, there’s the facade, which is designed to look like a traditional Japanese house — the main door leads into the WC, while the paper sliding door to the side hides the private dining room.

It’s just as nice on the inside, too. The interior is underscored by modish industrial aesthetics, the surfaces plastered with rugged textures and earth tones, with a pop of green for extra style points.

More importantly, it’s equipped with state-of-the-art Japanese technology — we’re talking about the self-warming, bidet-equipped toilet with a lid that opens automatically!

They take the philosophy of “treating customers like kings” so seriously that the throne here is fit for a king, too!

Why you should also visit the restaurant: We are just as impressed with the food here, since the chicken-focused restaurant was actually opened by the owner of Makitori Shinkobe, one of Tokyo’s hottest yakitori restaurants.

But the omakase at Firebird by Suetomi isn’t just yakitori, it focuses on the art of wood-fire cooking and just good chicken in general — we would revisit just for the spectacularly smoky soboro (ground chicken) claypot rice!

5. Casper

The toilet situation: Is this the most elegant and sophisticated toilet in Singapore? Probably not, but that’s not what grungy cocktail bar Casper is going for anyway.

However, it’s hard to deny how markedly different and unique the bathroom’s design is — the walls are affixed with an array of convex mirrors, while the whole space is drenched in a deluge of striking green light.

The concave mirrors are also great for some moody OOTDs too, if you’re into the edgier aesthetics.

Why you should also visit the restaurant:  Casper does some crazy mixological magic here, shaking up concoctions such as the Mushroom that incorporates beef and mushroom.

If you ask us though, the sandwiches might even trump the cocktails — we’re absolutely smitten with the insanely juicy pulled pork sandwich!

6. Ceres Haus

The toilet situation: We don’t think we’ve seen another toilet in Singapore that’s quite like the one at this moody coffee bar at Circular Road. 

It’s almost like you’re outdoors, as you’re greeted by a floor littered with pebbles and paving stones, while the sink and wooden doors add a charmingly rustic touch to the space.

The sink even comes equipped with Aesop soap! The brand is probably one of the best out there, so it’s a nice surprise to see it in a small cafe like this — but hey, that’s just our o-pee-nion.

The only real complaint is that while the pebble-filled floor is painfully aesthetic, it could possibly be a painful tripping hazard.

What they serve: Besides immaculate vibes, Ceres Haus also serves up some pretty solid coffee and small grubs. Consider getting the hearty pesto-filled mozzarella ham sandwich and a cup of iced oat white coffee to go with it!

7. Champagnery

The toilet situation: This champagne bar at Amoy Street is a rather new addition to the buzzy neighbourhood, but there’s one thing that caught our eye at Champagnery.

It’s not the toilet, per se — the WC itself is rather plain — but the sink area, which brings everyone on a trip to Morocco with its daintily patterned ceramic basins and backsplash, gels tied together with the wall lamps.

We all know why girls like to visit the toilet together, and this is the perfect place for those mirror selfies.

What they serve: There’s a myriad of different champagne here, and it’s best to visit for yourself for the full low-down. Instead, let’s just say this: Make sure to look out for Wednesdays where they give free-flow bubbles for the ladies!

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on the new matcha and shokupan cafe in Telok Ayer and a new pasta stall serving generous and tasty pasta!