Riverside Buns: New burger concept at Boat Quay with seriously stacked burgers

If you work in the Central Business District and are looking for a new hip spot to chill at after work, or to spend your #TGIFs at, then you’ll probably want to check out the all-new Riverside Buns.

Tucked along the breezy, lively streets of Boat Quay — a dynamic enclave for booze and live sports — Riverside Buns is the latest burger concept on our shores, having launched relatively recently, on April 7.

We can’t think of a better destination for Riverside Buns to set up shop, and can just imagine it being the next go-to spot for peckish imbibers after a night out at Boat Quay — burgers and beer, what a treat!

Those searching for Riverside Buns will notice that it shares the same location as sports bar BQ Bar, a go-to watering hole among ardent sports enthusiasts.

The Riverside Buns concept was created by the same F&B group behind BQ Bar: Tadcaster Hospitality, which also helms other brands such as Cafe Melba at Goodman Arts Centre and Mediapolis, and Molly Malone’s at Boat Quay.

This is the group’s first burger concept. The idea came about as the team wanted to refresh their menu and surmised that burgers — easy to munch on and the perfect match with alcoholic drinks — would be a wonderful addition to the mix. One thing led to another, and thus, the concept of Riverside Buns was born.

With Riverside Buns at BQ Bar, diners can now savour a tantalising lineup of hearty burgers to pair with its beers and cocktails.

Riverside Buns, which shares the current BQ Bar space, has both indoor and outdoor seating, though we much prefer dining al fresco, where it’s breezier. 

The atmosphere outdoors is also more laid-back and casual, with iconic pop hits (and laughter) playing in the background. It feels like a community, where diners can bond over music and sports. 

And as you tuck into the burgers, you can also take in the spectacular view of the glistening Singapore River, and watch as the cruises — all decked out in their iconic red and yellow hues — slowly float by.

Burgers galore on Riverside Bun’s menu

Riverside Buns calls itself the home of juicy burgers, taking pride in its loaded burgers that are stuffed plump and tall with a medley of ingredients. 

There are seven different burger variations on its menu, spanning beef, chicken, fish and even vegetarian, paired with fries or slaw — it’s entirely your pick. 

You can also dress your burger in either a buttery brioche bun or ciabatta bap (a UK slang used to refer to round and flat buns used in sandwiches). 

At first glance, our eyes (and stomachs) were drawn to the Smoke (S$25) burger, which seemed like a tasty delight with juicy strips of crispy bacon, smoked cheese and fried onions, but we eventually opted for The Classic (S$22).

After all, a burger spot is only as good as its signature dish — thankfully, The Classic didn’t disappoint at all. It’s a simplified version of the Smoke, sans all the embellishments, comprising only the beef patty, a gherkin, and leafy greens — but was by no means any less delicious.

The Classic comes with a thick Australian wagyu beef patty, charred with a subtle smoky hue, that steals the spotlight with its rich and savoury flavours. It’s accompanied by a lashing of burger sauce, which imbues the burger with a creamy, tangy oomph.

If you’re not feeling beef, the Hooked (S$18) burger is a fantastic alternative featuring fish as the star. It’s a riff on the classic fish and chips dish, but in burger form, and comes with a fried-till-golden-brown dory fillet stuffed between two burger buns. 

The dory fish is tender and moist, a nice contrast to its crispy skin. It is coated with a silky tartar sauce, elevating the burger with a vibrant tartness.

If you intend to hang out at Riverside Buns till late (or until the sports games are over), and find burgers too heavy on the stomach, perhaps some light bar snacks might do the trick instead.

The concept serves up a refreshed set of light bites in friendly sharing portions that you can enjoy between two or three.

We ordered the salt and pepper squid (S$14) — essentially your standard calamari dish. The squid was delightfully fresh with a bouncy chew. 

The oh-so-addictive hot wings (S$16) which brim with a slight spiciness, are a must-order as well. Enjoy it with the fiery, Thai-inspired dipping sauce on the side, which offers another layer of aromatic spice. 

If you do decide to head down, you might want to time your visit to save some pennies: Riverside Buns is offering value-for-money weekday promotions, available across the entire week. Think one-for-one burgers on Mondays, a S$15 burger deal on Tuesdays, and more — for the details, you can check out its socials. 

If these aren’t signs to head down to the bistro, stat, we don’t know what is.

This was an invited tasting.

For other nearby eats, read about French creperie Madam Flod with sweet and savoury galettes, or eight bars along Boat Quay and Circular Road to unwind at after work. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore.

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

Book a ride to check out the new burger concept Riverside Buns at Boat Quay.