Michelin-approved nasi lemak brand The Coconut Club opens at New Bahru with quail nasi lemak

Here’s a brand that nasi lemak aficionados would undoubtedly have heard of: The Coconut Club.

Sometimes referred to as an “atas” nasi lemak restaurant, the storied brand first opened its doors at Ann Siang Hill in 2016, but eventually relocated to its current Beach Road flagship in 2022.

Since then, under the stewardship of prolific restaurant group Lo & Behold, it has opened another outlet at Siglap, its second.

The third and latest Coconut Club can be found at New Bahru, a hip new mixed development found in the River Valley neighbourhood.

The New Bahru compound is opening progressively in phases and will be welcoming the public for a first-look event on Jun 22 and 23. 

The nasi lemak specialist is the first of many F&B establishments slated to call New Bahru home.

When it comes to its newest space, it’s a cosy little space that features a quaint al fresco dining area and an elegant interior filled with rattan trimmings for an added touch of tropical and local charm.

Coconut Club’s New Bahru exclusives

So, what are some exclusives that would make it worth visiting the The Coconut Club’s New Bahru outlet, over its more convenient flagship? 

One particularly cool one is a unique nasi lemak with quail goreng berempah (S$21), which swaps out the signature ayam goreng berempah (bone-in chicken thigh, S$18) for spice-fried quail topped with crispy rempah crumbs.

As always, the rice is fluffy and infused with an elegant coconut aroma, while the sambal adds a kiss of complexity with a mixture of spice, umami and sweetness.

And the quail? Well, it’s nicely done with tender and juicy insides, while the bird is nicely seasoned with a motley of spices — the distinction is mostly in its taste, as the quail comes with a touch more inherent richness than chicken normally does.

If just a switch up of the nasi lemak’s protein isn’t exciting enough for you, the other exclusive at The Coconut Club New Bahru might tickle your fancy: An extra indulgent wagyu beef roti john (S$21).

The luxe twist on the classic sandwich features a slew of luscious and juicy wagyu that give it a tremendous flavour boost.

To prevent it from being jelak, the dish also comes with a vibrantly acidic slaw that balances out the profile perfectly.

More heartwarming flavours

Other than those, The Coconut Club also puts an interesting spin on another local favourite with the Singaporean seafood laksa (S$26).

Like all the most comforting bowls, the noodles are slurpilicious and silky, while the broth is hearty, creamy and coconut-fragrant without being overpowering.

Best of all, the assortment of clams and tiger prawns also introduce a dose of extra sweetness into the fray, too.

Oh, there are also a plethora of new items on the menu!

One standout was the kambing percik (twice-cooked lamb short ribs, S$38), which was impressively luscious and fall-off-the-bone, with a good ratio of fat. 

We also have to give The Coconut Club extra praise for making sure the lamb is rich, with just a little hint of its usual smell — something we appreciate in typically gamey meat such as lamb.

Then there’s also the simple bakwan jagung (corn fritters, S$12 for six pieces), which the restaurant recommends for kids.

The fritters themselves are crispy and pleasantly sweet, while also served with a side of tomato sambal that’s more tangy than spicy, so the little ones can stomach it.

Of course, don’t forget the desserts — diners can find a good range of traditional sweet treats here, with our picks being the silky kueh salat (S$9) and indulgent pisang goreng (S$11).

So if you’re a foodie with plans to visit New Bahru or find yourself in the River Valley area, we reckon The Coconut Club would be a good option. 

It might be pricier than your run-of-the-mill hawker centre fare, but a nice ambience and consistency in execution are things that you can always expect from the brand.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on KFC’s unlimited chicken buffet and Godmama’s newest outlet at Parkway Parade.

The Coconut Club is on the GrabFood delivery service and offers free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited. 

Do explore the new GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals.

You can also book a ride to The Coconut Club’s new location at New Bahru.