Bugis food guide: 16 new and trending spots in 2025
Vibrant, diverse, with the perfect blend of old and new, the Bugis food scene is an eclectic mix of everything — modern restaurants, charming cafes, hawker classics, and lots of late-night bites.
It’s also a place where the food scene is very fast moving — this year alone saw many new and exciting openings in the area, adding to the vibrancy of the food options in Bugis.
Who can forget the insane queues that its newest and most exciting entrant, Chick-fil-A drew when it opened in early December, almost enough to rival that of Sides, which launched earlier this year.
So, if you’re in the area and craving something exciting, here’s a Bugis food guide featuring 16 new and trending spots bringing fresh vibes, bold flavours, and unforgettable bites that will be sure to whet your appetites.
1. Sides
Why visit? Sides Singapore is the very first international outlet of the popular UK fried chicken brand launched by the viral UK YouTubers and influencer collective, Sidemen.
Sides specialises in hot and spicy Nashville-style fried chicken that is extra crispy thanks to the double-coating of batter, and boasts an impressive range of nine different sauces to have your chicken with. There’s even a unique chocolate BBQ sauce!
The proteins come in the form of chicken wings, tenders, and even burgers, and there are decadent sides, and milkshakes, too!
Crowd favourites: If you’re happy to have your chicken without bones, the Nashville chicken tenders (S$10.50) would be the go-to for a good crunch and flavour bomb, if not the Nashville chicken wings (S$10.50) fare well, too, on the taste front.
But if burgers are your thing, then go for the ultimate Nashville burger (S$12.90), a fully loaded burger packed with cheese, slaw and pickles.
2. Chick-fil-A Singapore
Why visit? If you’re not a fan of UK fast food, how about American fast food? Cult-favourite Chick-fil-A, known for its hearty chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and generous sauces, is finally open in Singapore at Bugis+!
Its three-day pop-up in May 2024 drew hordes of people, as did its opening on December 11.
Aside from bringing in its signature items, Chick-fil-A Singapore is also launching a Singapore-exclusive sauce — spicy chilli — giving you extra reason to visit.
Just remember that, much like its US counterpart, its Singapore outpost will be open from Mondays to Saturdays only — so plan ahead if you want to visit!
Crowd favourites: Head straight for the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich (from S$6.80), of course. The boneless chicken breast sandwich comes with fluffy, buttery brioche buns, sliced dill pickles, and sauces of your choice.
Spice lovers can opt for the spicy chicken sandwich (from S$6.90) for a stronger kick, though it isn’t too fiery.
We highly recommend grabbing each of Chick-fil-A’s six sauces — these are free-flow, by the way — to try with your burgers, especially the local special spicy chilli sauce. It is slightly sweet, citrusy, and packs a mild heat, thanks to tinges of garlic and red pepper within.
Here’s our full take on this wildly popular fast food concept from the US.
3. Pho Vietz Singapore
Why visit? Now if western fare doesn’t float your boat, maybe some pho from this popular Malaysian chain would. Pho Vietz has more than 10 outlets in Malaysia and has finally made its Singapore debut, with its opening at Bugis Junction in November.
Despite its origins, it is by no means any less authentic, as it’s headed up by native Vietnamese chef Kenny Ton Ngoc Hiep, who has more than two decades of experience dishing up this fare. Singapore isn’t its first overseas stop, though — it already has outlets in Hong Kong and Dallas. But hey, its international footprint just means it’s pretty legit, right?
Crowd favourites: Make your time at Pho Vietz worth the while by going straight for the four-beef combo noodle soup (S$16.80). The Vietnamese classic comes with soft beef slices and beef balls, among other embellishments. The broth is sweeter than what you might be used to, but it’s still very delicious.
Another interesting item to try is its Hue-style spicy pork rib noodle soup (S$14.80) — a staple in the country, but seen less often here. It’s a take on bun bo hue, a signature dish from the Hue region, and comes with a flavour-packed shrimp paste-flavoured broth. There’s some mild spice, too — perfect for the spice-loving Singaporean.
Click in for more details on Pho Vietz’ offerings in Singapore.
4. Rumel
Why visit? If pizza is on your list when you’re in Bugis for food, check out Rumel for top-notch sourdough Neapolitan pizza that’s surprisingly extremely affordable, yet immensely satisfying.
Prices here are inclusive of GST but there is no service charge, making it a value-for-money option for pizza that’s not only healthy but tasty, too. Here, each pizza is made to order, and made with a sourdough crust that has been fermented for 48 hours.
We love how Rumel has embraced the local flavours too, with menu offerings such as kaya butter pizza and a Nanyang kopi cold brew for the coffee lovers.
Crowd favourites: Meat lovers would enjoy the rich beef bolognese (from S$6.80 for a six-inch pizza), that’s topped with ground beef, onions, mozzarella, and a mint yoghurt drizzle.
For something a little different, try the Singapore-style kaya butter (S$6.80 for a six-inch pizza) for a delicious combination of sweet and savoury.
5. Xita Lao Tai Tai
Why visit? Xita Lao Tai Tai is a Korean-Chinese fusion barbecue concept hailing from Xita in Shenyang, China. Boasting over 600 stores in China, the concept has now opened its first outlet in Southeast Asia, right at Bugis+.
Here, you can enjoy meats grilled over a charcoal clay stove, a popular concept in China especially during the cold winters. In case you’re wondering why the dining experience comes with Korean culinary influence, it’s thanks to the strong Korean-Chinese community that resides in Xita.
Expect housemade marinades, fresh greens, and free-flow banchan (side dishes) reminiscent of a solid K-BBQ meal at Xita Lao Tai Tai — just the place if you’re craving a bit of both!
Crowd favourites: This one’s a unique combination but it works — pineapple glazed beef rib finger (150g for S$34.90) featuring strips of meat from between rib bones, paired with pineapple slices. Best enjoyed wrapped in its accompanying crunchy lettuce, a la Korean ssam (wrap) style.
If you are looking for a refreshing option amidst the heavier meat dishes, the cold buckwheat noodle (S$16.90) is worth the try.
6. Korio
Why visit? Known for its selection of loaded gourmet sandwiches and pillowy brioche doughnuts, Korio has opened a second outlet in the heart of Bugis, in addition to its current CBD one.
If you need even more reason to head to its Bugis outlet, the menu across both outlets differs slightly. For example, Korio Bugis serves up a breakfast egg & cheese muffin (S$8, available 8am to 10.30am only) for its breakfast special, but the CBD’s one has luncheon meat and egg gribiche instead.
Not heard of the brand? You won’t go wrong to give it a go, its bold combinations and use of premium ingredients pack a good punch when layered together.
Crowd favourites: Definitely give the new mortadella muffin (S$15.50) a go. It comes with slices of grilled mortadella, provolone cheese, pickled jalapeno, caramalised onions and a sunny-side-up, all topped with mustard mayo. What a mouthful, and literally, as well.
Korio’s popular brioche doughnuts are available at Bugis, too, but we must caveat that they disappear quite quickly, though some flavours get topped up at lunchtime. If you’re spoilt for choice, the chocolate ganache with hazelnut ($5.50) makes for a rich and decadent treat.
7. The Plump Frenchman
Why visit? The Plump Frenchman is quite the interesting French character that has recently entered the Bugis food scene, and no it’s not a person, but an affordably priced French bistro. French cuisine is often seen to be rather fancy and expensive, especially in Singapore, but at this new spot by the Zouk Group, it’s been made accessible to the casual crowd.
However, you can still be sure of the quality here, because chef Lorenz Hoja, who previously headed two Michelin-starred French restaurant L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, certainly knows what he’s doing.
Top-rate French food at affordable prices in a rustic-chic spot, right in the heart of town — what are you waiting for, really?
Crowd favourites: The set lunches (from S$25 for one main and one dessert) at The Plump Frenchman are extremely value for money. And even if you want to indulge, the highest-priced S$47 set lunch for two starters, one main, and one dessert isn’t too expensive, either. (Though at the moment it only serves up a pre-festive menu at S$39 for three courses.)
Dishes we enjoyed from its set lunch choices include the starter Cho-fleur (cauliflower) soup, which was solid and comforting, as well as the œuf mollet en ratatouille, the classic French vegetable dish, topped with an egg.
If the set lunch is too much for you, you can get a main such as the demi poulet (half rotisserie chicken) for S$21 — a decent price for the quality you’re getting.
8. The Butcher’s Table
Why visit? The Butcher’s Table is a new halal-certified steakhouse in Kampong Glam, that brings premium meats from its gourmet butcher brand The Meatery to the dining table. While the concept itself is new, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Meatery have been selling premium-halal-certified meats since 2019.
The passion the duo have for meats and their pride in their craft is immediately apparent just from the menu. Each item contains a write-up explaining in detail what you will be having with precision, right down to the experience and flavours that will hit you as you take that first bite.
If you’re gunning for a good steak, you can certainly bet that The Butcher’s Table won’t disappoint you.
Crowd favourites: Its bestseller is the dry-aged F1 wagyu MS4/5 picanha (S$55 for 250g) — 300-day grain-finished and dry-aged, grilled over fire. It’s known as the “queen of steaks”. Rich, buttery, beefy, and absolutely decadent.
Pair your meat of choice with sides such as the truffle pomme puree (S$18). Lest you think it’s an ordinary truffle mash, this one at The Butcher’s Table will blow your tastebuds away and complement any meat perfectly.
Here’s what we enjoyed at The Butcher’s Table at Jalan Klapa.
9. Warung Leko
Why visit? Hailing from Surabaya, Warung Leko brings its signature “penyet” cooking method — smashing of the meat to flatten it — all the way to Singapore, right into Bugis’ busiest area. If you’re not familiar with penyet dishes, it is said that the smashing helps allow the spices to further penetrate the meat
Now you’ve probably tried ayam (chicken) penyet before — and Warung Leko does have that on the menu — but beef is the star at Warung Leko. And whether it’s iga (beef ribs), otot (tendon), buntut (oxtail), bakso (meatballs) or empal (marinated beef), everything here is prepared with the skill of bringing out the best flavours, in homely Indonesian fashion.
Crowd favourites: The iga and otot penyet (S$22.50), which combines smashed beef ribs and fried tendon, is a signature and a hearty choice. The meat on the beef ribs falls easily apart, while the tendon is fried to golden perfection.
Other than its penyet dishes, its sup buntut (S$15), or oxtail soup, is lighter on the palate but still delivers intense flavours. It’s easy to see why this brand is such a hit in Indonesia now, with over 40 outlets in Indonesia, and ones in Malaysia, too.
10. Takara House
Why visit? If you’re looking for a new Bugis cafe to visit, Takara House is a little hidden gem located within a charming vintage thrift shop. The shop sells apparels, little trinkets, toys, and decorative items, but among those treasures lies yet another delightful surprise — a cosy little cafe featuring exquisite desserts by M Patisserie.
Takara’s backstory is a poetic one of sisterhood as the founder-chef of M Patisserie is, in fact, the sister of the owner of Takara House. The cakes and tarts here are all freshly made, and oh-so-pretty.
Prices may be a little higher given that it is a solo-run outfit, but the quality of the pastries and the entire experience here will justify the cost.
Crowd favourites: Try the matcha tart (S$15), which comes with a sophisticated balance of sweetness and natural bitterness in its matcha custard, and a crunchy tart base.
The chocolate mousse cake (S$8.90) is another star that layers chocolate mousse, sponge and a crunch base for a divine chocolatey treat.
11. Lee & Bai
Why visit? If you’re looking for Chinese fare among the Bugis food options, why not try Lee & Bai from Chengdu in China, which has recently hit our shores with its signature handmade buns and Sichuan-style noodles. The popular Chinese concept, which opened quietly at Guoco Midtown around mid-2025, serves up comfort food that’s hearty and enjoyable, yet simple and unpretentious.
With six different buns and eight different noodle dishes to choose from, there is enough variety at Lee & Bai to keep you coming back. Did we also mention the prices here are relatively reasonable, especially given how authentic the fare is.
Crowd favourites: The chives and fresh pork bun ($5.80 for three pieces) is filled with an aromatic and juicy meat and chives filling, and comes served piping hot in a bamboo steamer.
The signature noodle dish here is the Chengdu noodles with meat sauce and green peas (S$12.80). Noodles are cooked to the perfect texture and tossed with its very own meat sauce and chilli oil, along with preserved Sichuan pickles and vegetables.
12. Open Secret
Why visit? Open Secret may just be one of the best, new open secrets of Bugis. Tucked away (literally) in an alley in Arab Street, it has a rather hidden entrance — but that just adds to the enigmatic vibe of the place that makes you want to discover more!
The small space means it’s mainly for takeouts, but there are foldable camping chairs that are available for use if you’d like to take a seat. Wolf down delicious toasties by Grilla Gang, or savour an indulgent beverage (coffee, non-coffee, slushies or coconut-based drinks) by popular Thomson cafe State of Affairs on the spot. Trust us, they’re all really good stuff.
Crowd favourites: The GG toastie (S$12.50) is loaded up with cheese and truffle paste, which hits all the right spots. It also gives a beautiful cheese pull, if you love getting shots for the ‘gram.
Here’s a money-saving tip: Get the Secret Set (S$15, U.P. S$19), which includes the GG toastie and a housemade tomato soup (available a la carte at S$3), as well as slushy of your choice, for a full, hearty meal.
13. Burgs
Why visit? This is a good place for a burger fix if you’re looking for one in Bugis. Burgs, which reopened in May after a two-year hiatus, knows what goes into a good gourmet halal burger. Following the break, it’s back with a new look and new creations which promise an explosion of fantastic flavours.
Its homemade buns deserve a shoutout, as well — the buns are soft on the inside, but come with that perfectly toasted edges that give a light crunch when you bite in. Burgs’s effort put in to make its buns from scratch shows dedication to its craft.
Crowd favourites: We love a good burger that’s deliberately kept simple to let the proteins shine. The Original (S$11.90) is one such example. It’s a classic cheeseburger, comprising a handcrafted beef patty, American cheese, and a fun addition of pickled green chillis to give that tang and hint of spice.
If you’re keen on sides to enjoy, grab its Nuggies (from S$5.90, available in Original flavour or kicap manis), which are essentially boneless chunks of juicy chicken thigh that would keep you coming back for more.
14. Belimbing
Why visit? From the folks behind local concept The Coconut Club, Belimbing is a new spot which terms itself as a “new-gen Singaporean” restaurant. Here, the team takes existing local ingredients and traditions and works towards turning them into something new, while still striving to maintain the nostalgic flavours that Singaporeans love.
And thankfully, the results are spectacular. In gist, Belimbing is an Asian fine dining establishment with creations that will surprise and delight your tastebuds. While an a la carte menu is available, you can get better bang for your buck and a more comprehensive experience with its two-course lunch set (S$58), or even a five-course dinner set (S$98).
Crowd favourites: For starters, the aged kampachi (available a la carte at S$28) is a clear standout dish. It is served alongside pickled pink guava, mussels and a cold curry reminiscent of laksa.
The nostalgic dish crispy mee sua (available a la carte for S$28) that’s meant for sharing comes with an otah rilette and a pretty gado gado salad that all comes together beautifully.
15. Yuen Kee Dumplings
Why visit? Hailing from Guangzhou, China, the land of some of the best dumplings out there, Yuen Kee Dumplings can certainly be trusted to dole out yummy little morsels. All the dumplings at Yuen Kee are freshly handcrafted on the spot — you can look into the open kitchen to see how each dumpling is expertly and meticulously wrapped by its staff
This spot at the nostalgic Fortune Centre has been drawing queues since its opening earlier this year, and we won’t be surprised if you find yourself needing to wait when you swing by — we’re sure watching the crew fold them dumplings will make the time go by quicker!
Crowd favourites: First, decide if you’d like to have dumplings or wantons, then decide which flavour of soup or sauce you’d like to pair them with. Its 10-piece chives and pork dumplings in viral mixed sauce with chilli oil (S$7.80) are a good and popular start.
Complete your meal with braised beef brisk soup noodles (S$9.50) that’s warm, hearty and wonderfully beefy. (Oh, and to make your wait time worth its while, remember to grab some raw, frozen dumplings home, too!)
Read more about our visit to Yuen Kee Dumplings at Fortune Centre.
16. Ju Wei Ge
Why visit? Ju Wei Ge is both a concept borne out of three siblings’ passion for food, and one that was partly driven by circumstances. Its founder Chong Chee Leong found himself retrenched from his corporate role after nearly three decades in the field.
While shocked at being let go initially, Chee Leong turned this adversity into opportunity, opening Ju Wei Ge at Fortune Centre. Since late-2024, he has been serving up homely yet unique Nanyang-styled dishes, and these have come to win the hearts of many who dine there.
The dishes here are extremely wallet-friendly and are served as part of a generous set that comes with a soup of the day, drinks, as well as two pieces of housemade agar-agar that’s made by Jollee Jelly Art, a patisserie run by one of the siblings.
Crowd favourites: There are two best-selling dishes here — the sauerkraut Chinese fish set meal (S$11.90) is a lighter version of the Sichuan classic suan cai yu dish, but it still carries the same tanginess that makes this dish so special. Accompanied with slices of fish, enoki mushrooms and pickled mustard greens, it’s a really comforting umami bowl of goodness.
Its salt baked chicken burger (S$9.80) has received rave reviews, too, for the moist and tender chicken thigh that goes well with the dressing and buns. It’s also available to enjoy with rice (S$9.80) or noodles (S$8.80).
Celestine has a few big loves in life — family, writing and good yet value-for-money food. A perfect combination is when she gets to hunt for yummy food with her family, then write about it.
Read more stories from this writer.
