Mandai food guide: 18 of our fave spots around the parks

1. Cavern Restaurant

Why visit? Cavern Restaurant, Singapore’s first and only cave restaurant is located near the entrance of Rainforest Wild Asia, through its gift shop. Step into a cool and dark restaurant, dimly lit with warm ambient lights, and resembling an actual cave with stalactites. It may look real but everything here is actually (impressively) man made.

The restaurant is a concept by the Tunglok Group featuring primarily western fare that is, in our opinion, priced rather reasonably given the themed concept and its prime location at a tourist hotspot, and the standard of the food. We also gotta say that we love how many of its dishes have caveman-inspired names as well!

Crowd favourites: The Hunter’s board (S$88 and feeds three to four diners) is a great sharing option that allows you a taste of the proteins from Cavern’s mains section — pork rib, beef tenderloin on a skewer, chicken with peri-peri sauce, and tiger prawns. 

If meat isn’t so much your thing, try its mushroom ragout fettucine (S$22), a hearty pasta dish with rich flavours (there’s still beef jus used here, though, for that extra oomph!). 

Here’s our full review on Cavern Restaurant. 

2. Watering Hole Cafe

Why visit? Also located in the relatively new Rainforest Wild Asia is the Watering Hole Cafe, a scenic, chill dining spot in the park’s largest zone. This brightly lit cafe overlooks the Tapir pool, so you can get some sightseeing done while you’re dining, too!

Lest you think all the cafe serves is just coffee and pastries, or cafe-style fare, you’d be glad to know that it has all-day dining, so you can swing by at any time of the day, whether as a pre-exploration meal, in between or after all of that adventuring.

Crowd favourites: Everything here is relatively hearty and yummy — even though its menu has these main bites under “light meal” on its menu — but if we really had to choose, the chicken lasagna (S$16) gets our vote. It comes with a robust tomato sauce, and in a generous portion size with tonnes of protein and carbs — just what you need to fuel your park visit. 

If you’re vegetarian or open to non-meat options, we hear the Impossible curried pizza (S$16) is quite the winner with its combination of Impossible plant-based beef, curry sauce, chilli, and mozzarella cheese. 

3. Crimson Restaurant

Why visit? Moving onto other parks, the Crimson Wetlands is the Bird Paradise’s standout attraction, featuring vibrant avian friends that are free roaming across the vast aviary. Many might not know this, but it has a relatively fancy dining spot located within that bears the same namesake — Crimson Restaurant — located just next to its entrance, on level 2.

With a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking Crimson Wetlands aviary, its majestic 20m waterfall, and its flamboyant flamingos, this flamingo-themed restaurant is an absolute delight and a must-visit for anyone seeking a park dining experience with a difference.

Adopting a slightly more refined dining approach, the restaurant serves up either a 3-course set meal or a 3-tier high-tea set. The price point of the fusion of Asian and Western food here leans towards the premium end, compared to the other park choices, but the ambience and view certainly make everything worth it. 

Crowd favourites: For the 3-course set meal (S$58) you can pick-and-choose from a number of choices within the starters, main, and dessert categories. Enjoy dishes such as the lamb shank stew, which is quite the flavourful masterpiece with tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat, as well as the king prawn laksa, made with sustainably sourced king prawns. 

For dessert, we hear the red wine poached pear which comes with red wine sauce, granola crumble, and vanilla ice cream is quite a popular choice. 

4. Penguin Cove Restaurant

Why visit? If you’re looking for a more affordable Mandai food choice at Bird Paradise compared to Crimson Restaurant, fret not, there’s Penguin Cove Restaurant, located right by the home of the penguins exhibit in Bird Paradise. Here, you can dig into your food and have the cutest penguins diving and swimming just metres away from your dining table. 

The penguins may be the main draw here, but the food does not fare too poorly as well, though it is admittedly pricier than the surrounding food courts and kiosks. But hey, penguins and a satisfying meal in cool-air conditioned comfort? There’s a cool price to pay. 

You can expect family-friendly Asian and western-style dishes, and you’ll see that much effort has been put into the presentation of its dishes here with delightful penguin characters incorporated in some form into its dishes. If you need a spot to soothe the fussy eaters, this might just be it! 

Crowd favourites: Its signature and popular dish is the Penguin Cove fish and chips (S$22.90), comprising golden battered white fish fillet paired with crispy fries. 

If you find yourself with just enough time for a quick snack, the adorable penguin red bean bao (S$3.90), which bears the face of a penguin, is a favourite amongst children, thanks to its appearance but also its kid-friendly red bean filling. 

5. Mama Panda Kitchen

Why visit? If you haven’t gotten enough of animal-themed fare, there’s also Mama Panda Kitchen at River Wonders to visit! This self-service cafeteria has long been a reliable Mandai food spot since River Wonders opened in 2013 (as River Safari back then), dishing out panda buns to those who had come to catch a glimpse of our adorable furry friends. 

In line with its panda theme, the fare here is Chinese-focused, so you can expect dishes such as baos (steamed buns), wok-fried rice, and noodles, though there’s also sandwiches and limited western choices such as fish & chips (S$13.90). 

Crowd favourites: It’s clear that most people go to River Wonders to catch its two most famous resident panda Kai Kai and Jia Jia, and by association, its panda red bean bao (S$3.90) and panda chocolate custard bao (S$3.90) are its clear bestsellers. They’re inexpensive park nosh that make for great photos of your time here, and you can even round that off with a giant panda cappuccino (S$6.90). 

Those looking for something a bit more can opt for the panda chicken cutlet gua bao (S$15.90), which comes with a cute panda bun, but also a more substantial chicken cutlet and fries. Of course, there’s also plenty of non-themed dishes such as the plant-based Impossible mapo tofu rice bowl (S$14.90), which will also satisfy any hungry parkgoer.

6. Ah Meng Restaurant

Why visit? Located in the Singapore Zoo, Ah Meng Restaurant named after the zoo’s star orangutan Ah Meng, who used to accompany guests for the restaurant’s breakfast programme. Though she passed away in 2008, her legacy lives on in the form of her granddaughter Ishta, who has taken her place to dine with guests, as she closely resembles Ah Meng. 

The restaurant’s signature programme, Breakfast in the Wild is an exclusive experience that runs from 9am to 10.30am at the restaurant’s terrace, before the restaurant’s doors open fully to the public. Besides an impressive buffet spread, highlights also include an animal appearance session and photo-taking opportunities with various wildlife “ambassadors”. 

However if you’re here just for its regular fare outside of this programme, Ah Meng Restaurant operates as a casual eatery with both indoor seating and terrace seating options. You order your food from a centralised counter before collecting it from the respective stores. Offerings are mainly local, with items such as chicken rice, nasi lemak, laksa, tandoori chicken and more. 

Granted the items are priced at a premium compared to its hawker centre counterparts, but if you consider the fact that this is an incredibly convenient lunch spot if you’re planning to spend the whole day here, we think it’s a worthwhile price to pay. Do note that it gets rather crowded during lunch hours, so come right before or after that to avoid the crowds if you can. 

Crowd favourites: The Singapore laksa (S$10.90) served here does justice to our local dish with its rich and flavourful broth and a generous serving. Another dish that many enjoy is the tandoori chicken briyani (S$15.90) that’s served with a sizable chicken leg charred nicely, alongside fragrant basmati rice. 

For those looking to head to the Breakfast in the Wild buffet, it is priced at S$47 for adults and S$37 for children, and does not include zoo admission which needs to be purchased separately. It may be a pretty penny, but is definitely value-for-money with its continental breakfast spread, complete with dim sum, prata and nasi lemak. 

7. Kidzworld Cafe

Why visit? For those looking for Mandai food options for the little ones, Kidzworld Cafe at Singapore Zoo is a good one to consider, with its delicious spread for both kids and adults alike.

It has an adjacent outdoor forest-themed playing space, so you and your little ones can choose between eat and play or even a combination of both. Though it fills up quickly and gets crowded at peak meal times, service is surprisingly quick and attentive. 

Crowd favourites: Kidzworld Cafe has a wide variety of menu choices, spanning western, Asian, and vegetarian items. Among the vegetarian dishes, the Impossible meatballs spaghetti (S$18.90), is a popular choice, with its plant-based meatballs and springy pasta noodles. 

For those keen on actual meat options, the Asian-style chicken chop la mian (S$17.90) comes with a huge chicken cutlet and Chinese pulled noodles in a robust broth — savoury, comforting, and so satisfying. 

8. Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant

Why visit? Stepping into Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant will bring you right back into rural Singapore with its nostalgic kampung vibes — think wooden beams, thatched roof and rattan furnishings.

Aligned with its aesthetic, the food is representative of Singapore’s hawker culture with many of our classic local dishes on its menu, such as chicken rice, char kway teow, banana leaf rice, satay, grilled seafood, and even ice kacang, served across various stalls. 

Prior to the recent opening of newer spots in Mandai Wildlife Reserve, this restaurant used to be the only Mandai food spot serving dinner, which might explain its slightly elevated prices for hawker fare. Regardless, it is extremely vibey and still draws a strong crowd after 6pm — come early if you want to grab a bite! 

Crowd favourites: Its signature seafood hor fun (S$16.90), which comes with a fair amount of seafood is a popular choice, especially with its thick, luscious gravy. If you like prawns, you will also enjoy the grilled smokiness of its sambal prawn skewer (S$15.90).

9. Planter’s Shed

Why visit? Planter’s Shed is a new restaurant located within Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. It is a great option for not only hotel guests, but anyone really — especially if you have a voracious appetite and love your buffet spreads (for breakfast and dinner). For lunch, there is an a la carte menu available between 12pm to 6pm. 

The buffet options here are solid, serving up a mix of international and local cuisine, accompanied by live cooking stations and roving tableside service for selected dishes. The whole place is spacious and brightly lit, making for a comfortable and pleasant dining experience, if you’re looking to indulge in comfort. 

Crowd favourites: Buffet line options vary but between 6.30am to 11am, enjoy an indulgent breakfast buffet here (S$52 for adults, S$26 for children aged 6 to 12). The dinner buffet (S$68 for adults, S$34 for children aged 6 to 12) runs from 6pm to 9.30pm and would be the most hearty and perfect way to end off a long day out in Mandai.

10. Forage

Why visit? The all-new Forage at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is one of, if not the most scenic Mandai food spot to be at. Not only does it come with views to die for, of the Upper Seletar Reservoir coastline, there are plenty of scenic spots around the resort and the restaurant to snap ‘gram-worthy spots even if you’re not staying at the picturesque resort. 

The kitchen here is helmed by chef Marcus Tan, and offers harvest-to-table seasonal course menus. You can choose between its Discovery menu, with five courses at S$138, or its Experience menu, with eight courses at S$198. As it is a more elevated fine dining experience, only course menus are available, with no a la carte choices nor alternative dishes. 

Crowd favourites: As the menu is largely seasonal, and incorporates elements from its edible rooftop garden, it may change depending on your time of visit. 

However, if you get an opportunity to try its current menu, we particularly enjoyed its lobster dish, which came with a tangy, robust tamarind broth, with hints of torch ginger flower and laksa leaf. The chicken 4 ways was also a memorable part of the meal, and is chef Marcus’ take on the Taiwanese three-cup chicken dish, with the ngoh hiang spin being the unanimous fave.

11. Sushiro — Digiro outlet

Why visit? Sushiro may be a familiar Japanese concept to many, but here’s one you might not have heard of — Digiro. This digitally-forward outlet at Mandai Wildlife East is Sushiro’s first Digiro outlet and is essentially like its other outlets, but with a digital conveyor belt. Here, you place your orders digitally on the screen, and the auto-waiter conveyor belt delivers your sushi of choice to you. Not only is this new outlet more efficient, it is also extra hygienic because your orders don’t sit on the belt before they reach you. 

If you have kids, you’ll also love that the Digiro system is also an immersive one, with engaging aesthetics, adorable mascots and even games that both adults and kids enjoy. Take all of these elements, and combine them with the quality dishes that Sushiro is known for, making for an extremely enjoyable dining experience.

Crowd favourites: There is a huge range of prices and sushi and other dishes here, as well as seasonal highlights. But even with its extensive menu, chawanmushi remains a firm Digiro favourite. If you’re looking for something a little special, try the cold chawanmushi (S$3.80) for a refreshing, cool take on the usual. Its steamed scallop with basil lemon (S$3.20) is also quite the stand out with its fresh and citrusy flavours. 

Read our take on Sushiro’s Digiro outlet here.

12. Roberta’s Pizza

Why visit? Roberta’s Pizza is a pizzeria hailing from Brooklyn, New York with a celebrity fan following. The concept opened its first international outlet outside of the US in Marina Bay Sands back in 2022, and this outlet at Mandai is its second one here so far. 

Thankfully it is nestled in the dining alley at Mandai Wildlife East that’s open to the public, so you won’t need to pay park admission fees in order to enjoy this sought-after pizza. Expect delectable 12” Neapolitan woodfired pizzas and handmade pastas amidst vibrant and delightful animal murals created by local artist Tobyato, that bring a slice of New York to life right here in Mandai. 

Crowd favourites: Its Bee Sting pizza (S$30) is the hot favourite here, and combines tomato, mozzarella, basil, spicy salami, chili and honey, on a light and chewy pizza dough base — it’s a pizza that hits all the right spots of sweet, savoury and even spicy. 

For something lighter but still as spectacular, go for its prosciutto and honey mango (S$18), a popular dish that sells out fast. 

13. Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique & Sandwich Bar

Why visit? The aptly named gelato concept Birds of Paradise has an outlet located in the area leading towards the Birds Paradise. This outlet serves sandwiches, shakes, coffee on top of its botanical-themed and flavoured gelatos, which has long been a huge draw of its outlets islandwide. 

Those unfamiliar with the brand will need to try its unique yet well-balanced gelato flavours that are creatively inspired by fruits, flowers, herbs and spices. Almost every flavour here is equal parts refreshing and light, yet memorable on the palate — a treat for the senses, especially in this heart. 

Crowd favourites: Enjoy your gelato in a cup (from S$5.50 for a single scoop) or opt for its wildly popular housemade thyme-infused cone (from S$6.80 for a single scoop). 

Some of its favourite flavours include: Macadamia butterfly pea, white chrysanthemum, lychee raspberry, and sea salt hojicha. (You may need to pay an extra S$1 for selected flavours, though these will be well-worth the premium.)

14. Copper Chimney

Why visit? If you find this name familiar, it’s a spin-off of the OG outlet at Syed Alwi. Besides specialising in north Indian and fusion Indian-Chinese fare, Copper Chimney’s menus are also well-suited for an international crowd as it is both halal-certified and also well-stocked with vegetarian options. 

Here, you can get your briyani, butter chicken or paneer tikka fix, and if you’re up for some spice but have your kids along with you, the concept also has a thoughtfully curated a kids menu so the little ones can also enjoy the diverse and aromatic flavours offered here.

Crowd favourites: For something a little more unique, yet bold and tangy, try its gobi Manchurian (S$14.90), which are crispy cauliflower florets coated in a bold and tangy sauce. 

Another popular item is its paani puri (S$7.90), a popular street food appetiser that promises an explosion of flavour in every bite.

15. A&W — Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Why visit? For the fast food lovers, there’s always the reliable A&W, which is free to visit thanks to its location at the free-to-access Mandai Wildlife West. Its location is also very easy to get to if you’re planning to visit the Bird Paradise or Rainforest Wild Asia. The American fast food concept  reopened in Singapore in 2019 after a long hiatus and the outlet here is one of just eight across the island.

Out of all the fast-food chains in Singapore, it’s best known for its iconic items such as its root beer float, coney dog, curly fries, and waffle ice-cream. If you’re in the mood for some fuss-free, greasy nosh, you’ll want to swing by A&W for some family-friendly American classics. 

Crowd favourites: Try its golden aroma chicken (S$11.90 for a two-piece combo) for crispy and juicy fried chicken that can certainly stand its ground against other fried chickens from other chains. After that, beat the heat with a waffle ice-cream (S$10.90) for dessert.

16. Han’s Union

Why visit? One of only three Han’s Union outlets in Singapore, Han’s Union at Mandai Wildlife Reserve serves up comforting and quality food that includes its usual slate of classic Hainanese fare, Western options, as well as Japanese ramen and rice bowls. With it being a spin-off of the popular homegrown Han’s, Han’s Union’s dishes are comforting and reliable, having served Singaporeans since 1977.

There are food options for everyone here — young and old, making it a pleasant and casual spot for families. It certainly also helps that there is no service charge.  

Crowd favourites: While Han’s Union is known for its Hainanese and western fare, you’d want to also try its signature tonkatsu ramen (S$13), an unassuming bowl of rich, umami goodness that will light up your tastebuds. Its melt-in-your-mouth char siew also puts some of the bigger brand ramens to shame.

And if you’ve never had anything from Han’s, you’ll need to try its Hainanese pork chop with rice (S$15.80), a hearty dish that never fails to deliver.

17. Collin’s — Mandai Wildlife West

Why visit? With such a strong presence islandwide, you know you can always count on the family-friendly Collin’s, which serves up western cuisine that is not only yummy, but extremely wallet-friendly (which can be quite a rarity in Mandai). 

Granted the prices here are higher than that of other Collin’s outlets, but it does come with exclusive breakfast options that cannot be found at other Collin’s outlets. Another plus point? It is also situated in the middle of verdant greenery that you’d not be able to find in other Collin’s outlets around Singapore. 

Crowd favourites: For a warm and hearty appetiser, have its cream of wild mushroom soup (S$7) paired with a slice of freshly baked sourdough bread. For mains, the classic wagyu double cheeseburger (S$22) can’t go wrong, especially if you are a burger or meat lover.

18. Unpackt — Mandai Wildlife West

Why visit? Unpackt is a homegrown grocer with a focus on advocating for a zero-waste lifestyle. Its warm and inviting combined retail and cafe space at Mandai Wildlife West is currently its only one in Singapore, so it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. 

Besides visiting its retail shop for eco-friendly products and sustainable fresh produce, you can also check out its cafe for some tasty mains, artisanal bakes, and light bites to fuel up. If you’re not too peckish, there are also inviting beverages that are bound to satisfy. Here’s an added bonus, too for the parents: There’s a children’s playground right outside!

Crowd favourites: After a long day out at the various wildlife parks, an ice-cold coconut shake (S$6.50) and a healthy acai bowl ($12.90) packed with all the good stuff, could just be the best thing ever.

For the latest on the food scene, read more about Ingleside’s seasonal Embers menu and North Indian fare at the newly revamped Sansara.