New Bahru food guide: 15 must-visit food spots to make a beeline for

1. Dearborn — New Bahru

Why visit? Consider us intrigued at the thought of a granola cafe. Dearborn is the brainchild of chef-entrepreneur (and Waku Ghin alum) Christopher Kong and now operates its flagship at New Bahru. Beyond a micro-bakery, it also offers fresh in-store bakes and brunch items.

Shining a spotlight on breakfast, Dearborn reimagines the quintessential meal into something you can savour anytime. The best part? It’s pet-friendly, so bring your pooches along! 

Crowd favourites: Keep things simple with the basic granola bowl (S$6), together with the best-selling dark chocolate, hazelnut, and sea salt granola. Complete with homemade strawberry compote, the tangy strawberry and pistachio granola bowl (S$16) is a real crowd favourite. By popular demand, it has also brought back the milk and coffee granola bowl (S$15).

On the savoury side, the best-selling duck and hash (S$18) is a loaded dish stacked with bits of duck meat, a sous vide egg, and a crispy block of hash brown. An outlet-exclusive item is the Dearborn breakfast sandwich (S$17), which has a handmade pork sausage patty sandwiched between a sweet potato roll. 

Besides granola, we’re pretty into oats for breakfast. Read how a couple turned their breakfast routine into a viral cafe! 

2. Huevos

Why visit? Ask anyone for a Mexican food recommendation, and Huevos is probably near the top of that list. It’s known as one of the best places in Singapore to get Mexican food, and its second outlet brings a taste of Mexico to the River Valley ‘hood. 

A standout among New Bahru’s food, it hits the sweet spot between taste and affordability, with generous portions best shared with good company.

Crowd favourites: The loaded nachos (S$21) are a great sharing starter, slathered with cheese, chipotle aioli, sour bream, guacamole, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, onions, cotija cheese, and some chicken. The tacos come in a set of two or three; our vote goes to the baja fish (S$15 or S$19) and tacos de camaron (S$19 or S$25) with tiger prawns.

Alternatively, go all out with the wagyu ribeye steak fajitas (S$60), which take 25 minutes to grill. Portions are limited, so first come, first served. Fair warning: the quesadillas (from S$12) are huge, too!

For fiery and bold flavours, bookmark our Mexican food guide.

3. Kotuwa

Why visit? We love trying cuisines from all around the world, and Kotuwa gives us a refreshing taste of Sri Lankan flavours. The restaurant pays tribute to chef Rishi Naleendra’s Sri Lankan roots and heritage, with every bite evoking the familiar notes of his childhood.

The dishes here are hearty and unapologetic, reminiscent of a spread prepared to welcome long-lost family members. Visit on Fridays to try the Lankan rice and curry lunch sets (from S$28), where you can choose your curry and rice, alongside a selection of sides. 

Crowd favourites: The deviled cashews (S$8) may look unassuming, but they pack a punch with curry leaves and chilli salt. The impressive Sri Lankan mud crab (market price)  can be cooked in curry or garlic butter — trust us, it’s more than worth the calories. The menu has plenty of curries, such as the aromatic wattakka kalu pol (S$18), with butternut squash swimming in blackened coconut gravy. 

Don’t miss out on trying arrack (from S$16), a Sri Lankan spirit. Pair your tipple with bar snacks like crab cutlets (S$18), a Sri Lankan-style croquette; or banana blossom puffs (S$16).

4. Artichoke Pizza Parlor

Why visit? Fans of Middle Eastern fare will recognise Artichoke, now back bigger and better — as Artichoke Pizza Parlor — with a refreshed menu. As its name change suggests, it now serves pizza, debuting two types of pizza to much fanfare. Whether it be the signature Undercrunch pizzas with crispy cheddar bottoms or the stone-baked Rounds, you’re in for a real treat. 

This doesn’t mean that old favourites have disappeared; you’ll still find the hummus appetiser (S$16), which pairs perfectly with the garlic bread (S$10).

Crowd favourites: The vegetarian Sunny slice (S$26) is New Bahru food’s new kid on the block, bringing together halloumi, roasted fennel, pistachio, arugula, and kumquat for a nice acidity. For the stone-baked rounds, the crabonara (S$34) uses crab to jazz up the usual carbonara mix.

Be wowed by the Super Bowl Supreme (S$150), a gargantuan bowl of pepperoni pizza, meatball spaghetti, mortadella shavings, Caesar salad, and tons of fried chicken. Sinful, yes. Do we want it? Yes, and yes. It feeds four, so call the gang!

We visited Artichoke to try it for ourselves, and here’s our verdict fresh out of the oven.

5. One Fattened Calf — New Bahru

Why visit? Nothing quite hits the spot like a good burger, and the thought of One Fattened Calf’s rendition practically has us salivating. The cherry on top is how everything — from the potato buns and tender beef patties to the signature sauce — is handmade from scratch, with no fillers, preservatives, artificial flavouring, or growth hormones. 

Plus, you know a place is good when there are only one or two things on the menu! Choose from five different burgers, plus ala carte fries with a sauce. 

Crowd favourites: Go straight for the best-selling OFC cheeseburger (S$16.50), which has a 150g premium grass-fed beef patty sandwiched between potato buns, topped with cheddar cheese, charred and raw onions, house-made crisp pickles, and slathered with the OFC special sauce. 

For something a little more exclusive, the OFC butterburger (S$16.50) is available for dine-in only. Instead of the special sauce, this burger features grass-fed butter for extra oomph. Feeling hungry? Make it a combo (S$5.50) with regular fries and a drink, with an optional top-up to cheese or truffle fries (S$2.50). 

If you’re on a burger rampage, try Scarpetta’s smash burger bar next.

6. Odem

Why visit? Odem is Singapore’s first makgeolli bar and restaurant. The makgeolli here is brewed in small batches, made even more special by a self-professed “craftman’s touch”. If you’re after a tasting session, you’ll be drawn to its makgeolli flights (S$60 to S$88), which come with five varieties. 

Food-wise, the restaurant reimagines traditional Korean cuisine with a contemporary flair. Unique ingredients are incorporated into heartwarming dishes; for example, gamtae (Korean marine algae) adds flavour to creamy butter served with the warm brioche & gamtae seaweed butter ($18).

Crowd favourites: After the brioche starter, close your eyes and dig into the abalone boribap (S$42) with pearl barley, where every mouthful transports you to an Korean ajumma’s (or auntie’s) warm kitchen. 

If you’re there for dinner, try the bite-sized savoury donut (S$15 for two pieces), filled with a winning combination of shio kelp, salmon roe, creme fraiche, corn puree, and smoked gochugaru. Brunch is another affair altogether, with a curated set menu (S$68) that features multiple courses and the option of free-flow makgeolli (S$88). 

For a closer look, deep-dive into Odem’s intriguing history and origins.

7. The Coconut Club — New Bahru

Why visit? Nasi lemak, but make it elevated. That’s what you’ll find at The Coconut Club, a concept which earned a spot in the Michelin Bib Gourmand list in 2026.

Its menu brings together various local partners — poultry from Toh Thye San Farm, white sutera coconut milk from a family-owned farm, seafood from Ah Hua Kelong, and coffee from Kim Guan Guan Coffee — to create something truly special. 

Crowd favourites: The nasi lemak here is naturally the star of the show, with a choice of ayam goreng berempah (spiced fried chicken leg, S$22), ayam bakar madu (charcoal-grilled honey-basted chicken leg, S$23), homemade otah (S$17), or beef cheek rendang (S$26).

For sharing, the threadfin fish curry (S$32) goes well with the appetiser sampler (S$28), which comes with kueh pie tee, chicken satay, and bakwan jagung (fried corn fritters). 

End on a sweet note: The kueh sampler (S$16) with three types of Malay and Nonya kueh is calling your name. Wash it all down with a fresh coconut (S$10) or a cloud coffee (S$9) that’s made with coconut water.

We sized up Belimbing, The Coconut Club’s sister restaurant, and here’s what we think.

8. Dumpling Darlings — New Bahru

Why visit? Dumpling Darlings is solid proof that good things can come in little packages. The owners eat dumplings and noodles every day and, in their words, think that everyone should, too! The menu focuses on dumplings only, with egg noodles thrown in for good measure.

Nestled in the New Bahru factory block, this flagship outlet is Dumpling Darlings’ biggest one yet. Employing an open concept, the restaurant even touts a slanted shingle roof for extra aesthetics. 

Crowd favourites: The dumplings here come in a gang of five: the original (S$8) is filled with minced pork collar, whilst the prawn and crab (S$11) is our favourite. If you’re feeling adventurous, the karana momo (plant-based curry dumpling, S$9) entices with jackfruit and curry spice.

Can’t decide? The dumpling platter (S$15) is our go-to, with five varieties of three dumplings each, or a great bang for your buck, the lunch set (S$19) has four dumplings, one egg noodle, and an iced drink.

Finish the meal with the XO prawn noodles (S$13); give it a good stir before slurping it all up. Each bowl comes with three plump prawns, a jammy hanjuku (half-cooked) egg, and plenty of tobiko (flying fish roe) for extra crunch. 

Here’s our full review of Dumpling Darlings’ New Bahru space.

9. Laifaba

Why visit? We’re just going to put it out there: Laifaba has perfected the wood-fired craft to a T. Hailing from Bukit Batok, the brand has now moved somewhere more central for greater accessibility, and we’re all for it! 

The focus is on wood-fired meats, mainly pork jowl, pork belly, roast duck, and chicken thigh. Have them with rice or noodles, or on their own — they taste that good. A set meal (S$3.50) upgrade adds pork collagen tofu broth and fried wonton strips.

Crowd favourites: The signature D.I.Y. “gua bao” duo pork platter (S$26.80) is exclusive to this New Bahru food outlet and is only available for dinner. Add as much or as little charred pork jowl as you like to fluffy buns; we know we’ll soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. 

The 48-hour dry-aged roast duck (S$21.80 for an upper rack, S$25.80 for a lower rack, S$42.80 for half) comes with house sauce on the side; all the better for dipping with, we say. For a snappy yet satisfying meal, the woodfired pork jowl with rice or noodles (S$12.80) won’t disappoint.

10. Le Clos

Why visit? Raise a glass at Le Clos, the kind of place you can visit in a summery dress during the day and doll up once night falls. 

The wine cellar wows at first sight; if we ever had one of our own, we’d want it to look something like this. It houses over 2,000 wines, with over 80 grower champagnes. For the uninitiated, grower champagnes are made by the same estates that run the grapes.

The wines are artfully paired with a collection of classic French fare, which delivers on taste without being too pretentious. Try a glass (or two!) at the wine bar, which is open daily from 10am to 12am.

The retail area (open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm) also offers a nice touch, with chocolates, cheeses, and wine glasses available. 

Crowd favourites: Create your own cheese platter (S$42), or enjoy the goat cheese, fresh figs, and walnut tarte flambee (S$19).

The Josper-oven grilled mains (say hello to a glorious smoky flavour!) serve two to three pax; choose from sanchoku wagyu tomahawk (S$19 per 100g, average of 1.2kg) or a herb-crusted rack of lamb (S$16 per 100g, average of 800g). 

11. San Shu Gong Private Dining

Why visit? San Shu Gong Private Dining has one mission and one mission only, and that is to share the glorious blend of Teochew and Cantonese cuisine with everyone. After six years in Geylang, it has found a new home in New Bahru — and still serves the same well-loved favourites. 

Here’s a little secret: ask for the seasonal specials — which are off the menu, might we add. The fresh catch of the day (from S$12.80 per 100g) can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as steamed with soya sauce, wok-fried with salt and pepper, or braised with Chinese parsley. 

Crowd favourites: Start with the deep-fried ngoh hiang roll (S$16), and treat yourself to the braised dry South Africa abalone (S$68 per pax). 

Available only for dinner, the Emperor chicken (S$138) requires one day’s advance notice — and for good measure. The chicken is wrapped in lotus leaves, and baked in a salt crust. It’s truly a sight to behold! We have a soft spot for Teochew marinated raw crab (S$138), too; and the ones here are pretty finger-smacking good.

12. Orh Gao Peh Gao

Why visit? Enjoy the best of both worlds at Orh Gao Peh Gao. By day, the Peh Gao coffeeshop serves all our local breakfast favourites; the kaya is made in-house daily from scratch, with fresh kopi that’s ground to order. You’ll smell the goodness before you see it!

By night, the Orh Gao taproom transforms into a craft beer wonderland. Think 14 craft beers on rotation, and even a kaya toast cocktail (S$19). Mains and small bites are served from 11am onwards, transforming the space into something different altogether. 

Crowd favourites: Load up on a plate of traditional toast (S$2.80) in the morning, with options of kaya butter, Nutella, and kaya peanut butter. Make it a set with two soft-boiled eggs and a drink (S$3.50 for a hot drink, S$4.40 for an iced drink).

After 11am, try spoonfuls of the umami hokkien mee tai mak (S$18), paired with the tofu dips and chips (S$10), which come with — you’ve been warned — a very addictive mala sauce. And, for sharing? The chimichurri pork chop (S$15) and curry mussels (S$19) with sambal butter and traditional toasts are our top picks.

13. PPP Coffee — New Bahru

Why visit? PPP Coffee is a place for like-minded people to gather, and truly has something for everyone. For the coffee aficionados, an extensive coffee list and a special coffee omakase. For the foodies, a satisfying menu; and for families, a curated kids’ selection consisting of mini servings of its classic items. The furkids aren’t left out either, with a doggie menu from Creamier featuring five flavours of ice cream. 

Feel free to organise a birthday celebration here, as the cafe has whole cakes for pre-order. Get an opera cake (S$60) or a coffee cheesecake (S$98). Or, how about some sea salt chocolate cookies (S$13)?

Crowd favourites: The coffee omakase (S$55 per pax) is a standout, happening every Friday from 5pm to 6pm. Enjoy coffee prepared in three different brew methods: cold Cascara brew, hot filter, and a signature beverage. 

After all that caffeine has got your stomach rumbling, fill up on a duck confit pasta (S$26). The cafe also serves all-day breakfast until 5pm; carnivores will love the beef breakfast (S$26), featuring a wagyu beef patty.

14. Jellyfish

Why visit? Hidden within Artichoke, Jellyfish is an unorthodox sushi bar that only seats 10 guests. The whole experience is kept intimate and, might we say, rather mysterious! As with all sushi, fish is a mainstay. Jellyfish functions as chef Bjorn Shen’s experimental playground, and the result? Sushi with no boundaries, much like how a jellyfish has no bones.

Within Artichoke, you’ll also find Small’s. It offers seasonal menus which can only take seven people per seating, so make your reservations stat. Past menus included an all-fish Korean barbecue experience, and next up is a Hokkaido pork extravaganza.

Crowd favourites: Dinner here isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Choose from two seating times (6pm to 8pm, 8.15pm, 10.15pm; S$165 per pax). The menu is seasonal, so you never really know what you’ll get. This also means that no two visits will be the same! 

On our past visit, we were treated to bread sushi courses comprising shime saba and stracciatella. Yes, you read it right: Bread actually replaces the rice. A Nagasaki bluefin tuna was also dissected, and we got to enjoy various parts of it. 

We’ve personally tried Jellyfish and Small’s — here’s our take.

15. Bar Somma

Why visit? Bar Somma is an Italian-inspired cocktail bar located above Somma restaurant, which serves up contemporary cocktail classics and a small but decent food menu, too. Whether or not you choose to dine at Somma, however, you’re always welcome at Bar Somma.

If you love a good pasta, you’ll want to make time for the bar’s Golden Hour, a Happy Hour programme which takes place from 6pm to 7.30pm, from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Simply order a cocktail from its special Golden Hour menu — with bright cocktails such as a Mai Tai sour (S$24) — to get a free plate of carbonara — yes, a whole plate!

Crowd favourites: Beyond the Golden Hour cocktails, you’ll also want to check out playful drinks such as the celery-infused Amalfi gimlet (S$26) gin cocktail or even the Il Perugino (S$26), which is inspired by Italian Renaissance painter Pietro Perugino — and it looks and tastes like a work of art. 

Off its food menu, the Angus steak tartare (S$28) glides down the throat, with a smoked egg yolk adding a velvety finish. Doused in a creamy river crab sauce with guanciale (salt-cured meat), the radiatori (S$34) pasta is also one that we’ll order again and again.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our guide to our foodie picks around Mandai, and how the food fares at September Coffee’s new home at Craig Road.