Orchard food guide: 15 best restaurants to consider for your next date, from brunch to ramen
Looking for an Orchard food spot in between all that shopping? After all, when we mention shopping spots in Singapore, the first place that comes to mind is Orchard Road.
With a plethora of glitzy malls and swanky restaurants everywhere you look, the shopping district is a food haven offering a diverse, and often accessible, range of gastronomic experiences for people from all walks of life.
Whether you’re looking for a casual Japanese eatery to wolf down a meal with friends or a glitzy restaurant to make your date swoon — you’d easily satisfy any and all requirements (and cravings) in Orchard.
However, making a final decision can be a challenge with the countless options at your fingertips.
If you’re an indecisive foodie always on the lookout for the best Orchard food options, read on. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on where you can find some of the best casual dining spots, chic date haunts, and bougie brunch experiences.
1. Sen-ryo
Ion Orchard, 03-14/14A, 2 Orchard Turn
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)
Why visit? Originating from the Tochigi prefecture in Japan, Sen-ryo is brought in by the same folks that run the Genki Sushi chain in Singapore. While it’s not as well-known to the public as its sibling Genki Sushi, it is certainly worth a trip, as it provides a much more luxurious experience than the latter.
The brand, which has multiple outlets in Hong Kong as well, is known for its sleek decor and presentation, while keeping prices at an affordable range. There’s no conveyor belt here — dishes are prepared a la minute.
Consider giving this Japanese food place in Orchard a chance the next time you’re thinking of upping your sushi game.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: A crowd-favourite indulgence at Sen-ryo is the premium ootoro (S$9.80), which isn’t a common sight outside of omakase experiences. Similarly, the eponymous Sen-ryo sushi (S$8.80) will charm your socks off with its opulent ensemble of uni, ikura and minced tuna.
2. Bacha Coffee
Ion Orchard, 01-15/16, 2 Orchard Turn
Open: Monday to Sunday (9.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? Bacha Coffee doesn’t need much introduction. Known for its lavish palatial interior, the dazzling Moroccan cafe is one of Orchard’s most sought-after brunch spot.
Opened in 2019, its Ion Orchard coffee room and boutique is its first international outpost outside of Marrakech.
The queue speaks for itself — everyone is vying for a chance to indulge in a luxurious experience, as coffee is served in gilded pots which you can pair with some warm and crispy croissants.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Other than coffee, Bacha is popular for its bakes, too. Its vividly coloured gourmet sweet croissants (S$8 for two), in particular, have become a social media sensation. They are available in tantalising flavours including raspberry and cinnamon, pistachio, and orange almond.
3. Sanpoutei Ramen
Shaw House, B1-04/05, 350 Orchard Road
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11.30am to 9.30pm), Friday and Saturday (11.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? If there is one food item Orchard doesn’t have a shortage of, it’s Japanese ramen. But make no mistake, not all ramen are created equal. Instead of going for the usual ramen in Orchard, we recommend making a beeline for Sanpoutei Ramen at the basement of Shaw House.
Known for its iconic sardine-enriched broth and tsukemen dipping ramen, its flavourful and rich offerings are certainly worth jostling with the frenetic dinner crowd for.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The signature Niigata shoyu ramen (from S$14) is a must-order for anyone who enjoys a comforting bowl of broth. It’s made with a blend of chicken and pork bones and is bolstered with the addition of sardines for an umami, extra rich profile.
4. Cafe Found
Ngee Ann City, B1-16 to 24, 391 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 8pm)
Why visit? Some people take the term “shop til you drop” very seriously. If you’re one of them, you’ll be glad to hear that one of Singapore’s most popular fashion stops, Editor’s Market, has a cafe serving food in its Orchard flagship outlet.
Sporting the same chic grey tones as the rest of the store, the cafe provides a myriad of bakes, beverages, and even mains. If you ask us, Cafe Found is one of the best spots to rest your legs after a tiring trek through Orchard’s many boutique stores.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: We found the perfect place for those seeking quirky waffle options in their ice-cream combos. Cafe Found is known for its daintily plated gelato croffles that come in flavours such as hay honey (S$18) and pistachio (S$18).
5. Blue Label Pizza & Wine
Mandarin Gallery, 03-02, 333A Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 11pm)
Why visit? Hidden away in a nondescript corner among the Mandarin Gallery restraurants, Blue Label Pizza is a pizzeria that many artisan pizza fans rave about.
Known for its inventive topping permutations that are fun and eclectic, this Orchard gem is perfect for those who prefer something more unconventional. Besides the toppings, the brand is also known for its crisp and crusty pizza dough.
Price range: $$$$
Crowd favourites: Beloved options among its legion of fans include the one-of-a-kind Summer in San Sebastian (chorizo ragu, Hokkaido octopus, espelette chili and aioli, S$39) and the really sinful Wish I Was a Baller (sliced steak, french’s mustard bechamel, roasted onions, mushrooms and provolone, S$42)
6. Surrey Hills Grocer
Ion Orchard, 05-02, 2 Orchard Turn
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm)
Why visit? Tucked away in the carpark of Ion Orchard, Surrey Hills Grocer’s newest location is a vibrant and elegant brunch spot that serves up the heartiest of classic Aussie brunch favourites.
Besides the brunch options, Surrey Hills Grocer also doubles as a retailer where you can snag many quality goods imported from Down Under. This includes the healthy Jiva Kombucha that’s made in Sydney and Ajitas Vege Chips.
Price range: $$$
Crowd favourites: Brunch is not just a meal in Australia, it’s a religion. Hence it makes sense to dig into some quintessential brunch items, including the popular cereals-crusted French toast (S$24) and bbq pulled-pork benny (S$29), when you pop by Ion Orchard for a weekend brunch sesh.
7. Sunday Folks
Ion Orchard, 04-11, 2 Orchard Turn
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)
Why visit? Sunday Folks is a brand more recognisable among regulars of Holland Village, but the elegantly decorated dessert spot is worth considering if you’re looking for a sweet fix in Ion Orchard.
Besides its range of pretty parfaits and ice cream cakes, the cafe also carries a collection of artisan goods by local crafts brand Bynd Artisan — in case you want to indulge in some retail therapy after dessert.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The prices can be a bit steep but if you’re a fan of immaculately plated desserts, signatures such as the earl grey butterscotch ice cream parfait (S$18) would satisfy both you and your camera.
8. Equate Coffee
Orchard Central, 01-17A, 181 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 10pm)
Why visit? Good food, good drinks, good vibes — that’s the formula that makes Equate Coffee at Orchard Central a perennially crowded spot for many cafe-hoppers.
While it has made a name for itself as a daytime haunt serving up robust cuppas and Insta-worthy brunch fare, Equate has recently launched a nighttime service with a new dinner menu and a slew of boozy drinks.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: The sandos are a hot favourite at Equate Coffee’s Orchard outlet, in particular the Korean-inspired buttermilk kimchi chicken (S$15.80) and spam truffle egg mayo (S$13.80), which has won many hearts.
If you’re there after dark, you might want to dig into some of the new dinner items exclusive to the Orchard outlet, such as the cold laksa capellini (S$19.80) that’s enriched with rich laksa spice and coconut milk.
9. Small Tables
Pacific Plaza, 01-09/10/11/12, 9 Scotts Road
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (11am to 10pm)
Why visit? Self-described as a “sidewalk cafe”, Small Tables is an interesting concept that brings the authentic flavours of Ipoh food to Orchard, served in a more exquisite setting.
Located at Pacific Plaza, Small Tables treats you to elevated versions of familiar favourites such as Ipoh curry mee. The dishes are given modern tweaks by celebrity chef Sandra Sim, who runs the popular home-dining experience, Lady Boss Dining Club.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Ipoh is known for being a foodie paradise, in particular its hearty street food. Small Tables manages to retain the cuisine’s homely richness, even after adding its deft gourmet touches. This is most evident in dishes such as the velvety smooth Ipoh chee cheong fun (from S$8) and comfortingly sapid signature Ipoh curry mee (S$18).
10. Tonkichi
Shaw House, Level 4, 350 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Thursday (11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9.30pm), Friday and Saturday (11am to 10pm), Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)
Ngee Ann City, 04-24, 391 Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Thursday (11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9.30pm), Friday and Saturday (11am to 10pm), Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)
Why visit? If you talk to any Japanese food lover about the best tonkatsu in Singapore, you’ll most likely receive Tonkichi as one of the top recommendations. There’s little wonder why — it’s one of Orchard’s most established food brands, having been in operation for three decades since it opened in 1993.
Tonkichi is known for its carefully fried pork cutlets that’s prepared with traditional Japanese methods, creating an airy crunch you’ll struggle to find at other places. Best of all, you can find it at two convenient locations in Orchard!
Price range: $$$
Crowd favourites: It’s no surprise that you should order Tonkichi’s signature pork katsu. However, you can differ based on your preference of meat texture — the rosu katsu set (S$23), for instance, uses a fattier pork loin, while the hire katsu set (S$23), uses a leaner pork fillet.
11. Tarte by Cheryl Koh
Shaw Centre, 02-05/06/07, 1 Scotts Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9pm)
Why visit? A meal at three-Michelin-starred Les Amis, one of Orchard’s most prestigious restaurants, isn’t cheap. However, dessert lovers are in luck — Les Amis has a spin-off that allows you to have a taste of its Michelin-quality pastries, at more affordable prices.
Run by Cheryl Koh, Les Amis’ long-time pastry chef, Tarte, which sells desserts in Orchard, prides itself on its freshly baked confectioneries that are made from scratch daily. Diners can expect premium ingredients, including specially sourced seasonal fruits from all over the world.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: Fruits are one of the main stars on Tarte’s menu and you can find an array of gorgeously assembled tarts made from strawberry (from S$13.50), cherry (from S$13.50) and also seasonal mixed fruits (from S$13.50).
12. The Sushi Bar
Ngee Ann City, 05-34/35, 391B Orchard Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 9pm)
Far East Plaza, 04-28, 14 Scotts Road
Open: Monday to Thursday (11.30 am to 3.30 pm, 5pm to 9.45 pm), Friday to Sunday (11.30am to 9.45 pm)
Why visit? First opened in 2012, The Sushi Bar is a stalwart in the casual-Japanese food scene, beloved for its value-for-money offerings and fresh, quality seafood. Its name is also synonymous with sushi in Orchard.
What started off as a hidden gem in Far East Plaza serving affordable sushi and Japanese delicacies quickly grew into one of the most popular Orchard food options around. This led to it expanding to a more spacious flagship outlet at Ngee Ann City.
Price range: $$
Crowd favourites: It’s not really a Japanese feast without a heap of sashimi to indulge in, and at The Sushi Bar, you can have classics such as salmon sashimi (S$9.90) at decent prices. There’s also a variety of donburi available, ranging from hearty salmon dons (S$21.90) to the more lavish premium chirashi bowl (seasonal price).
13. La Savoir
Scotts Square, 02-01, 6 Scotts Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30 am to 10 pm)
Why visit? It’s usually a struggle trying to find a restaurant in Orchard to satiate French food cravings without breaking the bank. Or at least that was the case, before the recent opening of chic contemporary-French restaurant, La Savoir.
What’s more, La Savoir serves its customers with a suite of Hermes crockery for that extra bougie touch. The perfect spot for those looking for an elegant European setting in Orchard to pamper their dates — or just themselves.
Price range: $$$$
Crowd favourites: For those who are feeling fancy, La Savoir is known for its extravagant afternoon tea sets (S$67++ per person), and as mentioned above, all the bite-sized snacks are served on Hermes tableware. The tea set includes exquisite bakes and sweets, such as waffle caviar, truffle mushroom tart and Danish burrata, and you get to wash that down with coffee or tea blends from TWG Tea.
14. Armoury
Orchard Central, 11-03/04, 181 Orchard Road
Open: Sunday to Tuesday (11.30am to 10pm), Wednesday to Saturday (11.30am to 10.30pm)
Why visit? Armoury may be one of Orchard Central’s newest openings, but this is actually the brand’s second outlet, having been a long-time fixture at South Beach Quarter.
Well-loved for its range of indulgent craft beers, burgers and, most of all, succulent steaks, Armoury allows you to tuck into satisfying and juicy meats at more affordable prices than Orchard’s usual swanky steakhouses.
Price range: $$$
Crowd favourites: Meat is of course the focus of Armoury’s menu, and it offers some pretty good-value options such as the grain-fed ribeye (S$24.90 for 200g), which comes with fries and salad, and the Armoury wagyu beef burger (S$28), which comes with a thick slab of beef patty that’s drenched in melted cheese.
15. Halcyon & Crane
Paragon Shopping Centre, 03-09, 290 Orchard Road
Open: Sunday to Thursday (9am to 8.30pm), Friday and Saturday (9am to 10pm)
Why visit? Ever wanted to enjoy your favourite brunch items with a touch of Asian influence? Located at Paragon, Halcyon & Crane is a sibling concept of Asian-fusion restaurant Birds of a Feather and a perfect spot for breakfast in Orchard.
It’s the perfect brunch spot for anyone in Orchard who’s looking for a place that spices things up with Sichuan flavours. Think: Dan dan noodles but with a pasta twist, served with spaghettini, and smoked duck breast and burrata served with rice, among other quirky food combos.
Price range: $$$
Crowd favourites: The spicy and sour prawn linguine (S$26) is a fascinating dish, delivering a fusion of spice and tangy zest. It comes with fresh king prawns and a sprinkling of tobiko for an added crunch. That said, the undisputed crowd favourite here has to be the more conventional cereal-crusted crispy French toast (S$17), which can be seen all over social media.
For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on where to find the food gems in Jurong East and Ang Mo Kio.
All restaurants mentioned in this article, except for Bacha Coffee, Blue Label Pizza, La Savoir, Halcyon & Crane, and Cafe Found, are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.
They can also be found on GrabFood Dine-in.
You can also book a ride to the Orchard food places mentioned in the article.
Evan Mua
Author
Evan started off writing about food on Instagram, before joining outlets such as Buro and Confirm Good to pursue his passion. His best work usually comes after his first whisky shot in the morning.
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