20 restaurants in Telok Ayer for workday lunches & post-work gatherings

Located conveniently in the CBD, the Telok Ayer district is where you will find some of the best food and drink in Singapore. While it is mostly frequented by office workers, the area also houses cuisines from all over the world — restaurants in Telok Ayer range from American and European to Middle Eastern and Asian. There are also some notable fusion restaurants here. 

Diners also get to enjoy Telok Ayer’s offerings in a charming atmosphere, where most of its F&B establishments are located within historic shophouses along vibrant, bustling streets. 

Take a read of our collection of some of the best highlights of restaurants in the Telok Ayer area and you’ll see what we mean about the diversity of food choices available here.

1. Berlin65

30 Stanley Street
Open: Monday to Saturday (11.30am to 10.30pm)

Why visit? There are many European restaurants in Telok Ayer, but what makes Berlin65 stand out is how it brings the unique experience of multicultural city Berlin right into the heart of Telok Ayer.

Leave your expectations of having only German cuisine at the door. Instead, try Berlin-inspired Asian street food and Middle Eastern dishes that all come with Berlin65’s unique take on them. The music here, reflecting the city’s vibrant vibe, is spot on too.

Crowd favourites: The doner dishes, with meats roasted fresh off the spit, are the highlights: Get The 1972 Berlin Original (S$18), where beautifully seared chicken is enhanced with garlic yogurt, homemade tomato chilli sauce and fresh greens. There is also a rice or fries version with the Doner Teller (S$20), which comes with hummus and grilled zucchini.

For a Berlin signature, you can’t go wrong with the currywurst (S$22). The secret to each currywurst recipe is its sauce — a mix of tomatoes, curry spices and in Berlin65’s case, mayo, too — slathered over grilled pork sausages and served with crunchy fries.

2. Sichuan Alley

China Square Food Centre, 01-01, 51A Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Friday (10.30am to 10pm), Saturday & Sunday (10.30am to 9pm)

Capitol Singapore, B1-29/30, 13 Stamford Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Sichuan Alley is a weekday go-to restaurant in Telok Ayer because of its reliable Sichuan dishes. We hear Sichuan locals who have tried the restaurant have also given them their stamp of approval for its authentic flavours.

It differentiates itself from the many Sichuan restaurants across the island by offering a particular type of noodle from Mianyang, Sichuan — the thin and silky Mianyang rice noodles have a history dating back more than 1,800 years. The restaurant respects this heritage by working with local artisans in Sichuan to bring the noodles to Singapore.

Crowd favourites: The braised beef rice noodles (S$14.50) have a super smooth texture and a light chew, an ideal noodle type for a soup of intoxicating spices. 

The more unforgettable dish here, though, is the king prawns with vine pepper rice noodles (S$15.50). Vine pepper, a type of green peppercorn from Sichuan, has a strong fragrance, herbal flavour and numbing effect — all of which lend themselves well to this tangy and refreshing broth that needs few other ingredients. If you’re worried about spice, take heart, you can choose from different levels of spiciness.

3. Kazbar

Capital Square 3, 01-03, 25 Church Street
Open: Monday to Wednesday (12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 11pm), Thursday & Friday (12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 11.30pm), Saturday (6pm to 11.30pm)

Why visit? Helmed by a Lebanese chef, this restaurant in Telok Ayer aims to stay true to authentic Lebanese cuisine in a fun and inviting setting. It does so by using the freshest ingredients (with some flown in from Lebanon), making its dishes from scratch and cooking over a charcoal fire hand-built by the restaurant’s team.

The best way to eat at Kazbar is to go mezze style, where a variety of small plates is served and shared by a group.

Crowd favourites: The vegetarian mixed cold mezzeh (S$27) — with hummus, moutabel, mohammarah, babaganoush, tabouleh and pita bread — shines with its variety of homemade dips that use wholesome ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, pure herbs and fresh lemon. 

While the vegetarian options here are exciting and aplenty, meat lovers will hardly be disappointed. Featuring grass-fed lamb from New Zealand, the charcoal-grilled lamb chops (S$40.90) are tender, juicy and well-seasoned. Tip: Try them with Kazbar’s various house dips for a different flavour in each bite!

4. Daily Beer

212 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Thursday to Sunday (11.30am to 11pm), Friday, Saturday, Public Holiday & Eve of Public Holiday (11.30am to 12.30am)

Why visit? Opened in 2024, this is the first Singapore branch of Daily Beer outside of South Korea, where it has over 370 outlets that have a following in the millions.

We think the hype is down to the fried chicken and craft beer combi — afterall what could go wrong here? Daily Beer delivers with its super crispy chicken that is double-fried for crunch on the outside and tenderness inside. The uplifting K-ginseng lager also provides a perfect pairing to the fried chicken and cannot be missed.

Crowd favourites: Do a half and half, or ban-ban as the Koreans call it! If we were you, we’d go for Angry Bird — crunch (S$33.90 for 16 whole pieces, S$30.90 for boneless chicken, S$29.90 for wings), which is made extra crispy with corn flakes and garlic and has a sweet and spicy seasoning. 

For the other half, we’ll opt for Angry Bird — black (S$33.90 for 16 whole pieces, S$30.90 for boneless, S$29.90 for wings), which is tossed in a sweet garlic soy sauce offering a different mouthfeel with its stickiness. Tip: Choose boneless for ease of eating.

5. Shukuu Izakaya

8 Stanley Street
Open: Tuesday to Friday (11.30am to 2pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm), Monday, Saturday & Sunday (5.30pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Shukuu Izakaya has been around for a number of years, a restaurant in Telok Ayer fuelled by the passion of four Singaporeans who love all things Japanese. It’s typically filled with regulars from the CBD winding down after work; you’d be lucky to get a seat without a reservation on a weekday.

The izakaya experience here is quite true to that in Japan — there are warm, woody interiors, cosy lighting, lots of drinking and most importantly, delicious, quality nosh.

Crowd favourites: The must-order kani gratin (S$10) is bang for your buck, with the right amount of mentaiko that doesn’t overpower the crab. 

The pork jowl chashu (S$22) features slow-cooked Iberico pork slices cooked to perfection, resulting in a tender and lean finish. The addition of an onsen egg also imparts a wonderful creaminess to the dish.

6. Chico Loco

102 Amoy Street
Open: Monday to Wednesday (11.30am to 10.30pm), Thursday & Friday (11.30am to 11pm), Saturday (5pm to 11pm)

Why visit? Though Chico Loco prides itself as a Mexican rotisserie and bar, we have also discovered other dishes here that we enjoyed even more, including its solid tacos and sides: Each item on Chico Loco’s menu is lavishly concocted with fresh ingredients found in Mexican kitchens such as smoked chipotle, lime, pomegranate, tomatoes, onion, cilantro and jalapeno. Chico Loco also uses free-range, organic-fed and hormone-free chicken. 

Crowd favourites: The signature rotisserie chicken (from S$16 for a quarter chicken, with a side) is brined overnight and slow-cooked with Mexican spices to tenderise the meat, which oozes a smoky, spicy juiciness. For the sides, the quinoa salad adds a refreshing touch while the crispy butter fries are simply addictive.

When it comes to tacos, the baja fish (S$11) have our heart. It features crumbed barramundi, served on a tortilla made with fresh spinach and herbs, dressed liberally with chilli mango salsa, mint, cabbage, chipotle mayo and lime — it’s crispy, tangy, spicy and punchy, absolute heaven!

7. Meatsmith

167-169 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm till late)

Why visit? Meatsmith, part of the Burnt Ends Hospitality Group that “fanned the flames” of the wood-fire cooking trend in Singapore, can definitely flaunt its barbecuing chops.

This American-style smokehouse, with its custom-built wood-fire elevation grills and giant smokers, might take its fired-up dishes seriously, but the dining ambience is casual and lively. It’s the perfect place to kick back with an expertly done barbecued main, and a drink from its well-curated beverage menu.

Crowd favourites: Some have proclaimed the Meatsmith wagyu burger (S$29) the best cheeseburger in Singapore. We concur. It comes with housemade fluffy potato buns that absorb the creamy cheddar and all those lip-smacking juices from the barbecued wagyu, well. The double wagyu patties also retain their tantalising aroma from the grill for a long time.

Our next go-to is the beef brisket (S$25), one of the hardest meats to smoke. Having been slow-smoked for 14 hours to tenderness, the brisket has those deeply sweet and savoury charred ends that are the soul of barbecued meat. The sauce, rich and bold, brings the flavours to another level.

8. Tandoori Flame

5 Boon Tat Street, 01-01
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? We dare say this is one of the best North Indian restaurants in the CBD. Run by a chef from Kolkata, India, with more than 20 years of Indian cuisine experience around the world, Tandoori Flame has won over many international fans, as well as hungry office workers in the Telok Ayer neighbourhood. 

The food here is authentic, homely and generously portioned — so come prepared to share!

Crowd favourites: The butter chicken (S$16.90) is a no-brainer choice — the dish is creamy, tangy and has a hint of sweetness that goes well with Indian spices. The chicken tikka masala (S$16.90) is a lighter dish that nonetheless excels with a robust sauce, finished lightly with cream and garnished with ginger.

Meals here are incomplete without some naan to scoop up every bit of curry — we recommend the bread basket (S$16), which has a mix of butter naan, garlic naan, lachha paratha (whole wheat flatbread) and tandoori roti, all served fresh and warm.

9. Pagi Sore

88, 90 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday (11am to 3pm), Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Pagi Sore opened in 1989 and has a healthy stream of regulars who have been visiting for decades — a fact that is reason enough for us to check out this Indonesian restaurant owned by a native of the Riau Islands.

Pagi Sore takes pride in using spices such as candlenut, lime leaf, turmeric and cinnamon, that give Indonesian cuisine its distinctive taste, in its dishes. It also adds Chinese cooking techniques into the kitchen to up the intensity of flavours.

Crowd favourites: The signature ikan otah kukus (from S$28.90 for a regular portione) has been around since the restaurant started, and it’s not hard to see why. A thick slab of grilled leatherjacket fish is served in a heady gravy prepared from spices and coconut milk, which gives the dish a thrilling symphony of sweet, spicy and savoury notes.

Few can resist the tahu telor (S$12.50), where fried egg strands are artfully wrapped around a tower of soft tofu dressed with a peanut sauce. Crispy yet light, sweet and nutty, you’ll see this dish on almost every table in Pagi Sore.

10. Thachang 

171 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 10pm)

Why visit? Before Thachang SG moved to Telok Ayer, it was at the iconic Golden Mile Complex, well known for its Thai boat noodles. The owners, self-professed fanatics of Thai food, had learnt the ropes from someone they call “uncle” and were keen to bring Thai classics with a modern twist to Singaporeans.  

CBD folks can now enjoy the restaurant’s signature boat noodles, along with a staggering variety of Thai dishes that makes one spoilt for choice. Tthe various Thailand and Bangkok memorabilia on the walls of this quaint eatery also makes you feel like you’re dining in the bustling Thai capital itself. 

Crowd favourites: The special beef boat noodle (S$11.90) delivers an immediate punch with its hearty, sweet and herbaceous broth. There is also the beef hot pot boat noodle set (S$31.90), where generous portions of beef slices and balls, brisket and braised tendons make this a great dish to share. The noodles are served separately to prevent sogginess.

Another must-share dish is the Giant Mixed Yum (S$40.90) — served raw, this dish comes with a mix of fresh flower crab, salmon, cockles and prawns marinated in a zesty, piquant lime sauce. You can also order smaller portions of each seafood type.

11. Chicco Pasta Bar

208 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Thursday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10pm), Friday & Saturday ( (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Fresh pasta that is also affordable? Sign us up! We’ve personally experienced a few of such casual pasta bars overseas that offer affordable handmade pasta, and are happy to report that viral pasta bar Chicco Pasta Bar lives up to its hype. 

The pasta here, made daily, is firm to the bite, and every strand has that ever-so-slightly rough, imperfect texture for all the saucy goodness to cling onto it. What makes it even better is the outlet also has wallet-friendly lunch set menus that also include some of its signature pasta dishes — perfect for the pasta lover on a budget.

Crowd favourites: The mafaldine (S$24) is a definite crowd-pleaser. It’s a divine plate of fresh pasta, spanner crab and bisque, where sweet and briny flavours are made summery with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

When it comes to sides, we recommend the cauliflower (S$14) — its little ends are gorgeously roasted and the toothsome garlic chilli sauce takes the vegetable from supporting cast to main star.

12. Tambi

47 Amoy Street
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (6pm to 11pm)

Why visit? The brainchild of two Michelin-starred chefs, Tambi is an Korean-Indian restaurant that is shaking fusion cuisine up in Telok Ayer — and some say Singapore and beyond — with bold reinventions and a super cool vibe. 

Nothing is intimidating here, despite the chefs’ more famous, “atas” outfits elsewhere — what they have chosen to reimagine at Tambi is simply beloved street food, which also means a sense of familiarity for us diners. At the same time, the chefs’ creative approach to the dishes here continue to leave us on the edge of our seats. 

Crowd favourites: The menu goes through updates but a mainstay so far is Tambi’s bibimmyeon (S$26), and there is a good reason why. In Singapore’s mercury-rising climate, Tambi does us all a great service with this delicious plate of chilled buckwheat noodle dish in a tangy, spiced sauce of Indian and Korean influences.

Roti travelled from India to Southeast Asia. Today, one of its variants is known as roti prata to Singaporeans and roti canai to Malaysians. The bulgogi roti (S$58) pairs that crispy controversy with tender Australian wagyu marinated in traditional Korean spices, plus a runny egg, to produce a visually-stunning, textural and scrumptious delight. It’s globalisation at its best.

13. Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant

Keck Seng Tower, B1-01, 133 Cecil Street
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30 am to 2.30 pm, 5.30pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Said to be Singapore’s oldest Peranakan restaurant, Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant origin goes all the way back to 1953 when a Chinese immigrant started an eatery on Joo Chiat Road and named it after his sons: Ah Guan, Ah Hoe and Ah Soon. 

Today, the Guan Hoe Soon Group has various food businesses in Singapore, including Straits Chinese Nonya Restaurant at Telok Ayer. It continues to use recipes passed down the generations to preserve the original taste of authentic Peranakan cuisine.

Crowd favourites: The ikan bawal assam nanas pedas (S$43), featuring a whole golden pomfret, is worth every penny. The mild-tasting, delicately sweet and flaky fish pairs well with the tart and spicy stew. 

Full of complex flavours unique to Southeast Asia, the ayam buah keluak (from S$25 for a regular portion) is earthy, nutty and sweet all at once from the blend of tamarind and buah keluak nuts with classic Peranakan aromatics. 

For added umami, the restaurant adds pork and prawn in the recipe, but it also has a vegetarian version so no one is left out. Tip: Ask the service staff about how this dish is made for a fascinating culinary lesson!

14. Fourgather

Amoy Hotel, 01-02, 76 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Saturday (11.30am to 11.30pm)

Why visit? In their search for a head chef, the four friends who founded Fourgather ran a mini cooking competition in Bangkok. After that, they effortfully created the eclectic vibe of their restaurant, one quirky furnishing at a time. 

With all the effort put in, you could say everything at Fourgather is done with sincerity and a good dose of fun, right down to the Thai soul food that it dishes up. There are a few Thai dishes here that are rare in Singapore or even unheard of, which makes this spot worth a visit. 

Crowd favourites: We haven’t seen Thai watermelon salad (S$16.90) served elsewhere in Singapore, although this is a popular dish in Thailand. The version here, worth an Instagram post, comprises a little mountain of watermelon cubes drenched in a sweet and salty sauce and topped with crunchy dried fish. The refreshing taste makes this a perfect starter.

The roasted rice pork (S$18.90) is a clever reinvention of the classic Thai street food — Fourgather coats the marinated meat with roasted rice and chilli powder for added crisp and kick, and serves the dish with raw cabbage leaves to balance out the oiliness from the deep-frying.

15. Dumpling Darlings

44 Amoy Street
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Here’s your chance to go on an unusual dumpling adventure in Telok Ayer and be mind blown. There are some intriguing dumplings at Dumpling Darlings that, we bet you, like us, have never set your lips upon.

The noodles at this dumpling specialist are also worth a mention — made fresh daily from just three ingredients (flour, eggs and salt), these are some genuine noods that aim to impress.

Crowd favourites: Say no to overly doughy dumplings! Here, the light, crisp, silken skin of the dumplings allows the insides to shine, so each piece is a guaranteed flavour bomb. The smoked duck (S$8) is such a great idea we wonder why such a dumpling is rarely executed in Singapore.

The dessert dumpling (S$12) is another brilliant idea. Each golden, pan-fried pouch contains warm poached pear embraced by a smooth medley of amaretto, cream cheese and vanilla. Served with Tasmanian honey ice cream, this invention is warm and cold, creamy and crackly – a paradise of a dish.

16. Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen

80-82 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Friday (11am to 12am), Saturday (4pm to 12am)

Why visit? Yong tau foo stall by day, vibey bar by night, Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen is a bit of an #IYKYK spot for CBD dwellers for a quick, affordable and fuss-free lunch. 

The process at lunch is simple: Head in and take your pick of yong tau foo ingredients, pay, receive your buzzer and wait for your food. The queues might be long, but it moves swiftly. 

By night, the bar nosh it serves up is inventive, substantial and more than delectable to the tastebuds.

Crowd favourites: If you go in the day, be sure to try its dry yong tau foo (from S$7.50 for six pieces of yong tau foo, with meat gravy) with its rice noodles (additional S$1) that come drenched in an addictive minced chicken and mushroom gravy.

Others have also praised the authentic Sichuan flavours in the bar’s mala series, which includes the Malaysian-inspired lok lok mala pot (S$16). Have fun dipping skewers of mini sausages, vegetables, fish cake and other bites in a mala broth with all its peppery goodness. The mala mid-wings (S$13) are worth a try too.

17. Alati Divine Greek Cuisine

73 Amoy Street
Open: Monday to Saturday (12pm to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 11pm)

Why visit? Alati Divine Greek Cuisine works directly with fishermen to bring in the freshest wild-caught produce from the Aegean Sea, including Greek sea bass, sea bream, porgy and shi drum.

Choose to have your fish grilled or, for a more theatrical experience, salt-baked. In the latter, the crusty helmet of salt allows the fish to retain its moisture, so you get to enjoy the full sweetness of the fish.

Crowd favourites: The spanakopita salad (S$26) captures the flavours and ingredients of the traditional Greek pie spanakopita, with its similar use of spinach and feta cheese but in a lighter form with slivers of sesame crispy phyllo.

Greek porgy or fagri (S$14 per 100 grams), with its snapper-like texture, is both a delicious and sustainable fish choice since it is an abundant species in the ocean. Neither too lean nor too oily, this fish is a crowd-pleaser with its delicate flavour. Restaurant staff will help to debone the fish — you can just kick back and relax.

18. Shinrai

173 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Thursday (12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10.30pm), Friday & Saturday (12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 11.45pm)

Why visit? Started by the chef of omakase restaurant Sushi Yujo, Shinrai continues Desmond Fong’s passion for Japanese cuisine. His latest project takes the form of a casual sushi-izakaya experience in an energetic and playful space with retropop vibes.

There is a great selection of dishes here, from the chef’s specially concocted creations and carpaccio to classic Japanese fare such as sushi, sashimi and charcoal grilled skewers.

Crowd favourites: One of the specialties here, Shinrai royal maki ($23.80), layers torched salmon, deep-fried tiger prawn and chicken floss into a roll that harmoniously blends Japanese and Singapore influences.

The seafood chawanmushi with truffle caviar (S$9.80) comprises a smooth egg custard filled with delicate ocean goodness and topped with earthy truffle caviar, making for an extra luxurious treat in any meal.

19. Santi’s Pizza & Produce

138 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Friday (11am to 10pm), Saturday (12pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Santi’s Pizza & Produce is a sibling of the celebrated Telok Ayer cafe Sarnies. You can expect the same philosophy of using fresh, quality ingredients at Santi’s, too, applied to some really well-made handcrafted pizzas and pasta. 

The pizzas are made from sourdough, while the pasta uses local, cage-free and hormone-free eggs. The use of oven-flame cooking further allows Santi’s to perfect the char in its pizzas and grilled mains.

Crowd favourites: The avocado & coppa (S$32) pizza is an unusual offering that ultimately gratifies with a lovely heartiness and mouthfeel. Savoury slices of roasted coppa (thin cuts of pork shoulder) are placed on creamy avocado, topped with generous pecorino romano shavings, almonds and basil and finally drizzled with roasted garlic oil.

In the vodka sugo & Italian sausage (S$24) pasta, the alcohol helps to emulsify the tomato sauce, making it an incredibly smooth, luscious and aromatic coating for the al dente pappardelle strands.

20. Um Yong Baek

80-82 Telok Ayer Street
Open: Monday to Saturday (11am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 10pm)

27 Boon Tat Street
Open: Monday to Saturday (11am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 10pm)

Why visit? There are different highlights during the day and by night at this popular Korean restaurant: Daejigukbap (pork and rice soup) is served for lunch and barbecue for dinner, so there is good reason to visit it more than once. 

Good news, too, for those who might not have gotten a chance to dine there to date — the brand has opened a new outlet in early 2024, within walking distance, increasing the chances of getting your hands on its limited-quantity pork and rice soup bowls. 

Fanfare aside, the rustic brutalist setting of Um Yong Baek is reminiscent of the barebones, industrial aesthetic popular among Seoul cafes nowadays, making you feel like you’re dining right in the Korean capital itself. 

Crowd favourites: For lunch, between the Busan style daejigukbap (S$21) and Milyang style daejigukbap (S$21), we prefer the former, which has a clear and light broth that is more apt in Singapore’s relentless heat. Made by simmering cleaned pork bones and meat, the broth is then seasoned with Korean spices without additives. This homely soup feels like a comforting embrace while the meat and innards are savoury and fork-tender.

For the barbecue dinner, get the ohgyeopsal (S$27) — a five-layered thick and juicy pork belly that has been aged for a soft and sweet texture.

For more reads, check out this newly revived Taiwanese eatery and our list of newest openings!

All restaurants, except Tandoori Flame, Tambi, Um Yong Baek and Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen, are on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off with GrabUnlimited). 

Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.

You can also book a ride to these restaurants in Telok Ayer.