5 first date restaurants in Singapore for your CMB date
Those who use Coffee Meets Bagel (or CMB) — the dating app of choice for many looking for serious relationships — are probably familiar with the conundrum of having to find suitable first date restaurants.
You see a potential match (and soulmate). You wait. You match. You talk. Now you’re going out, but the age-old question stands — “what do we eat?”.
Hold on, no need to freeze up, because HungryGoWhere has got you covered with these five ideal first date restaurants to take your Coffee Meets Bagel date.
5 restaurants for your Coffee Meets Bagel date
1. Chix Hot Chicken
1 Jalan Pisang, 01-01
Nearest MRT stations: Lavender, Bugis and Nicoll Highway
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 9pm)
What’s hotter than Singapore’s weather? Your date, of course.
So take your date to Chix Hot Chicken, a Nashville hot-chicken joint opened by Singapore’s beloved Singapore idol Taufik Batisah. Chix Hot Chicken uses the world’s hottest peppers with its secret southern “dry rub” made with a dozen spices and herbs.
Here, you get to spice up your already-hot date — with Chix Hot Chicken’s five levels of heat ranging from mild to atomic, you’ll set the record straight on who has the better spice tolerance.
For sandwiches, get the Soul Slider (S$9.90) or The Melt (S$9.90), so you can continue sliding into each other’s soul and melting each other’s hearts.
As for meat, get the hot wings (S$20.90 for six) or chicken tenders (S$11.90) if you like your poultry boneless. End with the vanilla shake (S$9.90) or Melakan shake (S$10.90) to get some reprieve from the spiciness.
Are acts of service your thing? Helping your Coffee Meets Bagel date peel chicken and getting each other water here might make you a heartthrob and speak your date’s love language in no time.
Furthermore, Chix Hot Chicken is situated in Jalan Pisang, setting you up for more cafe hops and adventures around Kampong Glam’s hipster Haji Lane enclave after your meal.
What to order: Soul Slider (S$9.90), The Melt (S$9.90), hot wings (S$20.90 for six), chicken tenders (S$11.90), vanilla shake (S$9.90), Melakan shake (S$10.90)
2. Brass Lion Distillery
40 Alexandra Terrace
Nearest MRT stations: Pasir Panjang and Labrador Park
Open: Tuesday to Friday (5pm to 11.30pm), Saturday (2pm to 11.30pm), Sunday (1pm to 7pm)
Love drinking, but don’t want to go to a boring and crowded place — and both of you want to support local? We have just the date night place for you.
Enter Brass Lion Distillery, Singapore’s first full-fledged gin distillery opened by Jamie Koh, formerly from Chupitos Shots Bar and The Beast Southern Kitchen + Bourbon Bar.
Brass Lion Distillery has a tasting room offering light bites and an eclectic selection of gin and tonics as well as cocktails for your gin fix.
Drink to your heart’s content with its Brass Lion gin tree — comprising six gin and tonics, namely Singapore dry, butterfly pea, pahit pink, hibiscus pineapple, curry, and earl grey (S$88).
Individually, its gin and tonic varieties go for S$14 each during happy hour from 4pm to 8pm, or S$18 at other times.
Enjoy sides such as gin and tonic oysters (S$36), a cured meat and cheese board (S$24), kueh pie tee (S$16), and a prosciutto and fig pizza (S$22) — all of which go perfectly with, you guessed it, your trusty G&T.
Brass Lion Distillery also has a distillery tour on Saturdays from 3pm to 4pm, which includes a welcome cocktail and a tasting flight of three signature gins (S$45).
There’s even a gin school on weekends from 2pm to 5pm, which includes a welcome cocktail, a guided gin-making session and a bottle of your own gin creation (S$220).
What to order: Brass Lion gin tree (S$88), gin and tonic varieties (S$14 each during happy hour from 4pm to 8pm, or S$18 at other times), gin and tonic oysters (S$36), cured meat and cheese board (S$24), kueh pie tee (S$16), prosciutto and fig pizza (S$22)
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3. The Lowe’f Shack
Springleaf Nature Park
Nearest MRT station: Springleaf
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (8am to 6pm)
So you like taking walks and basking in nature? Head to The Lowe’f Shack. Located in Springleaf Nature Park, Lowe’f occupies a cosy little corner perfect for a food pit stop after your walk.
Given it’s in a park and at Springleaf, you and your date have no choice but to talk to each other and enjoy good food, and maybe banter about nature (or the birds and the bees, if that’s your thing. No, we don’t judge).
Ensure both of you have a good start to the day (and relationship, for some) with the Good Morning burger (S$8), eggtastic sando (S$6) and avocado toastie (S$13).
Or, if you’re here for lunch, then look to the triple grilled cheese (S$13.50) or portobello burger (S$14.50). Hydrate with the Sunrise Malibu, an iced latte with virgin coconut oil, jaggery — a sweetener — and orange essence (S$7) for your caffeine fix, or its cocoa-based drinks Cocoa No 1 (a bold and rich blend) or Cocoa No 2 (a lighter and smoother blend) — both S$6 each.
Food at the shack is sure to refresh you and spark your Lowe’f for each other.
What to order: Good Morning burger (S$8), eggtastic sando (S$6), avocado toastie (S$13), triple grilled cheese (S$13.50), portobello burger (S$14.50)
4. Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant
104 Jalan Jurong Kechil
Nearest MRT station: Beauty World
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 2.15pm, 5.30pm to 9.15pm)
Show off your domesticated side at Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant, a DIY okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancake) shop in Bukit Timah, where you can cook okonomiyaki for your date.
On top of a cosy and homely interior that’s replete with decor reminiscent of Japanese food places, Ajiya’s ingredients, instructions and tools make it a great first date restaurant that will set you up for gastronomic success.
Okonomiyaki (S$13 to S$17, or 10 per cent off if done yourself) is the only DIY item here. Ajiya’s skilled team has you covered when it comes to favourites such as soft shell crab (S$15), yakisoba (S$13) and homemade gyoza (S$7.50), so you have a surefire way to win each other’s heart — through your stomachs.
What to order: Okonomiyaki (S$13 to S$17, or 10 per cent off if DIY), soft shell crab (S$15), yakisoba (S$13), and homemade gyoza (S$7.50)
5. Little Island Brewing Company @ Changi
6 Changi Village Road, 01-01/02
Nearest MRT stations: Pasir Ris and Tampines East
Open: Monday to Thursday (12pm to 10.30pm), Friday (12pm to 12am), Saturday or eve of public holiday (11am to 12am), Sunday or public holiday (11am to 10.30pm)
Located in the far east at Changi Village, Little Island Brewing Company @ Changi is a 10,000 sqf, 400-seat microbrewery and smokehouse serving up prize-winning freshly and locally brewed craft beer and awesome food, all made using traditional methods.
Recommended by The New York Times, its Changi outlet exudes laidback village beachfront vibes — complete with a cosy and modern interior, a stellar line-up of bands providing live music and entertainment, on top of serving good food and drinks.
This is it, if you prefer chill, laidback yet upbeat vibes to unwind and catch up with each other for your date night.
Choose from its extensive beer selection (S$9 to S$12 for 350ml). With more than 30 taps, there’s a beer for everyone (vegans and non-alcoholics, too).
Get some pizzas to share, such as Pineapple The Sailor Ham with herbed tomato sauce, mozzarella, smoked Virginia ham and pineapple (S$23), or Don’t Go Bacon My Heart with herbed tomato sauce, mozzarella, caramelised onion, apple and roast pork belly (S$23). Talk about cheeky naming!
Follow that up with Little Island Brewing Company’s signature mains — crispy pork belly (S$19) and 15-hour smoked wagyu beef brisket (S$24). Finish up with more beer and merrymaking, but drink responsibly to show your date how reliable you are.
On top of an all-day and dinner menu, Little Island Brewing Company @ Changi also serves up weekday lunch, weekend brunch and Sunday roast menus, so plan your CMB date beforehand if you and your partner have plans to try anything in particular.
What to order: Various craft beers (S$9 to S$12 for 350ml), Pineapple The Sailor Ham pizza (S$23), Don’t Go Bacon My Heart pizza (S$23), crispy pork belly (S$19), 15-hour smoked wagyu beef brisket (S$24)
This article was written in partnership with Coffee Meets Bagel, the dating app for serious daters. You can download the Coffee Meets Bagel app here.
Chix Hot Chicken, The Lowe’f Shack and Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant are on the GrabFood delivery service.
You can also book a ride to the first date restaurants listed in this article.
Darren Tan
Author
Darren finds delight in the simple pleasures of life, which include his work, music and taking time to savour and document the diverse array of food around him.
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