Singapore’s new restaurant openings in July 2020

When Singapore’s restaurants reopened in Phase 2, the city collectively heaved a sigh of relief.

This is not to say that the struggles for the food and beverage industry in Singapore vanished at the turn of our social distancing bans. But, it was a white flag that put us a step closer to normalcy. The fact that new restaurants in Singapore have, and will continue to open throughout this trying period is the hopeful cherry on top.

While dining in has been resumed with strict hygiene measures in place, not all the new restaurants in Singapore are opting to open physical destinations. Some have gone down the route of delivery-only, making this a purposeful shift in the way our food and beverage landscape builds itself up.

Investing in digital commerce is one, and purposefulness is another. Instead of trend-chasing concepts, all the new restaurants in Singapore the past month are as fresh as they are promising. Read on for the list.

Miss Vanda
As the sister restaurant of Michelin-starred Labyrinth, Miss Vanda (pictured above) aims to take mod-Singaporean cuisine to new, but approachable heights. Street food staples given gourmet touches under chef LG Han’s ever-inventive eye. Beef rendang is remade with wagyu and buah keluak, laksa upgraded with homemade fish paste and mussels, as well as har geong kai chicken wings marinated for 24-hours before meeting the deep fryer. Also available at Miss Vanda are favourites off the Labyrinth menu, including their otah made with locally-sourced fish. Delivery is available, and dine-in reservations are open.
Miss Vanda, #02-23 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802

Grammi
Beppe De Vito’s new concept, Grammi, is the acme of what it means to pivot during a pandemic. The entirely online restaurant and marketplace focuses on Italian-Mediterranean flavours, and is chock-full of goods to satisfy your every dining need. Gourmet pantry staples from Italy? Check. Ready-to-eat microwaveable meals for you and your family? Check. Bento boxes, salads and a dizzying delivery menu? Naturally. A one-stop wine and cocktail shop? Why not. Read our rundown of Grammi here.

Lucali
Lucali in Brooklyn is legendary. Run by Mark Iacono, the pizzeria skyrocketed to global fame when featured in David Chang’s Netflix series, Ugly Delicious, and has now made its way to Singapore. This concept, a collaboration between Iacono’s Lucali and Gibran Baydoun of BYGB Hospitality, is all about classic Italian-American dishes matchmade with boutique wines and humble hospitality. Though Lucali BYGB runs entirely on delivery for now, they plan to open their physical venue soon. Restaurant photos are teased on their Instagram feed as we speak.

Wildfire Chicken & Burgers
The Wildfire Chicken & Burgers brand makes a comeback with a brand-new game plan. Gourmet burgers and fried chicken remain its DNA, though the ingredients are evermore premium. Black Angus and wagyu patties stamped with USDA cred to sandwich their burgers, while the fried chicken is always fresh and never frozen. With the price point being affordable to boot, Wildfire Chicken & Burgers is set to be a new favourite burger joint in the city centre.
Wildfire Chicken & Burgers, #01-15 NAFA Campus 1, 80 Bencoolen Street, Singapore 189655

Gully
If exploring another country’s culinary culture is what you miss most about travelling, then Gully offers you a street food purview. The eatery, established with the helping hand of Greek restaurant Blu Kouzina, is an international street food marketplace, where eats like pav bhaji, Nepalese momos and Greek spinach pies are all fair game. To top off the sinful selection, Gully also has a Build Your Own Street Fries option, which is as calorific as it sounds on paper. Though a physical address exists for Gully, the restaurant seems primed to own its menu for delivery-only for now.
Gully, 10 Dempsey Road, #01-21, Singapore 247700

Ebisu Bowls
Founded by Adam Chen, actor and now-restauranteur, Ebisu Bowls is a choose-your-own poke bowl eatery with a Japanese slant. Fresh seafood takes the mainstage in all its bowls, prepared for every preference, whether deep-fried, grilled or raw. For snacks or lighter bites, the brand also has fusion maki rolls, starring ham and cheese, or prawn and mango.
Ebisu Bowls, #01-05 The Metropolis, 9 North Buona Vista Drive, Singapore 138588

Kotuwa
Chef Rishi Naleendra’s latest restaurant, Kotuwa, had to take a rain check on its opening date thanks to the Circuit Breaker. Now as reopenings are on the roll, Naleendra’s Sri Lankan homage is back on track and scheduled to make its debut at The Wanderlust Hotel. The date is yet to be announced, though stay tuned to their Instagram page for the green light. Until then, let our review of the menu tide you over.

This article was first published on Lifestyle Asia Singapore