Singapore – Joo Chiat and Katong are buzzing with new eateries, cafes and restaurants in the past few months, a gentrification which reminds me of Tiong Bahru many years ago. Here are the exciting new openings to suss out!

Carlitos
The newest addition to the buzzing Joo Chiat enclave is Carlitos, a neighbourhood Spanish tapas restaurant by chefs Carlos Montobbio of Esquina and Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega, and a collaboration between Ebb & Flow Group and Unlisted Collection. The name Carlitos means Little Carlos in Spanish, and the interior and vibes of the space seek to transport the vibrant streets of Barcelona to Singapore. There are over 30 types of tapas from different Spanish cities big and small make up the menu from the price of S$8, each crafted by Chef Carlos based on his favourite memories of tapas bars in Spain. For wine, there are over 30 exclusive labels starting from S$58. [Read more here…]
Address: 350 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427598 

Two Men Bagel House Joo Chiat
The popular bagel brand in Singapore needs no further introduction with the opening of its fourth outlet in the buzzing Joo Chiat Road. The Joo Chiat outlet is a proper dine-in concept in a canteen like style, with Joo Chiat exclusive items such as Bagelwiches (think Bagel & Sandwich) where the Firebird, a combination of hot fried chicken with brussels sprouts, seaweed and garlic is delicious. Coffee by popular Melbourne coffee roaster brand St. Ali is another highlight.
Address: 465 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427677

Province
You would not notice the newly opened Province restaurant along 153 Joo Chiat Road as it tucked within the same space as the equally new 808 Eating House.  It is a S$138++ seven-course prix-fixe menu for the contemporary Southeast Asian concept where the dishes are inspired by Chef Law Jia Jun’s travels to neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand, so you can expect ingredients used from these regions. The menu is refreshed seasonally every three months. [Read more here…]
Address: 153 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427431 

808 Eating House
A contemporary South-East Asian restaurant by new F&B group The Fillmore Collective amidst the Vietnamese restaurants in this part of buzzing Joo Chiat, the interior of 808 Eating House is casual and cosy with a seating capacity of 29 pax. Helming the kitchen is Singaporean Chef Eugene Chee, a CIA graduate who has honed his skills working at Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, as well as local names the likes of Cloudstreet, Cheek by Jowl and most recently, at Magic Square. The menu here is designed into small and large sharing plates with familiar South-East Asian flavours. For beverages, there are also local craft beers from Niang Brewery, and a handful of natural wines. [Read more here…]
Address: 153 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427431 

PS.Cafe Katong
Located in i12 Katong, this outlet has the very first pet-friendly outdoor dining terrace designed with Peranakan tiles to suit the Katong vibes. You still get a menu packed with classic PS. dishes and outlet-exclusive dishes such as the Seafood Mac & Cheese and Rendang Lamb Shank.
Address: 112 East Coast Road, #01-01/02/03, i12 Katong, Singapore 428802

Cheeky Bee Hoon 
A new addition to the buzzing East Coast Road & Katong district is Cheeky Bee Hoon, a casual restaurant which specialises in handmade Malaysian-inspired beehoon dishes. The menu is straightforward, with three main dishes and a selection of sides. Options include the Cheeky Bee Hoon Soup ($8.80), Cheeky Bee Hoon Dry ($8.80), and the Cheeky Bee Hoon With Braised Pork ($8.80). [Read more here…]
Address: 37 East Coast Road, Singapore 428755 

Joo Chiat Oyster House
This new concept is a one-stop place for oysters, cocktails, and food from the folks behind Kings Cart Coffee. The café space turns into a “red light district” come evening with highlights being the fresh plump oysters imported weekly from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Choose from Naked, Flavored, or Baked oysters along with a selection of Eastern-Western tapas such as Blur Like Sotong Fritters of fried calamari served with housemade lemon mayo sauce or Har Cheong Gai Chicken Loli. Big bites options include the likes of Portobello Aglio Olio. Drinks include cocktails with cheeky names like East Coast Plan, Aunty Rosalyn and the Solero, created as a rum-based drinkable version of the old school Solero lime-flavoured vanilla ice cream. [Read more here…]
Address: 328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-05, Singapore 427585

Forma 
Forma is a new Italian restaurant along Tembeling Road with a pasta-focused programme by The Cicheti Group, in collaboration with Singapore’s foremost pasta artisan Yumhwa Lee of Ben Fatto. With a pasta focused theme, the menu at Forma is concise and you can expect a series of starters, pastas, mains and desserts. The opening selection features seven traditional pasta dishes based on regionality and framed broadly from North to South of Italy, and to the Islands. [Read more here…]
Address: 128 Tembeling Road, Singapore 423638 

La Bottega Enoteca
Located along the buzzing Joo Chiat Road, the nondescript entrance looks like an abandoned shophouse but once the gate opens, it is a different culinary world inside. The man behind La Bottega is chef owner Antonio Miscellaneo, who is behind the crazily popular private dining Casa Nostra previously. One caveat is that every diner has to go for a Fixed Menu which has 5 courses. In addition, there is also an ala carte menu on top of the Fixed Menu should you wish to order more. The Neapolitan pizzas are delicious. [Read more here…]
Address: 346 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427596 

Kinnari Thai Cuisine
My go to Thai restaurant in the east. Kinnari Thai Cuisine is a casual family run Thai restaurant along Joo Chiat Road with an extensive menu and relatively wallet-friendly prices. Expect dishes like Steamed Sea Bass with Spicy Lemon Sauce, Green Curry Chicken and Claypot Vermicelli with Prawns. [Read more here…]
Address: 201 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427472 

Asador 
A Spanish restaurant which specialises in grilled dishes, the space of Asador is semi-casual and exudes a charming neighbourhood vibe. The menu is mainly split into starters, seafood, meat and dessert and it does evolve periodically. There are quite a couple of dishes under the meats section are designed for 3-4 persons, such as the dry aged beef. [Read more here…] 
Address: 51 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427775 

Teochew Traditional Seafood Steamboat
There is no need to argue or fret over which soup broth to pick, as there’s only the TTSR Special Soup Base to choose from at this old school steamboat restaurant in Joo Chiat. Taking more than 5 hours to prepare the soup base, the restaurant uses both shark bones and cartilage; yes, imagine the collagen rich soup! Some of their specialities include the Pork Dumpling and Fish Kuey Tiao. [Read more here…] 
Address: 176 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427447

Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant
This is one of the most popular Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore. Long Phung has been opened for over a decade, but still continues to draw a huge crowd. The setting of Long Phung is very casual, characterised by its yellow plastic chairs and full blown menu on the wall. With more than thirty dishes on the menu, options are varied and is more than just beef pho. Try the Banh Xeo 1 Cai (literally translated to one piece of cake), Cha Gio (spring roll), and Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio – a dry noodle dish with grilled pork and rice noodle. [Read more here…]
Address: 159 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427436

Khao Hom By Rung Mama 
A relatively new casual Thai restaurant which opened in Katong Square, the restaurant is run by a Thai team, and this is their second outlet after the first outlet opened in Ang Mo Kio few years ago. The menu is very extensive, and prices are generally very reasonable with most dishes below S$15. Go for dishes like Pandan Chicken, Thai Crispy & Fluffy Omelette, Red Tom Yum Seafood and Pineapple Fried Rice. [Read more here…]
Address: 88 East Coast Road, #01-05/06/07, Katong Square, Singapore 423371 

Merci Marcel
The seventh outlet of this multi-concept lifestyle brand is located in a shophouse of a Peranakan hotel, where the charming space feels like a big living room. In the day, expect breakfast items like croissant and scrambled eggs while dinner transforms to a full menu of steak tartare, fried camembert, barramundi fillet, and more.  
Address: 171 East Coast Road, Singapore 428877

Need more Joo Chiat and Katong inspirations? Here is our complete guide to cafes in Joo Chiat and Katong!

Ranted by The Ranter