New Bahru is set to become the next exciting hotspot for young people in Singapore, offering a dynamic mix of lifestyle experiences that cater to a variety of interests. Located at the former Nan Chiau High School, New Bahru reimagines this historic site into a vibrant creative hub, making it a perfect destination for those looking for something fresh, engaging, and community-driven.
The development features a range of trendy restaurants, cafes, and coffee spots that are sure to draw in food enthusiasts.
Fashion-forward youngsters will be delighted by stores like Beyond The Vines Design House, which provides a customisation service and special product lines, and MAKE by GINLEE, which focuses on sustainability and on-demand fashion products.
New Bahru brings a modern twist to shopping, with many stores blending retail and experiential elements, such as Soilboy, where visitors can explore curated plants and engage in hands-on workshops.
For those into fitness and wellness, New Bahru offers a range of options, including Off Duty Pilates, which introduces new reformer classes, and Mobilus, a 24-hour fitness outlet that promotes functional fitness classes for all ages. Hideaway, a new wellness concept, features treatments focused on healing and recovery, including private saunas and cold plunge pools, making it the perfect spot for relaxation after a long day.
With its blend of food, fashion, fitness, and creative outlets, New Bahru is poised to become a go-to spot for young Singaporeans looking to explore the best of local talent and innovation. That said, here are 10 of my favourite eateries in New Bahru.
1. Dearborn (#03-04)
My experience with Dearborn goes way back to 2019 when I have known Christopher, owner of Dearborn, for his home-based fine dining. Home-based Dearborn has since, evolved and refined into a breakfast club in New Bahru. Chris took his fine dining background from Waku Ghin and developed this intricate breakfast spot in New Bahru.
Dearborn with its pastel-themed interior and bustling crowd on a weekday at 2 pm is a sure sign that the food and drinks are great. Starting with the “simple” Potato and Egg (S$15) blew our socks off. Thinking this was just a simple dish was a mistake. The dish was sophisticated yet put together with a potato foam in between the mash, chunks of potatoes and a soft-boiled egg. It was light and airy yet creamy with savoury and smoky notes.
To go with this, I recommend getting the Smoked Cheddar & Chilli Sourdough (S$7) similar to how a kaya toast and soft-boiled egg breakfast would be. If you’re a PBJ (S$7) (peanut butter jelly) lover, you will also be blown away by their homemade crunchy peanut butter that balances with the slightly tart jelly on top of a homemade muffin.
Overall, no doubt Dearborn is my favourite breakfast spot in Singapore. It’s a shame they only open till 3pm daily.
Wed to Mon: 9am – 3pm
Closed on Tues
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2. Atipco (#01-15)
Atipico, which also stands for A-typical in Italian, seeks to be different from the other cafes. Pastries and bakes are their specialty so it would be a waste not to try their homemade Sourdough Artisan Bread (S$8). Yuzu butter and olive oil complemented hot and fluffy sourdough bread.
Having an Italian chef-owner helming the restaurant, how we miss out on their Pumpkin Ravioli (S$34). Overall, the dish was light yet encapsulated the sweetness of the pumpkin in every bite with the nutty yet savoury parmesan cheese.
My favourite has to be their Ricotta Tartine (S18). It is an open-top sandwich with house-made sourdough as a base and topped with ricotta cheese, melon and loads of tomatoes. I loved the burst of sweetness and tartness of the tomatoes mixed with the crunchy and sweet melons, held together with the creamy ricotta cheese.
What blew me away about Atipico was the fact that every dish seemed so simple but tasted so complex in its own way. Being a meat lover myself, I was surprised that the dishes at Atipico that I loved did not have any protein but yet did not make me crave any.
Sun to Thu: 9am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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3. The Coconut Club
The Coconut Club makes our daily local favourites elevated and even better. Starting off with the Singaporean Seafood Laksa (S$26). This iconic noodle soup is prepared with a spicy coconut broth, made using their signature “White Sutera” coconut milk. The broth is infused with house-made laksa paste, delivering a creamy, fragrant base for the dish. It is generously topped with fresh seafood, including clams, tiger prawns, and homemade otah, a type of fish cake.
The result is a harmonious blend of spices and seafood, offering a comforting and vibrant experience of traditional Singaporean flavours. Perfectly balancing spice and creaminess, it embodies the essence of laksa. For those who like it spicier, do ask the friendly waiters for more of their signature sambal to spice things up!
My favourite has to be their Signature Ayam Goreng Berempah (S$21) which features a spiced fried bone-in chicken leg, crispy rempah crumbs. The chicken leg was juicy and tender with a crispy crust on the outside that is addictively spiced.
Not to mention the one that changed my mind about desserts, the Kueh Salat (S$9). A single slice of warm traditional rice and kaya custard kueh with a scoop of salted gula melaka ice cream on the side. I absolutely loved the contrast between the temperature between the warm kueh and ice-cold ice cream. Not just that, the slightly salty and savoury ice cream matched perfectly with the sweeter kaya custard. A match made in heaven.
Mon & Tue, Thu & Fri : 11 am – 3.30 pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Wed, Sat & Sun
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4. Huevos
There must be a reason why Singaporeans would queue for hours on end just to get a table at any of their Huevos outlets. The reasons are simple – affordable yet authentic and delicious.
We visited their newest New Bahru outlet and as expected queues are long but telltale signs of a no-frills Mexican restaurant that does it right. One such example is their popular Baja Fish Taco (S$14 for 2). For S$14 for 2, this is one of the more affordable fish tacos in this listicle. The breaded fish came in a generously large portion topped with a mango salsa which is tangy and pairs well with the crispy fish.
What sets the New Bahru outlet apart is that they also serve Tacos De Camaron (S$18 for 2) which is a tiger prawn taco with mint and pineapple salsa. While I wasn’t expecting much as I have never had a prawn taco before, this one blew my mind with the large prawn and the sweetness and juiciness of the prawns.
This might just become my favourite taco at Huevos. Another outlet-special is their charred octopus – Pulpo Asado (S$38) which has an interesting tender texture unlike other octopus elsewhere.
Tue to Sun: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 10pm
Closed on Mon
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5. Odem
Odem’s interior is as trendy as its fusion menu. With minimalist décor, sleek wooden furnishings, and warm lighting, the restaurant strikes the perfect balance between modern sophistication and casual comfort. The open dining area offers a relaxed yet stylish setting, ideal for both small groups and larger gatherings. A spacious bar area features an extensive drink menu, with signature cocktails that incorporate Korean ingredients like soju, yuzu, and makgeolli.
The fusion menu starts off with a Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter (S$20). The soft, slightly sweet brioche is paired with a savoury soy glaze, which adds depth and umami to the dish. The gamtae seaweed butter brings a touch of oceanic saltiness, balancing the richness of the butter. Together, these flavours create a mix of sweet, salty, and umami, with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture from the brioche.
The next is a Duck Guksu (S$35) – buckwheat noodles serve as the base, offering a nutty and earthy flavour, while the barbecued duck adds smokiness and richness.
The last is a Kalbi Sando (S$30) which is a fusion of Korean and Western flavours. The beef short-rib patty (kalbi) is juicy and packed with a savoury-sweet marinade typical of Korean BBQ. The perilla pickles add a herbal, slightly minty tang. The aged cheddar gives a sharp, creamy contrast to the sweetness of the kalbi, while the aioli and house-made sando sauce bring additional layers of richness and umami.
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 12 am
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 2pm & 5pm – 12 am
Closed on Mon
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6. PPP Coffee
Specialising mainly in an elevated coffee experience, PPP Coffee‘s outlet here in New Bahru also serves delicious food. They are starting off with a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean – Hummus with Fried Mantou (S$10). Deep-fried fluffy Mantou complemented creamy and nutty hummus.
They also have other innovative fusion dishes like Peking Duck Pizza (S$32).
My favourite however would be the Banana Rum Baba (S$18). The baba cake itself is light and fluffy and was soaked in rum for that kick of woody flavour. The bananas are caramelised which gives them a smokey flavour. Mixed with whipped cream and coffee ice cream, the overall experience was light yet moist and flavourful with a tropical twist.
Mon: 7.30am – 5pm
Tue to Fri: 7.30 am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 10pm
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7. Artichoke (#01-02)
Helmed by chef-owner Bjorn Shen whom you have probably also seen on Netflix, Artichoke aims to serve up New school Middle Eastern food. Middle Eastern food is hard to find in Singapore let alone authentic ones that shine.
If you do not know much about Middle Eastern food, then get the Feed Me (S$70/pax) menu. It features 5 Mezzes, 2 salads with 2 protein and rice as well as a dessert. While it doesn’t sound like much, this omakase-style menu is surely going to make you stuffed. This time around, for mezzes, we had dishes like hummus with mushroom and cheese and, of course, artichoke. These were all to be eaten with bread in the traditional Mediterranean style.
For protein, my favourite was the fried chicken. Paper thin crust on the outside and bursting with juices on the inside.
Tue to Sun: 11am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Mon
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8. One Prawn & Co (#01-10) – Opening soon
One Prawn & Co, founded by chef Gwyneth Ang, redefines Singapore’s beloved prawn noodles. Ang’s passion for the dish, inspired by her love of Penang-style prawn mee, led her to create a richer, umami-filled broth simmered for over 20 hours.
Her meticulous approach and use of high-quality ingredients helped her establishment rise to cult status. Now expanding into New Bahru, One Prawn & Co will evolve into a seafood-centric restaurant, incorporating wood-fired grilling and featuring prawn ramen for lunch while retaining Ang’s fine-dining influences.
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9. Clos (#01-18)
Clos is a deli & wine house in New Bahru that offers an inviting experience for wine lovers. With a selection of over 800 wines, including rare grower Champagnes and fine wines, it appeals to both casual drinkers and collectors.
The venue features a cosy restaurant, an alfresco terrasse, and a speciality deli that sells artisanal delicacies, charcuterie, and homemade gelato. Diners can indulge in French comfort food like Macka’s M4 + OP Rib Black Angus & Bordelaise Sauce (S$17 per 100g) and Grilled Tuna Collar (S$14), cooked in a Josper oven for rich, smoky flavours.
Clos blends a relaxed atmosphere with a serious passion for quality wine and food. The deli offers cheese, charcuterie, and ice creams, while a curated selection of wine glasses and pantry essentials elevates the dining experience. The venue is designed for casual drop-ins, intimate meals, or larger events, and is equipped with a pétanque pitch for added enjoyment.
Founded by wine expert Jean-Christophe Cadoret, Clos emphasises wines from small, family-owned vineyards that prioritise craftsmanship and sustainability, reflecting a deep respect for terroir.
Wed to Mon: 12pm – 11.30pm
Closed on Tues
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10. One Fattened Calf (#01-11)
One Fattened Calf (OFC) is a popular burger joint known for its high-quality, grass-fed beef patties and freshly made potato buns. With a new location in New Bahru, Singapore, OFC combines an American diner aesthetic with a sleek, modern twist.
The restaurant is celebrated for its signature Butterburger (S$16.50), featuring cold slabs of butter atop a juicy beef patty, delivering a rich, indulgent flavour.
The menu includes a variety of burgers like the Goldburger (S$19.50) with brisket and a plant-based Impossible Burger. OFC provides a cosy, communal dining experience perfect for burger lovers.
Tue to Sun: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 8pm
Closed on Mon
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