Raffles City has recently undergone a refresh of its F&B offerings with the opening of several new restaurants, including Mensho Tokyo, Casa Vostra, Wo Wo Dian, and more. One of the notable additions is MoVida, a beloved tapas restaurant from Melbourne that is widely credited with starting the tapas craze there. The Singapore outlet promises to deliver the same energy with a menu that mixes signature tapas with some exclusive local items.
Burrata 4.5/5
We started the meal with the Burrata ($18.80), served with asadillo salad and crispy pan coca. The burrata was exceptionally creamy and fresh, with the tangy salad and crispy bread providing the perfect contrast in texture and flavour. It’s an excellent way to kick off the meal.
Jamon Iberico 5/5
Another standout was the Jamon Iberico ($30), featuring Blázquez 100% Jamon Iberico de Bellota, aged 36 months, served with pan Catalan. The jamon itself was rich, savoury, and delicious on its own. But when paired with the fresh, garlicky pan con tomate, it created a beautifully balanced bite.
Abalon 3.5/5
An exclusive to the Singapore outlet, the Abalon ($16) featured slow-cooked abalone grilled over charcoal and topped with lardo and butter emulsion. Each bite of the abalone was tender and bouncy, with the rich, buttery emulsion bringing out the delicate flavours of the abalone.
Ancho 4.5/5
The Ancho ($8) was another delightful dish. A Cantabrian artisan anchovy was served on a thin, crispy crouton paired with smoked tomato sorbet. The contrast of sweet and savoury flavours with the coolness of the sorbet made for an unexpected and refreshing tapas experience.
Cangrejo 4.5/5
A personal favourite, the Cangrejo ($9) featured sweet de-shelled spanner crab on a warm crumpet, paired with a saffron emulsion and finger lime. The balance of flavours in this dish was spot-on, with the citrusy tang of the finger lime lifting the sweetness of the crab.
Bomba 4.2/5
The Bomba ($8) was a crispy Catalan potato bomb filled with chorizo and mojo picon with a Canary Island dressing. The golden-brown exterior gave way to a flavorful filling, and the bold flavours of the dressing made each bite an explosion of spice and umami.
Croqueta 4.2/5
Another Singapore exclusive, the Croqueta ($9), was filled with a creamy mixture of leek and lobster, encased in a crispy, light shell. The piquillo pepper added a slight sweetness that complemented the luxurious and indulgent filling.
Pincho 3.5/5
The Pincho ($20), featuring 150-day aged Angus beef skirt grilled over charcoal, was paired with a sweet onion and sherry sauce. While the flavour of the beef was robust, I found the texture to be a bit too tough for my liking.
Patatas Bravas 3.8/5
After hearing several recommendations, I had high expectations for the Patatas Bravas ($17). The potatoes themselves were perfectly crispy, but the accompanying Singapore-style chilli crab sauce, while an interesting local twist, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The garlicky flavour didn’t quite meld with the potatoes as well as I had hoped.
Cecina 4.8/5
The Cecina ($32) is a must-try dish featuring air-dried Wagyu beef served alongside truffle potato foam and a poached egg. The combination of melt-in-your-mouth beef and creamy potato was decadent, with the egg adding a richness that brought everything together beautifully.
Pancetta 4/5
The Pancetta ($34), featuring roasted crispy skin pork belly, was another popular item on the menu. The crackling skin was perfectly crisp, while the tender meat was balanced by the cumin mint carrots, which helped cut through the richness of the pork.
Arroz Con Leche 4.2/5
For dessert, we had the Arroz Con Leche, a Spanish-style rice pudding spiced with cinnamon and paired with roasted pineapple. The dish was topped with rose rice ice cream and a crispy rice cracker, creating a delightful mix of textures and flavours and providing a sweet, creamy finish to the meal.
Overall, MoVida offers a refined and exciting take on Spanish tapas, with a few interesting twists exclusive to Singapore. It’s a great addition to Raffles City’s evolving dining scene.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
MoVida
Raffles City
252 North Bridge Road
#03-43
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 83808509
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]