Do you “live to eat” or “eat to live”? Singapore is a food heaven, where new up-and-coming home-grown eateries and international F&B establishments join the dining scene regularly. Wondering where to visit to satisfy your sweet cravings or celebrate a special occasion? Calling fellow foodies, we have curated a list of 10 noteworthy, new and refreshed cafes & restaurants to help you explore new dining options.

In this list, there are 5 cafes serving Japanese-inspired quality sweets & savouries, and 5 Japanese restaurants offering classic Japanese and fusion cuisines to wow your tastebuds.

Read on and let us celebrate the love for food together!

Cafes

(1) Usagi Pan

Usagi Pan, Japanese bakery and cafe, recently moved Star Vista, Buona Vista, offering a wide range of baked goods, sweets, and savoury dishes. You might find the brand name familiar, their sister store, Cafe Usagi Tokyo, opened in Suntec City, back in April 2023. One of the Usagi brand signature items, Mochi Skin ice-cream, can also be enjoyed at Usagi Pan. Check out their savoury options such as pasta, fries, and breakfast sets.

Read our full review here.

Usagi Pan
Location: 1 Vista Exchange Green, #B1-43, Singapore 138617
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00am - 10:00pm (Last order 9:30pm)
Instagram

(2) Baristart Coffee

Baristart Coffee, a Hokkaido-based concept café, opened its third outlet at Wisma Atria within OCBC Wisma Atria branch, in addition to 2 outlets at Tras Street and Siloso Beach respectively. This new space offers their signature mainstays using exclusively full cream Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk. Chef recommendations include Hokkaido Tontoro, Hokkaido Zangi and best-selling Hokkaido Cream Puff.

Read our full review here.

Baristart (Wisma Atria outlet)
Location: OCBC Wisma Atria Branch, 435 Orchard Rd, #04-01, Wisma Atria, Singapore 238877
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 8pm
Instagram | Facebook | Website

(3) Flipper’s

Japanese souffle pancake specialist, Flipper’s recently unveiled a brand-new outlet at Westgate, offering outlet exclusives such as Japanese Curry and Chicken Katsu Pancakes.

Flipper’s is renowned for their “Kiseki” (Japanese for miracle) Pancakes, famed for their cloud-like texture. These pancakes are so fluffy that no knife is needed, proving Flipper’s dedication to ensuring each pancake is soft and airy.

Flipper’s (Westgate Mall)
Location: Westgate Mall, #01-42, 3 Gateway Dr, Singapore 608532
Facebook | Instagram

(4) Café REN

Cafe Ren is a cosy brunch cafe located in Farrer Park, serving Japanese-inspired brunch dishes and their signature open-faced lava cookies originally by KUKI (home-based bakery founded by the same owner). They recently reopened on 31 October 2023, unveiling new dishes on the menu.

Check out their signature Pistachio REN Lava Cookie ($11) served with Hokkaido Milk Ice Cream, celebrated for its incredibly soft cookie base oozing with chocolate goodness. Other menu highlights include their unique Chinese 5-spice REN Karaage and REN White Curry featuring a beautiful seafood medley.

Read our full review here.

CAFE REN
Location: 681 Race Course Road, #01-305, Singapore 210681
Opening Hours: Tue to Thu, 11am - 5pm | Fri to Sun, 10am - 8pm
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(5) Kohaku Sabo

Kohaku Sabo (琥珀茶房)- amber teahouse in Japanese, is a new Japanese teahouse cafe in Chinatown Point. Derived from parent brand Tendon Kohaku, the new establishment offers a variety of Japanese fusion dishes such as Carbonara Udon, Ikura Salmon Cutlet with Avocado on Flavoured Rice, as well as matcha sweets such as Mochi Mochi Dango “Kyoto” Style. Portions are generous and its central location also makes it a fine spot for a meal gathering.

The rustic ambience featuring wooden rafters, paper window details, and backlit murals might just take you on a trip down your memory lane of Japan. A must-visit when you crave for some hearty tendon, traditional Japanese tea and desserts!

Kohaku Sabo
Location: 133 New Bridge Road, #02-34, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: 11.30am - 10.00pm daily
Instagram

Restaurants

(6) Katsu-An

Katsu-An is a tonkatsu specialty restaurant which opened its first international outpost in Singapore! Nestled in Suntec City, the cosy store serves pork and chicken katsu don from $5.90++. The brand prides itself in using quality ingredients such as premium juicy meat, crispy breadcrumbs and fresh eggs. They also use healthy 100% vegetable oil for frying, enhancing the meat’s taste while keeping it juicy. Enjoy their signature Tonkatsu Don in 3 sizes, (M: $5.90, L: $7.50, XL: $9.50).

Read our full review here.

Katsu-an
Location: Suntec City #B1-149A (Tower 2), 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun, 10am-10pm
Instagram

(7) Gyutan-Tan

Gyutan-Tan is the first beef tongue speciality restaurant in Singapore. they offer gyutan cloaked in aromatic char from Binchotan coals. Savour the chewy texture and deep beefy flavour of gyutan.

In addition to their flagship store along Tras Street, they recently opened the second outlet in Takashimaya, serving lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Order their wholesome set lunch meals such as Combo Gyutan $30++ and Japanese A3 Wagyu and Premium Gyutan $58++. During teatime, matcha aficionados can go for Matcha Fondue $20++, featuring melted white chocolate with matcha served with a selection of Japanese seasonal fruits and snacks.

View the full menu here.

Gyutan-Tan (Takashimaya)
Location: 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #B2-32 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore 238872
Opening Hours: [Daily] Lunch- 11:00am to 3:00pm (Last order 2:00pm), Afternoon Tea-3:00pm to 5:30pm (last order 4:30pm), Dinner- 530pm to 10:00pm (last order 9:15pm)
Website | Instagram

(8) Keisuke Plus

The 16th outlet of the Keisuke brand, Keisuke Plus at Funan Mall boasts an extensive range of sake and a diverse array of gyoza flavours. This new concept features a chic ambience and a sake bar offering exclusive sake bottles from Japan. The new space provides four seating options such as bar seats for solo diners, booth seats and lounge seats for big groups.

On the gyoza menu, you can indulge in the juicy Wagyu Gyoza ($11++/3pcs) and Foie Gras Gyoza ($12++/3pcs) paired with the Hinemos Hachiji Sake. Explore over 25 different seasonal sakes to enhance your gyoza experience.

Read our full review here.

Keisuke Plus
Location: Funan, 107 North Bridge Road #01-15, Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: Daily, [Lunch] 11.30am - to 2pm (L.O. 2pm), [Sake Only] 2pm to 5pm, [Dinner] 5.30pm - 10pm (L.O. 10pm)
Website | Instagram

(9) Tori Sanwa

Japanese oyakodon chain Tori Sanwa unveiled its third outlet at Bugis Junction, in rapid succession of its second outlet in Great World City which just opened in September 2023. Look forward to perfect combinations of chicken, egg and Japanese rice on the menu. Aburi Oyako Don ($14.90++) is a sweet and savoury oyakodon featuring Japanese rice, eggs cooked in dashi and onions, and chunks of chicken thigh.

Another star dish is the Chicken Teriyaki Hitsumabushi ($15.90++), think slightly charred and caramelised chicken coated in teriyaki sauce served over rice in a wooden bowl.

Tori Sanwa (Bugis Junction)
Location: 200 Victoria St, Bugis Junction, #B1-K21/22, Singapore 188024
Opening hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm daily
Instagram

(10) Sen-ryo

Located on the first floor of Suntec City Tower 5, Sen-Ryo’s second outlet opened its doors on 9 November 2023. Founded in Tochigi, Japan, Sen-Ryo is best known for exceptional and authentic Japanese creations as well as tuna specialities that are masterfully crafted by a team of shokunin (artisan chefs). Its menu brims with quality ingredients imported from Toyosu Fish Market and around the world, promising affordable luxury at its best.

At the new outlet, you can look forward to same sought-after signatures from ION Orchard outlet, along with new outlet-exclusive specials.

Sen-ryo (Suntec City outlet)
Location: 3 Temasek Blvd, #01-434 (Tower 5) Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11.00am - 3.00pm, 5.30pm - 10.00pm daily
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Enjoy reading our articles? Check out others below!

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Review: Keisuke Plus Gyoza O' Clock Featuring Unique Gyoza With Sake Pairing