8 New Restaurants & Cafes in Balestier and Novena To Check Out
From Michelin-rated Taiwanese beef noodles to Mister Donut, and an unagi specialty restaurant.
The Balestier area is widely known for its high-quality food options – from warm and peppery bak kut teh to traditional chicken rice and regional Chinese cuisine. And with the recent opening of Shaw Plaza, it’s added even more notable dining establishments to the neighbourhood.
Nearby, Novena has also welcomed a raft of new arrivals that are perfect for grabbing a bite at after ferrying the kids to enrichment classes or running errands at the district’s many shopping malls. Consider checking out the following places when you’re here.
Following the highly anticipated arrival of its first outlet in the city-state at Junction 8, famous Japanese donut chain Mister Donut has just opened a second outpost at Velocity @ Novena Square. At this dine-in location, customers can partake in a similar selection of baked goods to its Junction 8 counterpart – think chewy and bouncy rings coated in a myriad of colourful glazes – alongside an assortment of beverages.
Mister Donut is at 238 Thomson Road, #01-72/73, Singapore 307683.
Situated at VIIO @ Balestier, Niu Dian Beef Noodles – which hails from Taiwan and is known for its tasty and authentic Taiwanese beef noodles – has bagged multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand accolades. You can expect QQ noodles and a rich, multi-layered specialty broth that’s been brewed for over 24 hours with premium beef parts and various herbs. Pair your main dish with sides such as cold century egg tofu and braised beancurd.
Niu Dian Beef Noodles is at 520 Balestier Road, #01-01/02, Singapore 329853.
Mui Kee, which traces its origins to 1970s Hong Kong, is where you’ll find comforting Cantonese dishes. The restaurant’s signature item is their velvety and smooth porridge, which you can enjoy with your pick of protein – options include sliced fish, homemade pork meatballs and century egg and shredded meat. They also serve equally moreish noodles, claypot rice and old-school desserts including tau suan and grass jelly with longan.
Mui Kee is at 360 Balestier Road, #01-27, Singapore 329783, tel: 9819 3211.
Unagi lovers can make their way to Uya at Oasia Hotel in Novena. The restaurant, which also has an outlet at Wheelock Place, specialises in Kansai-style live eel cuisine, where the fish is slit open along its belly and dipped in sauce prior to grilling. Get the hitsumabushi dish, where the tender, beautifully cooked eel is cut into bite-sized morsels and served with rice, broth and different condiments. Its skewers, which are exclusive to the outlet, are worth ordering, too.
Uya is at 8 Sinaran Drive, #01-05, Singapore 307470, +65 9788 0071.
If you’re in the mood for Italian comfort food, Picolino has you covered. Part of the Les Amis Group, the casual Italian joint serves the classics with a creative twist. Start with deep-fried calamari before moving on to mains such as mixed meat pizza with bacon, salami and shredded mozzarella; burrata pizza with garlic parsley chimichurri and tomato pesto; and spinach ricotta tortellini with rose sauce and basil pesto. For dessert, try the tiramisu.
Picolino is at 360 Balestier Road, #01-21/22, Singapore 329783, tel: 9819 7518.
This brightly lit cafe is where you’ll encounter a mash-up of Korean and Japanese fare. Small bites include grilled onigiri, tamagoyaki and chicken karaage, while larger dishes range from the grilled salmon fillet with Himalayan sea salt that’s served with a bunch of sides and seasoned rice to the premium rice box (white rice with luncheon meat, salted squid, Korean fishcake and egg). Dessert options include hojicha pudding and matcha tiramisu.
Cafe Gui is at 103 Irrawaddy Road, #02-10, Singapore 329566.
Twobakeboys is beloved for its handcrafted mille crêpes, and the bakery has recently thrown open the doors of its new Shaw Plaza location. Their mille crêpes come in a variety of flavours. Those who want something fruity can sample the mango with coconut sauce or lychee rose with rose tea sauce, while other popular choices include vanilla strawberry, caramel Biscoff and Nutella. They also have freshly baked pastries.
Twobakeboys is at 360 Balestier Road, #03-09, Singapore 329783, tel: 9644 5646.
For a taste of Hong Kong in Singapore, make your way to Hong Kong Day Cha Kee at Goldhill Shopping Centre, which is helmed by a sibling duo from the Fragrant Harbour. Get a seat at one of the plush booths and order a feast of cha chaan teng favourites. Standouts include peanut butter French toast, bolo buns with assorted fillings and macaroni soup, best paired with silky Hong Kong-style milk tea.
Hong Kong Day Cha Kee is at 165 Thomson Road, Singapore 307618, tel: 9016 8866.