Has Singapore’s F&B Scene Reached Its Aesthetic Peak? 

Bangkok and Seoul might dominate the scene when it comes to cafe culture and restaurant aesthetics, but Singapore is quickly becoming a contender in its own right. Since the pandemic, the city’s dining and drinking landscape has embraced a deeper appreciation for design, with new cafes, restaurants, and bars creating spaces that are not just eye-catching but warmly inviting.

For Singapore’s F&B owners, designing an inviting space goes hand in hand with the dining experience. It’s about more than just serving great food – it’s about curating spaces where diners can feel a genuine sense of belonging. Think of the eclectic Sri Lankan spirit at Kotuwa, the lush, wine-focused refuge of Le Clos, or the dreamlike artistry at Middle Child Wine Bar. 

Dining out has become more than just a quick catch-up over a meal. It’s about nurturing connections and building community, with intentional design at the heart of it. As Gabriel Tan, founder of Caracara, a Japanese-inspired cafe on Neil Road, puts it, “Our design was built on the idea of hosting friends in your own home. People come for a great meal and stay because the atmosphere encourages conversation.”

There’s also the concept of creating a “third space” – a welcoming place beyond home or work. “The restaurant's look is important because it sets the stage for connection,” says Le Clos founder Jean-Christophe  Cadoret. “We envisioned Le Clos as a third space, where people could meet, relax, and build community. In today’s shift from fine dining to comfort and shared experiences, people want a relaxed, welcoming place where they can connect.”

Here’s our round-up of some of Singapore’s most design-forward spots, each a testament to the city’s evolving, aesthetically-driven F&B scene.

HIDEOUT COFFEE BAR

First impressions: Tucked away in a cosy back alley, this small "shoebox" space offers a perfect escape from the city’s bustle.

Inside look: This hidden coffee haven serves up hearty stacked sandwiches and quality brews. Founder Asmine Koh collaborated with friends at SnugWoodWork, a local carpentry workshop, to bring the cafe’s design vision to life. The food menu features signature bites like the meatball sandwich, tuna melt, and beef brisket, while coffee lovers can enjoy black, white, and espresso ale options crafted by skilled baristas.

Design highlights: The space artfully combines natural birch marine wood, burgundy red tiles, and a touch of orange acrylic for a pop of colour. “These materials and colours were chosen for their timeless appeal,” Koh shares. A clever “hole in the wall” ordering window adds to the charm, allowing guests to order food and drinks with ease.

Address: 708 Geylang Road

FIVE OARS COFFEE ROASTER

First Impressions: This spot exudes a rustic, bohemian-chic vibe, with Melbourne-style cafe influences, plenty of textures, and just the right touch of greenery.

Inside look: Partnering with Studio Dinding, the cafe transformed this Tanjong Pagar location to transport guests beyond Singapore while still feeling like home. Menu highlights include the Mentaiko Mac & Cheese and the Iberico Pork Benedict – a 12-hour slow-cooked pork shoulder served with grilled sourdough.

Design highlights: The coffee bar’s rough, sponge-painted exterior adds a unique texture, while Modbar equipment allows for a more intimate interaction between guests and servers, free from the bulk of a traditional espresso machine. Hand-laid, broken tiles cover the floor, and a central terrarium showpiece gives the space a cosy, inviting feel.

Address: 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-01

174BINGO

First impressions: A thoughtfully curated, earthy cafe where natural materials take centre stage.

Inside look: Branded as a “creative community centre that bridges food, art, design, culture, and community with nature’s guidance,” this bakery-cafe is led by co-founder, chief creative officer, and head baker Jaslyn Chua. Built entirely with natural materials, the cafe serves up comforting bites like chicken pie, Iranian pistachio tart, and cardamom buns.

Design highlights: The outdoor porch is crafted from 90-year-old railway sleepers, rich with history. Inside, lampshades are repurposed from antique brass plates sourced at Tong Men Sern Antiques & Crafts Store, while others were crafted from stainless steel sheets left behind by the previous tenant.

Address: 174 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01

CARACARA

First impressions: Clean, functional, and luxuriously understated – like stepping into your minimalist, design-savvy friend’s home.

Inside look: Founder Gabriel Tan reveals that the team collaborated with Falcon Group, a leading specialist in high-end interior fit-outs and furniture manufacturing for hospitality, to bring Caracara’s interiors to life. Coffee takes centre stage here, with unique, experimental flavours, such as their Aurora beans featuring tasting notes of grapes and rum.

Design Highlights: The space is filled with distinctive wooden furniture of various shapes and sizes, reminiscent of a high-end showroom. The layout includes a “living room” with a communal wooden table, a Japanese omakase-inspired front counter, and booth seating along the opposite side, creating a thoughtfully sectioned, inviting space.

Address: 77 Neil Road, Level 1

FIASCO BY JUICE

First impressions: A cosy restaurant that feels like an elegant, intimate Parisian apartment, designed by your foodie best friend who loves to wine and dine.

Inside look: This day-to-night venture, by Petite Ventures (the team behind Nou noodle bar and Juice wine bar), is led by co-founders Cheryl Tng and Maxime Dacier. Dacier oversaw every detail of Fiasco’s design, from interiors to lighting, ensuring a cohesive, personalised aesthetic. As Tng and Dacier explain, the design reflects Tiong Bahru’s communal, neighbourhood vibe, with a focus on comfort and a homely feel. Their goal was to create a space that blends modern aesthetics with warmth, encouraging both dining and socialising. Signature dishes include smoked tartare, dry-aged duck, and dry-aged Japanese snapper.

Design highlights: The lounge area, with its muted tones, minimalist decor, and vintage furniture, creates an upscale yet inviting atmosphere – ideal for enjoying wine and food. Dim, atmospheric lighting adds to the charm, setting the stage for long, intimate conversations.

Address: 21 Yong Siak Street

MIDDLE CHILD WINE BAR

First impressions: An artsy, indie hideaway that feels like stepping into a surrealist dream.

Inside look: Opened by the team behind bar and art studio 21 Moonstone, Middle Child Wine Bar focuses on natural wines and craft beverages from around the world. Creative Carmen Chen crafted and executed the overall design concept, with renovations carried out by SGInteriorKJ. The menu centres on a communal tapas style, offering both cold and hot meats, alongside signature sandwiches like the Beefy Cheeky.

Design highlights: The floor-to-ceiling windows create an aquarium-like, voyeuristic atmosphere, inspired by Edward Hopper’s iconic Nighthawks painting. The long indoor-outdoor table can be rearranged to suit large groups or pairs, reminiscent of a farmhouse table where everyone shares a meal and drinks together.

Address: 200 Middle Road

PPP COFFEE @ NEW BAHRU

First impressions: A space of contrasts – cool and elevated, yet moody and inviting at the same time.

Inside look: PPP Coffee, the group behind Chye Seng Huat Hardware, has opened its F&B and retail concept store in New Bahru as part of its 15th-anniversary celebrations. They've teamed up with local design studio Studio Baro for this project, offering all-day dishes like duck rosti, Peking duck pizza, filter coffee, and even cocktails.

Design highlights: The eight-seat coffee omakase bar is a standout, allowing guests to watch the baristas in action. Wood and laminate throughout the space add warmth and texture, creating a cosy yet elevated atmosphere. Large glass windows bring in plenty of natural light, connecting the interior with the outdoors for an open, welcoming feel.

Address: #01-06 New Bahru

BAR BON FUNK

First impressions: An elegant, atmospheric cocktail bar with rich, moody colours and a design that feels intentionally understated.

Inside look: This bar is a collaboration between chef-owner Keirin Buck and The Lo & Behold Group. For the design, they teamed up with Nice Projects, the studio behind Buck's Le Bon Funk in Holland Village and Lo & Behold's Fico and Claudine. The drinks menu, which evolves every three to six months, features eight reimagined classics and eight innovative signatures inspired by familiar flavours. For a heartier bite, the bologna sandwich is a must-try.

Design highlights: Retro-chic timber-panelled walls add warmth and cosiness, while the breezeblock bar, backlit display, custom handmade encaustic tiles, and playful illustrations on wall lights bring the space to life with personality.

Address: #02-01 New Bahru

KOTUWA

First impressions: A vibrant, eclectic wonderland where Sri Lankan architecture comes to life.

Inside look: Formerly located in Little India for four years, Kotuwa has now moved to New Bahru, with a larger, more inviting space. Designed by Perinelli Design and led by two-Michelin-starred Chef Rishi Naleendra, the restaurant’s design is inspired by Naleendra’s desire to recreate the feeling of his home, or the homes of Colombo. The new location features a fresh selection of cocktails, Sri Lankan arrack (a native distilled spirit), and a dedicated outdoor bar.

Design highlights: Visually striking elements include an antique brass sculpture by Sri Lankan artist Prageeth Manohansa at the entrance, and artworks by Sri Lankan artist Guns, which complement the vintage wooden louvred panels. We also love the mosaic tile artwork in the bathroom foyer, inspired by traditional Sri Lankan masks, adding a whimsical touch.

Address: #01-03 New Bahru

LE CLOS

First impressions: A serene, verdant hideaway, offering a peaceful escape from the concrete jungle.

Inside look: Le Clos is a wine-forward concept where guests are encouraged to come for the wine and stay for the food. Founder Jean-Christophe Cadoret worked closely with contractors to design a lush, leafy sanctuary perfect for savouring carefully selected wines. The menu features comforting French fare, with both small and large plates cooked in a Josper oven.

Design highlights: The main dining room, with its marble-topped tables and emerald-green banquettes, blends modern design with softer, more organic elements. Aroids and leafy palms contribute to the tranquil ambience, while earth-toned seating and soft rugs add warmth and cosiness to the overall space.

Address: #01-18 New Bahru

SOMMA

First impressions: A fine dining experience where modern luxury meets timeless Italian heritage.

Inside look: Somma is led by chef-partner Mirko Febbrile, with Sacha Leong from Nice Projects behind the restaurant’s design. As Febbrile shares, Somma’s concept of modern luxury is embodied in an immersive design that places Puglian cuisine and craftsmanship at the heart of the experience. The restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu, along with signature dishes such as Bafun Uni, Pig Snout, and the Somma Cheese Experience.

Design highlights: The building’s double-height, barrel-vaulted ceilings, preserved from the old Nan Chiau High School library, mirror the traditional arches of Puglian architecture. A striking cast concrete table centrepiece, crafted by Italian makers Cimento, anchors the space, while the 230 ceramic tiles on the 6.5m x 2.5m feature wall showcase the intricate handiwork of Puglian artist Vincenzo Del Monaco.

Address: #04-02 New Bahru

AIR CIRCULAR CAMPUS AND COOKING CLUB

First impressions: A sustainable culinary retreat in Dempsey Hill, where fine dining meets environmental consciousness, embodying the hallmark of OMA design.

Inside look: Air CCCC, designed by the renowned OMA (founded by Rem Koolhaas in 1975), is a sustainable farm-to-table space that also serves as a cooking school and research lab. Located in a repurposed 1970s clubhouse, it offers a blend of open and semi-outdoor areas, creating a unique setting for culinary exploration.

Design highlights: The design blends old and new with elements like winding wooden paths, ribbon windows, steel frames, and eco-friendly furniture crafted from recycled materials, reflecting the restaurant's sustainability ethos.