East Coast restaurants – specifically in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been known for their good food. More recently though, the area has seen a rise in great cafes, specialty grocers, Italian cuisine and bakeries (with fresh sourdough!). From East Coast brunch cafes and alfresco restaurants, to bars and gourmet supermarkets, here’s a list of the top East Coast food to try. And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore. You can walk along the coast or look at funky shophouses before or after and make it an outing!
East Coast food: Where to go and what to eat
Little Farms Katong – East Coast cafe and grocer
New to the Katong neighbourhood is gourmet grocer Little Farm’s fifth and largest outlet. It features a full-fledged bistro, supermarket, butcher counter and bar. Spanning 6,000 square feet, the spacious spot also has a convenient grab-and-go counter, so you can sip on your favourite smoothie or Allpress coffee and have a light bite while walking through the aisles.
On the groceries end, you’ll find an impressive selection of premium, all-natural cuts at the butcher, plus organic, gluten-free, keto and plant-based options. Choose from a wide range of fruits and veggies like Australian Shepard avocados, local herbs by Urban Tiller, and kale by local company Sustenir Agriculture. Up for a delicious East Coast brunch, lunch or dinner? Rest your feet at the bistro and kick back with some well-deserved healthy nosh. The casual diner offers nourishing signatures from Little Farms Cafe , as well as a few new additions, all prepared with top-quality ingredients. Think light salads, grass-fed steaks, plant-based munchies and more. Wash it all down with aselection of curated fine wines, signature cocktails and draft craft beers at the bar, because why not?
451 Joo Chiat Road
6241 2803 | littlefarms.com
Awfully Chocolate – East Coast cafe with brunch and dinner deals
For well over two decades, Awfully Chocolate has been serving up super tasty cakes, confectionery and desserts. While you might be familiar with them for their chocolate desserts, their new café in Katong is perfect for an East Coast brunch (or lunch and dinner!) Breakfast keeps things chocolatey with Danish pastries and croissants glazed with 45% dark milk and 70% dark chocolate; what’s more, the chocolate comes fresh from their chocolate taps, which are unique to the cafe. The Bakery Club Brunch, meanwhile, begins with a breakfast fruit plate with Awfully Chocolate cacao granola; this is followed by truffle cream eggs served with your choice of three different breads, each one baked upon ordering and served with roasted aubergine, whole camembert or parma ham and a garlic tomato relish.
In the evenings, you can also pick from their Amazing Value $25 Dinners. Hearty options include grilled Angus mille-feuille; tender brisket is sandwiched between flaky butter pastry and topped with an intriguing smoky cacao gravy made with 60% from the tap. If you fancy something a little lighter, opt for the tender miso aged cod served with a tapenade of cep mushroom-infused al dente spaghettini.
131 East Coast Road
6345 2190 | awfullychocolate.com
The Whole Kitchen – East Coast cafe and bakery
Looking for a fab East Coast brunch cafe? Located in Odeon Katong is gluten-free bakery The Whole Kitchen’s first sit-down café, serving healthy and delicious gluten-free sandwiches and cakes, in addition to smoothies and great coffee from Allpress. Everything on the menu is all-natural, nutrient-packed and refined sugar-free. There are also vegan-friendly, dairy-free and keto options.
Try the popular Mumbai Sandwich, which features a toasted sandwich with tomato, cucumber and cheese with chaat masala and a mildly spiced, house-made green chutney served with tomato kasundi relish. Yum! You can also grab-n-go all your favourite freshly baked pantry products, including gluten-free breads, sourdough, healthy cakes and muffins. The team makes all the spreads and condiments in-house – highlights include peanut butter, hazelnut cacao spread (a healthy alternative to Nutella!), berry chia jam, and cucumber pickles.
11 East Coast Road, Odeon Building, #01-16
8128 3562 | thewholekitchen.com.sg
Brotzeit – German Restaurant in Katong
With an indoor seating capacity of 96, Brotzeit Katong is the brand’s smallest (but no less popular!) outlet in Singapore. If you’re looking for more intimate space that’s away from the fast-paced CBD environment, this German restaurant in Katong would be the perfect option for your next gathering.
Brotzeit is a meat-lover’s paradise. Go for the signature crispy oven-roasted pork knuckle, which features hind shank marinated for 24 hours in premium draught beer, and massaged with a proprietary spice mix. This hearty dish is served with a refreshing sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and potato salad. Another highlight is the oven-roasted ribs, available in three flavoursome styles: Smoky BBQ; Klassiker, a unique garlic, beer and barbecue-infused sauce; and Szechuan Art, which uses aromatic Szechuan peppers for an added kick of spice. Wash it all down with a pint or two; popular German beers include the Löwenbräu Original Lager and Hofbraühaus München Original Weissbier.
Don’t miss
There are multiple ongoing promotions offered at various outlets; visit the social media page to stay updated! Also, if you prefer dining at home, check out the online store for takeaway or delivery.
126 East Coast Road
brotzeit.co
Sinpopo Brand – Joo Chiat restaurant
For a local East Coast brunch in a charming setting, check out Sinpopo Brand along Joo Chiat Road. Inspired by the unique Peranakan culture and cuisine, this restaurant in Joo Chiat serves up authentic and exciting local gourmet dishes. Exclusive to Sinpopo Brand are crowd favourites like Sinpopo’s Nasi Lemak set for two, the flavourful Nyonya Kiam Chye Arg (salted mustard greens and duck soup) and Sinpopo Crab Bee Hoon, which are all prepared with premium ingredients.
Pair your meal with the refreshing Sng Muay Pop (iced sour plum drink with a fizzy, refreshing twist) and creative sides like the Muah Chee Salad. For desserts, the creamy Durian Pengat is a must-have, alongside handcrafted cakes in local flavours like gula melaka and pandan kaya.
458 Joo Chiat Road
sinpopo.com
Smokey’s – BBQ restaurant
Located in the heart of Joo Chiat, Smokey’s is a local neighbourhood barbecue joint that focuses on big flavours. The East Coast restaurant uses quality meat and achieves authentic American barbecue flavours with its five purpose-built smokers imported from the US. The meats are slow-roasted (over 20 hours for some cuts!), and smoked at low temperatures, so you can expect ultra-juicy goodness and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. A secret blend of seasonings and imported wood chips are used too, which adds extra oomph.
The baby back ribs and beef brisket are their specialties. However, if you’re up for a massively meaty experience, try the Angus beef short rib. Then, settle into your meal with one of America’s favourite beverages: beer! This is one of the only places in the East Coast where you can find fresh, premium American craft beer. The tap list is carefully curated with a variety of IPAs and lagers pouring at all times.
Don’t miss
Visit on Thursdays for extended happy hour prices to go with a $10 Smokey’s Classic Burger!
73 Joo Chiat Place
smokeysbbq.com.sg
ETNA Italian Restaurant
Looking for East Coast food with international acclaim? This East Coast restaurant is one of the 20 authentic Italian restaurants in Singapore to be given the Ospitalita Italiana Gold Seal Award, which is the official quality seal for Italian restaurants around the world. Nestled in an elegant and cosy setting in Upper East Coast, ETNA Italian Restaurant offers contemporary Italian cuisine with a Sicilian touch. Here you’ll find authentic Italian pizzas, pastas, fresh fish flown in from Italy, traditional desserts, plus an impressive wine list to boot.
Start with the Antipasto Etna ($38): Italian cold cuts, marinated veggies and baked ricotta. Another highlight is the burrata cheese (from $28) with Parma ham, cherry tomatoes and rocket salad. Signature pasta mains include linguine with fresh flower crab in crabmeat sauce ($28), and homemade lobster ravioli with butter pistachio cream and prawns ($36) – a seafood lover’s dream come true! Don’t miss the fab selection of sweets, too; you won’t go wrong with the classic tiramisu ($14) with authentic pistachio paste from Bronte, Sicily.
Top tip: If you’re visiting this East Coast restaurant for weekday lunch, check out their value-for-money lunch set, which gets you three courses for just $27.80!
110 Upper East Coast Road
6444 9530 | etnaitalianrestaurant.com.sg
Alimentari General Store
Shopping at this food store in Joo Chiat Road is like stepping into a typical Italian neighbourhood grocer. It has everything for the perfect Italian pantry, with staples like pasta, olive oils, sauces, preserved vegetables, plus a dedicated cheese fridge stocked with artisanal cheeses from all over Italy. The store also carries a small selection of fine cold cuts like Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, guanciale and more, so you can whip up an easy cheese and charcuterie platter if you’re hosting. For vino, you’ll find over 100 different Italian wines from interesting, boutique wineries, many of which specialise in growing native grape varietals.
Also, don’t miss out on the ice-cream freezer! You’ll find a beautiful selection of gelati and sorbetti from one of Italy’s oldest gelaterias, Gelati Pepino 1884. Or try one of Alimentari’s delicious desserts, Tiramisu and Coffeemisu, specially made in-house by their chef.
201 Joo Chiat Road
alimentari.com.sg
Lush Platters – Catering
Looking for East Coast food for a party? Known for its delicious and beautifully assembled cheese boards and grazing tables, Lush Platters has recently opened a pickup point in the vibrant neighbourhood of Joo Chiat. Over the years, the team has catered for thousands of events such as weddings, birthdays, major brand launches, business meetings, boat trips and casual gatherings. The cosy nook is a one-stop shop for luxury cheese platters, light bites, wine and gourmet gifts. Many of the items are made in house including crackers, dips and salads. Orders need to be done at least two to three days in advance.
19 Joo Chiat Place
hello@lushplatters.com | lushplatters.com
The Brewing Ground – Restaurant in Joo Chiat
This cool new East Coast brunch cafe is located in arts compound The Yards, which was previously Telok Kurau Primary School. Fun fact: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was a pupil here in 1930! Featuring a glass enclosed dining area, and a child- and pet-friendly alfresco area, the cafe offers delicious brunch bites like the Eggs Benjamin ($21); 63-degree eggs are served on sourdough with roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach and beurre blanc (French white butter sauce), and also your choice of maple bacon or oyster mushrooms.
Limited portions of fresh, premium produce will also be available very soon, in the form of grilled whole fish, Tomahawk steak, seafood stew and grilled whole squid. Don’t miss the brews, too. The coffee program is developed together with The Glasshouse and features beans from local roasters such as 2o North Coffee Co.
406 Joo Chiat Place, #01-24 The Yards
thebrewingground.sg
East Coast Food: Home-based businesses!
Keenway Bread & Coffee
This hidden gem in the East is another home-based business that deserves a shoutout, simply because of its delicious offerings! The kitchen is headed by one-man team Jase, who expertly kneads sourdough loaves (from $15), handmade pizzas, artisanal coffees, and freshly baked granola. Simply put, Keenway offers all you need for a fabulous brunch at home. Pickup (Bedok South) is recommended, or you can top up $15 for delivery. Delivery is free for orders above $150.
Need another reason to support this local business? Every week, Keenway offers eight slots (pickup only) of free coffee or pizza to frontline workers, or those who have lost their job. Simply drop Jase a DM at instagram.com/keenwaybread to find out more!
168 Bedok South Avenue 3
linktr.ee/kwbc
Loaded Gun Kitchen
Hosting at home? Gift hunting for a foodie friend? These vegan dips by home-based business Loaded Gun Kitchen are absolutely perfect either way. Completely meat-free, gluten-free and dairy-free, the flavourful dips are made in small batches with fresh ingredients, sans preservatives.
Tuck into unique flavours like Speak of the Devil, a sweet miso cashew cream loaded with umami goodness. For something bolder, try Thank You for Smoking, a kombucha and BBQ pinto bean dip that pairs well with roasted veggies. Our hands-down favourite is the carrot kimchi hummus, which incorporates homemade vegan kimchi that’s fermented for two weeks. Each dip costs $14.90 (220g) and gifting options are also available.
Delivery or pickup is available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Enjoy free delivery when you order above $70.
49 Dunbar Walk
loadedgunkitchen.com
Yeast Coast Bakery
Looking for East Coast cafes with great sourdough bread? This home-based bakery offers sourdough country loaves that are handmade-to-order and available in limited quantities. Each loaf (from $12) is individually shaped by hand, then slowly proved and baked to a hearty and distinct flavour.
If you really love your breads, get the monthly subscription plan ($56), which includes one loaf per week with free delivery included. Bread cravings, sorted!
129 Joo Chiat Place
yeastcoastbakery.com
Liked this feature on East Coast food, cafes in Katong and restaurants in Joo Chiat? Check out more on our Wine & Dine page!
