Brunch with a view: Scenic cafes and eateries in Singapore

Photo: Swissotel The Stamford

Skai, Swissotel The Stamford

At 70-storeys high, Skai is possibly the tallest spot you can sit at and tuck into brunch in Singapore. Naturally, the views are exceptional from their grand floor-to-ceiling windows and the interiors are done-up in a minimalist classic style with warm, wood hues. Casual and classy is a theme that translates down to the brunch menu too — charcuterie and salads are served buffet-style, while the rest of the dishes arrive freshly prepared at your table. Buffet highlights include the Wagyu Beef Tataki with pickled eryngii mushrooms and ponzu and the Blackened Cod Fish with garlic, potato and sweet corn. Chef Chong Koo Jee who won the Singapore Pastry Cup 2018 is the maestro behind decadent desserts like the Chocolate Parfait with Earl Grey and chocolate honeycomb. This is a boozy brunch, so expect wines, champagne and brunch cocktails like the the Bloody SKAI (bacon washed T&T Wheat Vodka, dill Sherry, spice mix and tomato juice) to flow.

Level 70, Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road. Tel: 6338-8585.

Photo: Prive

Prive, Marina at Keppel Bay

For brunch on the water’s edge, Prive’s Marina at Keppel Bay outlet is hard to beat. It boasts a casual, laid back vibe with views of the water, yachts and the futuristic Reflections at Keppel Bay towers. It’s also a family-friendly venue with a kid’s play corner and story books and art activities. The menu is a mixed bag of brunch staples like the Eggs Benedict with smoked leg ham and house-made bacon, 10-inch stone-baked pizzas served half-and-half or whole, and even a few Asian mains. Their Hainanese Chicken Rice is an excellent version of the popular hawker dish, comprising plump slices of steamed free-roaming chicken, fluffy and fragrant rice and ginger and chilli sauces — all that deliver the desired punch. A walk along the marina post-lunch is great for boat-watching and photo ops.

2 Keppel Bay Vista. Tel: 6776-0777.

Photo: The White Rabbit

The White Rabbit

For special occasion brunches, head to this Dempsey restaurant set within a restored Ebenezer chapel built in the 1930s. At The White Rabbit, food is classic European with modern touches, and the experience of dining in the colonial, high-ceilinged, stained-glass chapel with its stunning tiled floors, is an experience in itself. Brunch dishes range from the light Salt-Baked Beetroot Medley served with stracciatella cheese, wild honey and tomatoes on the vine, to hearty classics like the Classic Fish & Chips which uses hake fish. The accompanying chips are triple-cooked to decadence. Champagne and Gin cocktails are expected pairings at this laidback brunch.

39C Harding Road. Tel: 6473-9965.

Photo: Corner House

Corner House, Singapore Botanic Gardens

A meal at multiple award-winning Corner House feels like a special occasion right from the get go. Set within a two-story colonial black and white bungalow inside the gorgeous Botanic Gardens, you are in for a treat with chef Jason Tan’s stellar menus. Fitting to its surrounds, the cuisine they serve is ‘Gastro-Botanica’ where contemporary cuisine is elevated with botanical elements; herbs, tubers, fruits, vines, greens and fungi. Food is served in courses, or as degustation menus. For weekend brunches, expect four courses that include brunch-appropriate dishes like the 62 degree farm eggs with wagyu cheek, Jerusalem artichokes, shallots and croutons. Our favourite corner at Corner House is the verandah, where your table overlooks the gardens’ trees and dense hedgerows encircling the house.

1 Cluny Road. Tel: 6469-1000.

Photo: Caffe Fernet

Caffe Fernet, Customs House

Easily the most gorgeous CBD spot to have weekend brunch at, Caffe Fernet’s Custom House location allows you a waterfront spot and sweeping Marina views. The daytime vibe here is of relaxed, cocktail-laced brunches and their retro, leather couches are the perfect spot to sink into for a meal. Fernet’s contemporary Italian fare is light and easy, and will not have you feeling overstuffed. We highly recommend the perfectly executed Mafaldine Cacio E Pepe of handmade pasta, top notch parmigiano, pecorino and four kinds of peppercorns. There are also small plates like the Golden Beetroot served with goat cheese, wild rocket and chillies. They do excellent brunch cocktails, and is possibly the only spot in town to make Frosé (frozen, rose wine slushies).

#01-05, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay. Tel: 9178-1105.

Publico Ristorante

Almost a year after the revamp of The Quayside area of Robertson Quay, Publico Ristorante continues to be the buzziest riverside spot with its casual Italian fare and breezy-meets-hip vibe. The decor boasts a tropical island vibe with lush green, shady trees and river views. Perfect for sun-drenched brunches (also, there is an equally pretty indoor area for those who don’t like alfresco). Top notch eats on the brunch menu are the pizzas (with 24-hour proofed dough made only from Italian flour) among which the Tartufata — a white pizza of smoked scamorza, porcini mushrooms and truffle oil — comes highly recommended. There are also salads, antipasti, pasta dishes and brunch-style eggs.

1 Nanson Road. Tel: 6826-5040.

Photo: PS. Cafe

PS. Cafe, Harding Road

One of the forerunners for picturesque weekend brunches in Singapore, PS. Cafe’s Harding Road location is still going strong, and is still a top choice for celebratory weekend meals. It is open and airy, in a high-ceilinged colonial bungalow that looks out onto a field of green. PS. Cafe’s interiors are clean and uncluttered, with splashes of beauty lent by their signature, towering bloom bouquets. For brunch, expect hearty plates and signature dishes like their Green Goddess Pesto Penne which is whole wheat pasta, green vegetables and herb and pine nut pesto. Desserts are a must at a PS. Cafe brunch, and their staggering Chocolate Blackout Cake easily feeds two chocoholics.

28b Harding Road. Tel: 9070-8782.

Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar

The entire Como Dempsey complex is elegant and beautiful, but the area that houses world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar, is easily the prettiest. The all-white furniture and princess-like high backed chairs, the contrasting black and white floor, and the high ceilings signature to a Dempsey barrack — all add to its charm. Plus, the open bar with its lush green features are a particular highlight. Brunch mains range from the healthful Vanilla Chia Bowl with dates, cacao, brazil nuts and fruit to the indulgent Black Truffle and Fontina Chizza Pizza. They also do brilliant brunch cocktails like the PIMM’s cup and Peach Bellini, served in glasses or carafes to share.

17D Dempsey Road. Tel: 1800-304-5588.

The Summerhouse

It’s a bit of a trek up to The Oval at Seletar Aerospace Park to have brunch, but The Summerhouse makes the trip worth it. Housed in a colonial bungalow that was once home to military and air force officers, this restaurant complex houses a floral studio, a cafe and a farm-to-table restaurant with its own farm and edible garden. The countryside feel, lush greenery and colonial decor all make this a highly picturesque brunch spot. Brunch is served in the second-level dining room, where dishes are cooked with ethically sourced, sustainable ingredients and garnishes are all from their own garden. Noteworthy dishes are the Mud Crab Omelette which uses mud crabs from a local fish farm and ethical cage-free eggs; and the Sweet Potato Leaves which are picked fresh from their garden and paired with charred zucchini and asparagus. The cluster of bungalows that surround The Summerhouse are also extremely pretty spots for a post-brunch stroll.

3 Park Lane. Tel: 6262-1063.

Photo: Botanico

Botanico and Bee’s Knees at The Garage

Housed within the Botanic Gardens, Botanico and Bee’s Knees at The Garage sets expectations for beauty, simply because of their location, and beautiful it is. You come upon the art deco structure after a mini walk through the wooded part of the gardens and the colonial bungalow houses an outdoor terrace, an indoor restaurant and a garden bar — each with its own personality, and all equally stunning. Bee’s Knees is the cafe on ground level, which has an all-day menu with brunch-appropriate dishes (eggs, sandwiches etc.) but head to Botanico upstairs for an elegant brunch where the menu is varied to cater to a variety of tastes. Expect everything from petite brunch plates like the Polenta “Porridge” with flavours of coconut milk and palm sugar, topped with house-made muesli, candied bacon and fresh berries, and the luxurious Wagyu Beef Cheek served with burnt roots mash, parsnip chips and sautéed parsnips.

50 Cluny Park Road. Tel: 9831-1106 (Botanico) and 9815-3213 (Bee’s Knees).

Photo: Priyanka C. Agarwal

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse has been around since 2012 and gathered a steady and loyal following for its consistent quality. With the launch of their new Surf and Turf five-course brunch menu, this restaurant is one of the most scenic spots in town for a weekend meal. The warm wood interiors are classic and elegant, but it’s really the expansive views from their floor-to-ceiling windows that are the draw. Snag a table by the windows for max effect. Brunch courses include luxurious nibbles like the trio of oysters with ponzu, mignonette and chilli vinegar and the duck rillettes with cornichons and toasted rye. Mains include stalwarts like the USDA prime 6oz of beef ribeye, served with pomme aligot (whipped potatoes with cheese) and confit truss tomatoes and their hand chopped steak tartare, with chives, a dash of truffle aioli and fried rye bread. The menu will change regularly, but will always feature both meat and seafood dishes in keeping with the surf and turf theme.

Level 3, Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road. Tel: 6338-0261.