In Malay, Bukit Timah means ‘tin-bearing hill’. Bukit Timah Road is the longest road in Singapore, stretching from Little India in the South to Upper Bukit Timah Road in the North stopping short of the Malaysian border. A tree-lined thoroughfare and one of the oldest roads in Singapore, Bukit Timah Road is now a prime residential area flanked on both sides by luxury bungalows, high-rise condominiums, hotels, schools and some great dining areas.

A handsome district, the area is known for its greenery spanning the Singapore Botanic Gardens at one end which boasts its own collection of fine eateries and the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve at the upper end. Nearer to the CBD is the popular Newton Food Center, surrounded by Bukit Timah Road and Clemenceau Avenue.

  • 1

    Brazil Churrasco

    Brazil Churrasco
    • Food

    Meat lovers will be more than satiated with a variety of 12 types of grilled meats, each marinated distinctively at Brazil Churrasco, Singapore’s first Brazilian barbeque restaurant.

    Choose your cuts from the friendly passador (meat waiter) as he goes around each table. From sausages, chicken and fish to various cuts of beef, pork and lamb, there is definitely a slice of meat to please everyone and a generous salad bar is included. Don’t forget to order the Brazilian Caipirinha – sugarcane liquor with lime or lemon.

    Location: 14/16 Sixth Avenue, Singapore 276476, Singapore

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 6 pm to 10 pm, Sundays from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 6 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +65 6463 1923

    Map
  • 2

    Casa Verde

    Casa Verde
    • Food

    A charming, all-day dining eatery with indoor and outdoor seating located in the verdant Botanic Gardens, Casa Verde means ‘Green House’ in Italian. Ideal for early morning visitors, it opens at 7.30am for breakfast, serving local and western dishes followed by all-day dining Italian fare.

    Try the luscious crostini platter filled with different toppings and the broad variety of thin-crusted pizzas. Children are also indulged with their own menus and table setting.

    Location: Visitors Center, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569

    Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +65 6467 7326

    Map

    photo by alantankenghoe (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 3

    Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro

    Greenwood Fish Market and Bistro
    • Food

    Nestled away in an old affluent neighborhood, this is a bustling seafood market offering live catch from all over the world including Boston lobsters, Alaskan king crabs, Australian barramundi, Japanese sashimi, French sardines and more.

    Make your selection and stroll into the adjacent bistro for a meal. The seafood platters are excellent for sharing. It’s all-day dining here with breakfast served on the weekend.

    Location: 34 & 38, Greenwood Ave, Singapore 289236, Singapore

    Open: Daily from midday to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +65 6467 4950

    Map
  • 4

    Newton Food Center

    Newton Food Center
    • Food

    Newton Food Center is a prominent landmark on the local food scene with close proximity to the Orchard Road hotels. The food center was designed to blend in with neighboring colonial houses and presents a breezy, lush floral landscape.

    With over 80 stalls selling hawker favorites like spring rolls, all types of fried and boiled noodles, Indian curries, oyster omelets, barbequed seafood and more, you'll have a field day trying to sample all the fare. With alfresco and sheltered seating, it’s certainly a pleasant experience for newcomers to the island. Beware of aggressive touting by stall owners though.

    Location: Newton Circus Food Center, Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 229495, Singapore

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 5.30 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)

    Map

    photo by Terence (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 5

    Relish

    Relish
    • Food

    Relish is on the second floor of Cluny Court, a row of gracefully restored shophouses on the edge of Singapore Botanic Gardens.

    Relish has a modern funky interior and specializes in untraditional burgers such as blue cheese beefburger with rocket salad, poached pear and walnut butter, the paper-thin omelet-wrapped Ram-Lee burger, the soft-boned char-siew pork open focaccia burger and the curry chicken burger. Their weekend brunches are a magnet for yuppies and families living nearby.

    Location: 501 Bukit Timah Rd, #02-01 Cluny Court, Singapore 259760, Singapore

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +65 6763 1547

    Map
  • 6

    Ristorante Da Valentino

    Ristorante Da Valentino
    • Food

    Situated in a quiet residential area, Ristorante Da Valentino prides itself on being a totally Italian family owned and operated restaurant serving authentic Italian fare.

    With a homey ambience, the restaurant boasts fine thin-crusted pizzas and fresh seafood dishes in addition to its antipasto and pasta. Its pastry boutique customizes traditional cakes, pastries and tarts with a modern twist.

    Location: 200 Turf Club Road, #01-19 Singapore 287994, Singapore

    Open: Daily from midday to 2.30 pm and from 6 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +65 6462 0555

    Map
Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveler