Caffe Fernet @ Customs House - Italian Dining with Marina Bay's View

Sitting along the Singapore River with an unobstructed view of Marina Bay Sands, Caffe Fernet is one of those spots where the location is part of the experience. The open-concept space feels relaxed and breezy, making it an easy choice for after-work drinks, a casual dinner or a leisurely evening by the waterfront. The menu lends itself particularly well to sharing, with a selection of small plates, pastas and larger dishes that make it tempting to order a little bit of everything.

Hamachi Crudo 3.5/5

We started with the Hamachi Crudo ($29), served with fennel and pickled celery. The thick slices of hamachi were fresh and refreshing, and the pickled celery added acidity to the dish. It was enjoyable on its own, but compared to some of the other small plates we had that evening, it was one of the less memorable ones.

Zucchini Noodle Salad 4.8/5

Now this is one salad I would happily have an entire portion to myself! The Zucchini Noodle Salad ($22) was surprisingly flavourful, with mint, pine nuts and ricotta salata coating every strand of the zucchini noodles. Fresh and light yet packed with flavour, this was easily one of our favourites of the meal. Who knew zucchini noodles could be this addictive?

Iberico Pork Pluma 4.8/5

Another small plate we shared was the Iberico Pork Pluma ($29), served with salsa verde. The slightly sweet pork immediately reminded us of char siew in the best possible way. The slices were generous and incredibly tender, while the salsa verde helped cut through the richness. Definitely another dish we would order again.

Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe 5/5

The star of the meal for us was undoubtedly the Mafaldine Cacio e Pepe ($29). Deceptively simple, relying on just a handful of ingredients, Caffe Fernet’s version combines peppercorns, Parmesan and Pecorino with beautifully chewy, al dente mafaldine.

The chef shared that three different types of peppercorns are used, giving the pasta plenty of fragrance and depth. We loved it so much that we actually asked for more pepper for an extra kick, and the chef generously added more Parmesan for us too! It’s also a great pasta to share if you want to save room for more of the smaller plates.

Tiramisu 4/5

Of course, we couldn’t end an Italian-inspired meal without Tiramisu ($18). This classic dessert came with layers of rich mascarpone cream and ladyfingers soaked in dark rum and espresso. Creamy, boozy and coffee-forward, it was a satisfying way to round off the meal without getting overly complicated.

Singapore Sling and Yuzu & Cinnamon Lemonade

Peach Boulevardier

Caffe Fernet clearly puts plenty of thought into its drinks too. We tried three during our meal: the Singapore Sling ($23), Peach Boulevardier ($25) and a non-alcoholic Yuzu & Cinnamon Lemonade ($18). With the restaurant’s waterfront location and Marina Bay Sands right across the river, it’s easy to imagine coming here even just for drinks, especially as the evening sets in.

Come for the view but definitely stay for the food. Caffe Fernet has one of those locations that immediately sets the mood, right in the CBD, overlooking the Singapore River with Marina Bay Sands in full view. The open-concept setting can get rather windy (and yes, a little humid because this is Singapore!), but we loved the relaxed atmosphere.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Caffe Fernet
Customs House
70 Collyer Quay
#01-05
Singapore 049323
Tel: +65 91781105
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to Clifford Centre. Cut across Clifford Centre and walk to Collyer Quay Road. Cross the road via the OUE Link. Turn right and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

The Lobby Lounge @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel - AI-Powered Personalised Wellness Afternoon Tea with Luli

Looking for an afternoon tea experience with a wellness twist? The Lobby Lounge at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore has partnered with Luli to introduce an AI-powered Personalised Wellness Afternoon Tea, combining seafood-inspired bites, sweet treats and customised herbal tea recommendations.

Available until 4 October 2026, the experience begins with a tongue scan powered by Aiteaic, Luli’s AI wellness platform. Guests then receive a personalised herbal tea recommendation based on their individual TCM wellness profile, making the pairing more personal.

Luli specialises in Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired beverages, combining traditional herbal ingredients with a contemporary approach to wellness beverages using natural, premium ingredients.

Oceanic Treasures Afternoon Tea 3.8/5

Priced from $68++ for two, the afternoon tea features a selection of savouries and sweets from the hotel’s Oceanic Treasures Afternoon Tea, alongside Luli’s wellness teas. As my profile was ‘Balanced’, I was served the earthy and nutty Coix Seed and Adzuki Bean Tea.

The savoury tier is seafood-focused with Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crab, Seafood Glass Noodle Salad, Stone Crab Mango Salad and Smoked Salmon Bruschetta.

The Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crab was fried crisp, while the Stone Crab Mango Salad was served chilled with a sweet-savoury combination.

For something lighter, the Smoked Salmon Bruschetta had a familiar combination on crisp bread. The Seafood Glass Noodle Salad was pretty appetising, with a slight spice and tang, but we wished it had been served in a bigger portion.

The sweet selection features Kahlua Tiramisu Chocolate Cup, Salted Caramel Macaron, Pistachio Chocolate Choux, Ruby Velvet and Philadelphia Baked Cheesecake.

The selection offered a good mix of textures and flavours, ranging from chocolatey to fruity and sweet-savoury. We preferred the Pistachio Chocolate Choux for its mild sweetness and nutty notes.

No afternoon tea would be complete without scones, and guests can enjoy unlimited Blueberry and Buttermilk Scones, served warm with clotted cream and a selection of jams.

For those looking to make the experience even more special, personalised wellness beverages are also available as add-ons, including a wellness mocktail at $12 for two or a low-alcohol wellness cocktail at $24 for two.

Reservations can be made via their website here, by phone at 8168 1553 / 6233 1338, or by email to dining.gcw@millenniumhotels.com, and quote SGFOODONFOOT10 to receive a special 10% off.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣) and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


The Lobby Lounge
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
392 Havelock Road
Singapore 169663
Tel: +65 6233 1338
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TEL Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 4. Turn left and walk to the traffic junction of Havelock Road and Kim Seng Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Kim Seng Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

NOOR @ Mohamed Sultan Road - Mediterranean Flavours With A Japanese Flair

Located along Mohamed Sultan Road, NOOR is a new dining destination showcasing Mediterranean flavours with subtle Japanese influences. Designed for communal dining, the menu starts with mezze and cold plates before moving on to larger dishes and desserts.

Shok Bread 5/5

We began with the Shok Bread ($15), NOOR’s take on Japanese shokupan. With many restaurants now offering their own signature house breads, NOOR has certainly delivered one worth returning for. Soft, fluffy and lightly buttery, it was served alongside Tahini and Matbucha, a slow-cooked pepper and tomato condiment with flavours that had been beautifully concentrated over hours of cooking.

Trio of Housemade Dips 4/5

The bread also served as the perfect vehicle for the Trio of Housemade Dips ($13): Ikra, Muhammara, and Yaki Feta. Each brought a distinct personality to the table. The taramasalata-inspired Ikra offered an addictive savoury brininess enriched with mentaiko, while the Muhammara Miso delivered deep, smoky flavours from roasted peppers. The Yaki Feta, a reinterpretation of babaganoush that blends feta with roasted eggplant, carried an intriguing funk tempered by its bruleed top.

Aka Beet Salad 3/5

From the Cold Plates, the Aka Beet Salad ($22) paired roasted beetroot with a zesty blood orange vinaigrette and citrus cream cheese. While we enjoyed the bright acidity of the dressing, the sweetness of the cream cheese tipped the dish slightly off balance, especially alongside the naturally sweet beetroot. A sharper, more savoury cheese would have complemented the other elements better.

Ebi Freekeh Risotto 2.8/5

Among the larger plates, the Ebi Freekeh Risotto ($38) featured freekeh cooked in dashi, accompanied by grilled tiger prawns and caramelised onion cream. We loved the freekeh’s satisfying bite and the nutty, earthy flavours that came through in every mouthful. The herbaceous shatta, the restaurant’s housemade green chilli sauce, folded through the grain, further elevating those flavours. However, an underlying sweetness, further amplified by the caramelised onion cream, became rather dominant after a few bites. The tiger prawns were also slightly overcooked, leaving them a touch dry.

Miso Butter Fish 3/5

The Miso Butter Fish ($39) paired Mediterranean snapper with smoked corn miso beurre blanc and was accompanied by robata-grilled cabbage. The beurre blanc was smooth and well executed, though it leaned noticeably sweet, likely due to the corn. While the fish had an appealingly caramelised exterior, it was unfortunately a little dry.

Mia Zaki 3/5

For a more indulgent option, the Mia Zaki ($68) featured Miyazaki Wagyu served with a black truffle and foie gras sauce. The menu describes it as A6-grade, though, based on my understanding, Japanese Wagyu is officially graded only up to A5. Regardless of the terminology, the beef was exceptionally unctuous, though an accompanying starch would have rounded out the dish nicely.

Sticky Goma 4/5

Desserts here are worth a try. The Sticky Goma ($19) featured a black sesame financier baked into a tart shell, topped with white chocolate yoghurt cream and finished with lime zest. The financier had a satisfyingly chewy texture, while the yoghurt cream added a welcome tang that balanced its sweetness.

Kuro Shokolata 4.5/5

Equally memorable was the Kuro Shokolata ($19), a velvety chocolate mousse encased in delicate cocoa tuile tubes atop an umami truffle toffee. The bitterness of the flaky, crisp cocoa tuile was spot on, complementing the silky mousse that flowed out with every bite. We thoroughly enjoyed every element of the dessert, save for the truffle note in the toffee, which was out of place and disrupted an otherwise harmonious flavour profile.

The drinks menu is equally extensive. We tried one of the signature cocktails, Master Mind ($25), a spirit-forward concoction that paired well with the richer dishes on the menu. For a non-alcoholic option, the First Light ($16) was bright and refreshing, offering a crowd-pleasing combination of lychee and pink grapefruit that made for an easy, palate-cleansing sip between courses.

NOOR offers a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine with touches of Japanese influences. While the house bread and dips were excellent, some of the savoury dishes could have been better balanced and more consistently executed.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


NOOR
17 Mohamed Sultan Road
Singapore 238966
Tel: +65 8805 8075
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 5pm - 12am
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk to the traffic junction between River Valley Road and Clemenceau Ave. Cross the road and walk down Clemenceau Ave towards Mohamed Sultan Road. Turn left onto Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk down Mohamed Sultan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Leila @ Teck Lim Road - A Contemporary Blend of Middle Eastern and Balkan Flavours

Leila at Teck Lim Road is a gastrobar serving up a vibrant mix of Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours in a stylish, contemporary setting.

Kubana Bread 2/5

Spicy Plate 4/5

We started with the Kubana Bread ($15), a traditional Yemenite Jewish yeasted bread beloved for its pillowy-soft texture. The dough is typically generously layered with butter before being shaped into pull-apart rolls and baked until golden. While ours arrived with an enticing crust and a soft interior, the bread was slightly denser than expected and seemed to lack the rich, buttery flavour that defines a good Kubana. Thankfully, the accompanying tahini and grated tomato helped elevate it, as did the additional Spicy Plate ($13), which featured earthy grilled peppers, smoky harissa and mellow garlic confit that paired well with the bread.

Nabulus Salad 4/5

The Nabulus Salad ($17) is a chopped salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions and mint, providing a refreshing accompaniment to the richer dishes.

Manseef 3/5

The Manseef ($33) comprised minced chicken served over a bed of creamy hummus, finished with harissa and an extra drizzle of tahini. While the dish was enjoyable, I felt that lamb or beef would have been a more suitable choice. Their richer, more robust flavour profile carries the Mediterranean spices and aromatics more effectively than chicken does, adding greater depth and dimension to the dish alongside the creamy, nutty hummus.

Green Chilli Shrimp 4/5

One of Leila’s signatures, the Green Chilli Shrimp ($27), showcased beautifully grilled prawns coated in a herbaceous green tatbila sauce. The freshness of the herbs came through nicely, though a touch more citrus would have brightened the dish and added greater vibrancy.

Knafeh 2/5

For dessert, we had the classic Middle Eastern sweet Knafeh ($21). Ours was finished tableside with a pour of sugar syrup, which wasn’t necessary as it sweetened the ice cream as well. I had expected delicate floral notes of rose or orange blossom to perfume the dessert, but the flavours were rather muted. Although the fried kataifi encased a layer of cheese, the pastry seemed slightly overfried, resulting in a dessert that lacked the aromatic complexity and balance I had hoped for.

Leila offers an interesting interpretation of Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours in a contemporary gastrobar setting. With a little more refinement, the menu could better showcase the rich culinary traditions it draws inspiration from.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Leila
12 Teck Lim Road
Singapore 088387
Tel: +65 8016 4117
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - till late
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight down New Bridge Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road. Walk down Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Saik Road. Walk down Keong Saik Road. Turn left onto Teck Lim Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road. Turn right onto Teck Lim Road. Walk down Teck Lim Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]