BISTRO SOORI
Helmed by chef Jimmy Chok, this 30‑seater establishment occupies an unassuming shophouse. The food here is understated in presentation, but not so in flavor, such as shaved foie gras snow over white wine jelly and apple compote, beef tenderloin with szechuan pepper sauce.

THE BLUE GINGER RESTAURANT
Around for 15 years, this is undisputedly one of Singapore’s best Peranakan restaurants. While the menu here is reworked every six months, popular standards such as beef rendang, ikan assam gulai (fish tamarind curry), ngo hiang (spring rolls) and kueh pie tee (popiah vol‑au‑vents) keep the crowds coming back.

BONHEUR PARISSERIE
A popular hideout for office ladies that provides wedding and birthday cake customization service, this four‑month‑old’s strawberry balsamic and light peach sakura are baked to impress.

BROTH

Long a haunt for fans of modern Aussie cuisine, BROTH (a.k.a. “bar restaurant on the hill”) continues to serve fab food out of its trendy conservation terraced house in Duxton. Set by a cobblestoned lane, this is one of the few restaurants where you can dine close to the street without traffic whizzing by and taxis pulling up.

BUKO NERO
Buko Nero’s beautiful fusion of Asian and Italian cuisine still sees diners making reservations up to a month in advance. It’s all because chef Oscar Pasinato and his wife Tracy have a truly divine à la carte menu with signatures like the porcini mushroom soup and the tau kwa tower. Meals are rather reasonably priced, too.

BUYAN RUSSIAN HAUTE CUISINE & CAVIAR BAR
There aren’t many Russian establishments in town, and this is a stellar example. While the food isn’t for everyone, the bar is impressive and armed with over 50 different types of vodka.

CAPRICCI
It’s always a good sign when the right ethnic types flock to a new ethnic restaurant. Massimo Aquaro and Pietro Aprigliano have gotten the look of the place right, and the affordable set lunch menu items are definitely a draw.

CELINA’S GASTROBAR
Complete with a selection of Japanese sakes, this wine and whisky bar and restaurant doesn’t disappoint. The laksa pasta here is a unique and well‑liked dish while the Sicilian meatballs make your mouth water.

DYMK (DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW?) BAR & CAFE
For a little bit of kitsch and good fun, there’s DYMK—a boys’ favorite hangout (wink wink). There are many plush divans and couches to unwind on after a tough day’s work while quaffing its range of potent house specials like Mommie’s Temper, Mother Knows, Mother Doesn’t Know and Flower Power.

FABRIKA BY CHIVAS 18
Taking in exotic Morroco as inspiration, the lounge‑esque resort‑inspired décor here features lovely mosaic tables, white daybeds with cushions, jeweled candleholders and Bedouin‑like canopies. Noteworthy cocktails include Black Infinity, Chivas Sour and our favorite, Chivas Sling.

ELITE BICYCLES ASIA
For a bike tailored perfectly to you, head down to this sports store that sells bicycles from international brands like Wilier. It also provides after‑sale bike fits and mechanical services.

FLOR PÂTISSERIE

Fusing decades of Japanese baking techniques and careful research with exquisite French pastries, Flor takes sweet treats to a new realm. Cocoa Banaan, a banana swiss roll complete with dark chocolate meringue, strikes that bittersweet balance.

GREENS ON SCREENS
37 Duxton Rd., 6221‑1310
Newly opened in February, this indoor golfing center offers a virtual golfing experience realized by a high‑tech simulator, and some really good coffee to go with it.

L’ENTRECÔTE
A Parisian‑style steak and frites bistro that only offers one main course (who would have thought we’d go for that?). Sure, it’s a bit of a tight squeeze in the place, but we reckon the foie gras terrine, duck rillettes and waffles with salted caramel make it all worth it.

LITTERED WITH BOOKS
A cozy hideout for families and book buddies, this book store repositions its furniture weekly, so customers get a fresh browsing experience each time. Feel free to pick any corner and look through books with a complimentary cup of coffee, to which you may contribute a token of appreciation.

LUCAS
Does the food at Lucas live up to its painfully funky décor? Well, given that the quality of cooking can be uneven here, yes and no. If you want to play it safe, go for the crabmeat Caesar salad, Dijon and pistachio‑crusted lamb chops, and dark chocolate mousse.

MANBOK KOREAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
A great little Korean restaurant with friendly service (all too rare here). We fancy their seafood soup and their seafood pancake with leeks, prawns and octopus. This is one of the best and most interesting options for Korean food in the city.

MIZ JAPANESE RESTAURANT
To deem the food here “value‑for‑money” would be a gross understatement. The simplest of dishes—cold garlic butter udon with caviar ($12) and even the Japanese rice tea—ace the taste test. Their salmon tataki, or seared salmon, is heavenly.

O’BAMA’S IRISH PUB
Standing out like a pot of gold among the KTV pubs and bridal boutiques is this Tanjong Pagar watering hole playing off Barack Obama’s name, toasting to “Change You Can Drink To.” The joint comes with a typical pub menu, the food is good and if you aren’t Irish, the music will make you feel like you are.

PASTA BRAVA
In this restaurant the atmosphere is relaxed, with staff greeting you warmly upon entry and the owner hanging around cracking jokes with his customers. The squid ink spaghetti, meat ravioli with gorgonzola and osso buco are good choices here.

PAVILLION RESTAURANT
Featuring crisp‑fried scallop mousse in lemongrass spears, and a combination of Peking duck, foie gras and crispy mushroom as appetizers, its six‑course menus ($58++ or $98++ per head) serve Cantonese delicacies with a touch of the West.

THE PIGEONHOLE
Pre‑loved books, furniture and fresh flowers dress an otherwise raw alcove carpeted in fire‑engine red. But this multi‑faceted establishment is not just a place for people to hang around and sip drinks, browse books and daydream. It also hosts events such as their Sunday Eclectica flea market (2nd and 4th Sunday of each month).

PINK DINING & BAR
A health‑conscious, calorie‑counting venture, with friendly service, mixed menu and sometimes average food. The marinated teriyaki chicken, though, is a delight. Same goes for their low‑fat, low‑sugar desserts.

THE PLAIN
The alluring aroma of coffee welcomes you as the door is swung open. Inspired by the typical Melbournian café, coffee, food, people, service and music are the main focuses. We recommend Darling Eggs or salami ciabatta for lunch—do come early though, it’s a popular place.

PLAY
Tiny it may be, but Play has proven it has what it takes with its slew of very sexy parties. The predominantly male crowd is almost always outrageous and congenial, particularly when kitschy disco and house anthems are pumped out.

SABIO TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT
Barely a month‑old, this Spanish restaurant is fast becoming one of Duxton’s busiest. Striking décor aside, Sabio is an ideal spot for some sangrias and a mix of delicious tapas (be sure to have some jamón ibérico de bellota).

SALTA
A massive five‑meter parrilla (grill) greets you the moment you enter. If you love your meat, just cut to the chase and order the lomo (tenderloin). Each cut of beef comes naked, served on a plain white plate—the better to appreciate its handsome form.

SAM.LEONG@FOREST COOKING SCHOOL
This is chef Sam Leong of Tung Lok Group fame’s very own cooking school, set up his with wife, Forest. If cooking’s not your thing, then try the Chef’s Table.

THE STRAITS WINE COMPANY
A prominent wine distribution company across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, only the finest wines are selected and supplied to large‑scale hotels and corporations including The Hilton Singapore. True experts.

TABLE 66
A sleek contemporary European establishment helmed by chef‑owner Vincent Teng. Much of the menu is sous‑vide, including beef tartare and asmanthus‑infused pork belly. The attentive and unintrusive service, welcoming space and beautifully presented fare make this a good bet for an enjoyable dining experience all‑around.

THANYING RESTAURANT
This excellent dining institution might not be the cheapest for Thai food but it’s certainly one of the best. The décor is charmingly dated and the service is quick. We recommend the sweet and spicy mango salad, panang chicken curry, pad Thai and kangkong with chili paste.

THE TOUCAN IRISH PUB
With soothing strains of U2 and Irish flutesy folk music wafting through, The Toucan comes complete with vintage Guinness posters and old‑school barrel tops. Try the stewed beef in Guinness.

UNION SQUARE
Union Square has refurbished their wine bar, rendering the place more posh than ever. And good news for clubbers—the dance floor in the main room is now more spacious.

XI YAN
When Xi Yan burst on to the dining scene with its Hong Kong star chef, exclusive, no‑menu, six‑tables‑only private dining set up, you had to book a table literally months in advance. Go for the Chef’s Power Lunch six‑course menu or Chef’s Supreme eight‑course menu.

YIXING XUAN TEAHOUSE
Savor excellent Chinese tea and soothe your mind and body—you’ll be surprised at how much more there is to brewing and appreciating the multifarious teas than you’ve ever known here.

More in Chinatown:
Amoy / Boon Tat / Robinson / Stanley / Telok Ayer
Ann Siang / Club / Erskine / Maxwell
Bukit Pasoh / Keong Saik / Kreta Ayer
Smith / Temple / Trengganu