For all that places like Beauty World Centre appear to be stuck in the 80s, the Upper Bukit Timah area is enjoying a new lease of life, with all manner of interesting outlets.

Dining

1. Cheong Chin Nam Road
Along this strip are some of Singapore’s all-time favorite late-night eateries like Al Ameen, Sinma Claypot Live Frog, Al Azhar, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge and Johnson Lock Roasted Duck and Chicken.

2. Don Quijote Spanish Restaurant
#01-09 Kilat Court, 17 Lorong Kilat, 6465-1811
It might take a few visits to sample everything on Don Quijote’s tapas menu but vieras al horno (baked scallops with bacon bits) and berenjenas al horno (baked eggplant) are top picks.

3. Firestation hillside gastrobar
274 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6465-0600
This chic bar and restaurant brings new life to the colorful old Bukit Timah firestation, serving hearty dishes like steaks and pastas.

4. Galbiati Gourmet Deli
The Rail Mall, 400 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6462-0926
Everything at this cozy all-Italian deli is homemade by chef and owner Roberto Galbiati. Dine-in or takeaway, and check out their extensive range of Italian products.

5. Myke’s Oven
88 Jalan Jurong Kecil, 6763-7790
Housed in an old shophouse in the former Bukit Timah Village, Myke’s Oven is famous for their freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries and Japanese biscuits.

6. Sweet Salty Spicy Food Market & Thai Canteen
The Rail Mall, 392/394 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6877-2544
To go with its mouthful of a name, this revered deli-food market offers many mouthfuls of contemporary Thai cuisine.

7. Udders Ice Cream
#01-08 Kilat Court, 17 Lorong Kilat, 6466-1055
This cheeky homegrown brand makes most of their ice cream by hand, and only start on a new batch when they’re about to run out of stock. Flavors include Bailey’s & Bourbon™, Tira-miss-u™ and Choya Lime Umeshu Sorbet.

8. Vis-à-Vis
12 Chun Tin Rd., 6468-7433
This long-standing French/Thai restaurant has a loyal following and its seasonal menu changes every three months. Famed dishes include the Meltique sirloin, French onion soup and dark chocolate soufflé.


more restaurants in Bukit Timah


Bars

9. BLooiE’s Roadhouse
The Rail Mall, 426/428 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6766-1588
Providing a slice of American roadhouse culture, this bar and grill is engineered for entertainment and dining inside, and relaxation outside. Their dress code includes “a smile.”

10. Bojangles
#01-16 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6463-3459
Chill out at this shopping centre pub with a difference and tuck into their famous thin-crust pizza with a side of chicken drumlets. Play pool for free daily from 4-8pm.

11. Maple Pub
100 Jalan Jurong Kecil, 6463-6393
A corner pub from a bygone era, Maple offers a decent range of beers at affordable prices. Its outdoor garden seating makes it a stand out.

12. Ten Years After
#B1-19/20 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6462-4695
Rock and roll with the three-piece house band at this basement pub and revisit classic tunes between Monday and Saturday.


more bars in Bukit Timah


Shops

13. Cake Avenue
#01-01 Kilat Centre, 33 Lorong Kilat, 6877-9008
The gourmet cake designers at Cake Avenue will whip up a masterpiece for any special occasion.

14. Eden Galerie
#01-04 Sun Court, 21 Lorong Kilat, 6463-1885
Adding an instant air of class to any home, Eden Galerie’s diverse collection of Chinese and Tibetan furniture is exquisitely crafted from Chinese elm.

15. Huber’s Butchery
Goh & Goh Building, 122 Upper Bukit Timah Rd.
Huber’s stocks only top quality meats, sausages and hams together with an exclusive range of condiments, oils, wines and beers.

16. HWB Concept Marketing
#01-09 Beauty World Plaza, 140 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6467-1101
HWB stands for “Hidden Wall Bed,” those beds that fold away into walls like you see in movies. These guys can design one to suit your living space if your CD collection has gotten a little out of hand.

17. Ng Kim Lee ConfectionEry
4 Chun Tin Rd., 6466-3515
Looking every bit its age, Ng Kim Lee nevertheless receives rave reviews for its egg tarts and red bean buns, and for its more modern cheesecakes.

18. Shopintimates
#04-38/39/40 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, 170 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6469-8840, www.shopintimates.com.sg
Shopintimates is an adult store that stocks everything from “fleshlights” to stamina spray and many things in-between that are unsuitable for print. Visit their website if you’d like to make a more discreet purchase.

Others

19. koreatown
Lorong Kilat
With Lotte Korean Mart, Kim’s Family Food Korean Restaurant, Woori-Nara and J.H. Kim Taekwondo Institute all in a line it’s not too much of a strech to think of this place as South Korea in miniature. Lorong Kilat has a strong Buddhist presence as well, with both the Mahabodhi Monastry and the Lao Shi Nian Fo Misssion shop.

20. Memories at Old Ford Factory
351 Upper Bukit Timah Rd.
Surrounded by a condominium development today with landscaped gardens throughout, it’s hard to imagine that this was the site of Singapore’s darkest hour. The Old Ford Factory is now a tranquil spot, with the building itself an exhibition gallery that costs just $3 to enter.

21. Muse b’art
274 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., 6465-8485
This make-up, body-art and “special effects” studio also holds training sessions and workshops with an international cast of artists.

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