The upcoming months look like our schedules will be packed full of get-togethers, catch-ups, functions, gatherings, parties, luncheons, fetes, soirees… Whatever they’re called, we foresee that our schedule will be sadly* crowded.
Odds are that, like some of us, you’ve been “arrowed” to take charge of a few and are now looking for the perfect spaces. You’re in luck, because we’ve got the best recommendations.
Whether you’re looking for a space that is:
- Great for letting loose
- Ideal for hosting VIPs and business partners
- Full of individuality and character
- Easy to book out
We’ve got you!
*Unless you’re one of those fortunate extroverts who love to have a crowded calendar, in which case we congratulate you!
***
LETTING LOOSE
Spaces where you’ll feel comfortable unbuttoning your collar and letting your hair down
Ginkyo by Kinki
If you’re looking for a place where everyone would feel young, fun and full of energy, then consider Ginkyo! The space is picturesque – chic and ‘vibe-y’ yet friendly and approachable. Rich colours and sleek furniture are cleverly combined to exude a vibrant dynamic feel while soft lighting and gentle curves and arches add an inviting warmth. It’s the perfect stage for celebrations. The delicious food and drinks are just as fun and appealing: in line with sister restaurant Kinki’s east-meets-west culinary DNA, Ginkyo’s menu is a versatile array of flavour-forward small plates, baos and skewers and bowls; seductive cocktails where you can add edible gold flakes to anything for a bit of bougie fun; and a wide selection of sakes, wines and beers. We’ve closed our eyes to the alcohol-free sips – but they’re there if the party has a teetotaller!
Birds Of A Feather
The restaurant-bar celebrates its 8th anniversary this year, and you can guess why if you’ve been there. Firstly, the space is gorgeous. Composed of two merged shophouse units complete with two large lightwells, the spacious interiors – reminiscent of a leafy, sunlit aviary – have been cleverly delineated into different pockets perfect for different purposes, with varied seating adding further definition. The quirky décor is enriched with natural wood features and nature-inspired pieces such as overhead lamps shaped like clouds, and artwork that pay tribute to Sichuan where the contemporary cuisine oft takes inspiration. Inviting and cosy, Birds Of A Feather is ideal for hosting different types of spaces. Secondly, thirdly and lastly, their food and drinks menu are delicious, creative and versatile. The contemporary Cuisine with Sichuan influences by Head Chef Eugene See presents flavours that are punchy and moreish while the drinks are positively inspired with the Original Cocktails incorporating Sichuan spices and Chinese traditional spirits. It’s the perfect spot for a spicy girls’ night out!
L-R: Birds Of A Feather; Locanda
Locanda
When Locanda was first conceptualised, it was meant to be a space of warmth and rest, with a home-like atmosphere. The resulting space brings all that and more. Exposed red brick walls, simple wood furniture, warm lighting: Locanda offers a lively bucolic charm that extends even into the intimate private dining room. Paired with the generous, passionate hospitality characteristic of the traditional inns located in the Italian countryside that Locanda is inspired by, it’s the perfect place when you want to roll up your shirtsleeves with a bunch of likeminded folks and unwind long and slow over wine and hearty Italian fare.
The private dining room seats up to 12 guests.
Rempapa
At a certain age, you’ve a few close friends and family that you’ve grown up and grown old with. Whenever you gather, there’s always a little nostalgia to the evening and a little hope to share these precious memories with your young ones. For these evenings, there’s no better place than Rempapa, a place where our multicultural heritage bridges time and walks into the present to offer an immersive culinary adventure. The design of the space is a beautiful reflection of this, brimming with old world charm, thoughtfully updated: timber ceiling panels and furniture, blue accent colour balanced with ochre, terracotta and creams. It’s also a visual representation of heritage food papa Chef Damian D’Silva, the heart and soul of Rempapa; his powerful personality tempered by his warmth, kindness and bone-deep hospitality. While the main dining hall is great for everyday dinners, we really love the hidden private dining room. Evoking private courtyards in traditional Eurasian/Peranakan architecture, there’s a beautiful “skylight” dressed with ceiling details commonly found in old shophouses and wooden blinds that can be let down in front of the glass-panelled doors for complete privacy.
The private dining room seats up to 10 guests.
SMOOTH SOPHISTICATION
The best choices when you need to host business partners and other VIPs
Centrally Located
When you need something in the “middle”
Buona Terra
Housed in a carefully restored black and white bungalow in Scotts Road, Michelin one-starred Buona Terra has always been an elegant place to dine. A modest refurbishment in 2022 updated its interior colour palette to a fresh, soft blush – akin to a dewy pink rose. The original lines of the structure have been kept and ‘displayed’, with wall hung mirrors and vividly coloured paintings creating focal points in between classically inspired fluted pilasters. These graceful design elements extend into the private dining room where fine table linen, a fresh floral centrepiece and silver tableware add a dignified flourish. Paired with Resident Chef Denis Lucchi’s gastronomic vision, this is where we would bring our friends with the fussiest palates and pickiest eyes.
The private dining room seats up to 10 guests.
Iru Den
Even in our food-obsessed little island and its saturated F&B landscape, Iru Den is something rather special. Opened and operated by Chef Javier Low who insisted on following his own drumbeat no matter what, Iru Den’s current offerings shine the spotlight on Taiwanese flavours and produce sourced directly from trusted farmers and fishermen, crafted with a Japanese and European approach. The menu changes frequently to showcase the produce at their peak in nature, and the interiors of the restaurant reflect this sensitivity to Nature. Generous use of wood and undressed stone mellows the contemporary aesthetic, and subtle lighting allows the exquisite hue and textures of the materials to add warmth. The intimate private dining room offers the same minimalist lines and geometric forms, softened by these natural elements and clever lighting, so that any group will feel snug, serene and contented – a tasty little shelter from the usual hectic hustle and bustle!
The private dining room seats up to 10 guests.
L-R: Iru Den’s Private Dining Room; LeVeL33’s Private Dining Room
LeVeL33
Three words: Marina Bay skyline. Located smack-dab in the centre of the Central Business District, the sprawling expanse of LeVeL33 is fully utilised with its integrated multi-zone dining interior concept; each zone is carefully delineated through the stunning contemporary design that draws inspiration from and subtly evokes its identity as a brewery. An evening at LeVeL33 can offer a plethora of diverse experiences against the spectacular backdrop of twinkling city lights. Better yet, you can book each dining zone if you want the space to yourself. What we’re really eyeing, though, is the elegant private dining room: a warm, refined space with custom furniture. It feels especially suitable for office functions and corporate events, because of the location, the strong soundproofing and because, for a fee, the events team can even provide screens, microphones and other equipment needed for a presentation – eliminating many a worry for the frazzled office party planner!
The private dining room seats up to 30 guests but can be seamlessly partitioned into two smaller rooms that seat up to 10 guests each.
Dining Destination
When you’re all dressed up and want somewhere to go!
Bedrock Origin
Did you say that for your event, you need a comfortable space that is completely private, need the restaurant to provide delicious hearty meals, and need them to have a selection of fine wines to choose from? Oh, did you also need it to have a little flair? Then listen to us and drive over the (admittedly rather short) bridge onto the shores of Sentosa for a dreamy lunch or dinner in Bedrock Origin. Merely a tiny strait away, yet even this small distance and the natural tropical beauty of the island brings a completely different atmosphere into being. Against this lovely backdrop is Bedrock Origin. Seamlessly integrating natural elements inspired by its coastal location, Bedrock Origin is an art-deco inspired space of dark marble, herringbone-patterned floors and sleek arches, embraced by neutral tones punctuated by hints of plum and olive. Their exclusive Applewood Private Dining Room, named after the signature wood used for grilling at Bedrock, has the same understated elegance - an unfussy space with clean lines in soft white, softened by wood panelling in the delicious hues of café au lait. Table settings are both artful and subtle, with floral centrepieces and bright yellow chairs adding a touch of cheerful freshness to the ambience.
The private dining room seats up to 18 guests.
L-R: Private Dining Room in Bedrock Origin; Private Dining Room at Born
Born
Housed in a conserved building circa 1903 that is today an icon of Singapore architectural history, Born’s interiors pay homage to its location’s heritage while incorporating exquisite, delicate patterns, shapes and colours – meticulously attending to every detail for a fluid space that awakens every one of the senses. It’s the perfect stage for Chef Zor Tan’s Contemporary Cuisine that marries masterful French gastronomy, a broad knowledge of Chinese ingredients and flavours, and deep personal inspirations. If you’re planning a get-together for a VIP group with sharp palates that enjoy titillating their tastebuds and their minds when dining, Born should be at the very top of your list.
2 private dining rooms are available for reservation at Born: one seats 4 guests, and the other, 8.
A BIT OF PERSONALITY
When you prefer to be in a space that brings something a little something else to the table, literally
Cloudstreet
Cloudstreet is inspired by the compelling personal journey of chef-owner Rishi Naleendra, and he considers it an extension of his home. Every detail – from the food to the service and from the interiors to the music – speaks of Chef Rishi’s aesthetic eye. The front of house is headed by his wife, Manuela Toniolo. To the couple, they want to “extend the very same hospitality as when you cook and host guests in your home”, and “to have guests relax the moment they step into the restaurant” so that every moment is “without stiffness” even if Cloudstreet is indeed fine dining.
However, if you want a truly special experience for your group – a chance to deeply, completely experience hospitality as Chef Rishi envisions, definitely make a reservation for the private dining room. A cloth triptych by Timorous Beasties depicting a majestic leopard perched on a tree hangs and covers an entire wall; spotlights create haloes of warm intimacy for diners; carefully curated flatware from artists such as Ilsabelle Poupinel, and artisanal antique cutlery stands personally sourced by Chef Rishi decorate the table. Needless to say, this applies even to the menu, drinks and service!
The private dining room seats up to 6 guests.
L-R: Room O or the Abura Kappo Room in Hashida Singapore; the Private Dining Room at Cloudstreet
Hashida Singapore
As long as one calls themselves a fan of Japanese gastronomy in Singapore, then one knows Hashida Singapore… and Chef Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida. The success behind the restaurant’s highly acclaimed unorthodox exploration of Japanese cuisine and uninhibited artistic expression is rooted in Chef Hatch’s talent, diligence and deep mastery of the profound skills required for his beloved Japanese cuisine. The space itself is alluring: clean and open, with elegant features rich in symbolism and amusing, quirky accents designed by Chef Hatch himself.
But go even deeper into the ‘Hatch Universe’ this festive season and head straight for Room O, or the Abura Kappo room. The space is quiet, elegant with an amazing counter crafted from 200-year-old Sakura wood as its showpiece. Unsurprisingly, in Hashida, this is the stage for Chef Hatch’s boundless creativity. In December 2023, the Abura Kappo restaurant-in-restaurant concept was launched: here, Chef Hatch guides his team to showcase the depths of his wildest imaginations – cuisines across the globe will be interpreted through a Japanese lens, all bound through the element of oil. It’ll be a wild and absolutely delicious ride.
Room O seats 6 guests.
Fat Cow
This Japanese wagyu specialist has been much beloved since its establishment about 14 years ago, thanks to its sincere commitment to handpicking the finest of wagyu and preparing them through a variety of Japanese culinary techniques for some of the most indulgent culinary experiences in Singapore. In 2023, Fat Cow appointed the highly experienced Shingo Iijima to helm their kitchen and he incorporated more kaiseki and kappo elements into the food and service – re-energising the classical Japanese elements in their identity. The refreshed dining experience was very well received, to say the least! Interestingly, we think that the absolute best way to dine in Fat Cow isn’t through their rather pretty private dining rooms separated by Shoji screens – but in the section right at the back of the restaurant that they call the Theatre.
The first sight of this cavernous space is striking, full of drama and art: an immense interlocking wood structure – an art piece inspired by the traditional Japanese design Tsugite – hangs from the ceiling while a large abstract painting full of rich, emotive colours and shapes is mounted on the facing wall in counterbalance. The reds, oranges and whites in the painting echo the large open kitchen and grill where guests can watch the chefs busy themselves and then present the delicious results. Although, unlike a performance, in this Theatre, the actors (read: chefs!) are happy to converse even while they work!
The Theatre seats up to 22 guests.
BUYOUT
When reserving a room just isn’t enough
ASU
This year, Labrador Hill gets a new lease of life – and atop the hill sits one of the most exciting launches this season. Chef Ace Tan helms ASU where the story of his growth and learnings from his 16-year culinary journey is presented through an evolving, highly personal cuisine shaped by a cerebral, definitively Asian perspective. His first menu or episode is a prelude to future culinary explorations of Asia: anchored in Singapore, it’s a nostalgic interpretation of his memories – manifested with profound skill on a plate. Or a bowl!
The restaurant itself has a clean polished look, evoking an almost monastic feel in line with the ethos of eating simply and well. A neutral colour palette of whites and earth tones, sweeping lines and natural materials is anchored by the grand arc of the Chef’s Dining Table while a custom Chinese apothecary medicine cabinet set in the wall showcases ingredients and pays tribute to one of Chef Ace’s deepest childhood memories. With the year-end being a time of reflection and reconnection, an evening here with your childhood friends or ex-classmates will be one of sweet, sweet nostalgia.
L-R: ASU, YÀN
YÀN
Perhaps not the oldest Cantonese restaurant in Singapore, but by now, almost a decade since its opening in 2015, it’s earned a pool of loyal diners. The restaurant focuses on soulful Cantonese flavours, featuring ingredients from the region and traditional recipes; presented in a joyful communal style reminiscent of the best Hong Kong restaurants. Naturally, if you want to host a huge Cantonese feast for up to 120 persons, there’s no better place; after all, Yàn’s name in Chinese actually means banquet or feast.
The location would also give “face” to the host: located in the National Gallery – an iconic venue steeped in historical and artistic significance, the interiors are tastefully, beautifully designed. The blondes and taupes of the walls glow softly in the natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows while generously sized tables draped in bright white tablecloths await guests. A lighting feature resembling a Chinese scroll with fine nickel chains cascading down and screens inspired by silk weaving add a touch of modernity to the warm inviting space.
ADDRESSES
ASU: 30 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119189
Bedrock Origin: Oasia Resort Sentosa Hotel, #01-02 Palawan Ridge, Singapore 098679
Birds Of A Feather: 115 Amoy Street, Singapore 069935
Born: 1 Neil Road, #01-01, Singapore 088804
Buona Terra: 29 Scotts Road, Singapore 228224
Cloudstreet: 84 Amoy St, Singapore 069903
Fat Cow: Camden Medical Centre, #01-01/02, Singapore 248649
Ginkyo by Kinki: One Holland Village, #03-01-04, Singapore 275748
Hashida Singapore: 77 Amoy St, Singapore 069896
Iru Den: 27 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228222
LeVeL33: Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, #33-01, Singapore 018981
Locanda: 109 Rowell Rd, Singapore 208033
Rempapa: Park Place Residences at PLQ, #01-01/02/03, Singapore 409053
YÀN: National Gallery, #05-02, Singapore 178957