The best hidden food gems in Bras Basah and Bugis

Have some bagels with a side of shopping at Keen's Bagelry. This bakery is located within Curbside Crafters, a two-storey marketplace on North Bridge Road where local creatives gather to sell handcrafted wares. Keen's Bagelry is tucked in the back of the shophouse, where it doles out hefty, handmade bagels (in plain, cheddar, sesame, or garlic cheese) stuffed with savoury fillings. For a great breakfast option, try the Hammydinger Bagel, which has turkey ham, chicken ham, tomatoes, fluffy Hokkaido milk scrambled eggs, finished with housemade scallion cream cheese and cheddar. Other options include truffle chicken, classic smoked salmon, as well as peanut butter and jam (for the sweet-toothed). 

Fortune Centre is a treasure trove of humble and delicious eats. Among them is Tracy Juice Culture, an unassuming vegetarian stall that serves up a colourful range of juices alongside healthy meals. For a post-lunch refreshment, try a glass of Creamy Beetroot, a blend of beetroot, carrot, apple, pineapple, and oat milk; or the popular Apple Wheat with wheatgrass, lemon, green apple, pineapple and kumquat. We also recommend looking out for its special thunder tea rice, available only during the first and 15th of the lunar month.

TRY Tracy's Special Udon. Warm your tummy with its umami-rich mushroom-based soup, and enjoy the noodles with a heaping of mock meat and broccoli. 

Tucked below a HDB block in Waterloo Centre, Clap Café is a cosy joint with excellent coffee, decent bakes, and a calming ambience that's just right for the remote worker. The drinks menu is broad and interesting – including staples like americanos and lattes, as well as more interesting concoctions including a spiced pumpkin latte, cremé brulée latte, and ceylon peach fizzy. If you're hungry for a bite, go for one of the sweet treats on display. 

TRY A warming dirty chocolate (caffeine free) and a nutty, buttery maple pecan pie. 

Going vegan or vegetarian? Give your diet a boost with homely meals from Create Healthy Lifestyle, a café tucked away in Fortune Centre. They don't use garlic, onions, or eggs here, and you won't find much mock meat either. Instead, get fresh and filling meals ranging from economical style rice dishes to noodles, soups, burgers and sushi rolls. 

TRY The vegetable sushi roll is light and refreshing – perfect if you're wary of the post-lunch food coma. For some variety, get the brown rice set with three dishes. 

Supreme Pork Chop Rice is no stranger to the office workers in the area. Nevertheless, the Taiwanese restaurant is relatively hidden in the basement of Bulkhaul, with only a red sign and narrow steps leading down to clue passers-by into the bustling restaurant below. It's not the prettiest or most comfortable eating space, but the food more than makes up for it. 

TRY If it's not evident from the stall's name, the pork chop is the draw here – it's juicy, well-seasoned, and pairs best with the fried rice and salty vegetables. 

Hidden in Bras Basah Complex is Hop Around Bistro, a craft beer shop and bistro. This is the perfect place to have a laidback hangout sesh with friends over unique and delicious craft beers from around the world. If you're feeling hungry, the Bras Basah outlet also has a full menu of salads, bar bites, pastas, pizzas and mains. 

TRY Soak up the beer with buffalo wings, or – if you're feeling adventurous – a laksa seafood pizza. The seafood aglio olio is also a safe choice. 

To get to this secret speakeasy, look out for a mama shop or old-school provision store. The entrance to Mama Diam comes hidden behind a shelf lined with vintage knick-knacks; pull aside rows of magazines and CDs reminiscent of the yesteryears, and step into a retro-inspired drinking hole. The menu is a celebration of familiar flavours: sip on smoked halia ($16), a spiked ginger tea with honey and citrus; Mamarita ($16) made with tequila and kaffir leaf; Sng Mei Potion ($16) mixed with whisky and sour plum; and more.

TRY We've got to say – we love the food more than the drinks at Mama Diam. The menu seems to change month to month, but we've enjoyed the curry buffalo wings (from way back) and the dry tom yum seafood linguine (on the August menu). 

Teh tarik is a local fave that we’ve never given a second thought - just because it's so commonly found in hawker centres. It’s no bubble tea nor coconut shake, yet this cosy hole-in-the-wall cafe along Arab Street has taken it upon itself to forge a trendy teh tarik comeback. It’s a takeaway joint only, where you can get, obviously, teh tarik ($1.50) and other drinks like a saffron tea ($2) and teh halia ($1.80).

TRY They also do food - you can get a delish nasi lemak and nasi sambal goreng, both priced at $4.

It’s an unassuming joint, one that’s tucked away in the third floor of Fortune Centre. But at Japanese Curry Express, it’s where you can get some of the thickest cuts of salmon sashimi – they’re known to be super generous with serving sizes. They’ve got a fairly extensive menu, ranging from chicken katsu curry rice ($7.50) to smoked duck ramen ($7.50). 

TRY The ebi mango maki ($13) for an unusual sushi roll that pairs prawn and fresh mango slices together.

It’s not a large space over at Pinhole Coffee Bar. In fact, there’s just a handful of tables - alfresco and counter seats along the barista bar. It’s along Purvis Street, near Bugis and City Hall, so it’s perfect for nearby office workers to grab a quick morning joe - especially since it opens at 8am daily. 

TRY The “Hello, Good Morning” ($7), a smorgasbord of their bestsellers. It’s served on a wooden tray, featuring a single shot espresso, 4oz white coffee and a cold brew tea that’s intended as a palate cleanser. 

This quaint Hainanese restaurant has several outposts all around Singapore – there's one along Purvis Street. Serving up British Hainanese cuisine originating from Hainanese coolies who worked onboard British warships during the second world war, the Braised Oxtail Stew is the dish that gave British Hainan its legendary status. 

TRY The Traditional Herbal Mutton Soup, a nourishing pot that has all that deep herbaceous essence seeped out from the secret spice blend with aromas that fills up the dining room.