Hidden restaurants in Singapore for a quiet and private experience

Ceres Haus finds a nest on a second-floor shophouse on Circular Road. This hidden haven runs an all-day program: cafe by day; wine bar by night. Simply look out for an empty wine bottle hanging by the unassuming entrance and make your way up to a plywood door. What is an absolute contrast from the energetic lane transports you to a calm and safe space. During the day, the coffee menu is pretty minimalist with espresso-based drinks going from $4 and fresh bakes (from $5). Once nightfall, the lights are dimmed and the vibe turns amorous with natural wines available by the glass (from $16).

If you're bringing a date to this swanky spot, make sure you're able to find it. The entrance to the sushi-ya is cleverly masked as part of a rocky wall sculpture in Conrad Singapore Orchard. Within lies an ultra-private cave-like space that transports you to Kōchi prefecture, chef Taiga’s hometown where  mountains are aplenty. At the counter, chef Taiga displays his 20 years' worth of experience in traditional Edomae-style sushi-making. He previously cut his teeth in Niigata and Tokyo before moving to Singapore to work at high profile sushi-yas – Sushi Amuyu and Sushi Kou. It is safe to say you're in good hands. Dinner omakase starts at $250 while lunch omakase goes for $150.

Located in the depths of Concorde Shopping Centre, Samsu Huay Kuan is very much a covert clan for dark spirit enthusiasts. Expect drams of fine whiskies and rums from single-cask bottling to highly-sought after vintage releases. You're likely to savour exquisite craft whiskies from the likes of Shizuoka Distillery, Mars Distillery, and the single-cask Blackadder. 

Owner and whisky enthusiast, Jeremiah Kee understands that visiting a whisky bar can be a daunting task for most first-timers. That is why his intimate 16-seater space adopts accessible pricing to encourage new explorers to be curious about what's in their dram. To enter, all you have to do is peek through the peephole, press the bell and pootle right in.

Do not be fooled by zen teahouse-liked interior of this Japanese café. The menu here is, in fact, largely dedicated to espresso-based brews. After all, this tranquil hideout, located in an industrial building at Jurong, is opened by Suzuki Gourmet Coffee, one of the oldest roastery on the island that has been around since 1979.

Climb up to the second storey, push open a latticed sliding door, and enter a wood-clad space reminiscent of a chashitsu or traditional tearoom. The drinks-only menu features a lean selection that shines the spotlight on aromatic brews – filter coffee, flat white ($8), cappuccino ($8), and tea-based drinks of hojicha and matcha.

On the top floor of Funan lies Noka, a peaceful oasis that is flanked by a lush rooftop garden by Edible Garden City. The 20-seater glass-walled dining room comes with a zen-inducing ceiling decked out in white paper umbrellas. And while the restaurant is airy and inviting, it also maintains a sense of privacy through the clever use of shoji (wood latticework room dividers) to keep away prying eyes from neighbouring tables – making it an ideal spot for intimate dates and important business meetings.

Going with the flow of seasonality, chef Ryosuke Deguchi unveils fresh new kaiseki experiences that are both inclusive and non-intimidating. Lunch is priced at $120 while the dinner tasting menu goes for $200. Sake pairings are also available at a cost of $75 and $125 respectively.

At mealtimes, Omoté draws a steady crowd. Many stand in line for its affordable Japanese fare, and in particular, the chirashi don ($12.80) that’s topped with freshly diced seafood. But there’s another reason why people keep coming back – and it involves no queuing at all.

The reason: Omoté Dining, an exclusive dining space that's hidden at the back of the restaurant, available only to those in the know. Finding the restaurant is part of its appeal. And those that are privy to its low-key existence can look forward to an elegant meal, served in a Zen enclave outfitted with minimalist furnishings and ornate Japanese ceramics.

Here, the menu revolves around washouku, a form of traditional Japanese cuisine that focuses on rice and side dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Head chef Nagae Toshiharu uses grains sourced from Niigata prefecture as a base for his set meals, or in the sushi omakase menu. It’s an intimate, bespoke dining experience typically reserved for Omoté’s regular customers, their friends, and now, you.

It’s not every day you find restaurant-quality desserts in the heart of an HDB estate but this gem in Jurong East does just that. This minimalist patisserie in Jurong East is run by chef-owner Lee Yin Quan, who has a diploma in French pastry from Ferrandi Paris, one of Europe’s most prestigious culinary institutes. Having worked with famous pastry chefs from around the world, Lee serves stunningly plated and meticulous desserts that you wouldn’t be surprised to find at a fine-dining establishment.

Enjoy your entremets with one of its locally sourced teas, coffees or specials including oat milk iced chocolate and soy chai. Be sure to check Lee's Confectionery's Instagram page for updates on its rotating array of pastries.

A well-kept secret, this cavernous steakhouse is fronted by a rather clandestine entrance. Walk too quickly and you might just miss it so here’s a tip to avoid going around in circles: look out for vibrant posters with bowls of Vietnamese pho. Here, founders Keith and Jeanne set out to impress with Peter Luger-inspired steaks. The 75-seater steakhouse also makes a quaint spot for a plethora of occasions – it is fitted with an air-conditioned main dining room, two private rooms and an al fresco outdoor seating area.

Properly incinerated on a salamander under ultra-high heat of 1000°F, this secret butter-soaked steak is served sizzling on a ceramic plate. The result is nothing short of rich beefy umami followed by a faint sweetness that intensifies with each clench of the jaw. Heck, it may also very well be the reason we’d ever make a trip down to The Grandstand ourselves again.

If you find yourself in a back alley after headlessly wandering around looking for this new joint, chances are you're at the right spot. For those in the know, it used to be the former rathskeller of Burger Bar New York and their Nebraskan beef burgers. Grafitti-clad walls, deep jade-hued leather seats, and hardwood tables anchor the tavern-like space but it's all nought without the feature tap wall that showcases an exciting range of draft cocktails ($25).

In the kitchen, executive chef Pete Smit showcases his bold take on nose-to-tail gastronomy where he makes sure no part of the animal is wasted. Fire-kissed plates and smoked meats are presented in sharing-friendly formats. And do book ahead, seats fill up fast.

In Portsdown Road is Under Der Linden, a floral-themed café that's sprung up in the midst of the otherwise sleepy neighbourhood's row of black-and-white colonial bungalows. The café is similar to its sister concept, Café de Nicole – they're both all-day dining destinations with an in-house florist, while also welcoming furry four-legged pals. Plates here draw influence from a hearty European spread and are brunch-friendly.

While you'll find fresh and dried flowers in almost every corner of the airy space, it is the outdoor garden that offers dream-worthy Instagrammable backdrops. Come nightfall, the LED lights and neon signs illuminate the alfresco area for an entirely different vibe.

Up on the 19th floor of Oxley Tower in the heart of Tanjong Pagar lies Myo Restobar. It can be a bit of a pain to get to – take the wrong elevator and you end up in a carpark – but the trouble is definitely worth it. It's the sister restaurant of old-school Chinese restaurant Kia Hiang at International Plaza and serves homey Cantonese dishes like the Myo claypot organic chicken ($33) and dim sum dishes ($4.20-$8) that are sure to hit the spot. Here's how to get there: take the lift from lobby 1, hit the button for level 19 and push through the white door once you've made your way to the top.

Located in a quiet district along Chu Lin Road, this quaint restaurant is a nice warm getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Order up the Tagliatelle al Tartufo, a pasta dish topped with thick, creamy sauce and hints of truffle. The dish is also loaded with scallops, prawn and egg tagliatelle. The truffle and cream is pretty much a match made in heaven.

The Prosciutto Parm Ham is also one of the restaurant's signature dishes. Freshly baked in-house, the thin-crust pizza has a nice spread of tomato puree and a generous offering of parma ham and wild rockets. Another dish you shouldn't miss include Prosciutto & Melone, a classic pairing of saltish Parma ham with refreshing rock melon and the classic Lava cake. 

Ensconced in the quiet residential estate of Kembangan, South Union Park prepares a well-thought-out menu that boasts exquisite European fare. On the extensive menu, you’ll find a whole host of comfort grub, including duck confit tagliatelle, duck confit hash, and the mushroom ragout. Save room for dessert as the stewed granny smith apple crumble is to die for.

Despite food delivery apps making our lives easier than ever, there is still great food worth journeying to the very ends of the island for. Sembawang’s Woody Family Cafe is one of those places, and it serves both authentic Nyonya dishes and Peranakan dishes with a twist. At this eatery, you’ll also find tons of vintage knick-knacks and quirky decor on display. Take your time to look at vintage lanterns and sparkling lights, and beautiful portraits of legends from yesteryear. 

Many of these dishes are traditional Peranakan recipes passed down from the owner's mother. She then refined and reimagined these dishes to make them modern yet still undeniably Peranakan. If you are a spice lover, Woody Family Cafe serves Buffalo Wings in varying levels of spiciness, with the highest level called the “Towering Inferno.”

Plug out, disconnect, and retreat from the urban sprawl with a trip to Fusion Spoon nestled in the Botanic Gardens. This family-friendly restaurant offers a wide array of sweet and savoury dishes from Western, Asian and Japanese cuisine. This place also has an indoor and outdoor playground, keeping your kids occupied while you enjoy your meal. After a feast like that, you’ll get to stroll across the sprawling Botanic Gardens to shake off the food coma. We really can’t think of a better way to spend an evening than great food in a lush garden enclave.