The ultimate guide to Buona Vista

Soak in the hipster vibes at container gastropark Timbre+, which houses F&B names old and new, with doses of affordable craft beer and live entertainment. Nestled in Singapore’s very own Silicon-valley, JTC Launchpad, it’s the best place for an after-work chillout. Try the well-known Wong Kee Wanton Noodles, which puts a spin on the traditional char siew wanton noodle with homemade spinach or tomato noodles. Its beef brisket spinach noodle dish is also a crowd favourite. Other standouts include Big Bern’s American Grill for Western fare with a Louisiana touch, and Iksina Cebu for its lechon ($12), a juicy and tender roasted pork with crispy skin.

Founders Loris and Giuseppe brought a little piece of home to Singapore in the form of Pietrasanta, a charming Tuscan-style family restaurant tucked away from the hustle at Portsdown Road. Service here is impeccable and so is the food – simple and fresh flavours burst through in favourites like the marinated pork neck ($19.90) and baked eggplant ($19.90) antipasti, the signature handmade fettuccine with pork sausage and black truffle ($28.90), and stew veal shank ($38.90). Do also check out its pantry of handmade food and ingredients like tiramisu ($79.90 for 2kg), burrata ($28.90) and imported olive oils and balsamic vinegar.  

Be sure to bring a few friends to Holland Village XO Fish Bee Hoon so you can share a couple of its signature dishes. This includes the XO fish bee hoon ($7) – thick bee hoon comes in an opaque, milky broth made flavourful with a splash of XO brandy and hours of simmering. Another must-try is the san lou hor fun ($6) which offers a different flavour profile and mouthfeel. The flat noodles are thicker, chewier and coated in a starchy, smoky sauce. Just like the bee hoon dish, it’s served with fat slices of fresh fish. Cast a look around the coffeeshop and you’ll see that most customers also order the prawn paste chicken wings and ngoh hiang ($9 each).

Just right beside the Rochester Cafeis this unmarked bistro-bar restaurant. A cafe in the morning and a bar when the sun sets, this low key turns into a great place for entertaining, with darts and bar table tops. Sixty40 adopts a laid-back vibe for friends or dates to feel comfortable. Foodwise, try their sixty40 burgers ($18) and Vietnamese coffee ($6) for a perk up. 

Aside from The Star, Buona Vista is a town to numerous undiscovered cafés that is definitely worth a visit. Take Rochester Cafe for one, located across The Star, this humble little cafe serves some decent grub and beverages. Drop by to cool down with the green milk tea ($5) and throw in a multi-layered cake ($6.90) to reward yourself after a long day of work. 

Right around the corner of Park Avenue hotel is this hidden gem. Imbuing a bar and dining concept in a single setting, Cali Café's ambitious idea is drawing attention. Patrons can enjoy playing pool or darts while sipping on some drinks for a night to unwind and relax. 

Situated away from the bustle of city life, this alfresco dining place takes on a laid-back yet stylish concept. It offers exceptional European cuisines such as lamb sausage macaroni ($26), parma ham and wild rocket pizza ($28) and grilled seabass ($29). 

With the Hallyu wave comes the rise of Patbingsu trend in Singapore, and at Nunsongyee, it's a specialty – and the main thing on the menu. All-time favourites are the Injeomi Bingsu which comes with a copious amount of soybean powder and mochi, littered with a generous amount of nuts ($14.90). Other unique treats include its signature honey butter toasts ($12.90).

Jimmy Monkey Café & Bar is the coolest coffee destination in Buona Vista. Enjoy single-origin espresso, pour-over, French press and siphon coffees starting at $4.30 a cup, and chat with the baristas to learn more about the cafés mean brews. This place is also a popular brunch spot, serving up the usual bread-led fare with an expected Australian twist – think cheesy vegemite toast and warm, buttery scones.

Serious beer lovers shouldn’t miss out on The Good Beer Company. This bottle shop and taproom has a selection of craft beer and ciders that will impress even the most discerning drinker. The Good Beer Company has an ever-changing roster of draft beer and five fridges full of canned and bottled beers from UK, US, South Africa and more. Set in relaxed environs at Science Park Drive, this watering hole will give you a completely different experience from knocking back beers at buzzy Clarke Quay.

If you want to try some locally produced beers, Beerfest Brewery & Restaurant is the place for you. At this microbrewery, beer is brewed and stored in special cooling tanks onsite and served fresh to the bar. It serves a wide range of beer styles to satisfy your craving of the day, including pale ales, IPAs, wheat or stout beers. Western and Slavic cuisines grace the menu – pork knuckles ($40), sausage platters ($38), pizza (from $13) and various sinful starters that make great pairings for beer. And for the ladies, Wednesday’s your night – order a pint for $10 and enjoy free-flow drinks from 6pm to 10pm.

This massive 130-seater at Biopolis Street is popular among the office crowd for its simple and unpretentious all-day brunch menu. But once evening rolls around, Bodacious Bar & Bistro’s drinks menu doesn’t disappoint – there are craft and commercial beers, wines and cocktails for any occasion, and even some affordable mocktails (from $5.90) for the teetotallers.

This quiet mart at Star Vista has all the Japanese goods you could ever need. Planning a Japanese dinner? Pick up Japanese rice, high-quality miso, tempura flour and various other dried and frozen ingredients. If it’s just the snacks you’re after, J-mart also has the latest and greatest sweets and confectionaries from Japan. For the booze-lovers, check out J-Mart’s range of hand-brewed, premium Japanese sake at affordable prices too.  

Spruce up your home with well-made lifestyle products from KOMME, a home interior brand located in Star Vista. Besides exclusively designed bed linens, it sells bath, home décor, furniture and fragrances to help you pull together the home of your dreams. What’s notable is KOMME’s commitment to ethical, fair-trade products. All its exclusively designed offerings are Oeko-Tex certified too, so you know the materials are safe for yours and your loved ones’ skin.

Get anything you need at affordable prices at Mr. DIY, which so happens to be one of the largest home and life improvement retailers in Southeast Asia. With more than ten product categories including hardware, furnishing, stationery and electronics, Mr. DIY truly makes for a one-stop shopping destination.

Budding musicians and aficionados alike can eat their heart out at Swee Lee. The Star Vista outlet boasts a wide range of musical instruments, accessories, DJ gear and more from well-known and familiar brands such as Fender, Gibson, Marshall and Native Instruments. Enjoy repair services and special VIP treatment (by appointment only), or have a jamming session at one of the five teaching rooms. For a diversion, you can browse fashion labels like Converse, Kanken and Happy Feet, or have a chat over coffee at the Swee Lee Social Club.