The ultimate guide to Pearl's Hill Terrace

Opened by the same people behind Asaru Studio, this café transports you straight to Japan with its zen-like ambience and delicious bakes. The menu is built around shokupan, which is honestly the star of the café. Get your shokupan with eggs ($11 for poached, $13 for scrambled) or with homemade jam ($8). You can choose from add-ons like portobello mushroom ($5) or thick-cut bacon ($6). For the sweet-toothed, go for Paaru's French toast shokupan ($12) accompanied by kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) and cacao nibs, finished with sea salt and fresh cream. 

Also, don't forget to pop over to Paaru's bakery at #01-18 for freshly-baked cakes and plain shokupan at just $12. Small bakes like financier and madeleines are also available at $2 each. 

For a casual but flavourful meal, head to Lavi Taco, a charming alfresco Mexican place situated at the heart of 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace. Its menu features – unsurprisingly – a spread of tacos for meat and veggie lovers alike. A highlight is the birria taco ($25 for two) made with oxtail and brisket that has been slow-cooked in a spicy and savoury strew of herbs and spices. Besides chicken and seafood options, there are also plant-based tacos like the grilled vegetable taco ($16 for two) and pulled mushroom taco ($18 for two). 

Do your gut some good and try out the drinks at Boujee Botanicals, which specialises in kombucha and more herbal elixirs. At its 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace venue, you can attend its kombucha omakase ($22/pax), a five-course tasting session available from Tuesdays to Sundays. Try out interesting flavours like apple pie, mojito, and hawthorn chamomile (they switch it up). Once you fall in love, it's time to watch its Instagram page for weekly drops of bottled kombucha ($12). Boujee Botanical's kombuchas contain live cultures and are rich in gut-healthy probiotics and antioxidants – don't we all need more of that? 

You've probably heard the nursery rhyme that goes: Jack and Jill went up the hill to party. No? Well, there's definitely a new bar up a hill in the bustling Chinatown. New nightlife hangout, Kult Yard, now calls a former police barrack at 195's Pearl's Hill Terrace home. Brought to you by the brains behind Kult Kafe, it's a brand new cool sanctuary for musicians, design studios and makers. Find a secret flight of stairs that lead you to refreshing cocktails, aptly named Kultails, that blends local flavours like gula melaka and sambal belacan.

Not exactly your run-of-the-mill shop, Asaru Studio is the place to go to for curated Japanese items and handmade food. Sift through the racks of Japanese-branded clothing, accessories, and lifestyle items – all simply and tastefully done in true Japanese fashion. And if you found getting to 195 Pearl's Hill Terrace a hassle, you'll be glad to know it was worth the reward if lovingly made drinks and treats like strawberry daifuku, matcha Swiss roll, and pour-over coffee made with beans from a roastery in Kyoto. 

This cosy joint allows no more than five visitors at any given time, so you're recommended to book a slot before heading down. 

Syne Studio was started as a response to the fast fashion industry. At this shop, kimonos sourced directly from Japan find a new lease of life. Damaged kimonos are lovingly restored, while offcuts and small pieces of cloth are repurposed to create charming bags and accessories. 

Another shop that you can visit to satisfy that shopping bug is The Everyday Club. Here's where you can find a good range of quality tote bags, pouches, masks and other accessories. Designs and colours at The Everyday Club lean towards neutral and minimalistic, but you can certainly satisfy your craving for some colour with the Courier-ful collection. For something roomier, get the signature double tote bag. 

If crafted goods are your weakness, then swing by A Tiny Dream. This cosy studio is run by jagua artist Cyann (@heycyann) and visual artist Ian Mun (@ianmun.thebun) as a cosy space for local creators. Here, they gather carefully curated lifestyle goods like soaps, fragrances, ceramics, accessories, and more. Visit A Tiny Dream to admire the work of talented crafters in Singapore and pick up a gem or two.