First dates can be a nerve-racking affair. Having to maintain eye contact for hours and make awkward small talk can be challenging even for the most outgoing among us, much less for introverts. These 10 cafes and restaurants in Singapore have side-by-side seats to help you ease into your next first date. We’ve chosen those with a view too, so you can people-watch or talk about the surrounding scenery as conversation starters, or in case of any awkward pauses.
Contents
Here are 10 first date cafes and restaurants in Singapore with side-by-side-seats:
| Cafe/Restaurant name | Location |
| Surrey Hills Grocer One Holland Village | Holland Village |
| Five Oars Coffee Roasters | East Coast, Tanjong Pagar, Downtown |
| Caffe Fernet | Raffles Place |
| Alter Ego | Esplanade |
| Merci Marcel Club Street | Tanjong Pagar |
| Cafe Kreams | Maxwell |
| PS. Cafe Harding | Redhill |
| L’Entrecôte Customs House | Telok Ayer |
| NomVnom Bistro | Clarke Quay |
| Sol & Ora | Sentosa |
Located in One Holland Village — Singapore’s newest pet-friendly mall — Surrey Hills Grocer is a grocery shop-cafe hybrid where you can introduce your date to your furry friends.
FYI, besides delicious grilled dishes like their “Wanderer” Prime Ribs and Barramundi Salsa Verde, Surrey Hills Grocer also has an in-house dog bakery with desserts like Apple Chiffon Cake With Sweet Potato Frosting.
After a nice meal, consider spicing up your date with a grocery shopping trip within the store. While grabbing some necessities for yourself or your fur kid, you might also be able to find out more about your date — like what their favourite snack is.
Address: One Holland Village Mall, #03-29, Singapore 275748
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Contact: Email rc@surreyhillsgrocer.sg
Booking: Online
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With three locations around Singapore, Five Oars Coffee Roasters is a Melbourne-inspired cafe. At their Upper East Coast outlet, you’ll notice the lush greenery dotted around the dining area, which help add life and colour to the cafe’s otherwise cool industrial look.
Satisfy your stomachs with the restaurant’s fluffy Ube Pancakes — which are topped with honeycomb, banana and whipped cream — or their Prawn Bisque Fettuccine if you’re craving something savoury.
East Coast
Address: 6 Upper East Coast, Singapore 455200
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm daily
Booking: Online
Tanjong Pajar
Address: 43 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-01, Singapore 088464
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm daily
Booking: Online
Downtown
Address: 8 Marina View, #01-01, Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960
Opening hours: 8am to 5pm (Mondays to Fridays)
Contact: Call 8784 2686
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Be it in the day or at night, Caffe Fernet’s alfresco dining area is the perfect place for a romantic date. Sit alongside each other and soak in the panoramic waterfront view of Marina Bay Sands while enjoying the cool breeze.
In case of wet weather (or if it gets too hot), the interior is equally as beautiful. The trattoria design concept and dark wooden furniture will make you feel like you are dining in a restaurant in Europe.
Complement the view with what the restaurant calls “New-Italian cuisine”, consisting of unexpected and local takes on Italian favourites. Try a selection of small plates to start, such as the Whipped Ricotta with figs, balsamic and honey; followed by delectable pasta dishes, washed down with classic Italian cocktails like an Aperol spritz or negroni.
Address: 70 Collyer Quay, #01-05, Customs House, Singapore 049323
Opening hours: 5pm to 11pm (Mondays to Wednesdays) | 12pm to 11pm (Thursdays to Sundays)
Contact: Email info@caffefernet.sg
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
As its name suggests, Alter Ego is a restaurant with a changeable ambience, depending on what time you’re there. In the day, the harmonious combination of concrete and wooden tables creates a warm and inviting ambience, perfect for a relaxing lunch date. At night, a dim interior and vibrant red neon sign give the restaurant edgy and underground hideout vibes.
Food-wise, Alter Ego is best known for its signature poke bowls, which you can savour while enjoying the picturesque Marina waterfront view. Besides poke bowls, grain bowls as well as burgers and an assortment of pasta dishes will make your stomach happy.
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-13D, Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Opening hours: 12pm to 10:30pm (Mondays to Fridays) | 12pm to 11:30pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
Contact: Call 6327 9301
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Merci Marcel is a French bistro that offers a wide range of dishes catered to the time of the day. Its Club Street outlet is decorated in soothing white and mint green hues, as well as wood and rattan furnishings. Cosy up on the couch or armchairs outside the bistro and watch the weekend crowd stroll by.
Don’t feel bummed that you’re unable to visit Paris for the time being after watching Netflix’s Emily in Paris. Merci Marcel’s mains such as Marinated Crab Tartine, Croque Marcel and Tarte Flambée will make you feel like you’re dining al fresco in the romantic city. End off your meal by sharing a satisfying homemade Apple Tart.
Address: 7-9 Club Street, Singapore 069403
Opening hours: 8am to 12am (Mondays to Saturdays) | 8am to 11pm (Sundays)
Contact: Call 6438 3913
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
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K-drama fans should make a beeline for Cafe Kreams. The autumn-themed South Korean cafe will help you experience chill autumn vibes in sweltering Singapore. Burnt red autumn leaves hanging from branches across the walls and ceiling complement the matching burnt red chairs and wooden tables.
The cafe is known for their creative takes on alcohol-free tiramisu. For example, they offer Matcha-misu — which is made out of matcha-soaked ladyfingers, and Fruit-misu — which is topped with strawberries and other fresh fruits.
Address: 32 Maxwell Road, #01-07, Maxwell Chambers, Singapore 069115
Opening hours: 9am to 11pm (Mondays to Saturdays) | 12pm to 10pm (Sundays)
Contact: Call 9673 2307
Booking: Online
Website | Instagram
This one’s an oldie but a goodie. Surrounded by lush greenery, PS. Cafe remains a great brunch spot for you and your date to escape the concrete jungle.
Let the soothing sounds of nature wash over you as you unwind while tucking into its All Day Menu. Try the Crab Tart or Steak Frites, and remember to save space for its signature desserts like the Key Lime Pie.
Address: 28B Harding Road, Singapore 249549
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm (Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays) | 8am to 10:30pm (Fridays and Saturdays)
Contact: Call 6708 9288
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
L’Entrecote’s alfresco bar terrace boasts spectacular views of the Marina Bay skyline. At night, the MBS laser show will serve as the perfect entertainment as you feast on flavourful French fare.
For starters, try their Cheese & Charcuterie Platter, which includes house-made foie gras. Of course, we can’t talk about L’Entrecote without mentioning their steak. Pair yours with a glass of wine from their exclusive signature collection for a meal that’s sure to appease even the harshest of food snobs.
Address: 70 Collyer Quay, #01-01, Customs House, Singapore 049323
Opening hours: 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm (Mondays to Thursdays) | 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 11pm (Fridays) | 5:30pm to 11pm (Saturdays) | 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 10pm (Sundays)
Contact: Call 6690 7565
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook
With full-length windows, creeper plants and warm lighting, you’ll feel right at home the minute you step into NomVnom. Go for the window seats to look out at the vibrant shophouses and idyllic Singapore river as you get to know your date better.
Although the only vegan cafe on the list, NomVnom offers fresh and palatable food that will appeal even to non-vegans. Besides hand making their burger buns, NomVnom also serves their soups hot out of the pot with no preservatives, artificial flavouring and colouring. Rest assured that at NomVnom, you can enjoy a hearty and healthy meal.
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #3-105/106/107, Singapore 059817
Opening hours: 11:30am to 9:30pm (Mondays to Thursdays) | 11:30am to 10:30pm (Fridays to Sundays)
Contact: Call 6224 4996
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Located on the sunny island of Sentosa, Sol & Ora boasts a breathtaking view of the sea, sand, and sky — perfect to use as a conversation starter on your date. What’s more, the restaurant is Sentosa’s one and only rooftop alfresco diner, making it that much more unique.
Sol & Ora strives to introduce guests to dishes from the Latin-Mediterranean region, like France, Italy and Greece. The restaurant’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so consider starting your day off with their signature Sol & Ora Breakfast or indulging in a Wood-Fired Wagyu Flank Steak at night.
Address: The Outpost Hotel, 10 Artillery Avenue, #07-01 Sentosa Island, Singapore 099951
Opening hours: 6:30am to 10:30am (Mondays) | 6:30am to 10:30am and 6pm to 10:30pm (Tuesdays) | 6:30am to 10:30am, 12pm to 2:30pm and 6 to 10:30pm (Wednesdays to Fridays) | 6:30am to 10:30am, 11:30am to 4pm and 6 to 10:30pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
Contact: Call 8879 8765
Booking: Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Nobody likes awkward silences, especially on a first date. The scenery and food in this list of first date cafes and restaurants will help you naturally keep the conversation flowing with your date. Or you can simply relish each other’s presence as you admire the beautiful views at these places.
Cover image: Image courtesy of Surrey Hills Grocer, Source, Source
This article was originally written by Team Zula on 20 October 2020 and updated by Isabel Low on 23 April 2024.
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