8 places for unexpected brunch fare in Singapore

Bored of brunch? Never - not with these cafes and restaurants with brunch fare you wouldn't expect.

1. Ding Dong

No one does quite as good a job at reinventing Southeast Asian cuisine as Ding Dong. Its quirky name gives you an inkling of what to expect, and they exceed even that expectation.

Their dishes raise brows - see Homemade Banana Bread with Foie Gras and Kimchi, and Spiced Braised Iberico Pork with Poached Eggs, Lime, and Jackfruit Tempura. And they win hearts too, once you've had a taste of the food.

115 Amoy St, Singapore 069935
https://www.dingdong.com.sg

2. Violet Oon

Helmed by Singapore's food ambassador Violet Oon, Nyonya and local breakfast favourites are amped up at weekend brunch.

Roti Prata is graced with scrumptious fillings like chickpea masala or slow-cooked pulled pork in a sweet onion infused dark soya sauce. Kids will love the Calamansi Sugar Roti Prata, drizzled with condensed milk and topped with calamansi-infused sugar and chews.

881 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 279893
https://violetoon.com/violet-oon-singapore-at-bukit-timah

3. Manhattan

Leave the kids with their caretaker for the weekend and head to Manhattan's adults-only Sunday cocktail brunch, an ode to New York's steadfast tradition of weekend brunches.

Think hand-rolled bagels and a selection of house-made cream cheese smears; the classic Bacon and Egg is given a twist, where paired with smoky bacon is a delicate soft-boiled egg is breaded and deep-fried to a crisp golden-brown on the outside, while oozy on the inside.

Needless to say, go wild with the unlimited craft cocktails (DIY your own Bloody Mary!), beers, and wines.

Level 2, Regent Hotel, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715
https://regenthotels.com/regent-singapore/dining/manhattan

4. Mitzo

The weekend dim sum brunch is inspiring even for the most avid fans of Cantonese food. Here, familiar tastes are given interesting twists that push the boundaries for miles, yet still retaining the quintessential Cantonese touch.

Think escargot cheese puffs, wild mushroom and truffle buns, and more. They've also recently amped up their brunch menu with a selection of premium dishes featuring lobster, abalone, and more. This is one brunch buffet you have to go to!

Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238857
https://mitzo.sg

5. Kinki Restaurant & Bar

If you're making plans after your bottomless brunch at Kinki, you might want to take potential intoxication into account.

Signature favourites include Hotate Aburi (pan-seared Hokkaido scallop sushi), Maguro (tuna) sashimi, and Wagyu Foie Gras Donburi (rice bowl) - clearly, they don't scrimp on premium ingredients. This lavish selection of non-conventional sushi, sashimi, mains, and other Japanese fare is matched with endless sake, shochu, prosecco, and beer. But hey, it's the weekend - go wild!

#02-02 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323
https://www.kinki.com.sg

6. Angela May Food Chapters

TV presenter, culinary host, and model Angela May wears many hats. To brunch, she's wearing a classy Panama.

Her weekend high brunch set is a selection of delicacies of the day, from sweet treats like pastries and chia pudding to innovative savoury choux puffs.

#02-02 Robinsons The Heeren, 260 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238855
https://www.dhm.com.sg/angela-may

7. Cocotte

Pick and choose from the food-laden trolleys being wheeled about - much like the ones at traditional dim sum restaurants - at French restaurant Cocotte's weekend brunch.

The menu of savouries and sweets varies each weekend, based on the seasonal produce and the creative whims of the chef, but each dish retains a rustic homeliness that we love.

2 Dickson Rd, Singapore 209494
https://restaurantcocotte.com

8. Artichoke

What we love about this Middle-Eastern gem: it's not food you typically get in Singapore, but neither is it anything you'll ever get in the Middle East.

Inspiration from various cuisines is so seamlessly fused in Artichoke's brunch fare: our favourites include Lamb Shakshouka and Cauliflower Sabbich.

And after being blown away at brunch, you'll want to return for dinner, where yet another splendid menu of surprises awaits.

161 Middle Rd, Singapore 188978
https://www.artichoke.com.sg

This article was first published on The Finder.