We take our brunches seriously here in Singapore. Give us our hot new cafes, our damn good coffee and breakfast that will take us all the way through to another round of coffee in the afternoon. Love a good brunch as much as we do? Start with these restaurants serving up something special…

1. The Marmalade Pantry

 

For a fab city brunch with friends, we’re into The Marmalade Pantry for its modern-luxe and oh so Instagram-worthy setting. There’s everyone’s favourite, The Marmalade pancakes, served with salted caramel, a mind-blowing Japanese lobster Benedict, decadent Marmalade French toast with crispy bacon and a hearty quinoa breakfast bowl that will kick start your day with great vibes. Psst: brunch is only available on weekends and public holidays from 10am to 3pm.

The Marmalade Pantry, click here for address listing.

 

2. Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Image credit: Selina Altomonte, Honeycombers

Halia's weekday brunch spread puts a local spin on favourites

Now this is worth taking a day off for: award-winning restaurant Halia in the Botanic Gardens is now doing weekday breakfasts, and the menu has completely won us over with its spread of healthy chia seed puddings and granola, to hearty brunch dishes with a local twist. Take the chilli crab eggs served with crostini, and the braised wagyu “nasi lemak” with masala beef. It’s served with a hand-made sambal, freshly made at Halia with torch ginger flower – and it’s highly addictive. Halia made the move last year to a Halal-certified menu, which means the drinks menu has evolved too. It’s now known as the herbarium beverage menu, with beautiful tipples such as the Lychee & Thyme made with healing garden tea, lychee juice, and raspberries – perfect for sipping while gazing out on the greenery.

Address: Halia, 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Garden, 259569.

 

3. Xiao Ya Tou

Image credit: Xiao Ya Tou

Xiao Ya Tou's Unagi Benedict: that's smoked eel, an onsen egg and Hollandaise sauce. Amazing.

So much more than its cool kitsch décor, this Duxton Hill hotspot is hands down our favourite Asian restaurant in Singapore for its playful take on pan-Asian dishes. Dinner here is always amazing (and pretty affordable), but Xiao Ya Tou’s weekend brunch – a quirky modern Asian spread, impressed us too. When was the last time you spotted Unagi Eggs Benedict on a menu? The charred eel, onsen egg and hollandaise sauce combo is out of this world. Other unique brunch bites? The zucchini and spring onion fritters with chilli crab sauce, and the Asian yam gnocchi: a mix of everything good.

Address: Xiao Ya Tou, 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592. p. 6226 1965. Brunch served 10am-3.30pm on Saturday & Sunday.

 

4. Bayswater Kitchen

Image credit: Bayswater Kitchen

Just try and resist the Soft-shell Crab Eggs Benedict… 

Seafood-centric waterside restaurant Bayswater Kitchen kicked off its Sunday brunch earlier this year, and they had us at the Soft-shell Crab Eggs Benedict. What else do you need to know? Between the soft shell crab burger and smoked salmon pie with buttered mash, this can turn into one long grazing session. And did we mention the Pimm’s? Kick back, enjoy the live jazz and views of Keppel Bay and embrace the return of the long lunch, we say.

Address: Bayswater Kitchen, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, 098382 Singapore. Brunch served from 11am-4pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.

 

5. Fat Prince

Image credit: Fat Prince

Fat Prince's Menemen, loaded with lamb and eggs (left). Go for a strong Turkish coffee (right) with that.

This modern Middle-Eastern joint is also one of our favourites for its fantastic cocktails and bites (one of the best-value spots in the city, we say), but its Saturday brunch menu is one of the most interesting you’ll find in the city. Check out the pumpkin seed granola with orange yoghurt, nashi pear, mango and forest honey if you’re feeling virtuous. But if, like us, you like your breakfast seriously loaded, head straight for the Menemen: broken eggs, roasted lamb, spiced tomato – and house-made bread to mop it all up.

Address: Fat Prince, 48 Peck Seah St Singapore, 079317.

 

6. Firebake

Image credit: Selina Altomonte

Poached eggs and smashed avocado get an upgrade on Firebake's woodfired sourdough toast.

If you live for good bread, you might want to consider a move to the East side to make Firebake your regular brunch spot. Thanks to two woodfired ovens on site, this bakehouse and restaurant's buns and sourdough bread are as fresh as it gets. Time your visit right in the morning and you'll get your cheesy mite bun or croissant still hot from the oven. The brunch spread includes some hefty stuff: check out those poached eggs over smashed avocado on sourdough. If you're after something lighter, the breakfast set with traditional Singaporean coffee (swap it for a latte if you like), soft-boiled eggs and a milk bun are just $4.50. Ask for the homemade kaya for an extra dollar – it's fantastic.

Address: Firebake Woodfired Bakehouse & Restaurant; 237 East Coast Road, Singapore 428930; p. 9784 2950.