One of the most common gripes of white-collar workers is that they lack a wide variety of choices when it comes to lunch. Out of a lack of options or simply out of sheer routine, many usually default to the same stalls and cafes for the mid-day meal.
Lucky for those working in Buona Vista, though, as they’re surrounded by numerous options, both in terms of cuisines and price points. From healthy wraps to local fare, here are 10 places in Buona Vista that’ll make your lunch hour a little more exciting.
1. Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon
This food stall along Dover Crescent is constantly packed during lunch and dinner, and with good reason. Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon‘s XO Fish Meat Soup ($6, small) is milky and hearty, everything you need to fill a growling belly.
The fish chunks are generously-sized and flaky, and the soup is so good that you won’t want to leave a single drop behind.
A side dish that you might want to consider is the Har Cheong Gai ($7) (prawn paste chicken). It’s amazingly crispy and juicy at the same time, and the best part is that it’s not oily.
Just be sure to make your friends or colleagues chope a table early so that you’ll have more time to dig into this homely dish!
Holland Village XO Fish Head Bee Hoon: 19A Dover Crescent, Singapore 131019 | Tel: +65 6778 3691 | Opening hours: (Daily) 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 11pm
2. Rochester Cafe
Prefer a sweet treat and a pick-me-up during lunch? It might be a bit of a challenge to locate Rochester Cafe, but it’s worth the mini-hunt.
The coffees here use Vietnamese beans, and if you’re looking for something to get you through the week, their Matcha Azuki Crepe Cake ($6.90) is a good choice.
If you’re bored of regular lattes, go for their Iced Banana Toffee Nut Latte ($6.90) which went down smoothly and was rich, without the overwhelming sweetness.
But if you’re in the mood for real indulgence, then go straight for the Charcoal Waffle with Vanilla Ripple and Earl Grey ice cream ($12). Tip: sit outdoors to enjoy the quiet of the area and the cooling breeze.
Rochester Cafe: 35 Rochester Drive, Rochester Mall, #01-08, Singapore 138639 | Tel: +65 9842 5821 | Opening hours: (Daily) 8am – 7pm | Facebook
3. Lean Bento
Made for those who love to DIY their meals, Lean Bento gives diners the freedom to customise every aspect of their bowl, all while eating healthy.
We tried the Mega Hero, M2 ($17.95) which was filled to the brim with Honey Miso Salmon, Cheddar Chicken, Basil Couscous, Cherry Tomatoes, Truffle Edamame, Scrambled Eggs and Mesclun Salad.
Alternatively, you can also choose to go light, with their Lean Hero series, like this H3 ($11.95) option that has Chilli Chicken, Multigrain Sushi Rice, Scrambled Eggs, Truffle Edamame and Mesclun Salad.
For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll want to end your meal with a Chocolate Protein Muffin ($4.50) or Iced Chocolate ($4.55). What better way to get your gains and grains all in one meal?
Lean Bento: 43 Holland Drive, #01-49, Singapore 270043 | Tel: +65 6750 4504 | Opening Hours: (Mon to Fri) 10am – 9pm, (Sat & Sun) 10pm – 6pm | Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Rollie Olie
Claiming to be an Asian fusion eatery with a touch of California style, Rolie Olie creates unique sushi rolls that pack plenty of protein and flavour.
One of the most interesting combinations they serve is the Cali Dream ($16.95), made with fried prawns, tamago, avocado, cucumber, tempura crunch and strawberries.
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They also serve poke bowls, like the Aloha Poke ($11.95 for regular, $14.95 for super). It’s a Hawaiian-style don with generous chunks of tuna and salmon sashimi, tossed with cucumber, tamago and red roe. It’s then topped with alfalfa sprouts.
Although we all know that traditional sushi rolls are irresistible, why not change things up a bit and try out some fusion food for your next meal?
Rollie Olie: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Star Vista, #02-05, Singapore 138617 | Tel: +65 8188 1525 | Opening hours: (Mon to Sat) 11.30am – 10pm, (Sun) 11am – 10pm | Website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Omoomodon
Looking for a hearty rice bowl? Look no further than Omoomodon. This joint is one of the very few halal Korean eateries around, with rice bowls that are brimming with flavours.
For a protein-packed meal, go for the Yes Sir! Yes Sir! ($12), with sirloin steak, multi-grain rice, kimchi omelette and a drizzling of teriyaki sauce.
Just top up an extra $5 to make it a meal, complete with a side and a drink, and choose from small bites like takoyaki, fried dumplings or chicken karaage.
Vegetarians aren’t left behind; they also serve a Golden Rink ($11) bowl that comes with fried assorted mushrooms, Korean glass noodles, mixed salad and Korean BBQ sauce. Now eating healthy can be just as delicious!
Omoomodon: 1 Vista Exchange Green, The Star Vista, #02-14/15, Singapore 138617 | Tel: +65 6734 1863 | Opening hours: (Daily) 11.30am – 10pm | Website | Facebook
6. Monki Cafe
Looking for another dessert option? Head to Monki Cafe where they specialise in Taiwanese ‘snowflake’ desserts.
Try their Watermelon Snow Flake ($6.90), made with milk and sizeable watermelon cubes. The result is a natural sweetness that ends in a creamy finish!
If you’re not into chilled desserts, they also have Taiwanese traditional cakes in both Original and Cheese flavours. The Original ($1.40 for a slice, $10 for a loaf) has a more cottony and pillowy texture, while the Cheese ($1.70 for a slice, $12 for a loaf) has a crunchy parmesan crust baked onto the loaf, giving the cake a slightly salty taste.
Be sure to save space for these delicacies!
Monki Cafe: 43 Holland Drive, #01-41, Singapore 270043 | Tel: +65 6258 8112 | Opening Hours: (Mon) 10.30am – 5pm, (Tues to Sun) 10.30am – 9.30pm | Facebook
When one hears ‘music shop’, the last thing you’d expect to able to do there is to buy yourself a cup of Joe and some light bites. But at Swee Lee Social Club, you can do just that as they sell instruments, music-related apparel, hold music lessons and also dish out simple food.
Get your dessert and caffeine fix in one with their Affogato ($7), made with a blend of roasted coffee beans by Common Man Coffee Roasters, dark chocolate and molasses.
Alternatively, a more carb-heavy (and brunch-like) option would be the Sweet Toast ($7) – a slice of sourdough bread loaded with banana slices, a thick luscious honey yoghurt and peppered with a coating of muesli.
Gather your audiophile friends and catch up over good tunes and satisfying treats!
Swee Lee Social Club: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Star Vista, #01-07/10, Singapore 138617 | Tel: +65 6334 7703 | Opening Hours: (Daily) 10am – 10pm | Facebook | Website
8. The Lawn
With a philosophy like “Meat Your Greens”, you know this place doesn’t serve your average health food. The Lawn claims to be the only speciality salad and grill cafe where you can fully customise your salad.
If you wish to simplify your order, they also do pre-set combinations like the Hunky Dory ($14.90) with buttered dory, cheddar cheese, silken tofu, almonds, parmesan cheese, alfalfa sprouts and wafu dressing.
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Customise your salads, red rice bowls and olive rice bowls from $10.60 by selecting a grilled item and up to five toppings (for salads) and a dressing. You’ll never have to be bored of eating your greens again!
The Lawn: 31 Biopolis Way, Nanos, #01-07, Singapore 138669 | Tel: +65 6478 9739 | Opening hours: (Mon to Fri) 10.30am – 9pm, (Sun) 10.30am – 4pm, Closed on Saturdays | Website | Facebook
9. Morganfield’s
There aren’t many places in Singapore where you can get a generous slab of ribs, and even fewer who do it just as good as Morganfield’s.
With only four outlets dotting our island, West-siders are fortunate enough to be able to get their hands dirty with Hickory BBQ Sticky Bones ($27.90 for half slab, $42.90 for full slab). The meat is fork-tender, and the homemade BBQ sauce is so delectably sweet and smoky, you’ll want to lick your fingers clean.
Make sure to leave room for their decadent desserts though, like this newcomer, the PB&J Mudslide ($9.90) that features layers of peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and brownies, before finally being topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It’s rich and sinful, but who’s really counting calories here? When you’re in for a huge treat or a long lunch, you’ll want to truly indulge in one of the finest ribs in town.
Morganfield’s: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Star Vista, #02-23, Singapore 138617 | Tel: +65 6694 3635 | Opening hours: (Mon to Thurs) 11am – 11pm, (Fri & Sat) 11am – 12am, (Sun) 11am – 11pm | Website | Facebook
10. YOLO
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YOLO was born out of owner Alexis Baudin’s hunt for “real healthy food that wasn’t boring, tasteless and expensive”. He’s been on a mission to make eating clean cool again, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with their wide variety of recipes that use quinoa, brown rice, beans, edamame and avocado.
Take a bite out of their best-selling Peranakan Veggie Curry With Brown Rice & Chicken ($10.90) or fill up on Omega-3 with Miso Salmon With Quinoa & Asian Greens ($15.90).
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They even serve a low-carb alternative for rice lovers with their cauliflower rice in the Cauliflower Fried Rice With Chicken & Veggies ($9.90). It tastes just as good as regular fried rice, and with a lot more crunch!
No more burning a hole in your wallet just to ensure you’re eating right!
YOLO: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Star Vista, #01-48, Singapore 138617 | Tel: +65 6694 0612 | Opening hours: (Daily) 11am – 9pm | Website | Facebook
With these 10 eateries in Buona Vista, you’ll never have to fall into the trap of routine and sticking to the same ol’ places during your lunch break.
Enjoy some comforting local food, treat yourself to a mid-day sweet eat or choose to stay disciplined with your diet; whatever your fancy, Buona Vista’s got you covered!
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