The shiny new South Beach Avenue is a swanky space featuring casual cafes, trendy eateries, laidback watering holes and beauty concepts. Inspired by the famous South Beach in Miami, Florida, the 32,000 sq ft area near Esplanade MRT makes for an ideal escape from our sweltering heat, thanks to its microclimatic canopy shelter and the cool breezes that flutter through.
No matter if you’re stopping by for a caffeine jolt, an afternoon tea hangout, a boisterous get-together with buddies, or a happy hour sesh, you’ve got plenty of entertaining options at the 16 dining and lifestyle destinations here. Familiar brands like cake boutique Lady M Confections, local pub Harry’s, organic vegetarian/vegan concept Real Food, whisky connoisseurs Quaich Bar, and cafe chain Dimbulah Coffee have all set up shop here, but it’s the new-to-Singapore names that will pique your interest.
So here’s the lowdown on eight eateries that you won’t find elsewhere in Singapore.
Alchemist Beer Lab
#B1-16. Mon-Thurs noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 4pm-1am.
Beer infusions, anyone? Yep, we’re talkin’ fresh and fruity concoctions like ’50 Shades of Pink’, a cider with pink guava; and ‘Obama’, a mix of Little Island Black Magic stout with toasted marshmallows, vanilla pods and mint leaves. Snack on ale battered sea bass and charcuterie platters as you chug happy hour glasses and admire the infusion towers proudly on display by the bar.
Atmastel
#B1-22. Mon-Sat 11.30am-10pm.
Only the freshest ingredients are allowed into the kitchen helmed by Andrea Tarini, an Italian chef with a three Michelin star background — so everything from burrata, ham and tomatoes are air-flown in weekly from Italy. Step into the sleek space and witness culinary magic in the open kitchen, then enjoy mouthfuls of signature dishes like black ink seafood tagliolini or black truffle pizza before you stop by the retail area for over 70 varieties of artisanal cold cuts, cheeses and wines on your way out.
Black Cow
#B1-20. Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm; Wed noon-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm.
When the Japanese shabu shabu cravings come calling, the elegant Black Cow has you covered with its range of menu items that include award-winning Japanese wagyu beef (Matsusaka and Kagoshima), black truffle sukiyaki rice, premium sake and shochu.
Caffè Vergnano 1882
#B1-17. Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm.
The brand has been around since 1882, and it’s Italy’s oldest family-owned coffee roaster, so you know the caffeine here is legit good. Arabica beans from Central America are blended with an Arabic ‘Sidamo’ of Ethiopia for an aromatic java brew in drinks like Caffè Gianduja (hot chocolate and espresso), Cioccolata (luxuriously rich hot chocolate), and Espresso Shakerato (a shot of espresso shaken with ice).
Fasta
#B1-23. Mon-Sat 11am-9pm.
The name itself denotes ‘fast pasta’ (hence, ‘fasta’, geddit?), and the no-frills, fuss-free eatery caters to the busy office crowd with warm and cold bowls of pastas, grains and meats. If you’ve only got time for a quick lunch, try the Scallop Wallop, a pasta plate with seared Hokkaido scallops, bacon and crab meat, or Shio Ba Mee, aglio olio pasta with caramelized pork belly and a splash of yuzu dressing.
Fynn’s
#B1-21. Tue-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
A versatile modern Aussie eatery, Fynn’s dishes out fresh pastas and burgers for casual lunches in its brightly-lit, cosy space. Then come dinnertime, the kitchen whips up small plate starters and hearty servings of grilled meats and homemade pastas; on weekends, the brunch menu is filled with a mix of savory and sweet items like corn fritters and vanilla pancakes.
The Armoury
#01-01 South Beach Quarter. Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri 9am-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-11pm.
Housed in a heritage building formerly used for the Beach Road Military camp, the restaurant/bar serves up dishes like lobster satay capellini with peanut sauce, pork belly confit with cubed watermelon and chopped hazelnuts, and wagyu beef brioche burgers smothered in onion jam, gruyere and maple glazed bacon. If you need a cold one to wash all those calories down, choose from any of the eight craft beers or five brews on tap.
Vatos Urban Tacos
#01-03 South Beach Quarter. Mon-Thurs 11.30am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11.30am-1am.
Situated just next to The Armoury, this Korean-Mexican restaurant is a definite must-try for all fans of Korean and Mexican cuisine. It’s been around for over a year, but damn, we’d go back for the kimchi carnitas fries, galbi short rib tacos, and honey tequila chicken wings anytime. Also, you can’t go wrong with a round of Vatos-ritas (margaritas and beer) and Makgeolitas (tequila and makgeolli concoctions) on a night out.
South Beach Avenue is at 26 Beach Rd.
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