The newly revamped Great World shopping mall houses a slew of gourmet eateries serving fresh bakes, cut meats, gluten-free snacks and more.
More than 20 years after it opened, the retail center got its first-ever facelift recently with a renovation hoped to breathe new life into its appeal with the addition of modern, trendy eateries including some not available elsewhere.
The mall remained open since the work which began in 2018, and new stores have been opening progressively since around mid-2019. The six-story mall is connected to two office towers and a serviced apartment building. It is also the go-to mall for people living in nearby condominiums and hotels in the River Valley area.
When Coconuts Singapore visited last week, nearly all spaces had been filled and were buzzing with activity during a lunchtime media tour. There are around 50 stores selling food and beverages there, including outlets like Starbucks that had already been there pre-renovation. The overall boost in the number of eateries may be a boon to shoppers in the area since the Liang Court shopping mall at nearby Clarke Quay is set to close for its redevelopment later this year.
New food places at Great World include Chinese restaurant Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, dessert shops House On The Moon and The Dark Gallery, as well as Peranakan restaurant The Blue Ginger.
Three places you can’t find anywhere else that Coconuts Singapore checked out included a cafe-bakery by local restaurant Plentyfull, the only eatery by Ryan’s Grocery, and an eco-friendly grocery store with in-trend Kombucha on tap.
Ryan’s Grocery
The humble gourmet grocery store in Binjai Park, famous for its gluten-free products and on-site butchery, opened its first restaurant on Great World’s basement level.
Among the items we recommend are the juicy beef sausages with truffle mustard and a side of refreshing Australian fruit teas. You could also pick your desired meats from the in-house butcher, including ham and steak meats, and send it to the kitchen for cooking with an additional fee.
MAVRX
We know Singaporeans — especially those who studied in Australia — love artisanal coffee. But have you tried an espresso tonic with lemon?
That beverage stood out from the menu of Australia-inspired Singapore cafe MAVRX. The specialty drink is refreshing and can definitely perk you up. But if you’re a conservative drinker, we suggest you best stick to the good old flat white or long black.
Plentyfull
Pair your cuppa with some fresh out of the oven bakes at the new cafe-bakery by local restaurant Plentyfull. It is located right in front of Ryan’s Kitchen and serves a new batch of croissants each day, in various flavors that include rose with beetroot, which is crispy and buttery with a subtle flavor of the fragrant flower. The beetroot extract is only used for coloring.
The bakery’s “Vegenator” makes for a good savory alternative. It is made of olive oil-drenched tomatoes and zucchini sprinkled with dukkah.
Cedele
This should be familiar to you considering Cedele has around 30 outlets across the island. However, their spacious outlet at Great World is a tad different.
The outlet has a special menu consisting of dishes cooked with seafood caught in Singapore waters. The brand has tied with Singapore fish farm Ah Hua Kelong to bring dishes like the prawn, fish and rice dish below.
Meidi-ya
Since the Liang Court mall is closing, Japanese supermarket Meidi-ya has moved to Great World and opened a series of food stalls right next to it serving special treats from Hokkaido, including an indulgent sweet potato with custard (S$8.80). This rich snack is best shared with others.
The Source Bulk Foods
Minimizing packaging and single-use plastics is a thing these days and that is probably why grocery stores like The Source Bulk Foods are gaining popularity in Singapore.
The organic foods grocery, which does not provide plastic bags, opened its second outlet at Great World’s basement level, which is much larger as compared to its Cluny Court store.
Other than nuts, vegan and gluten-free snacks, you could also pop by to try either of the six different types of organic Kombucha drinks on offer, including some with pomelo and yuzu flavors. They are said to bring a healthier gut.
Baker’s Brew
If you’re looking for cakes, homegrown business Baker’s Brew has opened at Great World with an outlet exclusive option, the Pandan Sugee Cake. This traditional Eurasian treat is less dense and buttery as compared to the original version, great for the health-conscious.
Its other popular cakes like the Lychee Mango and Ondeh Ondeh, as well as crispy croissants are also on offer.
PS. Cafe
Singapore cafe-restaurant PS. Cafe has also opened a new outlet at the mall, with a space spanning 4,300 square feet.
The 125-seater space serves outlet exclusive dishes that pay homage to the area’s spice trade heritage with options like Spiced Biryani Salad (S$26) and Masala Roast Chicken (S$33).
FIND IT
Great World (formerly known as Great World City)
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