Excellent food finds in the West

Riders Cafe

For an unconventional dining environment, head to Riders Café, located in the middle of Bukit Timah Saddle Club. The gorgeous colonial-style cafe is casual, popular with families yet effortlessly elegant.

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and even light bites in between, notable highlights in the cafe include Crab Melt Sandwich, Kabocha & Kale and Conchiglie Beef Short Rib Ragu. They also have plenty of brunch favourites, hearty mains and a small but highly raved about collective of desserts.

Of course, the main highlight of this location is the many horses trotting about in view from the cafe. It is definitely a surreal experience to be enjoying brunch around these majestic beasts. Plus, kids are always excited to watch them go about their day from the café’s outdoor deck.

Address: 51 Fairways Dr, Singapore 286965

Suzuki Gourmet Coffee

Ensconced in an industrial area in Boon Lay, this Japanese teahouse features a beautiful and calming space that will transport you to Japan and satisfy your wanderlust.

Unbeknownst to many, Suzuki Gourmet Coffee is one of Singapore’s oldest coffee roasteries and was first founded in 1979. Interestingly, the building it is housed in does not just comprise of the cafe; it is a factory as well, where they roast, grind and package gourmet coffee to an select clientele across Asia.

Their artisanal coffee uses single origin Arabica coffee beans and Hokkaido fresh milk for an absolutely divine caffeinated experience. Japanese Soy Milk is also available for non-dairy diners. Take the coffee experience up another notch with filer coffees, which is another signature item on the menu. Not big on coffee? There are matcha and hojicha drinks to enjoy as well.

Do note that there are no parking spots for customers within the factory but there are other parking facilities nearby.

Address: 8 Chin Bee Avenue, Singapore 619934

Joo Seng Teochew Porridge and Rice

The Westies’ go-to Teochew porridge stall, Joo Seng Teochew Porridge and Rice delivers in variety and taste. With so many dishes to choose from, you might just want to get them all.

To help you narrow it down, the tender boneless duck and boiled squid are highly recommended. The stall also serves braised sauce that you can scoop into your porridge for extra flavour and enjoyment!

Prices may be steeper than most Teochew porridge stalls but many would vouch that it is worth it.

Address: 14 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599738

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak

Serving nasi lemak till late, this is one of the most popular supper hotspots in the West.

There are plenty of ingredients to choose from and nasi lemak sets if you prefer to keep it simple. A big focus of the stall is the fragrance of the coconut-infused rice, and this attention to detail definitely comes through when you take the first bite of rice. The chicken wings are freshly fried and served crispy while the sweet-but-spicy sambal chilli pairs wonderfully with the whole meal.

As this is a supper spot, it is recommended to drive down before the late-night hours to avoid long queues.

Address: 221A/B Boon Lay Place, #01-106, Singapore 619332

Formosa Delights

Those who had studied at the National University of Singapore will know the stretch of shophouses where Formosa Delights is situated.

The restaurant serves handmade noodles and a good selection of Chinese cuisines. High recommended dishes are all the braised pork rice or noodle dishes. Other favourite dishes include the stir-fried green beans with pickled mustard (that goes very well with porridge actually if you so wish to “ta bao” it home), the fried chicken with dried chilli (numbingly good) and the green onion pancakes.

Be warned that portions are huge but prices are actually very reasonable.  Best enjoyed as a group so everyone can share the various dishes.

Address: 20 Clementi Rd, Singapore 129749

Carpenter and Cook

Located along the Lorong Kilat stretch in Bukit Timah, this artisanal bakery and café is a dream come true for lovers of all things vintage. Decorated with pre-loved collections of vintage furniture, there is plenty to admire as you sip on coffee and tea.

Its hand-crafted pastries and delectable cakes are especially impressive — they are made in-house by Shenn, the owner of Carpenter and Cook who has trained at the prestigious Cordon Bleu in London and honed her skills at an artisan bakery and a chocolate shop. Be sure to try the Passionfruit Meringue Tart which offers a delicate balance of sweet and tangy.

Address: 19 Lorong Kilat, #01-06, Singapore 598120

Marina Bistro

Now this is really a place you need a car to get to – or a boat. Who knew that at the western-most part of Singapore is a place where you can treat yourself to good food and a gorgeous view?

Located within Raffles Marina, a country club near Tuas Checkpoint, Marina Bistro serves up local and Western fare such as seafood laksa nasi goreng, lamb biryani and black Angus beef steak. Prices are fairly affordable and if you are a member of the club, you enjoy a discounted rate.

It is a bit of a drive to get to but the stunning view makes for a great date night or a way to get the family away from the usual city lights for a while.

Address: 10 Tuas West Drive, Singapore 638404

Wine and dine in the West

Hungry for more? Explore the West on wheels and discover more food gems to bring your family and friends to.

Pro tip: The best finds are found when you are least expecting. So don’t be afraid to turn off the GPS and get a little lost. Afterall, what’s an adventure without a little detour here and there?

There are many more food gems to discover on this side of Singapore so be sure to get a little more adventurous, keep your petrol tank full – or electric vehicle charged – and get exploring!

Main photo: Marina Bistro