Quick answer: Tiong Bahru’s food scene runs from open-fire nose-to-tail cooking to gluten-free waffles and HK pastries with more layers than your insurance policy. Magpie and Dirty Supper draw the adventurous, Casa Cicheti handles date night with 60-hour pizza dough, TIANN’S keeps keto folks happy, Toast Box Coffee House does nostalgic Nanyang claypot, Skirt & Dirt slings gourmet burgers with crispy cheese skirts, and Leung Sang is the egg tart king. All within a few pretty streets.
Magpie
A small, share-plates joint on Eng Hoon Street where New Zealand-born chef Eliot Thomas runs a menu that changes with the seasons and never bothers with borders.
What you actually eat: fresh tandoori bread with house butter, grilled squid with melon chaat salad, Pugliese burrata swirled with curried brinjal pickle, market haul aguachile, and a lamb t-bone hit with urfa chilli. It is comfort food that refuses to stay in its lane – bold, rich, and a little cheeky.
The kitchen opens only a few days a week and the space feels intimate. That scarcity keeps it feeling like a treat every time you score a table. If you are the kind of person who reads a menu and hopes for something you have not seen before, this is your spot.
Address: 57 Eng Hoon Street, #01-88, Singapore 160057
Hours: Wed–Thu 5:30pm–9:30pm, Fri–Sat 12pm–2:30pm & 5:30pm–9:30pm, Sun 12pm–4:30pm (closed Mon–Tue)
Price signal: $$–$$$ (share plates add up)
magpie.city
Casa Cicheti
A neighbourhood trattoria on Guan Chuan Street that runs on 60-hour fermented dough and a wine list that champions small producers.
Their Nea-Romana pizzas are the reason you book. The cinque formaggi comes with five cheeses and a drizzle of Greek honey. Handmade pastas – capellini with Argentinian prawns, say – are plated with the kind of generosity that makes you close your eyes on the first bite. Veal Milanese, boozy tiramisu, and a family-menu option round things out for bigger groups.
It does not feel stiff. The shophouse setting hums with chatter, and the service keeps pace without hovering. Good for a long lunch that stretches into evening, or a dinner where you actually want to hear each other talk.
Address: 78 Guan Chuan Street, #01-41, Singapore 160078
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30am–2:30pm & 5:30pm–10:30pm (closed Mon)
Price signal: $$–$$$
casacicheti.com
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Dirty Supper
Chef-owner Peter Smit runs a whole-animal, open-fire outfit on Moh Guan Terrace that feels equal parts garage workshop and serious kitchen.
Pig head nuggets come with anchovy sauce. Confit duck leg gets fermented chilli. Aged duck breast lands with beer-pickled fig. The brief is nose-to-tail, the heat is wood-fired, and the flavours lean deep and savoury. They even work savoury cocktails into the picture, which tells you they are not precious about categories.
The room is small, the lighting low, and the soundtrack easy. It suits a slow Tuesday evening where the point is to eat something you will still be thinking about on Thursday. If you like a bit of theatre with your supper, the open grill does the job.
Address: 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-19, Singapore 162078
Hours: Tue–Sat 3pm–11pm, Sun 11am–4pm (closed Mon)
Price signal: $$–$$$
dirtysupper.com.sg
If your crew is more in the mood for Chinese classics or Korean BBQ, we have got guides for those too – try our list of Chinese Restaurants in Singapore for an Unforgettable Dining Experience and the best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Singapore for an Dining Experience.
TIANN’S
A gluten-free, health-focused café on Seng Poh Road where the waffles and pizza do not taste like compromise.
Waffles are built from almonds and chia seeds, the bibimbap channels a Korean kick, and the pastries keep keto dieters smiling. Lasagne and pizza are on the menu too, all designed without wheat. Ingredients lean premium and natural, so you get a plate that looks and feels good even if you are not dodging gluten.
The space is bright and casual, closing by late afternoon. Perfect for a brunch date where someone in the group has dietary limits – they get to order from the whole menu without apology.
Address: 71 Seng Poh Road, #01-35, Singapore 160071
Hours: Tue–Sun 8:30am–4pm (closed Mon)
Price signal: $$
tianns.com.sg
Toast Box Coffee House
The Toast Box on Seng Poh Road is not the chain outlet you know – it is a full-service coffee house that mines Nanyang heritage with claypot dishes and old-school mains.
Claypot Hokkien prawn mee arrives bubbling and smoky. Hainanese pork chop rice tastes like your ah ma got a time machine and learnt plating. In-house roasted coffee beans ground fresh anchor the drinks menu, and the retro fit-out – ceiling fans, marble-top tables – makes you want to chope a corner and linger.
It is die-die-must-try for anyone who misses the kind of kopitiam food that got the technique right. Affordable and open daily from 7:30am, it is the tastiest heritage lesson in the neighbourhood.
Address: 58 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 160058
Hours: Daily 7:30am–9pm
Price signal: $
toastbox.com.sg
Skirt & Dirt
Up on the second floor of a Seng Poh Road block, this hawker stall turns out burgers with a crisp cheese skirt that spills beyond the bun.
The signature builds a juicy beef patty with a lacy halo of fried cheddar. Dirt fries come buried under bacon and pickles. It is indulgent, affordable gourmet that does not try to be atas – just a damn shiok burger and a cold drink.
Ideal for a quick lunch when you want something more exciting than a standard fast-food fix. They close by 8pm and take Mondays off, so plan your cravings accordingly.
Address: 30 Seng Poh Road, #02-66, Singapore 168898
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30am–8pm (closed Mon)
Price signal: $
snd.com.sg
Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries
A small pastry counter on Victoria Street (just outside Tiong Bahru proper but worth the short walk) where the egg tarts count 120 layers – flaky, buttery, and consistently sold out by mid-afternoon.
Roasted chicken polo buns and other handcrafted bakes sit alongside the tarts. The kitchen uses traditional Hong Kong methods with local ingredients, and you can taste the patience in the laminated dough. Go early, grab a box, and find a bench somewhere to eat them while they are still warm.
If you are rounding up a weekend breakfast or need something to bring to a potluck that makes you look like you made an effort, this is it.
Address: 247 Victoria Street, Singapore 188033
Hours: Daily 7:30am–7:30pm
Price signal: $
facebook.com/leungsang.pastries
We choose these ourselves. If your place deserves a look for the next update, let us know.
How to choose
The seven kitchens here run the gamut, so your pick really depends on the occasion. For a special date or a birthday splurge, Dirty Supper’s whole-animal grill and Magpie’s ever-changing small plates bring the wow factor. Casa Cicheti lands in the middle – comfortable enough for a family meal, polished enough for a romantic evening over a bottle of wine.
Dietary needs steer you straight to TIANN’S, where a full gluten-free and keto-aware menu means nobody has to negotiate. Craving something fast, cheap, and satisfying? Skirt & Dirt’s cheese-skirt burgers and Toast Box Coffee House’s claypot Hokkien mee are your moves. And if all you want is a perfect flaky egg tart to enjoy with kopi, Leung Sang is the answer – just get there before lunch.
Most places take Mondays off. Hours are tight for Magpie and TIANN’S, so check the timings before you go. Price-wise, expect to spend about $15–$30 per person at the casual spots, and $50–$80 and up at the full-service restaurants with a few plates to share.
If you are planning a night out beyond the neighbourhood, our guide to Romantic Restaurants in Singapore has more ideas for a date that feels special.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Best for | Standout dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magpie | Borderless soul food | $$–$$$ | Adventurous eaters, date nights | Lamb t-bone with urfa chilli |
| Casa Cicheti | Italian (Nea-Romana) | $$–$$$ | Group dinners, pizza lovers | Cinque formaggi pizza |
| Dirty Supper | Whole-animal grill | $$–$$$ | Meat enthusiasts, unique evenings | Pig head nuggets with anchovy sauce |
| TIANN’S | Gluten-free, keto | $$ | Health-conscious brunchers | Almond-chia waffles |
| Toast Box Coffee House | Nanyang heritage | $ | Casual local meals, nostalgia | Claypot Hokkien prawn mee |
| Skirt & Dirt | Gourmet burgers | $ | Quick lunch, satisfying junk food | Cheese skirt burger |
| Leung Sang HK Pastries | Hong Kong pastries | $ | Snacks, breakfast, gifts | Egg tart (120 layers) |
Summary
Tiong Bahru gives you a little bit of everything on a plate – from charcoal-grilled duck to gluten-free lasagne and old-school pork chop rice. Where you go depends on the mood, but every name on this list does its thing with real care. There is a reason people keep circling back to these few streets for a good meal.
Details like opening hours and prices can change. Always confirm directly with the restaurant before heading down.
Frequently asked questions
Which restaurant in Tiong Bahru is best for a date night?
Magpie and Dirty Supper set the right tone – intimate lighting, interesting menus, and kitchens that know how to impress without feeling stiff. Casa Cicheti is also a strong pick if you both love pizza and wine.
Are there gluten-free or keto-friendly options?
Yes, TIANN’S runs a full café menu built around gluten-free and keto ingredients, from waffles and pastries to bibimbap and pizza. You can order anything on the menu without worry.
Where can I get a good local breakfast or kopi?
Toast Box Coffee House opens at 7:30am daily and serves old-school Nanyang breakfast sets, in-house roasted coffee, and claypot mains later in the day. For a pastry grab-and-go, Leung Sang Hong Kong Pastries starts at 7:30am too.
Do these places take reservations?
Magpie and Dirty Supper are small and popular – it is wise to book ahead. Casa Cicheti accepts reservations as well. The casual spots like Toast Box, Skirt & Dirt, and Leung Sang are walk-in only.
What is the price range across these restaurants?
Casual options like Skirt & Dirt and Toast Box will run you around $10–$20 per person. TIANN’S café dishes sit closer to $20–$35. Full-service restaurants like Magpie, Casa Cicheti, and Dirty Supper typically see bills of $50–$80 and up when sharing multiple plates.
Can I find vegetarian or vegan dishes here?
TIANN’S has plant-forward options, and Magpie’s menu always includes vegetable-forward share plates like the burrata and grilled squid. For fully vegan choices, it is best to call ahead and check the current menu.