Hipster Dining In Bishan – 9 Unique Places To Eat

More than just a convenient MRT stop, Bishan is home to some casual dining establishments and cafe. We sussed out some of these hipster dining places located in the area so you don’t have to venture too far into town the next time you feel the cafe-hopping itch.

1. Crusty Oven

This hole-in-the-wall bakery churns out freshly baked sweet treats ranging from tarts to cakes and muffins. We had the Cinnamon Baby Pear Baked Tart ($4.90), which featured plump and juicy baby pears imported from Spain glazed with an alluring glossy sheen of speckled cinnamon, making for a comforting dessert filled with autumnal flavours.

2. Grin Affair

Our sweet tooth let us to Grin Affair, who is most noted for their adorable jar cakes. Moving from hipster to the heartlands, their second outlet here extends to more than just mousse cakes. We had their Gelato Slider which was going at a promotional price of $1.90, where a toasty warm bun and melted marshmallows was served alongside our choice of Roasted Green Tea gelato. But don’t expect getting a sugar rush from this petite treat – it’s more of a tea time treat than anything else. We also sampled one of their bestseller, the Lychee Passionfruit jar cake ($6.50). And it’s way to understand why people loved this – the tart passionfruit curd and fresh lychee notes served as a good contrast to the salted pistachio bits, creating a light dessert filled with layers of harmonious flavours.

3. The Wholefood Kitchen

The Wholefood Kitchen is not so much a cafe but a humble stall located in a coffeeshop. But their menu is every bit as hipster – with quality and healthy ingredients that make for a wholesome meal. We had a whole wheat wrap stuffed with our choice of Cuban Mojo Chicken With Guacamole ($9). We didn’t care much for the side salad, but loved the wrap that came packed with crunchy greens and a generous filling of moist chicken bits slathered in a creamy guacamole mixture.

4. Cornerstone

Nestled within Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park, Cornerstone allows you to dine in a tranquil setting of lush greenery. We had their Beer Battered Fish And Chips ($19) where a moist fillet came encrusted in a delectably crunchy beer batter.

5. Canopy Garden Dining

Another eatery that’s located within Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park is Canopy Garden Dining which serves up fusion cuisine and quintessential Western fares. While we could certainly do with better and more attentive service, the Fresh Middlerock Sweet & Sour ($7) with its unique blend of zesty lime juice and housemade sugared syrup certainly helped quenched our impatience and mellowed out the heat from the Spicy Asian Inspired Minced Pork pasta ($19). The bak chor mee inspiration was apparent from the spiced pomodoro sauce. But however inspired, we can’t help but shake the feeling that we were eating a spicy version of a classic bolognese.

6. Grub

Also providing a dine-in-the-park experience is Grub, which hopes to share their love for food and responsible cooking through their thoughtful menu created without artificial preservatives and flavourings. We had their Crispy Fish Burger ($14) which comes with a huge chunk of breaded fish fillet (their fish are bought from a sustainable source) and remoulade to cut through the richness. Certainly a filling and substantial burger that’ll leave your belly satisfied.

7. Soul Kitchen

Located away from the bustle of Bishan town is Soul Kitchen with their unique Southern offering and welcoming interior. But more welcoming is their Saturday brunch menu with nothing above $10. We had the unconventional Chicken And Sausage Gumbo ($9.80 with the option of adding $1 for a cup of ice lemon tea), which was a classic Southern dish that reminded us somewhat like an ang mor mui fun with their garlic infused rice sitting in a pool of hearty stew filled with chicken, sausages, beans and vegetables. It was tangy and robust, with the side of hot sauce helping to pack a bigger flavour punch.

8. Crave Ice Cream

More than just your neighbourhood ice cream parlour, Crave Ice Cream is home to their unique waffle that’s almost like a crispy mochi – crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle and nothing like the usual fluffy waffles. We ordered Crave On-The-Go ($4.80) that came with waffle chunks and a scoop of ice cream, and we knew we had to get the paddlepop-esque Yummy Gummy flavour which was a kaleidoscopic hue studded with gummy bears within.

9. The Living Room – Zion Bishan

Located at the Zion Bishan Bible-Presbyterian Church (which happens to be a PokéStop btw), The Living Room is a humble dining establishment that’s perfect for their comforting stews and light tea-time snacks. We had their tea-time special that runs from 3pm to 5pm daily, allowing patrons to choose from any cake and a choice of coffee or tea for just $4. We had their Earl Grey Chiffon With Lavender Lychee Glaze paired with a cup of Chamomile, Vanilla and Honey Twinnings tea. The light and fluffy cake was scented with notes of bergamot while the glaze was redolent of lychee and lavender. But those looking for something more sinful can opt for the Beer-Battered Mushrooms ($5.90) where the soft and juicy mushrooms were encased in a crunchy batter.

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

Let’s build a food community that helps to update the food news online! Simply comment below if there’s any changes or additional info to the shops above. We will verify and update from our side. Thanks in advance!