Here’s where to eat in Singapore in July 2023

The month of July ushers in exciting food happenings in Singapore. From poke bowls to family dinners and casual drinks, there’s something new to check out for every occasion.

CONTENT: Isabel Tan

For the avid salad bowl enthusiasts, the CBD welcomes back Poke Theory which makes a return at Telok Ayer, at the very same location where it first set up shop back in 2016. Meanwhile, head down to Tim Ho Wan for your next family dinner to dig into their latest seasonal menu, featuring timeless Chinese classics with a modern twist. Satiate your sweet tooth at The Hainan Story, who has partnered with Nestle Milo on a chocolatey, Milo-filled menu.

For the perfect chill weekend vibe, wind down with friends and loved ones at the PSO Beach Club at Pullman Singapore Orchard, featuring a poolside bar specialising in the finest Rose wines. Bring your date for romantic drinks at the newly opened Verandah, Singapore’s first ever floating rooftop bar concept.

Ahead, a roundup of the latest food happenings to check out in Singapore this July 2023.

Poke Theory returns to the CBD with a new outlet at Telok Ayer, launches all-new signature bowls

Poke Theory officially returns to its nostalgic outlet at Telok Ayer, where it first opened shop in 2016. Located at the heart of the CBD, the outlet is Poke Theory’s 14th and largest outlet in Singapore, with a total of 104 indoor seats. Diners can look forward to a refreshed menu, featuring new signature bowls, updated portion sizes, more topping options and garnishes.

New Signature Bowls
Good news for fans of the seasonal Samsui Chica bowl — it has now been officially made a permanent menu item, part of the Signature Bowl series. Relish in the aromatic samsui ginger chicken, paired with creamy cajun sweet potato, tangy lime avocado and egg whites.

Poke Theory also debuts a new flavour, featuring the latest craze in the plant protein world — tempeh. The Tempeh-Tress bowl is a delight for vegans, starring umami marinated tempeh, complemented with vibrant toppings including pickled green chillies, sweet pomegranate, corn salsa and tangy lime avocado for a burst of flavour.

New toppings and garnishes
Diners can look forward to the addition of new toppings and garnishes — there are now a total of 18 toppings and 5 garnish options to select from. New toppings include corn salsa and pickled green chillies, as well as the addition of ikura as a premium topping. Two new garnishes — fried shallot and garlic granules — have also been included, adding more flavour to your bowls.

Refreshed portion sizes
Diners can enjoy a choice of two portion sizes for the Build Your Own Poke Bowl (BYOB) option. The bowl sizes have also increased, giving diners more space to mix up their poke bowls. The light bowl (from S$9.90, previously S$11.50) includes five toppings and two garnishes. Meanwhile, the regular (S$11.90, previously S$14.50) includes seven toppings and two garnishes. The bowls are inclusive of a non-sashimi protein option, perfect for those looking for cooked or vegan protein options.

Poke Theory at Telok Ayer
179 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068627

PSO Beach Club

Embark on a weekend rendezvous at Orchard Road’s first ever P.S.O Beach Club at Pullman Singapore Orchard hotel. Curated for rose aficionados in mind, the P.S.O beach club features the finest selection of pale French Roses. Explore iconic labels from around the world including the Provençal region, Spain and South Australia. Highlights include the Miss Rose (S$78/bottle), AIX Coteaux dÁix-en-Provence (S$92) and Chateau dÉsclan Whispering Angel (S$115/bottle).

The poolside bar offers an extensive selection of drinks, take your pick from 15 tantalising Rose wines, Asian-inspired cocktails, premium wines and ice cold beers. P.S.O Beach Club has partnered with Orientalist Spirits on a curated Asian-inspired cocktail programme. Savour artisanal cocktails concocted with Orient spirits and exquisite regional ingredients. Must-try drinks include the 50 Shades of Red (S$19), featuring Orientalist gunpowder gin, aromatic roselle, melati, and a mix of fruity pomegranate molasses, forest fruits, vanilla and fino spiced sherry. For the perfect poolside vibes, the Balinese Colada (S$20) is a refreshing tropical tipple featuring Nusa Cana rum, malibu, honey pineapple, coconut cream, calamansi and cinnamon sugar.

Pair your drinks with an array of delectable bar menu items. Perfect for sharing with friends, light bites include the Miso Fries (S$10) and the Eden Crab Cakes (S$26/3pcs), a moreish snack featuring fried crab cakes paired with tangy chili-lime aioli. Tuck into bar staple dishes such as the Kale & Pumpkin Salad (S$17), crispy Fish & Chips (S$22) or the Smoked Salmon Avocado Wrap (S$22).

Pullman Singapore Orchard
270 Orchard Road, Singapore 238857

Verandah Pool Bar & Grill: Singapore’s first ever floating rooftop bar with Bali vibes

You can now enjoy a tropical Bali-esque experience in Singapore at Verandah Rooftop Bar, featuring Singapore’s very first floating rooftop bar concept. Perched at Level 7 of Momentus Hotel Alexandra, the Verandah Rooftop Bar delivers dreamy tropical vibes reminiscent of a Bali escapade. The beautiful poolside retreat features a panoramic infinity pool, surrounding a swim-up bar housed within a stunning floor to ceiling glass alcove.

The highlight experience here is the Verandah Sundown, featuring the iconic pool floating tray. Priced at S$98++ for two adults, the experience includes the floating tray in the pool, which can fit six bar bites and a selection of up to your alcoholic beverages.

For drinks, take your pick from their exclusive selection of specialty cocktails (S$25++), aptly named after the Alexandra area. The Alexandra’s Allure cocktail is a sweet concoction of bourbon, honey, butter and finished with a light touch of cinnamon smoke. Meanwhile, the Fables of Faber is their rendition of the Singapore Sling, featuring a refreshing mix of orange, rosemary-infused cointreau, hendricks gin, dehydrated pineapples and smoked rosemary. Besides the signature cocktails, a curated selection of wines, beers and mocktails are also available at the bar.

No bar is complete without a delectable bar menu — Verandah Pool Bar & Grill delivers mouthwatering grilled specialties. Savour the Grilled Oysters (S$15++/3pcs), featuring fresh juicy oysters grilled with crispy garlic, shallots and paired with tantalising Thai seafood sauce. Satiate your hunger pangs with the chargrilled Argentinian Dirty Steak (S$20++), featuring juicy beef grilled to perfection.

Happy hour deal (S$9++)
Verandah Rooftop Bar is having a happy hour deal (S$9++), every Monday to Friday from 11am to 7pm (excluding Public Holidays). Enjoy a selection of house pour spirits, house white and red wine, or draught beers.

Verandah Pool Bar & Grill
Level 7, Momentus Hotel Alexandra
323 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159972

Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan has released their new seasonal menu, featuring timeless classics reinterpreted with a contemporary twist. From fritters to dumplings and even rice bowls, diners can look forward to an array of classic dishes, reinterpreted with modern flavours.

Start off your meal with elevated classic dishes perfect for sharing. Savour the Wasabi Mayo Mango Shrimp Fritters (S$8 for 3 pcs), featuring sweet juicy mangoes covered in crispy, golden fried batter and paired with wasabi mayonnaise. Meanwhile, the Minced Pork & Curry Chicken Fried Glutinous Dumpling is a fresh reinterpretation of the classic Hong Kong Ham Sui Kok. Bite into the crispy yet chewy dumpling skin and relish in the mouth watering flavours of the minced pork, dried shrimp, curry chicken and potato fillings.

For mains, the Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Rice with Egg takes the traditional black pepper beef rice up a notch with the selection of grilled tenderloin beef. The tender juicy beef is grilled in aromatic black pepper sauce, complemented with red and green capsicums and onions to delight the palate. A slurp-worthy main dish is the Crabmeat & Shrimp Wonton with Dry HK Egg Noodles (S$14), featuring umami-filled dry egg noodles dish tossed in lard oil and paired with delectable crispy wontons stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp fillings.

Making a longawaited comeback is the egg white spring roll, a nostalgic dish from Tim Ho Wan’s first generation menu, back when they first launched in Singapore. Diners can enjoy a taste of nostalgia as the egg rolls retain the same original recipe created by Chef Mak, one of the founding chefs of Tim Ho Wan.

Hainan Story x MILO

The Hainan Story collaborates with Nestle’s Milo with a series of limited Milo dishes. From Milo-coated chicken to Milo-filled chocolatey desserts, this collaboration menu is one that sweet tooths should not miss out on.

For the adventurous, try the savoury-chocolatey Milo hainanese crispy chicken cutlet. The Hainan Story takes the sweet and savoury craze up a notch as their signature crispy chicken cutlet is dusted generously with Milo powder. Savour the chocolatey caramelisation of Milo chocolate and crisp fried chicken cutlet, and dip it in Hainanese BBQ sauce for the ultimate fusion experience.

The Milo toast is a dream come true for chocolate and thick toast lovers. The Hainan Story’s well-loved fluffy thick toast is generously topped with a blanket of milo powder, making this the perfect sweet treat. The Hainan Story’s signature swiss roll also transforms into a Milo filled goodness. Chocolate lovers can enjoy the multiple layers of chocolate — the swiss roll is filled with Milo on the inside, and topped with milo powder on the outside.