Local F&B scene still abuzz with new entrants despite challenging spending outlook

Discover the new food hubs which opened in Q1.

Restaurateurs seemed undaunted by the challenges besetting Singapore's retail scene. A report by Colliers International noted that new cafes and restaurants continued to sprout across the island in the first quarter even though overall retail spending fell short.

Among the new restaurants that emerged in non-mall locations in the first quarter are the 30-seat ice cream parlour Workbench Bistro in the Ang Mo Kio housing estate, the 40-seat Wednesday Café along Tanjong Katong Road, the 60-seater casual diner Meat Smith on Telok Ayer Street and the 80-seat café Paddy Hills on South Buona Vista Road.

Apart from small players, international food chains also continued to expand their footprint by setting up more outlets in shopping malls.

For instance, ice cream chain Haagen-Dazs opened its first concept café in Asia - Haagen-Dazs ION Dessert Bar in ION Orchard and Spanish frozen yogurt chain Llao Llao opened its 12th outlet in Singapore at Wisma Atria.

Colliers noted that in addition to expansions by existing international food chains, Singapore’s F&B scene also saw the entrance of new-to-Singapore brands such as Adrift at Marina Bay Sands, whuch was launched by award-winning chef and restaurateur David Myers.

"Unfazed by the challenging operating environment, the F&B scene continued to be abuzz with activities, with new restaurants and eateries popping up in all parts of the island, be it in conventional malls or non-mall locations such as shophouses, commercial spaces beneath the Housing & Development Board (HDB) blocks and the ancillary retail space of commercial buildings," stated Colliers.