Dinner with a View

ADVERTORIAL

For Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, park yourself at these bars and restaurants with riverside views—and some fireworks vantage points too.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SINGAPORE RIVER ONE

Cedar GrillThis Mediterranean-Lebanese

restaurant is pretty enough as it is, with its vibrant interiors full of rustic wooden furniture, beaded pillows and intricate tapestries. But for the National Day weekend, the big draw for this two-story space will be its amazing views of Marina Bay Sands and the CBD. Enjoy it with reliable classics like hummus, beef kebabs and delicious shawarma stuffed with chicken and garlic sauce. Oh, and if you’re lucky, you can get a table at their brunch, complete with free-flow sangria and Prosecco.

63 Boat Quay, 6438-7322, www.cedargrill.sg

SouthbridgeThis cool oyster bar is also home

to great Champagne and wine. The chic metal-and-marble bar is a suitably classy place to pop bottles of Prosecco, slurp down fresh oysters topped with ponzu and yuzu sauce and snack on lobster rolls and truffle bikini sandwiches. As far as Boat Quay bars go, it also has the distinct advantage of being perched on the fifth floor in a row of low-lying shop houses—great for catching fireworks.

5/F, 80 Boat Quay, 6877-6965, www.southbridge.sg

The Arts HouseFeel patriotic at this beautiful

colonial building that long ago used to be the Old Parliament, now turned into a hip and happening live music spot and dining destination. Whether you bask in the glory of the building’s interiors, park yourself on an outdoor riverside bench or head to one of the watering holes like Timbre for live music, Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt for fancy French food or Earshot Cafe for comforting burgers, you’ll have unimpeded, impressive riverside views overlooking the CBD.

1 Old Parliament Ln., 6332-6900, www.theartshouse.sg

Café IguanaNothing beats this raucous Mexican restaurant and bar if you’re

looking for a wild night out. From the cozy decor of wooden chairs and tables to a mishmash of bright paintings, it’s exactly the sort of place where you’ll find pitchers full of ice cold margaritas and plates full of hearty nachos. All that and the pretty great riverside location are the big reasons this cavernous space is always buzzing and alive with happy revellers.

#01-03 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Rd., 6236-1275, www.cafeiguana.com

KinaraThis North Indian restaurant specializes in food from Rajasthan.

There’s a plethora of naan, tandoori meats slathered in spices, dum biryani and fragrant curries like the murgh tikka masala. The ethnic space is decked out in traditional Indian touches, including a heavy wooden door, lanterns and carved art. This time, the picturesque views of the river have the added bonus of an atmospheric verandah.

57 Boat Quay, 6533-0412, www.thekinaragroup.com

Mad Men Attic BarIt’s the go-to for after work drinks in the CBD and has local bands playing

sets almost every night. The industrial space is perfect for beers and bottle service, with bar grub like luncheon meat fries and har cheong chicken chunks to fill the tummy. No riverside views here, but there’s nevertheless a killer rooftop that’s always packed to the seams with beautiful people, making it perfect for catching the fireworks amid vertiginous office buildings.

#03-02 (Attic) 13 North Canal Rd., 6222-2539, www.tmmcollective.com

Pasta Fresca Da Salvatore

Who can resist heaping plates of delicious pasta? Whether you order traditional Italian plates of mascarpone, Parma ham and rucola pizza or go for something a little more creative like the alla pastora, a shepherd’s pie-inspired creation with bacon, mushroom and chilli, there’s no resisting the homey goodness of this stalwart Italian restaurant. This newly-renovated outlet also boasts breezy outdoor seats for evening meals by the river.

30 Boat Quay, 6532-6283, www.pastafresca.com

Mad Men Attic Bar

Southbridge

Timbre @ The Arts House

Cedar Grill

Kinara

Pasta Fresca

Café Iguana