Tucked inside the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center in the CBD, Cherki is named after a Peranakan game so addictive that Nyonas once pawned their jewelry to play! Well, trust me, their food and craft cocktails are just as irresistible.

Their menu is built for sharing, in true “Tok Panjang” fashion—family-style. My favorite is the Laksa Lobster Kueh Pie Tee, little pastry cups packed with spiny lobster, laksa leaves, and coconut cream.

As for cocktails, the bartenders here use local ingredients to create drinks that taste like Singapore in a glass. My personal pick is their Loquat Elixir—smooth and layered with herbal notes.

I love the restaurant’s turquoise, almond, gold, and rattan accents, too. It’s one of those stunning spots where you’ll probably snap a photo mid-bite.

If there’s one downside, they’re a bit tough to book. Their delicious food, drinks, and ambiance make it a hot ticket, so plan ahead.

Laksa Lobster Kueh Pie Tee: My fav dish of the night!

“Great spot serving Peranakan flavors with a twist. I visited on a Friday night, and while it wasn’t too busy, with dim lighting and a chill vibe for a nice spot to unwind. The staff were super friendly and attentive, making the experience even better. They offer an all-day Happy Hour, which is such a steal! I had the Sop Story, and it was the perfect way to end the meal, a refreshing and lovely balance of sweet calpis and tangy soursop. For food, we got the Indulgence Set, which allowed us to sample a variety of their dishes. It had little tasting portions of their best dishes, and the portions were super generous. Definitely value for money, great for those new to Peranakan cuisine or just looking to try a bit of everything. Some of my favorites: Laksa Lobster Kueh Pie Tee: My fav dish of the night! The rich, fragrant laksa coconut filling paired with the crisp shell was amazing. I think one per person isn’t enough!” — Shi Min Lee, Google Review

Loquat Elixir—light, refreshing, and memorable

“Located on the ground floor of the Chinese Cultural Center, this Peranakan restaurant offers a unique dining experience. The space features a bar at one end, surrounded by tables, and shares restroom facilities with the Chinese Call Center next door. The cocktails here are truly the highlight and quite innovative. The Sop Story, a sour soup-inspired cocktail, arrived in a basket with dry ice and sauce on the side. Once mixed together, it became more of an alcoholic dessert than a typical drink, as it included semi-solid gin. It was a surprising and intriguing experience. The second drink, Loquat Elixir, was a gin-infused longan cocktail served in a sake container—light, refreshing, and memorable. Finally, the Street Side Signature offered a creative twist on alcoholic cendol, which was both fun and delicious.” — Travelling Doc, Google Review

Restaurant PeraMakan is owned by Executive Chef Kathryn Ho, a fourth-generation NyoNya with roots in Malacca and Penang. 

A dish I love is their Ayam Buah Keluak—tender, boneless chicken thighs braised in a rich sauce. The flavor is so deep, nutty, and slightly tangy that I find myself chasing spoonfuls of sauce long after the chicken’s gone.

You can also watch out for their popular weekday set menus that come with Chap Chye, NyoNya Tauhu, and steamed rice. Then, cap off the meal with their famous dessert, Premium Gula Melaka Chendol, said to be the best on the island.

Drinks-wise, they offer a killer lineup of cocktails and mocktails. A popular one is their Ginger Lemongrass Crush—it’s bright and cuts through the hearty flavors.

If I had to nitpick, seating times are set at 90 minutes, which might feel a bit tight for slow eaters or big groups. 

Ayam Buah Keluak transported me to Mom’s cooking

“Review: Tingkat Peramakan is going to Grandma’s place without helping to wash the dishes afterward. Tucked behind Farrer Park MRT station on Owen Road, the clever play on words for Peranakan Makan tells you they serve classic Nyonya cuisine. Given the common misconception that Nyonya food has a high price tag (* cough* Violet *cough*), this little eatery promises a no-frills experience and delivers an experience worthy of their counterparts in Singapore and Malacca. The standout was the bitter and savory flavor profile in the Ayam Buah Keluak, which transported me to the days of Mom’s cooking decades ago in my childhood. The fish in the Assam Garam was fresh and cooked well, and the rest of the dishes were presented nicely.” — Xellecious, Google Review

One of the best Chendol I’ve had

“One of the best Chendol I’ve had (IMO anyway). The staff was friendly and helpful when we needed attention. But be warned, as mentioned (I would assume it is the boss), be prepared to wait for a seat, especially on a weekend. I was lucky to get to dine in on a Saturday evening. He was also very informative when we had a little chat here and there during our meal. Overall, it was a very pleasant dining experience here. I will definitely drop by again in the future.” — Jeong Min Kim, Google Review

Bonding Kitchen was founded by Chef Danny Chew, who brings over 25 years of experience and a degree from At Sunrice Global Chef Academy. His restaurant is a love letter to Nyonya cooking, which he’s passionate about.

The spot is known for its Wagyu Beef Rendang, slow-stewed in coconut milk and more than 15 different local herbs and spices. I usually pair it with their Bunga Telang Lemongrass Pandan, a floral mocktail made with butterfly pea flower juice.

They also have an impressive wine list that covers house pours, whites, reds, sparkling, and even rosé. I like that they come in half-bottle options, which is more manageable for a duo or trio.

What’s cool is that you can book their Semi-Private Room if you’re going with a group of 13 or above. This is perfect for intimate family gatherings or work power lunches.

The only hiccup we heard about is their reservation mix-ups, so make sure to confirm before going there.

A true gem for Peranakan cuisine 

“Bonding Kitchen at Orchard Gateway is a true gem for Peranakan cuisine in Singapore. We ordered a spread that showcased both tradition and creativity: Ngor Hiang, Chap Chye, Wagyu Beef Rendang, Sotong Masak Hitam, Blue Pea Butterfly Steamed Rice, Ikan Bilis Petai, Fish, and Belinjau Keropok. Every dish was beautifully executed, full of authentic flavors yet elevated with finesse.” — Yvonne Chou, Google Review

The wagyu rendang is a must-order

“Nice cozy space to hang out with friends and family over a meal! I personally tried their food and love the taste of it. Even the lemongrass drink is not too sweet. The wagyu rendang is a must-order, the tenderness and taste of the rendang spice was fantastic. I also tried their Black squid ink sotong and belingo. Don’t forget to pair it with a bowl of beautiful blue pea rice that’s moist and chili that’s fragrant and comforting to your tummy.” — Elizabeth Elisha Ms Kueh, Google Review

Nyonya Taste by Brew & Bar is a modest little spot in Tanah Merah, but don’t let the unassuming setting fool you. They serve comfort-driven Peranakan cooking passed down through generations.

If you had to choose only one dish to order, go for their Ayam Buah Keluak, chicken braised in a spicy, tangy gravy with nutty seeds that give it depth. You can opt for the bento version if you’re extra hungry—it comes with blue pea rice, chap chye, omelet, and chili.

They have a rotating range of craft beers on tap, from light golden ales and wheats to crisp pilsners and oatmeal stout. Pairing a cold pint with a plate of spice-forward Nyonya food? Pretty genius.

For groups, they offer mini buffet setups for at least 10 people—an easy pick for family gatherings or casual celebrations.

The only downside is that their food and drink selection is comparatively limited.

Definitely one of the best Peranakan foods in town!

“Definitely one of the best Peranakan foods in town! Dishes are sophisticatedly cooked with refined flavors. My favorite is definitely the prawn with pineapple. Highly recommended!” — Wacleus Chin, Google Review

Ayam buah keluak was tender and flavor-packed

“Absolutely delicious Peranakan food! Nonya Taste truly lives up to its name — every dish bursts with rich, authentic flavors that taste just like home-cooked goodness. The dishes were fragrant and full-bodied, the ayam buah keluak was tender and flavor-packed, and the chap chye had just the right balance of sweetness and savouriness. Portions were generous and served piping hot.” — Shu Min Tan, Google Review

Nana Dolly’s is owned by Alvin, a fourth-generation baba who grew up on the soulful cooking of his Peranakan family matriarchs. His goal is to take classics he loved as a kid and give them a creative twist.

No one should ever miss their Dry Laksa—delicious noodles coated in laksa paste that’s neither too dry nor too oily. You can upgrade to pasta for just a dollar.

To cool things down, order Nana’s Mojito, a refreshing cocktail with mint, lime, and a touch of sweetness, topped with fizzy soda.

Another highlight is their value-packed dinner sets, available Sunday to Thursday from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. You get to mix and match a side, veggie, main, and dessert—all served with rice and a sour plum drink.

One thing to note—customers have mentioned dishes arriving after 30 minutes, so you might need to be a tad patient.

One of the best dry laksa I have tried

“Expected damage $20 – $25. This Peranakan cafe is highly rated as it has amazing food as well as Nyonya traditional costumes for you to try on and take pictures with when you are dining there. The whole meal there was incredibly sinful but worth the visit from time to time. Highly recommend the dry laksa as it was one of the best I have tried, as the laksa paste is not too dry and provides a nice coat around the noodles. The megakabo pork belly was incredibly tender and fatty (melt in your mouth), and had a sweet and tangy flavor, which is interesting. The chicken rendang wasn’t as mind-blowing, but I couldn’t stop mixing the rendang curry with the blue pea rice and eating them together. The chicken was very tender and cooked well. Overall, I would make a special trip to this place and recommend this to my foreign friends to try. Please do make a reservation before coming or risk having to stand in a queue.” — Daniel Koh, Google Review

Best dinner for the week

“Best dinner for the week. Everything was so good. Ayam Bua keluat, assam fish, and ngoh hiong are the must-haves. Compliment your dishes with their home-made sambal – Superb! Highly recommended!” — Vernessa Tan, Google Review