It's 1st August??

It’s time for your weekly Belly Bites 😋

Welcome back, fellow foodies! This edition of Belly Bites is full of flavour, atmosphere, and a few surprises along the way.

In this week’s edition:

• African-themed food that hits different 🔥

• 4 unorthodox dining experiences in Singapore 🤭

• Reveal of The MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025 🌟

🌟 Foodie Spotlight

African-themed dishes that pack a punch, this week we talk about…

🥘 Kafe Utu @ Jiak Chuan Road!

Once you’re through the doors, you’re surrounded by warm lighting, bold African prints, and hand-carved wood - it feels personal and has a laid-back vibe, with catchy Afrobeat playing softly in the background.

We tried the Swahili Fish Curry and the Liberian Peanut Chicken Stew - both rich, full of spice, and served with coconut rice or chapati. The portions are generous, the flavours deep, and nothing feels rushed or watered down.

Great for slow brunches or long dinners with friends. Kafe Utu stands out without trying too hard.

🖐️ Add these unique dining experiences to your bucket list!

While these are my top picks, I’d love to hear yours by replying to the email with your favourite places for me to try!

🗼Odette @ National Gallery Singapore (Link)

A modern French fine dining restaurant known for clean flavours, seasonal ingredients, and precise technique. Expect dishes like Normandy crab with caviar or Kampot pepper pigeon - beautifully plated and deeply refined. The space is elegant but not stiff, with soft light and pastel tones. It’s a splurge (lunch from $298++), but one of the best dining experiences in Singapore.

⭐️ 4.7 (1,400 reviews)
👍 Refined, Artistic, Michelin-starred

🌌 NOX - Dine in the Dark @ Club Street (Link)

At NOX, you eat in complete darkness, guided by visually-impaired staff. 12 unique dishes will be prepared as a surprise, and you rely on taste, smell, and texture to figure them out. The sample menu includes Seared Ahi Tuna and Warm Potato Salad with Bacon and Egg Dressing and French Sea Bass En Papillote with Leeks, Shallots, and a White Wine Sauce. This course menu is available at $98++ per pax.

⭐️ 4.6 (1,770 reviews)
👍 Unique, Sensory, Thought-provoking

🍳 Star Western @ Kovan (Link)

A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it corner shop with only a few tables, this spot serves British-style breakfast plates late 24/7. Think runny eggs, fat sausages, grilled tomatoes - all for under $10. Recommend visiting at off-peak timings to secure a table for your peaceful brunch menu.

⭐️ 3.5 (534 reviews)
👍 Quaint, Comfort food, Late-night gem

🎭 Absurdities @ Jalan Besar (Link)

A six-course “secret” dinner that happens across multiple rooms, each with a different theme! Think wacky escape rooms complemented by a 6-course Omakase meal and 2 alcoholic beverages. The location will be kept hidden until 24 hours before your reservation. This is something for you and your adventurous spirit!

⭐️ 4.8 (699 reviews)
👍 Immersive, Experimental, One-of-a-Kind

🗞️ What’s Newsworthy

Singapore’s food scene keeps getting interesting, and the recently announced 2025 MICHELIN Guide proves it. Whether you're into street hawker favourites or high-end tasting menus, there’s something for every budget and appetite.

This year’s list features 3 restaurants with three stars (Les Amis, Odette, Zén), 7 with two stars, and 32 with one star - including new names like Omakase @ Stevens and a promotion from 1 to 2 stars for Sushi Sakuta. Over 280 spots made the full selection, covering more than 40 cuisines, from modern French and Nordic to Chinese and Sri Lankan.

Click here for the full 2025 guide.

🥳 That’s a Wrap!

Glad you made it to the end of the newsletter!

I always want to improve my content, and I’d love to hear your feedback or recommendations simply by replying to this email.

If not, have a great weekend, and let me know if you try any of my recs! 😃

See you next week,

Zen Sze
@ Belly Bites SG