Who says you can’t find good food in schools? We explore some dining options within the vicinity of the Singapore Management University (SMU). Not only do the establishments exude a trendy vibe, they also offer wholesome food and drinks at competitive prices.
Boyle’s Coffee and Love Bites
70 Stamford Road #01-22A
Li Ka Shing Library
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri 8am–8pm
Sat–Sun 9am–3pm
A coffee brand from South Korea, Boyle’s Coffee is well known for its Nitro Cold Brews. Also called Nitro Coffee, Nitro Cold Brew is known for its silky and smooth texture, and is created with cold brew and nitrogen gas. Watch the baristas here show off their skills at Singapore’s first Mavam Espresso Machine while nibbling on a pastry or tucking into their grain bowls.
Apart from coffee, food items on the menu are affordable, as the café targets students from educational institutions nearby. Try the Love Bites bowl — chicken with sauteed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, french beans and brown rice.
Tea Party Express
90 Stamford Road #01-75
School of Economics
Opening hours:
Mon–Sat 9am–9pm
The Tea Party Pte Ltd was first established at Sixth Avenue in Bukit Timah in 2004. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, its standard set meal of a pasta of choice — very good value for money at only $4.80 with a chilled drink — is especially popular among students. Be prepared to wait for your food if you go during lunchtime!
B3 — Burger Beer Bistro
80 Stamford Road #B1-6180
School of Information Systems
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 10am–10pm
Fri 10am–12am
B3 is a good place to hang out and chill with friends over a cup of coffee or a pint of beer, especially when it offers student-friendly prices. It’s no surprise then that it is such a draw for SMU students.
The adventurous should order the Heart Attack Burger, while Thai food lovers will relish the Sawadee burger. Other items on the menu include tapas, salads and to-die-for desserts.
Bricklane Bar
70 Stamford Road #01-22
Li Ka Shing Library
Opening hours:
Mon–Thu 11am–11pm
Fri 11am–12am
Exuding laid-back chic, this retro-themed café is not only Instagrammable, it also serves healthy nosh at competitive prices. Its Brick Bowls offer wholesome value-for-money meals. Also popular are its Mexican dishes and affordable craft beers.
In addition, you can opt to sit indoors or outdoors, so it makes a great hangout with pals, whatever temperature you are more comfortable in!
Kenboru
80 Stamford Road #B1-65
School of Information Systems
Opening hours:
Mon–Fri 11am–2.30pm; 5pm–8pm
Kenboru specialises in healthy Japanese-Western fusion bowls, and has won kudos for presentation. Bowls are flamed right in front of you —how’s that for showmanship? But rest assured it is not a style-over-substance kind of joint —the food here tastes as good as it looks, going by the numerous rave reviews this place has garnered.
You’ll get to enjoy dishes such as Smoked Salmon Mentaiko with Fish Roe, Flamed Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thigh, Torched Unagi, and Smoked Duck Breast at extremely reasonable prices. If you are on a low-carb diet, you can substitute romaine lettuce for the rice. Despite being located in the basement of SMU, the café is cosy and comfortable.
