Nestled right in the iconic Rendezvous Hotel in the Bras Basah strip is the Straits Café, where diners will be able to enjoy the taste of the region without having to break the bank and leaving Singapore.

Taking inspirations from the flavours of Penang, Melaka, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Straits Café -which was only certified Halal in 2018 -aims to be the destination for Straits delights.And it’s not just the food that takes inspiration from the region, the decor is influenced as well.

The restaurant’s interior boasts a myriad of bold colours and geometric accents, generous use of marble and wood furnishing, and several decorative highlights such as rustic Chinese baskets, vintage enamelware of tingkat (a tiered lunchbox that can pack several food items), plates and mugs reminiscent of those used by the Nonyas, as well as quirky display pieces.

Under the leadership of their head chef who has had training from the acclaimed Malaysian chef, Chef Wan, the restaurant is also slowly introducing Middle-Eastern flavours through dishes such as their Moroccan Chicken.

The Middle-East has always had an influence on some of the Straits dishes such as beef rendang, an iconic Malay dish.

Lok-lok. Photo: Atiqah Rosle

The highly popular Malaysian street food lok lok is now available for diners to enjoy when they come in for dinner at Straits Café. They’ll be able to choose from a variety of quality ingredients such as scallops, sliced abalone, mushroom, meatballs, sausages and more on skewers.

A selection of aromatic sauces is also provided to complement the lok lok dishes as well.

Seafood Sambal. Photo: Atiqah Rosle

With noodles being extensively used all along the Straits, it comes as no surprise that Straits Café would have a Live Station exclusively for noodles. Choose from a selection of the region’s quintessential noodle dishes such as the Nonya Laksa, Seafood/Chicken Hor Fun, Mee Soto, Mee Rebus and Prawn Noodles.

All you’ll have to do is wait for the chef to warm up the noodles in their respective gravy or broth before they hand the bowls over to you.

You’re then left with choosing from a variety of toppings available such as boiled egg, prawns and some greens.

Diners can also tuck into fare that they might otherwise find difficult to search for, specifically the Halal versions of classic Chinese dishes such as Claypot chicken rice which usually includes slices of Chinese sausage, as well as Klang Chic Kut Teh, the chicken version of the beloved brothy pork rib dish known as Bak Kut Teh.

Straits Café’s dessert selection. Photo: Atiqah Rosle

Fans of durian? You’ll definitely be spoilt for choice as the Straits Café dessert spread features Durian Pengat Shooters, Durian Mousse Cake, Durian Puffsand Durian Crepe. You’ll certainly be spoilt for choice! If the King of Fruits isn’t your cup of tea, take your pick amongst classic handmade Nonya desserts such as Pandan Coconut Agar-Agar, Bandung Sago with Coconut, Mini Fried Sesame Balls and Malay Steam Cakes.

As Straits Cafe is located at the end of the shopping belt of Orchard Road, you can definitely expect the restaurant to be packed with tourists during peak periods such as their dinner services, as well as during the weekends where families can be seen coming together to celebrate events such as birthdays.

• Address: 9 Bras Basah Road, Level 1 Rendezvous Hotel Singapore 189559
• Tel: +65 6708 7745
• Opening Hours & Pricing: See here for latest