The Rail Mall along Upper Bukit Timah Road is like a retreat from the hustle of Singapore’s city life.
This charming stretch greets you with a single-story layout that exudes inviting homeliness.
Just a casual stroll from the picturesque truss bridge of the Old Bukit Timah Railway Station and Hillview MRT, The Rail Mall is a place to discover and indulge in good food and great company.
From the grilled meats of Hitoyoshi Yakiniku, Thai favourites at Maeklong Kitchen, and Yi Qian Hong Kong Café opened till late night, you get a melting pot of flavours.
Casual diners will revel in the American vibes of BLooiE’s Roadhouse, while local fare enthusiasts can relish the local-style New Teck Kee Chicken Rice with mala flavours.
Check out these 10 must-go restaurants and cafes at The Rail Mall, Upper Bukit Timah:
Hitoyoshi Yakiniku
The Rail Mail, Unit 380/382
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Premium Yakiniku Experience with All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Options
Hitoyoshi Yakiniku is a ‘hidden’ trove (all the way at the right end of The Rail Mall) for anyone with a love for Japanese-style grilled meats.
If you enjoy variety and quantity, good to know that the buffet options are generous.
Choose between an A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Buffet ($118 per adult) or US Black Angus Buffet ($62 per adult). Children 7-12 years old enjoy 50% off adult price, while a child 6 and below dines for free with every one paying adult.
The meats quality is immediately noticeable, from the buttery tenderness of their A5 Miyazaki Wagyu to the richly marbled US Black Angus.
If you would like set meals, I would recommend the A5 Miyazaki X U.S. Karubi Grill ($29.80) set, offering a melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
It is also well-rounded offering that comes with staples like rice, chawanmushi, and soup, ensuring a balanced meal.
The Cat Café
The Rail Mail, Unit 392
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (Mon – Tues, Thurs – Fri), 3pm – 9pm (Wed), 10am – 10pm (Sat, Sun, PH)
Purr-fect Moments: Find Your Feline Friend While Enjoying a Latte
The Cat Café at The Rail Mall offers a heartwarming escape for both coffee lovers and cat enthusiasts.
Each cat, with a story of resilience, has been rescued by Kitty Care Haven. It is inspiring to see these animals transform from strays and abandoned pets to beloved members of the café family.
For an entrance fee of $18, you’re granted two hours of this tranquil experience, complete with a complimentary drink.
It is recommended to book ahead to secure a spot at www.thecatcafe.sg.
The café doesn’t skimp on the food either, with offerings like the hearty Lasagne with Chips ($10), with options for beef or chicken, and the Baked Chicken Rice ($10) and Baked Macaroni ($10).
BLooiE’s Roadhouse
The Rail Mail, Unit 426/428
Opening Hours: 10am – 1am (Sun – Thurs), 10am – 2am (Fri – Sat, Eve of PH, PH)
Comforting Classics with Hearty Homestyle Flavours
BLooiE’s Roadhouse is where classic American bar & grill meets a convivial hangout spot.
For over two decades, this establishment has become synonymous with homemade burgers, hearty comfort food, and a laid-back dining experience.
Get the German-inspired Crispy Crackling Pork Knuckle ($43). It is a generous feast of succulent meat with a perfectly crisped exterior, coupled with tangy sauerkraut and creamy mashed potatoes – easily satisfies 2-3 diners.
Solo diners won’t feel left out with BLooiE’s selection of burgers. Take the Bacon Mushroom Cheeseburger ($21.80), it is a hefty 180g beef patty grilled to juicy perfection, adorned with cheese and earthy portobello mushrooms.
Accompanied by homemade slaw and spiced Cajun fries, it is a meal designed to tackle any appetite.
Not in a burger mood? Their Cajun Chicken Pizza ($25.80), showcases their famed cajun chicken atop a crisp thin crust – a spicy twist to pizza night.
There are also the classics like Pepperoni ($25.80), Hawaiian ($25.80), and Seafood Pizza ($28.80) to ensure there’s a slice for every palate.
Yi Qian Hong Kong Café
The Rail Mail, Unit 438
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm (Sun – Thurs), 8am – 2am (Fri – Sat)
Savour the Authentic Taste of Hong Kong Until 2AM
With a menu that boasts classic favourites from dim sum, roasted meats, congee, noodles, to desserts, Yi Qian Hong Kong Café transports you with its cha chaan teng vibes.
Plus, it stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it a late-night spot for a comforting taste of Hong Kong.
Diners should find the Shrimp Wanton Noodle ($8.80) springy; each bite complement to plump wontons swimming in a clear, savoury broth.
Dim sum lovers are in for a treat with an array of options.
The Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumpling ‘Siew Mai’ ($5.80) does not disappoint, offering a mouthful of succulent flavours.
For those with a sweet tooth, there are the mini-Egg Tarts ($6.20 for 3pcs) which come with a flaky crust and a custard filling that is just the right balance of sweet and eggy.
No visit to a Hong Kong-style café would be complete without the iconic Hong Kong Style Milk Tea ($3.50) – smooth, rich, and satisfyingly strong.
Maeklong Kitchen
The Rail Mail, Unit 442
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Budget-Friendly Thai Meals at Maeklong Kitchen
Maeklong Kitchen brings a touch of Thailand to The Rail Mall with its value-for-money meals.
At $12.90 for the set lunch, it is an invitation to indulge in the flavours of Thailand without straining your wallet.
You can choose from a variety of mains and pair it with a traditional Thai beverage like the sweet Thai Milk Tea, its green tea counterpart, or a refreshing Lemongrass Drink.
Main choices include Pineapple Rice, Olive Rice, Tom Yum Fried Rice, Thai Style Omelette (with rice), Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, Fried Tang Hoon, Fried Kway Teow, to Pad Ki Mao MaMa.
The Thai Basil Rice with Fried Egg is recommended. Opt for either pork or chicken, and you get a plate brimming with the spicy, herby goodness of basil, paired with the comforting simplicity of a fried egg.
I thought that the Tom Yum Soup was on the spicier side though appetising, with rich and tangy broth that is sure to warm your heart.
For those dining in groups, the set meal for four at $49.90 is quite the catch. It is a spread that includes starters, salad, curry, and a selection of meat and vegetables.
New Teck Kee Chicken Rice
The Rail Mail, Unit 450
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
From Classic Chicken Rice to Mala and Truffle Flavours
New Teck Kee Chicken Rice is known for the familiar local dish of Chicken Rice along with innovative flavours. Truffle Chicken Rice, anyone?
A legacy of flavour passed down through the generations. Mr. Lee Hock Liong laid the foundations back in 1999, and today his son Yong Shen carries the torch.
At the heart of their menu are the Steamed Chicken Rice and Roast Chicken Rice ($6.60 onwards).
The steamed chicken – smooth, velvety, and delicate, is paired with flavourful rice that is gently imbued with the richness of chicken broth.
For those with a penchant for heat, there is also the Mala Chicken Platter ($32), complete with the signature numbing spice.
And the experience doesn’t stop at chicken rice – diverse palate pleasers like the Shrimp Omelette ($10), Shrimp Roll ($11), Minced Meat Beancurd ($12) and more can be found on the menu.
Yuba Hut
The Rail Mail, Unit 454
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm, Last order 9:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Fusion Fiesta of Japanese Delights From Donburi To Makis
Yuba Hut offers a modern twist on Japanese classics, serve up a wide menu that takes your taste buds on a journey through Japan with their creative maki rolls, donburi, and sashimi offerings.
The Salmon Aburi Don ($16.90) is a crowd-pleaser. Imagine succulent slices of salmon, slightly charred from the torch, lying atop a bed of warm, vinegared rice.
Drizzled with Yuba Hut’s special sauce, it blends smoky and creamy notes in every spoonful. The addition of cured salmon and flying fish roe provides an enjoyable pop.
For those who love their sushi with a twist, the Champion Floss Maki is a must-try at $10.90 (4 pcs) or $17.90 (8 pcs).
It is an inventive roll combining fresh cucumber and velvety salmon, with a topping of creamy mayo, briny ikura, and a sprinkle of chicken floss
And let’s not overlook the other maki delights – each with its own character. The Samurai Unagi Aburi Maki brings the rich taste of eel, while the Cream Cheese Mentaiko Salmon fuses creamy tang with seafood zest.
Fish & Co.
The Rail Mail, Unit 380/382
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Get Hooked on Fish & Co.’s Pan-Grilled Seafood Delights
Fish & Co. serves up a sea of flavours. Their concept of seafood served in a pan is not just a nod to Mediterranean traditions; and hearty way of enjoying the ocean’s bounty.
Their Best Fish & Chips ($19.95) is a classic, with a golden crust and a drizzle of lemon butter sauce that adds a zesty, buttery finish.
The Singapore Fish & Chips ($19.95) takes a local turn with a topping of spicy chili crab sauce that gives a tangy kick.
For a global twist, the Bombay Fish & Chips ($19.95) brings an Indian flair to the table, accompanied by a curry mayo dip that’s aromatic and creamy.
If you come in a group or family, then I would suggest getting the customisable combo.
Select a main like the Grilled Peri-Peri White Fish or White Fish with Lemon Butter, add a premium side like Baked Scallops.
Finally, round it out with two other sides, like the fragrant Paella Rice and indulgent Truffle Chips, creating a feast good for sharing.
Popeyes Famous Louisiana Chicken
The Rail Mail, Unit 458
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 2:45am (Sun – Thur), 24hr (Fri, Sat, Eve of PH, PH)
Opens 24Hours During Fridays and Saturdays
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at The Rail Mall is opened late, 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. For night owls and early birds alike, craving that spice-infused, crispy chicken.
If you are looking to indulge, the combo deals ($9.90 for 2pc, $12.90 for 3pc) are the way to go. A portion of fried chicken, a side, a biscuit, and a drink combine to make a complete meal.
Accordingly, their chicken is marinated for 12 full hours in Louisiana seasonings, ensuring each bite is packed with flavour.
The battering process leads to that crunch that Popeyes is famed for.
The meal is complete with buttery biscuit (with strawberry jam) and sides. And speaking of sides, choices include velvety mashed potatoes, tangy coleslaw, spiced Cajun fries, Mac & Cheese, or Cheese Fries.
And for those in search of something new, the limited-time Smoky Sriracha Collection adds an extra kick to the Popeyes experience.
The Straits Wine Company
The Rail Mail, Unit 424
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sat), 11am – 10:30pm (Sun, PH)
Artisanal Wines From Around The World
As a connoisseur of unique and artisanal wines globally, The Straits Wine Company stands out as Southeast Asia’s premier importer, retailer, and distributor of such wines.
Visit their retail location at The Rail Mall to explore a wide range of wines.
In addition to classic European selections, they also feature distinctive wines from less typical regions such as Austria, Lebanon and South Africa.
* All information are accurate as of time of publishing. This entry is brought to you in partnership with The Rail Mall.
