The Refinery is perhaps a candidate for being one of Jalan Besar’s coolest cafés. It is housed in a strip mall on a side street off Lavender Street, and can easily be missed. It serves modern Japanese cuisine with a western twist.
The Ambience, Service and the Staff
Housed inside an industrial building, the Refinery has very high ceilings thanks to the removal of an entire floor. This floods the place with lots of natural sunlight giving it a sense of space and openness.
The café offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
The walls are lined with some very cool graphics that add character to the industrial minimalist design and the stark steel and wooden furniture.
We had made reservations and were quickly seated and served. The staff were polite, friendly, and very attentive and helpful.
The Food
The Refinery has a relatively small menu. Hence, what they do, they do well.
We were a party of four for brunch. We ordered the Har Cheong Gai, the Big Breakfast, and the Loaded Avocado Toast along with a selection of coffees.
Each of the items was excellent. The food was hot, fresh and tasty. The Har Cheong Gai burger is perhaps their signature brunch item, with a definitive taste of Asia.
The coffee was also very good.
The Price Point
Including coffee, we paid approximately $30 per person which falls into the very reasonable range for a place of this kind and the quality of food that it serves.
The Final Verdict
This is a great café in central Singapore. It’s in a quiet little pocket, serves great food and has a lovely ambience to it. It’s great for dates, for meeting up with friends, and for celebrating with family.
Address: #01, 115 King George’s Ave, 02, 208561.
Phone: +65 6293 1204.
Website: http://www.therefinery.sg/
