Singapore’s buzziest lifestyle destination adds a food hall, Japanese retail giant, and wellness space by end of May.
Stepping inside New Bahru’s Factory Block this week feels like walking into a space holding its breath. Vinyl stickers are being pressed onto storefronts, counters receive their final wipe-downs, and a quiet hum of anticipation fills the air. By the time the last sign goes up, no one will be able to claim there’s nothing new to explore in Singapore.
New Bahru, already home to beloved tenants like Rye, Beyond The Vines, Dearborn, Artichoke, The Coconut Club, and Studio Yono, is expanding with 15 new F&B and retail tenants opening across its Factory Block and School Block by end of May. This next wave sharpens the destination’s local focus, bringing together Singaporean-led eateries and homegrown brands carving out fresh spaces. A welcome bonus: Level one of the refreshed Factory Block will be pet-friendly.
A New Food Hall Anchored by Local Flavors
The second level of the Factory Block now houses an all-new food hall seating approximately 150 diners, arranged in a kiosk setup reminiscent of Singapore’s beloved hawker centres. At its heart sits Orh Gao Peh Gao, a craft beer and Asian comfort food bar with 14 gleaming taps.
“This is a step up for us,” says manager Darien, whose team spent the past six to seven years at Serene Centre. “It allows us to explore new demographics and connect with a different crowd.” The bar will feature beers exclusively from local breweries, alongside kaya toast sets (from $5.50) and crab fried rice ($16).
Kios Minang brings four decades of Indonesian heritage into a modern format. “This is an express version of nasi padang,” says Ariff Zin, second-generation owner and head chef. The menu includes classics like beef rendang ($12) and a new Padang wrap ($12), designed for health-conscious diners. “As a 40-year-old heritage brand, we want to reach a new generation,” Zin explains, noting that nasi padang has long been associated with an older crowd.
Next door, Kulon — a longtime favourite on Bali Lane — introduces contemporary Indonesian noodles (from $8.90) alongside new small plates and sharing platters. “The experience is designed to be more social than our main store,” says director and co-founder Haris.
Laifaba reinvents wood-fired roast meats with hearty rice bowls (from $12.80) and artisanal noodles. “Guests can expect bold, flavour-driven signatures like barbecue pork jowl, crispy pork belly, and dry-aged duck,” says founder Royce.
The food hall occupies a sweet spot between hawker pricing and casual dining. More importantly, vendors speak of community spirit — a place where familiar faces and warm chats feel like friends serving you food.
Dumpling Darlings Goes Izakaya
Downstairs, Dumpling Darlings opens with its own entrance, exploring an izakaya-style direction. “This will be our third store, where we’re rolling out an extended menu with small plates in collaboration with Mustard Seed, alongside more drinks and alcohol,” says co-founder June. Think agedashi prawn tofu ($10) and nasi ulam ($11).
“We’re excited to be here because we love that we’re surrounded by other creative Singaporean brands that we personally patronise,” June adds.
Retail Gets a Japanese Powerhouse
Beams makes its Southeast Asian debut on the Factory Block’s ground level. The Japanese select shop brings its signature orange branding and streamlined aesthetic, stocking menswear, womenswear, kids’ and lifestyle goods curated for the Singapore market. “Our store concept brings together a mix of brands spanning in-house labels including Beams and Demi-Luxe Beams,” says representative Gen.
Across the way, Stacked Store opens its flagship — a living room-style, curated concept from the online retailer known for quirky home goods from artist Jean Julien and Danish brand Hay.
School Block: Pop-Ups and Sound Healing
The School Block introduces Store Store, a rotating pop-up platform spotlighting independent brands. Its first edition features Atlas Kind, a contemporary fashion brand focused on responsible practices, and Source, a modular apparel brand making its first physical outing.
“We see a brilliant mix of locals and tourists at New Bahru — with locals even acting like tourists discovering the space,” says Atlas Kind’s founding brand director Hannah.
Future Resonance rounds out the block with a wellness space dedicated to light, sound and vibration therapy. Visitors move through the warm, analogue Solar space and the technology-driven Lunar space. “People leave feeling different to how they arrived — clearer, calmer, more connected,” the team says.
What This Expansion Signals
Walking through both blocks, a pattern emerges: nearly every tenant is reimagining a heritage format, evolving from a previous location, or opening their first physical space. Few are static transplants.
New Bahru’s refresh feels like a testing ground for local brands to experiment in a vibrant, creative-led space. It offers a model of what Singapore’s lifestyle complexes could become — where young and heritage brands converge without relying on international names to fill the gaps. Walking in, you enter a world that spotlights Singapore’s own.
Where to Find Them
Factory Block (Level 1 standalone):
- Dumpling Darlings – #01-07
- Parlour Gelato – #01-01
- Beams – #01-03
- Stacked Store – #01-06
- Veja (Pop-up) – #01-02
- Yeti (Pop-up) – #01-05
Factory Block (Level 2 food hall):
- Fico (Pop-up) – #02-04
- Kios Minang – #02-05
- Kulon – #02-06
- Laifaba – #02-03
- Sushiro – #02-01
- Orh Gao Peh Gao – #02-02
School Block:
- Store Store (Atlas Kind / Source Pop-ups) – #02-06
- Future Resonance – #04-03
All 15 tenants open by end of May. Follow New Bahru on Instagram for updates.