10 Reviews of The Garden Slug from Past Customers
  • Overall
    4.5/5 based on 10 reviews
  • Food
    4.5, Good

WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN that such a hidden gem could be found in the myriad of winding alleys in this sleepy neighbourhood away from the hustle and bustle of the main row of pubs and restaurants flanking it on Joo Chiat Place and East Coast Rd?? Great coffee, comfortable ambience for a relaxing Sunday brunch, and big portions of comfort food are what draws the crowd to this unpretentious bistro/cafe. This is what paradise looks like for those hankering for hot, homemade & hearty (HHH) goodness to satisfy those famished stomachs. I'm particularly fond of their high-protein and healthy options of their All-day breakfast and wholesome pastas. AND DID I MENTION GREAT COFFEE?? I always feel that much like frying a sunny side-up is the benchmark test for any Chef, the hallmark of a good cafe or any place dishing out java, should be their espresso and cappuccino. Each nuance of the coffee bean and the amount of work roasting them, grinding and pulling the shot, should be discernible in a gratifying cup of espresso. The skills of the barista then comes into play with the frothing of the milk such that good cappuccino should need NO further adornments of sugar and yet, the smooth frothy cap should be silky sweet and moreish to the palate. All these, and more, is the reason I give TGS 5 stars �

  • Shay, 22 Jan 2017
  • Web Review
5 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

Amazing menu, great variety. Takes us forever to go through it and to decide, but staff are always helpful with spot-on recommendations. There's also a side menu of special dishes that change ever so often, giving us something new to look forward to every time. Our favourites, in no particular order: • Bork Bork Burger - generous portion of southern fried chicken breast in dirty tonkatsu sauce. This alone is worth the trip. • Shroomgasmic Burger - it gave my vegetarian mother-in-law a shroomgasm indeed. • Bone Broth with ribeye Beef Strips and black rice - like Pho on steroids. The absolute best thing for the monsoon season. • Three Little Pigs - the owner was very honest and told us they created this dish even though it's not something he would personally eat on a regular basis (they are rather fit-looking chaps, haha!). Kudos for putting your customers before your own preferences because holy mother of j*sus this is the best thing since sliced bread. The description and picture in their menu is enough to sell itself. • Classic Chicken Risotto - theirs is served with organic black rice. Cream is light with just enough oregano. Service staff are superb - from our friendly banter it's evident they are all animal lovers.

  • Michael, 7 Nov 2016
  • Web Review
5 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

I have been coming here for years. From the time I was an undergraduate, to my first job, and my bf and I even had our first date here! (: I've brought my family here numerous times, both local and from overseas. This place holds so many memories for me! Above everything else, the best thing is we can bring Rocco our baby chihuahua to eat with us! (: The food always brings a warmth to my heart. Good portions, beverages always creative, and the menu changes from time to time. They also have weekly and daily specials. No two visits are ever the same, which is why I keep coming back! It's hard for me to describe the taste of the food, except that I love it and sometimes -you can ask my bf- I actually have dreams about the food hahaaa! All I can say is that they have mastered the art of producing home-cooked tasting food, without all the commercialized taste. Even the premises feels like someone's home. That someone being my grandpa. While some of my friends call it "run-down" (rude!!) , I rather say it's "derelict chic". I had the pleasure of speaking to (I think) one of the owners last weekend and learned they are soon celebrating their 9th anniversary. Wahh, I commend their resilience! The Garden Slug is what I call a first-wave cafe, before all the hipster places sprouted up. And to be able to survive this long - they must be doing something right! Most places close down within a year of opening.

  • NA, 20 Oct 2016
  • Web Review
5 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

20th August 2016: Probably the top 10 things I have eaten - Classic Chicken Risotto from The Garden Slug! The fragrant red rice in a creamy oregano sauce is to die for. I love this place so much and I'm glad that my husband brought me here to mark our 5th year together! The staff are smiley and friendly too. Will definitely be back for more! Still reminiscing about the risotto! Will try the other stuff next time. �

  • Pamela, 20 Aug 2016
  • Web Review
5 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

We had some friends for dinner and looked for somewhere close by to take out. We found the garden slug online. They were very accommodating and we ordered over the phone and collected 20 minutes later. Food was well prepared and portions were generous. Packing was also good. When we collected food surroundings were not the salubrious by cannot fault on food and value.

  • Simon, 13 Jan 2016
  • Web Review
4 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

Food was delicious. Enjoyed the cosy place. Desert was especially good. Artistic decorations were to my taste.

  • NA, 2 Jan 2016
  • Web Review
4 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

Thanks for the lovely lunch for our birthday lady :) and the personalized cake!

  • Edna, 27 Nov 2015
  • Web Review
5 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

I really miss this cute little place in the East Coast. I visited a few times because I was so impressed with the "Ugly salmon fishcakes" which were without breadcrumbs - perfect for gluten free. The portion is huge and you can tell they are authentic hand made fish cakes. To drink I liked the strawberry Italian soda with vanilla ice cream. The service here is incredible, you can watch cakes being made and the staff are so kind. If I'm back in Singapore I'll definitely visit again.

  • NA, 29 Sep 2015
  • Web Review
4 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

A friend came to visit for Christmas, and we were looking for somewhere to eat "Christmas Dinner." A lot of the restaurants were either completely booked up, or closed for the holiday. We came upon the Garden Slug totally by chance when we were driving around the East Coast Park neighborhoods looking for some place to eat. The restaurant is in a dodgy, showing-its-age building in Telok Kurau. We would never have seen it if my friend hadn't been looking at the plants in front of it and said "hey, this looks promising." The place is small, and "industrial." There's also a very small, weirdly designed stage in one corner that looks too small for any musical act to perform on (it had a table on it every time I've been here). The food is Mostly Western, with fun little twists. My favorite is the Umami Marmite Pasta. It can sometimes be a little watery (they have to let it drain longer), but the Marmite sauce is excellent, with just that perfect bit of bitter Marmite taste. Try this...you'll like it! I have also had their burgers and their meat platter. The desserts are good as well, and they bake their own delectable cookies on premises in this tiny, counter-top oven. You would never give this place a second glance if you didn't know it was there at that is was so good. I have since brought other friends back - Singaporeans - who didn't even know it existed, and now love it. I will continue to bring people to this hidden gem and try their entire menu.

  • Michael, 29 Jun 2015
  • Web Review
4 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food

The garden slug is highly raved to be a hidden gem in the east by bloggers and online reviews. Out of curiosity, we decided to check them out during the weekend. It may seems inaccessible as it's not walk-able from any MRT, the nearest would probably be Bedok station. The menu is pretty extensive, from pasta, burgers, steaks and even all day breakfast dishes. We had, Wasuga Chicken Wings which was kinda disappointing. TGS Mixed Grill Platter inclusive of ribeye steak strips, lamb loin chops, bratwurst sausage, mash potato and greens was good! We had a few kinds of pasta as well. Desserts was decent, we had tiramisu - nothing to rave about. Overall, the quality of the food were average - some were good, some weren't worth the cost. If you're looking for a place to satisfy your steak craving without spending a bomb, this would be an ideal place to chill over meat :)

  • Jacq, 29 Jun 2015
  • Web Review
4 / 5
  • Summary
  • Food