Sometimes we don’t want to stray too far from our homes or offices when grabbing a meal. We’re all creatures of habit and convenience, after all. However, on days when you’re feeling more adventurous, make your way down to these secluded (read: harder to get to by public transport) restaurants and cafés and be rewarded with a break from the humdrum.

Take a ferry to a floating seafood restaurant or drive up to the countryside for some mushroom soup made from ‘shrooms fresh from the farm. These secluded restaurants are well worth the extra effort (or taxi fare).

19 secluded restaurants in Singapore worth travelling to

1. Keef the Beef Steakhouse

While it’s no surprise The Grandstand enclave isn’t really the most convenient of locations, this cavernous steakhouse gives you a reason to visit with its secret butter-soaked steaks done the Peter Luger way. Walk too quickly and you might just miss its clandestine entrance so look out for vibrant posters with bowls of Vietnamese pho. Now the cat’s out of the bag, at least you won’t have to suffer back-breaking flights and jet lag to the Big Apple just to savour legendary steaks a la Peter Luger.

Photograph: Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore

Away from the bustle of the busy city, luxury resort Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore offers a slice of rural paradise. And its in-house restaurant, Greenhouse, is a tranquil, forest-themed space that reflects the outdoor charm of its luscious surroundings. Grab a seat by the window, and take in unblocked views of the sprawling golf course.  The food, too, promises a gastronomic escape. Five show kitchens will bring diners on a journey through exciting cuisine styles: Thai, Yue, Punjabi, Mediterranean, and Japanese.

It’s not every day you find restaurant-quality desserts in the heart of an HDB estate but this gem in Jurong East does just that. This minimalist patisserie in Jurong East is run by chef-owner Lee Yin Quan, who has a diploma in French pastry from Ferrandi Paris, one of Europe’s most prestigious culinary institutes. Having worked with famous pastry chefs from around the world, Lee serves stunningly plated and meticulous desserts that you wouldn’t be surprised to find at a fine-dining establishment.

Tucked away in the Rochester Commons is a Manchurian-themed restaurant set in a picturesque colonial mansion. Inside the cosy dining hall is a staggering wall-to-ceiling LED screen that is highly instagrammable. In the mood for Love? Sit by the alfresco area that is surrounded by lush greenery to enjoy a romantic evening under the moonlight. Food here is a creative take on authentic Chinese flavours and French gastronomy using prime season produce. You’d come to notice that dishes here are intentionally plated to please your cameras before your tastebuds. But by no means does it show a lack in the flavour department.

Half-day offs were meant for this. Once you’ve made your way to sleepy Portsdown Road, there lies a floral-themed restaurant housed in black-and-white colonial bungalows. Here you’ll find hearty European-inspired nosh, whimsical floral interiors, highly Instagrammable angles, and an in-house florist that makes your day trip absolutely worthwhile. The space is also pet-friendly. Once nightfall arrives, you’ll be treated to an entirely different photo opportunity as the LED lights and neon signs illuminate the alfresco area to create another ethereal landscape.

The lush grounds of Dempsey Hill may have dining options aplenty but it is Julien Royer’s latest dining concept that is indeed worthy of all occasions – including the drive up if you may. Think conviviality, where business lunch and leisurely brunch could transform into intimate date nights or special celebrations, come sundown. Your tastebuds will be delighted by the classic range of comforting French cooking inspired by the flavours that the famed chef grew up with.

Do not be fooled by the interior of this zen-like Japanese teahouse. The menu at this café is, in fact, largely dedicated to espresso-based brews. After all, this tranquil hideout, located in an industrial building at Jurong, is opened by Suzuki Gourmet Coffee, one of the oldest roastery on the island that has been around since 1979. Climb up to the second storey, push open a latticed sliding door, and enter a wood-clad space reminiscent of a chashitsu or traditional tearoom. The drinks-only menu features a lean selection that shines the spotlight on aromatic brews – filter coffee, flat white ($8), cappuccino ($8), and tea-based drinks of hojicha and matcha.

The journey to the restaurant is part of its charm once you uncover it in the midst of the quiet colonial-era bungalows of Chateau TCC along Scotts Road. Inside, the small, cosy interior makes it the perfect setting to focus on your date – and the food. Share a toast with its impressive wine list, then tuck into an award-winning dinner that spotlights the best of Italian flavours. Trust us, you’ll feel like the inquisitive Tom Cruise in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut.

Who serves up prawn cocktails these days, let alone T-bone steak, chips and peas? Well, Colbar does, and loyal fans love them for it. The place, looking for all the world like a glorified tin shed, is locked in a time warp (circa 1956), and that’s just fine with us. The cooking isn’t great – on a recent visit, the poached eggs ($5.50) were the texture of cotton wool, and the sausages ($9) a touch mealy, accompanied by wooden chips – but it’s all cheap and good, and just what the doctor ordered after a hard night’s partying. At our breakfast, the next table cracked open a bottle of beer to go with their omelette – it’s that kind of place. Word to the wise: there’s no air-conditioning, just lazy ceiling fans, so be prepared to shvitz a little when it’s warm outside.

This isn’t your fancy restaurant with fairy lights! Boh Geh Uncle Canteen is a no-frills makeshift canteen that is trapped within a time capsule. A popular spot for those working in the area, cyclists, joggers and also curious sorts. Don’t expect anything for the ‘gram – firstly, photos and videos are not allowed in the canteen and also, it really is a part of the former Seletar Camp that has been around from 1969. And it still feels like the late 60s at this corner where patrons sit on rickety tables and mismatched stools and benches under a DIY tarp canopy. Food-wise, there are only three stalls here – a cai png shop, a Muslim food stall and a drinks stall run by Boh Geh Uncle himself – who is also the owner. Prices are beyond cheap for food and drinks.

You’ll need to walk the tranquil grounds of Yishun Pond Park to get to Slow Bakes. The bakery gets its name from the lengthy fermentation process it uses to create a line-up of warm bread and pastries. With views of lush greenery, unwind and savour a healthy menu – vegan and gluten-free – which includes sweet pumpkin pancakes ($11.80), scrambled tofu ($9.80), tom yum vermicelli ($11.80), and more. You might even be greeted by a friendly bird friend, named Roger, sauntering around the alfresco deck.

Resting atop a hill in Labrador Park and immersed in nature, history geeks can also marvel at the 19th-century fixtures and take a sneak peek into the island’s colonial past. Like the restaurant, its cuisine is a fusion of old and new as its chef, Thiti Thammanatr, embodies Thai culture, albeit with a Canadian twist. Try the Wagyu sirloin and foie gras topped with green curry reduction, plus the deep-fried river lobster served with tamarind sauce. While you’re at it, get involved with a feisty tom yum martini.

Welcome abroad Hangar66. This aviation-themed café comes hidden within a plane hangar – complete with views of a runway and parked airplanes. During a time when travel borders remain largely shut, Hangar66 Cafe provides a novel setting to satisfy those hungry for coffee – and adventure. Be warned: checking into the place itself is quite the journey. The café is tucked away in the Seletar Aerospace district, but its secluded locale provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city. Low-rise buildings and expansive green fields stretch for as far as the eyes can see.

Yes, the Kranji countryside may be far from the centre of the city and most residential areas but hidden gems like Gardenasia make the trip worth it. The grounds are used for multipurpose events but the bistro sits at the heart of it. The menu features plenty of dishes with ingredients that are sourced locally and from surrounding farms. Dig into the traditional fish and chips ($16) made with the catch of the day and the list of local themed dishes like fish soup ($18) also with locally caught fish and farm-grown leafy greens.

Taking a trip to Bollywood Veggies is already half the adventure done. Journey through Singapore’s countryside – that’s Kranji for you – and you might feel like you’re almost not in the country. Upon entering take some time to follow the trail around the farm but don’t forget to stop by the bistro for some fig or lemongrass tea made from the produce in the farm. We’d also suggest getting a kueh platter for a treat – it comes with banana bread (made from the bananas on the farm), kueh kosui and kueh bingka. Pick up some groceries at the small mart area – there are bananas, mushrooms and assorted local vegetables from the farm – before you set off on your journey back into urban Singapore again.

Photograph: Smith Marine Floating Restaurant

Fancy digging into the freshest catch of the day at a modern kelong, floating on the waters between Pulau Ubin and Changi Point Ferry Terminal? Takes a 15-minute boat ride to the Smith Marine Floating Restaurant where you can tuck into a wide spread of seafood – think sambal mussel ($28), chilli crab (from $68), steamed prawn (from $35), calamari ($28), and steamed lobster with pumpkin sauce (from $120). A set menu for up to 8 people starts from $480, and you get the best of each. If you want level up the experience, head to the resto’s pond and catch your very own seabass or snapper at $35.

Located on the outskirts of Changi, this casual dining hotspot is a treasure trove of retro memorabilia. Think antique bicycles, vintage cameras and kerosene lamps. The restaurant itself is spacious and airy, flooded with natural light due to its floor-to-ceiling windows, while surrounding greenery provide ample opportunities for an outdoor shot. The menu includes sharing plates like har cheong gai (prawn paste chicken) ($14), crispy pork ribs ($16) and wagyu cubes ($24), while seafood selections like the grilled octopus ($31), sambal squid ($21) and drunken lala clams ($23) promise to be fresh and filling.

Boasting a large outdoor veranda that looks out at Punggol-Serangoon Reservoir, Whisk and Paddle is a tranquil oasis that’s perfect for a leisurely meal after a hike at Coney Island or some plant shopping in the area. Its comprehensive menu includes an all-day breakfast selection, burgers, pastas, pizzas and mains lke the coq au vin ($28.80) and lamb shank ($30.80). The family-friendly space even has a kids’ menu and small playground to keep the tykes entertained.

Away from the airport, man-made waterfall and rooftop gardens, there lies a secret garden café that is hidden from plain sight. Hub and Spoke Cafe, located just off Terminal 2, offers a tranquil escape to unwind and grab a bite. But first, you’ll need to uncover this elusive spot. Your best bet is to take a short stroll from Terminal 2 to the café. But it’s this hard-to-access address that provides the place with a serene, exclusive allure; the glasshouse-looking space lets in oodles of natural sunlight, and the breezy alfresco veranda comes flanked by plenty of fauna. The menu is simple but extensive – there’s kopi and teh, and also eggs Benedict and bubble tea. There are pasta dishes and local favourites – but the main draw here is the secluded and relaxing vibes.