While dining in malls is usually for the underclasses and the unemployed that is not so in Singapore! In fact I would even go as far as saying that my meal at Collins Restaurant at Jurong East Station mall in Singapore was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while.
This was of course quite the opposite of the horror show I’d had the day before at The Fried Thing. Why did I end up at Collins Restaurant at Jurong East Station? Because I fancied a few hours in Singapore!
What the Collins Restaurant?
Collin’s Restaurant has around 10 locations across Singapore, mostly nestled within the country’s ever-expanding network of malls. Founded in 2012, it started as a humble hawker stall before evolving into a full-fledged chain, proving that Singaporeans will absolutely embrace Western food—as long as it’s done right and doesn’t break the bank (well by Singaporean standards).
The vibe? Think casual, no-nonsense dining with a focus on solid grilled meats, pastas, and steaks, minus the overpriced fluff you’d find in trendier bistros. And where better to build a restaurant empire than Singapore’s malls—those air-conditioned cathedrals of consumerism where you can buy a designer bag, see a dentist, and smash a three-course meal all in the same afternoon?
The Menu at Collins Restaurant
Collin’s isn’t here to reinvent the wheel—it’s here to grill it to perfection. The menu is stacked with flame-grilled meats, steaks, and seafood platters big enough to make you question if you really need dessert (you don’t, but you’ll probably get it anyway). They also do a mean Wagyu and Tomahawk steak, because let’s face it—mall food doesn’t have to mean sad food.
And the best part? They serve booze. Whether it’s a cold beer, a decent glass of wine, or even a cocktail, Collin’s understands that sometimes, surviving an afternoon of retail madness requires something stronger than a soft drink. It’s Western food done properly—no gimmicks, just solid plates of meat, carbs, and enough alcohol to make you forget you’re still inside a fucking mall.
And the food at Collins Restaurant?
What actually pulled me in was the sight of Wagyu, but a seemingly decent price – even by international standards. This ended up being an Argentinian steak that was supposed to come with shrimp, some chicken dishes and a massive mixed grill to start, oh and French fries with truffles.
And it was borderline perfect! Firstly the mixed grill came out first and was sufficient a starter for 3 people, while my steak was done exactly as I wanted. It also came out quickly, which was cool, but also a weird thing I will delve more into later. The truffles coated fries were also extremely over the top at $7.50, but were a taste sensation, a sensation washed down perfectly with a wee glass of Sangria.
The Collins Restaurant Vibe and Price
OK, so in reality Collins is not cheap, it is just cheap for Singapore and with the super quick service, paying at the counter and its location in a mall we should call a spade a spade – this is posh McDonalds. in reality. Yet I honestly did not care for after weeks in China and a week in Malaysia, Collins offered some truly great western food and honestly semi-fine-dining for under $100 for 3 pax is not all that bad.
And while I hate malls there are at least some advantages, such as Hagen Dazs. I remember eating one in Xian when I was really poor and getting buyers remorse. Todays cheesecake and salted candy variation did not have the same reaction on me. So, while I am not converted to mall dining, in Singapore at least I have a newfound respect for it.
The Collins Restaurant Address
Address: Jurong Point, 1 Jurong West Central 2, Singapore
Operating Hours: Typically open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily (may vary on public holidays)
Menu Highlights:
- Signature grilled meats and seafood
- Premium steaks and pastas
- Value-for-money set meals and family platters
And in case you’re interested, 20 minutes from the border with Malaysia!