Food for thought National Museum

Let’s take a dine-in at Food for thought. Located at the atrium of the National Museum of Singapore. The eatery is a casual one, housed in Singapore’s oldest yet still progressive museum the National Museum of Singapore.

On some history, Food for Thought was founded in 2007 as a small cafe in North Bridge Road, over the years, they expanded to other locations, including the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Museum of Singapore going along their altos of serving community with a thought of sustainability.

Also, this branch at the National Museum of Singapore opened in 2012, occupying the spacious first level of the museum. The dining area comprises of an open and bright seating area within the glass atrium. There is also a more cosy hidden café area with cake and tea selections. Notably it is located next to the entrance of the Singapore History galleries and the Story of the Forest walk when we visited the National Museum sometime back.

What’s on the menu?

Furthermore, their menu selections are simple too, comprising of a mix of pasta and west grill dishes. At its heart, Food for thought serves up a Western selection of dishes comprising of favourites like fish and chips, beef and pork dishes. Also, the restaurant’s menu offers tad quite a diverse selection. It caters to a variety of diner’s tastes and preferences, with options for a hearty breakfast, a light salad, quick meal or a satisfying burger, there is something worthy of your palate.

Their Lennon dill fish and chips ($18) with mesclun tomato salad is tad a no-brainer. You get a single large fish fillet which is not too airy within, though it is no where as good as the offerings from Smith’s Fish and Chip we tried previously.

Also, I particularly enjoyed their burgers. There are two options and I recommend their Classic beef burger ($16). Their Classic beef burger is served with fries and side salad. You get a potpourri of cheddar, tomato, caramelised onions, sunny egg and sesame scallion sauce between two toasted buns with a thick juicy patty. The fries are straight cut, crispy and was not as oily as I expected, which is a welcome.

Additionally, their Pulled pork burger ($15) is tender, juicy topped with honey hoisin sauce and coleslaw, served on a toasted brioche bun. This is a mouth-watering and satisfying sandwich that will leave you wanting more. Generally, their burgers are not the best we tasted, and are more on the mid-range similar to other mainstream burger joints like Simple burgers and Burp, but behind quality gourmet burgers stores like Honbo burgers and Wolfgang Zwiener.

Not just burgers

Furthermore, on their menu is a selection of brunch as well as mains and pasta. Breakfast is also on the menu too, as well as soups of the day with toast going. Soups starts $4 for a cup (go figure!) or $8 for larger bowl portion.

Sweet and Savoury Pancakes ($18).

Beef burger closeup

Interior cafe seating

Also, their Pancakes as well as their Breakfast works is quite a sizable dish ($22) Big Breakfast dish consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and Tomato salad toast, and salad. This is a perfect way to start your day with a generous and balanced meal.

Moreover. their Crispy chicken cutlet with fries ($20) takes a recommendation and one of the favourite offerings here. It comprises of house made coleslaw and sambal mayo. The cutlet cooked juicy within with tad a crispy outer. It is one of the more sizable and value offerings too.

Pasta picks includes their Creamy Carbonara with egg ($20) and Spicy pulled pork linguine ($18). The latter is served with bacon strips, cherry tomatoes and sunny side up egg. The pasta is al-dente without being too mushy. It goes well with the pairing of the fresh ingredients though I found the portions for the price too small to my liking.

Additionally, their local specials do take some notable mentions. You can find selection like Satay beef rice bowl ($18), Teochew porridge ($15) and pork belly rice bowl ($15). The beef bowl caters more to asian tastes with rice staples and thick gravy reminiscent of cosy meat stews.

Also, if you are in a group, their Snack platter ($14) for two is one to go for. It consists of platter of fried chicken wings, fries and ma ling luncheon meat “spam” (Ma ling)- thick cuts of luncheon meat fries.

Wrapping up

All in all, that wraps up our dine-in here at Food for Thought at the National Museum of Singapore. The eatery is tad more than just a restaurant, and a place where you can enjoy good food and for a good cause. It is a restaurant to enjoy a delicious meal while learning more about Singapore’s history and culture at the National museum. It is a place not just a place to fill your stomach, but also a place to fill your mind with stories and insights in a Museum about this city we call home.

This review is not sponsored by the establishment nor did they provide any editorial input or reimbursements into the content and outcome of this review. All meals were paid for in full out of my own pocket as a regular and anonymous patron.