Carnaby: A British Dining Experience in Singapore by Chef Adam Penney
Carnaby is a Modern British diner by Chef Adam Penney that offers a unique dining experience that blends traditional British cuisine with a contemporary flair. Located in a chic and cozy setting at Robertson Quay. Carnaby is right besides Les Bouchons Rive Gauche and along from Abunya@Robertson Quay and Tapas24 where Brian did a review before!
Carnaby is also right next to the colourful bridge that I saw being constructed when I lived at Quayside apartments right above in the picture below almost 25 Years ago!
Carnaby Restaurant Decor
Stepping into Carnaby, you’re immediately enveloped by an ambiance that effortlessly marries modernity with British nostalgia. The dining area is a visual treat, where rustic wooden tables are perfectly set with gleaming glassware, awaiting guests in a space that feels both welcoming and refined.
The walls made from Oriented Strand Board (OSB) offers up a canvas of creativity, are framed vintage album covers from legendary British bands like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and the Sex Pistols. This thoughtful decor not only pays homage to Britain’s rich musical heritage but also infuses the space with a vibrant, eclectic energy.
As you move towards the bar, the vibe shifts to a sleek, industrial-chic aesthetic. Exposed wooden beams overhead contrast beautifully with the polished black fixtures, while a backdrop of well-stocked spirits promises a drink for every palate. The bar’s design is both stylish and functional, with high stools inviting you to sit and linger. A subtle glow from the lighting casts a warm hue, making the bar area the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
Chef Adam noted they need a further inclusion of more British alcohol to adorn the bar, I have reached out to some suppliers we know who are only too happy to help!
Carnaby’s decor captures the essence of modern British culture, creating a space where every detail invites you to sit back, enjoy, and soak in the unique charm that defines this diner.
The music playlist of UK themed music (Spotify I suspect) had so many classics just running in the background that I was singing in-between morsels! From 80’s classics from Madness through to The Fine Young Cannibals kept the tempo of the place that married well with British food on steroids!
Carnaby Window Seat
We arrived at opening time 5pm with no reservation and the place was already set up for guests, we opted for the window seats for some people watching! As you can see there is a small playground for kids, so if you have little ones you can keep a close eye on them but note the river is also nearby! The window seat sits 4, two inside looking out and two outside looking in, I recommend this high chair position to anyone that heads for the first time!
Carnaby Food Glorious Food
Carnaby invites guests to indulge in a menu that reflects the best of British flavours, reimagined for today’s palate.
At Carnaby, you’ll find a selection of expertly crafted dishes that cater to all tastes. Start your meal with savoury options like the Chicken Liver Parfait with Onion Jam and Pickles on Sourdough or the Caramelized Smoked Ham Hock with Granny Smith Apple. For mains, the diner showcases hearty favorites such as the wood-fired Angus Ribeye Steak, smoky Fish Pie, and the signature Carnaby Burger made with a 150g beef patty and Wookey Hole Cheddar.
Vegetarians and vegans aren’t left out, with dishes like the Summer Garden Risotto and the Impossible Carnaby Burger offering flavourful, satisfying options. To round off your meal, don’t miss out on classic British desserts like Sticky Toffee Date Pudding or the delightful “Eton is a Mess,” combining strawberries, meringue, and vanilla custard.
Carnaby isn’t just about the food – it’s an experience. Whether you’re there for a casual meal with friends or a special occasion, the welcoming ambiance and exquisite menu make it a destination worth visiting. Head to Carnaby and discover the true essence of British dining, where every dish is made with the finest ingredients and a touch of creativity.
What did we eat at Carnaby?
For Starter I opted for the Smoked Herring Kipper Pate, Melba Toast, Black Pepper & Lemon at $18 as I am partial to a pickled herring from M&S that now sells for $11 so this option was my must-have on the menu. My wife still in veg mode went for the Roasted Baby Beets, Whipped Irish Goat’s Curd & Walnuts at $20. The ingredients quality here is outstanding, and the attention to details in the food production is something you need to experience for yourselves.
Carnaby Signatures & Mains
For the main course, I just had to go for the Fish & Chips mainly to test the Chef’s mettle for offering up a dish that sits so high on the list of any Brit abroad searching for a little bit of home!
Many of you would have read the Smiths Fish and Chips review Brian did and I can say Smiths is still staunchly our go-to for British-style Cod and Chips. Frenchy you are safe for now, PS when are you doing the banner? 😂
Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Mushy Peas, Tartare Sauce & Lemon: $36
Now I did pick Chef Adams’ brain on this one whilst eating the fish and chips, the fish is Golden snapper and is caught the same day and sent to the restaurant within hours and I have to tell you this is really good fish and chips even though it’s not Cod and for me to say that is a big thing! The crispy crunchy beer batter was a winner!
Talking of big things, check out that portion size, I felt like I had finished the dish after the first piece of fish, to be honest, and these portions have apparently been cut down, so expect you might see some changes here to either price or size but either way you won’t be missing out!
The Tartare sauce is next level, the use of watermelon rind adds a new dimension, for me, it was even smoky but not smoked at all. The wedge of lemon that had been grilled removed my need to ask for Sarsons vinegar!
Northern Mushy Peas
There is a green lump on the plate that under normal circumstances (not blogging) I would not eat, not because I don’t like it but because of the north versus south UK rivalry and the Northerners add Mushy Peas to their Fish and Chips and us Soft Southern Shandy Drinking B’stards (as they like to call us) would not even contemplate such an item on the plate!!
Even Steve ‘Ruthers’ Rutherford asked “What’s that dip on the plate?” when I shared the image in a group chat only highlighting it further!
But now the hard part is a review that includes mushy peas! Well, to be honest, and I like to write that way (unlike other paid Bloggers out there), I did enjoy the mushy peas (sorry Dad, I know that’s blasphemous in our house), they are as described mushy, hence the name, much sweeter than eating green peas normally cooked from frozen in the UK (DJ SiFi loves a frozen green pea) with a tad of seasoning and a light touch of mint! Feelin’ well northern now!
Roasted Butternut Squash, Semolina Dumplings, Tomatoes, Pine Nuts & Frazzled Sage: $28
The wife being a veg eater this month was eyeing up the Impossible Carnaby Burger which in hindsight she should have ordered because Chef Adam told us he was brought to Singapore ten years ago by the team at Potato Head just to make burgers (not just any burger obviously) but instead she opted for the Roasted Butternut Squash & Semolina Dumplings, which she actually thought would be more like a suet dumpling that she had fallen in love with in the UK.
Alas her choice was wrong on this occasion but thankfully the dish was another spectacular one, so no complaints on this dish! I did have a nibble and can say it did taste delish but having my extra large portion of Fish and Chips to finish I refrained from tasting too much!
Carnaby Desserts
With 4 desserts to choose from (see menu items below) there was only one for me and that’s “Allo Treacle” but only for the name! We were both stuffed from the starter and mains but needed a light rest before taking charge to order a British Tart!
Being of Cockney descent this term is something I have grown up with, so let me explain further to those not in the know what it actually means! (you might remember the Cockney Knees up Brian for me sometime back titled Pie n Mash with Mr C of The Shamen, well what a day that was! Maybe and I mean Maybe, Chef Adam could have a pie, mash and liquor on the menu as a seasonal delight (Cheeky I know)!
Brian said he is happy to help Chef Adam with that as an Islifearecipe pop-up with Carnaby: he’ll even throw in the bunting, and go and collect the eels (yes, he did say that).
The phrase “Allo Treacle” is often used cheekily or affectionately, particularly in Cockney rhyming slang. In British English, “Allo Treacle” is a colloquial expression that combines “Allo,” a playful or informal way of saying “Hello,” with “Treacle,” a term of endearment similar to “sweetheart” or “love.”
The word “treacle” itself refers to a thick, sweet syrup made from sugar, often used in British desserts like treacle tart (hence the name of this dessert dish). You can even get Treacle here in Singapore on Shopee but make sure it is Lyles Golden Syrup as they started in the East End of London where the Cockneys are from!
I had to tell Chef Adam why I was having this particular dish and he responded with “it is what I say to my wife!”
Oh yes, I forget about the dessert review, OMG! I cannot begin to tell you just how good this thing tasted! I had all the nostalgia of the UK through the treacle and the sweet and salted caramel, it is a must-have even if you are as full as we were at the end of two courses!
Carnaby Sunday Roast
Chef Adam mentioned that on Sunday they were beginning their British Sunday Roast with a Beef or Chicken option priced at $48 but please check prices in advance as this was from a quote from Chef Adam off the top of his head and another option at $78 that would include other courses!
Carnaby Restaurant Review in Conclusion
Chef Adam has been open for a month now and is tweaking the menu to get the right balance on portions and prices but I can honestly say we had a very enjoyable meal. From starters, mains thru to dessert we thoroughly enjoyed each dish on every bite!
I for one have already recommended Carnaby to so many groups I am involved in even before creating this blog post! We have to support our fellow Brits abroad!
My wife and I said we would return when she was not vegetarian next month and opt for the Carnaby Burger! I’ll be back for the Welsh Rarebit and Steak and Guinness Pie, which tells you how much I enjoyed this meal and suggest you head down to Carnaby soon before there are changes to the menu and you miss out!
My Only Fault Finding!!
This was a date night so we had to be somewhere and sober at 7pm, so I did not consume any alcohol but my only complaint would have been the booze prices but as we all know it’s not cheap to run and set up a restaurant here in Singapore, it’s all about location, location location, so the rent will play a big part of the price on a menu.
We live out east where a pint of beer is around $10, so a Brewdog Wingman at $18 was a bit too punchy for me, I even paid $12.60 for the Elvis Juice at Gatwick Airport recently. Peroni at $16 is more palatable!
Check out this review Best Bars on the East Coast Road ~20: Cheapest East Coast Road Bars
Take a look at this To Die for Menu at Carnaby
The menu is subject to change and will continue to be tweaked for seasonality, Chef Adam will continue to add that British flair to this menu over time!
Starters
- Seasonal Soup: $14
- Chicken Liver Parfait, Onion Jam, Pickles on Sourdough: $19
- Caramelized Smoked Ham Hock, Granny Smith Apple, Walnuts, Mustard & Wild Leaves: $23
- Roasted Baby Beets, Whipped Irish Goat’s Curd & Walnuts: $20
- Ox Tomato Salad, Rockstar Cave Aged Cheddar, Carnaby Salad Cream, Shallots & Lovage: $21
- Welsh Rarebit of Wookey Hole Cave Aged Cheddar, Melted Leeks, on a Beef Fat Toasted Crumpet: $18
- Smoked Herring Kipper Pate, Melba Toast, Black Pepper & Lemon: $18
Signatures
- Carnaby Burger, 150g Beef Patty, Wookey Hole Cheddar, Relish, Carnaby Mayo, Fries and Slaw: $36
- Beer Battered Fish & Chips, Mushy Peas, Tartare Sauce & Lemon: $36
- Smoky Fish Pie, Smoked Haddock, Golden Snapper, Leeks, Peas & Carrots: $34
- Steak and Guinness Pie, Irish Guinness Stout & Seasonal Vegetables: $35
- Twice Cooked Dingley Dell Pork Belly, Cauliflower Puree & Greens: $38
- (Add On for $10: Sides)
Mains
- Woodfired Argentinian Grass Fed Angus Todos Ribeye Steak 300g, Chips, Horseradish Cream & Red Wine Jus: $69
- Free Range Spring Chicken, Mash, Wild Mushrooms & Lemon Thyme: $38
- (V) Summer Garden Risotto, English Parmesan, Wilted Greens, and Minted Gremolata: $28
- (V) Roasted Butternut Squash, Semolina Dumplings, Tomatoes, Pine Nuts & Frazzled Sage: $28
- (V) Impossible Carnaby Burger, Baron Bigod Brie, Truffle Aioli, Ketchup, Tomato, Lettuce, Fries & Slaw: $33
Sides
- Charred Brussel Sprouts, Tallow, Thyme: $14
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes: $14
- Charred Broccolini, English Parmesan: $14
- Spring Sweet Peas and Spring Onions: $14
- Creamed Spinach: $14
- Twice Cooked Fries: $12
- Glazed Carrots, Anise Butter: $12
- Carnaby Wild Leaf Salad: $14
Dessert
- “Allo Treacle” Tart, Salted Caramel & Chantilly Cream: $16
- Sticky Toffee Date Pudding, Butterscotch Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream: $16
- Eton is a Mess, Strawberries, Orange & Vanilla Custard, Meringue, Chantilly Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream: $18
- Trifle IPA Curd and Jelly, Raspberry, Amaretto & Orange: $19
Beers
- Draft Beers:
- Peroni (12oz 1/2 pint): $12 / (16oz full pint): $16
- Brewdog Wingman (12oz 1/2 pint): $13 / (16oz full pint): $18
- Cans:
- Brewdog Hazy Jane IPA (330ml): $15
- Punk IPA Bottles (330ml): $16
- Black Heart Stout Nitro (440ml): $20
Soft Drinks
- Lemonade: $8
- Canned Drinks: $5.50
- Apple Juice: $6
- Water 500ml: $8
- San Pellegrino Sparkling / Acqua Panna Still: $8
Tea & Coffee
- Tanamera Coffee: $6 (With Milk or Oat Milk)
- Clipper Tea: $6
- (English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Peppermint, Lychee Fiesta, Anti-Stress)
- Iced Lemon Tea: $8 (Black Tea, House Lemonade, Simple Syrup, Lemon)
- Iced Bourbon Lemon Tea: $14 (Black Tea, Wild Turkey Bourbon, House Lemonade, Simple Syrup)
Carnaby Contact Details
Address: 60 Robertson Quay, #01-01, Singapore 238252
Telephone: +65 8890 7843
Carnaby Restaurant Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm |
| Thursday | 12–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm |
| Friday | 12–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–10 pm |
