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Brian Kennett
Amateur Chef and Boozy Traveling Foodie Extraordinaire
Cavern Restaurant Singapore: A Dining Expedition into the Depths of Culinary Creativity
Cavern Restaurant Mandai Review: Singapore’s food scene is a never-ending rollercoaster of innovation, with new concepts popping up all over. Just when you thought you’d seen it all—sky-high hawkers, underwater restaurants, eateries inside historic landmarks—along comes Cavern Restaurant, Singapore’s first-ever cave dining experience.
Yes, you read that right. A restaurant that looks like it was plucked straight out of a National Geographic documentary and plonked into the middle of Mandai Wildlife Reserve: YES THE ZOO (ok Rainforest Reserve). The only other time I have eaten in a cave is at my VERY good mate’s place, Chef Ryan Clift’s The Cave in Bali: and yeah, that was a WOW!!!
Curious? So were we. And let me tell you, Cavern is more than just a gimmick—I walked in and had my breath taken. From the dramatic rock formations to the expertly curated menu, stunning plating and deliciousness by Chef Sheng Lim, this place is the real deal, and it blew me away. This is absolutely one of Singapore’s most unique dining experiences: just a shame it is so far away from us.
Cavern Restaurant Singapore Review: Contents
Cavern Restaurant Mandai, Ambience & Setting
The moment you approach Cavern Restaurant, you know you’re in for something special. The entrance is designed to mimic the grandeur of natural caves, complete with towering rock formations and dim, atmospheric lighting that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled upon some hidden underground grotto. Think Batu Caves meets fine dining.
I was so looking forward to bumping into Lara Croft, but sadly, it did not happen…
Meet the Chef: The Mastermind Behind the Menu
Heading the kitchen is none other than Chef Sheng Lim, a culinary maestro who has sharpened his knives at some of Singapore’s most prestigious restaurants, including Jaan, Cure Concepts, and Ce La Vi. If you’re familiar with his work, you’ll know he’s all about bringing bold, complex flavours to the table while keeping things refreshingly unpretentious.
Chef Lim’s vision for Cavern Restaurant? A menu that combines Western techniques with subtle Asian influences, all while embracing the primal joy of food. And trust me, he delivers. You have to pop down and get your face in some of his dishes.
Cavern Restaurant Mandai Menu: Dishes Worth Venturing Into the ‘Cave’ For
Cavern Restaurant Mandai Menu: what did we eat today...
STONE HEARTH LOAF @ $12
Artisan sourdough, spring onion salted butter. Oh my goodness gracious me. I love bread, my family all love bread. I will call out Asador as a lifelong stand-out for me with their unique smoked butter.
But then we come here and have this sourdough with a thick bark adding such crunch the noise was scaring the bats from the cavern. And then spoon some of that rather interesting green butter on the bread. Holy sh!t. Bread Angels started singing immediately, with their choral verses celebrating one of the most unique bread and butter experiences I have had. Just divine. I would go back, just for more of this.
MUSHROOM SOUP @ $12
Roasted button mushroom, cream. Yep. This little unassuming bowl of deliciousness is one of the best mushroom soups to cross these fat beardy lips. So powerful a mushroom taste, so clearly evident that it is made from fresh mushrooms. Add that cream and a little truffle oil, and hello there, that just got lifted to soup heavens on high. Incredible soup.
THE HOLLOWED STONE @ $15
Bone marrow, sourdough toast, chives. WOOF. Another MUST-TRY from the Cavern Menu. I am going to call it. This will be one of the very best bone marrow dishes I have had, it was exquisite. I am guessing Chef soaked it in milk first the remove all the impurities, which can give marrow that “funky” taste. This was just unctuous, fatty, savoury, gloopy heaven: so good!!!
CHARCOAL-GRILLED LAMB @ $40
Organic grass-fed lamb, chimichurri sauce. OK, this one did not float my boat sadly. I found a little tasteless, and lacking seasoning, so I doubt I would order this one again. Shame because everything else was so damned good.
IRONSTRIKE KNUCKLE @ $28
Braised pork knuckle, mustard jus. OK, OK, there were two dishes this day that I didn’t “get”. This was the second. The jus was warm and the pork was cold: which spun my senses in a weird not positive way. The server confirmed it was supposed to be cold, which then made me even more confused, and a little disappointed as it surely does not call this out as a cold dish.
I love pork knuckles. In the Philippines, we have it constantly, and one of my favourite pork knuckle dishes is here in Singapore at East Coast Lagoon Food Court: Han Jia Bak Kut Teh & Pork Leg. Maybe it was the disjoint between the menu description and the dish itself: sorry Chef, I didn’t get it.
CAVEMAN’S MEAT SKEWER @ $38
200g beef tenderloin, button mushroom, shallot, pepper, chimichurri sauce. An absolute killer dish. That’s how you cook a steak skewer right there. Sumptuous chunks of beef, cooked to perfect medium-rare, seasoning to die for, and just so flipping tender. This is so good and gets my MUST-TRY again from the Cavern Restaurant Menu: it’s just so very delicious.
If I had ordered this, the sourdough bread and the bone marrow I would have marked 5/5 for this review of the restaurant. Exceptional dishes: bravo Chef and crew!!!
Service & Hospitality
From the moment you stepped inside the Cavern, it was pretty good. Before though, not so good: we were in a queue, and one of the staff popped out with a queue number asking if that number was in the queue, to be seated. Er, how do we get a queue number: scan here Sir. We could have been there for an hour waiting with no idea you needed to scan.
The staff are fairly knowledgeable I’d say, friendly, albeit a little flustered. Another annoyance was waiting in that queue, now with our queue number, only to finally walk in to be seated and see the restaurant about 1/4 empty including loads of tables for three or four pax: which is us this day. Yeah, annoying!!!
Cavern Restaurant Review Mandai: drinks...
Loving the drinks here. Hey, we’re in a cave so of course there is a nicely stocked wine fridge. But, my favourite was these “Viking-style” beer jugs + Tiger of course, that keep your beer cold: yes insulated. I loved them so much that I now own four of them myself, and plan to buy them in bulk for the resto in the Philippines. Oh, yes!!!
Accessibility & Location
Cavern Restaurant is tucked away within Mandai Wildlife Reserve: the new Rainforest Reserve to be exact, making it a bit of a trek compared to your usual city haunts. But fret not—getting there is easier than you’d think. Simply hop on the Mandai Khatib shuttle bus from Khatib MRT Station (Exit A), and you’ll be whisked straight to Mandai Wildlife West. From there, it’s just a short stroll to the restaurant.
Would I say it’s worth the journey? Absolutely. It’s not every day you get to dine in a cave, let alone one that serves food this good. Plus we had lunch and then went to the new Rainforest Reserve: yes, folks, a review is coming soon. What a cracking day!!!
Final Verdict: Is Cavern Restaurant Worth It?
Absolutely. Cavern Restaurant Singapore is more than just a place to eat—it really is a unique experience. The immersive setting, the seriously good menu, and not bad service all come together to create something truly special. It’s a great excuse to eat in a cave (which, let’s be honest, is reason enough).
From the moment you step into The Cavern Mandai its atmospheric, cave-like setting to the last bite of Chef’s rather fine dishes, is designed to whisk you to a world where nature meets rather fine dining. Yes, it is a theatrical presentation, but the whimsy is backed up by some seriously great food.
Is it worth the journey to Mandai? Totally. Be a curious foodie, a fan of “different” dining, or just someone looking to escape the usual cityscape for an unforgettable meal whilst keeping the kids entertained (yes, that’s me), The Cavern Restaurant Mandai is a must-visit: this subterranean sanctuary won’t stay a secret for long!
Islifearecipe Tip: If you’re planning a visit, book ahead! The buzz around this place is growing fast, and tables fill up quickly. Get that flipping queue number and skip into the Cavern Restaurant. See below, for how to do that.
Cavern Restaurant Singapore: voice of the restaurant...
“Step into Cavern Restaurant, Singapore’s first and only restaurant in a cave setting inspired by the Mulu Caves in Sarawak. Managed by TungLok Group, a renowned name known for its award-winning establishments across the region, Cavern Restaurant showcases exceptional quality and expertly crafted menus.
Opened for lunch through dinner, it is a lively hub of gastronomic exploration. In the evenings, it can be transformed into an elegant venue for hosting corporate events and celebrations.
Discover a dining experience where every moment at the Cavern Restaurant takes guests on a memorable journey through flavours, ambience and adventure.”
Cavern Restaurant Reservation
Please don’t wait until you get there, book ahead, get your queue number and make it a breezy experience. It was not a good experience as a ‘walk-in’. I get it, it has only been open a month or so, so teething issues: so to avoid them book in advance. They are using Chope for some reason: https://book.chope.co/booking?rid=cavernrestaurant2501sg&source=rest_cavernrestaurant
Cavern Restaurant Mandai Price
Dishes range from $12-40 – which I have to say is really reasonable for what we consumed that day, and the other dishes residing in this menu. I like it a lot.
Cavern Restaurant Contact Details
- Looks like it is a fill-in email form or “talk” to their chatbot HERE.
- Telephone: +65 6022 0229
Cavern Restaurant Mandai Opening Hours
| Saturday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Sunday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Monday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm |
