Providing cosy respite along the idyllic Robertson Quay riverfront, Summerlong is a dining destination that constantly impresses. We were blown away by its stunning boho-chic aesthetic, ambience and honest, delicious food.
Be enthralled by a stellar array of contemporary plates reflecting the culinary journeys of newly-appointed Head Chef Fotis Kokoshi. Having previously worked in Greece, Chef Fotis has created an exciting new menu featuring Mediterranean and Greek-inspired delicacies. Focusing on lighter, brighter flavours, he brings to the fore more plant-based and seafood alternatives with unique spins on classics.
Complementing their expansive list of offerings, whisk your evening away over Greek-inspired hand-crafted tipples. Try their ultra-refreshing Greek Mojito, their creamy and mad-addictive, Pandan Colada, or sip on their fine collection of Greek wines!
Summerlong has always been a hit among the brunch and dinner crowd, but if you’re hankering for a post-work tipple, you’ll be happy to know that they open until 12AM daily.
With its decorative influences stemming from the tranquil beaches of the Mediterranean, Summerlong perfectly encapsulates summer seaside vibes. Elegantly designed with a thoughtful layout that incorporates a variety of seating formats; from long communal tables, alfresco lounge sofas to recessed dining seats for intimate affairs, Summerlong is befitting of any occasion.
With a focus on Greek and Mediterranean flavours, Chef Fotis’ contemporary approach to cooking means lighter, brighter dishes that are vibrant, boldly flavoured yet distinctly unique and approachable. He derives his inspiration from his experiences working in Greece and prides himself on sourcing for quality ingredients in a sustainable manner from independent family-run farms in various parts of Greece. He’s also created an inclusive menu that caters to vegetarians, and vegans as well.
Housemade Dips
Among the wide repertoire of starters available, one of our absolute favourites remains to be their selection of house-made dips. There are four different vegetarian-friendly dips to choose from; Tzatziki (S$14++), Cauliflower Hummus (S$14++), Smoked Eggplant (S$15++) and Spicy Feta (S$15++). Each come served with warm, slightly charred pita bread which they make in-house.
Not to sound overly pious, but we loved every single one of them. Each was unique in their own way and pleasantly surprising in the way that made us reach in for more. Many love the Spicy Feta for its warm, salty and subtly tangy appeal that plays off the aromatic spices well. Our favourite though—if we had no choice but to pick one—would have to be the Cauliflower Hummus. The textures were incredible and the toasted cauliflower gave the hummus a certain savoury earthiness to it. If you can’t decide, we suggest opting for the All The Dips (S$39++) option.
Seabass Carpaccio
Easing your way into the meal proper, we recommend the Seabass Carpaccio (S$22++), a beautiful dish comprising locally-farmed Barramundi, trout roe and fresh wasabi. Sliced thin, the sensation as the fish touches the tongue is immense—buttery, clean and enhanced with tang. The savoury roe provides a nice brininess to the fish and the hint of wasabi adds a nice tingly element of heat that wonderfully contrasts itself to the fish.
Imam Bayildi
If you’re hankering after something more substantial, the Imam Bayildi (S$25++) is a good one to consider. A twist on an iconic Turkish dish of eggplant stuffed with garlic, tomatoes and feta cheese, their rendition sees it served with a flavourful tomato sauce accented with warm aromatics such as cinnamon.
Lamb Kebab
Many tend to dislike lamb for its gaminess, but Summerlong’s Arabian-spiced Lamb Kebab (S$26++) could convert even the most stubborn of palates. Through marrying a variety of aromatic spices and incorporating tahini, paprika and lime into the marinade before eventually grilling it over a charcoal grill, the gaminess is eliminated and instead what you’re left with is a flavour-packed meat skewer that’s both nuanced and deliciously moist.
Desserts at Summerlong
For desserts, the Honey Parfait (S$15++) with green apple compote, forest fruit and raspberry; and the Havla Cake (S$15++), a semolina-based, vegan cake served with mascarpone, pistachio and caramel, will not disappoint. We particularly enjoyed the former. The taste of fresh honey was apparent, providing the nicely textured dessert with deep floral undertones.
Cocktails at Summerlong
Their newly-revamped cocktail programme is something to admire as well. Inspired by tropical flavours, many of their cocktails are refreshing and boast sweet, sourish profiles with a tinge of punchiness to ease you into the mood. Our personal favourites include the fresh-tasting, Greek Mojito (S$20++), Adriatic Juliep (S$20++) and creamy but punchy, Pandan Colada (S$20++).
Our recommendation is start off with a Spritzer and work your way up toward their more assertive tiki-inspired cocktails. Complexly flavoured with a subtle bitter undertone, fans of a classic Negroni will find their twist on it, the Summer Negroni (S$22++), dangerously easy to drink. Properly built over ice and stirred to perfection, the cocktail comprises Hendrick’s gin, Cinzano vermouth, Campari, Angostura bitters and an orange twist.
Address: The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay #01-04, Singapore 238252
Opening Hours: 5.30PM – 12AM (Daily)
Contact: +65 6235 1225
Nearest MRT Station: Clarke Quay / Fort Canning
Read our late-night guide to Robertson Quay.
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