Quick summary: Tembusu is a Borderless Straits restaurant in the Ginger Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens, serving dishes like Nasi Lemak, Squid Ink Claypot Rice and Udon Laksa from 8am to 9pm daily. It’s led by Executive Chef Dome (ex-Les Amis) and Head Chef Lime Koh.
Botanic Gardens is home to many cafes – often the kind that are bright, plant-filled and outdoorsy – but Tembusu presents a different proposition. This fully airconditioned, pet-friendly dining house is the latest addition to the grounds, offering a fusion of local and regional flavours that’s best described as borderless straits.
Tembusu is currently in its soft launch phase and will open officially on 3 September 2026.
What Is Tembusu?
Tembusu is described as “borderless straits”, taking inspiration from local, Peranakan and Malay cuisine while infusing it with light modern flair.
Tembusu is founded by Fleursophy Group, the same team behind names like Yan Huo and Le Jardin, known for their immersive and aesthetically pleasing ambiences and unique, hearty menus.
Where To Find It: Tembusu At Singapore Botanic Gardens
Tembusu is located in the Ginger Garden at 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens at the Tyersall Gate entrance.
The nearest MRT is Napier (TE12). It is a 10 to 15 minute walk into the grounds, located in a nice enclave alongside other eateries like Little Farms.
Named after the native Singapore tree found on the five-dollar note, Tembusu has a distinct aesthetic. It’s cottagecore meets what they call Straits Maximalism, built around patterned textiles, timber and terracotta.
There is a separate pet-friendly section. With high ceilings and breezy linen curtains, this space is quieter and calmer, overlooking the gardens. Its looks make it stand out amongst the newer cafes in Singapore.
The best part is both are fully air-conditioned spaces, making it a nice place to dodge the heat.
What To Order At Tembusu?
Tembusu has a signature ‘Taste of Singapore’ menu section with locally-inspired dishes like Otak Otak Slider ($20), Singapore Chilli Crab Pasta ($30) and Wood-fire Satay Skewer ($18).
They also have an extensive brunch and main menu selection, with items priced between $15 to $38.
Here is a preview of the menu:
| Category | Dish | What’s In It | Price |
| Snacks | Smoked Burrata | Blistered tomato, honey pearl, basil oil, sourdough | $22 |
| Quinoa Medley | Orange dressing, pomegranate arils, citrus | $18 | |
| Brunch | Homemade Kaya Pullman Toast | Kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, Nanyang brew | $14 |
| Jogger’s Big Breakfast | Sourdough, eggs, avocado, pork sausage, bacon and tomatoes | $28 | |
| Eggs Croissant Benedict | Gochujang hollandaise, eggs, ham | $19 | |
| Mains | Fish & Chips | Halibut, Thai mayo, fries | $32 |
| Wagyu Beef Burger | Kombu shrooms, cheddar sauce, Roma tomato | $36 | |
| Unagi Spaghetti | Unagi kabayaki, dehydrated kelp and nori | $28 |
The drink menu offers barista blend coffees with beans from Colombia and Brazil, alongside housemade drinks like Sourplum Pineapple Tea ($9.90), Mrs Coconut ($9.90) and Grape Yogurt Freeze ($9.90).
A special drink section is the Modern Singapore Coffee and Tea, featuring beans from Gia Lai Highlands in Vietnam and roasted in Singapore by Generation Coffee Roasters.
What We Tried
We tried their Tembusu Nasi Lemak ($26), complete with a large fried chicken leg, blue pea rice, housemade sambal and achar.
The chicken was crunchy and relatively tender with a fragrant berempah marinade, but we found it a tad oily. Their sambal was good and helped balance out any heaviness in the dish.
A standout was the Udon Laksa ($28). Served with two large charcoal-grilled prawns, the gravy was rich, spiced and seafood-y.
We also liked the chew from the udon noodles compared to the usual thick rice vermicelli! There’s also a generous amount of toppings including crab stick, quail egg and fish cake.
Their Stuffed Chicken Wings ($18) are an homage to Hainanese chicken rice, but with a small twist.
Each wing is deboned and stuffed with fresh prawn paste before being grilled. This was smoky, juicy and sweet, especially nice with their housemade Hainan-style chilli sauce.
The Brulee French Toast ($18) is the perfect dessert to end the meal. Soaked with a sweet, eggy custard, it was decadent without being cloying.
The topping of fresh fruit and cream helped balance it out, making it the perfect dessert brunch option!
We were excited to try the Kaya Matcha ($11.90) with a kaya-infused foam, but sadly we did not enjoy it.
There was not kaya flavour and the matcha was watery and bitter. We feedbacked this to the team and hopefully they will improve the formulation!
However, we highly recommend their Kopi C ($5.90). While traditional Nanyang kopi beans are roasted in sugar and margarine, the Gia Lai beans used here are plain roasted.
The plain roast makes it lighter than the regular Nanyang kopi without taking away from its flavour. It was full-bodied, toasty with minimal bitterness, only slightly sweetened from the evaporated milk.
It’s recommended to have this warm to enjoy all the coffee notes.
Bonus: Chinese-Style Desserts
The Tembusu team hinted at an upcoming Chinese dessert store in Telok Ayer, sharing the same name with their other concept Yan Huo.
Guests can sample some potential menu items, like the Signature Grand Dessert Bowl ($13.90) with housemade taro balls, peach gum, red bean and more.
There will also be shaved ice options like the Pink Guava Snow Ice ($12.90) and Mango Pomelo Snow Ice ($14.90).
Is Tembusu Worth It?
If you’re looking for a cosy brunch cafe, Tembusu is your bet. Prices are steep, but you get a relaxed ambience and extensive menu of interesting, locally-inspired dishes. This is a perfect place for pet owners and we recommend it as a pitstop for a day out with your pets.
Tembusu: Key Information
| Address | 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569 (Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens) |
| Opening hours | Daily, 8am – 9pm |
| Soft opening | 3 August 2026 |
| Official launch | 3 September 2026 |
| Cuisine | Borderless Straits (Peranakan/Malay base with Japanese, Spanish and Chinese influences) |
| @tembususg |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tembusu
Where is Tembusu located?
Tembusu is located in the Ginger Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, at 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569. The nearest MRT station is Napier (TE12).
What kind of food does Tembusu serve?
The menu is built around Straits and Peranakan reference points, with dishes like Nasi Lemak and Otak-Otak, combined with ingredients and techniques from Japan, Spain and China.
What are Tembusu’s opening hours?
Tembusu’s main menu is served daily from 8am to 9pm.
Who is behind Tembusu?
Tembusu is by Fleursophy Group, founded by Nicole Chen. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Dome (formerly of Les Amis, Under Der Linden and Ember) and Head Chef Lime Koh (formerly of Les Amis, Capella Singapore and Meta’s cafés).
Do I need a reservation at Tembusu?
Reservations are not required at Tembusu. It’s worth checking Tembusu’s Instagram (@tembususg) or contacting the restaurant directly before visiting, especially around the official launch on 3 September.
Is Tembusu halal-certified?
No, Tembusu is not halal-certified.
*This article is based on a media tasting, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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