If a caveman didn’t eat it, neither should you—or so goes the mantra of Paleo diet adherents. The nutritional regime centres around meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables and nuts, and has been catapulted into the mainstream in recent years. So it’s no surprise that there are numerous restaurants in the city where you’ll find dishes that abide to the Paleo principles.
Its compelling theory works on a simple premise: The modern diet, dominated by grains, starches, dairy and processed sugar, is not what the human body has evolved to live well on. In fact, believers attribute ‘first world’ ailments such as diabetes and heart disease to those very ingredients.
But in Singapore, we aren’t just keen on setting up establishments that cater to dietary guidelines—The food has to be as delicious as it is good for you. So here are five restaurants and cafés where you can eat well while sticking to your diet.
Singapore’s wide array of foods encourages individuals on the paleo diet to eat out. Photo by YOLO
Super Simple
Our cave-dwelling forebears would approve of the build-it-yourself bowls at Super Simple; chef-owner Jasper Jek doesn’t deep fry anything and his food is MSG-free. Everything comes in a boxed set that you can customise to your Paleo preferences: pick a protein like slow-cooked chicken breast or ribeye steak, then dress it up with greens, veggies, and nuts. And don’t forget to slather on some of Super Simple’s house-made dressings—you’ll want to go for the Paleo-friendly parsley pesto or miso-ginger.
China Square Food Centre.
51 Telok Ayer Street #01-04, Singapore 048441. +65 9699 5568.
Mon-Thu 11am-2.30pm, 5.30-8pm; Fri 11am-2.30pm.
The Daily Cut
Want to #eatclean yet too much of a meat lover to settle for a few leafy greens? Then head to one of The Daily Cut’s outlets. Build your own healthy meal with premium ingredients like ribeye steak, turkey and salmon—they’re all high in protein, which boosts metabolism while reducing your cravings.
One Raffles Place. 1 Raffles Place #B1-31, Singapore 048616.
Mon-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat & Sun 11am-4pm.
Tanjong Pagar Centre. 7 Wallich Street #B2-16, Singapore 078884. +65 6386 6160.
Mon-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat-Sun 11am-4pm.
The Heart. 5 Straits View #B1-41/42, Singapore 018935.
Mon-Fri 11am-8pm.
Galaxis. 1 Fusionopolis Place #01-28/29, Singapore 138522.
Mon-Fri 11am-8pm.
Caveman Food
As its name suggests, Caveman Food only dishes out low-grain and Paleo-friendly food—there are no grains, sugars, dairy or artificial flavours here, and everything is gluten-free. It’s thanks to owner Michael Tan’s own nutritional regime: He was introduced to the Paleo diet a few years ago, and managed to lose five kilograms in four months.
Everything on the menu here is kosher for Paleo adherents: Pick chicken, beef or salmon as your protein base, then throw in baked eggs, sweet potato or apple salad to complete your meal.
Square 2. 10 Sinaran Drive #B1-130, Singapore 307506.
Mon & Tue 11am-8.45pm; Wed-Sat 11am-8.45pm; Sun 10.30am-8.30pm.
YOLO
You only live once, which is why YOLO has curated a mindful, Halal-certified menu that prioritises its diners’ wellbeing. Catering to the busy bees of the business district, YOLO spreads out an array of dishes that purport to facilitate digestion, muscle gain and fat loss. Its range includes açaí bowls, salmon quinoa cakes, coconut chicken, miso salmon and cauliflower rice.
To help you #eatyourgoals, YOLO’s in-house nutritionist has designed a few food plans to meet your needs: a low-calorie one to maintain a fit body; a low-Glycemic Index plan to boost energy levels; a vitamin-packed plan for youthful-looking skin; and a protein-rich plan to bulk up.
Icon Village. 12 Gopeng Street, Singapore 078877.
+65 6221 3029.
Mon-Sat 11am-9pm.
Ninja Bowl
While we can’t promise that you’ll be able to scale walls or fling shurikens just by partaking of the food here, the good folks at Ninja Bowl do offer up a filling, wholesome meal for meat lovers and paleo adherents.
The restaurant’s mouth-watering, signature bowls come in a variety of flavours, ranging from the Kabuki (chicken leg confit with cherry tomatoes, zucchini and sautéed mushrooms) to the Tontoro (pork jowl, baby corn coleslaw and sesame cucumbers).
All bowls come with an onsen egg for some added protein, and you can choose to add rice or orzo pasta… don’t worry, we won’t tell on you!
Ninja Bowl. 15 Duxton Road, Singapore 089481. +65 6222 8055.
Mon-Fri 9.30am-9.30pm; Sat & Sun 9am-6pm.