COL Restaurant Singapore: New restaurant bar along Keong Saik Road

The latest addition to Keong Saik’s vibrant F&B scene serves a casual yet refined menu in a relaxed setting inspired by London’s neighbourhood pub.

Occupying a 1,400 sq ft space on the ground floor of The Working Capitol’s former biscuit factory building on Keong Saik Road, COL is cool because it is unpretentious.

COL Designed by Interior Designer, Jin Seow

Designed by interior designer Jin Seow of Jin Seow Studio, the 50-seat restaurant’s overall vibe is industrial, featuring vintage pieces and locally-sourced retro-inspired finishes.

The menu itself is modern pan-European fare but done with mostly local, seasonal ingredients.

“COL represents a new style of simple, accessible, and yet sophisticated dining where seasonality is key, and we are excited to be part of a new wave of approachable, refined restaurants in Singapore,” said Chef-owner Colin Buchan, who operates the joint with wife Sophie Fitsall.

“We are choosing to find the sweet spot between fine and casual dining whilst focusing on produce and skill. Bringing COL to life has been incredible for me, and I see it as the culmination of my culinary journey.”

Chef-Owner Colin Buchan's celebrity chef career

This journey includes over a decade in Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen, a stint as David and Victoria Beckham’s private chef, and helming the food programming at social club 1880, which also has a stake at COL.

COL’s double swing doors open into a cosy bar area featuring a deep green marble countertop, moody lighting, handmade herringbone ceramic tiles, and Mantis wall lamps deliberately installed upside down.

Here, patrons are invited to enjoy a pre-dinner tipple and nibble to whet their appetites before the main event.

An archway leads to the main dining area, where the raw concrete floor is paired with handsome dark wood, leather banquettes, grey Calacatta and vintage pink marble tables. Vibrant artworks, all handpicked by Colin and Sophie, lend pops of colour to the space.

Mid-Century open kitchen gives guests the full theatrics

An open kitchen with a marble countertop and mid-century modern pendant lights presides over this dining area, giving diners the full theatrical view of the chef’s operation.

A second bar at the far end of the room mediates the main dining room with a few more secluded tables for those wanting more privacy.

COL Restaurant Singapore signature dishes

Current signature dishes include tagliatelle al granchio with crab sauce, chilli butter and tomato confit; black opal wagyu entrecote fire-cooked over binchotan to a tender, juicy perfection and roasted cauliflower with saikyo miso in vegetable sauce and garlic pangrattato.

Pair this inventive menu with a wine list curated by master sommelier Benjamin Hasko, which spotlights three categories: classic, natural, and new-wave wines.

Or try some of the craft cocktails with a twist, like the Nero Negroni and Bobby Burns, COL’s interpretation of an espresso martini.

Those abstaining from alcohol will also be delighted to find the equally fancy beverage menu.

COL is located at 1 Keong Saik Road #01-05, The Working Capitol Building.