Holland Village stalwarts Wala Wala, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao to shut; Wine RVLT relocates
Wala Wala Cafe Bar may end its 32-year run before its lease is up by the end of 2025. PHOTO: WALA WALA CAFE BAR
SINGAPORE – Two Holland Village establishments look set to bow out of the foodie cluster in 2025. The Straits Times recently reported that the area is losing its mojo, with foot traffic dwindling and businesses closing.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao will shut after 20 years on June 30, while nightspot Wala Wala Cafe Bar may end its 32-year run before its lease is up at the end of 2025.
Citing waning footfall in the area, rising operating costs and a challenging labour market as reasons for the closure, Wala Wala's owner Stanley Yeo told The Business Times in a June 12 article that he is looking for a new tenant to take over the space.
In a statement to ST, a spokesman for the Crystal Jade Group confirmed that the restaurant's lease in Holland Village is up and added that the group is 'evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore'.
The group still runs its Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen at the One Holland Village mall, and has other Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao outlets at i12 Katong, Bugis Junction and Hillion Mall.
Over in Hongkong Street, modern Spanish restaurant FOC announced in an Instagram post on June 12 that it will shut in August, after 11 years. Its other outlet is at Sentosa's Tanjong Beach.
These add to other recent closures, including another Holland Village restaurant, Sens Dining, which shut in April; and ramen chain Kanada-Ya at Jem, Marina Square and Paya Lebar Quarter.
In May, souffle pancake chain Fluff Stack closed its outlets, while Japanese ramen specialist Hokkaido Ramen Santouka exited Singapore after 17 years at Clarke Quay Central mall.
Upmarket restaurants were not spared either in the challenging food and beverage scene. Modern European restaurants Imbue in Keong Saik Road and the one-Michelin-starred Poise in Teck Lim Road have also closed in recent months.
Others are starting new chapters in different locations.
Choon Hoy Parlor, which shut in Beach Road on April 14, soft-launched on June 8 with a bigger 64-seat, double-storey space at the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, next to its sister concept The Masses. Choon Hoy Parlor continues to offer its style of Singapore soul food at affordable prices.
Over in Robertson Quay, some former tenants at the mixed development Robertson Walk – which has shut for its redevelopment into a luxury residential enclave with dining and entertainment choices – are also gearing up to open in new venues in July.
Home-grown Thai restaurant Fi Woodfire Thai will reopen at Shaw Centre, while decade-old burger restaurant Wildfire Burgers moves to UE Square and will be relaunched as Wild/Fire.
Wine bar Wine RVLT - which had already announced in 2024 that it would not renew its lease in 2025 - will go out with a bang. It will wrap up a slew of events leading up to the final day on July 12 with a 'Finish Finish Liao Party'.
Wine bar Wine RVLT will shut in Carpenter Street on July 12.
PHOTO: ST FILE
And while this eight-year run in Carpenter Street will conclude, a new location is already in the works for what will be called Revolution Wine Bistro - slated to open in Henderson Road on July 18.
Eunice Quek is STFood online editor at The Straits Times. She covers all things trending in the food and beverage scene.
Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
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