SINGAPORE – Two food and beverage establishments in Singapore are set to close, with one marking its exit from the country and the other bidding farewell to its popular Katong location.
Burger & Lobster, the renowned London-based chain, announced via Instagram on March 4 that its outlet at Jewel Changi Airport will close on March 10. This will bring the brand’s presence in Singapore to an end. The restaurant, famous for its Atlantic lobsters and burgers, opened in May 2019, drawing considerable attention. Its second location, at Raffles Hotel Singapore, ceased operations in late 2024, with the space being taken over by the Spanish restaurant Binomio.
To celebrate its final days, Burger & Lobster (Jewel) will offer a one-for-one deal on lobster rolls for dine-in customers on a first-come, first-served basis. The promotion will be available until supplies run out, limited to 200 sets per day (sides not included).
The closure adds to a series of recent shutdowns at Jewel Changi Airport. In February, Violet Oon’s eponymous restaurant closed, followed by the halal restaurant Elfuego by Collin’s, which ceased operations on February 28. Modern Japanese restaurant-bar Tanuki Raw is also expected to close in early April.
Meanwhile, in Katong, The Social Outcast, a popular Muslim-owned omakase restaurant known for its “wood-fire experiential dining,” will end its run on March 30. Chef-owner Aminurrashid Hasnordin (Mint) and co-founder Noelle Chua announced the closure in a video on March 6. The restaurant will hold farewell barbecue block parties on March 29 and 30 as part of its final celebration.
Founded in 2019 as a gourmet burger stall at a Tampines coffee shop, The Social Outcast evolved over the years into its current 12-seat concept. Over time, Mr. Aminurrashid sought to elevate the halal food scene in Singapore. However, the decision to close had been anticipated, with Ms. Chua mentioning in April 2023 that they would consider closing once they reached the “top tier” of dining, unsure of what further steps to take.
Mr. Aminurrashid, reflecting on the challenges of the food and beverage industry, cites manpower shortages as the primary issue. Despite battling rising rents and inflation, the difficulty in finding and retaining skilled staff has been particularly difficult. “I cannot find talent. Even if I do, I lose them to the big boys. I cannot hire foreigners because I don’t have the quota,” he explains.
After five years of exhausting work, Mr. Aminurrashid looks forward to a break. “I’m counting down to the final days so I can sleep for a while, read books, and grieve my father,” he shared. Despite the difficulties, he emphasized that the closure would not end the brand. Mr. Aminurrashid is exploring future ventures, including pop-up events, private dining, and a healthy confinement food project for modern mothers. He is also considering expanding the brand overseas.
As for the future of The Social Outcast, Mr. Aminurrashid noted that while it was difficult to part with their first outlet in Tampines, they had learned to embrace change. “A business has to have an expiry date. If it doesn’t, it will expire you,” he said.
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