Clarke Quay at dusk has its own rhythm. The river turns gold, the bumboats slide past, and somewhere above it all, someone is biting into a mushroom burger with a view that’s hard to beat.
I went in for lunch, curious about one thing: can a fully vegan spot, cooking without garlic or onion, still make comfort food that actually comforts? I left full, glad I gave it a shot, and already thinking about what I’d order next time.
nomVnom Bistro at Clarke Quay Central
nomVnom Bistro is located on Level 3 of Clarke Quay Central, at #03-105/106/107, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street. Dr Ng Wai Lek founded it in February 2015. He’s been vegetarian since 1989 and vegan since 2015, and that long road shows in how carefully the kitchen thinks about ingredients.
Everything here is vegan. The restaurant cooks without dairy, eggs, garlic, onion, or alcohol. That’s rare even among plant-based restaurants in Singapore, and it’s the kind of thing that matters a lot to allium-free diners.
A Great View Over Clarke Quay
The room is bright and casual, with wood, greenery, and big windows. Those windows are the quiet star of the location. Grab a table by the glass in the evening and you’ve got an amazing view over Clarke Quay and the Singapore River as the lights come on.
One honest note: finding the unit inside the mall can take a bit of wandering. Getting to Clarke Quay Central is easy enough. Finding Level 3 on your first try is a little harder.
The Menu: Great Options, Maybe Too Many
The menu is huge. When you dine here, you’re looking at burgers, pizza, pasta, udon, pho, rice bowls, fries, nuggets, salads, waffles, and desserts. The idea is that one friend gets a burger, another gets rice, and a third gets noodles, and nobody has to compromise.
The catch? It can overwhelm you. I spent longer scrolling through all the food than I expected. My advice: pick a lane and trust it.
Great Food Without Garlic, Onion or Dairy?
The Vegan Burgers
The vegan burgers are why most people nom their way here, and they rely on texture more than imitation.
The QQ Cheezy Burger (S$11.90) is the old faithful. It’s a breaded mushroom-stem patty with housemade cashew cream sauce and coral lettuce, built for chew and crunch. The ingredients are simple and the result is tasty in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard.
The Lion’s Mane Truffle Burger (S$11.90) is the one I’d recommend to a friend first. A lion’s mane mushroom patty, sautéed white button mushrooms, and truffle mayo make it earthy and rich without pretending to be beef.
The Temptation Satay (S$10.50) pairs a marinated tempeh patty with satay sauce and Japanese cucumber. Some diners love it, others prefer the truffle burger. That split tells you something: burger quality here depends on the combination. One great patty doesn’t guarantee they’ll all click with your taste buds.
Toon Rendang Rice Brings Local Flavours
This is the dish that keeps nomVnom from being just a burger joint. The Toon Rendang Rice combines rendang curry, toon leaves, Japanese cucumber, tomatoes and crispy mushroom; some current versions are also served with a sunny-side PlantEgg from Taiwan. It’s warm, familiar, and satisfying in a very Southeast Asian way. I’d recommend it especially if you want something closer to local comfort food.
Truffle Fries, Desserts and Drinks
The truffle fries start from around S$6.90,(with truffle mayo costing extra depending on the serving) are a delicious appetizer to share. They come with housemade truffle mayo and they’re the side most customers keep coming back for.
For something sweet, there are waffles, banana cake, and vegan ice cream. The beverage list covers matcha and hojicha lattes, lemon passion fruit tea, smoothies, and even a non-alcoholic vegan beer for those who want something cold without the alcohol.
Not everything lands equally. Some diners find the pasta a bad match compared to the burgers, and specific items like pizza can occasionally be unavailable on the night.
Service and QR Code Ordering
Ordering happens by QR code: scan, browse, order, and pay from your phone. With a menu this big, browsing on a screen honestly helps. The friendly staff are kind and helpful when you need a hand, which takes the edge off the self-service setup. I never felt like I was left to figure it out alone.
Practical Info for Clarke Quay
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:30am to 9:30pm (last order 9pm); Friday and Saturday, 11:30am to 10:30pm (last order 10pm)
Getting there: Clarke Quay MRT Exit F, then escalators to Level 3, about a 1-minute walk
Budget: Roughly S$15 to S$30 per person for a main plus a side or beverage
Reservations: Call +65 6224 4996, especially during peak periods
Payment: Credit cards accepted
Water: Complimentary water is available at the table
Final Verdict on nomVnom Bistro
nomVnom isn’t a salad café and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s indulgent plant-based comfort food done thoughtfully, with a river view thrown in. It suits vegans, allium-free diners, travellers staying near Clarke Quay, and mixed groups who can’t agree on dinner.
Order the lion’s mane mushroom burger or the rendang rice, add the truffle fries, and sit by the window. That’s the meal worth making the trip for, and one I’d recommend without hesitation.
FAQ
Is nomVnom Bistro fully vegan?
Yes. There’s no dairy, eggs, garlic, onion, or alcohol in the food.
Do I need a reservation?
Not always, but it’s smart to call ahead for Friday or Saturday nights and bigger groups.
What’s the best dish for first-timers?
The Lion’s Mane Truffle Burger with truffle fries, or the Toon Rendang Rice if you want local flavours.
How do I get there?
Take Clarke Quay MRT Exit F and head up to Level 3 of Clarke Quay Central.
Still hungry for more meat-free meals by the river? Explore the best vegetarian food Clarke Quay has to offer on Healthy Food Guide.
