Aniba is a culinary gem that offers delicious imagination of Middle Eastern cuisine for anyone who loves their vegetables and fish
What’s the story?
Opened by the Foragers Restaurant Group, the same people who brought Miznon and North Miznon to Singapore, Aniba is a mesmerising space that opens with a dark, cavernous passageway with coppery scales for walls, leading you into a dining room of ancient hieroglyphs, a bustling open kitchen and gorgeous bar for a centrepiece. The moody interior is matched by groovy music and a swanky vibe, and the panoramic views of the Singapore River and skyline are a real treat, night or day.
As for the chef behind Aniba, that would be Meir Adoni, who has cut his teeth at some of the world’s most progressive restaurants, such as Alinea, Noma and Arzak.
What’s the food like?
Prices range from reasonable to expensive, but you get for what you pay for. That is, an excellent kosher reinterpretation of Middle Eastern cuisine, executed with European techniques that push the boundaries of every dish. Aniba’s approach to food stems from Adoni’s North African heritage and his stints across Europe and the Middle East, and keeping quality in check is head chef Ido Zarmi, another well-regarded figure in the culinary scene.
Lovers of Aniba frequently return for its inventive bites and sharing plates. Highlights include the Crispy Cone, stuffed with ocean trout tartare and a quail’s egg yolk; the Crispy Fatayer, deep-fried pastry envelopes of feta, spinach and leeks, served with a creamy hamusta soup; and the Pani Puri, topped with a buttery slice of hamachi. Other must-orders include the Arabic Salad Ceviche, a beautiful depiction of amberjack, tahini and cucumber; and the Jaffa Shore-Line, a hunk of grilled grouper surrounded by bouillabaisse and topped with a glazed fennel and artichoke salsa.
The menu is extensive and dishes rarely disappoint, but those who’d rather leave the decision-making to the chef can opt for the Chef’s Selection Menu; available only on weekdays at S$150 a person. There’s also a Sunday brunch menu that runs from 11am to 3pm. At S$125 per head, it covers all the bases, from the challah and mezze to the salads, sharing platters and sweets.
What about the drinks?
Cocktails are excellent. We loved the Jardin Majorelle, their take on the spicy margarita, and the Ticket to Oasis, a refreshing gin- and vodka-based drink oozing with orange and pomegranate.
What else is there to know?
Aniba is open to hosting a slew of events, whether it’s a product launch, cocktail reception or wedding party. Bar mitzvahs have happened here (bat mitzvahs, too), as well as fashion launches, luxury watch fairs and more. There’s more information here, if you are interested to know more.
Aniba
6 Battery Road,
05-03,
Singapore 049909
