Step into Leila and the first thing that strikes you is the mood: sexy, stylish, laidback all at once. Terracotta walls, dimmed lights, and an eclectic playlist that drifts from Arabian house music to contemporary rock, create a space that invites you to linger. This newly opened gastrobar in Chinatown is Singapore’s answer to Middle Eastern-Balkan conviviality and communal dining.
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Named after the aunt of co-founder Yogev Vardi, Leila takes you on a gastronomic journey to uncover the soulful flavours of the Mediterranean coastline, all the way through the Middle East to southeastern Europe. Take the Kubana Bread ($15), a fluffy buttery Yemeni-Jewish brioche beloved in Israel, serve here with tahini and tomato paste, a humble way to break bread at the start of every meal.
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From there, flavours leap northward with the Balkan Anchovy Bruschetta ($21), where salt-cured anchovies and roasted eggplant cream meet on challah toast for a briny, smoky crunch that feels both rustic and refined. Another great starter is the Arais Cigar ($24), a clever riff on arayes, the Levantine street food of pita stuffed with minced beef. Here, it’s transformed into golden, filo-wrapped rolls, crispy on the outside and savoury within, perfect for dipping into creamy tahini.
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For something heartier, the Manseef ($35) reimagines Jordan’s national dish mansaf, which is traditionally made with lamb and yogurt. Leila’s version layers minced chicken, hummus, tahini and harissa for a dish that’s boldly spiced yet comforting. Seafood finds its moment, too, with the Tripoli Freekeh Fish ($35). Named after the Lebanese port city, this dish pairs a market-fresh fillet with freekeh—smoky roasted green wheat—and a spiced tomato sauce, striking a balance between homely and elegant.
No meal is complete without dessert. The Kunafe ($21), a Palestinian classic beloved across the Levant, arrives in a modern guise: Crisp kataifi pastry wrapped around molten mozzarella, crowned with cinnamon, pistachios and ice cream. Light yet indulgent, it’s the perfect sweet note to end on.
The cocktails are just as adventurous, pulling inspiration from the Mediterranean coastline. The Green & Tonic ($23) reinvents the classic gin and tonic with cucumber, Greek olive oil, and a hint of ginger—crisp, herbaceous and surprisingly refreshing, like summer in a glass. For something with a bit more personality, try the Balkan Sunset ($23), which blends vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, ouzo, raspberry, lychee, and lemon, topped with silky, egg white foam.
With its loungey vibe, bold menu and flavours that span borders, Leila is the perfect place for a night out with the girls. Head there on Ladies Night to enjoy complimentary Prosecco and shots, every Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm; or Thursdays for an Arabian Nights-themed evening with a belly dance performance.
Leila is located at 12 Teck Lim Road, Tel: 8016 4117. Book a table here.