Pōni is in an elevated space in downtown’s Commercial Bay (the fourth on our list), with floor-to-ceiling windows that look down on the city below. It feels like an international mall restaurant, anywhere in Asia – you know, where the food is genuinely tasty. After a much-needed rebrand (and refresh) earlier this year, the light-filled room is now decked out in warm hanging pendants, towering dried flower arrangements and soft Japanese drapes, elegantly tip-toeing the line between cool modernity and the corporate-class that this all-day eatery is sure to attract for business lunches. 

The concept is Asian-inspired, meaning the menu takes cues from different countries, though mostly East Asia – Japanese is the most well represented. (This makes sense, considering head chef Fred Wong has come to Pōni from nearby Ebisu.) There are lots of things on the menu which are immediately appealing – like the popcorn shrimp with nori-sriracha-mayo sauce, or bavette steak with wasabi salsa verde and egg yolk – and the dishes lend towards the craveable crowd-pleasers, bites that are delicious and easy-to-love. It makes Pōni ideal for large groups: bring anyone here, even your most fussiest friend, and they’ll likely find something to suit.

We also like how you can stop in for brunch and dine in the lovely sunlight, ordering dishes like miso ramen with smoked char siu and a beetroot egg or a fancy futomaki (Japanese sushi roll) – no eggs bene in sight. Yeah, we’re into that.