Among the latest casualties are casual French restaurant Encore by Rhubarb and French café The Black Sheep.
Popular burger restaurant Working Title in Singapore also ceased operations on April 30, marking the end of its 13-year run.
More closures are on the horizon, as Peranakan café Nana Dolly’s and heritage restaurant Wing Seong Fatty’s will cease operations at the end of the month, Channel News Asia reported.
Industry insiders said since tourism rebounded after the Covid-19 pandemic and the Singapore dollar strengthened, more Singaporeans have chosen to spend school holidays and long weekends overseas rather than dining and shopping locally, The Straits Times reported.
According to official statistics, 3,148 food businesses ceased operations in Singapore in 2025, up from 3,047 in 2024.
“Rent, labor and energy costs have settled at a higher baseline, while consumers have become more cautious with their spending,” saud Geoffrey Tai, manager at Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Business, as quoted by The Straits Times.
“Many operators that managed to survive on cash reserves or debt are now facing mounting operational pressures.”
However, restaurants continue to open despite the wave of closures. According to data from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, 1,436 new food businesses registered from January to April, up 7% year-on-year.
Recent openings include several Japanese brands, such as hamburger steak restaurant Hikiniku To Come and yakitori chain Torikizoku, as well as Korean eateries Jiho Samgyetang SBCD and Bibim Deli.
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