Bibik Violet Great World: Inside Singapore’s Beloved Peranakan Café’s New River Valley Home

BIBIK VIOLET, Singapore’s beloved all-day Peranakan café, bakery and emporium, opened its second outlet on Level 2 of Great World on 14 July 2026. The new 74-seater café brings the brand’s warm, generously flavoured Peranakan cooking to the heart of the River Valley and Kim Seng neighbourhood — joining its first home at Temasek Shophouse on Orchard Road, which has been open since September 2025.

The Space: A Bibik’s Home, Recreated

Walking into Bibik Violet Great World feels less like entering a café and more like stepping into someone’s living room. Rattan chairs, fringed lampshades, hanging plants, batik accents, and vintage recipe books are scattered throughout — all curated by Creative Director Tay Su-Lyn to bring “the warmth and colourful spirit of a Bibik’s home” to life. At the entrance, a kueh counter greets guests the moment they walk in, alongside house-made kaya and a curated range of Bibik’s kopi and teh blends for takeaway.

What We Tried: A Peranakan Feast

We were invited to sample a spread that showcased the depth of Bibik Violet’s all-day menu, from savoury mains to refreshing drinks.

Fish Curry

A tangy, rich curry that’s built for spooning generously over rice. The gravy strikes a good balance between sourness and spice, typical of the Peranakan style — comforting without being overly heavy.

Nasi Lemak with Rendang

Fragrant coconut rice paired with a rendang that falls apart at the fork. This one’s a solid rendition of a local classic, with the coconut rice carrying its own quiet depth of flavour rather than playing a purely supporting role.

Ayam Goreng Berempah

Spiced fried chicken with a properly crisp exterior and well-seasoned meat throughout. A dish that rewards ordering for the table — everyone will want a piece.

Ladies Fingers Sambal

A simple vegetable dish elevated by a sambal with real punch. Sometimes the smaller plates say the most about a kitchen’s fundamentals, and this one held its own against the heavier mains.

Kueh Pie Tee

The classic “top hat” — a crisp pastry cup packed with a savoury, slightly sweet filling. Textbook execution, and a good indicator of the kitchen’s attention to the smaller, more fiddly Peranakan snacks.

Rosella Lime & Water Chestnut Sugar Cane

Two refreshing, not-too-sweet drinks that rounded off the meal nicely. Both lean natural and light rather than heavily sugared, making them good palate cleansers between the richer dishes.

Durian Season at Great World: Limited-Time Specials

To mark the Great World opening, Bibik Violet has launched a trio of durian desserts, exclusive to this outlet and available only until 31 August 2026, timed to Singapore’s durian season:

• Durian Chendol — the classic shaved ice bowl of pandan jelly, coconut milk, and gula melaka, crowned with durian.
• Sago Gula Melaka with Durian — silky sago pearls and rich gula melaka topped with a luscious crown of Mao Shan Wang durian pengat.
• Pulut Tai Tai with Durian Kaya — fragrant blue pea glutinous rice paired with durian kaya and durian pengat for a creamy, nostalgic finish.

For those who prefer their chendol without durian, the classic version — shaved ice, pandan jelly, coconut milk, and gula melaka — stays permanently on the Great World menu, exclusive to this outlet.

Note: we did not sample the durian specials during this visit, but they’re worth calling out for durian lovers keen to make the trip.

New at the Kueh Counter

Bibik Violet’s signature kueh counter has expanded with fresh additions at Great World:

• Ang Ku Kueh now comes in four flavours: the new Black Sesame and Yam, alongside the beloved Mung Bean and Peanut.
• Kueh Talam — a beautiful two-layered kueh with white coconut cream over a rich purple sweet potato base.
• Kueh platters in a range of assortments, designed for birthdays, baby showers, office celebrations, and family gatherings.

Nostalgic Bakes Worth Trying

Beyond the kueh counter, the bakery lineup includes several new additions:

• Marble Loaf Tea Cake (Chocolate and Butter)
• Pandan and Gula Melaka Marble Chiffon Cake
• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, crowned with caramelised pineapple
• Banana Loaf Cake
• Rum Balls, an old-school bakery nostalgia trip

These join existing Bibik Violet signatures such as the Orange Sugee Cake, Pandan Chiffon Cake, and Pulot Hitam Tart. Everything is available to eat in, take home individually, as whole cakes, or as curated gift boxes.

Full Menu Highlights: Breakfast Through Dinner

The all-day menu at Bibik Violet Great World is designed to cover every meal:

• Mornings: Kaya Toast, Hae Bee Hiam Toast, Mee Siam, alongside signature kopi and teh brewed kopitiam-style.
• Through the day: Nyonya Laksa, Prawn Mee, Nasi Lemak, Chicken Macaroni.
• Small plates for sharing: Satay, Kueh Pie Tee, Tau Hu Goreng.
• Peranakan classics: Buah Keluak Soft Rib, Babi Pongteh, Ayam Goreng Berempah, Chap Chye, best enjoyed with fragrant rice.

Promotion: $1 Kopi or Teh, Daily 3–5pm

To celebrate the opening, guests can enjoy kopi or teh for just $1, available daily from 3pm to 5pm until 31 August 2026, exclusively at the Great World outlet. Guests who sign up for Bibik Club at Great World also receive a complimentary kopi or teh on the house. The free loyalty programme lets members earn points with every visit, enjoy a welcome treat, get a complimentary birthday cake slice each year, and access perks across both outlets.