Breakfast is a meal, but brunch is a culture — and nowhere in Singapore is that philosophy lived out more joyfully than at Leila, the gorgeous Mediterranean-Balkan gem tucked away on Teck Lim Road in the heart of Club Street’s buzzing neighbourhood.
I’ll be honest with you, darlings — I had heard whispers about Leila’s monthly White Celebration Sunday Brunch and I was curious. But nothing — absolutely nothing — could have prepared me for just how spectacular it turned out to be.
The concept alone is delicious: once a month, this sultry culinary bar transforms into a full-on free-flow brunch fiesta, with guests encouraged to dress in white and arrive hungry, thirsty, and ready to have the time of their lives. And arrive we did — a gaggle of girlfriends dressed in our brightest whites, heels clicking down Club Street with absolutely no idea we were about to have one of the best Sundays of our lives.
Sunday White Party Brunch at Leila
But before we get to the dancing — and oh, there was dancing — let’s talk about the food. Because at Leila, the kitchen is not an afterthought.
The menu is built for sharing, which is exactly how Mediterranean food should be enjoyed — passed around the table, torn, scooped, savoured. We started with the Slice & Spice, and I have to tell you, that bread is something else entirely. Soft, pillowy, impossibly good, served with crushed tomato, tahini and confit garlic — we very nearly didn’t share it at all. The Amira Salata arrived next, a beautiful Levantine salad with feta, tomatoes, cucumber, mint and crispy pastry that was as pretty to look at as it was to eat.
Amira Salata
Then came the showstopper: the Balkan Shakshuka — poached eggs nestled in a rich tomato sauce with feta, tahini and warming Balkan spices, served with pillowy pita. Comforting, bold, and deeply satisfying. We rounded out our table with the Artichoke on Labneh, a stunning plate of artichokes over creamy labneh with olives, tomato and a sprinkle of sumac — the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes on the first bite.
Artichoke on Labneh
Now, pair all of that with free-flow prosecco and expertly crafted cocktails, and you have the makings of something truly special. The bubbles flowed, the laughter got louder, and somewhere between the second round of drinks and the last scoop of shakshuka, the dance floor started to call.
Raw Tuna Special
DJ Bernie — bless that man — had the room absolutely pumping with funky, feel-good disco beats that made it physically impossible to stay in your seat. Within minutes, the whole restaurant was on its feet, and that is not an exaggeration.
Leila is inspired by what its founders describe as love and freedom, and you feel every bit of that in the room. The warmth is genuine, the energy is electric, and the whole experience feels like a Mediterranean holiday you never want to end.
If you are looking for one of the most fun brunches in Singapore — and I mean genuinely, unapologetically fun — mark your calendar, dress in white, and get yourself to Leila’s next White Celebration Sunday Brunch. You will thank me later.
Slow roasted lamb
Follow @LeilaSingapore on Instagram for their next brunch date. Reservations at leilasingapore.com
