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There are some restaurants you visit just for the food, and then there are places where the whole mood pulls you in before the first dish even arrives. Martina’s Kitchen’s new outlet at Aperia Mall felt like the latter.
The restaurant recently opened its second branch at Aperia Mall, following the success of its original Seletar Aerospace outlet. While the Seletar location is known for capturing a traditional 80s and 90s Peranakan atmosphere in a colonial-style setting, the new Aperia Mall space brings that same sense of nostalgia closer to the city.
Designed as a 128-seat “living museum” courtyard, the new Martina’s Kitchen outlet aims to offer more than a regular meal. It invites diners to experience Peranakan culture through the five senses, from the interiors and tableware to the aromas coming from the kitchen, the flavours on the plate and the live music that fills the space on selected nights.
Classic Peranakan vibes in the heart of Aperia Mall
For us, the first thing that stood out was the vibe. The interiors carry that classic Peranakan charm, with colourful design touches, heritage-inspired details and a warm, slightly nostalgic feel. It does not feel overly formal or staged. Instead, it has the easy comfort of a place built around family, food and shared memories.
A major visual highlight is the restaurant’s wall of nine colourful windows, inspired by the historic Old Hill Street Police Station. The space also features Peranakan porcelain, kasut manek or beaded shoes, hand-drawn batiks and Nyonya watercolour paintings. Together, these elements give the restaurant a distinct personality without making it feel like a museum you cannot touch.
A dining experience built around the five senses
Martina’s Kitchen’s Aperia Mall outlet has been designed around the idea of engaging all five senses. There is the sight of the colourful interiors, the smell of heritage spices from the kitchen, the taste of traditional Peranakan flavours, the touch of dishes served alongside Peranakan porcelain and the sound of live music on selected nights.
The live band added even more character to the evening. Every Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm, diners can enjoy pop-jazz performances by local musicians. It gives the restaurant the feel of a proper night out, rather than just another dinner stop in a mall.
What to order at Martina’s Kitchen
Of course, the heart of Martina’s Kitchen is still the food.The dish to look out for is the Lemongrass Chicken, which the restaurant recommends pairing with its Bird of Paradise mocktail. It is the kind of dish that fits neatly into the restaurant’s broader promise: comforting, aromatic and rooted in familiar heritage flavours, while still feeling approachable for modern diners.
That said, our personal favourite was the Sambal Chicken. Rich, punchy and full of flavour, it was the dish that stayed with us after the meal. If you like your Peranakan food bold and satisfying, this is one worth ordering. Other must-tries include the Singapore Satay, Sengguang Goreng, Steam Assam Red Snapper and Black Vinegar Pork Trotter.
A family legacy behind the food
The story behind Martina’s Kitchen is rooted in family legacy. The restaurant pays tribute to Martina Koh, a Singapore Nyonya born in 1920, whose home kitchen became a place where mixed heritage and everyday cooking came together.
The flavours are shaped by the “marriage of ingredients”, with Malay aromatics such as cinnamon, lemongrass and galangal balanced with Chinese pantry staples like ginger, garlic and white pepper. Today, the team continues that lineage by reimagining traditional Peranakan dishes for modern diners.
Why it works for a night out
What we liked most about the Aperia Mall outlet is that it does not treat Peranakan culture as just a theme. The food, the interiors, the music and the service all work together to create a warm dining experience. It feels like a place suited for family dinners, group meals or even a casual weekend night out with live music and comforting food.
Plan your visit to Martina’s Kitchen at Aperia Mall
If you are planning a visit, go for the Lemongrass Chicken, stay for the live band and definitely make space for the Sambal Chicken. Martina’s Kitchen is also offering diners 10% off their entire bill from now until the end of July 2026 to celebrate the launch of its second outlet.
Venue: Martina’s Kitchen Aperia Mall
Address: 12 Kallang Avenue, #01-60/61, facing Lavender Street, Singapore 339511
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10am to 10pm
Live music: Every Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm
Instagram: @martinas_kitchen.sg
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