Whispers of history linger in the air before the first plate even arrives. A grand teak gate opens to reveal a place where the weight of time feels beautifully preserved, yet the present hums with quiet sophistication. This is Loca Niru, a culinary destination where heritage and modern gastronomy meet in elegant harmony.
A Storied Landmark
Tucked within the heart of Singapore at 101 Penang Road, the House of Tan Yeok Nee stands as a rare testament to the city’s layered past. Once home to a prominent Teochew towkay, this architectural gem is the sole surviving “Grand Mansion” of its kind. Its elegant silhouette, lovingly restored, is now the setting for one of Singapore’s most distinctive fine dining experiences.
Gazetted as a National Monument in 1974, the House is one of just 75 such buildings in Singapore, and among a precious handful zoned for commercial use. Its significance goes far beyond its walls: it embodies the cultural contributions of early Chinese immigrants and the architectural hybridity that shaped colonial Singapore. Traditional Teochew courtyard design meets European flourishes here, with Tuscan pilasters and French windows sitting alongside delicate carvings and symmetrical courtyards.
To step through these doors is to walk into living heritage, and a space where echoes of the past seamlessly frame the dining experience.
The Soul of Loca Niru
Loca Niru was born from a vision: to create a dining destination where culinary artistry could flourish within a space that already spoke volumes. Its name, softly poetic, reflects a spirit of discovery. Here, each dining experience is intimate, deliberate, and steeped in quiet refinement.
From the moment guests cross the threshold, they’re enveloped in an atmosphere that bridges time. Heritage details are left intact, yet the space breathes with modern grace — clean lines, warm lighting, and thoughtful textures that complement the mansion’s original character rather than compete with it.
The result is a rare dialogue between the old and the new. While the building tells its story through brick and beam, the cuisine speaks through flavour, texture, and form.
An Elevated Culinary Philosophy
At the heart of Loca Niru’s culinary vision is Chef Shusuke Kubota, a chef whose artistry reflects a deep respect for heritage and a passion for innovation. Guided by his years of fine-dining expertise, Chef Shu presents a seasonal menu that brings Japanese French cuisine to life with quiet precision and poetic elegance.
Each dish is crafted as an expression of balance: Japanese techniques with their delicate restraint meet French culinary artistry with its layered richness. The result is a tasting experience that feels intimate and deeply personal; a reflection of both place and craft
A Setting for Every Story
Loca Niru’s dining spaces have been thoughtfully designed to heighten this sense of intimacy and connection. Whether guests are here for a celebratory dinner, a discreet business engagement, or a quiet evening of culinary exploration, each setting offers its own rhythm
Counter Dining
For those who believe the best stories unfold behind the counter, the 12-seater chef’s counter offers front-row access to the craft. Guests watch as dishes are plated with choreographed grace, every movement revealing a new layer of technique and thought. It’s as close as one can get to the creative pulse of the kitchen.
Main Dining Hall
For a more traditional yet refined experience, the main dining hall offers a calm, inviting space. The soft interplay of light against the mansion’s architecture creates a serene backdrop, allowing the food and conversation to take centre stage
Private Dining Rooms
And for moments that demand discretion and exclusivity, the private rooms come alive. These modular spaces, seating 6 to 12 guests, offer intimacy without pretension; a perfect embodiment of a Japanese restaurant with private room concept. Here, time slows. Meals become conversations. Stories unfold quietly over courses designed to delight both the eye and the palate
Where Past and Present Intertwine
Dining at Loca Niru is unlike stepping into a newly built restaurant. It’s an encounter with living history, a reminder that places can hold memory, and how memory can shape experience. Every creak of a wooden beam, every curve of a tiled roof, carries whispers from more than a century ago.
Yet it’s far from being trapped in the past. Chef Shu’s modern culinary interpretations infuse the space with vitality. The juxtaposition of tradition and innovation is intentional: the House of Tan Yeok Nee provides the canvas, while the cuisine paints in bold, elegant strokes.
This interplay is most palpable in the way the experience unfolds. The welcome is warm but unhurried. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive. And each course arrives like a chapter in a quiet, deliberate narrative where precision and artistry meet.
A New Chapter Within Living Heritage
As night falls and soft light spills across the courtyard, Loca Niru becomes more than a restaurant; it becomes a living conversation between eras. The past lends its gravitas; the present answers with artistry.
For those seeking something beyond the expected, this is a destination that offers not just a seat at the table, but a place in a story still being written.
Experience Where Heritage and Modern Gastronomy Meet
Reserve your table at Loca Niru and discover a dining journey unlike any other in Singapore, where history, craftsmanship, and culinary artistry intertwine