Secret Location and Authentic (seriously) Italian Cuisine near Ikea Tampines – Daniele’s Pizza, Singapore
You know how crowded Ikea Tampines cafeteria gets with COVID restrictions, especially during peak hours and weekends. I recently discovered a “secret” dining alternative to Ikea Tampines cafeteria in the vicinity.
Secret Location
Just a short walk from Ikea Tampines, or 2 bus stops away, is JTC Space @ Tampines. Located at 01-05, this is a communal “Central Kitchen” for many F&B delivery businesses. Being a central kitchen, there are many food delivery riders waiting around to pick up their orders, but there is also a small sit down area for walk-in customers to dine in. Walk-in customers can browse and order from all the F&B vendors by scanning a QR code. When your number is called, you approach the pick up counter to pick up your order.
There are all kinds of cuisine here but I don’t really care, as I have found a rare diamond in Singapore’s dining scene — Daniele’s Pizza.
Daniele’s Pizza revolves around the artisanal Italian cuisine by true Rome native, Chef Daniele, who has served up his delicious cuisine in his native Rome, London, New York City before bringing it to Singapore.
The menu is focused and includes a small curated selection of starters, pizzini (pizza sandwiches), red pizzas, white pizzas, pasta and dessert. All the options are beloved Italian classics. There is none of the attempts at gimmicky new culinary “creations”. Chef Daniele sticks to what he knows and the result is authentic Italian cuisine. I am most grateful that Chef Daniele did not inject local flavour or localize his dishes. I for one definitely do not need more iterations of mod-Singapore cuisine when you can easily taste the same flavour for very little money at hawker centres. Chef Daniele sticks to what he knows —- the food he grew up with.
True Artisanal Quality and Dedication
I can’t say Daniele’s Pizza is a big establishment, but that’s exactly why I like it. This kind of businesses where the chefs/ owners are hands-on makes the best food. Overall, this is the BEST Italian food I have tasted. It’s much better than much more expensive and more famous restaurants. In those expensive restaurants, the food is never made by a real Italian, but by a local sous chef. Chef Daniele is personally in the kitchen everyday making the delicious cuisine that is delivered to your door.
I am a hardcore believer that Italian food should be made by an Italian, Japanese food should be made by a Japanese, Thai food should be made by a Thai and so on. All of the dishes below have that indescribable je ne sais quoi that only comes from a native chef.
San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa $5.50
Red orange-flavoured carbonated beverage
The drinks selection is small, as it should be. The focus here, as said, is on the authentic Italian food that Chef Daniele grew up with.
Italian Meatballs $14
Home-made Beef Meatballs in Tomato Sauce served with Focaccia bread
Just as the authentic Italian version that it is, the sauce has a certain tangy-ness, which makes it more appetizing.
The sauce of local/ American versions is sweeter and more cloying. Ugh.
Btw, try this simply for the aroma of the bread. It was unbelievable. The aroma really should be bottled and sold. Focaccia No. 5?
Luxe Italian Cuisine
Burrata Cheese $17
Burrata Cheese, cherry tomatoes, rocket salad
This same appetizer is de rigeur in every high class Italian restaurant and Chef Daniele has made it much easier to satisfy my craving for this classic Italian appetizer by delivering it to my door. Unbelievable. It tastes just as great as much more expensive restaurants and perhaps even fresher. The rocket somehow feels crisper, fresher.
Panzerotti Porcini $21
Stuffed Pasta with Porcini Mushrooms served with Italian Sausages in cream
The skin of the pasta is great. The sauce was amazing. It was savoury, delicious but not as heavy as how locals would have made it.
Parma $23
Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella cheese, Parma Ham, Rocket Salad, Parmesan
This pizza is definitely better than the more expensive pizzas at Simpang Bedok Market.
I really appreciate the crumbly bits of cheese sprinkled over the top. They add colour, texture and umami. Why don’t others do this?
Gustosa $23
Mozzarella cheese, Gorgonzola, Cheese, Spicy Salami, Artichokes
All the dishes tried are great but this is the BEST! The pizza looks great in person and photographs well. It has an addicting saltiness and the artichokes add welcomed texture.
It’s very hard to rationalize spending money on expensive Italian restaurants after tasting Chef Daniele’s food.
Tip: Do a dine-in. Have your food there while it’s hot.
Tip: Daniele’s Pizza only operates during meal hours (see below).
Daniele’s Pizza
Tampines Food Co
10 Tampines North Drive 4
#01-05, JTC Space
Singapore 528553
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Daily except Tuesdays
