Somma

Somma is an Italian fine dining restaurant at New Bahru, a shopping and dining hub in a former school campus on Kim Yam Road. Puglian chef Mirko Febbrile cooks seasonal tasting menus rooted in the food and landscapes of his home region in southern Italy. The same space also holds Bar Somma, a cocktail bar that serves handmade pasta.

Somma opened in September 2024 in partnership with The Lo & Behold Group. Febbrile was earlier chef de cuisine at Braci, and he is also behind Fico, a beachside Italian restaurant on the East Coast.

What to expect

Dinner is a set tasting menu, with a choice of six or eight courses. A shorter lunch menu is served on some days. The menus change with the seasons, and each season has its own theme. The menu running through late 2026 is called Vendemmia, after the Italian grape harvest.

A meal here follows a set ritual. A chef meets you at the door and takes you to the open kitchen for the first small bites, and only then do you go to your table. Past menus have included spaghettone made from khorasan wheat with a red carrot reduction, and milk-fed lamb grilled over almond wood. The cheese course, matched with drinks, is a highlight for many reviewers.

The setting

The restaurant fills the former library of Nan Chiau Girls' High School. The room has high ceilings and just 36 seats. Italian artists made pieces for the space, including cast concrete table centrepieces and custom plates. One wall is lined with Italian roof tiles that Febbrile chose himself. The feel is intimate rather than formal.

Bar Somma

Bar Somma is the more casual side of Somma. It is a stylish Italian cocktail bar built around a long counter, with only a few tables. Bar manager Mel Chavez runs the drinks, from reworked classics such as Mirko's Martini to house creations like the EVOOtini, made with gin infused with olive oil. Food includes handmade pastas such as bucatini alla nerano and radiatori with river crab and guanciale. Walk-ins are welcome when there is space.

Good to know before you go

• Book the restaurant ahead through the Somma website. If your date is full, you can ask to join the waitlist by email.
• The menu is set, so tell the team about any dietary needs when you book.
• Somma has also run cooking classes and masterclasses, so check the website for any coming up.
• The space can also be booked for private events.

Nearby

For a more casual meal from the same chef, see Fico. If you are planning a special night out, browse our fine dining list and other European and Italian restaurants. In the wider area, Restaurant JAG is another tasting-menu choice. You can also see all restaurants in Orchard and River Valley.