Tipo Pasta Bar (Aliwal)

Tipo Pasta Bar (Aliwal) is a casual fresh pasta restaurant in Aliwal Arts Centre, on Aliwal Street at the edge of Kampong Glam. The idea is simple: you choose the pasta, the sauce and the toppings, and the kitchen cooks your bowl to order.

Tipo is a local brand that started in 2018. The founders trace the idea back to their years living overseas, when they cooked carb-heavy meals for roommates late at night. The pasta bar first traded on North Bridge Road before moving into this larger space on Aliwal Street. The group now also runs a second pasta bar at Stamford Arts Centre and several Tipo Strada outlets.

How ordering works

Fresh pasta is made on site each day, and the shapes and flavours on offer rotate, so ask what is available when you order. Then you build your bowl in a few steps:

1. Pick a sauce. Options include aglio olio, alfredo, arrabbiata, beef ragu, creamy pesto, harissa cream, kombu cream, pink sauce, pomodoro and truffle cream.
2. Add toppings. These run from sous vide egg, feta and stracciatella to smoked duck, merguez sausage, tiger prawns and ikura.
3. Finish it off. Free extras include bird's eye chilli, chilli flakes, olive oil and garlic chips.

Every bowl is cooked al dente, and you can pay a little more for a larger portion. Tipo compares the format to ordering yong tau foo or nasi padang, where you build your plate one item at a time.

What to order

If you would rather not build your own, there are set pasta dishes too. Among the classics, the Classy Carbonara uses smoked duck and comes with a sous vide egg. The Royal Ragu pairs slow-braised beef with cherry tomatoes. Newer dishes bring in Middle Eastern and North African flavours, such as the Zesty Za'atar with prawns and mussels and the Merry Merguez in harissa cream. The Aubergine Affair is a vegetarian pick with olives, crispy capers and stracciatella.

For the table, try the parmesan cheese balls with hot honey, the mussels saganaki or the whipped feta dip with focaccia. Tiramisu is the one dessert. Drinks include house coolers such as cold brew tea, plus coffee and tea.

The setting

The room is bright and casual, painted in soft pink and turquoise, with big windows that let in plenty of daylight. It works well for a relaxed lunch or an easy dinner with friends. It can get busy at meal times, so booking ahead is sensible.

Good to know before you go

• Tables can be booked through Chope, using the link on the official Tipo website.
• The menu marks vegetarian and spicy dishes, and many sauces and toppings are meat-free.
• Takeaway and delivery are also available.

Nearby

Aliwal Street is a short walk from the shops and street art of Kampong Glam and Haji Lane and from the Sultan Mosque. For a Turkish meal in the area, try Alaturka. You can browse more restaurants in Bugis and Kampong Glam or our list of European and Italian restaurants. Still choosing a base? Our guide to Orchard or Bugis compares the two areas.