A good table with wide, floor-to-ceiling views of Orchard Road usually comes at a price. At Centro Restaurant, you can settle in without the fuss. Tucked on Level 5 of Shaw House, Centro opened earlier this year as part of the refresh at Shaw Theatres Lido.
The first thing you notice is the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the Orchard Road boulevard, with the street unfolding below. With the year-end season fast approaching, these perimeter seats double as an effortless front-row perch for the annual Christmas light-up, shifting the venue from a simple cinema foyer into a bright, airy urban retreat.
The culinary foundation here carries serious pedigree. Jointly conceptualised with long-time restaurateurs Stephanie Hancock and Guy Wachs—the visionary duo behind Singapore breakfast titan Wild Honey—Centro has just launched a dedicated Weekend Brunch Club running Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Striking a balance between culinary craft and accessible pricing, the entire brunch lineup stays strictly capped at $25 or less. Best of all, the space is open to everyone, no movie screening ticket is required to step inside.
Weekend Brunch Scene-Stealers
The brunch menu leans into contemporary Australian café sensibilities balanced with globally inspired comfort. A clear scene-stealer from our tasting was the Pastrami & Corned Beef Hash ($24). Piled high with cured pastrami, succulent shredded corned beef, sweet caramelised onions, and red pepper, the savoury hash comes together with silky house hollandaise and a poached egg, all mopped up with thick slices of golden toasted brioche. It delivers the exact depth, rich savouriness, and generous soul that Wild Honey regulars revere.
For something warming and fragrant, the Centro Shakshouka ($22) arrives packed with butterbeans, cannellini beans, wilted spinach, spicy red pepper harissa, and tangy dollops of labneh to temper the heat, served with warm grilled pita bread alongside. Those leaning toward sweet finishes will appreciate the Swedish Pancakes ($20)—golden folds brightened by zesty lemon curd, rich mascarpone, and homemade marmalade infused with saffron orange sauce.
The playful link between dining and cinema extends thoughtfully into the beverage menu, anchored by specialty beans from Toby’s Estate. A standout creation is the Salted Caramel Popcorn Latte ($7), a hot, velvety brew that cleverly channels the buttery nostalgia of theatre popcorn without veering into overly saccharine territory. For those looking to turn brunch into a celebration, Centro also offers a 90-minute free-flow prosecco package at $60++ alongside film-inspired daytime tipples like the Casablanca Bloody Mary and Moneypenny Mimosa ($18 each).
All-Day Respite: Grab & Go Bites and Cinema Takeaways
Beyond all-day dining, Centro functions as a dynamic, multi-concept space that serves shoppers and cinephiles alike throughout the week. A central espresso and matcha bar (featuring blends from Matcha Project) caters to anyone needing a calm afternoon tea escape away from Orchard’s crowded mall floors.
There is also an artisanal Grab & Go counter serving hot pizzas and gourmet small bites. Breaking away from standard concession restrictions, guests can purchase specialty coffees, bottled coolers, and takeaway food items to bring straight into Shaw’s screening halls.
From Sunlit Brunch to Midnight Nightcaps
As evening falls, the daylight fades into an intimate, mood-lit retreat. The cocktail bar shakes up drinks until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and public holiday eves, pouring film-inspired signatures like the coconut-fat-washed-bourbon Velvet Rope and the vibrant Opening Scene. Bonus: Happy hour runs daily from 3pm to 7pm!
