Technology has become a part of our lives, and restauranteurs are tapping onto smart robot to overcome one key business challenge, manpower shortage. With automation—robot waiter assisting human waiters—dining experience has been made more exciting and satisfying for customers. Below are 10 restaurants that have hired smart robot and bring dining experience to a whole new level.
1) Haidilao Marina Square
Enjoy a futuristic dining experience by Haidilao at Marina Square, the most popular Chinese hotpot chain. Delivery robots and an intelligent kitchen management system are deployed to create a unique dining experience for its customers. Soup for hotpots are prepared by customised automatic soup base machines, catered to individual tastebud, and the information is stored in the database for your next visit. Hotpot ingredients are then delivered by robot waiters from the kitchen to the tables autonomously, and human waiters will focus on just serving the customers.
6 Raffles Blvd, #01-19 to 25 Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Monday to Sunday, 10:30am to 6am
2) Shin Minori
Shin Minori, a pioneer of Japanese ala-carte buffet in Singapore is very well known among Japanese food lovers and have been awarded for their top-notch food and service quality. With over 200 items on their menu, their vision is to recreate the flavours of Japan by bringing the freshest food to customers. To further enhance their service quality, Shin Minori “hired” two robot waiters, Loca and Loca, to assist human waiters in delivering food faster to customers. With robot waiters, human waiters at Shin Minori get more time to interact with their customers.
#02-08 88 E Coast Rd, Katong Square, Singapore 423371
Monday to Saturday: 12pm to 2:30pm, 6:15pm to 10:15pm
Sunday: 12:15pm to 2:45pm, 6:15pm to 10:15pm
3) Raffles Marina
Country clubs are gaining popularity as Singaporeans seek new sight-seeing spots to cope with the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. After basking in the beautiful sunset as you take a stroll down the pier to the lighthouse, head over to Marina Bistro and don’t be caught off guard by the restaurant’s new hires, the robot waiters. “Hiring robot waiters free up our service staff by reducing their travel time and distance to and from the kitchen, so they get more time to interact with the customers,” said Michael, F&B Operations Manager.
Marina Bistro at 10 Tuas West Drive, Singapore 638404
Monday to Sunday: 8am to 9pm
4) Swee Choon
Singapore’s favourite Dim Sum restaurant Swee Choon successfully implemented robot waiters to increase productivity and overall dining experience for their customers. Because of COVID-19, Swee Choon stepped up their digitalisation efforts, leveraging QR codes to improve their ordering process for customers to place orders conveniently without downloading an app. Besides, Swee Choon also revamped its restaurant to include ordering kiosks. Minister Chan Chun Sing, who visited Swee Choon restaurant, praised the 58-year-old eatery for embracing digitalisation and pivoting online to remain competitive during this challenging time.
183/185/187/189, Jln Besar, 191/193, Singapore 208882
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 2am
Friday: 11am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 3am
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 3:30pm, 6pm to 3am
Close on Tuesday
5) Ananda Bhavan
Established in 1924, Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore. One of the most happening places on Syed Alwi Road, Ananda Bhavan is now the first Indian restaurant in Singapore to deploy robot waiter. Customers get to enjoy a streamlined dining experience with automation. All you have to do is order your food from the counter, pay, and let the waiter know where you are sitting, and the robot waiter will send food to your table. The entire ordering process is smooth and fuss-free.
95 Syed Alwi Rd, Singapore 207671
Monday to Sunday: 7am to 10:30pm
6) Passion Cafe @NSRCC
Located at Level 1 of the National Service Resort & Country Club, Passion Cafe offers a comfortable environment for everyone. The café aims to offer no less when it comes to treating your taste buds. You can look forward to a mouthwatering selection of Local, Cantonese, Western and Japanese delights. Don’t forget to check out the robot waiter that will send your meal from the kitchen to your table. And yes, remember to get your camera ready to snap a video of the robot waiters before they return to the kitchen.
10 Changi Coast Walk, Level 1 National Service Resort & Country Club, Singapore 499739
Monday to Sunday: 7am to 8pm
7) Fu Lin Men @OCC
Seeing the success of the robot waiter at NSRCC, Passion Group of Restaurants deployed robot waiter at another of its outlet, Fu Lin Men, at Orchid Country Club. Savour the delectable cuisines from local comfort food like Singapore Laksa, Curry Chicken with Rice, and Nasi Lemak, to international delights such as Prawn Aglio Olio and Chicken Chop with Teriyaki Sauce to satisfy the pickiest taste buds. Do not miss the popular Fu Lin Men-based Wok Hei Zi Char dishes too!
1 Orchid Club Rd, Singapore 769162
Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30am to 10pm
Close on Monday
8) Fragrant Garden @Downtown East
The Fragrant Garden Teochew story began in Geylang Serai village in the 1950s. Since then, the restaurant has withstood the test of times and gained popularity over the years by committing to the best quality of ingredients and authenticity in cooking method. From a humble Zhi Char stall to a full-fledged restaurant now at Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre, Fragrant Garden represents the owner’s unwavering commitment to deliver the best Teochew dishes to the local dining community. Visit Fragrant Garden to catch sight of the robot waiter and, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Teochew cuisine gastronomical experience!
1 Pasir Ris Cl, #02-318-320, Singapore 519599
Monday to Saturday: 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Sunday: 11:30am to 2:30am
9) Ajuma's @ Bukit Panjang
Ajuma offers casual Korean fare at wallet-friendly price points, warming your heart and tummy with a hot bowl of kimchi broth. They offer staples like classic Korean street food, different cuts of meats, rice and noodle dishes, stews, and meal bundles that won’t hurt your wallet. While relishing the Korean delights, don’t forget to snap a video with the robot waiter for your Instagram Stories.
1 Jelebu Road 03-10A Bukit Panjang Plaza Singapore 677743
Monday to Sunday: 12pm to 9:30pm
10) Don Signature Crab
Don is famous for his big pie and his unique crab bee hoon soup. Rated as one of the best 15 crab bee hoon in Singapore, Don Signature Crab is best known for its unbelievably low price, fresh, meaty and quality Sri Lankan crab meat. And not to forget the unique and heavenly-taste crab bee hoon soup and Lala prawn bee hoon. With the robot waiter, Don and his restaurant crews can now focus on dishing up even more creative menu items to win the hearts of their customers.
1008A Toa Payoh N, Food Centre II, Singapore 318998
Monday to Sunday: 11am to 10pm