F.R.I.E.N.D.S, a well loved American sitcom, inspired Jit Min to open her own themed cafe through a crowd-funding platform. Episodes in the series typically depict the friends’ romantic and funny adventures while this restaurant will take you to a gastronomic adventure of a lifetime. See how this restaurant started along with the new items in store in the next few weeks.
TF: When did you start and what’s the inspiration behind your business?
JML: I have always wanted to open a F.R.I.E.N.D.S themed cafe many years back but was unsure of the demand, in my previous job as a headhunter, i was interviewing a candidate and he pointed me in the direction of crowdfunding platforms and i saw it as a powerful marketing tool to gauge if there was a real demand for this cafe. So i produced a video with friends on this and posted it on June 5 2016, it got viral attracting investors, partners and fans who helped built it and we opened in November 2016.
TF: What sets you apart from another businesses? Do you have a motto or creed that you follow?
JML: It is that love and passion for the show which ensures we do not compromise on quality of the Friends experience we bring. Our motto: Recreating F.R.I.E.N.D.S, one coffee cup at a time.
TF: What are the best selling items in the menu?
JML: Janice oh my god baby back ribs, Joey ride along sandwich, Ross moist maker sandwich, Cheesecake from mama bakery.
TF: Do you have plans to expand outside Singapore?
JML: Yes we are in talks with interested partners to bring the brand overseas.
TF: What will be the new items in your menu in the next 6 months?
JML: We actually list out every food item that was mentioned in the show / inspired dishes and we came up with a list of over 400 items.
The current menu has about 50 items and we have a lot in store. We are actually revamping and adding some items next week.
Some additions are Eggs Benedict: The one made from the Chick and Duck, Phoebe you are my lobster pasta. Stay tuned:)
Central Perk is located at 01-01 Central Mall, 1 Magazine Road Singapore 059567. They are open from 10 am – 10 pm (Tuesday – Sunday), closed every Monday.
You can check out their social media pages:
Instagram: centralperksg
Facebook:Central Perk Singapore
Website: http://centralperk.sg
The verdict: It’s an ACE! (extra special since I’m a F.R.I.E.N.D.S fanatic)
The Tennis Foodie’s favorite: Heavy Fudge Chocolate Mudcake and Janice Oh My God Baby Back Ribs
Thank you to Jit Min for sharing some amazing photos from Central Perk.
Great article! Can’t wait to try this in Singapore!
This is so cool!! I would love to eat here. I still watch friends reruns all the time. I love the names of the menu items too.
Friends was such a classic show that I would love to try Central Perk if I was in Singapore. I like that they’ve been inspired to create a menu based on food items in the show or named after them. Janice Oh My God baby back ribs is pretty funny. Hopefully Monica’s lasagna is in the works though I hope not to find a ring in it! Great idea for a fun place to visit.
Hah! What a cool restaurant! Didn’t even know that existed in Singapore. I must visit it next time I’m there. Janice Oh My Good baby back ribs is hilarious! I did love watching FRIENDS back in the day and I reckon this would be such a great conversation starter, choosing the funniest episodes from over the seasons.
This place looks so cool! I never knew they had it in Singapore! I would definitely stop by when I visit the next time. Thanks for sharing this with us
When I read the title I thought you misspelled “Central Park” as “Central Perk”. The place looks extremely cozy. Would definitely visit it next time I am in Singapore.
What a cool idea! Surprised that this would be in Singapore rather than the US, but probably too many legal problems to do it here in the US. I love how she had a dream and stuck with it to fruition. Menu items made my mouth water!
Great fan for friends here, and seriously, who isn’t? You got me at the title itself and I really don’t need another reason to be excited about visiting the restaurant. Loved reading the interview and knowing that the menu is also inspired by the series, not just the name and ambiance.
I think am the only remaining person who haven’t got a chance to watch the whole FRIENDS sitcom. But this place is impressive, I like that couch though 🙂
The foods looks so hearty too!
Love the name of the dishes. Can’t wait to visit whilst in Singapore and look forward to more openings else where. What a great idea.
I love everything about this post. I am a big FRIENDS fan, and I would love to eat here. I love the creative titles for the menu options. How fun for fans! I need to look into this further.
I know of this restaurant when one of my friends visited Singapore and visited this place just because of the theme. I am huge fan of F.R.I.E.N.D.S – well who is not! Loved the theme, but it would be great if they have a vegan menu as well for plant-based fans like us.
What a fun idea you brought to life! If I ever get a chance to stop in, I will ask for the Joey ride along sandwich. I will think of Jen now when I see the reruns airing.
Its amazing how even though its been years that the final season of FRIENDS came out, everyone still binge watches it. And having a cafe called as Central Perk, is definitely a must visit for all FRIENDS fans. The food looks so yummy.
That Heavy Fudge Chocolate Mudcake is something I would like to enjoy and thinking how grateful the day is, and pairing it with brewed coffee. Or maybe have this while watching the FRIENDS marathon during lazy night plus champagne! Glad you had an awesome time here!
A Friends themed cafe?! That’s right up my street! If I’m ever in Singapore I’ll be sure to visit. The food names are great too! Sounds like a really fun place to visit
Wow what an amazing concept and an equally amazing menu and theme. I would love to visit Central Perk one day as being a great fan of friends fits in perfect. The food and the decor both complimentary of each other. The baby back ribs looks amazingly delicious. I would definitely finish if with the mudcake. Overall a great place to eat and spend a great evening. Thanks for. sharing
What a great find! I loved watching FRIENDS and would relish an opportunity to dine in that cafe. If I do get the chance, I’m definitely trying the chocolate mud cake first. It will be awesome to see what new dishes they create!
What an amazing idea! The place look great too! I’d totally add this to my must-visit list!
What a fun themed restaurant in Singapore!! I loved the show Friends, I think we all did right?! and Central Perk was the place to be. I like that they named the dishes after the characters too. The Chandler Thanksgiving Chicken sounds and looks delicious lol!
I love this idea! Takes me back to being a kid again haha How I would love to visit the real Central Perk!
This is so cool. It is wonderful to have a Friends-themed restaurant and eat those dishes that were made popular by the show. I will be there for you in Central Perk seems just like the place I would want to visit. I loved the show and I love those pictures that you have of the food. Looks gorgeous.
Central Perk looks like an awesome place to have your meals. It is good that we can enjoy alone or with friends also. That Heavy fudge Mud cake is really appealing and tempts me to have it now. Even the plating of desserts are done very nicely.
I’ve never heard of this. What a great idea for a restaurant. I’ll definitely want to give that a try next time I’m in Singapore. Not sure how some of their new menu additions are going to come out though…. eggs benedict with chick and duck??
Loved reading about the genesis of the Central Perk. Being a fan of F.R.I.E.N.D. the way it inspired the start of the restaurant makes for fascinating reading. The restaurant has such a strong theme and no wonder it won instant approval on the crowdfunding platform. Would love to visit the place someday.
Ah, perfect place for the FRIENDS fan. I know that I will be ordering everything that is named Joey. A tad bit of Phoebe would also, be good. 😉 I loved the food shots that you have taken. Hope to catch it the next time I get to Singapore.
FRIENDS is a very good sitcom , and this is a perfect place for the fan club yo hang out ! lovely post
This is fully awesome. I’ve seen every episode of Friends about a zillion times. I think a themed cafe is a great idea.
Yay! Friends is my favorite sitcom of all time! I would love to hang out at a real live Central Perk! She’s a genius.
I would love to try this though I’m super far from it. There was a restaurant that I used to eat at which had lots of FRIENDS design, unfortunately it already closed.
This is such a cute concept! And how smart of you to use crowdfunding to gauge interest in the idea. I hope you find much success in this. You have put it together very well!
I liked the theme of the cafe, the decor and the food. So next time in Singapore, will try them out.
As soon as I read the title I tought of Friends. Sounds like such a great place. I wish one would actually open in NYC.
My mum is a massive friends fan so this would be right up her street for sure. Looks fab x
Kudos Jit! Starting a themed restaurant takes a lot of effort. Since so many people loved the show, and still watch reruns, expectations must be high.
Ohhh…this is my very first time hearing of this show. I think I should watch it. And visit this restaurant, too.