Few brands stir up warm, fond memories among Singaporeans quite like Swensen’s. From its classic Earthquake sundaes to the cosy, family-friendly booths lit by signature Tiffany lamps, Swensen’s has long been a part of our collective dining experience. Now, with the launch of its newest outlet at SAFRA Toa Payoh, this beloved heritage brand continues its journey to offer delicious fare and nostalgic treats to SAFRA’s members and also the public who visits.
First established in San Francisco in 1948 by Earle Swensen, the brand made its way to Singapore in 1979 with a flagship 200-seater restaurant at Thomson Plaza. Back then, it was a novelty: a full-service ice cream parlour offering decadent frozen treats, American-style mains, and a cheerful diner ambience.
Over the decades, Swensen’s has expanded to over 20 outlets islandwide, becoming a reliable go-to for family gatherings, birthday celebrations, and hearty comfort food. Its menu, while evolving with the times, still features timeless staples like baked rice, fish & chips, and those iconic sundae glasses piled high with scoops of ice cream, fudge, and nostalgia.
At SAFRA Toa Payoh, Swensen’s not only stays true to its legacy of indulgent dining but also boldly innovates. Their new UFO Burgers – short for Unidentified Flavourful Objects – are a quirky, modern take on the humble burger, inspired by a viral South Korean street food trend. These flying saucer-shaped creations feature juicy patties, crisp vegetables, cheddar cheese, and flavourful sauces, all sealed within a buttery brioche bun that’s pressed and toasted to perfection.
The result is a compact, golden dome of goodness with a crisp exterior and an explosion of flavour in every bite. Options like the Golden Chicken Katsu, Beam Me Up (a spicy beef burger with arrabbiata sauce), and the indulgent Truffle Shroom are satisfying, mess-free, and packed with personality. Served with Swensen’s classic coleslaw and fries, each burger is a full meal – and an out-of-this-world experience.
For those with a sweet tooth, the journey doesn’t stop there. Swensen’s is also introducing a limited-time-only Kunafa Sundae series, available through 16 September 2025. Inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert, each sundae is layered with crunchy kataifi pastry, nutty pistachio sauce, and luscious scoops of Swensen’s premium ice cream. The standout Pisang Goreng Kunafa even brings a local twist, pairing fried banana fritters with cheddar and a scoop of creamy ice cream – a delightful fusion of east meets west.
By opening at SAFRA Toa Payoh, Swensen’s taps into a community-centric hub that resonates deeply with its family-first values. The new outlet offers SAFRA members and the Toa Payoh heartland community a familiar favourite with exciting new additions. It’s the perfect pitstop for a casual lunch after a gym session, a treat after enrichment classes, or a weekend outing with the kids.
The eNSMAN team dropped by the new outlet to check it out, and got our two Gen Z interns, Farhah and Sheyenne, to try out the new offerings and some classic items. Did they enjoy the food? Continue reading for their full reviews and verdict!
Golden Chicken Katsu UFO Burger
Crispy, golden perfection meets cheesy indulgence – this fried chicken katsu burger is loaded with butter lettuce and cheddar, then sandwiched in a fluffy UFO brioche bun that’s toasted just right. Comes with coleslaw and fries for that classic combo – taken to space.
Farhah: “As a chicken lover, this was delicious! It’s a classic chicken burger, but juicier and more flavour-packed.” – 4/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “That extra crunch on the chicken? Chef’s kiss! I especially enjoyed the contrasting flavours with the soft, pillowy bun – savoury and really tasty!” – 4/5 ⭐
Beam Me Up UFO Burger
Juicy beef patty? Check. Spicy arrabbiata tomato sauce? Double check. Melted cheddar and crisp lettuce? Absolutely. All packed into a UFO brioche bun and served with coleslaw and fries. It’s bold, punchy, and spicy enough to launch you into orbit.
Farhah: “Beef isn’t usually my thing, but I really liked this! Juicy, flavourful, and easy to bite into, with just the right level of heat.” – 3.7/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Juicy beef + crispy bun edges = YES! The buns were soft and moist but still housed the fillings really well. Perfect for spice lovers who want a satisfying kick!” – 3/5 ⭐
Truffle Shroom UFO Burger
Beefed up and bougie – this burger oozes rich umami from a luscious mushroom ragout of shiitake and button mushrooms, drizzled with truffle oil, wrapped in a soft UFO bun. Served with fries and slaw for that luxe, earthy hit.
Farhah: “Surprise fave! I’m not a mushroom lover but the balance on this dish was spot-on. Absolutely relished the strong truffle flavour!” – 4.8/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Truffle + beef = a dream team. Juicy, flavourful and held together beautifully by the bun! As a huge fan of truffle, this one was definitely a five-star dish for me.” – 5/5 ⭐
SCC0 Kunafa Sundae
Craving crunch with your chocolate? Dive into crispy kataifi flakes layered with Sticky Chewy Chocolate Zer0 Ice Cream (no added sugar!), pistachio sauce and a chocolate-dipped cherry on top. Guilt-free-ish and oh-so-textured.
Farhah: “Dark choc with cherry and nutty sauce? I’m obsessed. The kunafa crunch sealed the deal for me. Love!” – 3.8/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Not overly sweet, this was just right! I especially adored the chewy texture of the ice cream against the crisp flakes. A fun twist on a sundae indeed.” – 4/5 ⭐
Gold Rush Kunafa Sundae
All that glitters… is delicious. Nutty kataifi-pistachio drizzle, roasted almonds, Coffee Fix and S’mores ice cream, whipped cream, and a Swensen’s wafer fan. Crowned with golden kunafa for major drama.
Farhah: “I’m not even a coffee drinker, but this was a surprise winner! Sweet, crunchy, and super satisfying. Although it’s quite a big serving, I devoured it all!” – 5/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Coffee lovers, this is it. Pistachio gave it depth, and the whipped cream was a fantastic bonus on top. Those with a sweet tooth will rejoice when digging into this!” – 5/5 ⭐
Pisang Goreng Kunafa
Banana fritters just got a glow-up. Think crispy kataifi flakes, creamy ice cream, melty shredded cheddar, and a pistachio drizzle. Sweet meets savoury in this wild, wonderful dessert fusion.
Farhah: “Massive portion! Sweet, savoury and totally addictive. Banana fans, you’ll love this!” – 3.5/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Unexpected but so good. That banana-cheese-ice cream combo hit all the right notes!” – 5/5 ⭐
Chicken Baked Rice
A comfort classic. Breaded fried chicken over creamy cheese-baked rice, swimming in white sauce and served piping hot.
Farhah: “Cheesy, savoury, and soul-soothing. Can’t go wrong with this classic.” – 4/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Soft, cheesy rice and golden chicken – Swensen’s baked rice never disappoints!” – 4/5 ⭐
Fish ‘N’ Chips
Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside – this golden-fried fillet is served with fries, tartar sauce and slaw. Classic, done right.
Farhah: “Not a fish fan, but with the sauce it worked! Skip the lemon if you’re like me.” – 2.5/5 ⭐
Sheyenne: “Fish was crisp and tender, with the flavour boosted by the drizzle of lemon juice. The fries made for perfect sides!” – 4/5 ⭐
From its humble beginnings to becoming a household name in Singapore, Swensen’s has stood the test of time by embracing both tradition and innovation. With its newest home at SAFRA Toa Payoh, it’s not just bringing back the flavours we grew up with – it’s charting a bold new course for tastebuds of all generations. So the next time you’re in the area, drop by and discover why this nostalgic favourite is still winning hearts – with burgers, sundaes, and plenty of sweet memories in the making.
SAFRA Members’ Perk: Enjoy 10% off total bill. Terms and conditions apply. Click here for more information.
Visit Swensen’s at SAFRA Toa Payoh, located at 293 Lor 6 Toa Payoh, #01-05, Singapore 319387
