This new hub in the west is the latest pet-friendly hotspot, boasts a grand cathedral-like plaza, and it's not actually a mall!
The towering 27-metre tall timber arches of Geneo have been making waves on our social feed. Its cathedral-like grandeur, while awe-inspiring, might not seem to have anything to do with being a “life sciences and innovation hub”. But this striking canopy, made from Mass Engineered Timber, has everything to do with Geneo’s core value of sustainability. It contributes to lower carbon emissions and I am guessing that has a role to play in keeping the place cool and breezy, even on a hot and humid day!
This could also be why this 3,000 sqm space, and its selection of restaurants and cafes, has become a hotspot for families and fur-families to meet and play, even though it’s not technically a “mall”. Add the range of events that pop-up, kids activities and pet-friendly fairs to science exhibitions, there’s a new reason to visit every week (spot me if you can!). Plus, free parking on the weekends! Check out the events here. And watch on Instagram, how we spend a day at Geneo with the family, furkid included.
Where: Geneo, 7 Science Park Drive Singapore 119316
Nearest MRT Station: Kent Ridge
More info
Geneo is an innovation hub (and not really a mall)
Located within Science Park 1, Geneo is a hub for healthcare, digital transformation, deep tech, and other knowledge-based industries. The area is made up of five towers (for work) and a service residence, alongside a slew of food and retail options. There are loads of communal spaces; from the grand event plaza and amphitheatre, to benches and swing seats peppered around the area. Plus, you’ll find pockets of greenery everywhere!
Essential things to know at Geneo, Science Park
Nursing rooms
First up, baby rooms and nursing rooms. Find them next to the basement one toilets, just under the escalator. It’s a two-in-one concept with a hot water dispenser and a sink to wash up any mess. For bigger mess, like really huge ones, head to the shower facilities at the bicycle parking area.
Pet-friendly areas
There are plenty of open and sheltered outdoor spaces where pets can roam and enjoy (on leash). If you drive, we recommend parking near the lifts for direct access to the event plaza on basement 1. You can enter the building through the mall on basement 2, but it’s “no paws on floors”, so carry your furkid or place them in a carrier or stroller. We use Tavo’s Maeve Pet Protection System that turns the car seat into a stroller, and it even comes with a UV canopy.
There are four pet-friendly restaurants (read more below) that allow us to dine outdoors with our furkid — very breezy! When the queue gets too long or when we crave other food, we pack them to dine at the open spaces. Plenty of benches and seating areas, even at the amphitheatre.
Restaurants we love at Geneo
Swensen’s Unlimited
There are only three restaurants here we frequent. For ice-cream and buffet, it’s definitely Swensen’s Unlimited. It’s the first one in the west, the other two are at Vivo City and Changi Airport T2, and it’s also the first to host full-scale events, even weddings! (there’s a bridal room!) The best part, kids under five dine free. Note, they are not pet-friendly.
Pssst… See how we enjoyed the food in our Instagram reel!
Where: Swensen’s Unlimited, #01-06
Opening hours: Daily 11am – 10pm
More info
Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe (pet-friendly)
If you’re dining with pets, you have only two pet-friendly dine-in options. Great Nanyang Heritage Cafe is a retro-looking, kopitiam-styled spot with local food. Think kaya toast breakfast, dry mee siam, prawn noodles, and more. The outlet exclusive is the Penang White Laksa and a lok-lok style fresh rojak. Just for fun, try to snag that cool seat outdoors that’s part of a van!
Where: Great Nanyang Heritage, #B1-32
Opening hours: Daily 8am – 8.30pm
More info
Putien (pet-friendly)
Serving Fujian cuisine, Putien is best known for their comforting Lor Mee (braised noodles) and its Crispy Oysters. These are our must-orders every time we visit, and if we are lucky, we’d also get a serving of their Drunken Cockles — a hot favourite that sells out in no time. I love their chilli sauce, slightly tangy and savoury with a whole lot of spice, which pairs very well with the noodles. Staff here are very friendly and attentive to both kids and pets! By the way, you don’t pay GST or service charge here, they’ve absorbed it all (applies to all their stores)!
Where: Putien, #B1-33
Opening hours: Daily 11am – 9pm
More info
Din Tai Fung (dog-friendly)
Our favourite purveyors of dumplings, Din Tai Fung opens its 29th restaurant in Geneo! Fried rice and soup dumplings is the kid’s idea of “happy meal”, while we adults slurp on noodles with spicy sauce or the signature noodle soup with pork chop. And when we can’t get enough of it, we can now bring them home with their ready-to-heat series. The outdoor seating area is pet-friendly but they currently only allow dogs.
Where: Din Tai Fung, #B1-34
Opening hours: Daily 10.30am – 9pm
More info
Idaten Udon (pet-friendly)
Whether you like it soupy, creamy, or curried, Idaten Udon has just about every variety of udon on their menu. We like getting plain udons and adding on the tempuras aka Yong Tau Foo style. Add sprinkles of crunchy tempura bits (tenkasu) for extra texture. Or try the outlet-exclusive Juwari Soba, that’s made of Hokkaido buckwheat flour, stone-ground and freshly made in-store daily. Its al dente texture is best enjoyed with the soothing dashi broth, but the Zaru Soba is still our go-to on warm days. Although it’s pet-friendly outdoors, you’ll have to order inside. That mean’s taking turns to order because the only places you can secure your pets are around the legs of the tables and chairs.
Where: Idaten Udon, #B1-31
Opening hours: Daily 10.30am – 9pm
More info
Subway
Can’t go wrong with Subway sandwiches. Fast and customisable, great for the fussy eaters! The space is not huge, but they do make great takeways for picnics around the area!
Where: Subway, #01-34
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 9pm, Sat 9am -9pm. Closed on Sun
There are more food options like Fun Toast and Ximenjie on the first floor, and Toastbox, Ha Jun, and Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang on basement two. Coming soon to #B1-34, Din Tai Fung!
Cafes at Geneo for a coffee fix
Olive and Peach
This is your go-to for cakes, bakes, and coffee with a modern, cosy vibe. Olive and Peach runs an affordable $7.50 breakfast set from 8am – 11am, with coffee and sando. For lunch, go with the hearty focaccias or pasta.
Where: Olive and Peach, #01-31
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 6.30pm, Sat- Sun 10am – 6.30pm
More info
Bub Coffee
You’ll need to take a short walk from the main event plaza to get to this cosy coffee spot. Bub Coffee sits on the third floor of Shopee’s HQ. It’s spacious and mostly quiet, a good place to take a call or work from (I’d pick the window facing seats). From 2.30pm – 4.30pm, they’ve got a 50% off second drink promotion. Serves coffee, matcha and some light bites.
Where: Bub Coffee, 5 Science Park Drive, #03- 09
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm
More info
Pyroast
These people are serious about coffee, they source and roast their own beans, crafting unique blends rich in flavour and aroma. But you’d have to walk a little further in to get to Pyroast. It’s a tiny spot with a modest menu at the lobby of Citadines. Worth the short walk for a good cup of joe.
Where: Pyroast, 7 Science Park Drive, #01-27
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 1pm
More info
Other places to eat at Geneo
Food Courts at Geneo Mall
For affordable local eats, hit one of the two food courts at Geneo Mall. Makan Street is easily accessed from the main event plaza, next to the lobby of the office blocks. Filled with neon-lit signs, it resembles eating street food at Hong Kong. The second food court, Hawker Lab, is right next to Pyroast. You’ll need to walk in to this quiet food court for a taste of its Mala bowls. It’s open even on the weekends for wallet-friendly eats!
Takeaway Kiosks at Geneo
Need a spot of bubble tea? There’s T-Bar at basement 2. That’s where you’ll find Breadtalk, Fruit Box, Grains & Co, and Pasta Express. Luckin Coffee sits on level 1.
What to do at Geneo, Science Park
Stroll through the mini garden, The Seed
Yes, there’s a mini garden, complete with a pond and deck chairs, right in the middle of the office buildings. It’s short walk from where Swensen’s Unlimited is. The green oasis breaks the monotony of the concrete jungle and it’s a lovely spot for the kids and furkids to explore. The ginger-themed garden boasts 22 plant species from the ginger family. And because they come in all shapes, colours, and aromas, it’s perfect for the furry sniffers.
As for us, we’d just kick back on one of the giant deck chairs while the kids are busy watching the fishes swim in the pond. To us, it’s just a garden, but it actually is an intentional effort of SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Biodiversity Medicine (BD-MED) which connects biodiversity conservation, research, and eduction to health nutrition, and urban wellness. Learn more about it here.
Monkey around at the fitness corner
As you walk in and see a naked tree with all its leaves fallen off, you know you’ve reached the fitnes corner. It’s not fancy but has simple equipment for essential strength training. Kids can be seen hanging by the bars or the fitness rings, or jumping up and down the platforms for box squats. Just leave them to find their own fun here, they usually do, while you watch them from the swings chairs a few steps away. A good place to walk fido under the shade too!
Picnic under the shade
If all the pet-friendly restaurants are full, takeaway your food and have a picnic at one of these benches with a shade! You’ll have to manually pull at the canopy but once it spreads out, you’ll get a good shade. The difficult part is putting it back, requires some rolling. Otherwise, the swing chairs or the amphitheatre are great spots to dine and hang out with kids and furkids.
Other shops and amenities at Geneo, Science Park
There aren’t many retail shops but you’ll find essential services like a clinic, an optical shop, a dentist, a gym and a physio clinic, along with a Miniso! What really impressed me was the bicycle parking area. Not only are there countless bicycle parking slots, there’re also tools, an air pump, and even a PMD parking area with charging points. There are plenty of lockers and a neat shower room, which even comes with hairdryers! It’s all part of their sustainability core, encouraging cycling as a mode of transport to reduce carbon emission. Avid cyclers or those on cycling tours, you know where to freshen up now!
Where’s your favourite spot at Geneo! Let us know. Happy exploring!
