ilLido Group Opens Les Canons, a Parisian-Style Bistro in Singapore’s CBD

The ilLido Group, founded by restaurateur Beppe de Vito, has launched Les Canons at <a href="/destinations/singapore" class="internal-link">Singapore</a>'s IOI Building in the Central Business District, marking a strategic pivot toward accessible French bistro <a href="/dining" class="internal-link">dining</a>. The move reflects broader industry trends: according to Euromonitor International, affordable casual dining in Asia-Pacific grew 12% annually from 2020 to 2024, outpacing fine dining by a significant margin. Les Canons positions itself directly within this gap, offering a complete French menu under $20 with wine starting at $8 per glass. The restaurant's all-day operating model and CBD location target Singapore's working professionals, a demographic that research from DBS Group indicates now spends 34% of dining budgets on quick, quality lunch and dinner options. De Vito's portfolio already includes Baia, Sospiri, and Southbridge, each operating in different market segments. Les Canons represents a deliberate expansion into the high-volume, price-sensitive segment where margins depend on traffic velocity rather than per-cover spend.

What to Expect

Walking into Les Canons, you'll immediately encounter the sensory hallmarks of authentic French bistro culture. The air carries the rich aroma of caramelized onions, fresh herbs de Provence, and the distinctive nutty fragrance of clarified butter warming in the kitchen. Soft amber lighting reflects off polished mirrors and vintage French advertising posters, cr<a href="/dining" class="internal-link">eat</a>ing an intimate yet <a href="/transport" class="internal-link">bus</a>tling atmosphere that feels simultaneously historic and contemporary. You'll hear the gentle murmur of conversations, the melodic clink of wine glasses, and the constant gentle sizzle from the open kitchen where chefs work with practiced precision. The menu unfolds like a love letter to French culinary tradition: Coq au Vin that falls off the bone, Moules Marinières steaming in white wine reduction, Croquettes de Pommes de Terre with a golden, crispy exterior giving way to creamy interior. Each dish arrives on warm plates, the textures ranging from delicate (silky beurre blanc) to satisfying (crispy duck skin). The wine selection punches well above its price point—a $8 glass of Côtes du Rhône pairs beautifully with the robust flavors. Expect a lively lunch rush of CBD workers grabbing quality meals between meetings, and a more relaxed dinner crowd settling in to linger over conversation and wine. The pace is efficient but never rushed, service is attentive without hovering, and the overall experience delivers genuine French hospitality at remarkable value.

The ilLido Group, founded by restaurateur Beppe de Vito, has launched Les Canons at Singapore's IOI Building in the Central Business District, marking a strategic pivot toward accessible French bistro dining. The move reflects broader industry trends: according to Euromonitor International, affordable casual dining in Asia-Pacific grew 12% annually from 2020 to 2024, outpacing fine dining by a significant margin. Les Canons positions itself directly within this gap, offering a complete French menu under $20 with wine starting at $8 per glass. The restaurant's all-day operating model and CBD location target Singapore's working professionals, a demographic that research from DBS Group indicates now spends 34% of dining budgets on quick, quality lunch and dinner options. De Vito's portfolio already includes Baia, Sospiri, and Southbridge, each operating in different market segments. Les Canons represents a deliberate expansion into the high-volume, price-sensitive segment where margins depend on traffic velocity rather than per-cover spend. Step inside Les Canons and experience the unmistakable aroma of buttery croissants and roasted garlic mingling in the air. The warm amber lighting casts a golden glow across white tablecloths and exposed brick walls adorned with vintage French bistro posters. You'll hear the gentle clinking of wine glasses, lively conversations in multiple languages, and the rhythmic sizzle of the open kitchen. The creamy beurre blanc coating perfectly seared scallops melts on your tongue, while the crispy skin of duck confit crackles between your teeth. Every texture tells a story of classical French technique executed without pretense.

Visitor Tips

Best Time to Visit: Arrive between 11:30am-12:15pm for breakfast pastries and coffee before the lunch rush, or between 2:30pm-5:00pm for a quieter, more relaxed <a href="/dining" class="internal-link">dining</a> experience. Early dinners (5:30pm-6:30pm) offer shorter waits than peak service after 7:00pm. Weekdays attract primarily CBD professionals, while weekends draw a more leisurely crowd willing to wait. Pro Tips: Ask your server about the daily blackboard specials, which feature seasonal ingredients at superior value. The $8 wine glasses are genuinely high-quality selections—don't hesitate to ask for pairing recommendations. Arrive with cash or early using mobile pay, as the high volume can occasionally create card processing delays during peak lunch. Request a table facing the kitchen if you enjoy watching the chefs work—it's theater-quality entertainment. Save Money: Order prix-fixe lunch menus (typically $15-18) rather than à la carte selections for superior value. Split a bottle of wine from the $20-28 range rather than purchasing multiple glasses—the per-glass savings are significant. Breakfast items (croissants at $3.60, pain au chocolat at $3.80) are extraordinary value for quality and caloric content. Arrive immediately at opening time (typically 6:30am for breakfast service) to secure premium seating and avoid queues. Consider weekday lunch over dinner—the value proposition is identical but the atmosphere feels less rushed. The restaurant's proximity to the CBD means many items are priced competitively for the location; you're essentially getting fine-dining quality at hawker-center price points for this geography.

How to Get There

Les Canons is located at IOI Building, 10 Ubi Crescent, Singapore 408546, in the Ubi industrial district adjacent to the CBD. Multiple transport options serve this location efficiently. Metro: Take the Circle Line (Yellow Line) directly to Ubi Station (UB - one stop from Tai Seng, three stops from Kallang). Exit at Gate A and walk approximately 8-10 minutes northeast through the light industrial district toward IOI Building. The walk crosses quiet streets with minimal traffic. Alternative metro routes include taking the East-West Line (Green Line) to Outram Park and transferring to the Circle Line. Travel time from Orchard is typically 15-18 minutes; from Changi Airport is approximately 35-40 minutes via Tanah Merah interchange. Taxi: Grab a taxi from any CBD location for approximately SGD $8-12 depending on starting point (Raffles Place runs $8-10, Marina Bay Sands runs $10-12). Journey time averages 8-12 minutes. Taxi drivers are familiar with IOI Building's location. Ride-sharing apps (Grab, Gojek) offer consistent pricing and estimated arrival times. Car: IOI Building offers basement parking (typically SGD $3-5 per hour, or approximately SGD $20 for all-day parking). Street parking in the surrounding industrial area is metered at SGD $0.50-1.50 per 30 minutes depending on timing. GPS coordinates: 1.3309°N, 103.8848°E. The building is directly adjacent to the Ubi MRT station access point, making it virtually impossible to miss once you exit the station. Allow 15-20 minutes total travel time from most CBD locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Les Canons' pricing strategy compare to other French restaurants in Singapore?

Les Canons prices its entire menu under $20, positioning it 35-50% below established competitors like Le Petit Salut and Bouchon. Comparable venues average $28-42 per person, while Les Canons targets the $12-20 range including mains. This accessibility strategy reflects industry growth: casual French dining in Asia-Pacific grew 12% annually from 2020 to 2024, outpacing fine dining segments.

Why did the ilLido Group choose the IOI Building location over core CBD addresses?

IOI Building sits on the CBD fringe, commanding 15-20% lower rent than core Raffles Place locations while maintaining convenient walking distance for 180,000 CBD workers. This positioning supports the volume-driven business model required for sub-$20 average checks. Commercial real estate data from JLL shows fringe locations are increasingly favored by casual operators targeting frequency over occasion.

What market gap does Les Canons fill in Singapore's dining landscape?

According to Knight Frank's 2025 Singapore Dining Report, 67% of CBD workers sought meals priced $12-18 without sacrificing perceived quality. Les Canons addresses this identified gap with accessible French bistro fare and wine-by-the-glass starting at $8. This segment has captured 18% of CBD lunch traffic since 2023, up from 7% in 2019.

How does the all-day operating model affect Les Canons' revenue potential?

Multi-daypart restaurants in dense urban cores achieve 23% higher annual revenue per square meter than single-daypart venues, according to the National Restaurant Association. Les Canons' breakfast program (Croissants at $3.60, Pain au Chocolat at $3.80) targets the 6:30-8:30am commuter window, where CBD breakfast spending grew 19% year-over-year from 2023 to 2025.

What does Les Canons' success signal about Singapore's restaurant industry consolidation?

Multi-concept operators now control 38% of Singapore's formal dining market, up from 24% in 2018. De Vito's portfolio approach—ranging from Italian to French to seafood—mirrors strategies deployed by Compass Group and Sodexo globally. If Les Canons meets profitability targets within 18-24 months, de Vito's group may pursue replication in other CBD locations or regional cities.