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$$ | Orchard |
This intimate restaurant almost succeeds in transporting you to Japan, with its traditional tea-house decor, its kimono-clad servers, and its chefs who belt out irrashimase (welcome). Alongside a generous sushi menu, Akashi serves delicious, beautifully presented set meals featuring green tea noodles and crispy tempura or thick udon and fried tofu.
1 Tanglin Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 247905, Singapore
Known For
- Beautiful sashimi plates
- Staff in pretty kimonos
- Authentic Japanese atmosphere
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$$ | Kampong Glam |
You can count on this halal bakery and café (founded by food personality Dewi Imelda Wadhwa) to turn out some of the island’s best pastries and desserts. The ATD To Go Dessert Box, an 8-piece taster of their most popular items, includes the bakery's signature gula Melaka scone and Paris brest. Save space for other delectables like the aromatic Earl Grey cake in a light vanilla buttercream, or the moreish sticky toffee pudding drenched in a homemade caramel sauce. For those more inclined to savory pursuits, dishes like a punchy coriander pesto prawn pasta and a hearty steak & hash potatoes made with grass-fed steak cubes.
34 Arab St., Singapore, Singapore, 199733, Singapore
Known For
- Gula Melaka scone
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- ATD To Go Dessert Box
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$$ | Kampong Glam |
Expect good vibes and authentic food at this hip Italian eatery, known for its pizzas baked in a signature wood-fired oven imported from Naples itself. The 10-inch Neopolitan pies are a favorite, but for a well-rounded meal, don't ignore the handmade pastas and small selection of desserts. If you're stuck on deciding what to order, consider the Mafalde, a braised lamb ragu pasta with porcini and Parmigiano, or nduja di spilinga, a traditional Napoletana pizza served with fior di latte, spicy 'nduja, and onion. Both come highly recommended.
52 Kandahar St., Singapore, Singapore, 198901, Singapore
Known For
- 10-inch Neopolitan pies
- Handmade pastas
- Cool vibe
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: www.toretaasia.com
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$$ | Bedok |
Time seems to stand still at this nostalgic, convivial Chinese restaurant that’s the only survivor from an era when seafood restaurants used to line East Coast Road. Parked in a 1920s bungalow, the restaurant's menu, decor, and presentation touches—like the fresh purple orchids that top off delicious dishes—are old-school.
462 Upper East Coast Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 466508, Singapore
Known For
- Unique local experience
- Reasonable prices
- Chilli crab
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$ | East Coast Park |
This atmospheric East Coast Seafood Centre staple is the perfect place to crack into a chilli or black pepper Sri Lankan crab, a glorious, delicious mess of a dish that's a true Singaporean specialty—be sure to order it with sides of fried buns to sop up the sauce. Prices are by the kilogram; some crabs are large enough to feed up to four people, but smaller ones for two are also available.
Block 1206, East Coast Pkwy., Singapore, Singapore, 449883, Singapore
Known For
- Chilli crabs
- Live seafood cooked to order
- Seaside location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Little India |
Give into the heady aromas wafting out of this Indian-influenced barbecue joint, and you won’t regret it. Although a meal here is pricier than those at its more casual neighbors, the cost difference is easily justified by the intense, mouthwatering flavors and creative menu. The show stealer is the juicy suckling pig biryani, its pork barbecued to a perfect char. The meat platters (for one or two diners) offers a taste of their best hits (beef brisket, masala pork ribs, spice-crusted lamb chops).
21 Campbell La., Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Known For
- Juicy suckling pig biryani
- Spice-heavy meats
- Cool, grungy spot for a meal
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | CBD |
This restaurant has been serving Indonesian classics in the CBD for decades. Its focus on authentic recipes and Indonesian spice blends results in vibrant dishes loved by families and workers alike. Try such specialties as ikan ota kukus (fish in a rich sauce) and tahu telor (crispy tofu omelet) in the friendly, family-style restaurant.
88 Telok Ayer St., Singapore, Singapore, 048470, Singapore
Known For
- Ikan ota kukus (fish in a rich sauce) or tahu telor (crispy tofu omelet)
- Well-established CBD restuarant
- Family-style dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon.
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$$ | Chinatown |
Of all Singapore's popular themed cafés, Settler's Café is considered the first board game café in the country. There are more than 600 games on offer, which you can enjoy as part of a package that includes food and drink alongside a few hours of game play. You can select from options like the dinner package, which includes grilled chicken, pasta, and fish and chips with free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks; or the wine package where you can play as you drink a bottle of wine. Games include everything from Monopoly and Pictionary to intense strategy games and silly party games.
39 North Canal Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 059295, Singapore
Known For
- Games like Pictionary
- Dinner and wine packages
- Fun for friends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Changi |
Located off the coast of Changi, this modern spin on the traditional kelong (floating fish farm) doles out meals to remember. You travel to it on an old-fashioned bumboat from Changi Ferry Terminal, then catch your own lunch or dinner in "sure-catch" ponds from the ship-like structure in the middle of the sea. The steamed sea bass and salted egg squid are must-tries. Tables are by reservation only, so book ahead (at least three days in advance).
Pulau Ubin Coastal Area, Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Known For
- Novel dining experience
- Fresh seafood
- Catch-your-own meals
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$$ | Changi |
Mixing alfresco restaurant and seaside swimming pool, Stella is the first beachfront lounge along Tanah Merah Beach in the southeast of Changi, just a 10-minute drive from the airport. The brunch menu is big on sandwiches and toasts, grilled pork chops, and healthy breakfasts, while dinner is best for live seafood, charcoal grilled meats, and seafood-based pastas. The restaurant's sheltered alfresco dining area spills daybeds and sofa lounges over a cozy wooden seaside deck, where guests can lounge by the pool before or after their meals.
11 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore, Singapore, 499740, Singapore
Known For
- Frequent parties and events
- Swimming pool
- Beachfront location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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$$ | Orchard |
This spacious restaurant looks a little inauthentic from the outside, but inside, the intricate meals served on beautiful Japanese tableware will quickly convince you otherwise. The set menu of main courses come with all the trimmings: miso soup, rice, and a range of side dishes to choose from, including salmon salads and deep-fried tofu. The staff is also incredibly friendly and welcoming.
501 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 238880, Singapore
Known For
- Beautiful set-menu lunches
- Excellent service
- Delicious side dishes
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$$ | Orchard |
This windowless, no-frills, Thai restaurant might be tucked away on the third floor of the slightly sleazy Orchard Towers, but the locals still pile in for the delicious, authentic, and very affordable food. The menu packs all the classics, from massaman curry to traditional fishcakes, each served in generous portions. It’s definitely not a spot for a long, leisurely meal, but if you’re looking for a taste of Thailand that’s quick and cheap, Thai Tantric is a safe bet—if you can get a table!
400 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 238875, Singapore
Known For
- Quick and cheap
- Authentic flavors and huge portions
- Great green curry
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | Little India |
This casual, cafeteria-style, Indian restaurant is one of the best (and busiest) of its kind in Little India. Standout dishes include the signature fish-head curry, as well as the fish tikka, mutton mysore, and prawn masala, but choose whatever sounds good, and you'll still do well. Everything is served on large banana leaves; cracker-like papadam and two scoops of the day's vegetables come with every meal. Spice levels vary, but if the heat catches up with you, ask for curd (traditional yogurt) or raita (yogurt with cucumber and seasonings) to help cool things down. Fun fact: Founder/owner Mr Chellappan was so inspired by the Apollo 11 mission, he named the restaurant after it!
54 Race Course Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 218564, Singapore
Known For
- Authentic Indian served on banana leaves
- Affordable prices
- Fish-head curry
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$$ | Changi |
Violet Oon is one of Singapore’s most celebrated Peranakan chefs, and her eponymous restaurant inside Changi International Airport is the only one with a terrace that offers a direct view of the airport’s Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. In addition to treats like her signature (and delightfully tangy) dry laksa, the restaurant has an open grill, a long bar, and a retail area where you can stock up on Oon’s beautifully packaged pineapple tarts and Peranakan cookies.
78 Airport Blvd., Singapore, Singapore, 819666, Singapore
Known For
- Local celebrity chef
- Dry laksa
- Food souvenirs
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$$ | Sentosa Island |
Perched at the top of The Outpost Hotel, this rooftop bar, day club, and restaurant serves up crowd-pleasing modern Asian dishes like soft shell crab pasta and platters like the "Taste of Archipelago" (including tasting portions of nasi biru, tempeh goreng, and papa gulai chicken) offer a sampling of Southeast Asian flavors. Sundown sessions are particularly popular (weekdays 5–8 pm) for unobstructed views of the Singapore Straits; at the Sunday pool parties, DJs spin from 3 to 10 pm. On weekends and holidays, there’s a minimum per-person spend.
10 Artillery Ave., Singapore, Singapore, 099951, Singapore
Known For
- Shareable platters
- Sunset drinks
- Per-person minimum spend
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$$ | Joo Chiat |
One of the city's best Spanish restaurants is all about good meat and excellent wines. Start with Pan Casero and Jamon Iberico, and then tear into a portion of Costillar de Ternera, the popular juicy short ribs of glazed Angus beef. The pan-Iberic selection of wines from most regions of Spain, paired with international sparkling Rose, Brut, and Bollinger, will excite wine lovers and connoisseurs.
51 Joo Chiat Pl., Singapore, Singapore, 427775, Singapore
Known For
- Authentic Spanish dining experience
- Attentive service
- Handmade stone oven
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.--Thurs.
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$$ | Orchard |
Dive into stone-fired pizza at this hip spot in Mandarin Gallery. The long-fermented pizza dough is crisp and generously topped with unique ingredients like sliced steak and French’s mustard bechamel ("I Wish I Was A Baller"), or chorizo ragu with Hokkaido octopus ("Summer in San Sebastian"). There’s a great wine list and a selection of beers, with fries, salads, and wings to round off your order. The team are so confident you’ll love their mood-setting 1970s and '80s rock playlist, you can even listen at home on Spotify.
333A Orchard Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 238897, Singapore
Known For
- Thin-crust pizza
- Great wine list
- 1970s and '80s rock music
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$$ | Sentosa Island |
Traditional Cantonese dishes are presented with modern flair in an understated setting at this award-winning Chinese restaurant. Plush banquettes and elegant wallpaper by designer Andre Fu grace the dining room, and an outdoor seating area overlooks lush grounds. For a sampling of the best Cassia has to offer, order Chef Chan's 6-course Signature Set that can be paired with wine or tea at an additional cost.
1 The Knolls, Singapore, Singapore, 098297, Singapore
Known For
- Peking duck
- Modern twists on traditional Cantonese dishes
- Elegant setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Thurs.
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$$ | Sentosa Island |
At this kid-friendly hangout, adults can unwind over pizza and watch the little ones take a dip in the shallow water or play with the restaurant's sand toys. Expect a laid-back vibe here with sunbeds and deck chairs for customers. Families will like the diaper changing stations and high chairs. For a taste of local food, order the chilli crab dip with a baguette, or sticky, finger-licking Coastes chicken wings.
50 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore, Singapore, 099000, Singapore
Known For
- Laid-back beachfront setting
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Curry laska and chicken wings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No reservations on weekends
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$$ | Joo Chiat |
The Joo Chiat outlet of this Singaporean ethical coffee franchise established in 2013 offers what they boast as the "best brunch in Asia"—a true statement, judging by the lines waiting by the door. The popular organic eggs Benedict (runny poached eggs served along with braised ox cheeks, chive hollandaise, and artisanal sourdough bread) is the explosion of tastes you need to power charge your day. The coffee, sourced from organic farms and served by their own trained baristas, is also brewed to perfection.
185 Joo Chiat Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 427456, Singapore
Known For
- Zesty burgers
- Organic coffee
- Popular brunch spot
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
