142 Best Restaurants in Singapore

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Welcome to Singapore, one of the world’s great food destinations, where eating—and eating well—is a time-honored national pastime.

Here you can splurge on haute cuisine from Michelin-starred chefs in some of the best fine-dining restaurants in Asia, or dig into fragrant bowls oflaksa (a spicy noodle soup) and heaping plates of char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodle strips) at one of the island’s famous hawker centers. The wide range of food and restaurants is what brings many travelers to Singapore in the first place, and few leave disappointed. In most cities the plan of attack is to map out must-see sights to pack in as much as possible; in Singapore it's often more about maximizing your meals and eating until it hurts—and then trying to fit in some more.

You hardly ever have to go far to find one of Singapore’s casual eating houses and hawker centers, which are fun, budget-friendly places to taste as many local specialties as your stomach can handle. The city-state’s indomitable megamalls are loaded with mid-range restaurants, sprawling food courts, and snack stands. Many of the island’s more upscale restaurants are tucked away in posh hotels, and many of the newer and trendier places are inside restored Chinese shophouses and once-abandoned colonial buildings. Note that upscale restaurants often close in the afternoon between lunch and dinner—from 2:30 to 6:30, for instance.

Konditori

$ | Kampong Glam

This cute Swedish cafe's halal bakes are slightly pricey, but they're favored by local café aficionados. Stick to signature items like the strawberry cream cheese Danish and traditional semla bun, available year round. Other winning menu items include flaky croissants (in flavors like red-velvet cream cheese), kouign amann, and savory quiches for a heartier bite.

33 Bussorah St., Singapore, 199451, Singapore
6209–8580
Known For
  • Creative baked goods
  • Traditional semla bun
  • Halal-certified pastries and breads

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L'Angelus

$$$$ | Chinatown

Potted plants line the entrance of this chic, Parisian-style restaurant, and, in its casual dining area, French film posters cover the walls from floor to ceiling. Daily specials are scrawled on chalkboards, but the set menu includes meat, seafood, and such French specialities as snails, foie gras, and crème brûlée, and there's an exhaustive selection of French wines, as well as a large range of whiskies, vodkas, gins, liqueurs, rums, and Armagnacs.

85 Club St., Singapore, 069453, Singapore
6225–6897
Known For
  • Poster-covered walls
  • Perfectly cooked steaks
  • French wines
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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La Dame De Pic

$$$$ | Civic District

Acclaimed French chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s first foray into Asia is a sensory delight with its soft, pastel space and delicate creations imbued with Asian flavors. The food includes the restaurant’s iconic berlingots (pyramid-shaped pasta parcels) filled with cheese fondue and complemented by red Kampot peppers native to Cambodia.

1 Beach Rd., Singapore, 189673, Singapore
6412--1255
Known For
  • Picture-perfect furnishings
  • French-Asian creations
  • First Anne-Sophie Pic restaurant in Asia
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Lei Garden Restaurant

$$$ | Civic District

Located within the Civic District's historic Chijmes building, Singapore's branch of Hong Kong's Lei Garden is known for having one of the best dim sum spreads in the city (prixe-fixe and à la carte menus are also available). It's packed with lunching office workers on weekdays and with families on weekends, but the jostle is worth it to savor such standout dishes as Peking duck, grilled rib-eye beef, and scallops with bean curd in black bean sauce.

LeVeL33

$$$

At what's billed as "the world's highest urban craft brewery," the pricey platters of meat and seafood served in the slick indoor dining area are beside the point. Instead, get here no later than 6 pm on a clear day, hunker down in one of the too-few outdoor deck tables, and bask in the stunning panoramas over the marina, with the spaceship-like pool deck of the Marina Bay Sands hotel to your right and the impressive CBD skyscrapers to your left.

8 Marina Blvd., Singapore, 018981, Singapore
6834–3133
Known For
  • Panoramic views
  • Craft beers
  • Sharing plates

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Lime House

$$ | Chinatown

Spend time "liming"—the Caribbean slang for "hanging with friends"—at this vibrant eatery inside a four-story heritage shophouse decorated with leafy plants, natural woods, and colorful prints. Wash down such classic Caribbean dishes as jerk chicken and curry goat with a rum cocktail from the restaurant's tiki-style bar, Bago. The restaurant also offers good choices for vegetarian and vegan diners.

2 Jiak Chuan Rd., Singapore, 089260, Singapore
6222–3130
Known For
  • Caribbean classics
  • Tiki bar
  • Light and airy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Little Island Brewing Co.

$$ | Changi

This laid-back, open-air microbrewery is a rare gem in the quiet Changi Village area, serving house brews with whimsical, psychedelic labels alongside hearty roasts and weekend brunches. Pour yourself a glass from the DIY draft counter and sit at a table under the fairy lights—it’s the perfect place to while an evening away.

6 Changi Village Rd., Singapore, 509907, Singapore
6543–9100
Known For
  • Tasty craft beers
  • Laid-back vibe
  • Good location

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Long Beach Seafood Restaurant UDMC

$$ | East Coast Park

This seaside branch of one of Singapore’s most long-standing seafood restaurant chains lets you pick your own fish, crab, lobsters, and more from tanks, then have it cooked the way you like. Whatever you choose, don’t miss the black pepper crabs; Long Beach is the creator of the now-iconic Singaporean dish, and its version is still tops.

1202 East Coast Pkwy., Singapore, 449881, Singapore
Known For
  • Live seafood
  • Black pepper crab
  • Seaside location
Restaurant Details
Reservations not accepted

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Madras New Woodlands Restaurant

$ | Little India

This no-frills vegetarian restaurant is a long-running local favorite and one of the better south Indian restaurants in vibrant Little India. Opt for the thali if you're hungry: it's a large platter of dosai (pancakes) with three spiced vegetables, curd, dhal, rasam (hot and sour soup), papadam, and Indian-style condiments. Also recommended are the paper dosai, a thin, crispy rice flour crepe in an enormous roll served with two spicy coconut chutneys and rasam. Make sure you order a cup of their freshly brewed masala tea with hand pulled froth.

12–14 Upper Dickson Rd., Singapore, 207474, Singapore
6297–1594
Known For
  • South Indian cuisine
  • Paper dosai
  • Masala tea
Restaurant Details
Reservations not accepted

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Makansutra Gluttons Bay

$ | Marina Bay

Located just off the boardwalk by the Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, this outdoor, hawker-style cluster of food stands offers a delicious (albeit slightly expensive) variety of local and regional specialties. Here you'll find chili crab, grilled prawns, chicken rice, fried carrot cake, meat satay, and much more served into the wee hours of the morning.

8 Raffles Ave., Singapore, 039802, Singapore
6438–4038
Known For
  • Authentic hawker fare
  • Wide variety of food in one spot
  • Local vibes
Restaurant Details
No lunch

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The Malayan Council

$$ | Marina Bay

Decked in a charming mix of modern-meets-colonial—think vintage brown leather padded chairs, wooden tiles, hanging metallic wire lamps, and a minimalist bar that resembles a British Malayan colonial pub—the Esplanade branch of this classy yet casual franchise has breathtaking views over the bay and a menu that fuses English and Malaysian staples. Wagyu beef flank Wellington, cone trios rillette, and fish & chips pair with local chicken percik and an assorted selection of satay to help bring the “talk, makan, and chill” tagline to life.

Maxi Coffee Bar

$ | Chinatown

This small, blue-decked café on the side of Ann Siang Hill serves some of the best coffee on the island. Grab an iced latte and perch on one of the outside tables for a quick break from the Chinatown sightseeing and shopping. The café often works with local bakers, so make sure to try their pastry and sandwich selections.

6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore, 069787, Singapore
9776--7400
Known For
  • Seasonal coffee selections
  • Friendly staff
  • Outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

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Muthu's Curry

$ | Little India

You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Indian food on Race Course Road, but this restaurant established in 1969), along with the similarly popular Banana Leaf Apolo a few blocks down, is widely considered the best of the lot. There's a full range of North and South Indian options here, but the fish-head curry with okra and pineapple, the milagu kozhi varuval (chicken with pepper and coriander seeds), and the masala prawns are some of the standouts. The contemporary space is decorated with mosaic tiles, polished black flooring, and tables that surround a central open kitchen. The chef uses no food coloring and practices eco-friendly dining policies. 

138 Race Course Rd., Singapore, 218591, Singapore
6392–1722
Known For
  • Wide variety of Indian dishes
  • Fish-head curry
  • Contemporary space

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My Awesome Café

$$ | Chinatown
Inside a historic shophouse tucked away on a quiet street, this café-by-day, bar-by-night has all the makings of a hipster hangout. Seated at a table with legs made out of old piping—amid fairy lights and exposed brickwork—you can order fresh salads, sandwiches, or platters, as well as excellent coffees and even better wine. The building was once a well-known free clinic, opened in 1951 by a group of volunteer doctors who wanted to help those who couldn’t afford medical care. Today, My Awesome Café occupies what was then the main waiting room, with the nostalgic décor a nod to that time.

NAE:UM

$$$$ | Chinatown

NAE:UM— meaning a fragrance that evokes memories—is a contemporary take on traditional Seoul cuisine, blending Western cooking techniques wth Korean flavors. Founder and chef Louis Han regularly changes the seasonal tasting menu to reflect the stories and memories of home, with menu titles like "Han River Sunset" and "Front Yard Barbecue." The dining room is a calming space just back from the busy Telok Ayer Street, with impeccable service from Han’s team.

161 Telok Ayer St., Singapore, 068615, Singapore
8830--5016
Known For
  • Seasonal Korean menus
  • Calming birch dining space
  • Somewhat affordable fine dining
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues.--Fri.
Reservations essential

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Nam Nam Noodle Bar

$ | Orchard

The enormous bowls of pho at this casual quick-serve noodle bar are excellent. At lunch time, you can get a bowl of chicken or beef pho, a green papaya salad, and a tea or coffee for under S$14. Though designed more as a fast-food concept (you order at the bar and wait for your number to be called before collecting), the quick stop has decor and tableware that feel very authentic, with pretty hanging lights and long wooden benches. Food is always speedy, always fresh, and always delicious.

501 Orchard Rd., Singapore, 238880, Singapore
6735–1488
Known For
  • Huge bowls of pho
  • Great side dishes
  • Beautiful tablewear

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Nanyang Old Coffee

$ | Chinatown

“Bringing back the good old taste of Singapore traditional coffee” is the motto here, and you definitely won't be disappointed in the way that's done. Try the strong, sweet kopi ubiquitous in Singapore’s history, in an old-fashioned, bright red coffee house. Brush up on your kopi terms before visiting.

268 South Bridge Rd., Singapore, 058817, Singapore
6221--6973
Known For
  • Supports historic Singaporean coffee culture
  • Strong coffee and milk tea
  • Kaya toast sets

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Nassim Hill Bakery Bistro Bar

$$ | Orchard

This lovely bistro transforms from bakery and brunch hotspot by day to chic restaurant and bar by night. It specializes in European-style baked bread, which forms the basis of many of the brunch dishes (served until 3 pm) and then again as a delicious accompaniment to a selection of zesty dips and pasta in the evening. Portion sizes are very generous, with a rustic look and feel to the presentation. The bistro is tucked away behind the post office on Nassim Hill about a 10-minute walk from the top of Orchard Road.

Nouri

$$$$ | Chinatown

Chef Ivan Brehm’s mixed background—Italian, Spanish, German, and Brazilian—provides the inspiration for what he calls "crossroads cooking." Nouri’s dedicates himself to combining ingredients, techniques, and flavors from across the globe in intriguing tasting menus. The light, airy dining room and marble chef’s counter create a serene atmosphere, with service and wine pairings that are both top-notch.

72 Amoy St., Singapore, 069891, Singapore
9230--2477
Known For
  • Dishes inspired by different geographies and cultures
  • Communal marble table
  • Appealing wine pairings
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Sat.
Reservations essential

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Ocean Restaurant

$$$$ | Sentosa Island

The sight of sharks and manta rays swimming past your dinner table at this elegant restaurant in the S.E.A. Aquarium makes for quite the memory. Sure, watching more than 40,000 sea creatures behind floor-to-ceiling glass as you tuck into a plate of blue cod or langoustine might induce guilt, but you can ease your pangs with the knowledge that the kitchen works with sustainable sources. Book in advance to secure a table right beside the floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

22 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore, 098136, Singapore
6577–6688
Known For
  • Romantic atmosphere (no kids under 8)
  • Fresh Mediterranean-California creations
  • Unusual destination dining experience

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Odette

$$$$ | Civic District

Any self-proclaimed gourmand needs to add this classy restaurant, often considered one of Asia's best (and certainly one of Singapore's top tables), to their culinary bucket list. The dishes in its four- to six-course (called "acts") lunches and seven-course dinners vary seasonally but maintain the same respect for great artisanal produce, brought to life by French culinary arts and a touch of Japanese flair. Reservations are necessary and encouraged at least one month in advance, with a S$200 deposit per person. Children under 7 are not allowed.

1 St. Andrew's Rd., Singapore, 178957, Singapore
6385–0498
Known For
  • Mod-French fine dining
  • Numerous accolades
  • Cozy and minimalist space
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.

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Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen

$$ | Joo Chiat

Enter a delectable world of Nonya tastes at this acclaimed Peranakan-style restaurant, housed in the ground floor of a traditional shophouse with tables spilling onto the street. The signature beef rendang, ikan asam pedas (spicy tamarind fish), udang nenas masak (prawn and pineapple coconut curry), grilled sambal barramundi, and chinchalok (fermented shrimp) omelet are all affordable, authentic and flavorsome dishes.

328 Joo Chiat Rd., Singapore, 427585, Singapore
8450--7996
Known For
  • Homey dishes
  • Old-school Peranakan atmosphere
  • Attentive service

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Padi @ Bussorah

$$ | Kampong Glam

Tuck into a communal meal of nasi ambeng (a Javanese rice dish with meat and vegetables) at this popular Kampong Glam eatery. The celebratory dish, commonly served during festive occasions, can be customized to fit the size of your dining party (from one to five diners). It's served on a platter with a cone of rice and 14 different dishes like beef rendang, sambal balacan, salted fish, and tempe. For an authentic experience, opt to dine without formal utensils, just like some locals do.

53 Bussorah St., Singapore, 199469, Singapore
6291–3921
Known For
  • Full flavored nasi ambeng, a Javanese rice dish
  • Group dining
  • Tender beef rendang

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Panamericana

$$ | Sentosa Island

Come for the view, stay for the food and laid-back vibes. The menu of farm-to-fire dishes spans the Americas with standouts like the slow-cooked lamb charred on the asador, Argentinian empanadas, and market-fresh ceviche swimming in coconut milk. Save space for the churros, freshly fried and crisp to the bite, and definitely order a "Booze and Fizz." An ideal spot for big groups, the food platters and cocktails served Porron-style make for the perfect sunset session.

27 Bukit Manis Rd., Singapore, 099892, Singapore
6253–8182
Known For
  • Lamb cooked over an asador
  • Large platters and cocktails
  • View of the South China Sea

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Patara

$$ | Orchard

This popular Thai restaurant, which also has branches in Austria, China, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom, serves an extensive menu of classics in a serene, cozy setting. You can order everything from Thai-style soups and salads to curries and noodles. Specialties include nua pad prik Thai (beef spare ribs sautéed in garlic and black pepper sauce) and pla yang penang (sea bass grilled in penang sauce). Vegetarians will find plenty of options.

163 Tanglin Rd., Singapore, 247933, Singapore
6737–0818
Known For
  • Nua pad prik Thai (beef spare ribs sautéed in garlic and black pepper sauce)
  • Pla yang penang (sea bass grilled in penang sauce)
  • Ambience
Restaurant Details
Credit cards accepted

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PS. Cafe East Coast Park

$$ | East Coast Park

Part of the popular PS. Cafe chain, this stylish, sun-lit cafe by the sea is one for the Instagram, and a perfect spot for weekend brunch (although you’ll likely have to wait in line). The breezy Anglo-Chinese fare includes exclusive-to-this-branch creations like a scrumptious chorizo and calamari stew, as well as long-time chain favorites like the Parmesan-dusted truffle fries and chunky desserts.

Red Star Restaurant

$$ | Chinatown
Shuffling waiters push dim sum trolleys from table to table at this wonderfully outdated Cantonese restaurant. Although the old-school decor (red carpets, cream table cloths, strip lights) makes it feel like a giant community center, the crispy spring rolls, siew mai dumplings, fried wantons, and egg tarts are classic and delicious. Set menus will leave you absolutely stuffed but still wanting more. Dumplings are only served at lunchtime, so bear that in mind when you're planning your visit.
54 Chin Swee Rd., Singapore, 160054, Singapore
6532–5266
Known For
  • Suckling pig
  • Roast duck
  • Delicious dumplings (served at lunchtime only)

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Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee

$$ | Clarke Quay

Long-standing Rendezvous is known for its luxe, pricey rendition of nasi padang (Indonesian-style cooked dishes with rice), including beef rendang (beef curry), sayur lodeh (vegetable in spicy coconut milk), sambal sotong (chili squid), and sambal brinjal (spicy eggplant). Servings are small and meant to be shared like tapas; meat and seafood dishes are charged by the piece.

Rich and Good Cake Shop

$ | Kampong Glam

Blink and you might miss this nondescript, old-school bakery famous for its pillow-soft Swiss rolls. Every morning sees eight freshly baked varieties, including mango, strawberry, and pandan cheese, but distinctive local flavors like durian and kaya (coconut jam) are the true standouts. Come early; only a limited number of rolls are baked each day.

24 Kandahar St., Singapore, 198887, Singapore
6908-4089
Known For
  • Fresh Swiss rolls
  • Old-school vibes
  • Unusual local flavors
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

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Rumours Beach Club

$$ | Sentosa Island

Bringing a bit of Bali’s beach swagger to Singapore, this beach club's Jimbaran seafood grill station (from 12 pm onwards) is a big draw for its smoky, charred dishes like ikan bakar (grilled whole fish) and lobster bakar (grilled whole lobster). The menu also has a selection of Indonesian dishes and an extensive selection of bar-friendly food and drinks to enjoy for something more casual. Make a day of it, as there's a trio of swimming pools, a beach-facing infinity pool, and chilled beanbag seating. A VIP area offers a private pool and family cabanas for more privacy.  

40 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore, 098996, Singapore
6970–0625
Known For
  • Indonesian-style grilled dishes
  • Seafood platters
  • Three swimming pools

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