6 Best Restaurants in Singapore

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.

The White Rabbit

$$$$ Fodor's Choice

This former church's compelling interior—soaring ceilings, ample arched windows, stained glass, and rows of chandeliers hanging over curved banquettes—has helped draw many faithful diners to this European restaurant. The kitchen takes an artsy, nouveau approach to a menu of dishes designed to "transport you down the rabbit hole," from classic bouillabaisse to lobster and kombu linguine. The outdoor patio, a gin and wine garden with whimsical topiaries, has also garnered quite a following as a place to sip on elegant cocktails while listening to the laid-back house DJ.

The Black Swan

$$$ | CBD

Join the bankers, brokers, and finance executives that swarm this opulent art deco—style bar and chophouse that stands out against its sleek concrete-and-metal neighbors. Indulge in a fine selection of beef cuts from America and Australia, and wash it all down with a tipple from the extensive list of wine, spirits, and cocktails.

Firebake - Woodfired Bakehouse and Restaurant

Alongside the local chicken rice and laksa hawker stalls lining East Coast Road is this gem of a European cafe, which is as faithful to its roots as its neighbors. What you get here are hearty meals and artisanal bread baked in a full-scale, 37-ton wood-fired oven, all made with ingredients that are as natural and sustainable as possible.

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Iggy's

$$$$ | Orchard

If you can splurge on just one meal in Singapore, Iggy's is worth considering. Hailed as one of the top restaurants in Asia, this intimate Euro-Japanese fusion spot has mouthwatering dishes like A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef and Maine lobster, as well as one of the best wine lists on the island. Multi-course tasting menus are available for lunch and dinner, with separate dishes designed for vegetarians.

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.

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.

Singapore

Singapore

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