186 Best Restaurants in Singapore

Tucked behind an imposing IKEA building, one of the island's oldest food centers is particularly popular with locals in the Alexandra area; expect lines on weekend mornings to snake across the hall. But the wait is worth it, as you’ll find some of Singapore’s best hawkers here. Some of the longest lines will probably be at Bao Zai, where buns are filled with their legendary chae siew (barbecue pork), or Jin Jin Dessert, an ABC institution serving signature chendol (coconut milk and rice flour dessert) and ice kachang (shaved ice with sweet beans). If you’re feeling a little homesick, indulge in western dishes with a local twist (and huge portions) at Wow Wow West.

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.  

Of the Tekka Market's many tantalizing eateries, this spot, in business since the 1950s, comes highly recommended—as evidenced by lines that are particularly long at lunchtime. It's worth the wait, though, to enjoy a comfort meal of aromatic biryani rice combined with fork-tender chicken or mutton chunks, and all the orders come with a side of vegetable dhal and pickled vegetables.

This might be the coolest dinner spot in Singapore. Tucked inside a traditional Singaporean shophouse, this place transforms every night into a Japanese yakitori, where dishes are served in a cloak of dry ice; the alluring smell of charcoal fills the air, and the small plates are always colorful, intriguing, and based on what's fresh that day.

Established in 1995 by a group of friends, this is one of Singapore's first spots to serve Peranakan cuisine. In a beautifully restored shophouse, the restaurant offers a range of well-prepared Malaysian/Chinese fare, including signature ayam panggang (smoky chicken with spiced coconut milk) and rich beef rendang. The house favorite dessert, durian chendol, is a glorious mixture of red beans, pandan-flavored jelly, and coconut milk, finished with puréed durian. While perhaps the most polarizing fruit on the planet—you'll either love it or hate it—you should try it at least once, and there's no better place than here.

This internationally-renowned modern Australian barbecue restaurant, run by chef Dave Pynt, is always booked up, so plan your visit in advance. Classics like the Burnt End’s Sanger (pulled pork sandwich) are a must-try. Since reservations can be tricky to come by, try to snag a space at the bar, which tends to be a little easier and still offers a substantial menu. Alongside the main dining room, the building on Dempsey Hill now houses a bakery, wine cellar, cocktail bar, and large private dining room. 

Sunset Way is a residential area in Clementi and home to some of the West’s best-kept secrets, including this restaurant popular with fans who travel across the island to bag a table at this pioneering seafood spot. Seafood prices are based on market price, and there’s a huge à la carte menu of local classic dishes, such as seafood hor fun (thick rice noodles) and kong bak pau (braised pork buns). The kitchen is famed for its crab in golden sauce, made with pumpkin and chilli padi. Order with mantou (fried buns) to mop up the golden gravy. The restaurant was one of the first in Singapore to allow diners to pick their meal from the large tanks that display the day’s catch, and that process continues today.

A stretch of Smith Street that is closed to traffic, this outdoor eating area packed with stalls is the only place you'll find real "street food" in Singapore. Though it isn’t totally open-air (there is a high-ceiling glass canopy in case of rain), it makes a welcome change from the often hot and sweaty hawker centers. You would imagine a spot like this would be a big tourist trap, but it manages to deliver good food in a novel setting, albeit at slightly higher prices. Stroll up and down before making a choice of where to eat—Tiong Bahru Meng Kee Roast Duck is a good bet, as are the Sultan of Satay skewers. You can sit where you like, regardless of which stall you purchase from. Occasionally, there will be beer table service; they don’t take a commission so feel free to order your beer through them.

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. 

Nestled among the exotic flora of the Botanic Gardens and in a colonial house named after an important 20th-century botanist, Corner House is chef David Thien’s “ode to Asia with French undertones." The setting is exceptionally romantic, matched only by the omakase experience and curated wine list. The menu uses French techniques to present Asian ingredients in innovative ways, and each dish comes with an accompanying note to expand on the chef’s inspiration.

Based on the old-school eateries of Hong Kong, Fook Kin specializes in char siew (Cantonese-style barbecued pork), crispy pork belly, and other roast meats. Aside from the much-loved meat, the menu features a good selection of soups, dim sum, and rice bowls. A large fridge stores a range of craft beer and sake to peruse. Neon lights and flowing drinks make this a fun place to be on a Friday night in River Valley.

Be warned: The line for this one-Michelin-star eatery rarely lets up, but the wait is worth it. After just one spoonful of the juicy minced meat and springy egg noodles dressed in a secret recipe of chilli and black vinegar, you’ll understand why locals have kept this no-frills eatery a well-guarded secret for years. Best of all, it's probably the cheapest Michelin-starred meal in town. Opt for the larger bowl; you won't be sorry.

A small Korean restaurant with a loyal fanbase, this is yet another hidden gem found in residential Sunset Way. Popular dishes here include haemul pajeon (seafood and scallion pancake) and tteokbokki (soft rice cakes in a spicy sauce). The generous complimentary banchan (small side dishes) make perfect accompaniments to the larger stews and barbecued meat dishes. There’s an outside deck area that has a quiet, intimate atmosphere in the evening.

This busy neighborhood trattoria is off the beaten track in Hillview, a hidden gem were it not for the local residents packing the place each evening. The food is (unlike some other Italian spots on the island) genuinely authentic, with a decent selection of pizza, pasta, meats, and seafood, as well as regional chef’s specials each weekend. The wine list makes for an interesting tour around Italy, with a comprehensive list of Italian digestives to end the meal. A separate menu for vegetarians is available.

Like jade itself, this upscale restaurant in a historic hotel has both exquisite and intriguing attributes. Inside you'll find a contemporary design that follows an eclectic Asian thread, with Vietnamese hanging lamps and Chinese calligraphy. Similarly, the food is fundamentally Chinese, but with creative modern accents, such as in the rich cocoa-flavored pork ribs with spinach in a raspberry vinaigrette. Jade's lavish weekend dim sum buffet is a Singaporean institution; reservations are a must.

The decor at this chic sumiyaki restaurant celebrating Japanese charcoal-grilling is as authentic as the food. It’s styled after traditional Japanese izakayas, with bar seating where you can watch the chefs delicately fan the meat and vegetables cooked over open coals. Dishes like pork belly with miso and octopus yuzu salad are washed down with an excellent selection of sake drawn from the different prefectures of Japan.

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.

The inventive dishes at this seafood-centric, Michelin-starred restaurant reinvent Singaporean classics with local produce. Within its five-course lunch and nine-course dinner menus, chicken rice is packaged into dainty dumplings, chilli crab is transformed into ice cream, and kaya toast is elevated with caviar—but the flavors stay distinctively Singaporean.

Mingle with Singaporean tycoons and celebrities at the island's finest French restaurant, where you can admire the adjoining bar's grand chandelier and curtain-draped wine cabinets before adjourning to the intimate dining area. The breathtakingly expensive seasonal menu changes regularly, but expect such exquisite French classics as foie gras, roasted whole pigeon, and white asparagus. Their wine list is considered one of the best in Asia, with more than 1,800 Old World wines, 90% of which are from France (in particular Burgundy and Bordeaux).

Inspired by the food of the Mediterranean, Lolla’s small plates menu combines flawless technique with seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Perched on Ann Siang Hill, the restaurant belies its status with a lively atmosphere that makes you feel instantly welcome. Chef Johanne Siy has a serious fine-dining pedigree, so it’s no surprise that dishes are exemplary, like the signature sea urchin pudding with squid ink custard. Note that only tasting menus are served on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cracking into a black-pepper or chilli crab is one of those signature Singapore dining experiences, and there are few places that do it better than Long Beach. There are four restaurant locations across Singapore, including the main branch on the East Coast, near where it first opened in 1946, but this Dempsey Hill branch stands out for its convenience and outdoor seating deck (plus you can stop for a pre-dinner pint or two of tasty microbrews at the nearby RedDot Brewhouse). Long Beach has other seafood specialties, including golden-stripe lobster and steamed razor clams with garlic, but the crab is the thing to go for—you won't be sorry, especially if you order it with fried mantou buns to sop up the sauce.

Slow-food champion Sam Wong runs this private dining experience from his vintage-furnished terrace house, at the back of which sits his wildly untamed fruit and vegetable garden. You’ll have to book months ahead for a table, but the wait for his painstakingly made food—like a signature roast duck that undergoes three days of preparation and features homemade spices—is worth it. The price is per head for an eight- to ten-course meal.

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).