In food-obsessed Singapore, finding somewhere good to eat is far from a hard task. The city is peppered with excellent restaurants, renowned food stalls, and exceptional culinary experiences that make for memorable evenings.
Don’t assume that everything on this list is going to be eye-wateringly expensive, however. Some of the finest food on offer in this diverse city comes from market stalls and family-run establishments. With influences from as far as Australia and Europe, and the finest Chinese, Indian and traditional Malay-turned-Michelin, here is where you’ll find the best restaurants in Singapore.
In this list, you’ll find some famous eateries such as:
- Les Amis
- Odette
- Jaggi’s
- Burnt Ends
- And many more!
Candlenut
Candlenut is known on the restaurant scene for being the first and only of its kind to have a Michelin star. In this culinary capital that doesn’t immediately sound too groundbreaking, until you learn that Candlenut serves unique and fantastic Peranakan cuisine. Peranakans migrated from the southern Chinese provinces between the 15th-17th centuries, bringing with them expertise for unusual yet delicious recipes. Candlenut’s owner and head chef Malcolm Lee, a Peranakan descendant, takes these typically home-style dishes - such as blue swimmer crab curry with galangal (like ginger but more citrussy) and kefir lime leaf - and augments them to Michelin level artistry. The restaurant has huge high ceilings that give an airy feeling and a chic jumble of pretty straw lampshades that bathe the dining room in a warm glow. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqjYuKchuoa/Les Amis
With such a well-heeled population, its no surprise that there is such a high density of high-brow eating establishments in the city. What’s more, Singapore’s residents are a real international mix, meaning that finding European excellence comes fairly easy. French restaurant Les Amis is refinement personified. The interior is lavish, with panels of red velvet and mahogany that set a sophisticated scene to indulge in classic French dishes with a contemporary spin. And at over 2,000 bottles, its wine collection is one of the largest in Asia. Not only does Les Amis sport 3 Michelin stars but they also have a membership within the Grandes Tables du Monde - the highest of culinary accolades.
328 Katong Laksa
Another homely, hearty establishment that serves up a storm, 328 Katong Laksa keeps it simple by specializing in one particular dish. Laksa is a soulful bowl of creamy coconutty noodles with shrimps and cockles swimming in a delicious and lightly spiced broth. There are other options on the sparse menu of course, but that’s not what you’ll have come here for. The laksa’s noodles are cut into short lengths for you so you can slurp it up with just a spoon. Get a side of otah - freshly grilled mackerel served in a banana leaf - and wash it down with one of their cooling juices. Set out on the eastern fringes of the city center, this place is thoroughly no-frills with its garish signage and plastic tables and chairs. Taking residence in an old colonial-style building that looks as though it could use a little TLC, 328 Katong Laksa is distinguishable on this busy avenue by its orange and white striped columns holding up the pretty building. https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQneUNFYXV/Odette
Undoubtedly one of Singapore’s finest restaurants, Odette sits in a prime position within the National Museum of Singapore. From the soft pastel palette of the restaurant’s interior to the whimsical floating wings of paper that fly above you as you dine, everything about Odette is a heavenly experience. And that’s before you even get to the food. With previous menu options of four, six or eight courses and including dishes such as French guinea fowl served with celeriac risotto and foie gras croquette, or trout with grilled octopus and romanesco broccoli, splashed with miso caramel, you’re guaranteed a memorable evening. All of those mouth-watering dishes, combined with unparalleled service and dreamy interior design have put this sublime restaurant in the very well deserved position at #9 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list.