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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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$ | Little India |
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.
666 Buffalo Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 210665, Singapore
Known For
- Mutton biryani
- Fluffy rice
- Affordable local favorite
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$ | Orchard |
The historic Moroccan coffee brand has a beautiful café/dining room on ION Orchard’s first floor. No visit is a quick one though: you may come for a coffee and pastry, but you’ll soon find yourself whiling away the time exploring the vast array of 100% arabica coffee beans housed in large sunset orange tins.
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore, Singapore, 238801, Singapore
Known For
- Arabica coffee from around the world
- Traditional café interior
- Excellent pastries and cakes
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$$$$ | |
At this private dining experience, you get excellent pasta and pizza that’s as close to perfection as they come, hand-made by a passionate Italian. Antonio Miscellaneo has pizza dough down to an art, experimenting with different types of flour, water, and ratios in his quest to achieve the ideal formula. What’s also interesting is that he incorporates local influences and ingredients like Singapore-made mozzarella and spicy chilli in his recipes. The price is per head for an eight- to ten-course meal.
Tembeling Rd., South East, 423728, Singapore
Known For
- Private dining
- Artisanal pizzas and pastas
- Foodie insider favorite
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: By appointment only
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Chinatown |
A stretch of Smith Street that is closed to traffic, this outdoor eating area packed with stalls is the only place you'll find real "street food" in Singapore. Though it isn’t totally open-air (there is a high-ceiling glass canopy in case of rain), it makes a welcome change from the often hot and sweaty hawker centers. You would imagine a spot like this would be a big tourist trap, but it manages to deliver good food in a novel setting, albeit at slightly higher prices. Stroll up and down before making a choice of where to eat—Tiong Bahru Meng Kee Roast Duck is a good bet, as are the Sultan of Satay skewers. You can sit where you like, regardless of which stall you purchase from. Occasionally, there will be beer table service; they don’t take a commission so feel free to order your beer through them.
41 Smith St., Singapore, Singapore, 058953, Singapore
Known For
- Street food in a novel setting
- Open rain or shine
- Cold beer and chicken satay
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$$ | 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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$ | Chinatown |
Head to level 2 of the Amoy Street food center for a cup of traditionally-brewed local kopi with a twist; the menu includes a dizzying array of latte flavors, including black sesame, hazelnut, and butter pecan. For a quick bite, pair it with their equally-eclectic toast flavors, like earl grey creme or matcha coconut.
7 Maxwell Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 069111, Singapore
Known For
- Unique kopi and toast breakfast
- Traditional sock-brewed coffee
- Popular with the Telok Ayer work crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat. and Sun.
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$$$$ | Botanic Gardens |
Nestled among the exotic flora of the Botanic Gardens and in a colonial house named after an important 20th-century botanist, Corner House is chef David Thien’s “ode to Asia with French undertones." The setting is exceptionally romantic, matched only by the omakase experience and curated wine list. The menu uses French techniques to present Asian ingredients in innovative ways, and each dish comes with an accompanying note to expand on the chef’s inspiration.
1 Cluny Rd, Singapore, Singapore, 259569, Singapore
Known For
- French-Asian fusion fine dining
- Menu-inspiration cards
- Historic location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$$ | |
Food writer and host Annette Tan brings Peranakan cuisine to life at this breezy, loft-like, home-dining experience through dishes made with her mother’s recipes and stories of her own experiences. Expect a modern take on classics, like Tan’s divine crispy mee siam (rice vermicelli married with piquant spices and pan-fried to a crisp), which is truly photo-worthy. The price is per head for an eight- to ten-course meal.
Upper East Coast Rd., South East, Singapore
9387–6399-For reservations; text only
Known For
- Private dining
- Modern Peranakan food
- Unique local experience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: By appointment only
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$ | Orchard |
Despite being hidden away on Level 5 of the Far East Plaza mall, Hainanese Delicacy always has a long line outside at lunchtime. It's renowned among locals as serving one of the best Hainanese chicken rice dishes on Orchard Road. Loved for its simplicity and flavor, this meal, an easy plate of poached chicken and white rice; the grains cooked with the leftover chicken stock, is a staple in the Singaporean diet. From the outside, the restaurant looks tired, with plastic chairs and tables crammed into every available space but this is part of the charm, and worth embracing to try a true Hainanese delicacy.
14 Scotts Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 228213, Singapore
Known For
- The best chicken rice around
- Braised eggs as a side dish
- Local flavors at low prices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | CBD |
Grab a quick coffee at this hole-in-the-wall joint, one of the few independent coffee shops in the CBD. The space is definitely small—so you’ll want to take your perfectly-roasted flat white to go—but don’t forget to check out the pastry and waffle options.
137 Amoy St., Singapore, Singapore, 049965, Singapore
Known For
- Cute hole-in-the-wall spot
- Iced lattes as well as hot coffee
- Tasty pastries and waffles
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$ | Kampong Glam |
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.
466 Crawford La., Singapore, Singapore, 190466, Singapore
Known For
- Well-regarded eatery
- Long lines, but it's cheap
- Heritage hawker
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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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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$$$ | CBD | Chinese
Like jade itself, this upscale restaurant in a historic hotel has both exquisite and intriguing attributes. Inside you'll find a contemporary design that follows an eclectic Asian thread, with Vietnamese hanging lamps and Chinese calligraphy. Similarly, the food is fundamentally Chinese, but with creative modern accents, such as in the rich cocoa-flavored pork ribs with spinach in a raspberry vinaigrette. Jade's lavish weekend dim sum buffet is a Singaporean institution; reservations are a must.
The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore, Central Singapore, 049178, Singapore
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$$$ | Orchard |
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.
1 Scotts Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 228208, Singapore
Known For
- Izakaya decor
- Jinjo-branded sake
- Small plates
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
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$$ | East Coast Park |
This atmospheric East Coast Seafood Centre staple is the perfect place to crack into a chilli or black pepper Sri Lankan crab, a glorious, delicious mess of a dish that's a true Singaporean specialty—be sure to order it with sides of fried buns to sop up the sauce. Prices are by the kilogram; some crabs are large enough to feed up to four people, but smaller ones for two are also available.
Block 1206, East Coast Pkwy., Singapore, Singapore, 449883, Singapore
Known For
- Chilli crabs
- Live seafood cooked to order
- Seaside location
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Sat.
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$$$$ | Marina Bay |
The inventive dishes at this seafood-centric, Michelin-starred restaurant reinvent Singaporean classics with local produce. Within its five-course lunch and nine-course dinner menus, chicken rice is packaged into dainty dumplings, chilli crab is transformed into ice cream, and kaya toast is elevated with caviar—but the flavors stay distinctively Singaporean.
8 Raffles Ave., Singapore, Singapore, 039802, Singapore
Known For
- Modern Singaporean cuisine
- Inventive flavor pairings
- Chilli crab ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays
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$ | Little India |
The trademark shortbread-like crust, which has a light almond flavor, puts this bakery's pastries in a class above those made elsewhere; it's also why the take-out shop's buttery, golf ball–sized pineapple tarts and silky smooth bean curd tarts are often sold out. Luckily, Le Café sells a bunch of other goodies, including traditional moon-pie pastries filled with lotus-seed paste, prawn-roll snacks, and mao shan wang–filled durian puffs that are downright addictive. Pretty gift boxes are available if you're planning on bringing home food gifts. Order ahead from the website to avoid being disappointed as things can get busy, especially during the Chinese New Year period.
Blk 637 Veerasamy Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 200637, Singapore
Known For
- Arguably the best pineapple tarts in Singapore
- Traditional moon pies
- Silky smooth bean-curd tarts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$$ | Orchard |
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).
1 Scotts Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 228208, Singapore
Known For
- Unmatched service
- Enormous wine collection
- Chandelier-lit dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential