It’s not hard to find good food in Singapore. Every cafe is designed to make you want to Instagram your brunch, fusion cuisine is at its peak, and two hawker stall were just awarded Michelin stars. So to name just 10 of the best restaurants in Singapore took a bit of debating amongst our foodie friends, but alas, we’ve agreed that these picks are the best of the best.
Read also: The Most Spectacular Spas in Singapore (If You Can Afford it)
#1 Best Ambience: Open Farm Community
Located near the Orchard area, Open Farm Community serves beautifully plated dishes amidst lush greenery and an onsite herb garden. We recommend bringing friends from out of town here, although even Singaporeans are shocked that this place exists five minutes away from the city. The Coconut Laksa Barramundi, Coal-baked omelette with Haddock, and the local mushroom rigatoni are winners.
Address: 130E Minden Rd
#2 Lunch-time Favourite: Park Bench Deli
Located in the Central Business District, PBD is a great place to get your sandwich fix. Big flavours and sweet tunes equal a fun time for everyone, with the Philly Cheese Steak, Panko-crusted Chicken Katsu, Chinese-braised pork belly “kong bak” bahn mi and Peanut Butter and Jelly (PBJ) highlighting our personal favourites.
Address: 179 Telok Ayer Street
#3 Best for Birthday Dinners: Odette
Set in a beautiful, airy space in our former Supreme Court’s side chambers, chef Julien Royer and his team have created a menu that is interesting, intricate, and totally Instagram-ready. We like this place for business lunches or to celebrate a special occasion, and the service is superb.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, 04 National Gallery
#4 All-Time Favourite: Wild Rocket
We know so many people that been frequenting chef Willin Low’s restaurant for years, which is a testament to the kitchen’s commitment to consistency and creativity. His entire menu is worth exploring, and our personal favourites are the Laksa leaf pesto linguine, interpretative “Char Kway Teow” and deconstructed Chendol.
Address: 10A Upper Wilkie Rd
#5 Best Local Hangout: Ban Leong Wah Hoe Seafood
Pretty much a locals-only spot, it’s a family-friendly, no-frills (i.e. no air-conditioning) restaurant that hits that rare spot of achieving a collective thumbs up from both out-of-towners and locals. Highlights include the herbal prawn soup, prawn paste chicken (“har cheong gai”) and pepper crab. Go with a big appetite and dress down. Make sure to make a pit stop at the confectionary shop next door that sells traditional Singaporean biscuits and sweets.
Address: 122 Casuarina Rd
#6 Best Local Flavours: National Kitchen by Violet Oon
They have two locations, though some might prefer the branch in The National Gallery. Surrounded by ornate Peranakan aesthetics, every dish reminds us of home and why Singaporean food is such a unique and immersive experience. Highlights include “Ngoh Hiang,” “Buah Keluak Ayam,” Dry Laksa, and Beef Rendang.
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Road #02–01, National Gallery, National Gallery
#7 Best ‘New’ Pick: Camp Kilo Charcoal Club
For the love of all things Kilo, although sadly, Kilo Lounge closed down this year, the newest venture is just as good as we expected. CKCC is located just below Kilo Kallang with a really laid-back vibe and amazing BBQ. The whole roasted pig is the chef’s top recommendation here. Ps. they have a Kilo in Bali too!
Address: 66 Kampong Bugis, #01-0
#8 Michelin-Starred: These Hawker Stalls
When it comes to food anywhere in the world, the popular local favourite gives the top dogs in chef hats a run for their money. Singapore made history this year when two hawker stalls were given Michelin stars; Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawfood Lane. The lines have gotten insanely long but the food is definitely worth the wait. Consider this one a tie.
Address: Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawfood Lane.
#9 Favourite for Meat-Lovers: Burnt Ends
It’s one of the 50 Best Restaurants in Asia and our Aussie friends especially love this place. It’s a fun place to bring your friends (or a date) because the counter seats and open kitchen are great for diminishing awkward silences. But to the food — try the Burnt Ends’ Sanger and the King Crab and Garlic. The only qualm is that we can never get a reservation here!
Address: 20 Teck Lim Rd, Singapore
#10 Best Casual Dining: The Naked Finn
This uber cool restaurant focuses on simply-cooked, fresh seafood alongside – this is about as Singaporean as it gets – copious servings of “bee hoon” (local noodles). From New Zealand littleneck clams to locally-farmed barramundi, the owner Ken Loon does an amazing job of serving out great-tasting food in a tiny space.
Address: 39 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks
Food makes the world go round.
Photo credit: Main.
