Best Restaurants in Singapore – Unforgettable Dining Experiences in Singapore

The Lion City roars with flavour. Singapore, a glittering jewel in Southeast Asia, has long been hailed as a global food capital, a place where humble hawker stalls and Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy coexist in a harmonious blend of deliciousness and vibrancy. This is a city where culinary traditions from across Asia and the world converge, creating a dining scene that is as diverse as it is dynamic. To eat in Singapore is to take a journey through culture, history, and breathtaking innovation.

This guide is more than just a list; it’s a curated passport to some of the most essential and unforgettable dining experiences the city has to offer. From the elemental thrill of a wood-fired grill to the delicate artistry of modern French cuisine in a converted chapel, these are the tables that tell the story of Singapore’s culinary soul. So, whether you’re a seasoned gourmand or a curious traveller, prepare to discover the venues that are setting the standard for excellence.

Our Curated Guide to Singapore’s Must-Visit Restaurants

Burnt Ends: A Primal Ode to Fire and Flavour

Prepare for an electrifying experience at Burnt Ends, one of Singapore’s most sought-after tables and a constant fixture on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. This is not just a meal; it’s a spectacle. At the heart of this modern Australian barbecue joint is a custom-built, four-tonne brick kiln that sears and smokes everything to perfection at temperatures exceeding 950°C. Chef-owner Dave Pynt, who honed his skills under the legendary Victor Arguinzoniz in Spain, orchestrates a culinary ballet around this fiery altar. While walk-ins are sometimes possible if you arrive early, booking is highly recommended. Don’t leave without trying the iconic Pulled Pork Sanger, a flavour bomb that has been a crowd favourite since day one.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian Barbecue
• Don’t Miss: The signature Pork Sanger, Smoked Quail Egg with Caviar.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $110
• Open: Lunch: Fri – Sat; Dinner: Tues – Sat
• Contact: +65 6224 3933
• Location: 20 Teck Lim Road, Outram, Singapore, 088391
• Website: https://burntends.com.sg/

Candlenut: The Michelin Star Shining on Peranakan Heritage

Candlenut holds the distinguished honour of being the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. Here, Chef Malcolm Lee lovingly reinterprets the treasured recipes passed down from his mother and grandmother. Peranakan, or Straits-Chinese, cuisine is a unique fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences, and Chef Lee elevates it to an art form. The menu is a journey through complex curries, fragrant stir-fries, and inventive one-bite wonders. For a truly daring and defining taste of his genius, try the signature Buah Keluak Ice Cream—a masterful blend of the earthy, fermented “black nut” with rich Valrhona chocolate and a hint of chilli.

• Cuisine: Modern Peranakan
• Don’t Miss: The omakase tasting menu, Buah Keluak Ice Cream.
• Average Price: $70 per person; Tasting menu from $80
• Open: Lunch & Dinner: Mon – Sun
• Contact: +65 1800 304 2288
• Location: 17A Dempsey Road, Tanglin, Singapore, 249676
• Website: https://www.comodempsey.sg/restaurant/candlenut
• Map:

Spago by Wolfgang Puck: Californian Glamour in the Clouds

Perched 57 floors above the city atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Spago offers more than just a meal—it offers a breathtaking panorama. With glittering skyline views and access to one of the world’s most famous infinity pools, the setting is pure glamour. This is the first international outpost of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s legendary Beverly Hills restaurant. The menu delivers breezy, sophisticated Californian cuisine with distinct Asian touches, featuring ingredients like Hokkaido scallops and yuzu. It’s the perfect spot for a special occasion, where the stunning photo opportunities are matched only by the quality of the food.

• Cuisine: Californian with Asian influences
• Don’t Miss: The panoramic city views, handmade agnolotti, and globe-trotting wine list.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $95
• Open: Lunch & Dinner: Mon – Sun
• Contact: +65 6688 9955
• Location: 10 Bayfront Ave, Level 57, Sands SkyPark, Hotel Tower 2, Singapore, 018956
• Website: https://www.marinabaysands.com/restaurants/spago.html

Claudine: A French Love Letter in a Sacred Space

Dining at Claudine is an experience steeped in romance and reverence. Housed within a stunningly restored 1930s colonial chapel on Dempsey Hill, Chef-Patron Julien Royer (of Odette fame) has created a sanctuary for timeless French cuisine. The grand brassiere-style dining room, with its high ceilings and nostalgic ambiance, sets the stage for a menu that reads like a hall of fame of French gastronomy. Expect flawless executions of classics like Steak Tartare à la Parisienne and imaginative dishes like a carpaccio of Japanese sea bream. Claudine is an unapologetic and transportive celebration of French culinary arts.

• Cuisine: Classic and Modern French
• Don’t Miss: The Vol-au-Vent, Steak Tartare, and the extensive European wine list.
• Average Price: $90 per person
• Open: Lunch: Fri – Mon; Dinner: Mon – Sun
• Contact: +65 8031 9935
• Location: 39C Harding Rd, Singapore, 249541

Born: Where a Chef’s Life Story Becomes Art on a Plate

Born is the breathtaking solo debut of Chef Zor Tan, a protégé of the celebrated André Chiang. The restaurant itself is a work of art, set in a light-filled dining room dominated by a magnificent, free-flowing paper sculpture suspended from the ceiling. The tasting menu is a deeply personal narrative, drawing from the chapters of Chef Tan’s own life. Flavours from his childhood, lessons from his mentors, and techniques from French and Sichuan cuisines all converge in meticulously crafted courses. Bites like the chicken skin mille-feuille, a tribute to his parents’ food stall, transform humble memories into fine-dining elegance. A meal here is a creative and deeply moving journey.

• Cuisine: Contemporary, Chef-driven
• Don’t Miss: The aged wagyu tartare in a fried bao, the inventive snack selection.
• Average Price: $98 per person
• Open: Lunch & Dinner: Mon – Sat
• Contact: +65 9270 8718
• Location: 1 Neil Rd, #01-01, Singapore, 088804
• Website: https://restaurantborn.com/

Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK): The Heart and Soul of Local Flavour

For an authentic taste of Singaporean “zi char” (stir-fried dishes), look no further than Keng Eng Kee, fondly known as KEK. This beloved institution, which once hosted the late, great Anthony Bourdain, serves up unpretentious, soul-satisfying Hainanese cooking. Don’t be fooled by the casual setting with its plastic chairs; locals and foodies make the pilgrimage for the incredibly flavourful food. Now run by the family’s third generation, KEK delivers signature dishes like the Moonlight Hor Fun (silky rice noodles with a raw egg yolk) and Coffee Pork Ribs with lightning speed and consistency. A visit isn’t complete without getting your hands dirty with their iconic Chilli Crab.

• Cuisine: Singaporean Zi Char / Seafood
• Don’t Miss: The Moonlight Hor Fun, Coffee Pork Ribs, Salted Egg Squid, Chilli Crab.
• Average Price: $42 per person
• Open: Lunch & Dinner: Mon – Sun
• Contact: +65 6272 1038
• Location: #01-136, 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Alexandra, Singapore, 150124
• Website: http://www.kek.com.sg/

Buona Terra: An Intimate Escape to Italy

Tucked away in a quiet colonial-era mansion, Buona Terra translates to “good earth,” a philosophy that shines through in every dish. Lombardy-born Chef Denis Lucchi masterfully blends generations of Italian tradition with modern flair, creating an intimate and impeccable fine-dining experience. The focus is on exceptional produce, transformed into signatures like a contemporary carbonara with cured egg yolk and black truffle. The experience is perfectly complemented by an outstanding wine program, curated by sommelier Gabriele Rizzardi, featuring over 250 labels with a special emphasis on natural wines.

• Cuisine: Contemporary Italian
• Don’t Miss: Chef Denis Lucchi’s modern take on Carbonara, the extensive wine collection.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $178
• Open: Lunch: Mon – Fri; Dinner: Mon – Sat
• Contact: +65 6733 0209
• Location: 29 Scotts Road, Newton, Singapore, 228224
• Website: https://www.buonaterra.com.sg/

Ushidoki Wagyu Kaiseki: A Masterclass in Beef

At Ushidoki Wagyu Kaiseki, a single ingredient is revered above all else: top-tier Ozaki wagyu beef. Sourced from the Miyazaki Prefecture, this prized beef is known for its exceptional flavour, developed over a longer-than-usual rearing period. Chef Hirohashi Nobuaki, with a background in sushi preparation, applies the same precision and care to every cut. The “tongue-to-tail” tasting menu is a brilliant exploration of wagyu in its many forms—grilled, braised, deep-fried, and as sushi. The highlight for many is the signature sukiyaki, served with a rich, soft egg and decadent shavings of black truffle.

• Cuisine: Wagyu Kaiseki
• Don’t Miss: The signature sukiyaki with black truffle, the beef tongue tasting.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $90
• Open: Lunch: Mon – Fri; Dinner: Mon – Sat
• Contact: +65 6221 6379
• Location: 57 Tras Street, Outram, Singapore, 078996
• Website: https://www.ushidoki.com/

Zén: The Pinnacle of Scandinavian Luxury

For a truly extraordinary gastronomic event, Zén delivers an experience that is as exclusive as it is exquisite. This is the Singaporean outpost of Chef Bjorn Frantzén’s acclaimed three-Michelin-starred Stockholm restaurant. Housed in a historic three-story shophouse, a meal at Zén is a progressive journey. You begin with canapés in the kitchen on the ground floor, move to the main dining room on the second, and conclude with dessert in the cozy living room on the third. The nine-course tasting menu is one of the city’s most expensive, offering a unique Scandinavian sensibility fine-tuned for the local palate, all served with flawless precision.

• Cuisine: Modern Scandinavian-Asian
• Don’t Miss: The full nine-course tasting journey through the three-story shophouse.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $330
• Open: Dinner: Tues – Sat
• Contact: +65 6534 8880
• Location: 41 Bukit Pasoh Road, Outram, Singapore, 089855
• Website: https://www.restaurantzen.com/

Mustard Seed: An Intimate Culinary Haven

A testament to finesse and flavour, Mustard Seed is a serene, 13-seat gem hidden in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Serangoon. Getting a seat here is a challenge—tables are released monthly and vanish in minutes—but the reward is immense. Chef Gan Ming Kiat, who first gained a cult following with a supper club run from his parents’ home, offers a multi-course tasting menu deeply rooted in Singaporean flavours but presented with the refined technique and format of Japanese kaiseki. The intimate, blonde-wood counter setting makes for a deeply personal and unforgettable dining experience.

• Cuisine: Singaporean-Japanese (Kaiseki style)
• Don’t Miss: The multi-course tasting menu, which changes based on seasonal availability.
• Average Price: Tasting menu from $125
• Open: Dinner: Tue – Sat
• Website: https://www.mustardseed.sg/
• Location: 75 Brighton Cres, Kovam, Singapore, 559216
• Website: https://www.mustardseed.sg/

Caffe Fernet: Italian Spritzes by the Bay

When the mood calls for stylish cocktails and delicious Italian bites with a stunning waterfront view, Caffe Fernet is the answer. Located at the historic Customs House, this vibrant offering from the acclaimed Jigger & Pony group celebrates the Italian art of the aperitivo. The cocktail list is a love letter to Italy, brimming with creative Negronis and spritzes, alongside inventive originals. Pair your drinks with delectable bar bites crafted by a chef from the Wolfgang Puck empire, and soak in the magnificent views of the Marina Bay skyline.

• Cuisine: Italian Bar & Bites
• Don’t Miss: The namesake Caffe Fernet cocktail, Frosé, and the waterfront terrace.
• Average Price: Cocktails from $15
• Open: All day: Mon – Sat; Afternoon: Sun
• Contact: +65 9178 1105
• Location: Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, #01-05, Downtown Core, Singapore, 049323
• Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.caffefornet.sg/

Your Culinary Adventure Awaits

This list is merely a starting point in finding out the best restaurants in Singapore, a glimpse into the incredible depth and passion of Singapore’s food scene. Each restaurant offers a unique story, a distinct philosophy, and a memorable experience waiting to be discovered. The true magic of dining in the Lion City lies in its endless variety, where every meal is an opportunity for connection and delight. So book a table, pull up a chair, and get ready to create your own delicious memories in this global capital of cuisine.