The Allstars of Singapore Dining
In the Lion City, you can find pretty much every cuisine you can think of. Spanish, Cantonese, Japanese… they’re all here. But of course, you can’t possibly miss out on our excellent local offerings. These 12 great dining spots in Singapore won’t disappoint!
Singapore fried noodles (left) and beef short rib rendang (right) at Wild Rocket
Wild Rocket
There’s no better place to try Mod Sin (short for Modern Singaporean cuisine, a fusion of Western and local flavours) fare than Wild Rocket, where creator-chef Willin Low helms the kitchen. We liked the laksa (coconut milk-based curry broth) pesto risotto and the salted egg crab ball, but the menu changes every month so you’re always in for a surprise here.
Wild Rocket, Hangout Hotel, 10A Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228119, p. 6339 9448.
Maxwell Food Centre; image by LW Yang
Maxwell Food Centre
Have a taste of Singapore’s local hawker delights at Maxwell Food Centre. This massive dining enclave is home to over 100 food stalls, all with different specialties. Try chicken rice from Tian Tian (Anthony Bourdain’s a fan), wholesome congee from Zhen Zhen Porridge, and nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk served with a variety of ingredients) from Lagi Best Nasi Lemak.
Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184.
Swee Choon Tim-Sum
Swee Choon Tim-Sum
Sample classic Cantonese delicacies at this heritage eatery, even well past midnight! Your dim sum order should include options like char siew pau (barbecued pork bun) and har kao (shrimp dumplings). If you love spicy food, order the Sichuan oil chilli wantons (dumplings) for that fiery kick. Don’t forget to finish with the liu sha bao (salted egg yolk custard buns)!
Swee Choon Tim-Sum, 191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882, p. 6225 7788.
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
Singapore’s number one culinary export to the world is none other than chilli crab, and this restaurant chain is the go-to place for the national dish. The gravy accompanying the flavoursome crab at Jumbo is doused in chilli sauce and richly layered with egg. If East Coast isn’t part of your itinerary, check out other outlets in Riverside Point, The Riverwalk and Dempsey Hill.
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, #01-07/08, East Coast Seafood Centre, Block 1206 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449883, p. 6442 3435.
Patatas bravas at FOC
FOC
New Spanish tapas and cocktail bar FOC – run by Michelin- starred chef Nandu Jubany – serves up addictive Catalan and Mediterranean-inspired offerings like black mediterranean paella, patatas bravas, and mixes such as the Good Old Diplomatic Pal (made with Diplomatico Rum and house-made coffee vermouth blend).
FOC, 40 HongKong Street, Singapore 059679, p. 6100 4040.
Fuku
Fine dining establishment Fuku is the first restaurant in Asia outside of Japan to serve fugu, also known as pufferfish. The potentially fatal delicacy can be enjoyed a la carte (fugu steamed egg, fugu milt), or as a multi- course dinner (six courses from $150 per person).
Fuku, #01-01, 14 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238963, p. 6235 8216.
The Black Swan
The Black Swan
Housed in a historic Art Deco building, The Black Swan oozes sophisticated-chic with 1920s-centric brass-heavy, Great Gatsby-inspired décor. Enjoy Modern European mains like a duck leg confit, or small plates like pan-seared foie gras in the main dining hall before heading up to the swish Powder Room on the mezzanine floor for aged whiskies and classic cocktails.
The Black Swan, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704, p. 8181 3305.
Satay by The Bay
Pay this dining spot a visit to feast on a dizzying array of local dishes. There are eight pushcarts serving up satay (grilled skewered meat), as well as a number of other stalls selling favourites like barbecued chicken wings, popiah (vegetable-filled spring roll), and chicken rice.
Satay by The Bay, #01-19, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953, p. 6420 6848.
Samy’s Curry
Samy’s Curry
Established in the 1950s, this long-standing South Indian restaurant is well known among locals and tourists for its signature creations, such as masala chicken and the iconic fish head curry. Other must- tries include the fish cutlet, and mysore mutton.
Samy’s Curry, 25 Dempsey Road, Singapore 246970, p. 6472 2080.
The Prawn Star
Zi char (Chinese home-style dishes) gets a modern, sophisticated update at this cool eatery, where you can order several dishes from the extensive menu and go communal by sharing them. Menu highlights include king prawns in miso kimchi butter, stir-fried spicy flower crabs, and curried mussels.
The Prawn Star, 21 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089604, p. 6323 3353
Pince & Pints
Pince & Pints
Lobster – that’s the only thing you’ll get here, though in this case, less is more. Have the crustacean whole (steamed or grilled), in a lobster roll or doused with chilli, all at $48 a pop. Wash down the seafood with a refreshing pint of craft beer from the restaurant’s selection, which includes Brew Dog’s Punk IPA.
Pince & Pints, 32-33 Duxton Road, Singapore 089496, p. 6225 7558.
The Lokal
Ah, brunch – can’t live with it, can’t do without it. For some satisfying, comforting brunch bites, hit up this Aussie-inspired café, which serves plates like breakfast burger with pork belly, broken omelette, spinach and chilli jam, as well as a mean roast beef sandwich. The coffee, made with The Lokal’s very own Slayer espresso machine, is worth seeking out, too.
The Lokal, 136 Neil Road, Singapore 088865, p. 6423 9918.
This article was first published in Singapore Insider. Want more? Pick up a copy of the print guide at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street), or download the latest version in PDF format or or visit Your Singapore.