Best French restos in Singapore
For a long time, French has been the cuisine of fine dining in Singapore. It still is, but – thankfully for our wallets – there are now more restaurants and bistros in Singapore serving pates, oyster mignonettes, foie gras, croque monsieur and other classics that are kind on your wallet. Ahead, we’ve put together a big list of places to indulge in glorious Gallic fare – from fancy dining spots for a special occasion to casual and breezy cafes.
Scotts 27
Exclusive, upscale, and intimate are words that perfectly describe an evening at Scotts 27. Tucked away in a quiet corner of town, guests can expect to dine in one of three themed private rooms including the masculine, wood-accented Wine Room and the cosy Heritage Room which is furnished with antique fixtures. The restaurant’s menu is tweaked to suit the tastes of each guest and makes use of seasonal produce. Many of their dishes showcase gueridon-style service, where food is prepared before the diner on a trolley. Specialties include the crispy duck confit with foie gras and Java coffee sauce and the sea bass in puff pastry. A four-course meal will set you back $188. Be sure to make a booking beforehand because the restaurant only opens when reservations are made.
Scotts 27, Scotts Road, Singapore 228222, p. 6737 0895.
The French Stall
The French Stall offers a laid-back, unpretentious dining experience that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Tuck into their wonderfully tender braised lamb shank ($33) that practically falls off the bone. Don’t miss out on their classic French desserts like the wonderfully fluffy chocolate soufflé ($10).
The French Stall, 544 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218166, p. 6299 3544. Open Tue-Sun 3pm-10pm. Closed on Mon.
Saveur
First opened in a coffee shop in Joo Chiat, this no-frills restaurant helmed by chef-owners Joshua Khoo and Dylan Ong has since relocated to Purvis Street and Far East Plaza, where they serve up hearty French standards like beef bourguignon ($17.90), duck confit ($13.90) and foie gras infused chicken roulade ($10.90).
Saveur Purvis Street, #01-04, 5 Purvis Street, Singapore 188584, p. 6333 3121. Open daily 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm.
Saveur Far East Plaza, #01-07B, 14 Scotts Road, Singapore 228213, p. 67361121. Open daily 11.30am-9.30pm.
Forest pigeon with white polenta and cromesquis at JAAN
Jaan
Perched atop the Swissôtel and currently holding the 11th place on Asia 50 Best Restaurants list, Jaan promises diners a spectacular view of Singapore while they indulge in haute French cuisine. Their degustation menu ($198) includes signatures dishes like the confit rainbow trout and Welsh lamb Provençale. Of course, fine dining isn’t complete without good wine, so make sure to pick a bottle from their vast collection of over 500 labels.
Jaan, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Level 70, Equinox Complex, Singapore 178882, p. 6837 3322. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-2pm, 7pm-10pm. Closed on Sun & PH.
Les Bouchons
Go back to basics at Les Bouchons, where they proudly claim to be “The King of Steak and Fries”. If you’re with a plus one, the restaurant offers a giant Cote De Boeuf prime rib ($50) that comfortably feeds a party of two. Just try not to fill up on the free flow fries!
Les Bouchons, 7 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069689, p. 6733 4414. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm, 7pm-10.30pm, Sat 7pm-10.30pm. Closed on Sun.
Ô Comptoir
Love crepes? This industrial-style creperie should already be one of your favourite dining spots. First-timers should try their signature dish, the galette, a savoury buckwheat crepe filled with combinations of meat, cheese and vegetables. They also offer Asian-inspired versions like the Khao San Road ($20). Wash down your crepe with their huge selection of reasonably priced French style ciders.
Ô Comptoir, 79 Circular Rd, Singapore 049433, p. 6534 7645. Open Sun-Fri 11am-12am. Closed on Sat.
Joel Robuchon Restaurant
Joel Robuchon Restaurant
Seated in a luxurious art deco styled dining room, diners at the renowned Joel Robuchon Restaurant can look forward to French dishes with a modern twist. Their six-course dinner menu starts from $428 and includes reinterpreted French dishes like foie gras with turmeric jelly and sea urchin royale with wasabi. Novel desserts like the Le Rubis are a delight to look at as raspberry, mascarpone and black fruit coulis are fashioned into a brilliant, red, lotus-shaped dessert.
Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269, p. 6577 7888. Open Sat 12pm-2.30pm, Tue-Sat 6pm-11pm. Closed on Sun & Mon.
Fleur de Sel
Fleur De Sel offers a laid-back setting for diners to enjoy refined French dishes like his creamy, melt-in-your-mouth seared duck liver ($29) and roasted quail stuffed with mushrooms ($42). The chef is known to make his rounds around the restaurant to chat with diners, adding to the restaurant’s homely atmosphere.
Fleur de Sel, #01-01, 64 Tras Street, Singapore 079003, p. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm, Mon-Sat, 6.30pm-10pm. Closed on Sun.
Taratata
Taratata Bistro is the perfect spot for a family evening out with their unpretentious atmosphere and affordable prices. Chef-owners Bertrand Raguin and Philippe Nouzillat and restaurant manager/sommelier Marie-Agnes Labopin dish out hearty French dishes like their egg casserole with ratatouille and Chorizo sausage ($15). End things on a sweet note with their vanilla scented crème brûlée ($14).
Taratata, 35A Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089142, p. 6221 4506. Open Tue-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm, Sat 5.30pm-10.30pm. Closed on Mon.
Slow-cooked pork belly with carrot-miso puree at Restaurant Absinthe
Restaurant Absinthe
Restaurant Absinthe’s prime location along Boat Quay makes it the perfect spot for a business lunch. Their three-course set lunch ($38) that includes mains like French yellow chicken and pan-seared seabass will impress without breaking the bank. If you’re still up for dessert, try the vanilla bourbon crème brûlée ($12). Like its name would suggest, the restaurant also serves the much-maligned green spirit.
Restaurant Absinthe, 72 Boat Quay, Singapore 049860, p. 6222 9068. Open Mon-Fri 11.45am-2.30pm, Mon-Sat 5.30pm-10.30pm, Closed on Sun.
Cocotte
Communal dining is the way to go at this hip spot, where massive platters of meats and pots of mussels get passed between friends and family. Rustic, French countryside fare is favoured over the haute aspects of French dining, so come here if you want a big feast. If the roasted pork collar ($60) is too meaty an affair for you, try their Grower’s Table 5-course communal menu that showcases fresh produce from the Hatiku farm in Cameron Highlands ($68 per pax).
Cocotte, 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494, p. 6298 1188. Open Mon-Thurs 12pm-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm, Fri-Sun 12pm-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm.
Brasserie Gavroche
Tucked away in an unassuming little shophouse is this homely Parisian bistro where one can indulge in French fare made using recipes passed down to chef Frédéric Colin from his grandfather, Henri. Fish quenelles ($35), burgundy snails with parsley and garlic butter ($21) and traditional French onion soup ($16) are just some of the many authentic dishes you can look forward to.
Brasserie Gavroche, 66 Tras Street, Singapore 079005, p. 62258266. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10pm, Sat 6.30pm-10.30pm. Closed on Sun.