It can be tough for big groups to find a communal dining spot with huge tables in Singapore – whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner. But with our handy list of dining establishments with great communal facilities, there’s no need to rack your brains or make a dozen phone calls to check if a restaurant can accommodate all 10 of you. Take it easy and pick a place to eat that you and your entourage are in the mood for!
Como Cuisine
Have a taste of the popular Como dishes around the world without leaving Singappore. Chef Tshering Lhaden who has worked in various Como outposts, from Bhutan to Maldives, is bringing a slew of international flavours under one roof. From the mangrove crab salad (Como Metropolitan Bangkok’s signature dish), lobster biryani (a mainstay at the Maldivian properties) to the hoisin-glazed Kurobuta pork ribs (a popular dish at Como Parrot Cay), your will be on gastronomical journey without the jet lag.
Como Cuisine, Block 18A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249677
Botanico
Escape from the urban gridlock at multi-concept dining establishment, The Garage in Botanic Gardens. This sanctuary is home to both Botanico and Bee’s Knees. The former, a casual bistro concept, offers European cuisine with Asian influences. On the menu are dishes like assam laksa ceviche, asparagus tempura, iberico chee cheong fun and lemongrass panna cotta. Best part? Botanico’s spacious dining room and its air-cooled outdoor dining area are more than spacious enough to accommodate a party of 10 – a perfect communal dining spot if you ask us!
Botanico at The Garage, 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488
Neon Pigeon
One-upping the appeal of Japanese izakayas in Singapore along Keong Saik Road is this communal restaurant that’s been flying high for years. Expect Japanese classics and fusion dishes like tuna sashimi donburi, hamachi tartare and Tokyo humus. Drink-wise, there’s an eclectic mix of cocktails – one should try the Sona if they have a penchant for gin.
Neon Pigeon, #01-03, 1 Keong Saik Street, Singapore 089109
Artichoke
Grab your pals and dig into chef-owner Bjorn Shen’s take on Middle Eastern fare with his signature twist. The restaurant has ample spots to hold groups of 10 and beyond, including a private dining space for a massive get-together. Star dishes include the green harissa prawns, crab toast, cuttlefish shawarma, date pudding and signature Turkish bread served in brown bags.
Artichoke, 161 Middle Road, Sculpture Square, Singapore 188978
Pu3 Restaurant
Pu3 specialises in nasi ambeng. You can opt for the basic set but if you’re extra like us, go for the royal set that’s loaded with prawns, sambal ikan bilis (fried anchovies) and dried fish. We know it states that it feeds a group of four but it can easily satisfy six ravenous diners.
Pu3 Restaurant, #02-20 TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Rd, Singapore 238164
Publico Ristorante
Pizzas are ideal communal food and this riverside restaurant dishes them out wood-fired style. We’re still not over the tartufata, diavola and prosciutto pizzas. And that pizza crust? Superbly divine. If you’re a carnivore at heart then feast on the bistecca ribeye or beef short rib that is slow-cooked for 18 hours. Expect fork-tender goodness in every bite.
Publico, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Halia focuses on fine Asian-inspired European fare. The Communal Feast menu (good for four) is a seasonal selection of items from the restaurant’s a la carte menu – think stuff like goats’ cheese mousse and the signature Halia chilli crab spaghettini.
The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden Singapore Botanic Garden, 259569
The Malayan Council
If you’re hitting a cafe more for food than coffee, The Malayan Council offers some truly eclectic menu items featuring local twists in a spacious setting. Tuck into hearty mains like the salted egg mud crab and soft-shell crab linguine or the perennial favourite, duck lemak and chilli padi linguine. For dessert, choose from the cafe’s wide selection of cakes that include ondeh ondeh and gula melaka cake. If you’re lucky, you can even go home with an extra slice or two!
The Malayan Council, 22 Dunlop Street Kampong Bugis, Singapore 209350
Lolla
This small 13-seater restaurant, whose basement space is great for up to 22 gourmands (book ahead), is all about amazing food and fab produce. Restaurant highlights include the sea urchin pudding, made with squid ink custard and sea urchin (yes, yes, yes), and the tuna belly “chutoro” tartare. The doughnuts with lemon curd are pleasantly surprising and a must-order to finish off a great meal.
Lolla, 22 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069702
The Refinery
Here at The Refinery, you get three fab concepts rolled into one. The brainchild of the same folks who brought you The General Company (makers of artisanal handcrafted products), The Refinery is home to a yakitori restaurant (first floor), a bespoke cocktail bar (second floor) and a craft workshop (third floor).
The Refinery, 115 King George’s Avenue, Singapore 208561
Captain K Seafood Tower
If you love your seafood, Captain K will quite literally leave you with tiers of joy (nine to be exact!). Like Die Hard in reverse, you’ll work your way down from the top of this massive tower, consisting of nine seafood trays, stacked and steamed on top of each other. The offerings aren’t fixed and are subject to seasonal availability, but expect oceanic bounties like scallops, prawns, squid, oyster and crab. The final tier features a soup base infused with seafood drippings from the dishes above it. Of course, you’re not going to be able to scarf all that down alone, so make sure you gather a group for this pescatarian feast.
Captain K Seafood Tower, 112 Middle Road, #01-00A Midland House Singapore 188970
New Ubin Seafood
Seafood is synonymous with communal dining – we mean if you can inhale a trove of oceanic dishes by yourself, more power to you! This institution is known not only for its chilli crab and XXL tiger prawns, the cubed ribeye is truly a cut above the rest. Up the ante and dine like a true blue Singaporean at the Tampines branch for a hawker-style approach.
New Ubin Seafood, various locations
Potato Head Folk
If you and your posse are hankering for some gut-busting burgers, sate those mighty appetites in the whimsical confines of Potato Head Folk. Call in early to book a table if you’re in a large group, or if you’ve got bigger plans still, the restaurant offers its space for private events. Sharing the space here are the burger mavens at Three Buns, so you’ll certainly want to get messy with specialities like the classic baby Huey cheeseburger. If you’re after a little heat, try the spicy burning man beef burger instead.
Potato Head Folk, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143
MeatSmith
How serious are the MeatSmith fellas about smoking meats? Serious enough to yank down two large smokers all the way from The States, and setting them up in a cosy diner in the heart of Telok Ayer Street. The result? Tender, flavourful meats that will neither give your jaw a tough time while chewing nor a desire to drown them in sauce – it’s that good on its own! The Mother of All Platter is made for communal dining fun – featuring pastrami burnt ends, Meatsmith sausage, fried buffalo wings, brisket spring rolls, beef tomahawk, beef short rib and pork ribs.
MeatSmith, 167 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068618
Camp Kilo
Our infatuation with the Kilo brand is no big secret, so it’s not surprising that its BBQ concept has knocked our socks off and made our mouths water. The décor is simplistic yet inviting – wood-topped tables and chairs laid across a concrete floor, adjacent to booths of rusting metal that we hear might be used for impromptu DJ sets during BBQ backyard parties. But it’s the food that’s the real MVP – whole roasted pig, grilled seabass and sides like deep fried brussel sprouts, cauliflower steak and corn bread with honey butter. Join the club while it’s hot; Camp Kilo’s all set to grill the competition.
Camp Kilo, 66 Kampong Bugis, #01-01, Singapore 338987
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