Bollywood movies, fragrant chai tea, gorgeously vibrant silks – there are so many reasons to love the bountiful land that is India. But the biggest (and tastiest) reason of them all: the top-notch cuisine. So get your grub on with our top picks of the best Indian restaurants around Singapore. And if you can’t take the heat, you know what they say – get out of the kitchen!
Rang Mahal
With its swanky interiors, an extensive wine menu, and impeccable service, dining at Rang Mahal is unsurprisingly a pricey affair. But judging by its food, it’s all worth it – think classic Indian cuisine served with flawless attention to detail and contemporary flair, like the tandoori portobello starter, prepared in a traditional Indian tandoor oven. Honourable mention also goes to Table by Rang Mahal, its casual offshoot at Naumi Hotel, which serves similarly conceptualised fare with a healthy spin at prices that won’t break the bank.
Rang Mahal, Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595, p. 6333 1788. Open daily 12-230pm (lunch), 630-1030pm (dinner).
Table by Rang Mahal, Naumi Hotel, 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396, p. 6403 6005. Open daily 12-230pm (lunch), 630-1030pm (dinner).
Tiffin Room
Tiffin Room
It’d be a travesty not to mention the doyenne of all Indian restaurants in Singapore – the Tiffin Room. Housed in the iconic and revered Raffles Hotel, dining in this century-old establishment is an Anglo-Indian experience like no other: swanky, elegant, and downright opulent. The traditional serving of food in tiffins (stacked metal lunchboxes), which gave Tiffin Room its name is no longer and has been replaced with lunch and dinner buffets of North Indian staples like chicken tikka masala, naans, and spicy chutneys.
Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673, p. 6412 1816. Open daily Breakfast: 630-1030am (breakfast), 12-2pm (lunch), 3-530pm (high tea), 7-10pm (dinner).
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant
For tasty North Indian cuisine that never disappoints, Khansama is your best bet. Piping hot servings of palak panner, aloo ghobi, tandoori chicken, and naan washed down with a cold bottle of Kingfisher beer – it doesn’t get any better than that. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again (and again): the cheese naan is a definite can’t-miss simply because it’s a slice of heaven on a plate.
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant, various outlets. See website for details.
Muthu’s Curry Restaurant
Muthu’s Curry Restaurant
We don’t need to tell you that the ‘curry’ in its moniker refers to Muthu’s Curry’s star offering – the deliciously eye-watering and deceptively dangerous fish head curry. Few may argue but many will agree that it is the best you can find around Singapore. But if you’re looking for less spicy options that won’t have you sweating bullets, Muthu’s Curry also serves up a range of Indian fare, from North to South Indian, and even vegetarian options.
Muthu’s Curry Restaurant, various outlets. See website for details.
Tandoor
For good food and a cultural immersion in all things Indian, Tandoor is the place to be. The Dinner Gourmet Trails (from $48 to $78) are taster sets which allow diners to get a sample of everything on the menu, from the samosa chaat starter to jalapeno corn kebab, mango curry, murg lemongrass kebab and saffron pistachio kulfi dessert. Coupled with Tandoor’s menu of absolutely scrumptious cocktails like the Chai Mojito and Bollywood Bellini, and you’ve got a winner.
Tandoor, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, 11 Cavenagh Road, Singapore 229616, p. 6733 8333. Open daily 12-230pm (lunch), 7-1030pm (dinner).
Komala Vilas
Komala Vilas
This Little India stalwart hardly needs any introduction. Devoted diners love Komala Vilas for one simple reason – simple yet authentic vegetarian fare that has remained unchanged throughout its 67 year history. From 40 different types of dosai (lentil and rice flour pancakes) to parata (flatbread) and idli (steamed rice cake) served with lashings of sambar stews and chutney, Komala Vilas’ menu is vast and an example of hearty Indian cuisine at its finest.
Komala Vilas, 76 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981, p. 6293 6980
Singapore Zam Zam
The name is synonymous with one thing, and one thing only: murtabak (Indian flatbread stuffed with egg, minced meat and onion). Having been around for over a century, this Kampong Glam institution has devotees coming from all corners of the island just for a taste of its signature dish – that’s how good it is. Be it mutton, chicken, or even deer murtabak (yes, really), Singapore Zam Zam really does it best. But it’s no one-trick pony: also on the menu is a mind-boggling array of classic supper fare like mee goreng (fried noodles), briyani, and prata.
Singapore Zam Zam, 697 North Bridge Road, Singapore p. 6298 6320. Open daily 8am-11pm.
Yantra
Yantra
Another worthy contender in the Indian fine dining scene is Yantra, a classy joint that isn’t afraid to push the envelope and experiment with its offerings. And the result is inventive fare that is nothing short of delicious like the garfa tiki (a clever blend of garbonzo and fava beans into a falafel), tandoori chicken calzone, and shucked oysters with chilli ice cream. And after a gut-busting meal, diners can cap off the experience by heading to the adjoining Soma Wine & Whisky Club for a nightcap.
Yantra, Tanglin Mall, #01-28/33, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933, p. 6836 3088. Open daily 12-3pm (lunch), 630-10pm (dinner on weekdays), 630-11pm (dinner on weekdays).
Mr Prata
It may not win any fancy culinary awards but for many, Mr Prata is already a winner for its always-tasty and (most importantly) cheap supper fare that never fails to hit the spot when the midnight munchies kick in. As its name suggests, this 24-hour joint excels in the art of prata with over 20 different flavours that sometimes veer into the wacky territory (banana with cheese prata or pineapple prata, anyone?). But that’s not all: also on its already-extensive menu are other hearty offerings like burgers, pasta dishes, and sandwiches – making it the perfect pit stop after a night at the clubs.
Mr Prata, 26 Evans Road, Singapore 259367, p. 6235 6993. Open 24 hours.
Zaffron Kitchen
Zaffron Kitchen
You’d be forgiven for mistaking Zaffron Kitchen as a high-end gastropub. Afterall, with its sleek fixtures and cool downtown vibe, it definitely does not look like your typical Indian resto. But rest assured, the menu serves the real deal with classic Indian fare that looks good but tastes even better. An absolute must-try is the dum chicken briyani, a seriously moreish dish with fluffy basmati rice and succulent pieces of chicken. Bonus: its East Coast outlet is kid-friendly too with a play area and baby-changing facilities.
Zaffron Kitchen, East Coast Road and Westgate mall.
Top image: Rang Mahal