Selecting the best restaurants in Singapore was not just an endeavour undertaken by us – some of the world’s most sophisticated diners and foodies flock to the city-state every year in order to give their own two-cents on the country's booming culinary scene. Singapore is attracting more and more critically acclaimed chefs and internationally renowned restaurant names, further strengthening what is one of the most popular pastimes on the island: eating. Progressive, innovative and culturally diverse, it’s no wonder so many restaurants here find themselves on the world’s best restaurants lists.

The sheer variety and world-class quality of the dining scene in Singapore mean that the tricky question of ‘What are the best restaurants?’ will always stir-up a passionate debate. However, with our expert opinions and tireless efforts to find the Lion City’s finest, we have compiled our very own list of the best restaurants in Singapore.

  • 1

    Jaan

    Marina Bay - French/International

    Jaan
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Boasting panoramic views of the Singapore skyline, Jaan’s wow-factor starts before you’ve even taken your first bite. And when you do, you’ll be just as impressed. It’s no surprise that this intimate 40-seat venue has been a permanent fixture on critically-acclaimed lists of best restaurants in Asia, with its creative French-inspired menu delighting even the most discerning of food critiques. Jaan’s 5- or 7-course set menu brings the finest seasonal ingredients to centre stage to enhance delicacies such as fresh oysters, langoustine, caviar, foie gras and pigeon.

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    Location: 2 Stamford Rd, Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore 178882

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 12 pm to 2.30 pm and from 7 pm to 10.30 pm closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +65 6837 3322

    Map
  • 2

    Iggy’s

    Orchard Road

    Iggy’s
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Ask any Singaporean what the best restaurant in the country is and the name ‘Iggy’s’ will more than likely pop-up. This award-winning restaurant is synonymous with creative, delicate flavours inspired by all corners of the culinary world. Diners can enjoy some particularly flamboyant sounding dishes such as capellini with sakura ebi, and tuna belly with pinot noir - all in the swanky surroundings of the Hilton Singapore Hotel on Orchard Road.

    Location: Hilton Singapore, 581 Orchard Rd, Level 3, Singapore 238883

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 12 pm to 1.30 pm and from 7 pm to 9.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +65 6732 2234

    Map

    photo by Edsel Little (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 3

    The Tippling Club

    Chinatown

    The Tippling Club
    • Food

    After enjoying half a decade of success on Dempsey Hill, this critically acclaimed restaurant is enjoying a new lease of life after moving to the more central Chinatown area. English-born head chef Ryan Clift takes the meaning of the word innovative to a whole new level, with his miniature cheesecakes bottled up in prescription bottles just of many dishes exemplifying that fact. Other odd combos include the omelette with smoked eel and caviar, which can be washed down with some beetroot, horseradish and sorrel juice. It’s a totally weird yet ever-so-wonderful dining experience.

    Location: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088461

    Open: Monday–Friday from 12 pm to midnight, Saturday from 6 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +65 6475 2217

    Map

    photo by Charles Haynes (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 4

    Waku Ghin

    Marina Bay Sands - Modern Japanese

    Waku Ghin
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Waku Ghin is acclaimed celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s fine-dining restaurant in Marina Bay Sands. The intimate restaurant’s dining concept is based upon a multi-faceted use of space, where diners can move from room to room. The 8,000sqft restaurant features a 3,000-label wine list as well as an intimate lounge at the entrance for aperitifs with four unique dining rooms featuring private enclosures for small parties. Following this, diners then move into the main dining room to relax over desserts, coffee and digestifs, while taking in the floor-to-ceiling views of the Singapore cityscape.

    Location: Level 2 Dining, L2-01 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

    Open: Saturday–Thursday from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +65 6688 8507

    Map

    photo by Studio Sarah Lou (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    CUT by Wolfgang Puck

    Marina Bay Sands - Steak

    CUT by Wolfgang Puck
    • Food

    CUT by Wolfgang Puck is the best steakhouse in Singapore, and we defy anyone to disagree. Celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, imports only the finest, freshest cuts of beef, such as American sirloin, ribeye and filet, alongside more exclusive (and expensive) varieties such as Australian Angus and Japanese Wagyu and Kobe.

    Don’t expect a rough and ready steakhouse setting either; the decor and ambience oozes class and sophistication, making this not only Singapore’s best steakhouse, but also its poshest.

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    Location: 2 Bayfront Avenue B1-71, Galleria Level The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972

    Open: Daily from 5.30 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +65 6688 8517

    Map
  • 6

    Les Amis

    Orchard - French

    Les Amis
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Since opening its doors in 1994, Les Amis has reached institution status in Singapore. The interiors evoke an air of old-school elegance, with crystal chandeliers, mahogany and leather chairs all in rich supply, setting the tone for a refined evening. This classy French restaurant creates an extravagant, delightfully inventive take on traditional French cuisine and diners can choose from either the table d'hôte or degustation menu. Food is no the only speciality here; the wine cellar stocks over 2,000 labels (S$5 million worth) and is one of the largest in Asia. 

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    Location: 1 Scotts Road, #01-16 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Sunday from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 6.30 pm to 9 pm

    Phone: +65 6733 2225

    Map
  • 7

    Shinji by Kanesaka

    Civic District – Sushi

    Shinji by Kanesaka
    • Food

    Die-hard sushi lovers with some cash to splash will love Shinji by Kanesaka, which is widely tipped as being the best sushi restaurant in Singapore (which in our book, means South East Asia). Named after the original owner, Shinji Kanesaka, a Michelin-starred sushi guru who once plied his trade in the best restaurants in Tokyo, this exquisite little restaurant keeps the decor simple and the ingredients about as fresh as you can get. Lunches start at S$75, while you can pay all the way up to S$300 for a full dinner set.

    Location: 29 Tanglin Road, Lobby Floor, St. Regis Hotel, Singapore 247911

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +65 6884 8239

    Map
  • 8

    Burnt Ends

    Chinatown - Australian Barbeque

    Burnt Ends
    • Food

    Gourmet. Barbeque. Two words that perfectly describe Burnt Ends, leaving any meat lover licking their lips in anticipation. And as this ‘gourmet barbeque’ restaurant has made our list of the best places to eat in Singapore, it’s no surprise that it fulfils this tag rather well.

    At the centre of Burnt Ends lies a 4-tonne wood-burning kiln in which prime cuts of beef, lamb, game and fish are roasted, grilled and smoked to perfection. Just don’t plan what you want to eat in advance; the menu changes daily to ensure ultimate freshness.

    Location: 20 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088391

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 6 pm to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 11.45 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +65 6224 3933

    Map
  • 9

    Laurent's Café and Chocolate Bar

    Laurent's Café and Chocolate Bar
    • Food

    Laurent's Café and Chocolate Bar is a charming outlet that offers a purely decadent experience of all things chocolate, from beverages to soufflé, tarts and cakes with French chef-chocolatier Laurent Bernard at the helm. His creations are also available in an amazing boutique showcase to take away. 

    Location: 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 239013, Singapore

    Open: Monday from 6 pm to 11 pm, Tuesday–Thursday from 1 pm to 11.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 1 pm to 1 am, Sunday from 1 pm to 11 pm

    Phone: +65 6235 9007

    Map
  • 10

    Red House at Robertson Quay

    Red House at Robertson Quay
    • Food

    A long-established seafood restaurant that started on the east coast, Red House at Robertson Quay has kept up with its stellar reputation of offering quality seafood and creative dishes. Its signature steamed Scottish razor clams, chef’s squid combination and Sri Lankan king crabs in Chef's Special Blend of Spicy Black Pepper have won a following and worth trying for yourself.

    Location: #01-14 The Quayside 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore

    Open: Monday–Friday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Saturday–Sunday from midday to 10 pm

    Phone: +65 6735 7666

    Map
  • 11

    Da Paolo Bistro Bar

    Da Paolo Bistro Bar
    • Food

    At Da Paolo Bistro Bar, you can watch chefs prepare authentic Italian favourites in an open kitchen. Minimalist chic is favoured for this bistro belonging to the famed Da Paolo Restaurant Group.

    Discover an extensive choice of antipasti, pasta, pizza, and grills complemented by a wide list of Italian drinks and wines. All is enjoyed in an alfresco setting surrounded by lush gardens.

    Location: 3 Rochester Park, Singapore 139214, Singapore

    Open: Monday–Friday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +65 6774 5537

    Map
Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveller