Where to eat in Singapore in 2023? What food to try in Singapore? These are important questions, especially with so many long weekends this year. Here is our list of restaurant suggestions for where to eat in Singapore in 2023, including cafes and coffeeshops serving different cuisines and at different budgets for foreign visitors and locals alike. Links have been provided to our reviews with more information and pictures of the restaurants and food. Links to the CHOPE online booking system are provided where available.
Our Food Dictionary will help readers visualise the different types of food that we encounter in Singapore.
Glossary:
Estimated prices for an average meal without drinks.
$ – Less than $30 per person
$$ – About $50 per person
$$$ – About $70 per person
$$$$ – About $90 per person
$$$$$ – About $120 or more per person
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 For Special Occasions
Claudine at Dempsey Hill
Sister restaurant of Singapore’s top ranked restaurant Odette, Claudine is a new restaurant at Dempsey Hill. We have included Claudine rather than Odette in this list of TOP Restaurants Singapore 2022 because we thought that the latter is too obvious. Besides, there are enough formal restaurants in the list. Claudine provides an option to have a special yet casual French meal for a special occasion. Read more. $$$$
Claudine Restaurant
39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday
Lunch: 11.45am to 2pm (last seating)
Dinner: 6pm to 9.30pm (last seating)
Closed on Mondays
JAAN by Kirk Westaway
JAAN by Kirk Westaway is a two Michelin Star restaurant in the Singapore Michelin Guide 2023. Located on Level 70 of Swissôtel The Stamford hotel, this modern restaurant is where one can enjoy fine dining together with spectacular views of Marina Bay and beyond. $$$$$
JAAN By Kirk Westaway
Level 70, Swissotel The Stamford
2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11:45am to 2:30pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Dinner: 6:30pm to 10:30pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Closed on Sun & Mon
Nearby MRT Station: City Hall, Bras Basah
Spago at MBS
For a special occasion, a meal at Spago, Wolfgang Puck’s second restaurant in Marina Bay Sands, will not disappoint. Pick a day when the sky is clear so that you can enjoy the views from the top of MBS, Skypark on level 57. $$$$$
Spago Singapore
Sands SkyPark, Tower 2 Level 57
Access from MBS Hotel Lobby Tower 2
Tel: +65 6688 9955
Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 7 am – 10.15 am
Lunch: 12 pm – 2 pm
Bar Bites: 2.30 pm
Sun – Thu: Last seating at 9.30 pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH & PH: Last seating at 10pm
Drinks: Last order at 11 pm on weekdays / 11.30 pm on weekends
Nearby MRT Station: Bayfront
Les Amis
French restaurant with three Michelin stars, Les Amis will be a good choice for a formal dinner or lunch. $$$$$
1 Scotts Road,
#01-16 Shaw Centre,
Singapore 228208
(Opposite HSBC Bank, Tanglin Branch)
Tel: +65 67332225
Nearby MRT Station: Orchard
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 For Unique Dining Experiences
Not all restaurant choices need to make sense. These two restaurants are out of the way and the food may not be the best for the price. But they are interesting venues that offer unique dining experiences in Singapore.
Tall Ship Royal Albatross
The Royal Albatross is an ocean-going superyacht that weighs in at 270 tons and is open for corporate and private charters. There are regular breakfast cruises and dinner cruises as well as special sailings like Sunday roast cruise, wine tasting cruise and even a dog cruise. Read more. $$$$$
Royal Albatross
8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 9350 7475
Coastal Settlement
Where to eat in Singapore if you want a change from the usual? Escape from the city and go to Coastal Settlement, a remote restaurant at the Eastern end of Singapore. It is a restaurant like no other in Singapore. $$
200, Netheravon Road
Singapore 508 529
Tel: +65 6475 0200
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 – Chinese Cuisine
5 on 25 Cantonese Restaurant at Andaz Singapore
Located on Level 25 of Andaz Singapore, 5 ON 25 is a new Chinese restaurant which offers refined Cantonese cuisine in an elegant space with panoramic views. Explore a tea menu curated by Tea sommelier Li Guan Yi featuring a selection of rare and unusual leaves. The Cantonese menu is created by head chef Lim Hong Lih, who had many years of expereince in the kitchens of distinguished Chinese restaurants Li Bai and Summer Pavilion. Read more. $$$
5 ON 25
Level 25, Andaz Singapore
5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 6408 1288
Opening Hours:
Tues – Sun: 12 noon – 2.30 pm; 6 pm – 10.30 pm
Closed on Monday
Nearby MRT Station: Bugis
Summer Pavilion
Summer Pavilion in the Ritz Carlton is one of our favourite restaurants in Singapore. This one Michelin star Chinese restaurant scores highly for quality of food and great service. $$$
Ritz Carlton Hotel Level 3
7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm
Nearby MRT Station: Esplanade, Promenade
Wah Lok
Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant in Carlton Hotel is one of the most well-known Chinese restaurants of Singapore. It is probably on many people’s list of the best Chinese restaurants in Singapore. Their dim sum is very popular. Lunch slots, particularly on weekends, usually have to be booked well in advance. Read more. $$$
Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant
Level 2 Carlton Hotel Singapore
76 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189558
Mon-Sat: 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30-10pm
Sun & PH: 11am-2:30pm, 6:30-10pm
SHAO 烧
We like this neighbourhood Teochew restaurant that opened in 2018. SHAO 烧 is a casual Teochew restaurant at Frankel Avenue. Located in the hip suburban enclave where there are a number of popular cafes and restaurants, SHAO 烧 serves contemporary Chinese dishes centered on roast and barbecued meats. Read more. $$
117 Frankel Avenue
Singapore 458232
Zui Yu Xuan
For traditional Teochew cuisine we suggest Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine. This new restaurant is housed within a two-storey heritage building located in Far East Square in the CBD. $$$
130 Amoy Street
#01-01 Far East Square
Singapore 049959
Nearby MRT Station: Telok Ayer
For more Chinese restaurants in Singapore. Please read our list of TOP Chinese Restaurants in Singapore.
Best Singapore Restaurants 2023 – Peranakan and Eurasian Cuisine
Rempapa
Rempapa is a new all-day-dining restaurant by Chef Damian D’Silva. Located in Park Place Residences at PLQ, it serves the flavours of the Chinese, Peranakan, Eurasian, Indian and Malay kitchens. The name Rempapa comes from ‘rempah’, Malay for ‘spice paste’ – the aromatic seasoning at the base of Singaporean ethnic cuisines, and ‘papa’, in honour of Chef Damian’s reputation as ‘the grandfather of heritage cuisine’. Read more. $$
Rempapa
2 Paya Lebar Road, #01-01/02/03,
Park Place Residences at PLQ,
Singapore 409053
Tel: +65 9459 1603
True Blue Peranakan Restaurant
True Blue Cuisine is a true blue Peranakan Restaurant. The restaurant is situated next to the Peranakan Museum at Armenian Street and the restaurant itself is a mini museum. The restaurant is like a well-preserved home of an old Peranakan family. Read more. $$
True Blue Cuisine
47/49 Armenian Street
Singapore 179937
Tel: +65 6440 0449
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-9:30pm
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 – Local Favourites
Roland Restaurant
It is generally accepted that the creator of chilli crab is a Mdm Cher Yam Tian whose son now operates the Roland Restaurant, operated by the son of Mdm Cher. In 2019, Roland was named Class 95’s Foodie’s Choice for “Best Chilli Crab” (as voted by the radio station’s listeners). The winner by a wide margin is the Chilli Crab of Roland Restaurant. We love the ’70s ambience of this restaurant. Read more. $$$
Roland Restaurant
Block 89, Marine Parade Central, # 06 – 750
Singapore 440089
Tel: +65 6440 8205
Jumbo Seafood
Seafood restaurants are popular eating places where one can find the famous Singapore chilli crab and other local dishes such as mee goreng. One such restaurant that we like because of its convenient location and good service is Jumbo Seafood at Dempsey Hill. $$$
Block 11 Dempsey Road
#01-16
Singapore 249673
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 12-3pm (Last Order: 2:15pm), 5:30-11:30pm (Last Order: 10:30pm)
Jumbo has several outlets in different locations such as ION Orchard, Jewel Changi Airport and East Coast Seafood Centre.
Hjh Maimunah Restaurant
Hjh Maimunah is a nasi padang restaurant with lots of traditional Malay & Indonesian dishes awaiting those who believe that variety is the spice of life. Read more. $
Hjh Maimunah
20 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427357
Tel: +65 6348 5457
11 Jln Pisang, Singapore 199078
Tel: +65 6297 4294
Kelly Jie Seafood @ Toa Payoh
Kelly Jie Seafood Restaurant is a successful combination of the best bits of a friendly coffeeshop, seafood restaurant and tze char place. A wise range of local Singapore food on the menu means that a satisfying meal of local favourites can be had by avoiding the higher priced seafood dishes. Read more. $$
Kelly Jie Seafood Restaurant
Blk 211 Toa Payoh Lorong 8
#01-11/15
Singapore 310211
Keng Eng Kee Seafood 瓊榮記海鲜
Keng Eng Kee Seafood 瓊榮記海鲜 is one of the names that crop up when discussing good places for zhi char in Singapore. It is located at Bukit Merah Lane 1. There are two dining areas at Keng Eng Kee Seafood – a small air-conditioned restaurant area and an adjacent large coffee shop area. Read more. $$
Keng Eng Kee Seafood
Blk 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1
#01-136, Singapore 150124
Hours:
12:00pm to 2:30pm
5:00pm to 10:00pm
Website
Samy’s Curry
Founded by Mr M Veerasamy as a roadside stall in Tank Road, Samy’s Curry is now a 300 seat restaurant in Dempsey which is almost always packed. Loyal customers go to Samy’s Curry Restaurant regularly simply because of the good affordable Indian food. Read more. $$
Samy’s Curry Restaurant
25 Dempsey Road
Singapore 247691
Tel: +65 6472 2080
Kok Sen Restaurant
Kok Sen Restaurant is a Singapore zi char outfit that is recognised as a Singapore Bib Gourmand restaurant in the Singapore Michelin Guide. Located in the Keong Saik dining enclave, the humble Kok Sen restaurant ticks all the boxes of what makes a good local restaurant in Singapore – traditional coffee shop atmosphere, good food, friendly service and fairly priced. Being air-conditioned is a bonus. $$
30-32 Keong Saik Road
Singapore
Tel: +65 6223 2005
Nearby MRT Station: Outram
Michelin Guide Website
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 – Heritage Restaurants
Ming Chung Henghua Restaurant
Ming Chung Restaurant is one of Singapore’s oldest Henghua restaurants. It is the place to head to for authentic traditional Henghua (or Henghwa) cuisine, represented by dishes such as Lor Mee, Fried Bee Hoon, Stir Fried Flower Clams with Chilli, Fried Batang Fish, and Prawn Fritters. Read more. $
Ming Chung Restaurant
67 Maude Road
Singapore 208348
Tel: +65 6296 3428
Opening Hours: 12 noon to 10 pm
Closed on Mondays
Plum Village
Plum Village (梅村酒家) is said to be the oldest Hakka restaurant in Singapore. Located at Jalan Leban, off Upper Thomson Road, it is also one of the few traditional Hakka restaurants we know of in Singapore. 算盘仔 suan pan zhi (abacus seeds), 梅菜扣肉 Hakka mei cai kou rou (braised pork belly with preserved vegetables) and 客家酿豆腐 (三宝) three types of yong tau fu are the must-try dishes at this restaurant where time has stood still. Read more. $
Plum Village
Address: 16 Jalan Leban Tel: +65 6458 9005
Operating Hours: 11.30am – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm daily
Closed on Wednesday
Rendezvous Restaurant
Remember Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee? This nasi padang restaurant that traces its history to the 50s is now at The Central. Time to visit them to reminisce about the good old days over curry chicken and chendol. Read more. $
Rendezvous Restaurant Hock Lock Kee
Our new address:
6 Eu Tong Sen Sreet, #02-72 to 75/77/92
The Central
Singapore 059817
Tel: +65 6339 7508
Operating Hours: Daily 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 – Hip & Trendy Cafes
Le Matin Patisserie
Le Matin Patisserie at Ion Orchard is helmed by a former pastry sous chef of Noma restaurant which once held the title of the best restaurant in the world. The French-inspired patisserie has an ever-evolving menu of unique pastries and can include items such as Wagyu Brioche Feuilletée and Seafood Pot Pie as well as cakes and tarts. Read more. $
Le Matin Patisserie
2 Orchard Turn, B2-49 Ion Orchard
Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm
Brunch and Desserts
Wed-Sun FOR Dine-in Only
Brunch: 11 am – 2:30
Desserts: 6 pm – 9 pm
Nearby MRT Station: Orchard
Coexist Coffee
Coexist Coffee Co. opens cafes that, besides serving good coffee and food, turn the focus on design talents in Singapore. Their first two outlets, in Hillview and Keong Saik, have interior designs that have been much talked about. The new Coexist Coffee Co. Cafe at Lifelong Learning Institute has very pleasing aesthetics and is their biggest outlet. Read more. $
Coexist Coffee Co. @ LLI
11 Eunos Road 8, #01-02
Singapore 408601
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 10:30 pm
Nearby MRT Station: Paya Lebar Interchange
Dough @ CHIJMES
Dough CHIJMES is a smart new bakery cafe that opened in 2021. It is set up by the folks behind the hip cafe and coffee roaster Glyph Supply Co at Somerset at Orchard, Singapore. Read more. $
Dough Chijmes
30 Victoria Street, #01-30
Singapore 187996
Opening Hours:
Tues – Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
Closed on Mondays
TOP Restaurants Singapore 2023 – Japanese Cuisine
There are too many good Japanese restaurants in Singapore to list. Here are three of our current favourites.
Hanare by Takayama
Hanare by Takayama is a new restaurant at Takashimaya Shopping Centre. It is said to be award-winning Chef Taro Takayama’s newest concept which features traditional and homey dishes that highlight seasonality-driven and exquisite ingredients. We love their signature dish, the Kamameshi, a speciality mixed rice cooked in a traditional individual iron pot and prepared with seasonal produce.
391 Orchard Road #03-07
Takashimaya Shopping Centre Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 8298 9369
Tomi Sushi
Tomi Sushi is a Japanese restaurant serving Niigata cuisine. They have small and cosy outlets at several locations in Singapore. Notwithstanding its name, the restaurant offers much more than just sushi. Tempura, sashimi, grilled fish, hot pots, soba and udon are among the many items on its menu. Read about our visits to Tomi Sushi Millenia Walk and Katong V. $$ – $$$
9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-12/13 Millenia Walk,
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 6238-1123
Opening Hours:
11:45 am -2:30 pm
5:45 pm – 9:30 pm
Shinji by Kanesaka
Shinji by Kanesaka is perhaps the best sushi restaurant in Singapore. It is also very expensive. We get to go when someone else is paying. There are two branches – at St Regis Hotel and Carlton Hotel $$$$$
Carlton Hotel
76 Bras Basah Road, Lobby Floor
Singapore 189558
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm to 3pm (last order at 2pm)
Dinner: 6pm to 10.30pm (last order at 9pm)
Closed on Sundays
Tel +65 6338 6131
Nearby MRT Stations: Bras Basah, City Hall
Website
Tenshin
Tenshin is our favourite tempura restaurant in Singapore. Like Shinji, they are expensive but the lunch sets are affordable. $$$ (lunch) $$$$$ (dinner).
1 Cuscaden Road, Regent Singapore, #03-01
Singapore 249715
Opening Hours：
12:00pm～2:30pm（2.00pm L.O. Lunch）
Dinner 6:00pm～10:30pm （10.00pm L.O. Dinner）
Vegetarian Restaurants in Singapore 2023
Joie Restaurant by DOZO
What to eat in Singapore when your special someone frowns on the eating of helpless animals? Fear not, we have the place for you. Joie Restaurant by Dozo is an elegant restaurant at the penthouse level of Orchard Central that serves meatless cuisine. $$$
181 Orchard Road
#12-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel. No: 6838 6966
Opening Hours:
Lunch : 12:00 am to 3:30 pm
Dinner : 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Nearby MRT Station: Somerset
Real Food Orchard Central
For a vegetarian meal at more down to earth prices, we suggest Real Food at Orchard Central. It is set up by the people of the organic grocery shop Real Food Grocer. The vegetarian cafe serves food with “No processed ingredients, No Artificial Preservatives and No Trans-fat”. $$
181 Orchard Road
#02-16 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6737 9516
Nearby MRT Station: Somerset
What to eat in Singapore? We hope you found our list of restaurants useful. Cheers!
Glossary:
Estimated prices for an average meal without drinks.
$ – Less than $30 per person
$$ – About $50 per person
$$$ – About $70 per person
$$$$ – About $90 per person
$$$$$ – About $120 or more per person
The Ordinary Patrons | Real Dining Experience of Ordinary People
an independent Singapore food blog
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