Calling a place a cultural melting pot might seem overdone in travel writing, but few cities embody it quite like Singapore. This tiny island nation is home to a unique blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European communities, a multicultural mix that’s not just reflected in its daily life but also in its remarkable culinary scene.
It’s almost no wonder then that Singapore is also considered the food capital of Asia – and with it has attracted some of the world’s best chefs who have set up award-winning restaurants throughout the city.
From hidden hawker stalls that hold Michelin stars to world-class fine dining establishments that redefine gastronomy, Singapore’s dining scene caters to every palate, mood and occasion. In recent years, a wave of gourmet innovation has swept the city, raising the stakes (and the bar tabs) for fine dining enthusiasts.
To help you navigate this thriving food hub, we’ve rounded up the 10 best restaurants in the city. Get ready to savor the very best this city has to offer.
[See also: The 10 Best Hotel Suites in Singapore]
Saint Pierre
Saint Pierre, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant located at One Fullerton, showcases chef-owner Emmanuel Stroobant’s mastery of modern French cuisine. Shaped by his extensive experience in Michelin-starred kitchens in Belgium and over half a lifetime spent in Asia, Stroobant pours this fusion of Eastern and Western influences into a menu that is grounded in a philosophy of simplicity, balance and harmony.
Related
The intimate space at Saint Pierre accommodates just 24 guests, ensuring a personal, luxurious experience with impeccable service – served alongside an unmatchable view of Marina Bay. Whether indulging in the fine dining set lunch or exploring the innovative plant-based menu, diners are treated to a sensory journey where each course reflects Stroobant’s creativity and commitment to excellence.
With a focus on seafood and seasonality, Saint Pierre’s tasting menu evolves with nature’s rhythms, drawing diners back time and again for its exceptional flavors and dedication to culinary artistry. The modern French dishes, enhanced with delicate Asian touches, offer a refined yet accessible dining experience that captures the essence of both traditions.
Content from our partners
Cloudstreet
Helmed by chef-owner Rishi Naleendra, the two-Michelin-starred Cloudstreet offers a fresh perspective on modern Australian cuisine, with each dish drawing on Naleendra’s Sri Lankan roots and his years spent refining his craft in Australia. The restaurant, named after Tim Winton’s iconic book, reflects that sense of wonder and exploration. With a tasting menu that demands around three hours for the full experience, it’s a celebration of flavors, textures and artistry that evolves with the seasons.
From the ever-changing seasonal menu to the exceptional artisanal wines that accompany each course, it’s clear that every detail is meticulously crafted to offer a memorable experience. Signature dishes burst with creativity – like a bread and butter pudding served with the Aussie favorite Vegemite – taking diners on a thrilling culinary ride, while the warm service makes you feel right at home.
Cloudstreet’s atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, with a chef’s counter at the heart of the restaurant that encourages an intimate exchange between guests and the talented team behind the creations. Upstairs, there’s even a dedicated lounge for dessert, providing a fittingly sweet end to a remarkable meal.
Odette
Tucked within the National Gallery Singapore, Odette is a restaurant where art extends far beyond the gallery walls. This three-Michelin-starred gem is a tribute to chef Julien Royer’s grandmother, whose belief that “the most remarkable dishes come from the purest ingredients” forms the foundation of his modern French cuisine.
At Odette, seasonality, terroir and artisanal craftsmanship take center stage. The menu is a masterclass in delicate precision, with dishes like the signature Rosemary Smoked Organic Egg – a decadent creation served with a velvety potato puree and chorizo crumble – or the Japanese Kegani Crab, a symphony of flavors enhanced by citrusy finger lime and oscietra caviar. Royer’s commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients is evident, from the perfectly aged French cheeses to seasonal vegetables sourced from boutique growers.
The dining experience is elevated further by Odette’s refined interior, designed by Sacha Leong to mirror the chef’s philosophy. Soft blush tones, clean lines and a glass-enclosed kitchen create an atmosphere of understated elegance, while Singaporean artist Dawn Ng’s ethereal art installation floats gracefully above diners, adding a touch of whimsy.
Jaan by Kirk Westaway
Perched on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, Jaan by Kirk Westaway offers a dining experience as elevated as its location. With sweeping views of Singapore’s glittering skyline and Marina Bay, it’s a feast for the eyes – and that’s before the first dish even lands on your table.
The two-Michelin-starred restaurant is helmed by executive chef Kirk Westaway, who’s on a mission to change the stereotype about British gastronomy. Drawing inspiration from his Devonshire childhood, Westaway crafts seasonal menus brimming with natural flavors and top-tier British ingredients: bringing in scallops from Scotland and turbot from Cornwall. Even the signature dish English Garden, a delicate composition of over 30 vegetables and herbs, takes its cues from seasons in the United Kingdom and Europe, with the ingredient mix changing daily.
Inside, the space is as captivating as the food. A sparkling Murano glass chandelier and a ceiling inspired by the blues and greens of Marina Bay lend an air of understated sophistication. With just 40 seats, including a private dining room, Jaan is intimate, refined, and utterly unforgettable – a culinary gem found soaring high above the city.
Zén
The sister restaurant to Björn Frantzén’s Stockholm flagship, Zén showcases a fusion of neo-Nordic cuisine with Japanese precision through an eight-course tasting menu that feels as thoughtful as it is indulgent – all within the intimate setting of a charming 1926 shophouse.
The experience begins on the ground floor, where guests are welcomed with an apéritif and an array of amuse-bouche to whet the appetite. Upstairs, Scottish head chef Tristin Farmer and his team take over, crafting a menu that celebrates both local and globally sourced ingredients. Highlights might include delicate Hokkaido scallops paired with Nordic flavors or A5 wagyu enhanced by inventive Japanese touches. Each dish is a balance of artistry and restraint, a nod to Frantzén’s reverence for kaiseki, Japan’s highest form of tasting menu.
After dinner, the journey continues to the cozy top-floor living room, where petits fours and expertly brewed coffee offer a warm and relaxed finish. With its intimate setting, meticulous attention to detail, and inventive fusion of culinary traditions, Zén is more than just a dinner – it’s an unforgettable exploration of flavor and place.
Shinji
After successfully setting up his first sushi restaurant in Tokyo – which currently holds two Michelin stars – in 2010, chef Shinji Kanesaka ventured outside of Japan to open his second restaurant, Shinji, in Singapore’s Carlton Hotel. The one-Michelin-starred restaurant pays homage to the core of Japanese culture, art and age-old Japanese culinary traditions through its omakase menu. The minimalist menu selection with high-quality and seasonal ingredients is entrusted entirely to and executed by a team of Japanese artisan chefs.
After being allocated a Japanese chef from behind a wooden counter, diners will be able to watch the preparation of their meal as it is overseen by master chef Koichiro Oshino. They will enjoy the bright and harmonious interior design of the restaurant, visualized by Japanese interior designer Junzo Irikado as a ‘delicate yet lively house,’ with its intimate 16-seater sushi counter.
Thevar
Thevar is where modern Indian cuisine gets a fresh twist, inspired by chef Mano Thevar’s Penang childhood and his heritage rooted in Indian flavors. The menu is a reflection of Chef Mano’s culinary journey, from his formative years working under the legendary French chef Guy Savoy to his deep connection with his roots.
There are signature dishes such as Chettinad chicken roti and Brittany lobster in curry beurre blanc that deliver bold, vibrant flavors with just the right amount of refinement, or the Irish oysters topped with rasam vinaigrette and sambal oil that pay tribute to his grandmother’s comforting rasam soup. A vegetarian version of the menu is available with pre-order, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this explosion of flavors.
Thevar’s atmosphere is a mix of masculine informality with sleek green leather and dim lighting, giving it an almost sports bar vibe. Yet, with its wine list of 600-plus labels and a unique selection of wine, sake and non-alcoholic pairings, the experience is anything but casual. Whether you walk in wearing sandals or a suit, the youthful, fun crowd here makes it a spot where culinary creativity and laid-back style go hand in hand.
Shoukouwa
The two-Michelin-starred Shoukouwa is a sanctuary for sushi lovers, offering a refined and elegant take on the ancient art of Edomae sushi. With fresh seafood flown in daily from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, the restaurant prides itself on presenting the best seasonal catches, minimally prepared to preserve their natural flavors. Helmed by chef Kazumine Nishida, who hails from Nagoya but has honed his skills in China and Thailand, Shoukouwa combines Japanese precision with a global perspective.
Guests can indulge in the 18-course Omakase En menu, which showcases a variety of sushi and cooked dishes, each ingredient thoughtfully chosen for its peak seasonality. The sushi rice, mixed from Yamagata and Ishikawa prefectures in a carefully measured ratio, is paired with two sauces to highlight the fish’s umami essence.
The restaurant offers an intimate setting, with only eight counter seats where diners can watch chef Nishida work his magic up close. For a more private experience, guests can reserve the six-seat private room. Every meal here is a journey through Japan’s bountiful seas, leaving diners with a taste of artistry and excellence they won’t soon forget.
Les Amis
Opened in 1994, Les Amis was Singapore’s first independent fine-dining restaurant, quickly setting the stage for the city’s flourishing culinary scene. Now a mainstay on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, this three-Michelin-starred institution continues to be a trailblazer in contemporary French cuisine, helmed by executive chef Sebastien Lepinoy.
Menu highlights include La Pomme de Terre Roseval au Caviar, ox tongue stuffed in a calf’s head, and the signature cold angel hair pasta with kombu, caviar, and black truffle. Even the butter here is exception: serving the rare Le Ponclet butter that is produced by a near-extinct Celtic breed of cows
Step into the 76-seat restaurant, and you’re greeted with an atmosphere that strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort. Patterned carpeting, polished granite floors, and a stunning red velvet-accented interior create a sophisticated yet inviting setting. With one of the largest wine cellars in Southeast Asia, Les Amis also offers an unparalleled selection to complement its world-class cuisine.
Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle
For those in the know, it should come as no surprise to see Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle featured alongside white-glove service and fine dining establishments on the list of best restaurants in Singapore. This hawker center staple has stood the test of time, not only being recognized with a Michelin star but also managing to retain it ever since 2016.
Known for its expertly crafted pork noodles, this iconic establishment continues to attract long queues of eager patrons – and for good reason. Each dish is made-to-order, and while you may spend some time waiting for your turn (queues are part of the experience), the reward is a bowl of noodles that redefines what a simple hawker meal can be. The signature bowl, made with tender pork liver, crispy dried plaice, and fluffy cracklings, offers a harmonious balance of textures and flavors that keep diners coming back for more.
While an $8 bowl of noodles may seem modest compared to the hundreds of dollars spent at other fine dining spots on this list, Hill Street Tai Hwa’s ability to retain its Michelin star, alongside its commitment to quality and flavor, makes it a must-try for any serious foodie in Singapore – no matter the budget.
[See also: The 11 Best Restaurants in Hong Kong]
