It’s no overstatement that Singapore is one of the world’s culinary capitals. Home to some of the globe’s finest restaurants (including Michelin-starred hawkers), its food scene is as dynamic as it is eclectic, with swathes of new restaurants opening every week. Here are just a few of the latest gems to know.
Nobu
Celebrity favourite Nobu has checked in at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. As well as serving the Peruvian-Japanese restaurant’s famed signature dishes, such as the iconic black cod miso, Executive Chef Hideki Maeda has created two omakase menus exclusively for the Singaporean outpost. As such, diners will enjoy fresh seasonal produce prepared à la minute in the well-appointed private dining rooms. If you are a seasoned Nobu diner, try the Chilean sea bass with spicy cilantro – a Singapore-exclusive dish created by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa himself.
Insider’s tip: ask for the indulgent 11-course Chef’s Table Omakase – a Nobu world-first – for the ultimate private dining experience.
190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646
Enjoy a luxurious chef's table experience at celebrity favourite, Nobu
COL
Chef-Owner Colin Buchan brings a slice of East London chic to the bustling Keong Saik enclave with his neighbourhood restaurant, COL. Occupying the ground floor of a biscuit factory-turned coworking space, the 50-seat eatery offers casual sophistication, serving seasonal wood-fired grills alongside classic cocktails. Kick off the night with Irish oysters smothered in a zingy lemon mignonette whilst perusing the excellent wine list, curated by Master Sommelier Benjamin Hasko. Further dishes are simple but well-executed; standouts include the burrata with Muscade pumpkin and girolle-topped bucatini.
Insider’s tip: arrive early for an aperitif at COL’s cosy yet elegant cocktail bar; the Coconut Highball (Mackintosh whisky, cinnamon, and coconut soda) is a solid choice.
1 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089109
L: Irish oysters in a zingy lemon mignonette R: Resident DJ at COL
élan
The latest feather in Les Amis Group’s decorated cap, élan is a modern French restaurant that incorporates Asian influences and regional produce into its approachable yet refined fare. A great example of this is the Aqina ‘pineapple’ chicken: an elevated take on Singapore’s famous chicken rice that was easily the highlight of our table. Also worth ordering is the tilefish, made by pouring scalding hot oil over the scales of a fresh fillet. The elegant venue, which includes a semi-private dining room, is decorated with patina elements and artworks hand-picked by the group’s long-serving Restaurant Director Philippe Pau – ask him about the easter eggs hidden in the restaurant’s central painting.
Insider’s tip: leave room for the playful, Asian-accented desserts. Oh, and the restaurant’s heaving cheese cart is unmissable.
1 Scotts Rd, Shaw Centre, Singapore 228088
Lemon & kaffir lime cream, lemon compote & basil gel in a white chocolate crust
Yantra
Although technically a reopening, this contemporary Indian restaurant has been so thoroughly revamped that it is virtually unrecognisable from its former self. The team has tapped one of India’s leading food historians, Pritha Sen, to offer diners a rich culinary journey through India. During her research, Sen uncovered a wealth of authentic regional recipes that were previously known only to grandmothers in rural villages and chefs from royal palaces. The result? An exclusive menu including Calcutta’s iconic Nizam’s Kathi Kebabs – charcoal-grilled mutton skewers wrapped in paratha – and Rajasthani Murg ka Sula, an age-old barbecued chicken recipe made during royal hunts. Plus, the restaurant’s five dining spaces are exquisitely decorated; Jaipur, the main dining hall, features silk wallpaper, traditional archways, and latticed jali screens.
Insider’s tip: head to The Polo Room, Yantra’s 10-seat private dining space. It offers a discreet passage to Corbett Bar, a safari-themed cocktail refuge with private whisky lockers and a collection of premium wines and spirits.
163 Tanglin Rd, Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933
Yantra's unique menu offers authentic Indian recipes
Maison Shūko
Described as a ‘Japanese-inspired, French-influenced, Mod Asian dining experience’, this eight-seat restaurant combines culinary creations with a three-minute documentary shown before each course. The unique menu, created by chefs Angus Chow and Jeremmy Chiam, features unorthodox ingredients sourced from Singaporean farms – including crocodile tail served with a zesty larb-style dressing. Diners after a more classic protein might appreciate the beef and tea, an unexpected pairing of A5 Miyazaki wagyu, Earl Grey tea and leek charcoal dust.
Insider’s tip: as a nightlife behemoth, the Zouk Group is certainly no stranger to drinking. As such, ask for the well-curated sake menu, which also includes a handful of cocktails.
3E River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, The Cannery, Singapore 179024
Eight-seat bespoke dining experience at Maison Shūko
For further information or to book a table, please contact Quintessentially Singapore. Living in Singapore and looking for bespoke lifestyle management and exclusive access? Enquire about a Quintessentially membership.
