36 Best Restaurants in Singapore

Tucked behind an imposing IKEA building, one of the island's oldest food centers is particularly popular with locals in the Alexandra area; expect lines on weekend mornings to snake across the hall. But the wait is worth it, as you’ll find some of Singapore’s best hawkers here. Some of the longest lines will probably be at Bao Zai, where buns are filled with their legendary chae siew (barbecue pork), or Jin Jin Dessert, an ABC institution serving signature chendol (coconut milk and rice flour dessert) and ice kachang (shaved ice with sweet beans). If you’re feeling a little homesick, indulge in western dishes with a local twist (and huge portions) at Wow Wow West.

The historic Moroccan coffee brand has a beautiful café/dining room on ION Orchard’s first floor. No visit is a quick one though: you may come for a coffee and pastry, but you’ll soon find yourself whiling away the time exploring the vast array of 100% arabica coffee beans housed in large sunset orange tins.

This busy neighborhood trattoria is off the beaten track in Hillview, a hidden gem were it not for the local residents packing the place each evening. The food is (unlike some other Italian spots on the island) genuinely authentic, with a decent selection of pizza, pasta, meats, and seafood, as well as regional chef’s specials each weekend. The wine list makes for an interesting tour around Italy, with a comprehensive list of Italian digestives to end the meal. A separate menu for vegetarians is available.

Like jade itself, this upscale restaurant in a historic hotel has both exquisite and intriguing attributes. Inside you'll find a contemporary design that follows an eclectic Asian thread, with Vietnamese hanging lamps and Chinese calligraphy. Similarly, the food is fundamentally Chinese, but with creative modern accents, such as in the rich cocoa-flavored pork ribs with spinach in a raspberry vinaigrette. Jade's lavish weekend dim sum buffet is a Singaporean institution; reservations are a must.

In the luscious greenery of Dempsey Hill, an urban farm takes the concept of farm-to-fork seriously in its self-named restaurant. If the adjacent farm doesn’t grow it, produce is sourced from smaller, independent farms around Singapore and Malaysia. The international menu is bold and fresh, and the glasshouse and its surroundings are a wonderful place to dine.

Mixing alfresco restaurant and seaside swimming pool, Stella is the first beachfront lounge along Tanah Merah Beach in the southeast of Changi, just a 10-minute drive from the airport. The brunch menu is big on sandwiches and toasts, grilled pork chops, and healthy breakfasts, while dinner is best for live seafood, charcoal grilled meats, and seafood-based pastas. The restaurant's sheltered alfresco dining area spills daybeds and sofa lounges over a cozy wooden seaside deck, where guests can lounge by the pool before or after their meals.

This restaurant specializing in Thai and Shan (Burmese) cuisine is in a historic colonial building within the leafy surroundings of Labrador Park. The menu promises both modern and authentic dishes, with such recognizable classics like tom yam soup mixing with more innovative creations like duck with lychee. A romantic atmosphere, house-infused gins, and colonial-style decor add to the feel of a luxurious escape from the city.

This former church's compelling interior—soaring ceilings, ample arched windows, stained glass, and rows of chandeliers hanging over curved banquettes—has helped draw many faithful diners to this European restaurant. The kitchen takes an artsy, nouveau approach to a menu of dishes designed to "transport you down the rabbit hole," from classic bouillabaisse to lobster and kombu linguine. The outdoor patio, a gin and wine garden with whimsical topiaries, has also garnered quite a following as a place to sip on elegant cocktails while listening to the laid-back house DJ.

This bright, airy café in HortPark has a large outdoor space, a pet-friendly area, and an abundance of greenery hanging from the ceilings. There’s an all-day dining menu for larger bites, but the chilled, green space is a great place to grab a coffee and take a break from exploring the city.

Singapore’s vibrant third-wave coffee scene owes a lot to to Chye Seng Huat Hardware, one of the first specialty coffee spots in the area. The former hardware store turned hip coffee space is rarely empty, and regulars swear by both the brews and the robust brunch menu. Inside, the two-story complex includes a coffee school, retail space stocked with coffee gadgets and gear, and a roastery.

This highly popular local hawker center is packed with stalls serving all kinds of delicious Singapore favorites, from roast duck noodles to succulent chicken and rice. As with almost all hawker centers in Singapore, it's hot and a little messy, but the food is always great—especially if you pick a stall with a long line. Popular stalls include Kian Seng Lor Mee (#01–28), where you can get a bowl of soft noodles, prawns, fish cake, and chilli; and Soon Lee (#01–50) for fragrant bowls of savory porridge (choose from chicken, pork, or fish).

At this kid-friendly hangout, adults can unwind over pizza and watch the little ones take a dip in the shallow water or play with the restaurant's sand toys. Expect a laid-back vibe here with sunbeds and deck chairs for customers. Families will like the diaper changing stations and high chairs. For a taste of local food, order the chilli crab dip with a baguette, or sticky, finger-licking Coastes chicken wings.

A dedicated specialty Arabica coffee roaster just off Robertson Quay, Common Man Coffee Roasters is better known for its exceptional brunch, featuring fluffy pancakes, avocado toasts, and full fry-ups. Many come for the brilliant range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free breakfast options. As the name suggests, the coffee is great, too, and there’s a wide selection of quality teas. If brunch isn’t your thing, the café serves up great cakes and pastries, and there is a full lunch menu of sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Do expect to queue for a table on weekend mornings.

The Joo Chiat outlet of this Singaporean ethical coffee franchise established in 2013 offers what they boast as the "best brunch in Asia"—a true statement, judging by the lines waiting by the door. The popular organic eggs Benedict (runny poached eggs served along with braised ox cheeks, chive hollandaise, and artisanal sourdough bread) is the explosion of tastes you need to power charge your day. The coffee, sourced from organic farms and served by their own trained baristas, is also brewed to perfection. 

At the edge of Holland Village, this independent speciality shop is a rare treat in a country where good coffee can be hard to come by. It sources single-origin beans from around the world, focusing on the aromas and tastes of each variety, and serves its coffee alongside simple snacks and meals, from fresh salads and pastas to sandwiches and croissants.

With nearly 50 outlets (and counting) across Singapore, chances are you'll always be within a short walk of this wildly popular Cantonese chain. For a few years, the chain has been awarded a Michelin star, though fortunately it doesn't have Michelin-star prices to match. Order by number from a small paper menu that's 150 selections strong, including deep-fried bean curd in spice salt, sticky-rice dumplings, and crab dumpling soup. Sundays are always packed with families feasting on dim sum, so be prepared to wait. The decor is simple, but the food is always fresh and cooked to order, and the staff is almost too attentive.

For a serious cup of coffee near Somerset, drop by this pristine-white café that is usually full of coffee aficionados sipping on in-house roasted brews. You can also pick up fresh beans and coffee-making accoutrements to take home.

This cozy neighborhood café has good coffee and plenty of brunch options. The space is fairly small and gets busy on weekends, so if there are no seats, take your coffee down to the river.

Partly a casual café and partly an upscale grocery, Jones the Grocer is packed with expat families during the weekend brunch, but on the quieter weekday evenings, you'll likely share this roomy, industrial-style space with just a handful of others. Salads, sandwiches, pastas, and light seafood platters are among the foods on the seasonal menu (the concept hailing from Woollahra in Sydney, where the first branch opened over two decades ago). The shop also stocks coffees, chocolates, wines, craft beers, and other delicious goods. You should head straight to the back of the store, grab a baguette at the bakery, and pick out a few hunks of imported cheese from the refrigerated cheese room—the selection is impressive.

Specializing in hearty, juicy Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches (come early as they sell out fast) and mackerel otah (with a mix of fish paste and flavorsome spices), this simple yet popular spot with tables spilling on the five-foot way is perfect for people-watching and a quick lunch fix.

This cute Swedish cafe's halal bakes are slightly pricey, but they're favored by local café aficionados. Stick to signature items like the strawberry cream cheese Danish and traditional semla bun, available year round. Other winning menu items include flaky croissants (in flavors like red-velvet cream cheese), kouign amann, and savory quiches for a heartier bite.

This laid-back, open-air microbrewery is a rare gem in the quiet Changi Village area, serving house brews with whimsical, psychedelic labels alongside hearty roasts and weekend brunches. Pour yourself a glass from the DIY draft counter and sit at a table under the fairy lights—it’s the perfect place to while an evening away.

This lovely bistro transforms from bakery and brunch hotspot by day to chic restaurant and bar by night. It specializes in European-style baked bread, which forms the basis of many of the brunch dishes (served until 3 pm) and then again as a delicious accompaniment to a selection of zesty dips and pasta in the evening. Portion sizes are very generous, with a rustic look and feel to the presentation. The bistro is tucked away behind the post office on Nassim Hill about a 10-minute walk from the top of Orchard Road.

Enter a delectable world of Nonya tastes at this acclaimed Peranakan-style restaurant, housed in the ground floor of a traditional shophouse with tables spilling onto the street. The signature beef rendang, ikan asam pedas (spicy tamarind fish), udang nenas masak (prawn and pineapple coconut curry), grilled sambal barramundi, and chinchalok (fermented shrimp) omelet are all affordable, authentic and flavorsome dishes.

Ideally located between the National Museum and Fort Canning Park, Onalu is a popular and pit stop for freshly rolled, boiled, and baked bagels and cups of tea and coffee. The classic bacon, egg, and cheese (stuffed full of creamy scrambled eggs and bacon strips) and smoked salmon bagels (with thinly sliced smoked salmon and cream cheese) are highly recommended.