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We’ve compiled the best of the best in Singapore - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
This atmospheric East Coast Seafood Centre staple is the perfect place to crack into a chilli or black pepper Sri Lankan crab, a glorious, delicious mess of a dish that's a true Singaporean specialty—be sure to order it with sides of fried buns to sop up the sauce. Prices are by the kilogram; some crabs are large enough to feed up to four people, but smaller ones for two are also available.
This restaurant has been serving Indonesian classics in the CBD for decades. Its focus on authentic recipes and Indonesian spice blends results in vibrant dishes loved by families and workers alike. Try such specialties as ikan ota kukus (fish in a rich sauce) and tahu telor (crispy tofu omelet) in the friendly, family-style restaurant.
A second generation business that started out as a wooden stall, this authentic nasi padang (Padang steamed rice served with various pre-cooked dishes) serves a fork-tender beef rendang (Indonesian dry beef curry) slow cooked over charcoal. Other dishes include the ayam belado hijau (chicken in a secret green chilli marinade) and the crispy tahu telur (fried tofu mixed with blanched bean sprouts, peanuts, and a dark sweet soy sauce). Be sure to order a serving of the house-made sambal balado merah (hot and spicy chilli)—it packs a punch, so go easy.
Located off the coast of Changi, this modern spin on the traditional kelong (floating fish farm) doles out meals to remember. You travel to it on an old-fashioned bumboat from Changi Ferry Terminal, then catch your own lunch or dinner in "sure-catch" ponds from the ship-like structure in the middle of the sea. The steamed sea bass and salted egg squid are must-tries. Tables are by reservation only, so book ahead (at least three days in advance).
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.
Located opposite the historic Bukit Timah Railway Station—and named after the year in which it was built—this bright, open café was once the railway staff quarters. It's a great spot to stop for a quick coffee or ice cream from the all-day menu, particularly if you’re planning on walking another section of the Rail Corridor. The inside dining area uses antique furniture to reflect what life may have looked like then, but the outside, set among lush greenery, is equally as charming.
Hotpot meals are a big part of modern local culture, as the communal dining experience is considered a convenient way to celebrate special occasions with family and friends. Homegrown chain Beauty In The Pot is one of the country’s most popular, serving up tasty collagen-infused broth into which you can dip gourmet cuts of meat, handmade noodles, and other ingredients.
This hotpot restaurant at The Star Vista mall (one of six locations in Singapore) employs rich, fragrant broths to cook an assortment of extras waiting on the table. This branch is an easy introduction to the world of hotpot: a spacious, art deco–themed room with space for bigger groups (and you’ll need them to finish that broth!). Prices start from around S$16 for a single pot of broth, including the signature Beauty Collagen Broth (made from pork bones), but you can mix and match with smaller pots available. The build-your-own menu style makes hotpot a great choice for vegetarians—choose from a wide selection of greens, vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu (all from around S$5 per portion).
This buzzy, breezy microbrewery, sprawling along a prime stretch of real estate on the Singapore River, across from Clarke Quay, serves Western-friendly favorites like burgers and pizzas, buffalo wings, beer-battered fish-and-chips, and chargrilled steaks, along with lighter fare like grilled fish and soups. The portions are hearty—perfect for soaking up pours of Brewerkz's award-winning craft beers. You'll find the brewery's signature beers and up to ten seasonal and guest brews on tap, along with a well-chosen list of bottled beers and ciders, all made locally at its 8,000-square-foot brewery.
The Peranakan-style cuisine here is delicious and fiery, so be sure to specify exactly how tongue tingling you'd like your order to be. Signature dishes include bakwan kepiting (minced crab and pork soup), assam fish head (in spicy gravy), ayam sio (chicken with coriander), and udang masak nenas (prawns cooked with tamarind and pineapple). Save room for dessert.
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.
Built in 1953 as a canteen for the British army (and seemingly unchanged since), this gem of a café lies in a secluded spot near Queenstown. Although the building itself is a little rustic, the garden tables outside are perfect for lazy weekend afternoons, especially for those with young children. The food is a mix of western and Asian fare, with everything from Marmite sandwiches to dry ho fun noodles, but the real draw here is one of the best-stocked bottle fridges in Singapore. Help yourself to award-winning ales and fruit ciders to sip amongst the trees in the back.
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.
Jumbo more than makes up for its lack of polish through competitive prices on some of the best fresh seafood on the island. This East Coast Seafood Centre staple is the perfect place to crack into a chili or black-pepper Sri Lankan crab, a glorious, delicious mess of a dish that's a true Singaporean specialty—be sure to order it with sides of fried buns to sop up the sauce. Prices are by the kilogram; some crabs are large enough to feed up to four people, but smaller ones for two are also available. Jumbo's spacious outdoor seating area is ideal for families. Jumbo's has several other branches, including one at Blk 11 #01-16 Dempsey Road.
As the crowds that permanently pack it show, Jumbo Seafood is the place to get your hands dirty while savoring award-winning chilli and black-pepper crab, freshly snapped up from on-site seafood tanks. There's an extensive menu besides crab, including signature beef fillet with black pepper sauce and braised lobster. This riverside branch offers views of Clarke Quay and the Singapore River, so is a great spot in the evening.
Located within the Civic District's historic Chijmes building, Singapore's branch of Hong Kong's Lei Garden is known for having one of the best dim sum spreads in the city (prixe-fixe and à la carte menus are also available). It's packed with lunching office workers on weekdays and with families on weekends, but the jostle is worth it to savor such standout dishes as Peking duck, grilled rib-eye beef, and scallops with bean curd in black bean sauce.
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 seaside branch of one of Singapore’s most long-standing seafood restaurant chains lets you pick your own fish, crab, lobsters, and more from tanks, then have it cooked the way you like. Whatever you choose, don’t miss the black pepper crabs; Long Beach is the creator of the now-iconic Singaporean dish, and its version is still tops.
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Indian food on Race Course Road, but this restaurant established in 1969), along with the similarly popular Banana Leaf Apolo a few blocks down, is widely considered the best of the lot. There's a full range of North and South Indian options here, but the fish-head curry with okra and pineapple, the milagu kozhi varuval (chicken with pepper and coriander seeds), and the masala prawns are some of the standouts. The contemporary space is decorated with mosaic tiles, polished black flooring, and tables that surround a central open kitchen. The chef uses no food coloring and practices eco-friendly dining policies.
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.
Tuck into a communal meal of nasi ambeng (a Javanese rice dish with meat and vegetables) at this popular Kampong Glam eatery. The celebratory dish, commonly served during festive occasions, can be customized to fit the size of your dining party (from one to five diners). It's served on a platter with a cone of rice and 14 different dishes like beef rendang, sambal balacan, salted fish, and tempe. For an authentic experience, opt to dine without formal utensils, just like some locals do.
Part of the popular PS. Cafe chain, this stylish, sun-lit cafe by the sea is one for the Instagram, and a perfect spot for weekend brunch (although you’ll likely have to wait in line). The breezy Anglo-Chinese fare includes exclusive-to-this-branch creations like a scrumptious chorizo and calamari stew, as well as long-time chain favorites like the Parmesan-dusted truffle fries and chunky desserts.
Long-standing Rendezvous is known for its luxe, pricey rendition of nasi padang (Indonesian-style cooked dishes with rice), including beef rendang (beef curry), sayur lodeh (vegetable in spicy coconut milk), sambal sotong (chili squid), and sambal brinjal (spicy eggplant). Servings are small and meant to be shared like tapas; meat and seafood dishes are charged by the piece.
The extensive menu at this contemporary Szechuan and Cantonese restaurant includes dishes designed to be xian (salty), tian (sweet), suan (sour), la (hot), xin (pungent), and ku (bitter). Specialties include thinly sliced beef rolls with garlic sauce, spare ribs in honey sauce, and spicy rice noodles with diced chicken; dim sum and six- to eight-course prix-fixe menus are also available.
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