Great Places for Food Connoisseurs in Singapore

 Last Updated: 30 Jan, 2019 By Tour My India

Known to be South East Asia’s food paradise, Singapore has always spoilt food connoisseurs from across the world with its never ending choices of cuisines and food fares that come from its rich multi-cultural heritage. The country’s gastronomic scene offers a plethora of options to indulge into, to satisfy your hunger cravings. From old and traditional hawker centres to more contemporary and elite class restaurants dotted through the city, you can experience a culinary extravaganza, unmatched when in Singapore. The country’s fine-dining profile offering luxurious settings, world-famous cooking techniques, artistic presentations and out of the world flavours, is something which leaves a lasting impression on every food aficionado. Whether you are looking for an Indian fine-dining experience, an Italian culinary extravaganza, an exceptional Chinese gourmandization or a more rustic local Singaporean food affair; there are several options abound that will leave you asking for more. Here are some top picks for gourmands visiting the island country to have a memorable epicurean journey in Singapore.

Shahi Maharani

Shahi Maharani, Photo: https://goo.gl/TWPRkd

Address: 252 North Bridge Road, # 03–21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, Raffles City, 179103

One of the best Indian restaurants serving authentic North Indian cuisine, ‘Shahi Maharani’ finds the top position on the list of Indian food destinations in Singapore. Located at the Raffles City Shopping Centre, the exquisite interiors adorned with vivid browns, maroons and gold, brilliantly embellished with antique craft pieces placed along the corners of the walls, are sure to leave you impressed as soon as you step inside the restaurant. Offering an unforgettable culinary journey loaded with tantalising aromas and delectable flavours, at Shahi Maharani, you can either satiate your taste buds with a huge spread of exotic buffet or savour on the lip-smacking specialities from its exclusive a la carte menu. When at Shahi Maharani, do try the chef’s signature specialities that include flavourful Fish Matki, tender and spicy Roghan Josh and tangy Butter Chicken. For those with a sweet tooth, they cannot miss relishing the heavenly delicious Gulab Jamuns and Kesari Phirni. If you are here for dinner, get your souls soaked in captivating aura of live Ghazals, simultaneously enjoying the royal ambience and scrumptious cuisine.

The Song of India

Address: 33 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228226

Located on the Scotts Road, along the bustling Orchard area, ‘The Song of India’ has been serving exquisite Indian cuisine since 2006 and is one of the favourite food destinations in Singapore for Indian expats and tourists alike. Set up in a colonial styled heritage bungalow, the restaurant not only impresses every guest with its culinary extravaganza but, also captivates everyone with its lush and tranquil atmosphere. The plush interiors of the restaurant, adorned with striking crystal chandeliers and impressive art collection just add to the refined taste of lavish settings. Their lunch buffet comprising of perennial favourites such as Chicken Dum Biryani, Daal Panchmel, Nargisi Kofta, Goan Fish Curry and Butter Chicken, is truly a gastronome’s delight. If you are ordering the a la carte meal, their fusion specialities, pan seared French foie gras spiced with Indian herbs and black cod chargrilled with mustard oil, coriander and tamarind, are most recommended. For those looking for a fine dining experience with a blend of opulence, style and sophistication, ‘The Song of India’ certainly makes for a perfect choice.

Rang Mahal

Photo: Rang Mahal

Address: Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595

Impressing the guests with its culinary delights since 1971, ‘Rang Mahal’, a fine-dining restaurant at the Pan Pacific Singapore, is yet another famous destination to satiate your gustatory cells with traditional North Indian and South Indian tastes. Elegant ambience and exquisite decors in granite, marble and dark wood, give the place a contemporary look, perfectly complementing the authentic Indian food flavours. The restaurant’s signature dishes including Tandoori Lobsters, Pan-Seared Scallops and Quinoa Upma, are truly a gourmand’s ultimate favourites and are loved by Indian and Western connoisseurs alike. For those looking for the typical ‘East meets West’ flavours, the Portobello Mushrooms (juicy mushrooms stuffed with cheese and garlic grilled to perfection) and Roquefort Kulcha (fluffy Naan stuffed with blue cheese), are sure to leave your taste buds asking for more. Rang Mahal’s impressive wine list with more than 300 labels is also something you will find very rare in Indian restaurants and which definitely adds a few extra points to its award-winning dining experience. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner evening with your partner, a memorable dining experience with your family celebrating a special occasion or an outing with friends and colleagues combined with scrumptious food & wine; Rang Mahal will always leave you extremely overwhelmed.

Ristorante Amarone

Ristorante Amarone, Photo: https://goo.gl/jf2kwI

Address: 168 Robinson Rd, #01- 08/09/10 Capital Tower, Capital Tower, 068912

Looking for a true classic Italian fare during your trip to Singapore? Well! Your search ends at the famous ‘Ristorant Amarone’, which provides for an unforgettable dining experience to all the Italian food lovers in the country. Located at Robinson Rd., Capital Tower near the Tanjong Pagar MRT station, ‘Amarone’ has garnered an unmatched recognition in local Italian dining scene over the years with its exotic Italian flavours, served under the old-fashioned yet contemporary styled characteristic Italian settings embellished with wooden panels, tall wide glass windows, wine bottle-lined pillars and a soft glow of floor lamp. Whether you are here for a breakfast, lunch or dinner; the delectable tastes and use of fresh herbs and ingredients in their signature dishes will always leave you asking for more. Their home-made pasta is by far one of the best you will ever have in Singapore. For the ones with a sweet tooth, you just cannot leave the venue without tasting its classic Italian Panacotta served with a dollop of red-berries. If you are here for a special occasion such as birthday or anniversary, their friendly staff will always go an extra mile to make your special day even more special with a personalized card, a complimentary cake and a glass of wine. A fantastic place with excellent food, staff and service; you just cannot miss being at ‘Ristorante Amarone’ if you are an Italian food aficionada.

Pasta Brava

Photo: Pasta Brava

Address: 11 Craig Rd, Singapore 089671

For those looking to savour on authentic Italian flavours without burning a big hole in their pockets, ‘Pasta Brava’ makes for a perfect dining choice. Garnering numerous accolades and awards over two decades for its world-class services, a warm ambience and off course, the ultimate heavenly scrumptious food, ‘Pasta Brava’ has brilliantly managed to make its mark in the Italian dining scene in Singapore. Providing a homely vibe filled with a glow of soft incandescent lights and walls adorned with classic art pieces and colourful drawings by their guests, a dining experience at this restaurant is truly unmatched, especially for the ones who are here for a romantic dinner date. The thoughtfully crafted menu with a mix of meat, sea-food and vegetarian options, is by far the finest and caters to all kinds of diners, vegetarian or non-vegetarian. In its incredible world of Pasta, though all the dishes are utterly delicious with perfect balance of ingredients, the standouts are definitely the home-made moon shaped pasta filled with pumpkin and glazed with red capsicum sauce, authentic Italian al-dente Arborio rice cooked with porcini mushrooms and white wine, and chef’s special blackish spaghetti glazed with squid ink and loaded with scallops, clams and prawns. An Italian meal has to end with a classic dessert and when at Pasta Brava, there can never be a better choice than the fluffy and soft traditional Tiramisu, perfectly done to satiate your saccharine cravings. So, if you are not able to hold back your temptations for an authentic Italian meal in Singapore that fits your budget too, straightaway head to ‘Pasta Brava’ and be assured of being treated with some astronomical flavours.

Hajah Maimunah

Hajah Maimunah, Photo: https://goo.gl/bb64Vr

Address: 11 & 15 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199078

Craving for the appetisingly delicious Nasi Padang in Singapore? If yes, end your cravings at the ‘Hajah Maimunah’ restaurant located at Kampong Glam Malay neighbourhood. Serving an exotic variety of Malay and Indonesian delicacies, the restaurant is always teeming with crowds queued up for gorging on traditional favourites such as Tauhu Goreng (golden brown tofu balls served with fruity rojak sauce), Nasi Padang (steam white rice served with an array of meat, beef and vegetarian choices), Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, served with a variety of curries, egg, meat and vegetarian accompaniments), Ayam Bakar (charcoal grilled chicken marinated in sweet soy sauce and loaded with a mix of regional spices) and Lemak Siput Sedut (sea snail cooked in coconut sauce and bursting with spiced aromas). Always delighting diners with great food, awesome service and affordable prices, Hajah Maimunah is definitely a place to be if want to treat your taste buds with authentic Malay/Indonesian cuisine.

Cherry Garden

Address: Level 5, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797

A culinary journey in Singapore is incomplete without relishing its rich and authentic Chinese flavours that have been ruling the palates of true gastronomes for over several years. To experience a signature Chinese styled fine-dining experience in Singapore, no venue can prove to be better than the ‘Cherry Garden’ restaurant that has been set up as part of dining extravaganza offered by ‘Mandarin Oriental’, a five-star luxury hotel in the lion city. Designed in accordance with theories of Feng-Shui, complemented by great Oriental inspired interiors and offering an eclectic menu loaded with signature Cantonese choices, at Cherry Garden you are sure to leave with your appetites highly contented. When at Cherry Garden, do treat your savoury senses with its exotic specialities such as charcoal roasted duck oozing out with luscious flavours and juices, honey glazed barbequed pork tantalizing your taste buds or braised beef loaded with freshness of Chinese five spices. The restaurant’s heart-winning desserts need a special mention too; whether you go for its chilled mango cream coupled with sago pearls, pomelo and lime sorbet or pick the more interesting cherry tart jelly laced in Chinese wine and refreshing lychee sorbet; you are always going to love the experience. For those with a penchant for dim-sums, the place is a paradise offering best dim-sums in the town; they also have special dim-sum buffets for brunch on weekends.

Tamarind Hill

Tamarind Hill, Photo: https://goo.gl/sSXbuo

Address: 30 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119189

Set amidst the tranquil settings of Labrador Nature Reserve, atop a mini hill overlooking the sea, ‘Tamarind Hill’ is a name to beckon with the authentic Thai Cuisine in Singapore. Housed inside a fully restored heritage colonial mansion with aesthetic interiors dotted with Asian-inspired dark wooden furnishings and golden Buddha statues, at the restaurant, you are sure to get a warm and cordial feel. When here, start your culinary journey with the signature Tamarind Hill Platter which comes with an exotic selection of Thai hor d’oeuvres. The clear Tom Yam soup loaded with fresh assorted seafood is also a must try when you are at Tamarind Hill. Infused with delicate flavours of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime, the soup is sure to give a kick to your appetites for the absolutely heavenly main course. The ‘Scallop Tempura in Phanaeng curry’ and ‘Grilled Wagyu Sirloin & Foie Gras topped with a green curry reduction’ are an outright delight for the food lovers. For those on a vegetarian diet, they would definitely love the utterly flavourful ‘Wok Sautéed Assorted Mushrooms in Hot Thai Basil Sauce’. Do try out some wine when at Tamarind Hill as they have one of the best sommeliers in town. Whether you are here with a friend or on a romantic dinner night with your beloved, you will be left with some unforgettable memories of a fine-dining experience in Singapore.

JAAN

JAAN, Photo: https://goo.gl/x7Lcxm

Address: Level 70, Equinox Complex, Swissotel the Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178882

The multi-award winning restaurant, ‘JAAN’ is an empyrean for modern French Cuisine in Singapore, offering an exceptional dining experience immersed in sophistication and flavours casting an ever-lasting impact on every guest. The location of the restaurant with breath-taking panoramas of the iconic skyline of the city, further adds to the magical charm of the culinary journey at JAAN. The chef’s seasonal handcrafted creations, plated with artistic flairs and blended with bursting flavours and mild aromas is sure to take your heart away in moments. The 5-course degustation meal at the restaurant starts with an awe-inspiring ‘Amuse Bouche’ comprising of little one-bite items to warm up your palates. The heavenly tasty warm wild mushroom tea with crunchy bits of walnuts is undoubtedly, the star of the Amuse Bouche, poured in traditional wooden cups with a great skill. JAAN’s signature appetiser, 55′ Rosemary Smoked Organic Egg, crafted to finesse and bursting with strong aroma of Rosemary makes for an ultimate visual treat and taste is just out of the world. Talking about the main course, the tender and melt-in-mouth ‘Confit Rainbow Trout’ served with crunchy greens and miso caramel takes away all the attention. Coming to the dessert, the crumbly and buttery chocolate tart is something you must have never tasted before in your lives. The ‘Petit Fours Platter’ is also exceptional, with its rosemary scented chocolate ice-cream lollipop poured over with liquid nitrogen, being the most impressive. To end your meal, there’s lovely coffee and cappuccino. An epitome of French fine dining, you need to be definitely at JAAN if you love French cuisine.

Aoki

Aoki, Photo: https://goo.gl/sOcaiT

Address: 1 Scotts Road, #01-17 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208

Aoki holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese epicureans travelling to the city, serving them a great spread of authentic Japanese delicacies. Restaurant’s elegant décor and ambience, complete with kimono-clad waitresses greeting you with a warm smile, is something that adds few extra points to its world-class food offerings. Famous for its sushi and sashimi set lunches, you can also go for a la carte and seasonal menu items. The restaurant’s ‘Mazechirashi’ – a large bowl of sushi rice topped with sashimi seasoned to perfection in soy sauce, is an absolute delight for all the guests here. If you want to see the chefs in action, grab yourselves a seat at the bar counter and enjoy watching the chefs as they prepare an exotic dish loaded with fresh ingredients and well-honed skills.

Labyrinth

Labyrinth, Photo: https://goo.gl/JPHsWD

Address: 8 Raffles Ave, 02-23 Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore, 039802

While you will find pretty much every kind of cuisine ranging from Indian, Malay, Chinese and Japanese to Italian, French and Spanish in Singapore, you just cannot miss out on the excellent local offerings, best served at the Labyrinth. Taking you on a gastronomical ride full of innovative surprises inspired by local Singaporean food cultures, at Labyrinth you are bound to experience a dining extravaganza, unmatched. Conceptualized and founded by famous Chef, Han Li Guang, at Labyrinth you get a rare opportunity to savour on some local delights presented with international twists. The signature local Singaporean delicacy, Chilli Crab, provides for the most exotic flavours here. While normally, the dish is made of stir-fried crab coated in sweet, spicy and tangy tomato based gravy, at Labyrinth, it is given a heavenly twist of being served in a chilled ice-cream sauce, making it blissfully delicious. The Beef Hor Fun, served at the restaurant is yet another Singaporean favourite that provides for an absolute treat for the taste buds. Traditionally made of thick rice noodles cooked in broth with beef, at Labyrinth, you are served the dish with an imaginary surprise of rice noodles replaced with thin slices of radish and turnip. Adding the elements of creativity and imagination, Labyrinth has made a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans and is much loved by tourists as well.

While there is no end to the fine-dining restaurants contributing to the culinary scene in Singapore, there are also endless choices to satiate your cravings on the go; grab yourselves a burger from Mc Donalds or Burger King, pick a hearty salad from Subway or just take a bite of a yummy wrap from Simply Wrapps. The fresh fruit shops are also ample to keep your hunger pangs at bay.

Published: 14 Nov, 2018By Tour My India