Foodie’s Guide to Singapore

Selecting the best restaurants in Singapore was not just an endeavour undertaken by me; some of the world’s most sophisticated diners and foodies flock to the city-state every year in order to give their own two-cents on the country’s booming culinary scene. Singapore is attracting more and more critically acclaimed chefs and internationally renowned restaurant names, further strengthening what is one of the most popular pastimes on the island: eating. Progressive, innovative and culturally diverse, it’s no wonder so many restaurants here find themselves on the world’s best restaurants lists. The sheer variety and world-class quality of the dining scene in Singapore mean that the tricky question of ‘Which are the best restaurants?’ will always stir-up a passionate debate. However, with my opinions and tireless research and survey efforts to find the Lion City’s finest, I have compiled this list of the most famous restaurants in Singapore!

• Jaan, Marina Bay – French/International: Boasting panoramic views of the Singapore skyline, Jaan’s wow-factor starts before you’ve even taken your first bite. And when you do, you’ll be just as impressed. It’s no surprise that this intimate 40-seat venue has been a permanent fixture on critically-acclaimed lists of best restaurants in Asia, with its creative French-inspired menu delighting even the most discerning of food critiques. Jaan’s 5- or 7-course set menu brings the finest seasonal ingredients to centre stage to enhance delicacies such as fresh oysters, langoustine, caviar, foie gras and pigeon. Address: 70th Floor, 2 Stamford Road, Swissotel the Stamford Tel: +65 6837 3322

• Iggy’s, Orchard Road – Multi-cusine: Ask any Singaporean what the best restaurant in the country is and the name ‘Iggy’s’ will more than likely pop-up. This award-winning restaurant is synonymous with creative, delicate flavours inspired by all corners of the culinary world. Diners can enjoy some particularly flamboyant sounding dishes such as capellini with sakura ebi, and tuna belly with pinot noir – all in the swanky surroundings of the Hilton Singapore Hotel on Orchard Road. Address: 581 Orchard Road, Hilton Singapore Hotel, Level 3. Tel: +65 6732 2234

• The Trippling Club, ChinaTown: After enjoying half a decade of success on Dempsey Hill, this critically acclaimed restaurant is enjoying a new lease of life after moving to the more central Chinatown area. English-born head chef Ryan Clift takes the meaning of the word innovative to a whole new level, with his miniature cheesecakes bottled up in prescription bottles just of many dishes exemplifying that fact. Other odd combos include the omelette with smoked eel and caviar, which can be washed down with some beetroot, horseradish and sorrel juice. It’s a totally weird yet ever-so-wonderful dining experience. Address: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road. Tel: +65 6475 2217

• Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands – Modern Japanese: Waku Ghin is acclaimed celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s fine-dining restaurant in Marina Bay Sands. The intimate restaurant’s dining concept is based upon a multi-faceted use of space, where diners can move from room to room. The 8,000 sq ft restaurant features a 3,000-label wine list as well as an intimate lounge at the entrance for aperitifs with four unique dining rooms featuring private enclosures for small parties. Following this, diners then move into the main dining room to relax over desserts, coffee and digestifs, while taking in the floor-to-ceiling views of the Singapore cityscape. Location: Marina Bay Sands, Bayfront. Tel: +65 6688 8507

• CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Marina bay Sands – Steak: CUT by Wolfgang Puck is the best steakhouse in Singapore, agreed almost unanimously by everyone who has visited the city. Celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck, imports only the finest, freshest cuts of beef, such as American sirloin, ribeye and filet, alongside more exclusive (and expensive) varieties such as Australian Angus and Japanese Wagyu and Kobe. Don’t expect a rough and ready steakhouse setting either; the decor and ambience oozes class and sophistication, making this not only Singapore’s best steakhouse, but also its poshest. Address: #B1-71 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Tel: +65 6688 8517

• Les Amis, Orchard Road – French: Since opening its doors in 1994, this classy French restaurant has reached institution status. The interiors evoke an air of old-school elegance, with crystal chandeliers, mahogany and leather chairs all in rich supply, setting the tone for a refined evening. Les Amis creates an extravagant, delightfully inventive take on traditional French cuisine and diners can choose from either the table d’hôte or degustation menu. Food is not the only speciality here; the wine cellar stocks over 2,000 labels (S$5 million worth) and is one of the largest in Asia. Address: 1 Scotts Road, Singapore Tel: +65 6733 2225

• Shinji by Kanesaka, Civic District – Sushi: Die-hard sushi lovers with some cash to splash will love Shinji by Kanesaka, which is widely tipped as being the best sushi restaurant in Singapore (which in our book, means South East Asia). Named after the original owner, Shinji Kanesaka, a Michelin-starred sushi guru who once plied his trade in the best restaurants in Tokyo, this exquisite little restaurant keeps the decor simple and the ingredients about as fresh as you can get. Lunches start at S$75, while you can pay all the way up to S$300 for a full dinner set. Address: Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Road Tel: +65 6338 6131 

• Burnt Ends, ChinaTown – Australian Barbeque: Gourmet. Barbeque. Two words that perfectly describe Burnt Ends, leaving any meat lover licking their lips in anticipation. And as this ‘gourmet barbeque’ restaurant has made our list of the best places to eat in Singapore, it’s no surprise that it fulfils this tag rather well. At the centre of Burnt Ends lies a 4-tonne wood-burning kiln in which prime cuts of beef, lamb, game and fish are roasted, grilled and smoked to perfection. Just don’t plan what you want to eat in advance; the menu changes daily to ensure ultimate freshness. Address: 20 Teck Lim Road Tel: +65 6224 3933

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