If there’s one thing you need to plan for when you visit Singapore, it’s to gain a little weight. Why? Because wherever you look on this island, around every corner and down every street there is another unique and exciting restaurant to explore. Every time you leave your hotel, you’ll pass a little place that looks so good, you’ll just have to stop for one more meal. The wide variety of cuisine is amazing; traditional Chinese establishments, restaurants with a few Michelin stars and trendy bars that only serve light dishes. One of the best things about a Singapore food exploration is that you don’t necessarily have to pay top dollar to get the best flavors. Here, a plate of chicken rice served with Michelin star quality will cost less than five US dollars. All Singaporeans love food, so you won’t have a problem getting recommendations from locals on the best dish of the week or the hottest new spot that just opened. Maybe the best casino restaurants, or even a street food stall serving food that tastes better than anything you’ve ever tasted. However, if you are someone who likes to plan ahead, we can help. We’ve put together a list of the best restaurants in Singapore – a diverse cross-section of the city’s delicacies to keep you busy from one day to the next.
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Mahal rang
The food and décor at Rang Mahal are an intersection of western and indian influences. Indian spices are combined with western cooking methods to offer sophisticated and complex dishes. The food isn’t heavy so it’s great for a date but the flavors are perfect and delicious. Smoked tandoori portobello mushrooms are served garnished with chat masala and cheddar cheese; Interesting and unexpected combinations abound. They serve a $58 lunch buffet that allows you to sample a wide cross-section of their menu without paying premium fine-dining costs.
328 Katong Laksa
Without a doubt, this is one of the best known restaurants on our list. If you like lots of choices and menu options then this is not the place for you as the menu is small. Thankfully tiny doesn’t mean it lacks flavor and excitement: the signature dish is the spicy laksa noodles. A creamy and flavored concoction of diced coconut, which means a spoon is preferable to chopsticks; the noodles are what the restaurant is best known for. There is a thick fish otah prepared by wrapping mackerel in banana leaves or a nasi lemak (coconut rice and assorted toppings) to die for. Take a look at the menu before you visit, as this is a fast-paced table-turning spot.
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waku gin
The best fresh seasonal ingredients from the best farmers in the world and ancient Japanese culinary crafts are found at Waku Ghin. Find some of the best food in town at this two-Michelin-starred restaurant by Tetsuya Wakuda. Not only the cuisine is amazing, but also the location and venue; Award-winning designer Yohei Akao has completely remodeled the dining room in a minimalist, natural style. Both nature and the Japanese national heritage are represented here.
odette
Remember those Michelin star restaurants we mentioned? Well, Odette is one of them. A two-star venue, Odette is run by chef Julien Royer, the son of a French farmer, who doesn’t skimp on the influences instilled in him by his pastoral upbringing. It uses only the best ingredients produced by small farmers. The result is an innovative and traditional cuisine at the same time. Chef Royer is an expert in combining classic techniques with modern influences. Each and every dish that comes out of her kitchen is artistic, full of complex combinations, and delightfully delicious.
Warong Nasi Pariaman
This is not only a restaurant that serves the most delicious food, but also the one that has been doing it for the longest time! Warong Nasi Pariaman opened its doors in 1948 and has been serving Indonesian specialities ever since. The restaurant has stayed true to its originals and still offers dishes like Ayam bakar, grilled chicken in coconut sauce, and sambal goreng, a spicy stir fry made with long beans, diced tofu and tempeh. It’s a small place and fills up quickly at all times of the year due to the delicious dishes and the reasonable price. They are Halal certified, so they do not serve alcohol.
Empress
The seaside location would be reason enough for a visit in and of itself, even if Empress didn’t serve an amazing Cantonese menu. set in the historic grounds from the Museum of Asian Civilizations, Empress is a combination of classic dishes like the Triple Roast plate (roast pork, roast pork and sticky pork ribs) and innovative ideas. The soups are some of the best on this island.
Wrap
Singapore cuisine is an eclectic mix of all the influences the island has felt over the years – which restaurants will you try first?
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism