Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, with a diverse culinary scene that reflects the city-state’s multicultural heritage. From hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants, there’s no shortage of delicious food to try in Singapore. This article will take you on a gastronomic journey through the Lion City and highlights some of Singapore’s best places to eat.
Hawker Centers
Hawker centres are a quintessential part of Singapore’s food culture, offering various affordable and delicious dishes. Singapore’s most popular hawker centres include Maxwell Food Centre, Tiong Bahru Market, and Old Airport Road Food Centre. You can try local favourites at these hawker centres, like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and char kway teow.
- Hong Lim Market & Food Centre: This hawker centre is located in Chinatown and is known for its wide variety of food options. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Fried Hokkien Mee
- Carrot Cake
- Popiah
- Wanton Mee
- Oyster Omelette
- Adam Road Food Centre: Located in the Bukit Timah area, this hawker centre is known for its Malay and Indian cuisine. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Nasi Lemak
- Mee Siam
- Satay
- Roti Prata
- Briyani
- Amoy Street Food Centre: This hawker centre is located in the Central Business District and is known for its fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Fish Soup
- Nasi Padang
- Lor Mee
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Ipoh Hor Fan
- Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre: Located in the Queenstown area, this hawker centre is known for its affordable prices and wide variety of food options. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Fried Carrot Cake
- Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
- Rojak
- Satay Bee Hoon
- Wanton Mee
- Maxwell Food Centre: This hawker centre is located in Chinatown and is known for its wide variety of food options. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Zhen Zhen Porridge
- Popiah
- Oyster Cake
- Fried Hokkien Mee
Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Singapore has several Michelin-starred restaurants, making it a foodie’s paradise. Some of Singapore’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurants include Odette, Les Amis, and Burnt Ends. These restaurants offer a fine dining experience and serve exquisite dishes that will tantalise your taste buds.
- Odette: Located at the National Gallery, Odette is a French contemporary restaurant that has been awarded three Michelin stars. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Hokkaido Uni
- Foie Gras
- Lobster
- Pigeon
- Chocolate
- Les Amis: This French restaurant on Scotts Road has been awarded three Michelin stars. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Lobster
- Foie Gras
- Wagyu Beef
- Truffle
- Chocolate
- Joël Robuchon: Located at Resorts World Sentosa, this French restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Le Caviar Imperial
- La Langoustine
- Le Foie Gras
- Le Homard
- Le Chocolat
- Shisen Hanten: This Chinese restaurant at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel has been awarded two Michelin stars. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Mapo Tofu
- Sichuan Hot and Sour Soup
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Fried Rice with Shrimp and Egg
- Braised Pork Belly
- Burnt Ends: This Australian barbecue restaurant in Chinatown has been awarded one Michelin star. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Sanger
- Beef Marmalade
- Quail Egg Shooter
- Pulled Pork Shoulder
- Smoked Quail Egg
Peranakan Cuisine
Peranakan cuisine is a unique blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian flavours and is a must-try in Singapore. Some of Singapore’s best places to try Peranakan cuisine include Candlenut, Violet Oon’s Kitchen, and The Blue Ginger. Be sure to try dishes like ayam buah keluak, babi pongteh, and laksa lemak.
- Bonding Kitchen: Located on Orchard Road, Bonding Kitchen offers Peranakan food with a twist. The restaurant started as a private dining service in Johor Bahru before expanding into a restaurant. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Kueh Pie Tee
- Ayam Buah Keluak
- Babi Pongteh
- Nyonya Laksa
- Buah Keluak Ice Cream
- Candlenut: The first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant in the world. Candlenut is known for its refined Peranakan cuisine. Located near Pearl’s Hill Park, some popular dishes to try include:
- Buah Keluak Fried Rice
- Kueh Pie Tee
- Ayam Buah Keluak
- Babi Pongteh
- Beef Rendang
- Daisy’s Dream Kitchen: This Peranakan restaurant offers authentic and homely Nyonya food. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Nonya Poh Piah
- Ayam Buah Keluak
- Nyonya Curry Chicken
- Sambal Prawns
- Assam Fish
- Simply Peranakan Cuisine: Known for its traditional Peranakan dishes, Simply Peranakan Cuisine recreates recipes from memory rather than written recipes. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Nonya Chap Chye
- Ayam Buah Keluak
- Babi Pongteh
- Nyonya Laksa
- Kueh Bengka
- Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant: Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant offers a wide range of Peranakan dishes in a casual setting. Some popular dishes to try include:
- Ayam Buah Keluak
- Babi Pongteh
- Nyonya Curry Fish Head
- Sambal Kangkong
- Kueh Salat
Seafood
Singapore is an island nation, so it’s no surprise that seafood is a staple in the local diet. Some of the best seafood restaurants in Singapore include Jumbo Seafood, Long Beach Seafood, and No Signboard Seafood. These restaurants serve up fresh seafood dishes like chilli crab, black pepper crab, and salted egg yolk prawns.
- Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda: Located at Marina Bay Sands, Waku Ghin is a renowned seafood restaurant helmed by Chef Tetsuya Wakuda. The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with a focus on Japanese cuisine. Some popular seafood dishes to try include:
- Marinated Botan Shrimp
- Grilled Hokkaido Scallop
- Lobster with Wasabi and Citrus
- King Crab with Sea Urchin
- Sashimi Platter
- JUMBO Seafood (Riverside Point): JUMBO Seafood is a well-known seafood restaurant chain in Singapore, and the Riverside Point location is a popular choice. Known for its signature chilli crab, some popular seafood dishes to try include:
- Chili Crab
- Black Pepper Crab
- Salted Egg Prawns
- Steamed Fish
- Buttered Cereal Prawns
- Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant: Located at One Fullerton, Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant offers a waterfront dining experience with a focus on seafood. Some popular seafood dishes to try include:
- Black Pepper Crab
- Chili Crab
- Salted Egg Prawns
- Steamed Fish
- Buttered Cereal Prawns
- Long Beach UDMC: Long Beach UDMC is a seafood restaurant known for its fresh seafood and signature dishes. Some popular seafood dishes to try include:
- Black Pepper Crab
- Chili Crab
- Salted Egg Prawns
- Steamed Fish
- Buttered Cereal Prawns
- Keng Eng Kee Seafood (Bukit Merah): Keng Eng Kee Seafood is a family-run restaurant that has been serving seafood dishes for over 40 years. Some popular seafood dishes to try include:
- Moonlight Hor Fun with Seafood
- Coffee Pork Ribs
- Salted Egg Prawns
- Chili Crab
- Cereal Prawns
Best Places to Eat in Singapore
Singapore is a food lover’s paradise, with a diverse culinary scene that offers something for everyone. From hawker centres to Michelin-starred restaurants, Peranakan cuisine to seafood, Singapore’s no shortage of delicious food to try. So, the next time you’re in the Lion City, check out some of the best places to eat in Singapore and indulge in the city-state’s culinary delights.
