Best Restaurants In Singapore: 10 Iconic Dining Experiences

Few cities in the world celebrate food with as much passion as Singapore, and the best restaurants in Singapore reflect that energy. Tradition and innovation meet at every table, hawker flavours find their way into fine-dining menus, while international chefs bring bold new ideas. The variety is striking: Michelin-level French menus, kappo from Japan, and inventive spins on Peranakan cooking. What sets it apart is the way chefs here bring together craft, ideas, and ambience, pushing standards higher for the region.

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Top 10 Best Restaurants In Singapore

What makes the best restaurants in Singapore stand out is the variety. One night it might be a French tasting menu, another night a bold twist on Peranakan cooking.

1. Odette

Shiny glass-front restaurant at Universal Studios Singapore with neon red interiors

Photo: Sam Wilson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Inside the National Gallery, Odette has built a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Singapore. It holds three Michelin stars and has stayed on Asia’s 50 Best list for years. Chef Julien Royer runs the kitchen, combining French technique with Asian produce, and the result is food that feels both refined and personal. Dishes like the Normandy brown crab with wasabi oil or Hokkaido uni with mussel cloud are often mentioned by regulars. The room itself is calm and elegant, done in pale tones and soft textures that match the style of the cooking. Guests usually choose multi-course tasting menus, and the wine list is broad, with pairings handled by experienced sommeliers.

Timings: 12 PM – 1:30 PM; 7 PM – 8:30 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Luxury fine dining and special celebrations

Suggested Read: Best Food In Clarke Quay

2. Burnt Ends

People dining outdoors by the riverside at night with city lights in the background

Photo: edwin.11 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Burnt Ends built its reputation on flames and smoke. Known for modern Australian barbecue and its open kitchen, it now stands out as one of the top dining destinations in Singapore. Chef Dave Pynt, who started it, has shaped a Michelin-starred spot that feels bold but unpretentious. The menu changes daily depending on the produce and cuts available, but some dishes keep coming back: the pulled pork slider, beef marmalade that melts almost instantly, and different cuts of meat grilled over custom-made ovens. Seafood gets equal attention, with plates like smoked quail eggs with caviar or king crab dressed with garlic and miso.

Timings: 5:30 PM – 11 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Bold flavours, smoky meats, and lively evenings

3. Labyrinth

Elegant dining hall at The Clifford Pier with high arches and grand chandeliers lit

Photo: Smuconlaw. / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Labyrinth is a Michelin-starred restaurant that reshapes the way people look at Singaporean food. Chef Han Li Guang leads the kitchen, taking dishes that locals know well and presenting them through modern techniques. The aim isn’t just to copy flavours but to retell them; each course feels like a piece of the island’s story, built from its culture and ingredients. A meal here might include chilli crab turned into ice cream, or kaya toast broken down into a fine-dining version that still feels familiar. The detail is what makes the experience stand out, from careful plating to the use of produce and seafood that come from Singapore’s own farms and suppliers.

Timings: 6 PM – 10 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Creative twists on local favourites

Suggested Read: Chinatown Food Street Singapore

4. Takayama

Outdoor dining setup at a seafood restaurant in Singapore near lush green trees.

Photo: Андрей Бобровский / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Takayama sits in the middle of the Central Business District, bringing kappo-style dining to Singapore. The restaurant is led by Chef Taro Takayama, whose Osaka training and years in top Japanese kitchens shape the way he cooks and serves here. Diners sit at a counter that faces the chefs, watching each dish being prepared and served directly, which makes the experience feel personal and warm. The menu follows the seasons: Hokkaido crab in winter, tuna belly in early summer, and matsutake mushrooms in autumn, with every ingredient chosen to highlight balance and harmony. It is this mix of authenticity, artistry, and respect for tradition that places Takayama among the best restaurants in Singapore.

Timings: 12 PM – 2:30 PM; 6 PM – 10:30 PM ( Monday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Authentic Japanese kappo dining in an intimate setting

5. Marguerite

Sunlit table with blue chairs set for dining, plates and glasses neatly arranged

Photo: Nicolas Lannuzel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Marguerite feels as much about the setting as the food on the table. Chef Michael Wilson runs the kitchen, serving contemporary European dishes shaped by seasonal produce. The menus shift through the year, seafood when it’s at its best, pastas made in-house, and sauces that lean on French tradition but stay light. Some dishes become signatures, often the seafood plates or the pastas, finished with detail that shows the hand of the chef. The dining room looks out over the gardens, surrounded by glass and greenery, which gives the place a quiet, romantic mood.

Timings: 6 PM – 10 PM ( Wednesday – Sunday)
Major Highlights: Romantic dinners with garden views

Suggested Read: Best Foods In Singapore

6. Summer Pavilion

Bright food court with orange chairs, people dining and ordering from various stalls, one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Summer Pavilion sits inside The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. It holds a Michelin star and is known for Cantonese food that values detail and tradition. The room is quiet, designed with lotus touches and private dining areas that work for business meetings, family meals, or celebrations. The menu doesn’t try to reinvent everything; instead, it focuses on Cantonese flavours done with precision and better ingredients. Double-boiled soups arrive clear and delicate, dim sum is light but exact, and dishes like lobster poached rice or crispy suckling pig have become signatures. Each plate feels polished, but there’s respect for heritage in the way it’s cooked.

Timings: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM; 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM ( daily)
Major Highlights: Refined Cantonese banquets and family gatherings

7. Nouri

Traditional kueh topped with shredded coconut and a blue edible flower garnish, one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Photo: Mx. Granger / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Nouri is a fine-dining spot in Singapore that pushes the idea of food beyond borders. Chef Ivan Brehm, who once worked at The Fat Duck in the UK, calls the approach “crossroads cuisine.” The idea is simple: bring together ingredients and traditions from different parts of the world to show how they connect. The menu changes often, but always leans on that philosophy. The bread and broth, sourdough served with a clear, rich consommé, has become a signature. Other dishes pull in touches from Asia, Europe, and South America, sometimes in the same course. The balance of invention and precision keeps Nouri listed among the best restaurants in Singapore.

Timings: 12 PM – 1:30 PM; 7 PM – 9:30 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Adventurous diners seeking global flavours

Suggested Read: Singapore Travel Guide

8. Nae:um

Cosy restaurant interior of Singapore, with red chairs, wood accents, and a checkered ceiling, one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Photo: ArnoBOUJIKA / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Nae:um brings modern Korean fine dining into Singapore with a style that feels pared back and focused. Chef Louis Han runs the kitchen, building seasonal tasting menus he calls “episodes,” each one tied to a theme or memory from his own life. The dishes stay rooted in Korean tradition but often pull in global touches. A dry-aged duck with gochujang glaze has become a favourite, as have the wagyu short ribs, while seafood courses lean on broths and layered flavours that show a lighter hand. The plating is clean, contemporary, and built around the idea of harmony.

Timings: 12 PM – 3 PM; 6 PM – 10:30 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Korean-inspired tasting menus with a contemporary twist

9. Restaurant Zén

Busy dining street with wooden tables, people enjoying meals under a covered walkway, one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Photo: alex.ch / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Restaurant Zén, the Singapore offshoot of Sweden’s Frantzén, has quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after dining rooms. It holds three Michelin stars and is known for its unusual format, the meal moves through different floors of the shophouse, with welcome snacks on one level, mains on another, and desserts served upstairs. Chef Tristin Farmer leads the kitchen, shaping a tasting menu that mixes Nordic restraint with Japanese precision, while using ingredients sourced from around the world. Diners often mention the seafood courses for their delicacy, the dry-aged meats for depth, and the vegetable plates for their surprising complexity.

Timings: 7 PM – 11 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Immersive multi-story dining experiences

10. Somma

Outdoor dining area with checkered tablecloths at Snack World in evening light, one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Photo: Terence Ong / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

One of Singapore’s latest Italian spots, Somma, has quickly become recognised for its focus on Puglian cooking. Chef Simone Fraternali runs the kitchen, aiming to show the heart of Southern Italy while using modern techniques. The menu focuses on seasonal produce, fresh seafood, and handmade pastas. Some dishes that stand out are orecchiette with lamb ragù, wood-fired octopus, and burrata served with ripe tomatoes. With its mix of authentic flavours, careful execution, and a stylish setting, Somma is already seen as one of the best restaurants in Singapore for anyone who loves Italian food.

Timings: 6 PM – 10:30 PM ( Tuesday – Saturday)
Major Highlights: Contemporary Italian dining with rustic charm

Exploring the best restaurants in Singapore is about more than eating well. It’s a way to taste the city’s history, creativity, and mix of cultures. Michelin-starred places sit beside chefs who are reworking local favourites, and together they show why Singapore is often called a food capital. Meals here carry stories, sometimes through the way they’re plated, sometimes through seasonal menus, or in the balance between old traditions and new ideas. TripXL can help you find not only where to eat, but also how to enjoy Singapore’s food scene at its best.

Cover Photo: Erwin Soo / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the best restaurants in Singapore so highly regarded?

It’s the mix. They use techniques from around the world but tie them back to Singapore’s mix of cultures. You’ll see Michelin-starred cooking, local flavours shown in new ways, and ingredients that change with the season.

Do you need reservations at top restaurants?

Yes. For spots like Odette, Labyrinth, or Restaurant Zén, tables are booked weeks or even months ahead. Walk-ins almost never happen, and last-minute seats are hard to get. It’s best to make a reservation early if you don’t want to miss out.

Do restaurants accommodate dietary restrictions?

Most fine-dining places in Singapore will. It helps if you tell them while booking if you’re vegetarian, vegan, need halal, or have allergies. Chefs usually create alternatives so you still get the full experience, though some speciality dishes can’t always be changed.

Which restaurant is best for celebrations?

Odette, Summer Pavilion, and Restaurant Zén are popular choices for anniversaries or big occasions. They offer refined spaces, tasting menus, and service that feels personal. Many of them also have private dining rooms if you want a more intimate setting.

Is there a specific dress code for fine-dining places?

Most ask for smart casual, think collared shirts, dresses, or blouses. You don’t need full formal wear, though it’s fine if you want to. Shorts, flip-flops, and very casual clothes aren’t accepted. At places like Zén or Odette, the expectation is a neat, polished look that matches the setting.

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