Singapore, often described as a gastronomic paradise, is a nation that takes its food very seriously. With its unique position as a cultural melting pot, the Lion City boasts a remarkable culinary landscape that blends Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and Western influences. From hawker stalls that have earned Michelin stars to luxurious fine dining establishments helmed by world-renowned chefs, Singapore’s food scene is both dynamic and diverse.
In this ultimate bucket list, we explore the very best restaurants in Singapore — establishments that promise not only exceptional cuisine but also memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re a local foodie or an intrepid traveller, this curated guide will take you through must-visit dining destinations across the city.
1. Odette – Modern French Elegance
Location: National Gallery Singapore
Cuisine: Contemporary French
Ranked consistently among Asia’s best restaurants, Odette is the brainchild of Chef Julien Royer. Named after his grandmother, this three-Michelin-starred restaurant offers refined French cuisine with a modern flair. Dishes here are crafted with precision and elegance, using the finest seasonal produce sourced from around the world.
Signature highlights include the Normandy brown crab with caviar and the pigeon with buckwheat and artichoke. With its soft pastel interiors and impeccable service, Odette offers a luxurious dining experience that’s as much about art as it is about food.
2. Burnt Ends – Smoke, Fire and Flavour
Location: Dempsey Hill
Cuisine: Modern Australian Barbecue
Burnt Ends is not your average barbecue joint. This Michelin-starred restaurant, now located in Dempsey, is known for its open-concept kitchen, custom-built wood-fired ovens, and flavourful, fire-kissed dishes. Chef Dave Pynt and his team craft dishes that range from beef marmalade toast to smoked quail eggs and wood-grilled steaks.
The experience is communal and lively, perfect for sharing plates and conversation. It’s no surprise that securing a table here often requires advanced planning.
3. Candlenut – The World’s First Michelin-Starred Peranakan Restaurant
Location: COMO Dempsey
Cuisine: Peranakan
Candlenut, helmed by Chef Malcolm Lee, is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant. It pays homage to the rich and intricate flavours of Peranakan heritage cuisine while modernising its presentation. The result is a beautiful balance between authenticity and innovation.
Diners can expect beloved classics such as ayam buah keluak, king tiger prawn lemak, and chendol cream. The dishes, though rooted in tradition, are plated elegantly and cooked to perfection.
4. Les Amis – French Fine Dining Excellence
Location: Shaw Centre, Orchard
Cuisine: French
Les Amis is an institution in Singapore’s fine dining scene. Holding three Michelin stars, this restaurant offers haute French cuisine with an extensive wine list that boasts over 3,000 labels. Chef Sebastien Lepinoy crafts each dish with meticulous technique and a touch of Asian influence.
Expect premium ingredients such as line-caught sea bass, caviar, and black truffles. For those seeking a full-blown gastronomic affair, Les Amis delivers with elegance and polish.
5. Labyrinth – Singapore Flavours Reimagined
Location: Esplanade Mall
Cuisine: Modern Singaporean
Chef LG Han’s Labyrinth is a celebration of Singaporean identity. This one-Michelin-starred restaurant reinterprets local street food and home-cooked classics with inventive flair. Each dish is a personal story, often inspired by the chef’s family and childhood.
The chilli crab ice cream, ang moh chicken rice, and “grandma’s fish maw soup” are both nostalgic and avant-garde. Labyrinth is a thought-provoking journey through Singapore’s culinary history, ideal for adventurous palates.
6. Meta – Korean-Inspired Modern Cuisine
Location: Keong Saik Road
Cuisine: Modern European with Korean influences
Meta, short for “metamorphosis”, is a one-Michelin-star restaurant that showcases Chef Sun Kim’s unique culinary voice. Combining Korean heritage with French culinary training, the dishes here are both familiar and inventive.
From kimchi consomme to Jeju abalone with barley and seaweed butter, every plate is a carefully composed work of art. With a sleek interior and warm hospitality, Meta offers a dining experience that’s as intellectually stimulating as it is satisfying.
7. JAAN by Kirk Westaway – A Taste of British Innovation
Location: Swissôtel The Stamford
Cuisine: Modern British
At JAAN, Chef Kirk Westaway crafts a “Reinventing British” menu that pays tribute to his heritage while elevating the simplicity of British flavours. The restaurant, perched on the 70th floor of Swissôtel, offers panoramic views of the Singapore skyline.
Dishes such as Devon crab, English pea soup, and roast lamb are crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced from the UK. The multi-course tasting menu is paired expertly with fine wines, delivering an experience that is both nostalgic and luxurious.
8. Cloudstreet – An Immersive Culinary Narrative
Location: Amoy Street
Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
Cloudstreet, helmed by Chef Rishi Naleendra, is a Michelin-starred dining destination that blends global flavours and ingredients with Sri Lankan flair. The degustation-only menu evolves regularly, with highlights like Western Australian marron, Sri Lankan curry sauce, and grilled octopus with fermented carrot.
The restaurant’s intimate layout and open kitchen invite diners into the creative process. Each dish tells a story, making Cloudstreet one of Singapore’s most immersive culinary experiences.
9. Summer Pavilion – Cantonese Refinement at Its Best
Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Cuisine: Cantonese
For lovers of traditional Cantonese cuisine with an upscale twist, Summer Pavilion is an unmissable gem. Holding a Michelin star, it offers refined dishes in an elegant, modern setting. Chef Cheung Siu Kong brings out the natural flavours of premium ingredients in classics like double-boiled soups, sautéed lobster, and dim sum.
Perfect for business lunches or special occasions, Summer Pavilion is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic Cantonese cookery.
10. Marguerite – Garden Dining with Botanical Beauty
Location: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Cuisine: Modern European
A visual and culinary feast, Marguerite offers a fine dining experience inside the lush Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. Headed by Chef Michael Wilson, this restaurant showcases seasonal and sustainable ingredients with botanical flair.
The seven-course tasting menu features delights such as heirloom carrots with smoked eel and wagyu with fermented plum. Surrounded by exotic flora and soft natural light, the ambience here is nothing short of magical.
Honourable Mentions
- Shisen Hanten – Singapore’s highest Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant.
- Thevar – Innovative Indian cuisine with a modern twist, recently awarded two Michelin stars.
- Zén – Sister restaurant to Sweden’s three-star Frantzén, offering a lavish Nordic-Asian tasting menu.
- Art di Daniele Sperindio – Italian fine dining with breathtaking city views and refined culinary artistry.
Final Thoughts
Singapore’s culinary scene is constantly evolving, driven by a spirit of innovation and a deep respect for heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the smoky theatrics of Burnt Ends, the refined French elegance of Odette, or the heartfelt reinterpretation of local flavours at Labyrinth, there is something for every discerning palate.
Dining in Singapore is more than a mere activity — it’s a cultural journey, a celebration of diversity, and a testament to the city’s unwavering passion for food. As you tick off this ultimate restaurant bucket list, prepare not just to eat, but to experience, reflect, and savour.
