Straits Kitchen, Raffles Place
Designed by uber-cool Japanese design company Super Potato; interiors are suitably stylish. Chinese, Indian and Malay show kitchens serve up all the Singaporean hawker favorites. Feast on chicken rice, tandoori chicken, char kway teow, laksa and grilled stingray. As you’d expect from a Hyatt eatery, this is no cheap pit-stop but is worth the splurge for the drama and the quality of the food (which is all halal).
Ground Floor, The Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Road, 228211 | www.restaurants.singapore.hyatt.com | +65 6416 7114
Space, City Hall District
Understated little sister to uber-cool My Humble House, next door, but still exudes homey sophistication. The small but perfectly formed menu delights with contemporary interpretations of modern classics such as gorgeously coconut laksa noodles and cleansing herbal soups.
02-27 Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Place, 039802 | www.esplanade.com | +65 6423 1881
Graze, Rochester Park
Skip along to hip spot Rochester Park and you will find uber-swanky Graze. The style is retro classic, complemented by the silent black and white films which are screened all night in the lounge pit. Food is satisfyingly earthy with strong Asian overtones; don’t miss chef Matthew Lawdorn’s signature braised soy lacquered wagyu ox cheek. After dinner make like a 50’s film-star and head to the lounge bar for a cocktail and vintage cigar.
4 Rochester Park, 139215 | www.graze.sg | +65 6775 9000
Ricciotti, The Riverwalk
The place to go for Sunday brunch and the tastiest Italian pastries and gelato. Ex-pats know how hard it is to find a good European deli and bakery in Singapore, so unsurprisingly this place is always buzzing. Talented Italian chef Stefano Deiuri makes sure standards never slip below sublime…
20 Upper Circular Road, B1-49/50, 058416 | www.garibaldi.com.sg | +65 6533 9060
True Blue, Katong
For an authentic Peranakan experience – look no further…. True Blue is housed in a restored pre-war shophouse and is brimming with history and intense flavors. Home cooked fare is the order of the day; try the mouth-wateringly good beef rendang. The friendly staff are happy to guide new-comers through the enticing menu. A favorite with the local Peranakan community.
117 East Coast Road, 2nd Floor | +65 6440 0449
Pierside Kitchen & Bar, Historic District
Stunning water-front spot- grab an outside table for optimum people watching. Inside it’s equally light and lovely; think relaxed Sydney-chic with pale blond timber and huge mirrors. Award-winning executive chef Robin Ho works wonders in the kitchen; pan seared king scallops, fried soft-shelled crabs and the freshest oysters are just a few of the delights. 049214
One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, 049214 | www.piersidekitchen.com | +65 6438 0400
Soul Kitchen, City Hall District
Cook Damian D’Silva’s eclectic cooking reflects his Eurasian heritage, including Italian and Singaporean specialties. Try the delish Devil Curries or the best spaghetti Bolognese in town. Desserts are also spot-on. A neighborhood stalwart.
7 Purvis Street, 188586 | +65 6333 0676