What to eat in Singapore: 17 can’t miss spots for foodies

There’s lots to discover in Singapore (think futuristic gardens, pastel-coloured shophouses, and ornate museums), but no trip here is complete without trying the island’s best eats. Food is a big part of Singapore culture, so don’t be surprised to find yourself eating more than three meals a day. From heritage hawker stalls to world-class fine dining restaurants, check out this list of Singapore’s most drool-worthy restaurants.

Singapore may be a young nation, but hawker culture dates as far back as the 1800s when street vendors used to ply the road with their mobile kitchens, whipping up comfort food for migrant labourers, merchants, and clerks. Today, hawker stalls are conveniently housed within hawker centres—open-air dining halls where you’ll get to taste all sorts of iconic Singaporean dishes.

Be it breakfast or supper, roti prata (Indian flatbread) always has a place at the table. The real question is how you like it. Thin? Soft? Slightly soggy? If you like yours crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, Sin Ming Roti Prata is a must-go. The top dish at this third-generation stall is the coin prata—small parcels of buttery dough with a tinge of sweetness.

Chicken rice is one of Singapore’s famous staple dishes, and it’s easy to see why: the combination of poached chicken, fluffy rice cooked in pandan and chicken fat, garlic chilli sauce, and dark soy is hard to beat. Having been around for over 30 years, Tian Tian Chicken Rice in Maxwell Food Centre has long been a popular pick—even the late Anthony Bourdain has raved about this stall.

Locals will tell you that the quintessential breakfast dish in Singapore is kaya (coconut jam) toast and Nanyang coffee (Robusta coffee beans roasted with butter and sugar). For something different from the ubiquitous Ya Kun Kaya Toast and Toast Box joints all around town, try YY Kafei Dian. This old-school Hainanese eatery is known for their soft house-made buns. Fair warning: one is never enough.

Sungei Road Laksa is one of the few places in Singapore that still cooks laksa (spicy noodle soup) over a charcoal flame. But that’s not the only tradition they’ve kept: each bowl comes with only a spoon—the noodles have been snipped short and all you have to do is slurp it up, like in the good old days.

If you’ve ever wanted to try a plate of char kway teow (stir-fried flat noodles) brimming with wok hei (concentrated flavours from the wok), this hawker stall in Hong Lim Food Centre will not disappoint. Owner Chin Chye Ng has been at the helm for more than a decade after taking over from his father. Come ready to queue—it'll be worth the wait.

After earning her stripes at established restaurants like Burnt Ends and Tong Le Private Dining, founder Gwyneth Ang decided to strike it out on her own by reinventing prawn noodles, a Singaporean staple, at her newly-rebranded establishment. And she has done this to widespread acclaim, earning an inclusion in Michelin’s Bib Gourmand 2024 list.

For dining in a more comfortable setting (yes, bring in the air-conditioning!), try one of these local haunts. Spanning cultures and cuisines, you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.

Whether you’re a fan of chilli crab or black pepper crab, House of Seafood at The Riverwalk will be sure to satisfy your cravings. They also have set menus, where you’ll get to sample an array of dishes. To top it off, you’ll dine by the sparkling Singapore River.

As its name suggests, you’ll find all things coconut here, from their signature nasi lemak (coconut rice) to kueh (bite-sized pastries) and chendol (iced sweet dessert). Their coconuts are carefully sourced from a family-owned plantation in Malaysia and cold-pressed onsite, making their coconut-infused dishes richer.

This restaurant is the perennial favourite for banana leaf rice, a colourful South Indian meal bursting with an array of dishes. While you’re there, don’t miss out on their other must-try dish—fish head curry. For the complete experience, try eating with your hands!

There are lots of natural wine bars in Singapore, but Le Bon Funk is that rare spot where the eats match up to the drinks. While all their modern European dishes are incredible, don’t leave without trying the beef tongue sandwich. If you’ve got time, check out their new bar too.

Founded in 1992, this multi-generational nasi padang eatery whips up more than 40 mouthwatering dishes a day. As some of them are slow-braised, the cooks begin their prep from as early as 2 a.m. If you’re overwhelmed by the number of options, dive straight for the Sudanese grilled chicken, beef rendang (spiced beef stew) and tahu telur (Indonesian tofu omelette).

When it comes to Singaporean zhi char (stir-fried) dishes, Kok Sen is one of the all-time faves. Local singer-songwriter Sherman Zhuo, who's performing at the Groovedriver Festival's Mandopop showcase, can't agree more. He's a big fan and his go-to dishes are the big prawn hor fun (stir-fried flat noodles), sambal kang kong (water spinach with chilli), and prawn-paste chicken.

This South Indian restaurant might just convert you to a vegetarian—their vadas (South Indian fritters), pooris (deep-fried bread), and dosas (Indian savoury crepes) are to die for. As everything is made fresh, it’s no surprise that you’ll probably need to queue before getting a seat.

Singapore’s fine dining scene has flourished of late, with local and international chefs pushing the envelope on all fronts. These Michelin-starred restaurants are the go-tos for a meal to remember. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance.

This contemporary French restaurant has three Michelin stars and took the top spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list from 2019 to 2020. Chef Julien Royer brings his delicate touch to French fare, which pairs wonderfully with Odette’s ethereal interiors. The restaurant is set within the National Gallery Singapore—a great jumping-off point for an artsy adventure.

Ingredients from Singapore and Malaysia come to the fore at Seroja, where chef Kevin Wong pays tribute to the Malay Archipelago. The menu abounds with native spices and herbs—perfectly captured in their signature mangrove wood-charred scallops with laksa leaf sauce. In 2023, Seroja became the first restaurant in Singapore to be awarded the Michelin Green Star, highlighting their sustainable approach to fine dining.

Chef Zor Tan’s rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary—his restaurant Born earned two Michelin stars in its first year and debuted at #23 on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2020. Tan melds French techniques with Chinese cuisine in a menu packed with contrasting flavours and textures.

Discover the possibilities of Straits cuisine with Pangium. Chef-owner Malcolm Lee taps into his family’s Peranakan recipes while finding new ways forward with thoughtfully crafted dishes. Pangium is set in the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens, which makes for a serene experience.