Restaurants in Singapore

With the name of one of the world’s top chefs attached, you know that this will not be an ordinary steakhouse. And whether you go for the signature wagyu, USDA prime beef, lamb chops or even the lobster, the food here is simply mouth-watering. The wine list is impeccably selected, albeit very pricey indeed, with an appropriate emphasis on robust reds.

Les Amis is Singapore's undisputed Grande Dame of fine French dining, and is regularly named as one of the best restaurants in the world. Catering to the busy executives working nearby, the restaurant also offers an express menu where you can complete the course in just 45 minutes.

Originating in Taiwan and specialising in Shanghainese dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), Din Tai Fung has many branches in Singapore and keeping customers happy with its steamed truffles and pork dumplings.

This inventive Italian restaurant quickly wowed both critics and local diners since its conception. Situated beside Marina Bay, the location is a perfect complement to the extraordinarily good cooking.

To many visitors, black-pepper crab and chilli crab are two must-try dishes and Jumbo Seafood is the place to indulge. There are five branches in Singapore though the original branch in the East Coast Seafood Centre remains highly popular thanks to its seafront location.

Chicken rice – poached chicken served with chilli and dark soy sauce and flavourful rice cooked in chicken stock – is the national dish of Singapore and Five Star is our top favourite. There are three branches (191 East Coast, 7 Cheong Chin Nam Road, and 419 River Valley) to choose from.

Hawker Chan became an international star overnight when he was awarded a Michelin star and media flocked to interview and try his soya chikcen which is touted as the cheapest Michelin meal in the world. Very quickly Hawker Chan opened two more branches (78 Smith Street and 450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh) and raised his price. The queues are long, the environemnt is noisy and the dishes aren't that great in our opinion, but if you really want to try it, visit the branch in Toa Payoh as it is less crowded.

Many years ago, the owner used to have a small stall within a food court in Cuppage but now it has its own store front in the basement of Concorde Hotel. The interior is basic, but the food is superb, in fact it is one of the best places for authentic Korean food in Singapore. There is always a line waiting but the service is fast and the food is well worth the wait.

There are many hawker centres in Singapore and this is one of the most popular, with dozens of different vendors selling everything from steaming noodles to shaved ice. One of the most famous is Tian Tian for its chicken rice. The seating is shared between all the stalls, so do what the locals do and save a seat by placing a pack of tissues on it, while you decide which stall takes your fancy.

Singapore has a unique Peranakan heritage which blends Malay and Chinese cultures. Located in a traditional shophouse, the Blue Ginger serves up authentic dishes like Otak Otak (fishcake), Ngo Heong (friend minced pork) and Ayam Buah Keluak (braised chicken with turmeric, galangal and Indonesian black nuts).