Local Cuisine & Restaurants in Singapore

Singaporean cuisine is a melting pot of flavors, reflecting the country's ethnic diversity.

Here are some dishes you definitely have to try when you visit:

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice: Often considered the national dish of Singapore, this dish consists of tender, poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic, and accompanied by chili sauce.

2. Chilli Crab: This is a seafood dish where mud crabs are stir-fried in a semi-thick, sweet, and savory tomato and chili-based sauce. It's often served with steamed or deep-fried buns (mantou).

3. Laksa: A spicy noodle soup that's a mix of Chinese and Malay (Peranakan) cuisine. The dish includes rice noodles with chicken, prawn, or fish, served in spicy soup based on either rich and spicy curry coconut milk or sour asam (tamarind or gelugur).

4. Satay: These are skewers of marinated meat (usually chicken, mutton, or beef), grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings.

5. Char Kway Teow: A popular noodle dish from Maritime Southeast Asia, notably in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. It's made from flat rice noodles (or kway teow) stir-fried over very high heat with light and dark soy sauce, chili, a small quantity of belachan, whole prawns, deshelled blood cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and eggs.

6. Roti Prata: A fried flatbread that is cooked over a flat grill. It's usually served with a vegetable- or meat-based curry and is sold all over Singapore in food centres.

7. Kaya Toast and Kopi: A traditional breakfast dish of toasted bread filled with butter and kaya, a jam made from eggs, sugar, coconut milk, and pandan leaves, served with coffee (kopi).

8. Bak Kut Teh: A pork rib dish cooked in broth popular in Malaysia and Singapore, where there is a Teochew and Hoklo community, and also in neighboring areas like Riau Islands and Southern Thailand.

Singapore is famous for its hawker centres, where you can try all these dishes and more at reasonable prices. Each dish represents a different culture present in Singapore, making the local cuisine a true symbol of its multicultural diversity.

With so many food options in Singapore, the selection can feel overwhelming.

Here are some of our top recommendations for places to eat during your visit:

Best areas to find great food:

• Chinatown: Chinatown is a great place to find authentic Chinese food. There are a number of hawker centres and restaurants that offer a variety of Chinese dishes, from dim sum to Peking duck.

• Little India: Little India is a great place to find authentic Indian food. There are a number of hawker centres and restaurants that offer a variety of Indian dishes, from tandoori chicken to butter chicken.

• Kampong Glam: Kampong Glam is a great place to find authentic Malay food. There are a number of hawker centres and restaurants that offer a variety of Malay dishes, from nasi lemak to satay.

• Orchard Road: Orchard Road is a great place to find a variety of restaurants, from fine dining to casual dining. There are also a number of food courts that offer a variety of Asian and Western dishes.

• Sentosa Island: Sentosa Island is a great place to find a variety of restaurants, from casual dining to fine dining. There are also a number of food courts that offer a variety of Asian and Western dishes.

Luxury: $$$$

• Odette is a fine-dining restaurant that offers modern French cuisine. It has been awarded two Michelin stars and is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

• Burnt Ends is a modern Australian barbecue restaurant that has been awarded one Michelin star. It is known for its wood-fired cooking and creative dishes.

• The Song of India is a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant that has been serving traditional Indian cuisine for over 30 years. It is known for its authentic flavors and generous portions.

• Iggy's is a fine-dining restaurant that offers modern European cuisine. It has been awarded one Michelin star and is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

Mid-Range: $$-$$$

• The Coconut Club: This restaurant offers a variety of modern Asian dishes in a stylish setting.

• Waku Ghin: This restaurant offers a tasting menu of modern Japanese cuisine.

• Jaan: This restaurant offers a tasting menu of modern European cuisine with a view of the Singapore skyline.

• Jumbo Seafood: Located at the East Coast Seafood Centre, this is a must-visit for chili crab, one of Singapore's signature dishes. They also serve other seafood dishes, such as pepper crab and drunken prawns.

• Burnt Ends: This restaurant offers a modern Australian barbecue menu.

• Iggy's: This restaurant offers a tasting menu of modern European cuisine.

Street Food Areas: $-$$

• Newton Food Centre: This hawker centre is a popular spot for a variety of Singaporean dishes, including chicken rice, laksa, and chili crab.

• Maxwell Food Centre: This is one of Singapore's most famous hawker centres and a great place to start your local food journey. Don't miss out on the Hainanese chicken rice at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall, which has even been endorsed by celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.

• Tekka Centre: This hawker centre is a popular spot for a variety of Indian dishes, including tandoori chicken, butter chicken, and naan.

• Haji Lane: This street is lined with a number of cafes and restaurants that offer a variety of Western and Asian dishes.

• Chinatown Food Street: This street is lined with a number of hawker stalls that offer a variety of Chinese dishes, including dim sum, Peking duck, and wonton noodles.

• Little India Food Street: This street is lined with a number of hawker stalls that offer a variety of Indian dishes, including tandoori chicken, butter chicken, and naan.