This list of “Best Restaurants in Singapore” is derived from the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018 – technically after a “global search”.
The panel has a different selection process with the Singapore Michelin Guide 2017, though there are repeated names.
The selected restaurants are picked by a panel of “an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia” and they must have eaten at their chosen restaurants within a time period of 18 months.
Odette helmed by Chef Julien Royer is Singapore’s highest entry at Number 5, rising up four places.
Singapore is also represented by Burnt Ends (No.12), Waku Ghin (No. 23), Les Amis (No.29), Corner House (No.36) and JAAN (No.44) as well as first-time entry Whitegrass (No.50).
Restaurant Andre which was ranked 2nd in 2017’s awards, has closed in early 2018, and therefore off the running. Tippling Club (previously at No.27) and Shinji by Kanesaka (previously at No.44) have fallen off the ranks. (Is this a call for Singapore restaurants to step up in the game of gaining more awareness out of our borders?)
The 7 Best Restaurants In Singapore 2018 are:
Odette
1 St. Andrew’s Road #01-04 National Gallery Museum Singapore, Singapore 178957 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 6385 0498
Reservation Hours: 12:00pm – 1:45pm Lunch, 6:00pm – 9:45pm Dinner, Mon Dinner Only and Closed Sun
Chef Julien Royer
Style: Modern French
Dish: Seared foie gras, miso caramel, lemon quinoa and Japanese strawberries
Price: A 4-course menu for lunch is at $88++, 6-course $128++, while the 8-course tasting menu is priced $188++. Vegetarian option is available. For dinner, a 6-course is at $208++, 8-course $268++.
Odette is a fine dining restaurant at the National Gallery with its menu and concept inspired by Chef Julien Royer’s (previously from JAAN) grandmother. No prizes for guessing what her name is. This is also a collaboration with The Lo & Behold Group.
Some of the signature favourites from JAAN have resurfaced at Odette, such as the 55’ Smoked Organic Egg, though not without modifications.
Chef Julien Royer’s style has become more distinctive in Odette, with an interplay of textures, balanced subtlety, with use top quality ingredients to create pieces of culinary art. Service was top-notch, nothing was overly gimmicky. Odette (National Gallery Singapore)
I say: Was my favourite new restaurant in Singapore for 2015. Re-visited, and it got better!
My friends say: It is so difficult to get a reservation at Odette.
Burnt Ends
20 Teck Lim Road Singapore 088391
Tel: +65 6224 3933
http://www.burntends.com.sg
Opening Hours: 11:45am – 2pm(Wed-Sat), 6pm to Late (Tues-Sat), Closed Sun, Mon
Chef Dave Pynt
Style: Barbecue
Dish: Leek, hazelnut and brown butter
Price Tag: Varies, no degustation menu
The most unconventional restaurant in this list. More casual than fine. A modern Australian barbecue restaurant which offers counter seats and open kitchen.
This is no ordinary barbecue. Chef Dave Pynt (backed by Loh Lip Peng and Chef Andre Chiang) customised these machines, ovens and grills where food can be smoked, roasted, or even cooked directly on coals to 700 degree Celsius. The heat is up, and flavours are enhanced.
Do not miss the Burnt Ends’ Sanger ($20) – one of the best brioche burgers ever, and King Crab and Garlic ($65). The taste of that crab was so intense, it is pretty unforgettable. (Read: Burnt Ends Teck Lim Road)
I say: I would recommend Burnt Ends in a heartbeat, for its uniqueness and its take on barbecue that is probably not available anywhere else in the region.
My friends say: Intense. Bu-zhua! (meaning ‘heaty’)
Waku Ghin
The Shoppes Atrium 2, Marina Bay Sands #02-02 (via escalator opposite Artbox Level 2), 10 Bayfront Avenue Singapore.
Tel: +65 6688 8507
wakughinreservation@marinabaysands.com
Opening Hours: 6:00pm and 8:30pm (Two seatings)
Chef-Owner Tetsuya Wakuda, Executive Sous Chef Mosahiko Inoue, Pastry Chef Yasushi Ishino
Style: Modern Japanese
Dish: Marinated botan shrimp with sea urchin and oscietra caviar
Price: $400 for 10-course degustation menu
Opened by Celebrity Chef Tetsuya Wakuda, ‘Waku’ is to ‘spring forth’ and ‘ghin’ means silver which happens to be his favourite colour.
Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands can be considered Chef Tetsuya’s dream ‘playground’, a 10,000 square feet expensive space, meant to serve maximum of 25 customers at one time. Interesting, Waku Ghin received better reviews during recent times compared to the original Tetsuya’s in Sydney. I ate both – I agree Waku Ghin feels more exciting.
The 10-course degustation menu has very hefty price tag of $400++ per person, noting that most of the ingredients used – trout, lobster, wagyu, caviar, the expensive luxurious types.
My recommendation is to get the later seating of 8pm, it should feel less hurried, and you can slowly have desserts and coffee overlooking the Singapore skyline. (Read: Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands)
I say: One of my favourite meals ever, but I am not sure if I am willing to part with that much money for a meal again.
My friends say: It’s freaking $400++. With just a glass of wine, it is over $500!
Les Amis
1 Scotts Road, #02-16 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208 (Opposite HSBC Bank, Tanglin Branch)
Tel: +65 67332225
lesamis@lesamis.com.sg
Opening Hours: Lunch 12.00pm (Last seating at 2.00pm), Dinner 7.00pm (Last seating at 9.30pm), Opened Daily
Chef Sebastian Lepinoy, Pastry Chef Cheryl Koh
Style: Contemporary French
Dish: Caviar on Potato Salad – Kristal caviar surrounded with petals of Roseval potatoes with capers, smoked salmon and fresh herbs
Price: $155 for lunch tasting menu (Lunch express is also available at $65), $295 for dinner tasting menu
Les Amis filled the void of fine-dining French restaurants in Singapore during the 1990s, and quickly became one of the most recognisable names in the industry. However, the group seemed to have shifted focus to their mid-tier restaurants such as Aoki, La Strada and Bistro Du Vin and casual dining concepts of Nam Nam and Pepperoni Pizza.
Chef de Cuisine Sebastien Lepinoy, who is protégé of Joël Robuchon, joined the restaurant in 2013. The Dinner Degustation Menu ($295) includes Oscietra Caviar from Kaviari with Cold Angel Hair and Sherry Vinegar, and Pan Seared Foie Gras and French River Eel accompanied by Cherry Fruits. A more affordable Lunch Express ($65) which can be served within 45 min is available. (Read: Les Amis Shaw Centre)
I say: I must say the desserts were quite impressive.
My friends say: A must try but forgettable.
Corner House
1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, EJH Corner House, Singapore 259569
(Drive in from Nassim Gate, Park at Carpark A or B)
http://www.cornerhouse.com.sg
Opening Hours: 12-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm (Tue-Sat), 11:30am-3pm, 6:30-10:30pm (Sun & PH), Closed Mon
Chef Jason Tan
Style: Modern French
Dish: Carabinero prawn: varieties of best season tomato, vintage sherry, Kristal de Chine caviar
Price: Lunch Discovery 5 courses at $98++, Menu Gastronomic $178++, Discovery Menu at $248++
The Gastro-Botanica cuisine created by Chef Jason Tan would a shoo-in for one of the best fine dining meals I had in Singapore. I won’t deny that there is this element of support for a young and talented Singaporean chef.
Located in the black-and-white bungalow EJH Corner House within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Chef Jason’s cuisine could be described as French with some twists inspired from food from his growing up years and travels. There was also inclusion of strong botanical elements – sustainably-sourced seasonal produce and vegetables, due to its unique location. (Read: Corner House Botanic Gardens)
I say: A beautiful experience.
My friends say: Worth that Michelin star (and more).
JAAN
2 Stamford Road, Level 70, Equinox complex, Swissotel the Stamford, Singapore 178882 (City Hall MRT)
Tel: +65 9199 9008
reservations@equinoxcomplex.com
http://www.jaan.com.sg
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2pm (Lunch Mon-Sat), 7pm – 10pm (Dinner Daily except PH)
Chef Kirk Westaway
Style: Modern European
Price: Lunch 3 Course $78 (including coffee). 5 Course Menu $198 (Wine Pairing $130); 7 Course Menu $238 (Wine Pairing $190), Krug Dinner Pairing Artisanal Cuisine $498
The word ‘Jaan’ is derived from the ancient Sanskrit word for ‘bowl’. Its 5 course degustation menu is at $198 (wine pairing $130), 7 course artisanal menu at $238 (wine pairing $180). Do not miss the signature Soft Organic Hen’s Egg with purple artichoke, chorizo iberico and buckwheat.
With the departure of Chef Julian Royer, JAAN did have a void and big shoes to fill, but Chef Kirk Westaway managed to helm his own with a modern take on European cuisine. (Read: Jaan Swissotel the Stamford)
I say: Amazing view, service was kind of off when I visited.
My friends say: Chef looks like Tom Cruise (forgive the frivolity).
Whitegrass
CHIJMES 30 Victoria Street #01-26/27 Singapore 187996
Tel: +65 6837 0402
Opening Hours: 6pm – 9:30pm last order (Tues – Sat), Closed Sun, Mon
Chef Sam Aisbett
Style: Modern Australian
Dish: South Australian Organic Grass Fed Beef
Price: Two options are available from Wednesdays to Saturdays: 5 courses at $176++ dinner pricing (wine pairing $90++), or 8 courses at $265++ (wine pairing $135++).
This is Chef Aisbett first ever role as owner, who has spent years working under the well-respected Chef Tetsuya Wakuda at Tetsuya’s and Peter Gilmore at Quay.
The standout dish for me is the Slow-cooked Mangalica Pork, which incorporates some elements of Japanese with a dashi stock cooked with pork and seaweed poured from a teapot, and usage of spongy hasu-imo—the inner stalks of the Japanese lotus yam.
No over-the-top plating or molecular gimmickry, just straight forward good food made with quality produce. Whitegrass (CHIJMES)
I say: Has potential to go far.
My friends say: Beautiful place.
Have you tried any of these restaurants, and what is your take?
Other Related Entries
A-Z List Of Where To Eat, Where To Go Around Singapore
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018
Singapore Michelin Guide 2017 – The Results
10 Singapore Heritage Bakeries and Shops
10 Best Hotel Buffets & Sunday Brunches In Singapore
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