My Favourites List

This is a section on some of my favourite restaurants, cafes, and bars in Singapore that I feel everyone should know. It’s generally updated once a year and you can get a good overview of the best places in Singapore, according to me, without having to trawl through all my long food reviews.

Best Restaurants in Singapore

Restaurant JAG — A stupidly memorable French Omakase that was orchestrated like a beautiful symphony, marked by an incredible Pigeon dish as its stellar sapidity-loaded crescendo and articulately justifying their Michelin Star.
Restaurant Euphoria — This was one of the most anticipated openings of 2021 in Singapore that debuted at No. 36 in Asia's Best restaurants, applauded for sophisticated and modern "Gastro-Botanico" French cuisine that's a blissful experience start to end.
Braci — A modern Italian outfit that's undoubtedly one of the best Italian restaurants in Singapore, bestowed a stellar ranking of No. 19 in Italy Top 50, serving up artful contemporary ideas including their signature Uni Tagliolini,
Le Bon Funk — There's a benchmark for wine bars in Singapore and that's Le Bon Funk, which creates ingenious bites comparable to the best restaurants in Singapore including an iconic beef tongue sandwich and foie gras toast.
Firangi Superstar — Experience Indian food like never before at one of the most creative Indian restaurants in Singapore, coming up with inventive creations such as the Prata Waffle and Lamb Saddle Tandoori.
NIXTA — Head and shoulders above the other Mexican restaurants in Singapore, this casual joint will you leave impressed with the best churros, blissfully creamy guac, and the most intoxicatingly smoky tortilla skins you'd find anywhere.
Kamoshita — Easily one of the best izakaya experiences you can find in Singapore, with a stellar speciality in Oden that is miles ahead of any competition, as well as sublime udon and opulent Kaisendons to leave you full and satisfied.
Yatagarasu — While many Izakayas and Japanese restaurants are skilled at their craft, this yakitori bar is the best at making smoky skewers in Singapore even with unconventional chicken parts including the tail, liver, and gizzard. All made simply sublime and crazy addictive.
Burnt Ends — A no-bullshit restaurant that has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the best restaurants in Singapore, focused on the simplistic but efficacious art of smoke & meat so that you leave with a beaming satisfaction at the end of the night.
Catfish — Even if marrying Asian flavours with Western cuisine has become slightly contrived in Singapore, Catfish is one restaurant that best demonstrates that charming fusion with flavour bombs like their laksa-tinged Sichuan Market Fish sure to wow you.
Salted & Hung — You can expect fresh and good quality produce prepared meticulously here. They're evidently experts at handling meat as they do a mean wagyu pastrami sandwich, though you can also find a wonderful display of progressive ideas in their courses menus.
Candlenut — The first Michelin Star Peranakan restaurant in Singapore, and the world. They feature a more modern take on the heritage-rich cuisine of the Nyonyas, with perhaps one of the best Buah Keluak fried rice and Kueh Salat around.
Cloudstreet — Michelin-Starred chef-owner Rishi Naleendra's exciting take on Australian flavours, with plenty of innovation and genre-bending ideas. Not to mention they serve possibly the best bread course, a life-changing Stout and Licorice Bread, in Singapore.
RVLT — Their shtick is predominantly that of a natural wine bar but they are much more than that. Their food selection is crazy good with the most earnest flavours and a hint of experimentation, best paired with their amazing curation of wines.
Grigila — An impressive Italian open-fire grill concept that not only imbues their dishes with the inebriating perfume of smoke but also whips up top-notch plates of pasta that can best even the most acclaimed pasta restaurants in Singapore.

Best Bars in Singapore

Native — A flawless interpretation of flavours native to the region, articulately and ingeniously infused into mould-breaking concoctions that range from a funky Oyster Omelette to a perfectly balanced, but still esoteric, Pineapple Arrack
MO Bar — A bar that strikes an impressive balance between the palatable and the creative, MO Bar is where you can find every profile you need, from IG-worthy to deathly punchy, along with some of the best welcome snacks you'd find in Singapore.
Smoke & Mirrors — Probably the best rooftop bar in Singapore, offering a triple threat of impossibly intimate service, moreish concoction, and an intoxicating sweeping view of the majestic Singapore skyline and the Padang.
Manhattan — The shining poster boy of hotel bars, Manhattan is what excellence in service and mixology looks like. Aside from the time-honoured classics, get ready to indulge in drinks with a creative edge, along with a side of addictive cajun popcorn and good ol' American-style hospitality.
Foxtail — Probably as close as you can get to a dive bar in the swanky neighbourhood of Keong Saik, this hidden rooftop bar provides the most chill experience amidst vibrant neon lights with a strong focus on Mezcal-based spins on classics, all at an affordable $18 only.
Analogue — My vote for the best bar opened in 2021, this Native sibling carries over all of that same modish sustainability ethos but dresses it up with a sprawling 3D printed table fashioned out of recycled plastics, as well as a crazy good plant-based nosh menu.
Last Word — An understated classics bar that pays homage to the fine art of mixology. Time-honoured recipes are the name of the game here with one of the most uniquely refreshing Bloody Marys you'd find in Singapore.
Jigger & Pony — The grandfather of all specialist cocktail bars in Singapore that's the recipient of multiple Asia's Best Bar awards. This institution is all about precision and dedication to craft, shaking out picture-perfect classics from Whiskey Sours to Negronis.
Shin Gi Tai — A classics-focused bespoke bar that worships the timelessness of Japanese bartending. Hailed by almost all industry insiders as the home to the best Negroni in Singapore, concocted by mixologist maestro Anthony Zhong using secret house-made vermouth.
The Store — A new bar that opened in 2021 that's a tragically under-discovered hidden gem. Explore the depth of the bartenders' mixology creativity as you traverse from an umeshu-substituted Notanegroni to an Espresso Martini elevated with coffee kombucha.
Tippling Club — Mixology is an art, and this esteemed establishment makes it doubly clear by taking inspiration from the most iconic pieces of art throughout history. Get a taste of Pollock's madness, the elegance of Hopper's Nighthawks, amongst other seminal pieces.
Flow Bar — Bars don't need any of that frou-frou and pizzazz to be enjoyable. This bar, launched in collaboration with Restaurant JAG, is all the proof you need as former Manhattan head honcho Ricky dazzles your tastebuds with his quirky and unpretentious approach to bartending.
The Elephant Room —Unique and unapologetically Indian-focused. Expect a medley of comforting, easy-to-drink tipples as well as bold, spice-forward experimentation paying homage to Indian culture.
Drunken Farmer — Sometimes a pizzeria isn't just a mere pizzeria, sometimes it is also a smashing wine bar. At least in Drunken Farmer's case, you'd be able to enjoy their pristine pizza crust with a well-curated slew of natural wines at just S$50 for a flight of 3.
Yeastside — It's no secret that craft beer bars are rather rowdy places compared to their regular cocktail counterparts. But unlike its sibling Orh Gao, this hideout at King Albert Park provides an eclectic curation of DIPAs, Goses, and Imperial Stouts with the relaxing ambience of their second-storey lookout.
WINE RVLT — RVLT serves up natural wine that's sometimes quirky and fun, sometimes just traditionally good. But they do it in a refreshingly unpretentious manner, quite unlike the ostentatious air of fine dining.

Best Hawker Food in Singapore

Hill Street Tai Hwa — Probably one of the few hawker stalls I would queue an hour for, No one can resist their perfect bowls of bouncy noodles, piquant vinegar, and moreish chilli. There's a reason they are the only hawker stall to have a Michelin Star accolade.
Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee — Masterfully fried texture with perfectly balanced flavours. This Michelin Bib Gourmand stall also has the best Hokkien Mee sambal chilli, hands down.
Alimama — It's not every day you run across a hawker stall specialising in Indonesian food, much less one that uses a charcoal grill. That's why Alimama is such a gem with potent flavour bombs like the Green Chilli Chicken and Sambal Grilled Fish.
618 SIM Carrot Cake — A gorgeous plate of Carrot Cake arrives piping hot after an hour wait, blanketed with a gently crispy egg layer with soft, moist insides and a lavish heap of Chai Poh to give it that amazing umami punch,
Global Mat Soul Kitchen — Exclusive homecooked Briyani that's immensely flavourful, every grain perfect, every morsel flavourful and every drop of gravy intoxicating.
Mui Siong — You won't find any other pork liver like these blissfully tender and melt-in-mouth slices in Mui Siong's signature soup that almost tastes like Foie Gras, swimming in a pool of rich murky broth.
Maruhachi — As affordable as it is good, Maruhachi is a hidden gem where you can get premium Kurobuta Tonkatsu for as low as $16, expertly fried to a thin airy crisp by the former chef of Ginza Bairin.
Swee Guan Fried Hokkien Mee — The very epitome of wok hei. This ties with Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng for me for vastly different reasons. As far as wok hei goes, this Hokkien Mee effortlessly crushes all other competitors.
Pan Ji Cooked Food — There's literally no other hawker stall like this one in Singapore since it's the last surviving place making the traditional Sak Kei Ma snack fresh, which makes it fluffy, crispy, while melded together with intoxicatingly fragrant honey.
Old World Bak Kut Teh — This stall in Yishun serves up one of the most unique dishes in Singapore — fried porridge. Opulently rich in flavour from the offals and drowning in wok hei, this is more addictive than crack.
YY Kafei Dian — Possibly my favourite Kaya Toast in Singapore. It sports a beautiful cloud-like bun with a generous slather of rich kaya that's shoulders above many other popular places. A heart-warming Singapore classic.
88 Hong Kong Roast — Roast Meat is one of life's greatest pleasures so it's no surprise that this legendary establishment is so popular. You'd get it the moment you bite into the crackling, biscuit-like Siew Yoke skin.
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow — What else can you say about such a splendid plate of Char Kway Teow? To me, no one fries up a better plate than them, who mastered the art of balancing the umami, the smoke, and the sweetness of its profile without becoming too surfeit.
Jian Bo Shui Kueh — Chwee Kueh as a hawker snack is rather under the radar due to its simplistic and unassuming nature. But oh boy, a packet of these flavour-packed babies from the OG outlet just hits different, and so so satisfyingly.
Chef Kang's Noodle House — A flawless bowl of Wanton Mee featuring delicate strands of hand-made noodles dressed in a flavourful sauce with robust chilli and, more importantly, one of the best Char Siew I've had in any Wanton Mee.

Best Casual Dining in Singapore

Wild Child Pizzette — Simply one of the most satisfying pizzeria experiences in Singapore, churning out astounding discs of doughy goodness including a mind-blowingly decadent fried Margherita.
House Downstairs — Gorgeous minimalist vibes, check. Great coffees, check. Thoughtfully created food, check. House Downstairs is probably my favourite cafe in Singapore, cooking up unique Asian-inspired dishes like the Laksa Goreng.
25 Degrees — Perhaps not inch-perfect, but 25 Degrees' burgers makes up for it in personality. The immensely juicy patty is married to Gorgonzola and Thousand Island Sauce for a very unique but mouthgasmic experience.
Burger Labo — Almost unanimously agreed as the best basic burger you can find on our sunny island, Burger Labo grills the most perfect burgers using a rich, juicy blend of beef and fluffy brioche buns from Bakery Brera.
Supernova — One of the most well-conceptualised cafes in Singapore, Supernova is a chic mix of retro Western vibes and modern edge. A perfect brunch spot where you can feast on some of the most perfect Fried Chicken French Toast you can find.
Bari Uma — Tonkotsu ramen is dime a dozen in Singapore, but forget the trite ones like Keisuke and Ippudo. Bari Uma's amazingly creamy broth will cause a flavour explosion in your mouth that other ramen-ya struggle to emulate.
Enishi —The Michelin Bib Gourmand receipent from Kobe is the definition of a hidden gem. A quaint nine-seater, this homely ramen joint serves up both supremely delicate dashi broth ramen and this tan tan men that's a tidal wave of umami.
Park Bench Deli — Undisputed king of sandwiches in Singapore — their selection of sandwiches is wide but all filled with quality. After their recent facelift into a more modern cafe, they've expanded into comforting breakfast foods like their Ricotta Pancakes and Tater Tots.
Entre Nous Creperie — Whilst French Crepe has seen a meteoric rise in recent years, Entre Nous might still make the best galettes and crepes here with those comforting and hearty French flavours, paired with an immaculate airy crisp that will leave you reeling.
Two Men Bagel House — Talking about bagels in Singapore, Two Men Bagel House will always be mentioned. There’s little mystery to their popularity after you bite into their handmade bagels, which consistently deliver no matter which branch you go to.
Hambaobao — It's not hard to find good burgers in Singapore but it's hard to find a burger joint that infuses Asian flavours as instinctively as this burger stalwart, beloved for their thunderously crackling Roast Pork Belly Burger.
Micro Bakery — One of the trailblazers of the sourdough bakery scene in Singapore, Micro is an unpretentious bakery where you can find the heartiest creations such as their rich Three Cheeses Grilled Cheese and a modern take on Kaya Toast using sourdough.
Sonny's Pizza — Fuss-free is the name of the game here at this snazzy hole-in-the-wall where you can get quality slices of thicc NY-style pizza from as low as $5.50, including one of the most decadent Pepperoni Pizzas you can find in Singapore.
Hajime Tonkatsu — Helmed by the godfather of Japanese Tonkatsu in Singapore, Hajime is a Japanese restaurant that focuses on attaining perfection in every single part of the Tonkatsu ensemble — all at a very wallet-friendly price.
Warm Up Cafe — Few Thai restaurants inspire as much joy in me as this hidden gem tucked away in a corner of Little India, affordably warming up my tummy with an exceptional Crab Omelette and one of the best Boat Noodles I've had the pleasure of slurping.

Best Coffee houses in Singapore

Apartment Coffee — As a coffee snob, no cafe has won my heart like this beautiful minimalistic outfit. Their ever-changing selection of coffee always satisfies; one of my best cuppas ever was one from them with champagne grape notes.
Rookie's Coffee Shop — A rare specialty coffeeshop that uses Aeropress for its brews, it's helmed by a former Singapore Aeropress Champion so expect the smoothest and most delightfully balanced coffee.
Glyph — Glyph is one place you simply must visit as a Filter Coffee aficionado if you haven't already. Nowhere else can you find a similarly esoteric range of filter coffee beans, including the most premium Geishas and Bourbons.
Grey Area — The only specialty coffee makers in the Kampong Bahru hood, it's run by two experienced Alchemist alumni who want to provide a wide variety of coffee for different palates while offering affordable bakes to pair.
Platform— Platform is the absolute king when it comes to vibes and aesthetics in the Singapore cafe scene, decked in the sleekest whites and the most picturesque dry flowers. Revel in the ambience while sipping on their weightless and impossibly clean filter coffees.
Kafe Utu — Despite commanding some of the longest queues in Keong Saik on weekends for their brunch fare, Kafe Utu is actually one of my regular haunts for great cups of Hokkaido-Milk-spiked coffee like the spiced-tinged Malindi Latte.
Kurasu — Matcha is not quite my vibe but if there's a place I'd go for some for that earthy green stuff, it'll be Kurasu where they make possibly the most balanced and enjoyable cup of Dirty Matcha — simply the best of both worlds.
Maxi Coffee Bar — Synonymous with cereal milk coffee, Maxi is the place to go if you're craving a supremely comforting malty blast from their Cereal Milk Lattes or even Cereal Milk Cold Brews in the comfort of your warm morning bed.
Alchemist — Alchemists' Dark Matter might have been the best cup of espresso-based brew to grace my palate in recent times, with an elegant balance while sporting a memorably pronounced chocolate note. That's not to mention the great filters and Bakehaus pastries they also have on hand.
Butler Koffee — Hands down the best cold brew I've had in Singapore, where every aspect is flawlessly playing off each other to make this a supremely creamy but balanced brew that goes down like velvety melted butter.
Nylon Coffee Roasters— The absolute OG of the local speciality coffee scene. Nylon is where you can find consistency even over the years, with a well-balanced and fruity cup of white and many easy-to-drink variations of filters that won't ever disappoint
Narrative Coffee Stand — Hospitality, friendliness, and acute knowledge is what Narrative strives for,, to provide a narrative to customers, in line with their name. Not to mention they carry the most unique beans, including those from Danish roasters Coffee Collective.
Double Up Coffee — A no-frills place with a trendy edge to it, where you can find immaculate vibes as perch yourself beside their quirky sticker-laden skateboard table while sipping on a well-curated menu of FIlter Coffees and Cold Brew Teas.
Abseil— A moody new opening known for its understated whites, Abseil is adept at both teas and coffees but the showstopper is undoubtedly their namesake Abseil which is blanketed in a layer of whipped cream for an enchantingly balanced and citrusy experience.
Origin + Bloom — Criminally under-the-radar cup of coffee. This MBS cafe's Cold Drip coffee is an absolutely sublime mix of florals that finish in a deep punchy chocolate-tinged finish that lingers for days.

Best Desserts & Bakes in Singapore

Queic by Olivia — Following Olivia Restaurant's wild success with their burnt cheesecake, they decided to set up a speciality shop dedicated to all things cheesecake. You can get either a taste of the dreamily creamy classic burnt cheesecake or the exceedingly smoky Idizabal Burnt Cheesecake.
Burnt Ends Bakery — The Michelin Star restaurant might be known for their famous smoke & grill menu but their bakery arm actually also makes some of the best Bomboloni in Singapore, with the richest and fluffiest dough stuffed with fillings such as passionfruit curd and pandan.
Candlenut — If there was a place to get Kueh Salat, it'll be the only Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant in the world. Theirs is an elegant concerto where the fragrant pandan and subtly salty glutinous rice intertwine flawlessly.
GelatoLabo — A gelato place that captured my heart rather quickly. Their eye for unique flavour combinations are acute, and textural layering quirky. With options like Caribbean Rum & Charred Pineapple or Sakura Smoked Artichoke, expect the craziest (but still function) ideas.
Baker's Bench — A cute little bakery at Bukit Pasoh Road, this place makes my favourite croissants in Singapore. The sourdough babies sing with a melodious crunch to expose their dense but fluffy innards.
Pantler — With an abundance of intricately made pastries on their menu, Pantler is like a candy shop for grown ups. Their signature choux, punctuated with toasty nougatine, is also a crowd-pleaser that might be up for contention as the best cream puff in Singapore.
KKI Sweets — A patissier who crafts the most gorgeously artful pieces of entremets that you can't bear to eat. KKI is renowned for beautiful creations such as the "J" which blend both eye-arresting aesthetics and immaculately layered flavour profiles.
Tarte by Cheryl Koh — Helmed by the Les Amis pastry chef, Tarte is the embodiment of understated French excellence. Nothing too glitzy but just displays great craftsmanship with an elegant use of simple ingredients for great flavours.
Cotta — This newcomer has won many hearts with their extreme;y innovative slew of desserts ranging from Gorgonzola Gelato to a Sichuan Peppercorn Chocolate Tart that hits with both a satisfying chocolatey richness and a subdued numbing sensation.
The Kins' — As one of the OGs of popularising the Burnt Cheesecake to the mainstream in Singapore, this blissfully velvety slice of Burnt Cheesecake is simple but perfectly executed and will melt in your mouth memorably.
Old Amoy Chendol — Quite easily the best Chendol in Singapore where you have a fastidiously designed bowl laden with a beautiful dose of Gula Melaka while flanked with premium azuki beans and homemade pandan squiggles for the most elevated Chendol experience you can get.
Petit Pain — A place with the most textbook viennoiseries you'd find in Singapore — Petit Pain is simple and unflashy but every piece of buttery flaky pastry will be the closest you'd get to a taste of France in Singapore.
Mr Bucket— The purveyors of the most delightful morsels of Chocolatey wonderment, each vibrantly coloured granule is made with not only enjoyably smooth mouthfeel and a nice crackling shell, but also imbued with endearing and quirky flavours ranging from mala to popping candy,
Butterknife Folk — This is not a conventional favourite gelato choice in Singapore, but they are also not your conventional gelato store. This is a place that pushes the envelope making the weirdest flavour ideas work, ranging from Shoyu to Chilli Crab,
Clinton Street Baking — I'm not one for the trendier styles of Japanese souffle pancakes and Clinton Street's thick and homely style of American pancakes are still the ones that satisfies me the most, with that addictive maple butter sauce making it impossible to resist.