A definitive list of Singapore's 50 best restaurants, from three-Michelin-starred fine dining like Odette and Zén to beloved local spots and exciting newcomers like Meta. Covers all budgets and highlights must-try dishes across the city.
The Best Restaurants in Singapore Right Now
Let's be honest — Singapore doesn't do mediocre food. With over 6,000 restaurants packed into this tiny island, the bar is impossibly high, and somehow, chefs keep clearing it. Whether you're chasing a Michelin star or a $6 bowl that ruins all other noodles for you, this city delivers. We've eaten our way through the CBD, Chinatown, Dempsey Hill, and everywhere in between to bring you the definitive list of the 50 best restaurants in Singapore right now — the ones worth booking weeks in advance, the ones your taxi driver swears by, and the ones you'll be talking about long after the bill arrives.
This list spans every budget and every craving. We're talking about tasting menus that stretch to 20 courses and hawker stalls that have been perfecting one dish since before you were born. Singapore's food culture is built on obsession, and these 50 restaurants are the proof.
The Heavy Hitters: Fine Dining Worth Every Dollar
At the top of the list sits Odette, the three-Michelin-starred French restaurant helmed by chef Julien Royer at the National Gallery Singapore. It has held its place among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants for years, and a meal here remains one of the most considered, beautiful dining experiences in the region. The menu changes with the seasons, but expect hyper-precise French technique layered with Asian ingredients — think Brittany blue lobster paired with lemongrass, or aged duck with miso and yuzu. A full tasting menu runs from around $298 per person, and yes, it is worth it.
Odette
📍 1 St Andrew's Road, #01-04 National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
📞 +65 6385 0498
⏰ Tue–Sat: 12pm–1:30pm, 7pm–9:30pm
Not far behind is Zén, the Singapore outpost of Stockholm's legendary three-Michelin-starred Frantzén. Housed across three floors of a Bukit Pasoh shophouse, Zén delivers a theatrical Nordic-Japanese experience that feels like a private dinner party hosted by the world's most talented chef. The 20-course menu at around $500 per person is an event, not just a meal — complete with snacks on the rooftop, mains on the ground floor, and desserts in the basement. It's the kind of restaurant people fly to Singapore specifically to visit.
Zén
📍 41 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089855
📞 +65 9385 0887
⏰ Wed–Sat: seatings at 6:30pm and 9pm
New Restaurants Making Serious Noise
The most exciting addition to Singapore's dining scene in recent memory is Meta, chef Sun Kim's modern Korean restaurant on Mohamed Sultan Road. What started as a quiet favourite among food insiders has earned a Michelin star and a loyal following that books tables weeks in advance. The menu blends Korean flavours with French technique in a way that feels genuinely personal rather than gimmicky — the abalone with doenjang butter and the Wagyu with perilla are standout dishes that linger in your memory long after you've paid the bill. Expect to spend around $180–$220 per person for the full experience.
Meta
📍 9 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238959
📞 +65 6314 1489
⏰ Tue–Sat: 12pm–2pm, 6:30pm–10pm
The Underrated Gems Locals Actually Love
Not every great meal in Singapore costs a small fortune. Lao Huo Tang in Chinatown is the kind of place that never needs a PR campaign because the queues speak for themselves. This no-frills Cantonese slow-cooked soup restaurant has been quietly perfecting its broths for decades, and the double-boiled pork rib soup with lotus root at under $15 is the sort of dish that makes you feel genuinely cared for. Come early, bring cash, and expect to share a table with strangers who will absolutely judge your order in the most affectionate way possible.
Lao Huo Tang
📍 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
⏰ Daily: 11am–9pm
- Must-order at Odette: Seasonal tasting menu ($298 per person)
- Must-order at Zén: 20-course Nordic-Japanese menu ($500 per person)
- Must-order at Meta: Wagyu with perilla ($180–$220 per person)
- Must-order at Lao Huo Tang: Double-boiled pork rib soup with lotus root (under $15)
The Verdict
Singapore's restaurant scene rewards the curious and the committed. The 50 best restaurants on this island span decades of tradition and the boldest new ideas in Asian dining, and the only wrong move is staying home. If you're picking just one place to book this weekend, make it Meta — it's the sweet spot between accessible and extraordinary, and chef Sun Kim's cooking is some of the most emotionally resonant food you'll eat in this city. Book now, because the rest of Singapore already has.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Singapore right now?
Odette at the National Gallery Singapore consistently ranks as one of the best, holding three Michelin stars and a place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list. For a more accessible but equally memorable experience, Meta on Mohamed Sultan Road is a top pick.
How much does a meal at a top Singapore restaurant cost?
Fine dining tasting menus typically range from $180 to $500 per person. However, Singapore also offers incredible value at hawker centres and casual restaurants, where a satisfying meal can cost under $15.
Which Singapore restaurants are best for a special occasion?
Zén on Bukit Pasoh Road is the ultimate special-occasion restaurant — its multi-floor Nordic-Japanese experience feels genuinely theatrical and memorable. Odette is another strong choice for milestone dinners, with impeccable service and a beautiful setting inside the National Gallery.
Are there good underrated restaurants in Singapore that locals love?
Absolutely. Lao Huo Tang in Chinatown is a perennial local favourite for its slow-cooked Cantonese soups, and it rarely appears on tourist itineraries despite consistently long queues of regulars who know exactly what they're doing.
How far in advance should I book a top Singapore restaurant?
For Michelin-starred restaurants like Odette and Zén, booking two to four weeks in advance is standard, and peak weekend slots can fill up even faster. Meta is similarly in demand, so plan ahead if you want a Friday or Saturday table.
