Best Singapore Restaurants, Singapore Food Guide - 2

Japanese: En Japanese Dining Bar

One of the few late-night restaurant options, En Japanese serves sake, sushi and more until 3 a.m. on weekends at its River Valley Road outlet. The atmosphere is lively, the service attentive and the food never disappoints.

01-57/58 UE Square, 207 River Valley Road. Tel. +65-6735-2212. 01-14 Crown Centre, 557 Bukit Timah Rd. Average cost per person: $40 to $50. www.endingbars.com

Korean: Chang Korean BBQ Restaurant

Korean charcoal barbecue is all about grilling your own meat on the hotplate at your table. It’s an entertaining, albeit smoky, way to enjoy your meal. Try the prime rib.

Blk 18C Dempsey Road. Tel. +65-6473-9005. Entrées from $16. www.changbbq.com 

Malay: HJH Maimunah

Trust a restaurant that’s been serving nasi padang for 20 years to get it right. The prices are reasonable, the food fresh and hearty—particularly the tender chunks of beef in savory or coconut gravies. Come for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

11 Jalan Pisang. Tel. +65-6291-3132. Entrées: $3 to $20. www.hjmaimunah.com

Middle Eastern: Café Le Caire

A great place to come with a group—everything about Café Le Caire encourages lingering, from the shisha-smoking to the large mezze starter platters and rich Turkish coffee. It’s also one of the best value meals in town.

39 Arab St. Tel. +65-6292-0979. Entrées range from $5 to $17. cafelecaire.com.sg

Neighborhood: Dempsey Hill

Features more than 20 food/beverage outlets, including White Rabbit (modern dining in a refurbished church), Western brunch spot P.S. Café, whimsical alfresco bar Hacienda and steakhouse Prime Society.

 

• Singpore’s skyscrapers loom over renovated shophouses and godowns (former warehouses) lining Clarke Quay, a popular place to eat and drink.

Donna M. Airoldi

Blk 8D #03-01, Dempsey Road. Prices vary.

Seafood: Long Beach Seafood

Long Beach Seafood has been perfecting its black pepper crab and chili crab since 1946. This is about as close to Singaporean restaurant royalty as you get—you can’t go wrong.

1018 East Coast Parkway. Tel. +65-6446-8833. Entrées from $34. www.longbeachseafood.com.sg

Thai: Kha

Rated the “best new restaurant” by Time Out Singapore magazine (July 2008), fine dining local Kha serves modern Thai in a lush, leafy setting in HortPark.

HortPark, 33 Hyderabad Road. Tel. +65-6476-9000. Entrées range from $12 to $30. www.kha.sg

Vegetarian: Original Sin 

Original Sin’s Mediterranean menu has something for everyone, including octo lavo, vegan or jain (no onion, egg or garlic) vegetarians. I love the moussaka—oven-baked layers of eggplant, potato, tomato and lentils in a béchamel sauce.

Blk 43 #01-62 Jalan Merah Saga Holland Village, Chip Bee Gardens. Tel. +65-6475-5605. Entrées range from $22 to $28. www.originalsin.com.sg

Vietnamese: Le Tonkin

Going for an “Old Hanoi” vibe, this restaurant/lounge has rich, velvety décor with a beef pho to match. Traditional dish cha ca la vong—grilled sea bass smothered in turmeric, shrimp paste and fresh dill—is a favorite as well.

18 Mohamed Sultan Road. Tel. +65-6235-6006. Entrées range from $22 to $36. www.letonkin.com.sg