Thevar is a two-Michelin-star restaurant that serves creative, interesting food but retains the traditional Indian flavors we’ve grown to love. It’s highly rated for its familiar South Indian dishes mixed with Japanese subtlety and French refinement.

Highlights during our last meal include the daring pork sambal in betel leaves and the hearty lamb biryani, two dishes that knocked it out of the park from taste to texture to presentation.

We also love that the restaurant serves generous meal portions and that the staff is earnest and friendly. It’s our respite, as the food is all pricey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Thevar (@thevar.sg)

But unlike the food, which amazed us consistently, the wine recommendation was a hit-and-miss. My dining buddies said the server that day didn’t explain well enough the logic behind the pairing and that the wine didn’t hit all the right notes.

Also, this Michelin-star restaurant allows diners in shorts and sandals despite it being fine dining. While we find this youthful and loose vibe refreshing, a few conservative customers who are used to formal dining in suits and dresses might not like it.

Mustard is the place to go if you want to enjoy Bengali and Punjabi cuisine! 

Earning the top spot for us is the resto’s prawn curry (damodar chingri) for its explosive and rich taste. The kosha mangsho (a crowd favorite) is another memorable dish thanks to its uber-tender mutton and aromatic spices.

We love how unpretentious and straightforward the dishes are, as in you get all the spices, flavors, and punches you expect from an Indian meal without the cooks trying to impress. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒅 — 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐛 (@mustardsingapore)

That said, the resto’s Punjabi offerings can be extremely hot, so we recommend asking the server for the exact spiciness level before ordering.

The menu is not as affordable as other Indian restaurants in the area too, so it would be better to come with a fat wallet. 

Reservations can be an issue at times. We attempted to book a table thrice before we got a response from the customer desk.

We recommend dining in Yarana if you prefer a laid-back vibe while digging into contemporary North Indian fare and guzzling glasses from an extensive drinks menu!

The restaurant has cozy indoor seats and a spacious alfresco area with a lovely water view! Meanwhile, the food menu is extensive enough to find something for everyone. 

However, the list can be overwhelming if you’re new to the cuisine. 

Fortunately, you can trust the servers’ recommendations. Dishes recommended to us include Yarana’s lamb chops, chicken kondattam (chicken with red chili flakes), pav bhaji (spicy dinner rolls), and mutton biryani. All didn’t disappoint!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YARANA (@yaranasgofficial)

The best thing, aside from the food, is Yarana’s massive drinks selection. It ranges from wines to single malts to non-alcoholic drinks, all at reasonable prices.

However, you might be disappointed if you visit here during peak hours. As the place is large and often crowded, expect staff to sometimes struggle to keep up with customer orders and requests.

Kolkata Beckons retains an unassuming character despite the evident European influence in its Bengali and Mughal dishes, making it a homey place for Indian food lovers.

Our favorites include the flavorful butter chicken and the cheesy daab paneer malai curry. 

All four of the restaurant’s biryanis are worth returning to as well. If we had to choose, though, we’d go with the hearty and delightful mutton biryani!

Also notably, the staff here is kind and cheerful!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kolkata Beckons (@kolkatabeckons)

However, don’t expect cushiony seats and a luxurious bar. The place is a straightforward diner with wooden square tables and chairs. 

Also, the closest parking space is in the nearby malls, which can be a hassle.

Moreover, note that the restaurant’s location along Race Course Road makes it constantly busy with customers. Walk-ins are allowed, but you’re not always sure if you can get a table.

Tandoori Zaika’s beautiful location overlooking Marina Bay is enough to reel you in, and we’re glad that the place’s charm does not end at that.

Aside from the location, the restaurant’s staff is also noteworthy for their friendliness and sincerity. We received attentive service but not too much that it’s overbearing.

There’s so much to love about the food here too! We love all of Tandoori’s comforting chaats (my favorite is the samosa one), rich fish masala, and butter chicken. 

Some vegetarian dishes also stood out including the malai kofta curry and aloo gobi (cauliflower potato curry)!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tandoori Zaika SG (@tandoorizaikasg)

But while we had no problems with the meal, we had issues booking a table. The restaurant’s prime location makes it challenging to secure seats (we had to wait a few weeks for an open slot).

The restaurant is also often busy due to the easy access to the place. We experienced a few misses from the serving staff, including water refills and order updates.