Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures. Because of this, the nation has become well-known among foodies for its amazing food scene.

You don’t need to look far to find a restaurant that will satisfy your cravings. The city is filled with unique joints and establishments run by top chefs as well as locally famous hawker stalls.

In this article, we will list some of the best restaurants to eat at in Singapore, from affordable eats to the most unusual (but tasty!) concepts.

What food is popular in Singapore?

Singapore’s food scene is inspired by the different cultures that make up the country. The cuisine has strong influences from Chinese, Malay, Indian, and even European cultures.

These gave birth to intricate and exotic tastes.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

One of the most popular Singaporean foods is Hainanese Chicken Rice. It is often dubbed Singapore’s unofficial national dish.

The dish was adapted from Chinese immigrants. Hainanese Chicken Rice contains steamed white chicken served with rice cooked in chicken fat and broth.

It is often served with vegetables or eggs.

Laksa

Another popular dish in Singapore is laksa. This is a spicy noodle soup made from curry, coconut milk, and spices. 

Laksa consists of noodles, fishcake, prawns, beansprouts, and even cockles. The dish is a beautiful mesh of Chinese and Malay cuisine.

Other popular Singaporean foods besides Hainanese chicken rice and laksa are satay (grilled skewered meat), kaya toast (toast with coconut jam), and oyster omelet.

Where to Get The Best Street Food in Singapore

To get the best street food in Singapore, visit one of its many unique hawker centers. A hawker center is an open-air complex filled with stalls that sell affordable and tasty meals. 

Many hawker stalls have lasted decades, passed down from generation to generation. The unique history and longevity of these stalls are a testament to the food’s tastes.

What are some of the best hawker centers in Singapore?

As mentioned, hawker centers are one of the most popular ways of getting authentic Singaporean street food and meals.

With their affordable price points and yummy food, hawker centers have become well-loved among locals and tourists.

These are two of the best hawker centers you need to check out on your next outing in Singapore: Old Airport Road Food Centre and Adam Road Food Centre!

Old Airport Road Food Centre

One of the most esteemed hawker centers in Singapore is the Old Airport Road Food Centre. It was opened in 1973 and was previously the site of Singapore’s first civil airport, leading to its unique name.

Many of the stalls in the hawker center have been operating since the 1970s. The place is popular among locals, with people lining up for their dishes. 

Some of the most popular dishes to grab here include Hainanese chicken rice, satay, and rojak (fruit salad). For those practicing a halal diet, several stalls serve halal food options.

One of the most popular stalls is Dong Ji Fried Kway Teow. The stall sells Penang-style fried noodles, and the decadent taste of noodles with seafood and Chinese sausage will definitely satisfy your taste buds!

Adam Road Food Centre

Another must-visit hawker center in Singapore is the Adam Road Food Centre. Though small, the center is filled with halal-certified eats and stalls that have lasted decades. 

Adam Road Food Centre is located close to the Singapore Botanical Gardens. If you are feeling peckish after a day of sightseeing, this is a must-visit!

Some popular menu items in the center are mutton soup, fishball noodles, and Hokkien mee.

However, one of the must-tries from Adam Road Food Centre is Selera Rasa nasi lemak.

Their nasi lemak (coconut rice) is one of the most popular dishes in Singapore, and the Selera Rasa nasi lemak never fails to garner a queue.

Despite the long line, the dish is definitely worth waiting for!

What are some of the most affordable places to eat in Singapore?

Who says good food comes at a high price? Singapore boasts a wide array of food establishments at different price points.

No need to break the bank to fill your stomach!

Singapore has many affordable places to eat in, such as AH LOCK & Co. and Sungei Road Laksa.

AH Lock & Co.

One restaurant for an affordable meal in Singapore is AH LOCK & Co. The restaurant first started as a hawker stall at Yishun Park and expanded its business following local success.

The eatery sells Singaporean traditional comfort food with a unique, modern twist.

Nothing on their money goes over $13. In fact, their must-try dish—the Hakka Signature Rice Bowl—will only cost you $8.80!

The store also sells a lovely selection of min jiang kuehs.

Sungei Road Laksa

Another must-try spot that serves cheap but delicious food in Singapore is Sungei Road Laksa. As the name implies, this hawker stall sells delectable and flavorful laksa.

Locals have claimed that this eatery is home to the best laksa in the world. It is generously filled with textured noodles and cockles, making it a filling dish.

The best part? It’s only $3 a bowl!

Best Places to Have Lunch in Singapore

Looking for a nice lunch spot for you and your besties? Singapore is home to several amazing lunch spots perfect for any occasion.

If you are looking to have a delicious lunch in Singapore, check out Sonder and Min Jiang!

Sonder

One amazing lunch spot in Singapore is Sonder, which sells fine-dining-level meals at an affordable price point. This restaurant has a unique take on Euro-Asian cuisine, inspired by the chef’s Thai-Chinese heritage.

Lunch sets are sold from 12:00 NN to 2:00 PM. A two-course meal starts at $30, while a three-course meal starts at $45. 

Besides being a restaurant, Sonder is also a bakery bistro that serves freshly baked bread.

Min Jiang

Another great lunch spot in Singapore is Min Jiang, which has been operating since 1982. The restaurant sells authentic Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine.

Though it has been operating for nearly 40 years, Min Jiang has kept up with the times. Their menu has included modern influences, proving they will always be trendy.

True to its Chinese roots, Min Jiang offers dim sum push cart service during lunchtime. This makes the experience more authentic, as most Chinese establishments have foregone this practice in recent years.

What are some of the best cafes in Singapore?

What comes after lunch? Snack time! And the best places for quick bites are cafes.

Luckily, Singapore is home to several cafes with unique specialties! Some of the best cafes here are Good Morning Nanyang Cafe and Naga House.

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe

One cafe famed for its kaya toast is Good Morning Nanyang Cafe. This establishment sells the classic Nanyang coffee and kaya toast, which is perfect for breakfast or as a mid-day snack.

Their kaya spread is made in-house and has gained fame for its rich and sweet taste. That paired with a coffee is a combo you can’t go wrong with!

Naga House

Want to experience Hongdae in Singapore? Then you need to visit the trendy cafe Naga House!

By day, Naga house serves as a cafe but transforms into a bar at night. The eatery sells Japanese-inspired dishes with Southeast Asian twists. 

The cafe sells the usual coffee as well as matcha and hojicha. Naga House also serves in-house-made kombucha.

Besides food, Naga House also sells fashion streetwear.

One must-try from the cafe is their Naga pasta, which consists of small shrimps, kombu, an onsen egg, and chili oil. For drinks, their dirty matcha is a must-have.

Best Dinner Places in Singapore

After a long day of sightseeing, shopping, or running errands, you deserve a delicious and hearty dinner. In Singapore, there are many places to stop for a scrumptious bite at night.

If you are seeking scrumptious dinner places to end your day in Singapore, check out Candlenut and The Coconut Club!

Candlenut

One restaurant to check out for a delicious dinner in Singapore is Candlenut. This restaurant serves Peranakan food, which is a cuisine produced by Chinese immigrants who married local Malays.

Candlenut is a Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant known for its bold flavors. It is often considered one of the best restaurants in Singapore.

One unique thing about the restaurant is there are no ala carte dishes, only set menus. This is inspired by the Japanese omakase-style of serving.

The Coconut Club

The Coconut Club is a restaurant that celebrates coconut drinks and local recipes. The chill and laid-back eatery is a must for unique tastes.

As the name implies, The Coconut Club serves coconut milk drinks. The milk is served fresh, and The Coconut Club boasts that they are 100% organic with no preservatives or additives!

Their most popular coconut-based drinks are the coconut water cold brew and coconut milk cold brew.

For their food, The Coconut Club is mostly known for its nasi lemak choices, which are served with coconut rice. The most popular is their ayam goreng berempah.

Unusual and Unique Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore is not only home to casual hawker stalls and fine-dining experiences. The country also boasts a selection of unusual and unique restaurants!

If you are looking for a unique, unforgettable restaurant experience in Singapore, then give Absurdities and 3 Of Cups a visit!

Absurdities

One unique restaurant in Singapore worth mentioning is Absurdities. The omakase-themed restaurant dubs itself an “anti-fine dining” restaurant that serves flavorful and exciting six-course meals. 

In Absurbdities, you are led through hidden doors that bring you to a whole new world—and a whole new dish. This Narnia-like experience is perfect for adventurous eaters!

3 Of Cups

If you are into astrology and tarot cards, 3 Of Cups is the perfect place for you! This tarot-themed cocktail offers free tarot readings (on weekends if you order three or more cocktails) and tarot-inspired drinks.

You can go the conventional route by ordering a drink from the menu, or you can leave it to fate by pulling a card from a deck and getting a surprise drink!

The bar boasts a relaxing atmosphere and Asian-infused dishes. The food menu represents the proud Asian cultures of the owners.

A must-try thing to eat in 3 Of Cups is the Empress Prawns. These are deshelled tiger prawns cooked in a warm buttery broth.

For drinks, you cannot go wrong with The High Priestess, which is a concoction of gin, St. Germain, rose, calamansi, and soda.