7 Best Restaurants in Singapore

Lucky House Cantonese Private Kitchen

$$$$ Fodor's choice

Slow-food champion Sam Wong runs this private dining experience from his vintage-furnished terrace house, at the back of which sits his wildly untamed fruit and vegetable garden. You’ll have to book months ahead for a table, but the wait for his painstakingly made food—like a signature roast duck that undergoes three days of preparation and features homemade spices—is worth it. The price is per head for an eight- to ten-course meal.

Upper East Coast Rd., Singapore, 466413, Singapore
9823–7268-For reservations; text only
Known For
  • private dining
  • roast duck
  • locavore culture
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: By appointment only

Golden Peony

$$ | Marina Bay

Join the power-lunchers at this swanky, Michelin-starred hotel dining room for what has been described as "maverick Hong Kong cuisine." Alongside an impressive selection of conventional dim sum delicacies you'll also find more adventurous Cantonese dishes, like crispy prawns with walnuts or golden crispy chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Both prix-fixe and à la carte menus are available for lunch and dinner.

Hai Tien Lo

$$ | Marina Bay

You'll enjoy sweeping views of Singapore from most tables at this contemporary Cantonese restaurant, curated by Hong Kong Chef Ricky Leung, high up in the Pan Pacific hotel. Dim lighting, carved wooden screens, and waitresses in cheongsams (Chinese-style dresses with Mandarin collars and side slits) all contribute to the restaurant's distinct sense of place. Expect familiar—and very tasty—Cantonese dishes and dim sum on Hai Tien Lo's prix-fixe and à la carte menus.

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Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine

$$$$ | Marina Bay
Ogle the hopefuls in the Marina Bay Sands casino while enjoying a meal at this Cantonese fine-dining restaurant overlooking the slot machines and gaming tables. Choose from set menus featuring simple yet refined seafood-forward dishes or such à la carte signature options as Australian lobster baked in superior broth or braised bird’s nest with crab meat and roe.

Lei Garden Restaurant

$$$ | Civic District

Located within the Civic District's historic Chijmes building, Singapore's branch of Hong Kong's Lei Garden is known for having one of the best dim sum spreads in the city (prixe-fixe and à la carte menus are also available). It's packed with lunching office workers on weekdays and with families on weekends, but the jostle is worth it to savor such standout dishes as Peking duck, grilled rib-eye beef, and scallops with bean curd in black bean sauce.

Red Star Restaurant

$$ | Chinatown
Shuffling waiters push dim sum trolleys from table to table at this wonderfully outdated Cantonese restaurant. Although the old-school decor (red carpets, cream table cloths, strip lights) makes it feel like a giant community center, the crispy spring rolls, siew mai dumplings, fried wantons, and egg tarts are classic and delicious. Set menus will leave you absolutely stuffed but still wanting more. Dumplings are only served at lunchtime, so bear that in mind when you're planning your visit.
54 Chin Swee Rd., Singapore, 160054, Singapore
6532–5266
Known For
  • suckling pig
  • roast duck
  • delicious dumplings (served at lunchtime only)

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant

$ | Little India
A local favorite for late night dim sum, this low-frills supper spot has been known to have a line well into the wee hours of the morning. Order the usual suspects—siew mai, bean-curd prawn roll, or pork congee with century egg—but save space for signature dishes like the mee sua kueh, a deep-fried vermicelli cake, and Shanghainese favorites like the Sichuan chilli wantons and juicy xiao long bao.
183–193 Jalan Besar, Singapore, 208882, Singapore
6225–7788
Known For
  • affordable dim sum
  • deep-fried vermicelli cake
  • mouthwatering chilli wantons
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.