Modern Singaporean Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to modern Singaporean restaurants in Singapore

Modern Singaporean restaurants in Singapore start with the dishes locals grew up eating. These include hawker food, Malay, Chinese and Indian home cooking, and Peranakan recipes. Peranakan cooking blends Chinese and Malay traditions. Chefs rework these dishes with new techniques, local produce and careful plating. A good meal can tell you a lot about how Singapore eats.

What is modern Singaporean food?

Singapore food is a mix of many cultures. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian cooking all play a part. Modern Singaporean chefs pick familiar flavours from this mix and present them in a fresh form. The dish may look new, but the taste should feel familiar to a local diner.

Flavours you may recognise

• Chilli crab: crab in a thick, sweet and spicy tomato and chilli sauce. See Chilli Crab for where to eat the classic version.
• Laksa: noodles in a spicy coconut curry broth. See Laksa.
• Chicken rice: poached chicken with rice cooked in chicken stock, served with chilli and ginger sauces. See Chicken Rice.
• Kaya: a sweet jam made from coconut milk, eggs and sugar, often flavoured with pandan leaf.
• Sambal and rempah: sambal is a chilli paste. Rempah is a spice paste that forms the base of many Malay and Peranakan dishes.
• Belacan: a strong fermented shrimp paste used in sambal and many sauces.

Modern Singaporean restaurants on this list

Labyrinth

Labyrinth is a fine dining restaurant in the Marina Bay and CBD area. It serves modern Singaporean food, so expect familiar local flavours in an unfamiliar form. Book ahead, as fine dining rooms have few seats. Marina Bay is also good for an evening walk. Pair dinner with a visit to Gardens by the Bay or the Marina Bay Night Walk.

Related places with local flavours

• Candlenut and National Kitchen by Violet Oon serve Peranakan food. See Peranakan for more.
• Rempapa serves Singaporean food in the City Hall and Clarke Quay area.
• Seroja serves Malaysian food in Bugis and Kampong Glam, and is also on our fine dining list.
• Modern Asian restaurants mix flavours from across the region.

How to enjoy a modern Singaporean meal

Eat the original first

Modern Singaporean cooking makes more sense when you know the dishes behind it. Have lunch at a hawker centre such as Maxwell Food Centre or Lau Pa Sat. Order chicken rice or laksa. Then compare it with the tasting menu at dinner. Singapore Food Guide: 15 Dishes to Try First gives you a short list to work through.

For background, visit the Peranakan Museum. It explains the Peranakan culture behind many local dishes. You will then recognise more of the ideas on a modern menu.

Booking tips

• Book well ahead, especially for weekend dinners.
• Tasting menus often take two to three hours, so do not plan anything tight afterwards.
• Mention allergies when you book. Many local dishes use shellfish, peanuts, belacan or pork.
• Expect to pay far more than at a hawker centre. A fine dining tasting menu often costs well over S$100 per person. Prices change, so check the latest menu.
• Prices marked '++' mean a service charge and GST, the goods and services tax, will be added to the bill.
• Smart casual dress is the safe choice. Avoid beachwear and flip-flops.

FAQs about modern Singaporean restaurants in Singapore

What is modern Singaporean cuisine?

It is local food presented in a new way. Chefs take flavours from hawker, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan cooking and serve them as plated courses.

How is it different from hawker food?

Hawker food is simple, cheap and served fast at open food centres. Modern Singaporean food uses similar flavours, but in a restaurant setting with table service and a much higher price.

Is modern Singaporean food spicy?

Some dishes have chilli, as local food often does. Heat is usually balanced, and staff can tell you which courses are spicy.

What should I eat before a modern Singaporean meal?

Try a few classics at a hawker centre first, such as chicken rice, laksa and kaya toast. You will then spot the flavours on the tasting menu.