Best European Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to European restaurants in Singapore

European restaurants in Singapore range from neighbourhood pizza places to some of the city's best-known tasting menus. Many kitchens use produce flown in from Europe, Japan and Australia. This guide explains the main styles, where to find them and how to book.

French, Italian, Spanish and Greek

French

French cooking is the largest group on this list. For a long tasting menu, look at Odette in the City Hall area or Les Amis in Orchard. Saint Pierre is in Marina Bay. Lerouy is in the Orchard and River Valley area. Euphoria, Fleurs de Sel and Ma Cuisine are in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. Gunther's is in the Bugis area. See all French restaurants.

A French tasting menu usually starts with a few small bites. It then moves through fish and meat courses to cheese and dessert. Some places also offer a shorter menu with fewer courses.

Italian

Italian food here runs from pizza and pasta to formal set menus. A classic meal starts with antipasti, or starters, then pasta, then a main course. Art di Daniele Sperindio is in the City Hall area. Buona Terra is in Orchard and River Valley. Cicheti is in Kampong Glam, and Fico is out east near the coast. For pizza, try Extra Virgin Pizza in the CBD. More are on the Italian and Pizza pages.

Spanish, Greek and Mediterranean

Spanish restaurants often serve tapas, which are small plates for sharing. Kulto and Basque Kitchen by Aitor both cook Spanish food in the Marina Bay and CBD area. Basque food comes from the Basque Country, which spans northern Spain and south-west France.

Greek food is built on olive oil, grilled seafood and dips such as tzatziki. Try Alati in the CBD or Blu Kouzina in Dempsey. Lolla serves Mediterranean food.

Modern European and tasting menus

Several places on this list go beyond one country. Zén serves Nordic fine dining in the Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar area. JAAN by Kirk Westaway cooks modern British food high above City Hall. Burnt Ends in Dempsey is a modern Australian barbecue restaurant. Born offers contemporary fine dining. Mustard Seed and Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar serve modern European menus. For more tasting menus, see Fine Dining.

Best areas for European food

• Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar: French and modern restaurants, many in restored shophouses. Read about the area in Tanjong Pagar & Keong Saik.
• Marina Bay & CBD: Spanish, Greek, Italian and French options, handy for business meals.
• City Hall & Clarke Quay: French, Italian and modern British dining near the museums.
• Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland: relaxed Greek and modern European meals in a leafy setting around Dempsey Hill.

Booking and dining tips

• Book ahead. Popular tasting menus can be fully booked weeks in advance. Many restaurants take bookings online.
• Try lunch. Some high-end places offer a shorter, cheaper lunch menu.
• Know rough costs. A pasta or pizza meal may cost around S$30 to S$60 per person. Tasting menus can cost several hundred dollars. Prices change, so check menus first.
• Check for "++". It means a service charge and GST, Singapore's goods and services tax, are added to menu prices.
• Dress smart casual. It works almost everywhere. For tasting menus, avoid beachwear and flip-flops.
• Mention dietary needs. Tell the restaurant about allergies or diets when you book.

FAQs about European restaurants in Singapore

Which European food is easiest to find in Singapore?

French and Italian. On this list, French restaurants make up the largest group, followed by Italian.

Do I need to book European restaurants in Singapore?

For dinner, yes, especially at weekends. Top tasting menus can be booked out weeks ahead.

Is there a dress code?

Smart casual suits most places. Fine dining rooms may ask guests to avoid shorts and flip-flops, so check when you book.

Are there cheaper European options?

Yes. Pizza places and casual Italian or Greek restaurants cost far less than tasting menus. Lunch sets are another way to save.

Where can I find Spanish tapas in Singapore?

Try Kulto or Basque Kitchen by Aitor in the Marina Bay and CBD area. Both appear in the list above.