Best Barbecue in Singapore

Barbecue in Singapore: what to expect

Barbecue in Singapore comes in many forms. Western restaurants smoke meat for hours over wood. Hawker stalls grill satay over charcoal. Chinese shops sell sweet barbecued pork. This page focuses on Western-style barbecue and grill restaurants, with tips on the local options too.

Styles of barbecue you can try

American-style smoked meats

This style uses low heat and wood smoke over many hours. Common dishes include beef brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork and smoked sausages. Sides are often coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese or fries. Smokey's BBQ is an American barbecue restaurant in the Katong & Joo Chiat area.

Wood-fired grills

Some restaurants cook over open flames or in wood-fired ovens. Menus often focus on prime cuts of meat and seasonal dishes. Burnt Ends is a Modern Australian barbecue restaurant in the Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland area. It also appears in our Fine Dining list. Meatsmith is a Western barbecue restaurant in the Marina Bay & CBD area.

Local grilled favourites

Singapore has its own grilling traditions too. Satay is skewered meat grilled over charcoal and served with peanut sauce. Sambal stingray is stingray grilled on a banana leaf and topped with chilli paste. Chinese roast meat shops sell char siu, a sweet barbecued pork. At Korean BBQ restaurants, the meat is grilled at your table.

For satay in the city centre, try Satay by the Bay, a hawker centre in the Marina Bay & CBD area.

How to choose a barbecue restaurant

• Decide on the style. Pick a smokehouse for a relaxed meal of brisket and ribs. Pick a wood-fired grill for a special night out.
• Look for sharing platters. Some restaurants offer mixed platters, which suit groups and first-timers.
• Think about your budget. A casual smokehouse meal often costs around S$30 to S$70 per person. Fine-dining grills cost much more. Prices change, so check the menu before you go.
• Book ahead. Popular grill restaurants fill up, especially for dinner at weekends. The best-known ones may be booked out weeks ahead.
• Expect extra charges. Most sit-down restaurants add a service charge and GST to the bill.

Prefer a classic steak? Browse our Steakhouses & Grills list.

Where to find barbecue in Singapore

The restaurants on this page are spread across three parts of the island:

• Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland: a leafy area of restaurants close to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. See Dempsey Hill for more. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are the easiest way to get there.
• Marina Bay & CBD: the business district, with many hotels and sights nearby. It is easy to reach by MRT.
• Katong & Joo Chiat: an east-side neighbourhood known for colourful shophouses and local food. Walk past the Koon Seng Road Shophouses before dinner.

Want to explore by area? See Restaurants in Katong & Joo Chiat or Restaurants in Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland.

Tips for a barbecue meal in Singapore

• Order by weight. Some smokehouses sell brisket and other meats by weight. Ask the staff how much to order for your group.
• Come hungry. Portions at American-style places are often large and rich.
• Check the menu for diet needs. Many dishes use pork or beef. Ask the staff if you avoid certain meats.
• Dress for the heat. Some grills have outdoor or open-air seating, and Singapore is warm all year.

FAQs about barbecue in Singapore

Is American barbecue easy to find in Singapore?

Yes. There are several smokehouses and grill restaurants around the island. The list on this page is a good place to start.

What is the difference between barbecue and Korean BBQ?

At a smokehouse, chefs cook the meat slowly in the kitchen. At a Korean BBQ restaurant, raw meat is grilled at your table.

Do I need to book a barbecue restaurant?

It is wise to book for dinner, especially at weekends. Casual places may take walk-ins at quieter times.

Where can I find cheap grilled food?

Hawker centres are the cheapest option. Look for stalls selling satay, chicken wings or sambal stingray. These cost far less than a restaurant meal.