Shikar

Shikar is a modern Indian restaurant inside Maxwell Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection, at 2 Cook Street in Tanjong Pagar. It takes old recipes from India's royal kitchens and cooks them with global techniques and ingredients.

The name means "to hunt" in Hindi. It looks back to the royal hunting trips of the 18th and 19th centuries, which ended in large palace banquets. The kitchen is led by Surjan Singh, known as Chef Jolly. He has more than 20 years in hospitality and has served as a chief judge on MasterChef India. Shikar received a Tatler Best Spotlight award in 2026.

What to order

The à la carte menu moves from small bites to the charcoal tandoor and Josper grill, then on to curries, biryani and breads. Dishes worth trying:

• From the grill: venison seekh kebab made with Australian red deer, wild-caught tiger prawns with Kashmiri chilli, and charred cream chicken tikka.
• Tandoori purple cauliflower: a vegetarian starter with fennel, soft cheese and a coriander-garlic chutney.
• Curries: tandoor-roasted chicken makhani, coconut-shell baked lamb shoulder sukka, and slow-cooked wagyu short rib in a lal maas sauce.
• Shikari daal: urad lentils simmered slowly, then finished with cream and butter.
• Biryani: lamb shank, spring chicken, tiger prawn, or a vegetarian version with morel mushrooms, all served with garlic yoghurt raita.
• Naan: stuffed with duck keema, goat's cheese and chilli, or blue potato masala.

There are also three tasting menus, one of them vegetarian, each with an optional drinks pairing. Lunch brings a thali menu, and there is a brunch menu on Sundays. The bar mixes house cocktails such as the Pink Tigress, made with gin and rose, and the Hunters Shot, with bourbon and tamarind.

The setting

The design looks back to the private clubs of old Mumbai and the grand gatherings of India's royals. Early reviews described bold prints, mixed patterns, unusual chairs and murals of historical Indian scenes. Besides the main hall, there are smaller private rooms with gold-leaf details. These can be booked for private events, from dinners to larger parties.

Good to know before you go

• Dress code: smart casual.
• Booking: reserve through SevenRooms, by email or on WhatsApp. Details are on the Shikar website.
• Dietary needs: the menus mark vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and nut-containing dishes. Tell your server about any allergies before the meal starts. Our vegetarian and vegan guide has more ideas.
• Spice: some dishes use chilli, so ask which ones are milder if you prefer less heat.

Nearby

Cook Street sits close to the shophouses of Tanjong Pagar and the streets of Chinatown. Burma Social on Tras Street and Zén on Bukit Pasoh Road are both in the area. Before dinner, visit the Sri Mariamman Temple or follow the Chinatown Heritage Walk. You can also browse more Indian restaurants and fine dining in Singapore, see all restaurants in Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, or read our Tanjong Pagar guide.