Singapore's Best Local Restaurants

Keng Eng Kee Seafood is a family-run restaurant that has been around since the 1970s, starting out from a humble hawker stall in Old Havelock Road. It’s known for its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and traditional zi char cooking that appeals to both locals and visitors. The friendly setting makes it an inviting spot to experience genuine Singaporean flavors.

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Tristin Farmer

Chef

The best hawker food in town (no more needs said) Paul and his team have incredible hospitality, delicious food and a must visit for supper!

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Revolver is a new Indian grill in Singapore that focuses on wood-fired cooking and Indian flavors. By taking a thoughtful, less-is-more approach, it brings out subtle nuances without feeling heavy or overdone. Diners can sit at the counter to watch the chefs at work, making for a fun and welcoming setting to catch up with friends.

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Michael Ryan

Chef/restaurateur

Woodfired cooking with Indian flavours There are plenty of restaurants around the world, and in particular in Singapore, with a similar format-counter seating in front of a wood fired kitchen. But what sets Revolver apart is it's food. The vast and complex cuisine of India is used creatively and with a careful 'less is more' approach to produce that often sought after, but rarely acheived, goal of simple food with profound depth and nuance.

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Samy’s Curry Restaurant is a family-run spot that started in the 1960s and is recognized as one of the best Indian restaurants in Singapore. Located in the Dempsey Hills area, it offers a relaxed setting that appeals to both locals and visitors. Its long history and convenient location make it a comfortable place to enjoy a casual meal.

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Dave Pynt

Chef

The fish head curry at Samy's is one of those incredible things you get to eat in life. The fish head curry at Samy’s Curry on Dempsey Road really exemplifies the Singaporean cuisine, where the locals eat the parts of the animal that are just delicious. The curry comes out in a banana leaf and is absolutely insane. The head has so many different components, like the back of the head, the cheek, where the jawline comes in and the eyeballs if you’re in to it. The fish head with a huge flavour bomb curry sauce is one of those incredible things you get to eat in life.

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J.B. Ah Meng Restaurant is known for its simple yet flavor-packed wok cooking in Singapore. Locals and visitors alike appreciate its bustling atmosphere, so it can be busy at peak times. If you’re seeking an unpretentious spot that highlights skillful cooking, this restaurant offers a welcoming experience.

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Victor Liong

Chef

A must on the way from or to the airport when in SG Simple, elegant and flavourful wok cookery from one of the city’s best cooks - outstanding seafood and wok cookery - JB Ah Meng slaps!

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Mr & Mrs Mohgan Super Crispy Roti Prata is a small, bustling spot in Singapore that's often buzzing with customers. Tucked away in a hall, it’s a bit out of the way but many say it’s well worth the visit, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed stop after a long journey.

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Colin Wood

Chef

Super crispy roti prata. Very busy little shop inside a hall with the most delicious, butterycrispy prata. Choose from three curries: fish, mutton, or dahl, add chilli samba and order a kopi from Tin Yeang Restaurant. It’s a little way out but well worth the trip and soothing for those with jet lag.

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Madras New Woodlands Restaurant in Singapore is known for its spicy, affordable fare that appeals to those who enjoy bold flavors. The casual setting makes it an easy place to drop by for a tasty meal. Its lively atmosphere and budget-friendly menu have made it a local favorite for anyone seeking hearty, satisfying food.

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Ivan Brehm

Chef

Great chaats, awesome appams. Food is spicy, affordable and very delicious. Special mention to all their dosas. Not for the faint of heart! Appams only served in the evening.

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YANG MING SEAFOOD Bishan Branch is a casual tze char spot known for its seafood and laid-back setting. You can bring your own drinks and enjoy a meal with a group, and the fair prices make it an easy choice.

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Ethel Hoon

Chef

Tze char restaurant with great seafood Great chinese seafood dishes, super casual atmosphere, BYOB, fair prices. Definitely recommend eating in a larger group. Burnt vermicelli (chao ta beehoon), steamed turbot with soy, lobster rice noodles (lobster cheong fan), and the chicken stuffed in a pigs bladder soup are some of my favorite dishes!

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Loy Kee Best Chicken Rice is a well-known spot in Singapore’s Balestier area with a cozy, old-school vibe. It’s popular for serving a classic local specialty that keeps people coming back. The relaxed setting makes it a comfortable choice for a fuss-free meal.

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Johanne Siy

Chef

Loy Kee serves chicken rice in the Balestier area. It’s a bit more old school. I love their roasted chicken rice set. When you come here, you have a choice of either a roasted or steamed chicken. When it comes to chicken rice, I'm on the roasted chicken rice camp, so that's what I always go for.

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New Ubin Seafood CHIJMES grew from a small seafood joint on Pulau Ubin to a popular spot known for its mix of traditional home-style cooking and modern ideas. The dining atmosphere is casual and vibrant, making it a comfortable place to enjoy bold flavors influenced by Singapore’s rich food heritage. It’s a friendly option if you’re looking for a hearty meal with a local twist.

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Daniel Modlin

Food & Wine Editor

One of the only non-hawker center restaurants worth a visit. You could easily eat all of your meals in SG in hawker centers. And you should. But if you go to one restaurant, let this be it. Its a family affair, with SG classics: Get the hor fun and the chili crab and you won’t leave dissapointed.

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JUMBO Seafood – East Coast is known in Singapore for its reliably well-prepared seafood and relaxed dining atmosphere. With multiple branches across the city, it draws visitors looking for a comfortable place to gather with friends or family. Its East Coast location offers a welcoming setting for a laid-back meal or a casual celebration.

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Julien Royer

Chef-owner

For chili crab or black pepper crab I will go to Jumbo Seafood. They have six branches in Singapore. They are always cooking the crab very well.

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Long Ji Zi Char in Singapore offers comforting local fare that many people find satisfying. Their website makes it simple to order for pickup or delivery, and the menu caters to a range of tastes. It’s a straightforward place to enjoy a hearty meal without any fuss.

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Johanne Siy

Chef

When I want my comfort food rice noodles, I go to Long Ji. They serve crab with bee hoon, and when it arrives at the table you see this big pile of rice noodles and a crab sitting on top of it. It smells a little bit funky because I think they add prawn paste to the broth. So initially you might ask what kind of dish this is but then you dig in and there's so much umami in that sauce and you just won't be able to stop eating it.

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Da Shi Jia Big Prawn Mee is a cozy spot on Killiney Road, just a short walk from Singapore’s Orchard Road. Run by a hardworking young couple, it’s known for its comforting local fare that blends fresh ingredients with a rich, smoky touch from the wok. Locals often bring friends here for a satisfying taste of Singapore in a relaxed setting.

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Johanne Siy

Chef

I am bottomless when it comes to noodles and I love prawn noodles. Da Shi Jia is the place that I love to go to, on Killiney Road just off Orchard Road, which is the main shopping district. Da Shi Jia is a place that serves big prawn noodles and they call it Prawn Mee. It's a slightly different take on it because they serve it in a giant bowl with Bee Hoon, which is a type of rice noodle with big, giant pieces of prawn. What really makes it actually is the sauce and the broth that they use to cook the noodles. It's a mixture of prawn heads and pork stock and they cook it on the wok so it has that rich umami smacking goodness from the broth and at the same time that smokiness from the wok. I always bring all my friends who visit to this place. It’s run by a young Singaporean couple who is the hardest working young couple I've ever seen. I always recommend this place.

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Kai Garden (Marina Square) is a Cantonese fine dining restaurant owned by award-winning Chef Fung Chi Keung. Set in an elegant and comfortable space that can seat up to 200 guests, it offers creative takes on traditional Cantonese cuisine while staying true to its heritage. The inviting atmosphere makes it a nice spot for anything from business lunches to special events.

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Liguang Han

Chef

Another gem of a dim sum/chinese restaurant! The peking duck is highly recommended but the char siew puff is simply the best in Singapore. Double boiled cartilage soup is also amazingly thick and flavourful and the signature beetroot dumpling is also a must order!

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The Beef House in Singapore is known for its traditional flair and simple, welcoming vibe. Locals often arrive early to beat the queue, so plan ahead. It’s a relaxed place to enjoy a comforting meal without any fuss.

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Nicola Lee

Food & Wine Writer

Head here for old fashioned Hakka Yong Tau Fu. Beef balls and Soon Kueh are also stomach worthy. Expect a queue so come early. 217 Syed Alwi Road Singapore 207776

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Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is a well-loved spot in Singapore’s Maxwell Food Center. Locals and visitors alike mention it as a favorite for its satisfying, straightforward meals. Its welcoming setting makes it a go-to place whenever you’re in the area.

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Julien Royer

Chef-owner

My favorite place to eat to eat chicken rice is called Tian Tian, which is at Maxwell Food Center. It’s one of my favorites in Singapore.

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Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle at Crawford Lane has been around since 1932, operating from its single outlet. It was awarded a Michelin star when the guide first came to Singapore, and continues to draw people looking for its freshly made fare. It’s a simple, friendly spot where you can enjoy a piece of local culinary history.

Recommended by

Julien Royer

Chef-owner

It’s a small local restaurant, where they are cooking prawn-pork noodles. These pork noodles are one of the best pork noodles in the world, and when the first Michelin Guide came to Singapore, they awarded this place one star.

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