17 Best Restaurants in Chinatown and Tiong Bahru, Singapore

A stretch of Smith Street that is closed to traffic, this outdoor eating area packed with stalls is the only place you'll find real "street food" in Singapore. Though it isn’t totally open-air (there is a high-ceiling glass canopy in case of rain), it makes a welcome change from the often hot and sweaty hawker centers. You would imagine a spot like this would be a big tourist trap, but it manages to deliver good food in a novel setting, albeit at slightly higher prices. Stroll up and down before making a choice of where to eat—Tiong Bahru Meng Kee Roast Duck is a good bet, as are the Sultan of Satay skewers. You can sit where you like, regardless of which stall you purchase from. Occasionally, there will be beer table service; they don’t take a commission so feel free to order your beer through them.

Head to level 2 of the Amoy Street food center for a cup of traditionally-brewed local kopi with a twist; the menu includes a dizzying array of latte flavors, including black sesame, hazelnut, and butter pecan. For a quick bite, pair it with their equally-eclectic toast flavors, like earl grey creme or matcha coconut.

Inspired by the food of the Mediterranean, Lolla’s small plates menu combines flawless technique with seasonal, high-quality ingredients. Perched on Ann Siang Hill, the restaurant belies its status with a lively atmosphere that makes you feel instantly welcome. Chef Johanne Siy has a serious fine-dining pedigree, so it’s no surprise that dishes are exemplary, like the signature sea urchin pudding with squid ink custard. Note that only tasting menus are served on Fridays and Saturdays.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking to experience some Michelin-starred fine dining, you won’t be disappointed by Meta’s multi-course fixed menu inspired by Chef Sun Kim’s Korean heritage. With a minimalist design and open kitchen, the restaurant gives you the opportunity to watch the chefs at work as you enjoy a languid afternoon or evening of tasting (the restaurant advises customers plan 2.5 hours for their meal). The wine pairing is highly recommended.

Of all Singapore's popular themed cafés, Settler's Café is considered the first board game café in the country. There are more than 600 games on offer, which you can enjoy as part of a package that includes food and drink alongside a few hours of game play. You can select from options like the dinner package, which includes grilled chicken, pasta, and fish and chips with free-flowing non-alcoholic drinks; or the wine package where you can play as you drink a bottle of wine. Games include everything from Monopoly and Pictionary to intense strategy games and silly party games.

Chef Rishi Naleendra’s Cloudstreet is rooted in both his Sri Lankan heritage and his training in Australia. The menu promises to “champion ingredient-driven cuisine,” and there’s always a heavy focus on seasonality in the creative tasting menus. The chef’s counter allows diners to engage and interact with the team as they move through the menu, delving deeper into the inspiration behind the elegant dishes. There’s also a great curated wine list, featuring wines from independent winemakers from all over the world.

Potted plants line the entrance of this chic, Parisian-style restaurant, and, in its casual dining area, French film posters cover the walls from floor to ceiling. Daily specials are scrawled on chalkboards, but the set menu includes meat, seafood, and such French specialities as snails, foie gras, and crème brûlée, and there's an exhaustive selection of French wines, as well as a large range of whiskies, vodkas, gins, liqueurs, rums, and Armagnacs.

Spend time "liming"—the Caribbean slang for "hanging with friends"—at this vibrant eatery inside a four-story heritage shophouse decorated with leafy plants, natural woods, and colorful prints. Wash down such classic Caribbean dishes as jerk chicken and curry goat with a rum cocktail from the restaurant's tiki-style bar, Bago. The restaurant also offers good choices for vegetarian and vegan diners.

This small, blue-decked café on the side of Ann Siang Hill serves some of the best coffee on the island. Grab an iced latte and perch on one of the outside tables for a quick break from the Chinatown sightseeing and shopping. The café often works with local bakers, so make sure to try their pastry and sandwich selections.

NAE:UM— meaning a fragrance that evokes memories—is a contemporary take on traditional Seoul cuisine, blending Western cooking techniques wth Korean flavors. Founder and chef Louis Han regularly changes the seasonal tasting menu to reflect the stories and memories of home, with menu titles like "Han River Sunset" and "Front Yard Barbecue." The dining room is a calming space just back from the busy Telok Ayer Street, with impeccable service from Han’s team.

“Bringing back the good old taste of Singapore traditional coffee” is the motto here, and you definitely won't be disappointed in the way that's done. Try the strong, sweet kopi ubiquitous in Singapore’s history, in an old-fashioned, bright red coffee house. Brush up on your kopi terms before visiting.

Chef Ivan Brehm’s mixed background—Italian, Spanish, German, and Brazilian—provides the inspiration for what he calls "crossroads cooking." Nouri’s dedicates himself to combining ingredients, techniques, and flavors from across the globe in intriguing tasting menus. The light, airy dining room and marble chef’s counter create a serene atmosphere, with service and wine pairings that are both top-notch.

Don't be fooled: soup is hardly the only thing on the menu at this popular Cantonese chain. It's an excellent spot to taste a variety of Chinese-style cuisine, from double-boiled pork ribs and dried scallops to tofu prawns and chicken rice, perhaps the most popular dish in Singapore. There are now more than ten Soup branches across the island—and all of them tend to be packed, particularly on Sundays.

Situated at the heart of foodie Keong Saik Road, chef Mano Thevar’s eponymous modern Indian restaurant provides a refreshing take on cuisine not often considered fine dining. Recognizable dishes like Chettinad chicken roti are given a unique twist with European techniques and flavors from the Malay peninsula. The fun atmosphere, extensive menu, and multiple vegetarian options make this a great choice for those wanting to experience fine Indian dining.