It was a shaky year for burgers in Singapore. Trendy places like Meatliquor and affordable go-tos such as Butcher’s Club Burger, Charcoal Pit and Deburg closed their doors. But not only are the classic stalwarts going strong, they have been joined by places we now count among our favorites—the cheap and cheerful cheeseburger at Burger Joint goes so well with their 18-tap selection of craft beer, and homegrown Wildfire expanded to Orchard Road—proving that while burger places may come and go, burgers are forever.

Burger Joint

When we can’t deal with Amoy Street pretensions, we pull back the velvet curtains and retreat into this wood-paneled, low-ceilinged reprieve. With nearly a dozen branches around the world, they still manage to win our hearts with their delicious and affordable burgers and a wall of craft beers on tap. #01-03 115 Amoy St. 

Hard Rock Cafe

The flagship Singapore outlet of the renowned chain is decked out in music memorabilia and plays host to rock bands and live acts from time to time. Tuck into hearty, all-American meals here—think ribs, burgers and steaks. You can always be sure to find old favorites like their bacon and cheese wagyu burger and hickory-smoked ribs. #02/01/03-01 HPL House, 50 Cuscaden Rd. Make a reservation via Chope.

The Market Grill

In the kitchen of the bustling industrial space is executive chef Colin West who puts out a menu of juicy burgers, grilled meats and seafood. Beef chuck burgers aside, they also do cod, chicken and Portobello burgers. Beef eaters would be well-advised to get the blue cheese burger with sweet onion marmalade. 208 Telok Ayer St. Make a reservation via Chope.

OverEasy Bar & Diner

This American-style diner takes its burgers seriously. Try their signature To Die For, a wagyu chuck blend patty with their homemade burger sauce. Pro tip: while their house fries are good, we love upgrading to the sweet potato fries. #01-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd. Make a reservation via Chope.

Potato Head Singapore

The ground floor is home to Three Buns, with window service and outdoor seating—perfect for watching Keong Saik shenanigans while you chomp on one of their 10 burger options, such as the Burning Man, with dashi mayo and jalapeno relish, or the Rambo, with a lamb patty, feta and eggplant pickles. 36 Keong Saik Rd.

Relish by Wild Rocket

Celebrity chef Willin Low’s original casual brunch and burger joint is still going strong. Work up an appetite with a stroll through the Botanic Gardens, then refuel with international burgers such as the barbecue char siew pork open burger and the blue cheese and poached pear beef burger. Also try their Parmesan wings. #02-01 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Rd.

Two Blur Guys

With the closing of Deburg, we have rediscovered the super-casual but solid pleasures of Two Blur Guys. Get the Prime Rib Burger with Gruyere cheese, or, if you’re not into red meat, there’s the grilled chicken burger with Asian spices, and other non-beef options. #01-13 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link. Make a reservation via Chope.

Wildfire Kitchen + Bar

We loved Wildfire’s original branch on Evans Road, serving delicious, honest burgers alongside a long list of bottled craft beers at some nice happy hour prices. And though they’ve expanded to 313@somerset, they’re still doing a great job: their triple bacon burger won the Asia Burger Challenge last year. 26 Evans Rd.

Our love affair with Japanese food is no secret. Neither is Japanese food enclave Liang Court, or even Cuppage Plaza for that matter. But with the arrival of Japan Food Town nearly a year ago, clutches of Japanese restaurants all next to each other, preferably in a mall, became the hot dining trend of the year. Tanjong Pagar Centre and 100AM have followed suit, as have a couple other places. Here are our favorites, new and old.

Cuppage Plaza

Before Japanese food enclaves got all sexy, there was this gem, surrounded by reflexology places and KTVs, and home to eateries like Azmaya Honten and its signature shabu shabu, yakitori at Kazu Sumiyaki and bar fare at Hanashizuku. 5 Koek Rd.

Chijmes

The historic building underwent a facelift in 2014, and now there’s a Japanese food alley home to no less than 10 Japanese restaurants. We’re especially into aged sushi specialist Ashino, and traditional tonkotsu ramen by Ikkousha. 30 Victoria St.

Eat At Seven

Eat at Seven is the second sexiest enclave on this list, with high ceilings and plenty of light. Among the seven restaurants, don’t miss trawler-to-table specialist MaguroDonya Miuramisakikou Sushi & Dining and kuroge wagyu at yakiniku restaurant NikuNoHi. #03-310-316/307 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd.

Emporium Shokuhin

Isetan Scotts Market

Japan Food Town 

With its wood paneling and spare foliage, Japan Food Town opened with regional Japanese delights at its 16 restaurants, all firsts from Japan. Highlights include Tsukiji market’s beloved Sushi Taketawa and udon specialist Inaniwa Yosuke. #04-39/54 Wisma Atria Shopping Centre, 435 Orchard Rd.

Millenia Walk’s second-floor Japanese food street has plenty of affordable options: steaming bowls of ramen at Chabuton and Miharu Sapporo Ramen, and fresh premium thick cuts of sashimi at Teppei Syokudo, Tomi Sushi or Rakuzen. The latest addition is Tengawa, specializing in Hokkaido milk-based curry. Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd.

Tanjong Pagar Centre