Café Iguana

They’ve got the full enchilada (heh!) when it comes to Tex-Mex basics: burritos, tacos, chimichangas, fajitas. But what’s nice about their limited, but solid taco selection are the handmade soft corn tacos that come with sides of sides of beans and Mexican rice. Fillings include sabroso chicken and good ol’ carnitas. Check out their daily “Margarita Madness” happy hour deals for authentic, frozen tequila delights. #01-05/06 Riverside Point 30 Merchant Rd., 6438-7438. 

El Mero Mero

El Mero Mero

Definitely the fanciest of the lot, this fine dining outfit at Chijmes is by the folks behind Senor Tacos. The restaurant had a menu overhaul last year, and the highlights of expanded taco list include 10 elevated and progressive filling options like Kurobuta pork al pastor, roasted dorper lamb with eggplant tahini and tiger prawn tempura with mango and coconut. #01-20 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St., 6337-1377.

Guzman Y Gomez

Guzman Y Gomez

This casual Mexican eatery does all the basics: nachos, quesadillas, burritos and of course, tacos. Fillings include pulled pork with chipotle adobo, fire-grilled flank steak and seared fish fillets with a light lime and garlic sauce. For sides and drinks, choose from the ever-popular churros, frozen margaritas or Coronas. And if you work out west, fear not, there’s a new-ish branch at Star Vista, too. #B1-07 Chevron House 30 Raffles Place., 6532-1248.

Muchachos

Value-for-money, hearty portions—what more could you ask for? They’ve got a make-your-own-taco concept that lets you pick and choose your favorite salsas, proteins and carbs according to your liking. They’re also whipping tasty burrito bowls and quesadillas. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a side of tortilla chips and a chilled bottle of Jarritos soda to wash it all down. 22 Keong Saik Rd., 6220-0458.

Piedra Negra

Haji Lane’s most colorful Mexican restaurant has a riotous party atmosphere and is the go-to place for parties like Day of the Dead and Mexican Independence Day. Tacos aside, they also serve some unusual dishes that are hard to find elsewhere like the cactus salad and plantain-stuffed habanero peppers. 241 Beach Rd., 6291-1297.

Senor Taco

Senor Taco

Look no further if you need a late-night fill after a boozy evening at Clarke Quay. This Mexican taqueria serves some of the best tacos (soft corn, of course) in town with options like their signature Al Pastor pork tacos, chorizo tacos and the decadent Baja fish tacos—along with burritos, flautas and killer margaritas. Our secret guilty pleasure involves grabbing and outside table on Taco Tuesdays, when tacos are half-off. #01-12, 3D River Valley Rd., 6336-6376. 

Super Loco

The Duxton Hill outlet is snazzier, of course, but we have a soft spot for this Robertson Quay offshoot, not least because of their cute taco window that’s open for lunch (when the rest of the restaurant is closed). Other than the usual al pastor and grilled fish, there’s the cordero taco with minced lamb and the vegetarian hongos taco with wild mushroom. #01-13 The Quayside 60 Robertson Quay., 6235-8900.

Vatos Urban Tacos

Vatos Urban Tacos

Not too many places in town where you can get Ko-Mex tacos. This popular South Korean franchise fuses classic Mexican bites with Southern Californian and Korean twists and the menu features the signature Urban Tacos range like the galbi short rib, chili lime shrimp and braised carnitas, salads, burritos, quesadillas and a selection of burgers. The shells are soft flour, just FYI. Wash them all down with fun cocktails like frozen margaritas and the makgeolita, a mix of tequila and Korean rice wine. South Beach, 36 Beach Rd., 6385-6010.

Antoinette

The French-inspired boudoir decor isn't the only French thing on their menu. Aside from their brunch options, they've got macaroons and sweet treats like crepes with salted caramel and nutella; gooey warm chocolate cake; and rose petal meringues. Need more convincing? They just rolled out salted yolk lava croissants. 30 Penhas Rd., 6293-3921.

Carpenter & Cook

Carpenter & Cook

Not only do they serve great sandwiches and quiches, this place also has tons of cakes. They do change sometimes but regulars include sweet treats like carrot cake, cheesecakes (with flavors like blueberry and caramel walnut), and tarts like passionfruit meringue and fruit frangipane. #01-06 19 Lor Kilat, 6463-3648. 

The Fabulous Baker Boy

​Henri Charpentier

Henri Charpentier

French-inspired pastries and desserts are the norm at this Japanese patisserie. Decked out in dark wood with touches of pink, this Dempsey dessert cafe is perfect for an afternoon out. Don't miss their signature Crepe Suzette that's flambeed tableside, as well as Singapore-only desserts like The Dome, a confection of strawberries and chocolate. 9A Dempsey Rd., 6479-5518. 

Ladurée

More of a grab-and-go takeaway store, this Paris transplant is just as pretty with its mint green swirls and Versailles-style decor. The macaroons may not come cheap but their wide array of ever-changing flavors has the perfect sweetness level and a great crunchy shell. #02-09 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6884-7361. 

Lady M

Lady M

Sunday Folks

Marmalade Pantry

 

 

The Daily Roundup

126 Dim Sum

It gets no prizes for atmosphere, but late-night revelers swear by this Hong Kong-style dim sum restaurant for its delish midnight munchies like pork belly buns and locally-inspired mantou with chilli crab sauce. Located in Geylang, land of late-night eateries, among glaring neon lights and plastic chairs, 126 Dim Sum is a solid option.

126 Sims Ave., 6746-4757.

Cherry Garden

Easily one of the best Chinese restaurants in town, this elegant fine dining establishment serves Cantonese cuisine presented with an artistic touch. Noteworthy dishes from their weekend dim sum buffet lunches include the steamed custard buns with yam and juicy xiao long bao.

5/F Marina Square Mandarin Oriental Singapore 5 Raffles Ave., 6885-3550.

Hai Tien Lo

It’s an all-you-can-eat affair during the buffet on weekends. There are tons of classics like the steamed barbecue pork buns, stir-fried carrot cake in XO chilli sauce and the deep-fried whitebait with oat flakes.

3/F Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd., 6826-8240.

Jade

This sophisticated restaurant often has a month-long waitlist—but it’s worth it, with over 50 dishes including liu sha bao (custard bun) and other favorites.

G/F The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Sq., 6877-8188.

Min Jiang

Contemporary interior, attractive furnishings and poolside dining option aside, it’s the consistently good food that makes Min Jiang worth a visit. The delectable dim sum is a steady draw with favorites like the char siew soh, ried spring rolls with mango and cheong fun.

G/F Goodwood Park Hotel 22 Scotts Rd., 6730-1704.

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant

The cheap and cheerful (and rather expansive) eatery carries both Hong Kong- and Shanghai-style dim sum, with an extensive menu of siew mai, har kow and the famous Swee Choon big pau. On the Shanghainese front, there’s chive pork dumplings and xiao long bao. It’s always mobbed, but their surprisingly organized queuing system makes it all quite manageable. We love getting a table in the concrete backyard.

191 Jalan Besar, 6225-7788.

Tim Ho Wan

Housed in a relaxed 100-seat space is the first overseas outpost of this famed eatery, care of chef Mak Kwai Pui. Highlights not to be missed include pan-fried carrot cake, vermicelli roll with pig’s liver and Mak’s signature baked buns with BBQ pork—a delicious crispy-topped boluo (pineapple) bun stuffed with char siew. For those with a sweet tooth, the fluffy steamed egg cake and tonic medlar and osmanthus jelly should do the trick.

#01-29A Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6251-2000. 

Yan Ting

It's no wonder that the dining hall at Yan Ting, replete with stained glass panels, chandeliers and plush booths (perfect for canoodling), is as luxurious it gets. Aside from the famed weekend dim sum brunch, the food is as pretty as the decor, so expect excellent Cantonese cuisine and attentive, well-trained wait staff. 

1/F The St Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd., 6506-6887.