Last year was all about American smokehouse places. Decker and Red Eye Smokehouse opened in quick succession, followed by Camp Kilo Charcoal Club. Since then, the grilled meat scene has diversified, expanding to include Turkish kebabs at Fat Prince, as well as crispy lechon at Iskina Cebu. And with Dave Pynt’s Burnt Ends entering the top 10 at Asia’s 50 Best, barbecue in 2017 has gotten not just ethnically diverse, but also a little bit fancy.

Camp Kilo Charcoal Club

Camp Kilo is all about chill vibes in the great outdoors. Grab a picnic table, head to the window and order things like Thai-style roast chicken, chipotle ribs, lechon and excellent sides like pomelo and mango salad. Pair them with potent punch. #01-01 66 Kampong Bugis.

Decker Barbecue

Decker is a gem, with string lights, picnic tables, a back-lit menu and a giant smoker in the back. The menu highlight is the beef brisket, of course, and tender pulled pork. The sides are equally all-American: brisket beans, mac and cheese and kale salad. Get a craft beer to go with. #01-17 Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay.

Fat Prince

The people who brought you Neon Pigeon draw on Imperial Istanbul for Fat Prince, with its arabesque mosaics and low-hanging lamps. Choose from 10 types of “taco sized” kebabs, like the spicy beef and the modern duck and pistachio kofte. 48 Peck Seah St.

Iskina Cebu

This proudly Cebuano stall previously operating at a Paya Lebar coffee shop serves incredible lechon de cebu (roasted pork), spicy belly chon (slow-roasted pork belly) and inasal manok (grilled chicken). #01-27 73A Ayer Rajah Cres.

Meat Smith

This American smokehouse has plenty of classy touches, like chicken liver parfait and the taramasalata. The stars are the briskey, the Memphis dry rub pork spare ribs and the smoked suckling pig. Wash it all down with the barrel-aged cocktails. 167 Telok Ayer St.

Red Eye Smokehouse

With high ceilings, concrete floors and simple wooden tables, Red Eye’s decor is as no-frills as the food: order at the counter classics like juicy brisket, sausage and wings, and some new additions like brisket tacos. Try the Mezcal Mule, too. 1 Cavan Rd.

Salted & Hung

With prevalent char flavors and Japanese influences, many dishes here are made on the Josper grill, such as the Hamachi collar and the suckling pig, stuffed with chorizo and carabinero. The sides are great, too, as are the Australian craft beers. 12 Purvis St.

Skirt

If you’re less about bibs and barbecue sauce and more about high ceilings, open-concept parrilla grills and nice wine lists, this is the place. W Singapore’s signature grill resto sources sustainable seafood and premium meats like Black Angus and Rangers Valley (you can even do a tasting of five different varieties). W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way.

Singapore’s Mexican food scene may not have had any shockwaves over the past 12 months, but like a good habanero, it was a slow-building burn: Mex Out and Vatos Urban Tacos expanded their empires, everyone suddenly became privy to what a mescal margarita was and Super Loco pulled out all the stops for its gorgeous (though still party-forward) second branch at Customs House. Here’s where you should be getting your tacos and margaritas.

Barrio by Mex Out

Mex Out expanded with a fuller menu at its Barrio concept, which now has a branch in VivoCity, too. Tacos, burritos and burrito bowls aside, there are tortas like the chili cheeseburger. #01-14/15 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Rd.

El Mero Mero

This fancy spot does premium tacos with fillings like Kurobuta pork al pastor and tiger prawn tempura with coconut, mango and cabbage. Mains like the NZ ribeye and Atlantic grilled octopus are fired up in the Josper grill. Don’t miss their mezcals, and Mexican-leaning signature cocktails. #01-20 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St.

Guzman Y Gomez

GYG has opened several branches, the latest at Tanjong Pagar Centre. They keep the menu simple: burritos, burrito bowls, tacos. Topping options include chipotle adobo pulled pork, garlic-lime fish, etc. #B1-07 Chevron House, 30 Raffes Pl.

Muchachos

They’ve got a make-your-own taco concept that lets you pick your favorite salsas, proteins and carbs. They also whip up tasty burrito bowls and quesadillas. Pair your meal with a side of tortilla chips and a chilled bottle of Jarritos soda to wash it all down with. 22 Keong Saik Rd.

Piedra Negra

Haji Lane’s most colorful restaurant is the go-to place for Day of the Dead parties. Tacos aside, chef Leo Munoz serves some unusual dishes like the cactus salad and the plantain-stuffed habanero peppers. 241 Beach Rd.

Senor Taco

Also located in Orchard Towers, this no-frills place with its energy is one of our favorite spots for affordable margaritas. Tacos are the big draw here, served in soft corn tortillas, though there are some hearty enchiladas and quesadillas, too. #01-12 3D River Valley Rd.

Super Loco

We have an eternal soft spot for this stylish and bustling riverside joint, which serves not just elevated tacos, but snacks like elotes, tamarind-ancho pork ribs and mains like chicken enchiladas. Don’t miss the huevos rancheros at brunch. #01-13 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay

Vatos Urban Tacos

This franchise first opened at the fancy South Beach, and its claim to fame is Mexican food with a Korean twist—KoMex, if you will—very LA. Try the galbi tacos and the kimchi carnitas fries. And if you prefer your tacos in more casual climes, they have a kiosk at Timbre+. South Beach, 36 Beach Rd.