It's a no-brainer why so many great restaurants open in this swish location. It's got plenty of glam and glitz for equally delicious meals.

The Black Swan

A 1920s-style joint in heritage building The Quadrant in the heart of the CBD, this restaurant offers European bistro classics with a contemporary twist, such as steak tartare, an addictive baked bone marrow crostini and a pretty mean burger. They also have a great oysters and Champagne happy hour combo, as well as a condensed late-night bar snacks menu.

Bread Street Kitchen

(In)famous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay brings this bustling London restaurant here. The cool bistro-like environment comes with long wooden tables, exposed pipework, wire mesh, dark timber and a textured metal bar. While the menu changes seasonally, it's got both London favorites and locally inspired creations. Come for the name but stay for the gorgeous sunset views of the bay and their well-executed appetizers like the tamarind chicken wings, desserts and refreshing cocktails. 

Ce La Vi

Formerly known as Ku De Ta, this vertiginous restaurant has the same beautiful views of the Singapore skyline. The indoor and semi-alfresco restaurant has Frederic Faucheux in the kitchen who cooks up gastronomic Modern Asian plates meant for sharing. The restaurant also spills out on to the alfresco bar with plenty of breezy tables and craft cocktails, such as Whisky Charlie Mango with single malt, homemade mango cordial, lemon and bitters, courtesy of Knut Randhem.  

Cherry Garden

Expect only the best at this elegant fine dining Chinese restaurant, with a wide selection of Cantonese cuisine presented with an artistic touch. Noteworthy dishes include the BBQ meat platter, wasabi prawns and double‑boiled soups. The weekend dim sum brunches are also unmissable, featuring faultless food and service.

The Clifford Pier

Get a slice of history pie at this CBD restaurant housed in a historic landmark that served as the first port of call for immigrants in Singapore's early days. Find familiar favorites and hawker reinterpretations with Western touches at this elegant restaurant, such as wagyu beef rendang and classics like prawn laksa with quail eggs and beancurd puff.

db Bistro & Oyster Bar

An impressive, well-oiled machine courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud that’s awash with soft lighting, dark wood accents, and a beige marble bar dedicated to oysters; it’s got just the right mix of elements to make it chic yet decidedly unpretentious. The menu is dominated by well-executed French classics including bouillabaisse and traditional coq au vin, as well as delectables like the quintessential original db burger. Don't miss the new oyster bar where you can load up on freshly shucked oysters or cold seafood platters.

Edge

The next time you’re looking for a full‑on session of feasting, you’ll want to keep this all‑day dining 350‑seat restaurant in mind. There’s something to be said for sheer variety, and with seven different open concept kitchens, they’ve got that covered—and at pretty impressive prices, too. We’re talking about everything from Japanese sushi and Thai salads to Indian curries and chargrilled satay, not to mention oysters, prawns, mussels and scallops made a la minute at the seafood station, as well as pastas, pizzas, steaks and of course, a dessert spread.

Folks Collective

This affordable restaurant looks pretty snazzy, with mismatched chairs, vintage posters and antiques. There are all sorts of enticing nibbles on the menu, so you’ll find it difficult not to order up a storm. (The pad thai and tom kha curry are particular stand-outs.) They also mix some mean cocktails from refreshing drinks to soothing nightcaps. The place has got everything you want for a fun and value-for-money meal—what’s not to love?

Forlino

Well known restaurateur Osvaldo Forlino’s former flagship establishment—now under the care of head chef Yohhei Sasaki—has expansive views of Marina Bay and carries an understated touch of opulence. The food is sophisticated and classically Italian, and you’d be hard-pressed to find better service (attentive without being intrusive, polite without being fawning) anywhere else.

Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant

The emphasis at this bright and airy modern Chinese eatery with nautical‑inspired touches is on fresh seafood, so expect to find dishes like baked rice with assorted seafood, and the signature kopi crab. Also on offer are delicious dim sum items (only available during lunch) like pan-seared chili crab meat bun.

Match

Taking cues from classic American restaurants, there are plates of unfussy and comforting dishes like pan-roasted grain-fed tenderloin with bone marrow and jamon iberico with mushroom spaghetti. Since the plush place is open until late, there are plenty more sharing plates that will tide you through the night—and with head bartender Ricky Paiva behind the stick, you'll want to line your stomach.

ME@OUE

At the heart of the CBD, at the top of the OUE Bayfront Building, this place boasts a great view of Marina Bay, and it’s slick enough to leave an impression. There are three kitchens—Chinese, French and Japanese—all kept separate so there’s no fusion confusion. Order up everything from street food to elegant French plates. Plus, the service is absolutely stellar: smooth and helpful but never intrusive. 

Morton's of Chicago

For a big, fat juicy slab of steak the size of a baseball mitt, there are few places in town better equipped to deliver the goods than Morton’s. The stars are the onion bread (you get a whole loaf) and the beef, as well as desserts. This old-world, Mid-Western American steakhouse is as good as it gets.

Ola Cocina del Mar

Helmed by Peruvian Chef Daniel Chavez, this is a homey spot with friendly service and simple, well‑executed food. Don’t miss the buey a la brasa, a scrumptious dish of grilled ribeye steak with onions, tomatoes, coriander and french fries, as well as the stellar coconut rice pudding.

The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill

This seafood destination is inspired by classic East Coast American cuisine—by head chef Jonathan Sparber—so expect items like baked snapper pie, old‑fashioned crab cakes, as well as the Pelican raw platter to be enjoyed in a warm yet sleek space with fun elements like hot pink seahorse fixtures. When the weather’s fine, be sure to opt for a table on their alfresco deck; the view of the waterfront isn’t too shabby. Great cocktails, an awesome view and succulent seafood in a classy setup (not a bib in sight) make this a winner.

Pollen

Inspired by and named after Jason Atherton’s Michelin‑starred Pollen Street Social in London, Atherton’s second establishment here is a polished space in the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. The lush and outdoorsy-looking restaurant offers modern European fare with Mediterranean ingredients—some of which are grown in their very own garden—and a real highlight is watching chefs create luscious treats at the nine‑meter long dessert bar. Plus, a (free) stroll through the picturesque Gardens by the Bay is surely one of the nicest ways to walk off a big meal.

Punjab Grill

It’s a rare Indian restaurant that’s as sleek and modern as this. The menu is extensive with impeccably executed specialties such as Norwegian salmon tikka and tandoori foie gras with mango chutney. We also love how their indulgent five‑course degustation menus satisfy both vegetarians and carnivores.

Sabai Fine Thai on the Bay

Awash with ambient amber light over parquet floors, black leather chairs and starched white tablecloths, you'll find plenty of fine Thai food without the overwhelming spice in a pretty bayside setting. The tom yum ruam mit talay—a simmering pot of mushrooms and seafood in clear soup is well-balanced with a little added kick, as well as the exquisite roasted red duck curry with added lychees and pineapples. 

Sky on 57

Perched atop Marina Bay Sands, this is just the spot to get a culinary high, with a view that’s sublime. Helmed by chef Justin Quek, the menu clearly pays homage to local cuisine and Asian flavors. Humble dishes are elevated by incorporating premium ingredients, as showcased in the foie gras xiao long bao and roasted crackling suckling pig. 

Stellar @ 1-Altitude

From the 1-Rochester folks is this offering perched up on the 62nd floor; the clean lines and airy minimalist decor ensure your attention isn’t distracted from what it should be focused on: the food, of course. The menu, designed by chef Christopher Millar, features delectables such as caramelized foie gras with chicken broth, truffled risotto with Maine lobster and a trio of pork—Iberico pluma, suckling pig and pork belly. In other words, it’s all about good eats and a truly fantastic view.

Kampong Glam and Little India are more famous for late-night eats and greasy delights, but there are a handful of amazing date spots to check out, too. Here are our favorites.

Cicheti

At this Venetian eatery, woodfire oven-baked Neapolitan pizzas are on offer, as well as tapas-style snacks known as 'cicheti', like fresh prawns served in a spicy, smoked herbed butter sauce and slow-cooked beef meatballs. With wrought iron furnishings and beat up oak tables, regional Italian cuisine is the name of the game at this Venetian-style wine bar.

Cocotte

An unpretentious, higher-end bistro, this French restaurant and bar combines rustic chic with industrial decor. Thankfully, the food is free of such fusion, and though the ambiance is bright and playful (with mismatched metallic chairs), the kitchen, under the care of Anthony Yeoh, takes their job seriously. It's a communal dining concept, so bring along company to share starters like marinated chicken livers and the classic mussels in white wine, swiss chard and fennel cream. Most of all, we love the brunch trolley that comes heaping with roasted meats, quiche, salads and flambeed desserts. 

Morsels

Run by Singaporean couple and chef-owners Bryan Chia and Petrina Loh, this 40-seater serves up fusion recipes like their scallop carpaccio with uni sabayon and ume-sake braised angus beef short rib. Loh graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, and Chia studied at the Culinary Institute of America, so you can be sure the chefs know their stuff.

Mustard

There’s no shortage of decent Indian eateries along Racecourse Road, and this restaurant specializing in Bengali and Punjabi cuisine is one of its brightest stars. Occupying a modest space in the shadow of its bigger and better known neighbors, eating here is a truly delightful experience. Service, while good, plays second fiddle to the mouthwatering food. You’d do well to order yourself the rich and spicy coconut prawn curry, a moreish dal tadka and kosha mansho (sauteed mutton curry). The best mid-priced Indian establishment in town.

Sushi Jin

The Les Amis Group ventures from their usual Scotts Road location for this sushi restaurant. The decor has gotten the zen treatment with pebbled flooring, slate tile walls, a light brown color scheme and a dedicated oak brown sushi counter. It's not the cheapest place in town, but it won't break your bank either. All ingredients are flown in three times a week from Japan's Tsukiji market, so expect a mix of sushi, sashimi, noodles, rice and grilled dishes like the ootoro aburi sushi, wagyu asupara maki and truffle seafood chawanmushi with prawn, crab meat and scallops. It also has omakase sets that start at $80.

Symmetry

Tucked away on a little street in Kampong Glam, this eatery set up by Le Cordon Bleu grad Abby Lim is a cool space with a great brunch menu (the eggs benedict is killer and you get all-day brunch on Sundays). If you’re after a quiet spot for dinner, this is a good bet too, with dishes like duck leg risotto and Kurobuta pork cheek bourguignon.

Toots Brasserie

The Sultan Hotel’s anchor restaurant is a contemporary 40-seat French eatery helmed by chef Jason Wong, who served for seven years as head chef of Bistro Petit Salut at Holland Village. Outfitted in an airy bistro style with velvety upholstered chairs, pendant lamps and pretty mosaic-tiled floors, the spot is rather romantic. Tuck into a comforting pre-show dinner of French standards, before heading upstairs to SingJazz Club.