Need some date-night dining inspiration? Restaurant booking app and website Quandoo has over 1,000 deliciously diverse dining choices. From hip rooftop venues and fine dining in forest-like surrounds, to casual brunch cafés and sweet-centric spots, here are 10 hot restaurants across town that can be snagged with just the tap of a finger.
1. Tamarind Hill
Perched atop Labrador Nature Reserve in a lovely colonial bungalow, Tamarind Hill is always a sure-fire hit for a date, by day or night. The exotic, rustic-luxe interior alone is worth a visit in its own right, quite apart from the restaurant’s delicious array of both traditional and contemporary Siamese cuisine. Favourites here include papaya salad, grilled beef tenderloin with foie gras, and crispy duck breast. Book through Quandoo.
2. Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare
This Italian seafood eatery on trendy Tras Street offers an intimate, upscale dining experience. Its Sicilian-inspired menu includes highlights like squid ink spaghetti with cuttlefish, mussels and pistachio pesto, seafood stew, and freshly baked focaccia with grilled radicchio, cheese, olives, pesto and preserved pumpkin. The beautiful Southern Italian décor and alfresco courtyard will make you feel like you’re on a European getaway. Book through Quandoo.
3. Mad about Sucre
Situated near the Outram Park MRT station on Teo Hong Road, this casual French restaurant and patisserie is adored for its European-style cakes and tortes, which are free of excessive sugar, artificial additives and fake colouring. In addition to sweets, they serve savoury food too, including seafood, meat and pasta dishes. Book through Quandoo.
4. Cure
A dimly lit, modern yet casual venue with a semi-open kitchen, this Keong Saik hotspot features European fare from world-renowned chef-owner Andrew Walsh. Highlights include a starter of pumpkin granola, burrata curd and sage milk gel, and a main of barbecued mackerel with whipped cod roe, potato, dill and cucumber; end with the Irish chocolate and basil moss. For date night, we’d suggest going all out with one of the restaurant’s tasting and wine pairing menus. Book through Quandoo.
5. FORT by Maison Ikkoku
Set in the Fort Canning Arts Centre near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, this contemporary fusion restaurant is something new and different. Like its popular sister outlet on Kandahar Street, FORT has a “no menu” bespoke cocktail concept, with a mixologist on hand to create concoctions to your liking. Japanese-style omakase (chef’s choice) dining with a French influence is the main focus here, so it’s recommended that you go along with an open mind and let yourself be surprised by the chef’s picks. Choose the signature 12-course omakase menu ($68), or go for the four-course option. Book through Quandoo.
6. Jim Thompson
Decorated with traditional Southeast Asian flourishes, and influenced by the late designer Jim Thompson’s own Bangkok residence, this exotic restaurant in Dempsey is a superb setting for an upscale Thai meal; sit indoors or out – you can’t go wrong either way. There are over 80 classic Thai dishes on the menu, from spicy salads and soups to mains, noodles, desserts and more; chef’s picks include fresh spring rolls with prawns, basil, mint and carrots, served with a spicy chilli-lime dip; pineapple fried rice with prawns, onions and raisins; and beef tenderloin curry with potatoes and peanuts. Book through Quandoo.
7. Au Petit Salut
Also in Dempsey, this award-winning, fine-dining establishment at 40C Harding Road always makes for a great date night, thanks to its beautiful setting – whether you dine in the glass-panelled dining room or on the outdoor patio – and its selection of fine wines and classical French dishes. Highlights include the lobster bisque, the seared duck foie gras and, for dessert, pear tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, or homemade Belgian waffle with ricotta, raspberries, honey and roasted pistachios. Book through Quandoo.
8. Braci
Occupying the top two floors of a heritage shophouse in Boat Quay, this relatively new rooftop spot by restaurateur Beppe De Vito is cosy and intimate, serving modern takes on classic Italian cuisine. Sit in the open-kitchen-concept dining room or head upstairs to enjoy cocktails over stunning views of the city skyline and the Singapore River. Recommended dishes include foie gras semifreddo with kumquats and figvincotto, and sole with beetroot, fennel and salsa verde; for dessert, order the delectable pumpkin pie with frozen yogurt and liquorice. Book through Quandoo.
9. Osteria Art
Another stylish spot by Beppe De Vito, this CBD restaurant keeps the traditions of the Italian osteriaalive with a set of a short and to-the-point menus, aperitivos and bar bites. The burrata with cherry tomatoes and 25-year-aged balsamic is a favourite here, as are the beef sirloin tagliatawith asparagus and Parmesan, and the pappardelle with pork cheek and red wine. The classy, chic setting makes this a great choice for a lunch or dinner date. Book through Quandoo.
10. Flutes
Located inside the National Museum of Singapore, this light, airy and elegant restaurant serves up fine European and international favourites for brunch, lunch and dinner, and offers a beautiful high tea experience, too. Recommended dishes include Queen Victoria’s green pea soup with Scottish oak-smoked salmon, crème fraiche and lemon, Cape Grim beef tenderloin with heirloom carrots andbordelaise sauce, and chocolate and peanut butter fondant with banana ice cream and popcorn. Book through Quandoo.
Book all these restaurants and more through quandoo.sg, or download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
Psst! – Quandoo has a loyalty programme where every 1,000 points gets you $15 cash back to your bank account.
This article first appeared in the February 2017 edition of Expat Living. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!
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