Whether you’re having a festive meal at home, or heading out on the town to celebrate, your holiday dining options are pretty much endless. Here’s our round-up of Singapore’s Christmas culinary highlights.
Dining Out
Conrad Centennial Singapore
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Right near Millenia Walk, this is a great spot for Christmas dining and shopping.
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Until 30 December, Oscar’s has a festive buffet feast featuring a seafood bar, live pasta stations and traditional roasts, plus special holiday highlights like turkey with spicy cranberry jus, honey-and-pineapple-glazed Christmas ham with apple sauce, and twice-cooked pork belly with Argentinian spices. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the “dessert house” filled with decadent sweets – a special addition available only for Christmas Eve dinner, and the Christmas Day brunch and dinner buffets.
Christmas Day brunch starts at $158 per adult, with the option of including free-flow champagne, house wines, beers and cocktails for a total of $218. The Christmas Day buffet dinner is $138, or $198 with free-flow champagne, house wines, beers and cocktails. On all other days, the festive lunch and dinner buffets start from $62 and $75 per adult, respectively.
Secure a spot:
6432 7481/63 | connoisseur.sg
Don’t miss:
The Royale Hazelnut Crunch log cake ($65), as well as roasts and other savoury items, all available for takeaway through 25 December at The Terrace and connoisseur.sg.
Don Quijote
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This Dempsey dining spot is known for traditional Spanish fare, including the popular paella Valencia.
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Whether you’re planning to take food home for Christmas or dine in at the restaurant, Don Quijote has both traditional and modern renditions of festive dishes to choose from; classics such as roast turkey ($148, 5kg) and honey-baked ham ($75, 1.5kg) are available throughout December (including on Christmas Day).
If you do dine in, be sure to try the Christmas paella – roast turkey and ham cooked in the restaurant’s signature paella pan and oven-finished to perfection – available on a pre-order basis in small ($45), medium ($60) and large ($75) servings.
Secure a spot:
6476 2811 | don-quijote-restaurants.com
Don’t miss:
If you want to enjoy Don Quijote flavours in the comfort of your own home, remember to pre-order, as these dishes tend to sell out fast.
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
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Right at the hub of Orchard, this is a great spot to relax after shopping with free-flow bubbly and festive treats. It’s also the go-to place for enjoying the Christmas lights display.
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On Christmas Eve ($75 per adult) and Christmas Day ($118 per adult), the buffet line-up at Marriott Café includes both traditional offerings like roast turkey with dried fruit and chestnut stuffing, and modern takes like pan-fried duck foie gras with fig jam and port wine reduction.
Alternatively, dine under the stars at the Pool Grill where you can enjoy a special three-course set dinner menu ($78) on Christmas Day.
Secure a spot:
6831 4605 | marriott.com/sindt
Don’t miss:
Takeaway options like red velvet Yule log cake ($68), truffle-buttered roast turkey ($238) and gift hampers (from $190), available at the hotel’s forecourt stall.
ilLido at the Cliff, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa
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As close as we will get to a cliff in Singapore.. this Italian restaurant is set on a hill in Sentosa, overlooking the serene sea.
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For an intimate dining affair, treat you and your partner to a five-course set dinner featuring indulgent dishes like ocean trout with sea urchin and handmade Tagliolini with lobster and basil. The exclusive Christmas eve menu is available on 24 December from 6pm to 10pm at $128 per adult. If you’re looking for somewhere to spend Christmas day with family or friends, the Christmas brunch ($128 per adult) is on 25 December from 12pm to 2.30pm.
Expect mouth-watering dishes that come in sharing platters; standouts on the menu include burrata cheese with avocado and trout caviar, truffle pasta with wagyu beef cheek ragout, and not forgetting the classic roasted turkey with pumpkin and chestnut salad.
Secure a spot:
6708 8310 | sofitelsingaporesentosa.com
Don’t miss this:
ilLido at the Cliff also has exciting brunch and dinner offerings to kickstart your New Year celebration. Check out their website for more info – you’ll want in on this!
Jamie’s Italian
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Whether you’re taking in the harbour view from the VivoCity location, or people-watching at the Orchard branch over at Forum The Shopping Mall, you’ll get equally delicious food at both Jamie’s locations.
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Until 31 December, both outlets are doing three-course lunch ($49.90) and dinner ($65.90) sets, both of which include a glass of bubbly upon arrival. For lunch, look forward to starters like the celeriac and truffle soup, followed by the sea bass with steamed mussels in broth or the wild mushroom pappardelle; round out your meal with a tangy lemon tart.
If you’re up for a more indulgent celebration, the set dinner gives you a wider selection of Italian-inspired dishes. Check out Jamie’s signature Italian nachos starter, or the Gennaro’s porchetta – slow-cooked pork belly stuffed with apricot, apple, fennel and garlic.
Secure a spot:
VivoCity, 6733 5500 | Forum The Shopping Mall, 6655 7676 | jamiesitalian.sg
Don’t miss:
Limoncello at $5.50 a glass; a sweet and boozy end to your meal.
Kaiserhaus
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Set in the refurbished Capitol Theatre, this elegant restaurant serves Central European cuisine inspired by the Habsburg Empire.
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You can expect rich and robust flavours here, and a range of wines from countries including Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, as well as Hirter draft beer, available exclusively at Kaiserhaus.
Until 25 December, try the Christmas Special, a hearty, three-course meal that includes soup, roast duck and a homemade cake or pastry, as well as a glass of wine or craft beer ($88 for two people).
Secure a spot:
Don’t miss:
The traditional Austrian fruitcake with rum-soaked raisins, candied lemon peel, butter glaze, cinnamon and powdered sugar ($23), available for takeaway.
Kwee Zeen, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa
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Located in the ever-trendy Sofitel Singapore Sentosa resort, Kwee Zeen sports cosy interiors and alfresco terraces looking out to the pool or the gleaming waters of the South China sea.
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Available on 24 and 25 December from 6 to 9.30pm, Kwee Zeen’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet dinner ($188 per adult, with free-flow alcohol) features classical favourites such as baked ham with apple sauce, alongside local delights like Laksa. For the sweet-toothed, you’ll also get to indulge in an array of handcrafted Christmas desserts, including the Exotic Christmas log, a unique flavour combination of passionfruit and mango-flavoured caramel.
On Christmas Day itself the restaurant is offering a special brunch buffet ($258 per adult with free flow alcohol) with 16 live stations showcasing luxurious offerings like live seafood, black truffle brie cheese and slow-cooked tomahawk. The Christmas day brunch buffet is available from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Secure a spot:
6708 8310 | sofitelsingaporesentosa.com
Don’t miss:
Take home an Exotic Christmas log ($60 for 1kg) and while you’re at it, also try the specially-created festive-themed pralines ($2.50 each).
Oxwell & Co.
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Dine in this hip, four-storey high British gastropub located in a heritage shophouse on buzzing Ann Siang Hill.
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Open from now through to Christmas, this restaurant offers four floors of festivities starting with a bar on the first floor, that cocktail aficionados will dig! Look forward to a fun range of Christmas-inspired cocktails like the spiced almond fizz and the mince pie negroni ($19 each). Once you’re ready to eat, head to the second floor for a four-course Christmas set menu ($85 per person), which includes snacks, starters and festive mains like roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and cranberry.
All meals are accompanied by delicious sides like spiced baked carrots and roast potatoes. Don’t leave without ending the meal on a sweet note – we’re eyeing the sticky toffee pudding with rum and raisin ice cream!
Secure a spot:
Don’t miss:
Vegetarians are not left out of the feasting; check out the vegetarian menu ($65 per person), featuring a four-course meal with dishes like pear and stilton salad, as well as roasted nut loaf with spicy tomato and marmite sauce.
Pan Pacific Singapore
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An awesome spread, as always, with scenic views of MBS and the Singapore Flyer.
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Until 26 December, enjoy a festive buffet spread at Edge restaurant featuring specialties like the chef’s own Christmas charcuterie, wagyu beef striploin and other grilled meats, plus a carving station with maple-syrup-glazed roast turkey breast and 12-hour-roasted whole pork leg.
Round it out with a visit to the raclette cheese station, and Pan Pacific’s array of Christmas sweets such as the Santa-hat-shaped chocolate strawberry petit gateau, fruitcake infused with Earl Grey and Jamaican pepper, and milk chocolate and fresh raspberry log cake. The Christmas Day brunch is $158 per adult, while Christmas dinner is $128; both include juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
Secure a spot:
Don’t miss:
Holiday takeaway treats from Pacific Marketplace on the first floor of the hotel – think honey-glazed ham with cinnamon and pear chutney, apple and pecan stuffing and roasted beef rib-eye with fresh herbs and truffle sauce, plus an array of sweet treats.
Stellar at 1-Altitude
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This sky-high, award-winning restaurant with splendid views of the CBD is definitely a stellar spot to spend Christmas.
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If you have guests in town over the holidays, Stellar’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners ($130 per person, or $150 for a window seat) will surely impress. Filled with seasonal ingredients prepared in executive chef Christopher Millar’s progressive Australian style, the five-course meal is accompanied by carving stations featuring holiday roast favourites, as well as sweet treats like crab-apple tarte Tatin and purple sweet-potato log cake.
On Christmas Day, tuck into Stellar’s family brunch buffet ($140 per adult) from noon to 3pm, and spring for free-flow prosecco ($60) while you’re at it; it’s a celebration after all!
Secure a spot:
6438 0410 | 1-altitude.com/stellar
Don’t miss:
Fun and festive cocktails served at Stellar at 1-Altitude, and upstairs at 1-Altitude Rooftop Gallery & Bar, until the end of December.
Verre Modern Bistro & Wine Bar
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Located along the river in Robertson Quay, this sleek, modern-chic bistro-bar is known for housing fine wines in its impressive glass-encased cellar.
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Set the Christmas tone right with the restaurant’s special set menu ($100 per person; available until 26 December), which includes three dishes and a dessert. Start with salmon tartar with melba toast and caviar, followed by a half-lobster in lobster bisque with angel hair pasta. The third course is duckling a l’orange, baked in orange sauce and served with fennel puree. End with the chocolat au lait – chocolate fondant with milk ice-cream.
Secure a spot:
Don’t miss:
Verre’s massive wine list – these guys take their wine seriously and have a varietal to suit anybody and everybody!
Senso Ristorante & Bar
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This Italian fine dining spot on Club Street boasts a beautiful courtyard and sophisticated dining room, plus a private dining room that’s great for groups.
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Indulge in a five-course Christmas Eve dinner for $148, including a glass of prosecco; or a four-course dinner with a glass of prosecco on Christmas Day for $108. Standout items include the guancia di filetto di vitello brasato, gently roasted veal tenderloin with winter black truffle sauce, and the salmone e caviale, smoked salmon roll served with Italian caviar, horseradish mousse and dill sauce.
If you fancy a brunch, go on Christmas Day for traditional dishes like oven-roasted turkey with pumpkin puree and Brussels sprouts with cranberry jus; also worth checking out are the live pasta station and the festive dessert selection. The Christmas brunch is $158 per person, including a free flow of alcoholic beverages.
Secure a spot:
Don’t miss:
The live pasta station serving risotto with porcini mushrooms and mascarpone at the Christmas Day brunch.
The St. Regis Singapore
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Dine in the ultra-luxe setting of this five-star hotel located at the quiet end of Orchard.
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The six-course Christmas Eve dinner at LaBrezza ($188 per person, or $208 with wine pairing) includes such highlights as smoked double chicken consommé with cappelletti pasta, seared foie gras, and passatelli pasta in parmesan cream sauce with porcini mushrooms. Dessert sounds divine, too, with sweets like buffalo ricotta with honey and cinnamon mousse, caramelised peanuts and warm pandoro cake.
Feasting resumes on Christmas Day with a champagne brunch (prices start from $178 per person) at Brasserie Les Saveurs from noon to 3pm, featuring an assortment of fresh seafood, delicate canapés and mains like goat cheese and spinach ravioli.
Secure a spot:
6506 6860 | stregissingapore.com
Don’t miss:
Tons of festive takeaway options including homemade foie gras terrine with port wine and fig chutney, and marinated beef tenderloin with truffled mashed potato. Just remember to pre-order!
Le Méridien Singapore, Sentosa
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Set in Sentosa (right next to the giant Merlion!), this hotel celebrates both its French brand heritage and its Singaporean roots with a festive holiday spread that incorporates dishes from both cultures.
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The Christmas buffet dinner ($69 per adult), offered on 23 December and Christmas Day at Le Méridien’s restaurants Latest Recipe and WoW – World of Whisky, consists of classic French dishes like braised duck à l’orange and bourride (fish stew with aioli), alongside local and Asian specialties such as fried flower crab with black pepper sauce, prawn assam pedas and tandoori chicken. The dessert spread includes yuzu gula melaka log cake, lychee panna cotta, and a show-stopping éclair croquembouche (choux pastry balls) tree.
Secure a spot:
Call 6818 3305 or visit lemeridiensingaporesentosa.com.
Don’t miss:
The Christmas Eve buffet dinner ($98 per adult), at which you can savour French-inspired dishes like coq au vin and baked fish meunière amandine, alongside comforting Christmas fare like roast turkey with chestnut stuffing.
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
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Tuck into Christmas delights while you’re serenaded by Christmas carollers. And, let’s not forget the fabulous views of Marina Bay and the city skyline.
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The Vintage Champagne Brunch ($198 per adult for the first seating, $228 for the second seating) at Colony will definitely make things extra merry on Christmas Day, with unlimited Möet & Chandon Grand Vintage Blanc 2006 and Rosé 2004, as well as mulled wine and holiday cocktails.
You’ll also be treated to roasts like honey-baked Gammon ham with apple purée, and special creations like foie gras flambé with garlic brioche and cranberry compote. Meanwhile, kids can look forward to special appearances by Santa Claus.
Colony’s Christmas dinner ($98 per adult) highlights include stuffed chicken roll with pine nuts, spinach and red wine sauce, and grain-fed rib eye steak with Yorkshire pudding.
Secure a spot:
6434 5288 | ritz-carlton.com/singapore
Don’t miss:
The hotel’s vast selection of takeaway items, from log cakes, gingerbread and pralines to festive hampers, roasts and eight-person dinners that include both meat and side dishes.
W Singapore, Sentosa Cove
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A modern-chic atmosphere that puts a contemporary spin on holiday dining.
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Christmas gets a twist at WOOBAR with a special Drop The T² menu – a holiday-inspired version of WOOBAR’s regular afternoon tea experience. It’s filled with all kinds of goodies, from pumpkin-and-apple pie, cinnamon star cookies and decorate-your-own chocolate gingerbread to hazelnut-crusted foie gras, and fried goat-cheese and honey balls. The Festiviti-Tea Drop The T² Christmas menu, available until 27 December, is $65 for two people on weekdays, and $75 for two people on weekends and public holidays.
Secure a spot:
6808 7258 | woobar.singapore@whotels.com
Don’t miss:
The special Christmas Eve buffet dinner ($98) and the Christmas Day bubbly brunch ($198) at The Kitchen Table restaurant.
Xperience Restaurant, SO Sofitel Singapore
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Conveniently located in the CBD, Xperience Restaurant serves modern European cuisine with an Asian flair. There’s also a magnificent Molteni oven taking centre stage, so diners can enjoy watching some live cooking action.
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Kick start the celebrations with the Christmas three-course set lunch ($45), available from 5 December until 26 December, from 11.30am to 3pm on weekdays and 12pm to 2pm on weekends. An affordable alternative to holiday buffets, the menu (refreshes weekly) however is equally festive and delicious, with items like roasted chestnut soup, beef wellington and Christmas trifle.
For a more full on feast, check out the Christmas four-course set dinner ($85 per person), available from 24 to 26 December from 5.30pm to 10.30pm. Dishes on the menu to look out for are the smoked salmon tartare and the signature Cote de Boeuf, a must-try for beef lovers. And, since it’s the holidays, go ahead and opt for wine pairings (top up $50 per person) to complete your meal. End the night with a naughty slice of chocolate yule log cake.
Secure a spot:
6701 6800 | sofitel-so-singapore.com
Don’t miss:
If you’re planning your New Year’s celebrations ahead of time, check out the New Year’s eve party at the hotel’s HI-SO Rooftop Pool Bar: you’ll be spoiled with stunning views of the annual live fireworks show over at MBS!
Dining In
Cold Storage
No Christmas is complete without a turkey or a ham. Save yourself hassle by buying yours ready-cooked from Cold Storage. We recommend the Extravagant Christmas Feast ($189.95), which includes a medium Butterball turkey (around 4.5 to 5.4kg) with chestnut stuffing and turkey gravy, a Burgers’ Smokehouse spiral ham (4kg), and a rib-eye roast beef (1.3kg) with black pepper sauce. And, with your purchase of the Extravagant Christmas Feast you’ll get a free backpack cooler bag to keep the meat fresh, as well as a complimentary cheeseboard. Just follow the reheating instructions, and you’ll have a hot and delicious meal in no time!
To order:
Orders must be placed by 20 December. Though Cold Storage is not offering delivery, there are over 40 outlets island-wide where you can order and collect from.
Shahi Maharani North Indian Restaurant
For something a little different, we recommend the Christmas offerings from this North Indian restaurant, available until 31 December. Whether you’re dining in, taking out or ordering delivery, you must try its special take on the traditional roast turkey – the tandoori turkey (about 4.5kg for $110). Marinated overnight and prepared with aromatic flavours like fenugreek, coriander, rose water and mint leaves, the turkey is grilled to perfection in the tandoor (hot clay oven), and accompanied by a selection of delicious sauces including makhni, mint yogurt and tomato chutney. Or, opt for the other version ($130) of the turkey, stuffed with minced meat biryani.
The roasted leg of lamb ($140 for about 2kg) marinated in a traditional Indian spice paste is another great option. If you’re feeding a smaller crowd, consider ordering a chicken; $50, or $70 for a stuffed tandoori chicken.
To order:
Order at least three days in advance by calling 6235 8840, and collect it at the restaurant (#03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road).
Huber’s Butchery
Apart from its traditional turkeys and Yule hams, this butchery has a wide range of alternatives like duck, goose and suckling pig if you’re up for serving something different on your holiday table; or, go all-out with premium beef options like Australian wagyu ($148 per kg) and Toriyama umami wagyu from Japan ($309 per kg).
The expert butchers can guide your selection, advise on preparation and roasting, and suggest the perfect accompaniments to your meal. They can also marinate your meat in-store if you wish, and stuff the bird of your choice. Psst: Don’t miss the butchery’s own chipolatas – they come in unusual, festive flavours like gingerbread flavoured pork ($28 per kg), and venison, bacon and red wine ($30 per kg).
To order:
As if Huber’s wasn’t already making our lives easier by defrosting, marinating and stuffing our birds, this year, the butchery is conveniently taking Christmas orders online at hubers.com.sg, as well as in-store at 22 Dempsey Road. (Both delivery and pick-up options are available.) All Christmas orders must be placed by 16 December.
Sacha & Sons
Known for its delicious in-house smoked pastrami, corned beef and smoked fish, Sacha & Sons has been serving up quality New York-style deli food to the Orchard crowd for over four years. And its festive menu (available until 31 December) is one to look out for this Christmas. Available for dine-in, takeaway and delivery (via Deliveroo) are holiday-inspired dishes like pumpkin soup with roasted beetroot cream, blinis with smoked salmon and caviar, as well as a Christmas platter featuring roast turkey breast, roast beef, twice-cooked brisket and classic baked potatoes – perfect for hosting a crowd. Psst: The restaurant is open on 25 December, so you can even drop by for your pastrami fix on Christmas Day if you wish!
To order:
It’s a good idea to order at least one day in advance, either in-store (#03-02 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road) or by calling 6735 6961.
Ryan’s Grocery
This specialty grocery and butchery is a great go-to for organic and gluten-free products, whether it’s a full-on feast you’re preparing or a specific Christmas dish you need to cook according to particular dietary restrictions. They’ve got all kinds of organic meat to choose from for your holiday table, including the popular organic raw turkey ($155 for about 5kg).
Not in the mood to cook? Until 31 December, Ryan’s Grocery is offering classic Christmas roast sets that’ll feed 10 to 12 people. Set A ($298) includes a roast turkey, roast rib-eye Black Angus beef and honey-baked ham, while Set B ($198) swaps the beef for a roast pork collar. Also worth checking out is the range of healthier festive snacks like dairy-free chocolate, Christmas teas and gluten-free Christmas puddings that’ll make for fab table décor this season.
To order:
Orders can be placed online at ryansgrocery.com or in-store (29 Binjai Park) by 18 December. Pick-up only.
InterContinental Singapore
This year, you’ll find a few new additions to the holiday takeaway menu, one of them being a maple bacon-wrapped roast turkey ($168 for 5kg). Wrapped in decadent strips of bacon, the turkey is slow-roasted over maple chips until tender, giving it a delicious smoked aroma. Each order comes with sides including charcoal-baked potatoes, winter vegetables, mushroom stuffing and giblet gravy.
Kids and adults alike can also look forward to stunning sweet treats; we’ve got our eye on the Rescue Santa ($75 for 1kg), a creative log cake made with light mascarpone cream, apricot filling and cinnamon crumble; or try the Singapore macarons ($15 for a box of five), guaranteed to please the crowd with their special locally inspired flavours. These treats are available online at singapore.intercontinental.com/festive and at the hotel’s Tea Hut (located at the entrance near Bugis Junction) through 25 December.
To order:
Call 6825 1008 or email sinhb-festive@ihg.com.
Shelter in the Woods
Not many places do Christmas goodies better than a traditional rotisserie restaurant. Cue Shelter in the Woods’ series of holiday offerings available for either self-collection or delivery. They have whole turkeys ($98 for about 3kg), whole suckling pigs ($300 for about 3.5kg) and pâtés (starting at $100) that will save you the trouble of preparing a feast from scratch. If your party is small, you have the option of ordering half-portions, too! Selected Christmas specials are also available for dine-in until 26 December.
To order:
Order at least four days in advance by calling 6466 6225; the last day to order is 22 December, and the final day to collect orders is 26 December. There’s a delivery fee of $20, but if you spend more than $120 you’ll get free delivery if you live within 5km of the restaurant (22 Greenwood Avenue). All confirmed orders require advance payment.
The Butcher
This gourmet butchery is rolling out a special series of Christmas hams with an interesting twist – flavours like lime, jasmine tea and root ginger. And, because Emmett’s Great British Ham ($88, around 2.5kg) is made from free-range pork that’s free from added hormones and antibiotics, your guests needn’t fret about quality. Fans of lamb can also look forward to the pasture-fed Lake View Australian lamb, available in boneless ($85, around 2kg), bone-in ($82, around 2kg) and rack ($70, around 800g) options.
To order:
Order at least four days in advance at any of The Butcher’s three outlets (Holland Village, River Valley and Parkway Parade Shopping Centre) or order online at thebutcher.com.sg. The last day for Christmas orders is 17 December (collection from 12 to 31 December), though Christmas offerings will be available until 31 December.
This article first appeared in the December 2016 issue. Subscribe now so you won’t ever miss an issue!
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