Craving Indian food? The EL team recently dived into Singapore’s Indian cuisine, sampling everything from buttery parathas and tangy papdi chaat, to creamy kormas and flavourful biryanis. Read our reviews of three of the best Indian restaurants in Singapore, including one near Orchard Road – trust us, these spots will spice up your life!
Indian cuisine in Singapore
Shahi Maharani North Indian Restaurant
It may be 27 years old, but this family-run Indian restaurant in Singapore continues to be popular. Reservations are highly encouraged – even on a weekday night, it was busy and some tables had two sittings.
We love Indian food and were excited to see familiar dishes, such as papdi chaat. The bite-size Indian “nachos” were spilling over with tomatoes, onions, potatoes and chickpeas, generously covered with a yoghurt, mint and tamarind sauce, and a sprinkling of crunchy pomegranate seeds. We couldn’t stop popping them into our mouths!
For mains, my daughter chose her favourite butter chicken (Chicken Makhanwala). The fragrance of the butter rounded out the flavours of the creamy gravy and she declared it “the best butter chicken” she’s ever eaten. As I was undecided on the mutton dish, our hostess Anna recommended a half leg of Raan Sikandra. The meat easily fell off the bone and was tender to the point of melting in my mouth.
We mopped up our curries with a Cheesy Naan and a Kashmiri Naan; both were fluffy and soft. The servings were large so we barely could fit dessert in, but they kindly recommended a half serving each of gulab jamun and Nutty Delight. The latter won my daughter’s heart with the generous amount of pistachio, almond and cashews folded into vanilla ice cream. We also indulged in mocktails and an aromatic masala tea.
The entire meal was made memorable by the exceptional service from the team, who were professional and quick on their feet, as well as the very pleasant live music from a three-piece band. Simply divine!
– Patricea Chow
#03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road (Level 3, Fairmont Singapore)
shahimaharani.com | 6235 8840
SanSara Authentic North Indian Cuisine at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
The name SanSara comes from the Sanskrit term meaning “to flow”, so it’s appropriate that our table at the restaurant overlooked the river through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Chef Pannalal Nath specialises in Awadi Indian cuisine from Northern Uttar Pradesh, known for its kebabs, slow-cooked dum, biryani, korma curries and breads like naan and paratha.
The restaurant is well-lit with comfortable seating and is relatively quiet compared to the hotel lobby lounge next door. The kitchen is fully visible behind a glass wall, and although there are white tablecloths and service is very attentive, the setting is casual and welcoming.
The thali-style tasting menu is a wonderful way to try a range of Indian food without ordering too much, and it changes every two to three months. On our visit, the theme was Rajasthani; it’s switching to Lucknow cuisine by the end of the year.
The starter was a patty made from minced mushroom with a strong and unexpected umami flavour, along with a morsel of soya cheese and a lamb kebab, both full of spice but light enough not to overbalance the other.
The main dish was a lamb biryani, crowned with a naan crust that resembled a pie lid. The rich aroma when the naan was peeled back was delectable, with steam rising like a fragrant mist.
Small bowls followed, on a beautifully presented plate with flaky naan and buttery paratha; they included chicken tikka, lamb curry, prawns in turmeric and coconut, garlic spinach and raita. Each taste was a perfect balance of spices, none overwhelmed the other. A fabulous way to try so many of the signature dishes.
I did use my dessert stomach to try the kulfi with condensed milk and basil seeds – it was sweet but also cleansing and helped digest the meal.
After your meal, I strongly recommend taking a stroll along the river and enjoying the “flow”.
– Danielle Rossetti
Special offer for EL readers: Quote “EL2425” to get 20 percent off the à la carte food menu.
392 Havelock Road | 6233 1338
millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/sansara
Bhoomi by Milind Sovani – Indian restaurant near Orchard Road
As big Indian food lovers, we couldn’t wait to visit Chef Milind’s new restaurant near Orchard Road. Though only three months old, it’s already attracting a steady stream of regulars, and it’s easy to see why. The service is superb and there’s an impressive selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free Indian cuisine.
The interiors seamlessly blend traditional elements with natural, earthy colours to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Cosy chairs and beautiful tableware add to the modern charm, while woven baskets transformed into stunning lamps against the black ceiling immediately caught our eye. There’s also a private dining space for those special occasions.
To start, Chandran, the restaurant manager, recommended the Bhoomi-inspired cocktails: the Spice Trail with its unique hint of cardamom and the passionfruit-based Nirvana Fizz. Both paired beautifully with the dishes that followed.
We were intrigued by the soups – an uncommon offering in Indian restaurants in Singapore. They didn’t disappoint. By the way, the written menu itself here is a gem, providing insights into India’s rich culinary culture. Don’t skip the read!
The starters turned out to be our absolute favourites. Both the Bhima Onion and Avocado Kebab and the Charcoal-grilled Barramundi were beautifully presented and so full of flavour.
For mains, we tried two different breads – gluten-free seeded Amaranth Roti and Garlic Naan – with a home-style Mangalorean Fish Curry and the must-try Koila Butter Chicken accompanied by Lahsooni Palak Tikka Masala and Amritsari Aloo Gobi. The fish and chicken were spot on and my naan-loving teenage son declared the garlic naan the best ever.
We saved room for dessert, which was an experience in itself – “Make Your Own Paan”. It’s a fun, interactive way to end the meal!
– Judit Gál
1 Claymore Drive, #01-05
6225 4221 | bhoomi.sg
This article first appeared in the November 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free! Liked this article on Indian restaurants in Singapore? Visit our Wine & Dine section for more ideas.
