Peranakan restaurant Candlenut was recently awarded the much coveted Michelin Star and with good reason. 

Some classic Peranakan dishes are given an interesting twist – we love the Assam Fillet of Sea Bass with baby vegetables – while some Nyonya classics like Kueh Pie Tee are refined yet retaining its homely touch. 

#01-03, Dorsett Residences, 331 New Bridge Road

This hip Japanese izakaya serves sharing plates inspired by contemporary European technique and flavours. 

From the menu of “bird feed” – also the inspiration behind their name – try the Roasted Bone Marrow with Furikaki seasoning, crispy garlic and toast as well as the Duck Liver Mousse with candied pistachio, black garlic and marinated seaweed. 

#01-03, The Working Capitol, 1 Keong Saik Street

This cafe-restaurant may be tucked away in a small corner, and it doesn’t take long for word of good food to travel. 

We can’t think of many places that do fusion cafe fare as well as the quirky Sunday Market, nor dishes with as cheeky a personality. Try Tom, it’s Yummy, tom yam spaghetti with seafood and crispy enoki mushrooms, or “I’ll Find Salmon Like You, a miso-marinated salmon with lemon butter sauce. 

22 Lim Tua Tow Road

Ding Dong is experimental in more ways than one. 

Their ingenious Southeast Asian-inspired creations come with an unexpected twist – a good one, of course. 

Bite in decadently crackling skin of Crispy Pork Trotter to yield its succulent meat, or be pleasantly surprised by the intriguing tuna loin with green papaya and sweet and sour sauce. 

Wash it down with White Lies, a vodka-based cocktail with pickled chili brine, dry vermouth and rice chip – a local twist on the dirty martini. 

115 Amoy Street 

Korean-Mexican cuisine is an undying hype in cosmopolitan capitals like New York City and Los Angeles, and this trendy Ko-Mex restaurant, hailing from Seoul itself, rides the wave like a natural. 

Signatures include kimchi carnitas fries, honey tequila chicken wings and mango prawn quesadillas, all the better paired with their makegeolitas – a cheeky mix of tequila, makgeolli, beers and ciders. 

#01-03, South Beach, 36 Beach Road

Loosely translated from Cantonese as “odds and ends”, this upscale Anglo-Chinese restaurant is nailing its fusion nosh, joining cultures across the dining table. 

Dishes we love: the Autumn, Winter, Spring Rolls, featuring cod with shredded filo, wok-friend wild mushrooms and fresh crab and prawn respectively, as well as General Tso’s Quail Legs. 

#01-23, 10 Dempsey Road

Helmed by Chef Masahiro Takada, who has years of experiences in Michelin-starred restaurants in both Italy and Japan under his belt, Ristorante Takada is a splendid reflection of his impressive culinary pedigree. 

This Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant offers a five or six course omakase menus centred around their pastas and mains, as well as an 8-course omakase that changes regularly according to the freshest produce available, imported from Japan’s finest. 

#01-07, Alexis Condominium, 356 Alexandra Road

Lawyer-turned-chef Willin Low seems to have found his true callings because… boy, can be cook. 

Mod-Sin – modern Singaporean – Wild Rocket is a culinary renaissance inspired by his love for local food. 

This rich umami flavour bomb in laksa is incorporated into his laksa pesto risotto, while the typically gravy-laden rendang is packaged as the juicy beef short rib rendang 

10A Upper Wilkie Road

Everything about Beast and Butterflies pushes the envelope: from the lovingly hand-beaded armchair from Africa sitting at the head of long marbled dining table to parties of lava lamps embellishing the restaurant. 

Look forward to a plethora of hearty fare boasting both Eastern and Western influences. 

Dishes we absolutely loved: the Great Rack of Lamb with Sichuan peppercorn, as well as the crispy ham hock with nam jim sauce. 

M Social Singapore, 90 Robertson Quay