Our travel plans are put on a halt for now, but with initiatives like $100 tourism vouchers and #SupportLocal campaigns, it’s safe to say there’s no lacking reason to explore our own city. Especially when there are restaurants in Singapore that make you feel like you’re travelling around the world.
From the same team that brought the #savefnbsg initiative forward, Hi5SG is a non-profit dining campaign. Under this campaign, local F&B businesses are creating special dining experiences and promotions. They’re also giving back to =DREAMS, a residential-based intensive educational program that mentors underprivileged children in order to rechart their lives for a brighter future.
So if you want to rediscover Singapore for a good cause, here are 13 restaurants that will make you feel like you’re travelling around Europe. From Michelin restaurants to cafes and bistros, take a look at our picks here.
Set this one aside for date nights or celebratory dinners. SKAI is a contemporary grill restaurant with breathtaking city views and bespoke beverages. SKAI’s menu is a beautiful merge of European dishes with Japanese ingredients. As a part of Hi5SG’s #savefnbsg campaign, SKAI will be offering 25 per cent off beverages across lunch and dinner (save for eve and Public Holidays). Simply make reservations ahead of time with the promo code Hi5SG.
We recommend the Sakura Martini, a Roku Gin cocktail layered with Sakura Mancino, Japanese cucumber, and spiced white wine and red wine vinegar, it’s gently sweet and a perfect starter drink. And if you want to end your meal on a dessert-like drink, try the Nutty Kata. Its hazelnut and banana cold brew is a must for coffee lovers, and we love the balance of the warm pandan milk foam paired with the Monkey Shoulder.
SKAI is located at Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882, tel: 6431 6156
Named after Chef Julien Royer’s grandmother, Odette expands on the idea of love through food. Serving modern French cuisine highlighting artisanal produce and seasonality, it’s no wonder Odette has been awarded three Michelin stars. Sample dishes like their Signature Mushroom Tea, the Marukyo Uni that can be savoured two ways with spot prawn tartare and Kristal caviar on a mussel cloud and a delicate sandwich, Kampot Pepper Pigeon, and even the French pastry Cannelé.
Odette is located at 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01-04 National Gallery, Singapore 178957, tel: 6385 0498
For a French bistro that’s a little cosier without compromising on the authenticity and comfort of French food, we recommend Gaston. Their wine list also boasts close to 350 labels from France and makes perfect pairings to their menu accompaniments. There are rotating Chef’s specials daily, and sharing plates like Jambon Persillé, their famous parsley ham, Escargots de Bourgogne, and Boeuf Bourguignon. Desserts like Flan Pâtissier, a vanilla french custard pie, and fried choux puffs are light on the palette.
Gaston is located at 25 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089132, tel: 6909 8120
If you’re a fan of Wes Anderson’s films, then this is one spot you should hit. Frieda is a casual dining German restaurant that is a relaxing botanical dining area in the day time, and a cosy dining space with Happy Hour offers by evening. Inspired by Berlin’s urban style, Frieda is all at once minimal, romantic, and intimate. Like any reliable German restaurant, you can’t go wrong with the Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle or Veal Wiener Schnitzel.
Frieda is located at 13 Stamford Road Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski #01-87 and #01-K1, K2, 178905, tel: 6715 6873
Singapore’s only German microbrewery and restaurant all in one, Paulaner Bräuhaus is a must for its beers and authentic Bavarian menu. Singapore’s only German microbrewery and restaurant all in one, Paulaner Bräuhaus is a must for its beers and authentic Bavarian menu. The first floor is a drinking area, and the second is the main dining area, and the top floor is the brewery. For meat lovers, there’s classics like Fleischpflanzerl, juicy pan-fried pork and beef patties in Paulaner dark beer sauce topped with mashed potatoes and crispy onion rings. But if you’re looking for bites to go with the beer, you can try their Pretzel Chips or the Paulaner Trio Sausage Bites.
Paulaner Bräuhaus is located at 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-01, Millenia Walk, 039596, tel: 6883 2572
Fika is a cafe and bistro that serves traditional Swedish cuisine. Its namesake meaning “coffee break” is an aptly named, get some respite at this Swedish cafe. Known to be generous with their portions, we recommend their signature all-beef Swedish meatballs, Korvstroganoff, and the Kladdkaka, a Swedish rich and gooey chocolate brownie.
Fika is located at 257 Beach Rd, Singapore 199539, tel: 6396 9096
For an iconic dining spot of Italian cuisine with a view, we recommend Michellin Chef Beppe De Vito’s restaurant. Art is where elegant Italian dishes meet with artful gastronomy, and if you’ve always been curious about gastronomy then we recommend this one to start with.
Art is offering a five-course lunch menu available for $85++, simply quote “Hi5SG” when making the reservation to redeem the promotion. Their amuse-bouche begins with a mille-feuille with tomato and pesto between the layers, along with bread made from semolina flour. We especially love the oven-baked cod, the crispy skin had the results of a deep-fry without the oiliness and is incredibly light and rich. We recommend saving some of the bread to scoop up the delicious sauce.
Art is located at 1, 06-02 St Andrew’s Rd, National Gallery Singapore, 178957, tel: 6866 1977
One of Italy’s best and most savoured cuisines is pizza, and Amò easily is one of Singapore’s finest. Made with natural leaven, semolina, and extra virgin olive oil, their pizza makes for an extraodinary feast. For those of you who prefer something more vegetable-heavy, their classic Al-Funghi Mushroom Pizza is decadently topped with assorted mushrooms, black truffle paste, mascarpone and Tuscan pecorino cheese. It’s no wonder this is one of their signature dishes. For those of you who prefer another form of carbs, there’s also pasta, with their Fettuccine with Beef Shank, Mushrooms, and Orange Salmoriglio being a luxurious must.
Amò is located at 33 Hongkong St, Singapore 059672, tel: 6723 7733
Cosy and intimate, we love iO Italian Osteria for its family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re booking a table for a date or a gathering, their menu is sure to please. We recommend going for the Porchetta, Pesto Linguine, and finishing off with a classic Pistachio Tiramisu.
iO Italian Osteria is located at 4 Hillview Rise, #02-01, Singapore 667979, tel: 6710 7150
All sleek and elegance, Zafferano uses Italian-inspired furniture to create an urban oasis. A perfect spot for those who are looking for dinner with a view, Zafferano distinguishes themselves with contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine. Their unrestricted view of Marina Bay Sands is a beautiful accompaniment to any meal, lunch or dinner.
They have a three-course menu available at $55++, simply quote “Hi5SG” as you make your direct reservations with the restaurant. The promotion is valid for lunch and dinner on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. And $1 from each set purchased will be donated to Hi5SG’s official beneficiary, =DREAMS, a programme that will aid underprivileged children constrained in their educational progress owing to circumstances in the development of their potential.
We recommend the House-made Tagliolini pasta, topped with charcoal grilled scampi, and sudachi. The noodles are perfectly cooked and we love the rich flavours of the sauce. For those of you who love chocolate, their Cioccolato uses Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut for a luxuriously rich dessert that pairs beautifully with the subtle and tart berries.
Zafferano Italian Restaurant & Lounge is located at 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315, tel: 6509 1488
Created by Gordon Ramsey, this warehouse-designed restaurant and bar is modelled after its London counterpart. We love the industrial details and the elegance it brings to a British European menu. If you’re looking for traditional British fare like Fish & Chips, Scotch Egg, Beef Wellington, and roasts, then this is the place to go. They’re also a pet-friendly restaurant as long as you dine along their outdoor area.
Bread Street Kitchen is located at 2 Bayfront Avenue 01 – 81 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 018956, tel: 6688 5665
Known for their modern European classics, The White Rabbit’s beautiful architecture transports you to another world with its beautifully-restored high beams, stained glass windows and modern furnishings. Their 36 hour Brandt Short Ribs come highly recommended, braised luxuriously for a little over a day, this ribeye is an indulgent treat that pairs wonderfully with their wine offerings. Their Roasted Black Truffle Chicken is another favourite with its truffle butter and savoury flavours.
The White Rabbit is located at 39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541, tel: 6473 9965