There’s always that moment before every great meal begins. The room settles, the first course arrives, and for a little while, the world outside slows down.
In Singapore, these moments can happen over a table shaped by French craftsmanship, Japanese influences, Chinese heritage, or the flavours that remind diners of local cuisine.
The city’s fine dining scene has grown into a meeting point of cultures, where chefs continue to explore new ways of presenting familiar ingredients and traditions. For those looking to indulge, these are the best fine dining restaurants in Singapore to discover, from intimate dining rooms to elegant spaces with carefully curated wine bars and unforgettable experiences.
Table of Contents
- Odette: French Craftsmanship in an Artistic Setting
- Meta Restaurant: Asian Influences Meet Modern Technique
- JAAN by Kirk Westaway: Modern British Cuisine Above the City
- Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine: Cantonese Classics at Marina Bay Sands
- Les Amis: Classic French Dining Along Orchard Road
- Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro: Sichuan Cuisine with a Refined Touch
- Nouri: A Crossroads of Global Flavours in Telok Ayer
1. Odette, French Craftsmanship in an Artistic Setting
Inside the National Gallery Singapore, Odette feels almost like an extension of the artwork surrounding it. Under Chef Julien Royer, this three-Michelin-starred restaurant focuses on French techniques shaped by seasonal ingredients and influences from global cuisines.
The Hokkaido Bottan Ebi was the dish that I felt reflects Odette’s approach to innovative flavours. The sweet spot prawn is lifted by the brightness of yuzu-kosho, while the dashi jelly, crème fraîche, caviar, and Bafun uni “pain perdu” add layers of savoury depth, richness, and texture without overpowering the seafood.
Inside The Dining Experience
For me, Odette works best when there is something worth celebrating. The combination of its elegant ambiance, attentive service, and carefully composed menu creates the kind of meal that feels memorable from start to finish.
The service matches the setting, with a team that knows when to guide and when to give space. Each course arrives with thoughtful explanations, making the experience feel more personal rather than simply a procession of dishes.
Visitor Notes: Anniversary dinners, and celebrations
2. Meta Restaurant, A Modern Conversation Between Asian Flavours and French Technique
Located along Mohamed Sultan Road, Meta feels like one of Singapore’s more personal fine dining experiences. Under Chef Sun Kim, the restaurant combines French culinary foundations with Korean influences and Japanese influences, creating tasting menus that reflect his own background and approach to cooking.
The menu changes regularly, but dishes often explore contrasts between seafood, fermentation, and Asian ingredients. A signature example is the Korean-style grilled abalone with seaweed and fermented flavours, where the tender abalone carries a deep ocean sweetness, balanced by savoury notes and layers of umami from the accompanying elements.
Inside The Dining Experience
What makes Meta different is the connection between the kitchen and the dining room. The open kitchen allows you to see the chefs working through each course, from the final touches on the plate to the careful timing behind the menu.
The atmosphere feels modern and intimate, with an inviting atmosphere that suits diners who enjoy seeing the creativity behind their meal. The service team plays an important role in explaining the ideas behind each dish, especially when the flavours move beyond traditional expectations.
Visitor Notes: Couples, food enthusiasts, and diners interested in modern Asian fine dining with a chef-driven perspective.
3. JAAN by Kirk Westaway, Modern British Dining Above The City
Seventy floors above Singapore, JAAN offers a dining experience shaped by both the view and the vision of Chef Kirk Westaway. Looking out towards landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, the restaurant presents his “Reinventing British” philosophy through modern techniques and ingredients inspired by his British heritage.
The menu showcased its approach to culinary excellence through presenting familiar British ingredients through a more modern lens. I started with the Hen’s Egg with Cornish Yarg Custard and Kristal Caviar, a dish that brings together the richness of the slow-cooked egg, the creamy character of the cheese, and the savoury burst of caviar.
Inside The Dining Experience
JAAN’s dining space combines panoramic city views with an elegant setting that feels suited for a special meal rather than a casual stop. The room complements the food, creating an experience where the skyline and cuisine become part of the same evening.
For those drawn to dining with a view, Singapore Best Restaurants offer both a refined and closer look at the Marina Bay restaurants with destination-worthy meals found around this iconic part of Singapore.
The exceptional service adds another layer to the experience, with the team guiding guests through each course while explaining the ideas behind Chef Kirk Westaway’s menu. Every detail, from the presentation of each dish to the timing of the service, truly reflected the fine dining Singapore standards I expected.
Visitor Notes: Book around sunset if you want to experience the changing skyline alongside your meal. Request your preferred table location in advance.
4. Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine, Cantonese Craftsmanship at Marina Bay Sands
Instead of individual tasting menus, the Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine focuses on refined Cantonese cooking, where dishes are designed to be shared across the table and enjoyed together.
I started with the Imperial Treasure Peking Duck, a dish that immediately shows why the restaurant has earned its reputation for Cantonese cooking. The crisp skin, tender meat, and deep roasted flavours come together beautifully, especially when paired with the traditional accompaniments.
Inside The Dining Experience
For me, Imperial Treasure feels at its best when the table is filled with different dishes arriving one after another.
The service reflects the restaurant’s approach to Chinese hospitality, with staff helping guests navigate the menu and recommending dishes based on the size of the group. It’s a place where the experience comes from the combination of well-executed dishes, good company, and the tradition behind each plate.
Visitor Notes: Book the Peking Duck in advance, as preparation may require prior notice. Visit during lunch if you want to explore dim sum and classic Cantonese dishes in a more relaxed setting.
5. Les Amis, Classic French Dining Along Orchard Road
Driving through Orchard Road, it’s easy to forget that some of Singapore’s most established dining institutions have been part of the city’s landscape for decades. Since opening in 1994, Les Amis has remained one of the country’s most recognised fine dining restaurants, earning three Michelin stars through its dedication to classic French cuisine and time-honoured techniques.
The Wagyu beef tenderloin with aromatics, natural jus, and crisp potato soufflés brings together the richness of the beef with a savoury jus and delicate crunch from the potatoes, creating the kind of classic French flavour that defines Les Amis. It’s felt like the authentic taste of French gastronomy, polished through decades of experience.
Inside The Dining Experience
For me, Les Amis feels like stepping into a restaurant that understands its own identity. The elegant setting is formal without feeling distant, with a dining room designed for conversations, celebrations, and occasions.
The service carries the confidence of a restaurant that has spent decades perfecting its craft. From wine recommendations to the explanation of each course, it all adds to the experience without taking attention away from the food.
Visitor Notes: Business dinners, milestone celebrations, and special occasions where you’re looking for a classic French fine dining experience.
6. Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, Refined Sichuan Cuisine Above Orchard
On the 35th floor of Hilton Singapore Orchard, Shisen Hanten presents a different side of Sichuan cuisine. Rather than chasing intensity alone, the restaurant focuses on bringing the depth of Sichuan flavours into a refined setting, carrying forward the culinary legacy of the Chen family.
The Mapo Tofu was the dish I kept coming back to during my research for this experience. The silky tofu absorbs the savoury richness of the sauce, while the layers of spice, fermented notes, and aromatics create a flavour that feels bold yet balanced. I also enjoyed exploring dishes like dan dan noodles and Sichuan-style seafood, which showcase the variety behind this regional cuisine.
Inside The Dining Experience
What I appreciate about Shisen Hanten is how it presents Sichuan cooking with confidence. The room feels polished and comfortable, making it suitable for everything from business lunches to gatherings where the table can explore different dishes together.
The service adds to the experience, especially when navigating a menu with such a wide range of flavours. The team’s recommendations help guide the meal, whether you’re looking for signature spicy dishes or something more approachable.
Visitor Notes: Start with the restaurant’s signature Sichuan dishes, then add milder options to balance the table.
7. Nouri, A Crossroads of Flavours in Telok Ayer
Tucked along Amoy Street, Nouri takes a different approach to fine dining Singapore. Under Chef Ivan Brehm, the Michelin-starred restaurant explores how ingredients, memories, and techniques move across cultures, creating a menu shaped by global influences rather than one single cuisine.
I started with the Narezushi, a dish that immediately showed me what Chef Ivan Brehm’s “crossroads” cooking means. The cultured rice cake brings a gentle tang, while the bluefin tuna, prahok, Oscietra caviar, and ginger flower layer savoury and briny flavours together. It’s the kind of dish that keeps your taste buds searching for the connections between ingredients you might not expect to see on the same plate.
Inside The Dining Experience
Nouri feels more intimate compared with Singapore’s larger luxury restaurants. The space uses warm lighting and a more personal layout, creating an atmosphere where the focus stays on the food and the stories behind each course.
What I enjoyed most was how the staffs explains the ideas behind the menu without making the experience feel overly formal. There is a sense of curiosity throughout the meal, especially when a familiar ingredient appears in a completely unexpected way.
Visitor Notes: Nouri suits diners who enjoy discovering new flavours rather than following a traditional fine dining format.
Singapore Offers More Than Just A High End Experience
What makes Singapore special is the variety found within such a small city. It boasts a dining culture where different traditions, ingredients, and ideas come together, giving diners countless reasons to explore, return, and find something new to eat.
Singapore’s food scene has always been shaped by curiosity. Beyond the restaurants that appear in the Michelin Guide, the city continues to reveal new places, from established institutions to lesser-known hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
