Best Lunch Ideas in Singapore – 10 Must-Try Restaurants for Every Food Lover

• Location: CBD, Singapore
• Best for: Indian cuisine
• Cuisine: Modern Indian fine dining
• Signature Dish: Royal Dum Biryani & Tandoori Lobster
• Ambiance: Elegant, sophisticated, perfect for business lunches
• Price Range: Premium fine dining

Akasa is a standout dining destination in the heart of Singapore’s bustling CBD. Inspired by Royal Indian Kitchens, this fine-dining restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Indian flavors and contemporary techniques. Every dish is prepared using high-quality ingredients, ensuring an authentic yet refined taste.

For those looking for a high-end lunch experience, Akasa’s ambiance is ideal. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu featuring flavorful curries, tandoori dishes, and biryanis, all paired with a premium selection of wines, beers, and spirits. Their extended happy hour makes it a great spot for both corporate gatherings and leisurely lunches.

Pro Tip: Try the Tandoori Lobster with a glass of fine wine for an indulgent meal.

2. Burnt Ends – Iconic Australian Barbecue

• Location: Dempsey Hill
• Best for: Smoky grilled meats
• Cuisine: Australian barbecue
• Signature Dish: Burnt Ends' Burger
• Ambiance: Open kitchen, lively atmosphere
• Price Range: Premium casual

Burnt Ends is one of Singapore’s most celebrated restaurants, offering an incredible wood-fired barbecue experience. Using custom-built four-tonne brick ovens, this Michelin-starred eatery creates perfectly charred meats with deep smoky flavors. The open kitchen concept adds a dynamic, interactive element to the dining experience, allowing diners to watch the chefs in action.

Their menu changes frequently, featuring high-quality cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and signature dishes such as the famous Burnt Ends’ Burger. This is a must-visit spot for meat lovers looking for a hearty and satisfying lunch.

Pro Tip: Reservations fill up fast—book at least a month in advance.

3. Lolla – Mediterranean-Inspired Small Plates

• Location: Ann Siang Road
• Best for: Shared plates & intimate lunches
• Cuisine: Mediterranean small plates
• Signature Dish: Charred Carabinero Prawns
• Ambiance: Chic, cozy, great for dates or small gatherings
• Price Range: Mid-range fine dining

Lolla is an intimate dining spot that specializes in Mediterranean-inspired small plates crafted with seasonal ingredients. Led by Chef Johanne Siy, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023, this restaurant delivers beautifully plated dishes with bold, fresh flavors.

Their menu highlights include charred carabinero prawns, handmade pasta, and their famous potato bread. The cozy ambiance makes it an excellent choice for a relaxed yet upscale lunch.

Pro Tip: Book a table for their Friday or Saturday night tasting menus if you want to experience an extended selection of their best dishes.

4. Seroja – Modern Southeast Asian Fine Dining

• Location: Bugis
• Best for: Michelin-starred modern cuisine
• Cuisine: Modern Southeast Asian
• Signature Dish: Trader’s Rice (Bornean specialty)
• Ambiance: Elegant, refined, Michelin-star experience
• Price Range: Fine dining

Seroja is an award-winning restaurant offering a contemporary take on Southeast Asian cuisine. Chef Kevin Wong’s expertise in blending Malaysian flavors with fine dining techniques has earned the restaurant a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

The Nusantara Menu ($268 per person) takes diners on a journey through the region’s most distinctive flavors. Expect unique combinations of local ingredients, sustainable seafood, and beautifully plated dishes.

Pro Tip: Opt for the drink pairing, which features unique regional flavors.

5. Naeum – Korean-Inspired Contemporary Dining

• Location: Telok Ayer
• Best for: Modern Korean flavors
• Cuisine: Korean with a contemporary twist
• Signature Dish: Reimagined Yangjangpi
• Ambiance: Small, intimate, open kitchen
• Price Range: Fine dining

Naeum is a modern Korean fine-dining restaurant that delivers an innovative approach to traditional Korean flavors. With a rotating episodic menu, Chef Louis Han reimagines dishes such as Yangjangpi and Jjamppong, infusing them with Chinese and modern influences.

With only 28 seats, Naeum offers an intimate and engaging dining experience. Guests can sit at the counter to watch the chefs meticulously prepare each dish.

Pro Tip: Book a counter seat for a front-row view of the kitchen.

6. The Coconut Club – Premium Nasi Lemak

• Location: Chinatown
• Best for: Traditional yet upscale nasi lemak
• Cuisine: Malay cuisine
• Signature Dish: Nasi Lemak with Fried Ayam Berempah
• Ambiance: Cozy, modern, and casual
• Price Range: Mid-range

A refined take on Singapore’s most famous comfort food, The Coconut Club serves perfectly cooked coconut rice, crispy fried chicken, and flavorful sambal.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss the handmade Nonya kueh sampler for dessert.

7. Candlenut – Michelin-Starred Peranakan Cuisine

• Location: Dempsey Hill
• Best for: Traditional Peranakan flavors
• Cuisine: Peranakan fine dining
• Signature Dish: Buah Keluak Beef
• Ambiance: Elegant yet relaxed
• Price Range: Fine dining

Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, offering dishes that stay true to heritage flavors while elevating them with modern techniques.

Pro Tip: Go for the ‘Ahmakase’ tasting menu to try the best of Peranakan cuisine.

8. Labyrinth – A Modern Take on Singaporean Cuisine

• Location: Esplanade
• Best for: Singaporean flavors with a twist
• Cuisine: Contemporary Singaporean
• Signature Dish: Ang Moh Chicken Rice
• Ambiance: Upscale, creative plating
• Price Range: Fine dining

Labyrinth reinvents Singaporean favorites with locally sourced ingredients and a progressive culinary approach.

Pro Tip: Their Chili Crab Ice Cream is a must-try!

9. Odette – Three-Michelin-Starred French Cuisine

• Location: National Gallery
• Best for: French dining
• Cuisine: French fine dining
• Signature Dish: Pigeon Beak to Tail
• Ambiance: Elegant, art-inspired
• Price Range: High-end fine dining

One of Singapore’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, Odette offers exceptional service, artistic plating, and impeccable French cuisine.

Pro Tip: Arrive early to explore the National Gallery before your meal.

10. Tanjong Beach Club – Beachside Dining

• Location: Sentosa
• Best for: Relaxed beachfront lunches
• Cuisine: Western seafood and grill
• Signature Dish: Tanjong Lobster Roll
• Ambiance: Breezy, scenic beachside setting
• Price Range: Mid-range

This casual yet stylish spot is perfect for a laid-back lunch with ocean views.

Pro Tip: Their sunset cocktails pair perfectly with the seafood platters.

Conclusion

Singapore offers an incredible variety of lunch options, catering to every palate and preference. Whether you're in the mood for a Michelin-starred fine dining experience, a casual hawker meal, or a trendy café lunch, there’s something for everyone. From the Indian flavors of Akasa to the modern Singaporean cuisine at Labyrinth, each restaurant on this list promises a memorable meal.

With so many options, you’ll never run out of lunch ideas in Singapore. Try a new spot each week and discover the rich flavors that make Singapore one of the world’s greatest food cities. Where will you eat next?