Best Lunch Ideas in Singapore – 10 Must-Try Restaurants for Every Food Lover
Looking for lunch ideas in Singapore? Whether you're in the mood for fine dining, casual hawker fare, or a trendy café experience, this guide covers the best options for every taste and budget. From Michelin-starred establishments to hidden gems serving authentic local cuisine, these top 10 lunch spots ensure you never run out of places to eat in Singapore.
Singapore is a culinary hub, offering diverse food options that reflect its multicultural heritage. Whether you’re seeking a quick bite between meetings or a leisurely meal with friends, finding the perfect lunch spot can be overwhelming with so many choices. This carefully curated list highlights some of the best restaurants in Singapore for lunch, ranging from iconic barbecue joints to elegant fine dining experiences. No matter your preference, you’ll find something here that satisfies your craving.
1. Akasa – Royal Indian Dining in CBD
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Akasa, Odette, and Seroja offer a professional fine-dining ambiance perfect for business lunches.
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Time Out Market, The Coconut Club, and hawker centers provide great meals under $15.
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Yes! Many places like Lolla and Akasa have vegetarian-friendly dishes that cater to different dietary preferences.
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Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, and Chili Crab are among Singapore’s most popular lunch dishes.
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Yes! Odette, Candlenut, and Labyrinth are Michelin-starred restaurants perfect for a luxurious lunch.
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Burnt Ends (for grilled seafood), Labyrinth (modern take on seafood), and Jumbo Seafood (classic chili crab) are great choices.
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Seroja (for fine dining), The Coconut Club (for a cozy local vibe), and Burnt Ends (for a lively setting) offer fantastic ambiance.
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Labyrinth—it reinvents Singaporean classics with a modern twist while using locally sourced ingredients.
