Sit down to a spectacular National Day feast, and get front row seats to the fireworks display at these restaurants in Singapore
What brings all Singaporeans together? Food, clearly. So what better way to celebrate Singapore’s 52nd birthday than to feast with a sumptuous dinner (or buffet) while taking in the fireworks. To work up your appetite, we’ve rounded up a bunch of our top spots serving Singapore-inspired special menus featuring chilli crab pasta, nasi lemak, and other classic Singaporean dishes.
Edge
If you know your buffets, you won’t be a stranger to Edge at the Pan Pacific. This National Day, its seven open kitchens will be dishing out heritage classics like otak otak fried rice, Nyonya-style curry chicken, and even some unconventional dishes like the white salmon tandoori. The buffet -inclusive of free-flow local beverages, coffee, and tea – will go for $88 for adults and $44 for children.
Edge, 3/F Pan Pacific Singapore, Marina Square, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595, p. 6336 8111. 29-30 July and 4-9 August.
Baba Chews
How about an all-you-can-eat Peranakan brunch? Baba Chews offers an East-meets-West weekend brunch that goes for an incredibly affordable $38++. Menu highlights include Straits Chinese dishes like Lion’s Head (stewed meatballs), Baba Chews’ Nyonya Laksa, and beef rendang buns. Western brunch treats like eggs Benedict, and deviled eggs also make appearances on this diverse menu.
Baba Chew’s, #01-01 Katong Square, 86 East Coast Road, Singapore 428788. p. 6723 2025.
Saint Pierre
Savour a local-inspired nine-course dinner ($248++) by Chef Emmanuel Stroobant – while taking in the fireworks -at Saint Pierre this National Day. The contemporary French restaurant that just won a Michelin star will offer re-interpreted Singaporean dishes like satay with coal-roasted Japanese eel; idli with a carpaccio of live Hokkaido scallops; and even Chef Stroobant’s take on nasi lemak served with poached Hokkaido king crab crusted with puffed coconut rice. End the evening on a sweet note with the egg tart served with a crumble of vanilla sand dough and topped with crème brulee cubes and egg custard.
Saint Pierre, #02-02B One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213. p. 6438 0887. 9 August, 5pm-11pm.
Forlino
If you’re in the mood for a Singaporean feast with Italian influences, head down to this fine dining restaurant which will feature exclusive set menus with locally-inspired dishes throughout the month of July. Highlights of the lunch and dinner set menus ($52++ and $148++ respectively) include chilli crab and lobster linguine, ‘bak kut teh’ slow-braised miyazaki wagyu short rib, and a salted egg white chocolate sformato. You’ll get a stellar view of the fireworks as well!
Forlino, #02-06 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213. p. 6690 7564. Open daily 12pm-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm. Weekday set lunch menu, 3 July-9 August. Set dinner menu 1 July-8 August.
Monti
Right in the middle of Marina Bay, Monti is undoubtedly one of the best spots to catch the fireworks this National Day – while tucking into some spectacular, locally-inspired Italian dishes. On 9 August, diners will get to enjoy a special National Day five- or six-course menu ($188++, $228++) along with two glasses of Champagne. Menu highlights include chilli crab agnolotti, the vegetarian pumpkin tortelli, and a specially created cocktail – the Kampong Boy ($24). Vegetarian diners also have the option of a five-course vegetarian menu at $188++.
Monti, 82 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049213. p. 6535 0724. 9 August.
Antoinette
Antoinette tosses its hat into the nasi lemak burger ring with this massive creation. The XXXL Nasi Lemak Burger, a creation of Chef Pang Kok Keong of Antoinette features Japanese rice ‘buns’ (cooked in pandan juice), chicken marinated and coated in batter, sunny side-up egg, homemade otah, and luncheon meat. Crowning this spectacular dish is a homemade aromatic sambal chilli.
Antoinette, 30 Penhas Road, Singapore 208188. p. 62933121.
La Brasserie
Take in the view and savour La Brasserie’s affordable three-course degustation menu ($52 per person) featuring Singaporean-inflected classics and Western favourites like the chicken satay salad and French onion soup, as well as mains like the sambal sea bass and the red wine-braised beef cheek. Rounding off the meal is a choice of mango pudding or crème brulee that’ll be a hit amongst sweet tooths. As a bonus, diners will also enjoy free access to The Clifford Pier’s alfresco deck.
La Brasserie, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326. p. 6597 5288. 9 August, 6.30pm-10.30pm.
Oxwell & Co
While undoubtedly British, Oxwell & Co will put together their own take on the Singaporean favourite, chilli crab. The chilli baby crab and mantou buns, while more of a bar snack than a full meal, is a delicate balancing act of sweet and savoury flavours. Pair this with with their new Singaporean cocktail, the Bandung Sour, which features spiced rum, rose syrup, calamansi juice, and evaporated milk.
Oxwell & Co, 5 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069688. p. 6438 3984. Available 1-12 Aug.
Super Loco Customs House
More chilli crab? In the spirit of this patriotic month, we’re inclined to say yes – especially since this rather unique offering from Super Loco Customs House features a Mexican spin. The chilli crab taco ($10) features mudcrab meat sauteed with garlic, shallots, habanero chillies, and tomatoes, and is topped with white cabbage shavings, deep-fried mantou bits, all folded between a fresh corn tortilla. For a sweet dessert treat, order the kaya toast taco ($7) with home-made kaya jam, egg custard, croutons, and toasted coconut gratings.
Super Loco Customs House, #01-04 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323. p. 6532 2090. Available 7-12 Aug.
Sarnies
Sarnies has long been a go-to for our afternoon coffee break, so you can bet we’ll pop by to check out their National Day menu items. Fans of the enduring salted egg trend will enjoy the rich, creamy salted egg crab tagliatelle. Those with more traditional tastes will certainly find the chilli crab tagliatelle an attractive alternative.
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601. p. 6224 6091. Available until 11 Aug.
Want to catch the fireworks? Read our guide for the best spots to catch the National Day fireworks.