From culinary giants like Gordon Ramsay and Tetsuya Wakuda to local heroes like Janice Wong and Malcolm Lee, here are our favourite celebrity chef restaurants in Singapore
From humble hawkers (a few with Michelin stars, mind you) to flagship restaurants of culinary giants like Tetsuya Wakuda and Gordon Ramsay, is there anything you can’t get in Singapore? We’re just going to come out and say it: Singapore loves a celebrity chef restaurant.
Whitegrass by Sam Aisbett
This fine dining venture of Sam Aisbett, alumnus of Tetsuya Wakuda’s acclaimed Tetsuya’s in Sydney, aims to redefine modern Australian cuisine, placing a focus on fresh ingredients sourced everywhere from the Blue Mountains to Little India’s own Tekka market. Dishes worth digging into include the raw shaved Japanese yellowtail with white vereduna beetroot, and slow roasted Iberico pork on a bed of scallop silk, white turnip cream, cabbage stems and aromatic pork broth. Read our full review here.
Whitegrass, #01-26/27, 30 Victoria Street, Chijmes. Singapore 187996. p. 6837 0402.
Long Chim by David Thompson
An expert in Thai cuisine, David Thompson’s hot pink, silk-covered manifesto Thai Food can be found on any every self-respecting foodie’s cookbook collection. His fine dining jewel, Nahm in London, was the first Thai restaurant in Europe to claim a Michelin star, and Honeycombers Editor Selina still remembers the dearly departed restaurant’s mind blowingly complex broth – but is really in love with Thompson’s contemporary take on Thai street goodies at Long Chim. Long Chim at Marina Bay Sands is one of those spots where an architecturally spectacular interior, unique decor and theatrics of an open kitchen threaten to steal the show. But a spread of charred noodles, rich beef mussaman curry and tilapia in a salt crust will keep your eyes on your plate.
Long Chim, 10 Bayfront Avenue, #02-02, Atrium 2 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 018955
Burnt Ends by Dave Pynt
Dave Pynt’s meat-forward menu is his loving gift for all you carnivores out there. His casual resto will treat diners to a mouth-watering selection of delightful meats cooked in scorching ovens (that can go up to a temperature of 700+ degrees). The modern Australian BBQ resto boasts an 18-seat exposed counter top, so you can watch the behind-the-scenes culinary action just before you tuck in. On top of their meats, try specials like oven-roasted fennel, the signature pulled pork sanger, and ice cream and ginger for dessert. Oh, did we also mention that Burnt Ends is #14 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list?
Burnt Ends, 20 Teck Lim Road, Singapore 088391, p. 6224 3933. Open for lunch 11.45am to 2pm (Fri to Sat), dinner 6pm to late (Tues to Sat).
Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda
Taking a cue from its name that loosely translates to “surging with silver”, you’d best be prepared for the dent this fancy 25-seater will do to your wallet. One thing’s for certain – for a flummoxing $400 per person for its 10-course degustation menu, you’re gonna be taken to gastronomical Utopia by renowned chef, Tetsuya Wakuda. Under this sensei of the culinary arts, you’ll be pampered with specialties like marinated botan shrimp with sea urchin and caviar, and wagyu with wasabi and citrus soy. The splurge is absolutely worth it.
Waku Ghin, 10 Bayfront Avenue, #02-01 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956. p.6688 8507. Open daily for two seatings: 5.30pm and 8pm.
Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay
A standout amongst Marina Bay Sands’ (already) stellar line-up of award-winning restaurants, Bread Street Kitchen, opened by none other than Gordon Ramsay himself, serves up British-European fare. Expect many of the storied chef’s specialties including slow roasted Dingley Dell pork belly with spiced apple puree, as well as vegetarian options like mushroom risotto with aged Parmesan, basil and ricotta cannelloni.
Bread Street Kitchen, Bay Level, L1-81 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972, p. 6688 5665. Open 11.30am to 1am (Mon to Thurs), 11.30am to 2am (Fri), 7.30am to 2am (Sat) and 7.30am to 1am (Sun).
Joël Robuchon Restaurant by Joël Robuchon
At 70, Robuchon is a household name when it comes to Michelin-standard cooking – this is Singapore’s only three-star Michelin restaurant after all – and he spares no expense in this luxurious abode – prim and proper etiquette please. Priced at $498, Robuchon’s Menu Printemps presents a trinity of innovation, modernity and tradition, for a banquet that’ll have your tastebuds singing like an opera tenor. Highlights include combination of Maine lobster on coraline dressing with celeriac leaf and tumeric oil, pan-fried scallop with fregola on a coral emulsion, and lemon candy with yuzu cream and Brittany biscuit.
Joël Robuchon Restaurant, Hotel Michael, Level 1. p.6577 7888. Open Tues to Sat (6pm to 10.30pm).
Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora
Anyone who’s watched gangster films from the ’50s knows that ‘sleeping with the fishes’ isn’t a terribly attractive prospect, but we assure you dining with them is a far more pleasant experience. This unique concept by Iron Chef’s Cat Cora puts diners in the heart of the S.E.A. Aquarium, with its full-length glass panels offering a view of over 100,000 marine animals. Shrouded in the blue glow of the aquarium, you’ll enjoy the chef’s specialities like seared line caught sea bass, as well as Asian influenced Uni cream Langoustine. Just try not to make eye contact with the fishes while feasting on their kin.
Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora, Equarius Hotel, West B1M Carpark. p. 6577 6869. Open daily 11.30am-3.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm.
Candlenut Kitchen by Malcolm Lee
Helmed by young head chef and owner, Malcolm Lee, Candlenut Kitchen offers a great mix of traditional and contemporary Peranakan dishes. Classics like buah keluak with signature black nut sambal can be found on the menu, alongside more intriguing creations like the steamed caramel banana cake with gula melaka ice cream. Malcolm Lee’s Candlenut Kitchen distinguishes itself by being the only Peranakan restaurant to clinch a Michelin star.
Candlenut Kitchen, 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676, p. 1800-304-2288.
Janice Wong Singapore by Janice Wong
The pastry maestro behind Holland Village’s 2am:dessertbar, Janice Wong opened her flagship restaurant in September 2016 in the National Museum of Singapore. In addition to Janice Wong’s repertoire of delightful desserts, her restaurant serves dim sum and noodle dishes based on her cookbook, “Dim Sum: A Flour-Forward Approach To Traditional Favourites And Contemporary Creations”. Needless to say, you gotta try her savoury creations like minced pork barley noodles and ratatouille siew mai.
Janice Wong Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, #01-06, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore 178897. p. 9712 5338. Open 11am to 11pm (Tues to Sat), 11am to 6pm (Sun).
National Kitchen by Violet Oon
Is there anyone better than renowned food connoisseur Violet Oon to helm the Singapore’s national kitchen, if there was actually an official one? We think not – and the family couldn’t have chosen a better name for their second restaurant at the Gallery. The new dig is decidedly more posh than its comfy-chic Bukit Timah establishment, complete with black marbled surfaces, gold accents, framed Peranakan tiles, and edible herb foliage with scents of curry leaves and turmeric to whet your appetite. Of course, the menu is Singaporean through-and-through, with Indian, Hainanese and Eurasian flavours in its all-day breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner plates.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon, #02-01 National Gallery Singapore (City Hall Wing), Singapore 178957, p. 9834 9935.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck
As the acclaimed steakhouse’s first Asian outpost, the menu sure doesn’t disappoint. Get ready to be spoilt by choice over the finest steaks and premium selections ranging from Australian Angus, Wagyu beef choices and Japanese A5 Kobe Beef from Hyogo Prefecture. There’s an extensive wine list too so you can pair your meal with a lovely drink and soak yourself in the sleek dining space. Did you know that it also boasts a One Star rating in Singapore’s edition of the Michelin Guide? Certainly reason for us to visit again.
CUT by Wolfgang Puck, B1-71 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. p.6688 8517. Open 5.30pm to 12am.
SPAGO by Wolfgang Puck
The famed chef’s second restaurant in Singapore also happens to be home to contemporary Californian cuisine. It’s located on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Tower 2, which means you get a sprawling view of the bay area. Ala carte prices may be steep but if you happen to be in the area during lunch, there’s an Express Prix Fixe Menu offering 3 courses for $45 including dishes such as Grilled Angus Beef Burger, Chicken ‘Laksa’ Spring Roll and Pistachio Panna Cotta.
SPAGO by Wolfgang Puck, Sands SkyPark Tower 2 Level 57. Open for lunch 12pm to 3.30pm daily, for dinner 6pm to 10pm (Sun to Thurs) and 6pm to 11pm (Fri and Sat).
DB Bistro and Oyster Bar
Enter the dining space and you are instantaneously transported back in time to an era reminiscent of the roaring twenties. But besides the chic interiors, chef owner Daniel Boulud’s menu is similarly stellar; you can’t go wrong with their Maine Lobster Roll and a side of seasonal oysters to share. Remember to save some stomach space for their unique cocktails – we recommend the Tiki drinks which are particularly delish and extremely photo-worthy.
DB Bistro and Oyster Bar, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B1-48 Galleria Level, 2 Bayfront Avenue. p.6688 8525
Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver
We’ve loved Jamie’s 15 Restaurant in Shoreditch, but still have a soft spot for his more casual joint that’s made its way around the world. Jamie’s Italian is charmingly done up with rustic wooden furnishings and gorgeous hand-painted tiles – the closest we’ll probably get to dining in Jamie’s kitchen. The Forum outlet specialises in hand-stretched pizzas like the decadent funghi pizza, topped with porcini mushroom sauce, roasted mushrooms, mozzarella and chervil; while those with a penchant for fiery grub will love the Italian Hot Pizza, available at the VivoCity branch. Casual and kid-friendly!
Jamie’s Italian at Forum The Shopping Mall and VivoCity.
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy…
Sustainable dining in Singapore: Farm-to-table restaurants, edible gardens and more
Chinese restaurants in Singapore: best Cantonese, Hokkien and Teochew in town
Indian restaurants in Singapore: Our best spots for curry, spice and everything nice
Halal restaurants and cafes in Singapore: Your ultimate guide
Or sign up for our weekly newsletters!