Planning a big get-together? Here are our favourite communal dining spots in Singapore to enjoy feasts fit for kings and queens.
Gathering together for a huge feast with friends or family is one of our favourite things to do. But it can be tough for big groups to find a restaurant in Singapore with communal dining and huge tables. With our handy list of dining establishments, there’s no need to rack your brains! Put down the phones cause we’ve done all the hard work for you. Take it easy and pick a place to eat communal-style.
Best restaurants in Singapore for communal dining and big groups
1. The Dragon Chamber
Stowed behind an unsuspecting fridge door within a humble kopitiam is this hidden restaurant. The dark den is reminiscent of old school Chinatown secret society hangouts, with plenty of tables for group dining. And its enigmatic ambience is backed by a menu of unusual nose-to-tail Chinese dishes. So if you want a unique experience, this is it. Menu signatures include wagyu truffle beef hor fun, crab and conpoy soup, firecracker chicken with maple fritters, and dragon claw (aka crocodile foot).
The Dragon Chamber, 2 Circular Road, Singapore 049358
2. The Butcher’s Wife
Looking for gluten-free options? The Butcher’s Wife is a natural wine bar and kitchen nestled within the quaint neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru. Its hearty dishes are completely gluten-free and celiac-friendly. This makes it the perfect dinner spot of choice if you or anyone in your group have any diet sensitivities. Make sure you order the wagyu picanha – it’s the stuff of dreams.
The Butcher’s Wife, 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168650
3. Tong Xin Ru Yi
Nothing says communal dining like sitting around a big pot of soup with ingredients filling up your table. We think having hotpot with your family is one of the best ways to spend time dining together. Our spot of choice? Tong Xin Ru Yi, which is located within the heart of Boat Quay. Soup bases are masterfully prepared, while ingredients are fresh and of high quality. We recommend going with the pickled vegetable and pork rib soup or catfish with spicy soup for an extra kick.
Tong Xin Ru Yi, 6 Lorong Telok, Singapore 049019
4. Micasa Kitchen & Bar
The team behind Micasa Kitchen & Bar holds home and family deeply in everything they do. The menu features classic European dishes made with locally sourced produce. Planning a big celebration? The second level is the perfect place to host everyone, with space for 22 people. And don’t worry about picking out what to feed everyone, cause Micasa does it for you with the set menu. You get a selection of tapas like crispy pork cheeks and “wok hei” cauliflower. The show-stopping tomahawk steaks will steal the show with crispy crushed potatoes, and let’s not forget the huge pan of paella that’s stewed in a seafood and saffron broth.
Micasa Kitchen & Bar, 102C Jalan Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598602
5. Firangi Superstar
Modern Indian plates take centre stage at Firangi Superstar. It’s a top communal dining spot in Singapore to wow your friends. Its architecture takes inspiration from cities like Kashmir, Chennai, Bombay and Rajasthan. The restaurant is brought to life with interiors that evoke a certain cinematic quality. Pick from both tiny and big plates to satisfy your family’s appetite. And don’t miss out on the cocktail programme for stellar tipples, too.
Firangi Superstar, #01-03, 20 Craig Road, Singapore 089692
6. Foc Sentosa
Planning a day at the beach with your group of friends? Ditch the picnic mats and partake in mouthwatering coastal recipes at Foc Sentosa. It serves daily limited edition specials featuring fresh seafood and dry-aged cuts of meat that come in perfect sharing portions. We love the ultra-smoky octopus leg served with chimichurri. Combined with the creamy potatoes and olives, it’s the perfect bite. Or go for prawns in a rich garlic sauce. Wash it all down with a refreshing Missy daiquiri. It’s a heady mix of rum, mango and ripe strawberries.
Foc Sentosa, 110 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore 098943
7. Botanico at The Garage
Escape from the urban gridlock at this multi-concept dining establishment in the Botanic Gardens. On the menu are dishes like wagyu beef cheek, Kurobuta pork belly, and duck leg confit. Best part? Botanico’s spacious dining room and its air-cooled outdoor dining area are more than spacious enough to accommodate a party of 10. A perfect communal dining spot for big groups, if you ask us!
Botanico at The Garage, 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488
8. Neon Pigeon
This modern izakaya with artsy, gritty interiors makes a cool hang for your communal dining plans. Reserve a table for 10 on its website and kick off the evening with tipples served in bird-shaped glassware. Plus, small plates from the raw bar that features seasonal catches. Its menu also puts a modern spin on Japanese dishes, with intriguing creations such as the Tokyo hummus. It’s a creamy blend of edamame and curry chips that’s fast become a crowd favourite.
Neon Pigeon, #01-01, 36 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059915
9. Artichoke
Grab nine of your pals and dig into chef-owner Bjorn Shen’s take on Middle Eastern fare with his signature twist. The restaurant has ample tables to hold big groups of 10, including a private dining space for a massive get-together. Think dishes like lamb kebabs, grilled octopus, and falafel plates.
Artichoke, Sculpture Square, 161 Middle Road, Singapore 188978
10. Pu3 Restaurant
Pu3 specialises in nasi ambeng that’s perfect for communal dining. You can opt for the basic set but if you’re extra like us, go for the royal set that’s loaded with prawns, sambal ikan bilis (fried anchovies) and dried fish. We know it states that it feeds a group of four but it can easily satisfy six ravenous diners.
Pu3 Restaurant, #02-20, TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road, Singapore 238164
11. Publico Ristorante
Pizzas are ideal communal food and this riverside restaurant dishes them out wood-fired style. We’re still not over the tartufata, diavola and prosciutto pizzas. And that pizza crust? Superbly divine. If you’re a carnivore at heart, feast on the bistecca ribeye or beef short rib that’s slow-cooked for 18 hours. Expect fork-tender goodness in every bite.
Publico Ristorante, Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
12. The Halia
This restaurant nestled in the lush Botanic Gardens focuses on fine Asian-inspired European fare. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, or dinner, it has menus that’ll have you covered for any meal. Make your reservations and you’ll be enjoying dishes like French cheeses, grilled scallops, and steak.
The Halia, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
13. The Malayan Council
Planning to hit up a cafe more for food than coffee? The Malayan Council offers some truly eclectic menu items featuring local twists in a spacious setting. Start off with juicy wings covered in kicap chilli padi for a spicy kick. Next, go for the softshell and mud crab mee goreng or lamb shank mee rebus to fill you up. For dessert, choose from the cafe’s wide selection of cakes that include ondeh ondeh and putu piring cake. If you’re still hungry, you can go home with an extra slice or two!
The Malayan Council, multiple locations including Bussorah Street and Winstedt Road
14. Lolla
This 40-seater restaurant in Singapore has a basement space that’s great for social gatherings. It’s all about amazing food and fab produce here. Restaurant highlights include the tuna belly “chutoro” carpaccio, glazed lamb shoulder and hand-torn pasta with brown crab. Oh, and the donuts with lemon curd are pleasantly surprising and a must-order to finish off a great meal.
Lolla, 22 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069702
15. New Ubin Seafood
Seafood is synonymous with group-friendly dining in Singapore. If you can inhale a trove of oceanic dishes by yourself, more power to you! This institution is known not only for its chilli crab and XXL tiger prawns, but the cubed ribeye is truly a cut above the rest. You can even get foie gras satay served with a raspberry sauce for a unique hawker experience.
New Ubin Seafood, available at multiple locations including Chijmes and Stevens Road
16. Potato Head Folk
Are you and your posse hankering for gut-busting burgers? Sate those mighty appetites in the whimsical confines of Potato Head Folk. Call in early to book a table if you’re in a large group. Or, if you’ve got bigger plans, the restaurant offers its space for private events. Make a pitstop at burger mavens Three Buns – you’ll certainly want to get your hands messy with specialities like the classic baby Huey cheeseburger.
Potato Head Folk, 36 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089143
17. Meatsmith
How serious are the Meatsmith fellas about smoking meats? Serious enough to yank down large smokers all the way from the US. They’ve got ’em set up in a cosy diner in the heart of Telok Ayer Street. The result? Tender, flavourful meat that will neither give your jaw a tough time while chewing nor a desire to drown it in sauce. It’s that good on its own! Tip: the Mother of All Platter is practically made for big groups. It features brisket springrolls, sausages, fried chicken, beef cheek pastrami, porterhouse, and more.
MeatSmith, 167-169 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068620
18. Il Cielo
Enjoy fresh, bold flavours of fine Italian comfort food at Il Cielo. The award-winning rooftop Italian restaurant offers a mouthwatering array of dishes that you can enjoy over stunning views of the city. Have an intimate brunch or dinner in its private dining room that fits up to 10 people. Oh, and you’ve got to order the burrata e tartufo pizza (it tastes heavenly and is great for sharing)!
Il Cielo, Level 24, Voco Orchard Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883
Communal dining is back in Singapore, and we’re excited to get out and share a meal with friends and family! Be right back, gonna make that reservation.
[This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024 by Ashe Liao.]