Here's our pick of the best izakaya bars in Singapore that serve sushi, sake and more.
In the mood for grilled meats, sushi, and sake enjoyed over a laidback evening? Enter the world of izakayas – Japan’s answer to the casual after-work bar. Whether you’re craving classic yakitori with a cold pint or seasonal omakase and whisky highballs, Singapore’s izakaya scene doesn’t disappoint. We’ve sipped and snacked our way across the city to round up the best, from hole-in-the-wall gems to popular finds.
1. Toku Nori: For fresh seafood and wagyu
Whether you’re here for a casual meal or date night, this izakaya will impress with its incredibly fresh cuts of seafood and wagyu – seared, sliced, seasoned, and rolled to perfection. The vibes are cosy yet elevated, with a groovy playlist and attentive service to boot. The hand rolls look unassuming, but they’re nothing to scoff at.
We were particularly floored by the engawa, a buttery flounder roll with roast garlic and shiro miso; as well as the wagyu and uni roll that was topped with caviar. Wash it all down with a sake pairing for smooth sips that take these delectable rolls to the next level.
Must-try dishes: Engawa hand roll, wagyu and uni handroll, sake pairing
How much: From $45 for a set of four rolls and miso soup, sake pairing at $18
Opening hours: Mondays to Sundays, 12pm to 2.30 pm, 5.30pm to 9.30 pm
Address: Toku Nori, 200A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068638
2. Rappu: Sushi rolls paired with highballs
Sushi rolls and highballs might sound like an unlikely love story, but Rappu makes the pairing work. Tucked along Duxton Road, this sleek, high-energy handroll bar serves modern Japanese bites with a side of party vibes. Think thumping beats, dim lighting, and a counter where you can watch each roll made fresh in front of you.
The savoury flavours of the seasonal abalone handroll, teriyaki tofu handroll, and grilled hamachi collar pair delightfully well with a refreshing highball. We’re also fans of the fresh sashimi, especially the salmon, torched aburi engawa (flounder), and hotate (scallop), paired with a light cocktail like the Kyoho Garden.
Must-try dishes: Abalone hand roll, sashimi trio, grilled hamachi collar, Rappu highball, Kyoho Garden
How much: Hand rolls from $6.50, sashimi from $12, hot dishes from $5, cold dishes from $12, tipples from $15
Opening hours: Mondays, 6pm to 10.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays, 11.45am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10.30pm
Address: Rappu, 52 Duxton Road, Singapore 089516
3. Nomiya Izakaya & Sake Bar: Friendly izakaya spot with excellent sake
This hidden gem in Chinatown has snatched a place in our hearts for its chill vibes, stellar sake, warm service, and innovative take on Japanese food. With its mood lighting, wall murals, and upbeat tunes, we’ve easily spent countless hours here sipping on sake and catching up with friends over good food.
Don’t expect traditional dishes – the chefs are happy to let loose their creativity with modern reinventions of well-loved flavours. Order the signature izakaya sets for a sumptuous spread with the likes of ikura negitoro pie tee that features the briny and delicate flavours of salmon roe and fatty tuna, silky smooth chawanmushi with a rich foie gras, gold dust charcoal chicken and more.
Must-try dishes: Ikura negitoro pie tee, foie gras chawanmushi, gold dust charcoal chicken
How much: From $129 for a signature izakaya set for two
Opening hours: Varies by day
Address: Nomiya Izakaya & Sake Bar, 11 Trengganu Street, Singapore 058465
4. Neon Pigeon: Izakaya done the modern way
If you like your izakayas bold, modern and a little rebellious, Neon Pigeon ticks all the boxes. This edgy Keong Saik hotspot offers a modern spin on izakaya flavours, served up in an industrial-chic space with graffiti on the walls and cocktails in hand – try the Enzoni Negroni for a Japanese twist on the classic pour.
The food is no slouch either. Crowd pleasers include the KFC Bao, made with karaage chicken, soy glaze, and gochujang aioli; pork and asparagus skewers; wagyu tsukune skewers; and duck gyoza with foie gras and orange ponzu.
Must-try dishes: KFC Bao, duck gyoza, skewers, Enzoni Negroni
How much: Skewers from $5, small plates from $20, mains from $18, cocktails from $16
Opening hours: Mondays to Sundays, 5.30pm to 12am
Address: Neon Pigeon, #01-01, 36 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059915
5. Sandaime Hiraki: A fuss-free izakaya in town
For a fuss-free izakaya fix in the heart of town, Sandaime Hiraki is the place to be. This laidback outlet at Millenia Walk keeps regulars coming back with its hearty comfort fare, affordable tipples, and generous sets that don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
If you’re here for a proper meal before the sake kicks in, take your pick from satisfying mains like unagi don, pork tonkatsu sets, or wagyu sirloin steak for something richer. Craving variety? There’s a value-for-money omakase course that starts from $50, and if you’re feeling extra indulgent, tack on free-flow drinks for $30 per person.
Perk alert: enjoy one-for-one teri wings (teriyaki pepper flavour) from now till the end of October.
Must-try dishes: unagi set, pork tonkatsu set, teriyaki pepper wings
How much: Omakase from $50; meal sets from $18.90; wagyu steak from $59.90
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 11.30am to 2.15pm; Saturdays 11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 9.30pm; Sundays, 11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 9pm
Address: Sandaime Hiraki, #02-10/11, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596
6. Izakaya Hikari: An affordable hidden gem
Blink and you’ll miss this hole-in-the-wall gem along Fortune Centre – but those who know it love it. Izakaya Hikari has garnered fans for its wallet-friendly prices, skewers and bar bites that pair dangerously well with a glass of sake. The space is compact, but grungy and buzzy in the best way.
Let the bartender surprise you with a pour of house sake, or sip on the Kitaya Kansansui Junmai Ginjyo, a mellow and smooth sake that goes with anything. And by anything, we mean the crowd favourite mentaiko dishes (think aburi mentaiko gyoza and mentaiko fries), as well as comforting classics like oden soup and unagi donburi.
Must-try dishes: Aburi mentaiko gyoza, oden soup, unagi donburi, house sake
How much: Appetisers from $3.90, grilled food from $8.90, mains from $10.90, house sake from $10
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 12pm to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm; Saturdays, 5pm to 10.30pm
Address: Izakaya Hikari, #03-01, 190 Middle Road, Singapore 188979
7. Shukuu Izakaya: For sake lovers
Shukuu Izakaya was founded by two friends who harbour a deep love for all things Japanese. We enjoy its sublime selection of food and drinks, as well as an ambience that emulates the authentic izakaya experience in Japan.
Peep the sake of the week for the recommended pours. Alternatively, you can’t go wrong with the classic umeshu or shochu. Pair them with bites like gyu ponzu (cold beef slices marinated in ponzu sauce), ika shiokara (fermented squid), reba shoyuzuke (marinated chicken liver in soy sauce marinade), or your choice of skewers to kick off the night.
Must-try dishes: Gyu ponzu, reba shoyuzuke, skewers, umeshu, shochu
How much: Starters from $6, sashimi from $8, cooked dishes from $10, skewers from $5.50, tipples from $10
Opening hours: Varies by day
Address: Shukuu Izakaya, 8 Stanley Street, Singapore 068727
8. Jibiru Yakitori & Craft Beer: For beer enthusiasts
As its name implies with gusto, Jibiru is a post-work haven for those craving a bespoke tipple. Here, you’ll see beer brands you’d usually only find in the heart of Japan. But aside from these rare brews, Jibiru also feeds the hungry with grilled kushiyaki inspired by the Saitama region near Tokyo. Tempura, gyoza and Japanese curry are just some of the dishes we can never resist. P.S. bring your friends to make it a lively night out.
Must-try dishes: Tempura; gyoza; Japanese curry
How much: From $2.90
Opening hours: Varies by day
Address: Jibiru Yakitori & Craft Beer, #01-26, 313@Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Singapore 238895
9. Ishinomaki Grill & Sake: Seasonal seafood and lunch sets
Serving robatayaki and izakaya dishes, this grill and sake restaurant in Orchard is all about fresh seafood and seasonal produce. Follow ’em on Facebook to see what’s new for the day. When you’re visiting, order from the yakitori menu or go for a kaiseki-style meal. Ishinomaki also takes pride in its sake selection and houses premium sake grades like junmai daiginjo and junmai ginjo.
Must-try dishes: Tsukune; grilled nasu with kumquat miso
How much: From $28
Opening hours: Varies by location
Address: Ishinomaki Grill & Sake, #B1-02/02A/03, Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871
10. Mikoto: A relaxed hangout by the river
If you’re a fan of rich flavours, give Mikoto a try. We love swinging by to munch on dishes like grilled yellow tail head and chicken nanban. Made Kyushu-style, these are way more flavourful than items from other Japanese prefectures. When you’re done selecting the food, choose your poison from a wide selection of alcohol, including whiskey, house sake and Japanese-style cocktails. We’re all for a chill night out!
Must-try dishes: Chicken Nanban; grilled yellow tail head
How much: From $4
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Thursdays, 6pm to 11pm; Fridays to Sundays, 6pm to 3am
Address: Mikoto, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252
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