Food is the one thing that brings us all together. So dive into these National Day-themed menus as a nod to Singapore's birthday.
Every National Day brings with it a cheery new song, red-and-white hues all over the land, and restaurants everywhere whipping up locally-inspired food. We’re obviously obsessed with food – as evidenced by our constant crop of new restaurants and bars. But, while we’ll never tire of local dishes, our curiosity for fresh takes on crowd favourites will never die down. That’s why chefs in Singapore put together special National Day dining menus every year – and we all flock to ’em. Want a sweet deal or a unique take on classic creations? You’ve come to the right place.
National Day food guide: Special launches and themed menus
1. Vue
Singapore’s turning 58, so celebrate with a bang at this rooftop restaurant’s one-night-only five-course dinner ($298++) on 9 August. You’ll start off with drunken oyster, followed by the likes of grilled French chicken satay, steamed Hokkaido scallop, pan-seared foie gras with five spice smoked duck, and grilled Maine lobster tail on the menu. Mains like poached madai red seabream will satiate any seafood lover, while meat enthusiasts can go for the beef duo of wagyu and short ribs. End on a refreshing note with mangosteen ice, almond sago jelly, aloe vera, and lemongrass tea.
Vue, Level 19, OUE Bayfront, 50 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049321
2. Kinki Restaurant + Bar
Love a good front row view of the National Day fireworks? You’ve come to the right place. Snag the National Day rooftop package ($588++ per table for up to six) on the country’s birthday to enjoy fantastic waterfront sights at the rooftop bar from 5pm to midnight. You’ll munch on bar snacks, throw back boozy drinks, and dance to the DJ’s beats. If afternoon shindigs are more your thing, opt for the bottomless brunch on National Day ($68++ per person, top up $38++ for free-flow alcoholic beverage of choice).
Kinki Restaurant + Bar, #02-02, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323
3. Rosemead
Celebrate our nation’s birthday at this farm-to-table American grill concept. From 8 to 12 August, you’ll enjoy a special National Day food menu with the likes of wild tiger prawns, venus clams, spicy roast chicken, and pandan velvet cake. If you’re swinging by on 8 or 9 August, satiate your burger craving with the trio of 45-day dry-aged beef burger, portobello burger, or spicy fried chicken burger with “masak merah” onions, cheddar, and lettuce.
Rosemead, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704
4. Caffe Fernet
For more stunning views of the state flag flypast and the fantastic fireworks display, get a table at this waterfront restaurant on 9 August. The National Day menu (from $200 per adult) includes food inspired by Singapore such as rendang short ribs, coal-kissed hamachi, and otah and prawn tortellini in laksa butter. Don’t miss out on the special Singapore Sling slushie!
Caffe Fernet, #01-05, Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049323
5. Eggslut x Jumbo Seafood
Both culinary names join forces from now till 30 September for a chilli crab collab. Meet the chilli crab sandwich, which comes packed with Jumbo’s signature fresh crab, cage-free scrambled eggs, chilli crab sauce, and a brioche bun. For more delectable goodness, try the chilli crab slut: a cage-free coddled egg atop chilli crab, potato purée and chives, served with baguette slices.
Eggslut x Jumbo Seafood, available at multiple locations including Eggslut Scotts Square and Suntec City
6. Fanntasy
If you love local celeb Fann Wong’s baked goods, you’ll be extra excited to try the new Memories Tart, which is inspired by everyone’s favourite childhood dessert: ice kachang. It features a buttery sable base, almond sponge with gula melaka cremeux, red bean purée, chendol jelly, diced attap seeds, and rose Chantilly cream. Wanna dig in? Order it online from 1 August.
Fanntasy, available online
7. Artemis Grill
Sweeping skyline views paired with a stunning set menu? Yes, please. Head to Artemis Grill on 9 August for dinner to celebrate Singapore’s 58th in style. The three-course menu ($98++ per person) starts with appetisers like burrata with black figs and prosciutto di parma, beef tartare, hamachi crudo and Fremantle octopus.
As for the mains, choose from black cod with bouillabaisse, Iberico pork loin with pea purée and pancetta, or Moroccan lamb chops with cauliflower saffron pilaf rice. From the dessert selection, you’ll love dishes like sticky date cake, chocolate and coconut rice pudding, and apricot tart.
Artemis Grill, Level 40, 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946
8. 25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar
Spice up your National Day celebrations with food from this burger joint. Sink your teeth into the soft shell chilli crab burger ($20) with tempura soft shell crab, chilli mayo, red chilli, and chilli crab sauce. You can get yours sandwiched with steamed or fried mantou buns. To top it all off, order the kaya toast milkshake ($18) for sips of vanilla ice cream, pandan syrup, kaya jam, and matcha – all topped with whipped cream and kaya toast, of course.
25 Degrees Burger & Liquor Bar, Hotel G Singapore, 200 Middle Road, Singapore 188980
9. Fufu Pot
Fancy a chilli crab pot? This new limited edition flavour ($30) is a nod to Singapore’s birthday, made with crab stock from fresh crabs. Throw in prawns, scallops, clams, a whole blue swimmer crab and assorted veggies, and you’ve got a hearty meal to savour. Add $3 for three pieces of mantou (fried buns) and end with pulut hitam bingsu ($5.80) – the restaurant’s local version of the shaved ice dessert. Oh, and if you get ’em all as a set, it’ll only set you back $33.
Fufu Pot, #06-07, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
10. Opus Bar & Grill
Who’s in the mood for Sunday champagne brunch? This one’s got a locally-inspired twist to it. We’re talking about dishes like Hainanese chicken rice roll, satay bee hoon noodles, seafood laksa shakshuka, chicken satay pizza, chilli crab meat capellini and more. Plus, leave room for local delights such as nasi goreng kampung, bak kut teh, and char kway teow.
End off with the likes of coconut mousse, pandan chiffon cake, and rainbow lapis for a satisfying treat. Oh, and don’t forget to sip on the chicken rice gin and tonic, specially created for the nation’s birthday. Head over every Sunday throughout the month of August for this limited edition menu.
Opus Bar & Grill, Voco Orchard Singapore, 581 Orchard Road, Singapore 238883
11. The Marmalade Pantry
Treat yourself to a lovely afternoon tea sesh with a spread of local delights for National Day. Just head over to The Marmalade Pantry from 1 August to 31 October and enjoy the heritage afternoon tea set (from $64++ for two). Savoury bites include beetroot rojak shooter, Hainanese chicken quinoa, and coconut cake with sambal prawn mayo. On the sweet side, you’ll find kueh salat petite cupcake, gula melaka mousse cake, and pandan cream puff.
The Marmalade Pantry, available at multiple locations including Ion Orchard and Anchorpoint
12. Swensen’s
Round up the fam for a meal at Swensen’s, where you’ll spot items like nasi lemak burger ($15.80), dry laksa linguine ($15.80), salted egg yolk fried chicken ($8.80) and the pandan kaya cloud drink ($5.80) on the menu. For a fun surprise, order the burger ice cream ($12.80) and watch as your tiny tots’ minds get blown by the dessert of brioche buns, vanilla ice cream, and butterscotch sauce. Available from now till 30 August.
Swensen’s, available at multiple locations including Waterway Point and Plaza Singapura
13. Lantern
Love a good view? Snag a table at this bar on National Day preview Saturdays, sit back, and enjoy the fireworks. With the Table Package ($688, for up to four pax), you’ll get a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne and premium spirits, as well as a sharing platter of rojak wings with shredded cuttlefish, mackerel otah fritters, and salted egg yolk soft shell crab. (A vegan version is available, too.)
On National Day itself, the space will broadcast the parade live, with table packages ($1,200) for up to six. Alternatively, you can fork out the cover charge ($118 per pax) – which includes two glasses of champagne, wine, or house spirit – and chill out with the crowd for patriotic vibes.
Lantern, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326
14. Mr. Coconut
Coconut and durian – are you intrigued by that combination or does it elicit a horrified reaction from you? If it’s the former, give in to your curiosity and try the brand’s coconut Mao Shan Wang shake (from $8.20), touted as the first of its kind in Singapore. Available from now till National Day, the drink features the signature shake with a layer of durian flesh. Yay or nay?
Mr. Coconut, available at multiple locations including Great World City and Jewel Changi Airport
Celebrate National Day in Singapore with these special food menus!