Reserve a table for two at these stellar restaurants for an intimate dinner and drinks with your honey
It might be an anniversary celebration, or a first date situation – heck, maybe it’s the night (you hope?) someone’s gonna pop the big question! Either way, we know you’re probably racking your brains trying to think about where to take that special someone for a nice evening out; it doesn’t have to be a stressful process! Fancy restaurants, spots with a view, dining in the great outdoors – we’ve got a great mix of romantic restaurants right here.
Corner House
Taking over the now defunct Au Jardin by the Les Amis Group, this romantic restaurant (pictured top) is set amongst the lush greenery of the Botanic Gardens and offers couples an intimate dining experience away from the bustle of the city. Serving up mostly French-inspired dishes by local chef Jason Tan – the originator of Gastro-Botanica cuisine – Corner House (also a one Michelin-starred restuarant) features a menu with dishes such as Patagonian toothfish and Iberico pork “Secreto”.
Corner House, EJH Corner House, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Nassim Gate 259569. Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-3pm and 6.30pm-11pm.
Halia at Botanic Gardens
Hidden in the Ginger garden of Singapore Botanic Gardens, Halia’s proximity to the city and tranquil setting makes it the perfect date night escape from the city. Facing full-height glass windows, lovers can wine and dine over brunch while enjoying the warmth of the sunlight in total air-conditioned comfort. Post-sunset, head to the terrace, where majestic palm trees surround the facade of the restaurant.
The Halia, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic Garden, Singapore 259569, p. 8444 1148.
ilLido at the Cliff
ilLido at the Cliff is a newly revamped gourmet space that offers amazing views of the South China Sea (book a table for sunset!). This classy al fresco dining spot does a solid Italian-inspired degustation menu, where you can tuck into delights like roasted foie gras with red wine pear and cocoa nibs, squid Ink tonnarelli with cod and artichokes, and angus beef sirloin with asparagus and sunchoke.
The Cliff, The Cliff, The Singapore Resort and Spa Sentosa, 2 Bukit Manis Road, Singapore 099891, p. 6371 1425. Open daily 12pm-2pm & 6pm-9.30pm.
Esquina
Nestled in a corner of Jiak Chuan Road, Esquina is a sensual Spanish resto offering small tables and small plates with big flavours. The brainchild of renowned Brit chef, Jason Atherton, the industrial-chic joint serves up decadent dishes like the crispy baby squid (with chilli coriander and squid ink aioli), saffron paella (with pan-fried red snapper, chorizo, and snow peas) as well as the Iberico pork and foie gras burgers.You’ll want to save room for drinks and desserts – there’s nothing quite like that warm feeling in your belly after an unforgivably luscious warm chocolate fondant, finished off with a glass of tart (verging on spicy) red wine.
Esquina, 16 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089267, p. 6222 1616. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm; Sat 6pm-10.30pm.
Tamarind Hill
Forget the hustle and bustle of the city and step into the forested Labrador Nature Reserve for some peace and quiet. Tamarind Hill’s located right smack in the middle of this green site and here, the kitchen puts out a good mix of traditional and contemporary Siamese cuisine.
Tamarind Hill, 30 Labrador Villa Road, Singapore 119189, p. 6278 6364. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm; Sun 11am-3pm & 6pm-11pm.
The White Rabbit
Step inside this beautifully restored old chapel and you’ll be blown away by the grandness of the place. Paper white walls, dark furniture, high ceilings – everything about The White Rabbit is just so pristine. On the menu, Modern European plates take centre stage. Order the 36-hour Brandt shortribs for your main course and opt for the Valrhona Dulcey Bar for dessert.
The White Rabbit, 39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541, p. 6473 9965. Open Tue-Fri 6pm-11pm; Sat & Sun
6pm-12am. Closed on Mondays.
Botanico
Helmed by Spanish-born Chef Antonio Oviedo, the contemporary bistro offers diners a seasonality-driven menu influenced by “the gifts of soil, land, and sea”. On the menu, you’ll find affordable Spanish dishes like the smoked sardines (smoked in-house) paired with a creamy white ajo blanco sauce; as well as the chargrilled Carabienero shrimp, served with a rich risotto-esque dish of bomba rice cooked in prawn bisque. If you’re here for date night, book a table at the (air-conditioned) outdoor terrace that’s decked out with fairy lights. Check out our full review of Botanico.
Botanico, 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488.
Lantern
Swish rooftop bar and tapas restaurant, Lantern, is the place to be if you want killer views of the Marina Bay waterfront. Mains like seared black cod and steak and frites are to be had, but if you prefer, go for light bites like the popular mini wagyu beef sliders.
Lantern, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326, p. 6597 5299. Open Sun-Thu 8am-1am; Fri-Sat & eve of PH 8am-2am.
Pollen
This gorgeous establishment is situated in Gardens by the Bay, so if the both of you have an affinity for flowers and plants, Pollen is perfect. Enjoy fine, Mediterranean-inspired plates like butternut and saffron risotto, and Norwegian salmon poached in jasmine tea, truffle gnocchi, brown butter, broccolini, orange and capers.
Pollen, #01-09 Flower Dome, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953, p. 6604 9988. Open daily 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Bedrock Bar & Grill
Meat-obsessed lovebirds, make a beeline for Bedrock Bar & Grill. This stylish steakhouse is one of our favourite places to hit up for fine cuts like the Bedrock pepper steak and Australian grass-fed ribeye. They also have a great selection of whiskey labels, so take your pick.
Bedrock Bar & Grill, #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, 96 Somerset Road, Singapore 238163, p. 6238 0054. Open daily 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm.
Lewin Terrace
Housed in a pretty black and white bungalow, Lewin Terrace puts the spotlight on Japanese-French fare – think Hokkaido scallops with dashi butter and truffle oil, and steamed egg custard with lobster. Since it’s the restaurant’s belief to use plenty of natural produce in their dishes, the menu changes quite often, depending on what’s available for the season.
Lewin Terrace, 21 Lewin Terrace, Singapore 179290, p. 6333 9905. Open daily 12pm-3pm & 6.30pm-11pm.
NOX – Dine in the Dark
This is a fun one – go on a culinary journey through taste, smell, touch and sound with your date. The catch? You’ll be doing this in total darkness. Choose the three-course prix fixe dinner ($88) to sample 12 special dishes and take in this unique multi-sensory dining experience with your other half (then have a laugh at what a klutz you were after).
NOX – Dine in the Dark, 269 Beach Road, Singapore 199546, p. 6298 0708. Open Mon-Fri 6pm-late, Sat 5pm-late, Sun 5pm-11pm.
The Black Swan
Set in a historic Art Deco building, The Black Swan oozes sophistication with its 1920s-centric, brass-heavy, Great Gatsby-inspired décor. Enjoy Modern European mains like a duck leg confit or small plates like pan-seared foie gras in the main dining hall before heading up to the ever-swanky Powder Room on the mezzanine floor for aged whiskies and classic cocktails.
The Black Swan, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704, p. 6438 3757. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am-10.30pm, Sat 5pm-10.30pm. Closed Sundays.
Looking for more date ideas? Read our guide to the most romantic bars in Singapore or check out our list of the best alfresco dining restaurants in Singapore.
