Why: Brightened by some of the best, twinkling sights of Marina Bay, the view at Artemis Grill is certainly a sight to behold. Eat like your in the Med with fresh and favourful fare that hits all the right notes with octopus and oysters, black cod and lamb, but there’s more than a passing nod to vegetarians and gluten intolerants, too. An outdoor terrace is worth noting.
Where: Level 40, CapitaGreen Rooftop, 138 Market Street, 048946
Why: Spectacular views across Marina Bay from this slick neo-Italian eyrie are made all the more special when the sun goes down the lights come up. Classic Italian dishes with a modern twist are the stock-in-trade and there’s a smart bar for cocktails and post-prandials while keeping the evening going. Fawning but professional front of house staff add further lustre.
Where: #06-02, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, 178957
Why: Perched atop OUE Bayfront on Collyer Quay, VUE offers more than stunning skyline vistas—it's a culinary haven, too. Indulge in binchotan-grilled delights paired with inventive cocktails at Singapore’s first rooftop spritz bar, all against a backdrop of sunset hues in the early evening. Delight in Wagyu specialties like A5 Kimamoto beef tartare or the signature binchotan-smoked Kokuou Wagyu beef. And complete your feast with decadent desserts, while choosing from a full roster of wines from around the world.
Where: Level 19, OUE Bayfront, 50 Collyer Quay, 049321
Why: Light shimmers through a Murano crystal chandelier that spans the length of the ceiling, but it is the spectacular view towards the bay which steals the show. In the kitchen chef Kirk Westaway shakes the pans which define a menu that covers everything from poached snapper with caviar, herb-crusted lamb, squab pigeon or John Dory. Vegetarians are nicely catered for, too, as are those who like wine and have deep pockets.
Where: Swissotel the Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, 178882
Why: Monti At The Fullerton Pavilion is the perfect all-rounder and something of a chameleon, too. Its waterfront setting opposite Spectra – Singapore’s light and water show on the far side of the bay – makes it a restaurant with a terrific view if you get your timing right. Contemporary Italian cuisine is the main calling card, though family-friendly weekend brunch is understandably popular. Late-night drinks with evening jazz is a further arrow in the Monti quiver as the venue turns itself into a go-to nightspot.
Where: 82 Collyer Quay, 049327
Why: 218m up, this lofty attic is well worth the mark-up on food and wine on account of cleverly wrought dishes that marry Peruvian flavours with Japanese technique. FLNT’s sumiyaki bar and binchotan-fueled grill is the centre piece of an open kitchen where the chefs produce a rich variety of dishes with their modern, contemporary cooking. Sashimi and tuna tataki from the raw bar mix it with modern classics like Miso cod or rack of lamb with red pepper garlic sauce and kimizu dip.
Where: 2 Orchard Turn, Level 55 & 56, 238801
Why: The waterside setting and sun-soaked terrace are major reasons for visiting Kinki which also delivers Japanese fare packed with kick-ass freshness and choice. From sushi, sashimi and nigiri rolls to roasted miso kurobuta pork belly and soft shell crab, the menu reads like a roll call of all-time favourites, with popular mains including Koji-aged rack of lamb and baked seaweed-crusted salmon. While the food is certainly tasty, it is not the only reason for visiting. The waterside setting and sun-soaked terrace shares equal billing.
Where: 70 Collyer Quay, #02-02, Customs House, 049323
Why: 43 stories above street level, Zafferano makes the most of its setting with a stellar offering. Its light-filled modern dining room is well-known for its knock-out Italian flavours and service that is warm and efficient without ever crossing into over-familiarity. The cooking is a theatrical tour de force boasting artistic presentation and delicious flavour pairings.
Where: 10 Collyer Quay, Ocean Financial Centre, Level 43, 049315
Why: Catch the cable car to Faber Peak and watch the sun go down from 100m above sea level with a Mojito or Long Island Iced Tea in hand. No need to be dressy, just hungry, as no-nonsense food is a roster of international favourites: from snails to Caesar salads, fish and chips to seafood linguine. Live music on Friday and Saturday under normal circumstances.
Where: Faber Peak Singapore, Level 2, 109 Mount Faber Road, 099203
Why: A chic, elevated setting affording one of the best views of Singapore and is matched by a kitchen which provides plenty of fireworks. Contemporary sharing dishes mix European and Asian classics with on-trend inflections. Hence Spanish octopus with shiso or wagyu beef tataki with pickled, asparagus-like eryngii and ponzu. First-rate staff provide the finishing touch.
Where: 2 Stamford Road, 178882
Why: With a location overlooking the Singapore Strait, The Cliff lives up to its name with one of the city’s most impressive settings. Add in a wide choice of both Italian and pan-Asian food and few come away disappointed. If you’re thinking of popping the question, look no further than The Cliff Gazebo, complete with personal butler, garden setting and twinkling night sky view.
Where: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa 099891
Why: The majesty of Singapore stretches out from the 60th storey of the iconic UOB Plaza, but the 360-degree views of the city are not the only calling card. Located in the heart of the central business district, power lunches, corporate functions and notable celebrations, built around Sichuan and Cantonese dishes, are just the ticket for anyone eager to impress.
Where: 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza, 048624
Why: One of our favourite Singapore eateries, Beppe de Vito’s kitchen churns out refined and beautifully plated dishes from their Josper oven and Shichirin grill, taking in Bresse pigeon and Alaskan crab – much to the delight of regulars. A rooftop bar and stellar views across the Singapore River gild the lilly.
Where: Level 5 & 6, 52 Boat Quay, 049841
Why: Not everyone is a fan of the package at Ce La Vie, but there’s no denying the sybaritic views which inveigle the senses particularly at night when the Marina Bay area shimmers in the distance. For a visitor treat it can really tick the box and be aware the Sky Lounge is a nice alternative spot for cocktails and simpler grub.
Where: Level 57, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Hotel Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, 018971
Why: MW People know Lavo for different things – some a perfect weekend brunch spot, others a naughty nightclub session – but there’s no denying the sky-high, 180-degree views which never fail to bring out the gasps. Excellent food and drink, cheery service and a relaxed but thoroughly enjoyable ambience add to the many charms. Lobster bisque, Dover sole and Iberico port chops are staples.
Where: Level 57, Tower 1, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956
Why: Wolfgang Puck's culinary globetrotter finds a spectacular Asian berth at Sands SkyPark, where views from level 57 of Marina Bay Sands Tower 2 are offset by spashy interiors and an imaginative, seasonal menu of Californian cuisine with plenty of global accents. Service can be slow at peak times but Singapore’s jeunesse dorée aren’t complaining.
Where: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956
Why: Close by the Sands Expo & Convention Centre and just a couple of blocks from Raffles Place, LeVel33 offers one of the best views of Singapore's Marina Bay and city skyline. Modish interiors veer on the utilitarian but it suits the urban microbrewery feel, helping to make this place both cool and understandably popular. Everyday food offers the likes of scallops, squid and hand-cut beef tartare followed perhaps by steak or seabass with beer malt risotto, of course.
Where: Swissotel – The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road, 178882
Why: This relaxed, informal place with an attractive terrace overlooking Collyer Quay, ticks the boxes for relaxed all-day dining, disregarding Mondays and Tuesdays. A well-crafted aperitivos programme kick-starts the occasion while aged parma ham, fritto misto or squid compete with mussels, tiger prawns and steak tartare for snackers. For the hungry there are plenty of pasta dishes alongside lamb shank brasata or chicken arrosto.
Where: Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, #01-05, 049323