Italian restaurants are adored the world over and their food never goes out of fashion, be it old school Italian pizza and pasta, fresh fish or juicy steak with a modern twist. Check out some of our favourites in Singapore. You won't be disappointed.
What: Sitting atop Marina Bay Sands, this quintessential hotspot is the embodiment of gourmet glamour. The imaginative seasonal menu touting Californian cuisine with global accents hits the mark with most dishes. Don't miss the signature miso black cod or thethyme-infused crispy chicken with wild mushrooms and soak up the spectacular views. Ace bar tops it all off.
Where: Marinia Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956
What: Classic, old school Italian and an everyday, ‘don’t want to cook myself’ kind of place, offering simple decor (neutral colours, simple wooden tables and chairs) and, most important of all, fuss-free good value. Generous servings of mainly simple dishes and slick service corralled by an affable manager are the calling cards. Fancy it ain’t, but many fall in love with it nonetheless.
Where: 693 East Coast Road, East Coast, Singapore, 45905
What: Busy group-focused Italian, with a plum position on the Singapore River captures the attention of Singapore families particularly for weekend excursions. Multiple plants create the illusion of a tropical paradise on the terrace but it’s the drinks, DJ and dining options of all the popular classics that keep the plates spinning.
Where: IHG Singapore Robertson Quay, 1 Nanson Road, 238909
What: Upper crust Singapore adores this elegant, modern and deliciously light dining room, that reliably delivers deeply favoured, beautifully presented food along the lines of pan-seared yellow fin tuna with a citrus spicy dressing, Sicilian tapenade and pickled shallot. If you like the great outdoors make the most of the alfresco terrace and skyline views particularly as the sun goes down.
Where: 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore Mandarin Oriental, 039797
What: Refined and beautifully presented cucina Italiana transports you straight from the rooftops of Boat Quay to the Trastevere in Rome. Luxury looms large in scallops and caviar, Bresse pigeon or Alaskan king crab, but equally Braci turns humble stones like mushrooms and zucchini into culinary gems. The kitchen's secret weapons are a Josper oven and compact schichirin grill, which means chargrilling here is a fine art.
Where: 52 Boat Quay, Level 5/6, 049841
What: Don’t be fooled by the unambitious sounding name. Cicheti is a hidden gem that punches well above its weight. The two-storey shop house setting on Kandahar Street suits the cosy generosity of spirit and lack of pretension of this delightful trattoria. Sipping a glass of Fiano while munching on a wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas is one of life’s joys here at Cicheti. Further star turns include sea trout gently pan-fried with vermouth, butter, capers, chickpeas and a squeeze of lemon.
Where: 52 Kandahar Street, Singapore, 198901
What: Small and intimate inside, comfortable and convivial outside, this neighbourhood gem offers a full roster of Italian favourites: creamy risottos, fresh pasta dishes and pizzas from the wood-burning oven. But for many it’s the affable, heart-warming service that adds that special touch.
Where: 12 Jalan Kelulut, Seletar Hills Estate, 809030
What: Popular and relaxed Italian restaurant in the Bukit Timah neighbourhood that is the epitome of reliable deliciousness at an affordable price. Its quiet confidence is well-founded, mainly on the back of great pasta and pizza and signature suckling pig.
Where: 12 Greenwood Ave, 289204
What: A roster of tasty Italian classics, large groups and refectory tables means a big ambience on most days and, crucially, an experience that people return for. Michelin starred chef-restaurateur Beppe De Vito is the impresario who’s makes it all happen. Artisanal pastas like fettuccine with beef shank and ace pizzas including the trail-blazer with mushrooms, truffle and Tuscan pecorino. Out of this harmonic mayhem comes great culinary satisfaction.
Where: 33 Hong Kong Street, 059672
What: This may be a casual pizza restaurant, just off Club Street, but it’s a class act demonstrating craft and passion way beyond what’s expected for this ilk of restaurant and well worth a hike across town. The pizzas are never short of spectacular. Pair them with a kale Waldorf salad or anything that goes with their ace artichoke dip and feel the happiness grow. Lovely staff and upbeat playlist get big ticks, too.
Where: 28 Ann Siang Road, #B1-01, Singapore, 069708
What: Bella Pasta’s heroic corner position on Robertson Quay may be its golden ticket but its extensive, Serie A menu that hits the back of the net. Grilled seafood and plates of daily freshly-made pasta are the calling cards washed down with refreshing glasses of rosé and white wine.
Where: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-09, 238251
What: Sequestered away within One Fullerton with wonderful views of Marina Bay and Merlion Park, current chef Rémy Carmignani is on a mission to save internationalised Italian food from the clichés of carpaccio and tiramisu. Don’t miss the Atlantic blue crab or turbot meuniere with chanterelle mushrooms.
Where: 1 Fullerton Road, #02-06 One Fullerton, 049213
What: 43 stories above Collyer Quay, and ideally placed for the business district, Zafferano makes the most of its setting with first-rate service and some knock-out Italian flavours.
Where: 10 Collyer Quay, Ocean Financial Centre, Level 43, 049315
What: This local favourite brings classic Italian fare sprinkled with generous flakes of warm bonomia and shows how good a local’s local can be. Straightforward table settings point to a lack of pretension but there is no doubting the passion in the kitchen where the burrata, bruschetta and seafood soup burst with simple flavour. Don’t miss their walnut and almond tart served with Limoncello cream.
Where: #01-01 791 Bukit Timah Road, Bukit Timah, 269764
What: Classic, Michelin-starred Italian in an elegant modern setting, where the kitchen savoir faire is matched by staff well versed in all the best virtues of Italian hospitality.
Where: 36 Purvis Street #01-02, 188613
What: Authentic country food from all the Italian regions and distinct Mediterranean flavours are the hallmarkets of this convivial, modern local in One-North. It's personable and passionate, with no pretensions at all, but it's a nice place to hang out and the staff exude comforting savoire faire. All of which account for its firm following.
Where: 1 Fusionopolis Way 02-04/05 (2nd Floor, Connexis Tower), 138632
What: A relaxed atmosphere and familiar, please-all Italian menu are just two reasons why this restaurant scores plenty of regulars, both those on expenses and those looking for a pleasant night out. A mix of Italian and Asian art some of which is for sale adds to the fun.
Where: 33 Erskine Rd, #01-13 Scarlet Hotel, 069333
What: Not the best Italian ristorante in town, you might say, but it's a really strong package nonetheless, with delightful sea views from a scene-stealing terrace. More nonna than gourmet, the menu delivers for many different occasions.
Where: 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, 099891
What: Lavo is a bit of fun and not just for its spectacular skyline views. Warm service, excellent food and drink and a creative team means it’s always a fun night out. We quite like the Sunday brunch, too.
Where: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Tower 1, Level 57
What: Home-spun Pastaria Abate ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for an authentic Italian touting fresh ingredients, homemade pastas and classic Italian flavours at affordable prices. It’s a spirited, friendly place attracting plenty of regulars.
Where: 86 Neil Rd, 088846
What: Filling a niche between business classic and pampered cocoon, this newbie is a louche, luxurious space majoring on produce lead foodand collectible drinks. Banquettes and velvet-lined bucket seats do nothing to dispel the whisky lounge leaves you in no doubt this is a place to dispense cash rather than sit on your wallet.
Where: 92 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048472