11 best local restaurants in Singapore that can beat hawkers at their own game

1. National Kitchen by Violet Oon

1/11

Most Singaporean households will be familiar with food ambassador Violet Oon – and this is where to go for true blue Peranakan fare. Robust flavours infuse dishes like Buah Keluak Ayam (a spicy chicken stew) and Beef Rendang (beef in a tangy Tamarind gravy).

#02-01 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrews Rd, 178957

2. The Quarters

2/11

The Quarters serves up locally inspired dishes, and is known for sweets like The Wonderffle, a waffle topped with gula melaka (palm sugar), lemongrass and pandan ice cream.

Icon Village, 16 Enggor St, #01-09, 079717

3. Quentin's Eurasian Restaurant

3/11

Try this respected resto‘s fusion of Portuguese, Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisines, which has resulted in eclectic recipes like Devil’s Curry. Finish with the Sugee Cake, made with butter, almonds and semolina flour.

Level 1 Eurasian Community House, 139 Ceylon Rd, 429744

4. Blue Lotus

4/11

A departure from the usual renditions you’d find at most other restaurants, the Blue Lotus Signature Chilli Pomelo Crab is its menu star. (It’s also Masterchef Asia finalist Lennard Yeong‘s favourite rendition of chilli crab in Singapore!)

#01-13 Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, Sentosa, 098375

5. StraitsKitchen

5/11

It can be hard to decide what to eat sometimes. Solve that by heading to this bombastic buffet, where you can sample local classics including Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Laksa ("Love Laksa? Then These Are Must-Try Laksa Inspired Creations For You") and plenty more.

Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd, 228211

6. Kelly Jie Seafood

6/11

While chilli crab (here are 9 delicious alternatives to chilli crab) gets all the attention as Singapore’s national dish with these seafood specialists, the rich and umami Crab Bee Hoon Soup is our favourite dish here. But, why choose? We recommend going in a group to order as many dishes as you like!

#01-11/15 Blk 211, Toa Payoh Lorong 8, 310211

7. JUMBO Seafood

7/11

JUMBO seafood is one of Singapore’s most recognisable home-grown restaurant brands, and rightly so. Die, die must-try dishes: the Steamed Bamboo Clams, Fried Prawns with Cereal and more.

#01-16 Blk 11 Dempsey Rd, 249673

8. Restaurant Labyrinth

8/11

At Restaurant Labyrinth, Chef LG Han showcases local Singaporean flavours and culture encapsulating his roots and memories of growing up in Singapore, combining them with culinary techniques from across the globe.

#02-23 Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Ave, 039802

9. Home of Seafood

9/11

For a restaurant so named, they’re promising a lot. And they deliver – try their signature Black Pepper Crab (learn how to make it here), a succulent crustacean doused in viscous, fragrant black pepper sauce.

1 Joo Chiat Place, 427739

10. New Ubin Seafood

10/11

Despite its name, New Ubin Seafood offers much more than just seafood, including US Angus Ribeye Steak. Its all-rounded menu makes it an incredibly family-friendly option.

Level 6 Canteen, 63 Hillview Ave, 669569

11. Palm Beach Seafood

11/11

This gem goes way back (to 1956!), and it’s a familiar place for locals for family gatherings even today. Classics like Sri Lankan crab can be prepared in 11 different ways, while signatures like the Honey Tangy Fish is great just the way it is.

#01-09 One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd, 049213

This article was first published in The Finder.