8 restaurants in Singapore to get your Spanish fix

Situated on the second floor of The Alkaff Mansion, Una is an intimate restaurant specialising in contemporary Spanish fare. Their signature paellas include the Paella De Marisco, which is chock-full of fresh seafood, and the Arroz Negro, which adds squid ink to the mix. There are also tapas, hearty mains and decadent desserts like Spanish creme brulee and churros with pecans and dark chocolate dip.

Una is at 10 Telok Blangah Green, Level 2, Singapore 109178, tel: 8126 8844. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Originally from Barcelona, this Guoco Tower restaurant is a popular pick among CBD slickers. Order a jug of sangria for the table and begin your feast with tapas like grilled mussels, patatas bravas, Andalusian-style fried calamari, padrón peppers and Spanish deli meats and cheeses. Thereafter, move on to mains such as seafood paella and grilled Spanish pork ribs cooked to perfection in a Josper charcoal oven.

Pura Brasa is at 5 Wallich Street, #01-16, Singapore 078883, +65 6386 9678. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Located along Robertson Quay, Tapas 24 is a lively and laidback spot that’s ideal for a family meal. Take your pick from a wide range of tapas: everything from a Mallorcan-style Spanish tortilla and marinated olives to a bikini sandwich stuffed with black truffles, Iberico ham and buffalo mozzarella. Larger items include pork with chimichurri sauce, squid ink paella and a sharing platter of air-flown Spanish sausages, ham and cheese.

Tapa s24 is at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-04, Singapore 238252, +65 6513 6810. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

For a Spanish feast to celebrate a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with Olivia Restaurant & Lounge. Elevated homestyle cooking takes centre stage, with highlights including mushroom and truffle croquettes, steak tartare with smoked caviar, Galician octopus and seafood fideuà (similar to paella, but with pasta replacing the rice). For dessert, sample the blue cheese-spiked homemade cheesecake.

55 Keong Saik Road, #01-03, Singapore 089158, +65 6221 0522. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Nestled within CHIJMES, Lumbre specialises in small plates and grilled items. The tapas menu is conveniently split into hot and cold dishes, while paella options include seafood, vegetarian, squid ink and pork with chorizo and smoked paprika. Consider sampling the grilled lamb rack, grilled seabass with clams and octopus with chorizo foam, before completing your meal with desserts like cheesecake and churros.

Lumbre is at 30 Victoria Street, #01-20, Singapore 187996, tel: 9722 8171. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

If you reside in the east, this venue is where you can get your Spanish food fix without venturing too far from home. The tapas selection has all the hits – think pan con tomate, patatas bravas, a wonderfully oozy Spanish tortilla and Cantabrian anchovies in extra-virgin olive oil. Once you’ve had your fill of tapas, have a go at heftier dishes including rosemary-smoked chicken paella and Spanish pork ribs in quince BBQ sauce.

Next Door Spanish Cafe is at 699 East Coast Road, Singapore 459061, +65 8168 4009. Visit its website for reservations more information.

Opened in mid-2023, Tinto is an inviting establishment in the Dempsey Hill enclave that boasts a wine list composed entirely of Spanish vinos. Food-wise, highlights include tapas like refreshing gazpacho, crispy baby smelt fish and aged Iberico ham, alongside paella and fideuà dishes available in various sizes. We recommend the octopus and chorizo paella, and they also have a dedicated menu for vegetarians.

Tinto is at 10 Dempsey Road, #01-21, Singapore 247700, tel: 9729 5002. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Helmed by a born-and-bred Spanish chef, Kulto is where you’ll find traditional Spanish favourites crafted using seasonal produce. Menu standouts include Iberico chorizo with confit potato and soft eggs; prawns cooked in roasted garlic oil and dried chilli; and paella with monkfish, prawns, mussels and clams. If you’re here in a big group, consider ordering the suckling pig with potatoes and padrón peppers.

Kulto is at 87 Amoy Street, Singapore 069906, tel: 9620 5626. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.