Spice up your appetite with these 8 modern Indian restaurants

One of the newer establishments in Singapore, Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh is helmed by award-winning chef Gaggan Anand. Anand was best known for being the brains at the helm of the highly-popular eponymous Indian fine-dining restaurant based in Bangkok. In opening Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh, he continues his culinary exploration of Indian cuisine, albeit with a Mexican twist.

On the menu, find clear Mexican influences intertwine with familiar Indian favourites. The Papdi Chat ($20) places sweet and meaty Hokkaido scallops on crisp corn bits with a guacamole-chutney hybrid that they call 'guacachutney'. Truffle Quesadillas ($28) see fragrant truffle paste spread across flour tortillas and an Indian cottage cheese masala. Even the familiar favourite Palak Paneer ($18) gets a Mexican twist with slices of avocado placed atop. It's an exploration that works beautifully.

43 Craig Rd, Singapore 089681

You cannot talk about reinvented Indian cuisine without shouting out Shikar. Inspired by the royal feasts that once graced the revered palaces of Indian royalty, Shikar spotlights a variety of game meats that would've been served to members of high society in the past.

Start off with the Peri-Peri Prawns ($19), which provide a lovely hit of spice and flavour that will get your appetite going. Another starter we love is the Blue Swimmer Crab Rillettes ($39), which come with briny caviar. The Half Country Chicken ($53) is a testament to the beauty of India's rich spices, yet the chicken retains its juiciness that makes each morsel a treat. There is also the Lamb Rack ($57), which serves up grass-fed New Zealand cuts with bright and flavourful mint and mango chutney. Complete with fabulous service, you'll leave Shikar feeling like a Mahara.

2 Cook Street at Maxwell Reserve, Autograph Collection, 078857

The next time you're in the City Hall area and are nursing a craving for great Indian food, make tracks to Tiffin Room, located in Raffles Hotel.

The restaurant has been a part of the hotel's history since 1892, when delectable offerings were once served in tiffin boxes (hence the name). Now led by Chef Kuldeep Negi, the menu pays homage to the familiar and the new. We love starting off a meal with the Aloo Dal Tikki Chaat ($18) – think crisp patties made of lentils and potatoes, served with cooling mint chutney – as with the Dahi Bhalla Papdi Chaat ($18) that places white lentil dumplings with fried bread and a piquant dip.

Make space on the table for the Hari Tawa Tikki ($23), which is as visually beautiful as it is delicious thanks to the different green textures of peas, broccoli and edamame flavoured with rose petals. And for lovers of a fresh catch, the Kesari Macchi Tikka ($44) plates up a meaty piece of barramundi in yoghurt and saffron, accompanied by a radish salad to cleanse the tastebuds.

1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

We've spoken extensively about Indian restaurants, and now meet a cocktail bar that raises its glass to the neighbourhood of Little India. The bar is a love letter to the area, with ingredients being sourced from Tekka Market, aprons made from leftover sari cloths and drinks named after and pay homage to Indian states.

Try the Coastal Finds, which combines whisky with tamarind gel, Indian algae and coconut air for a cocktail that will transport you to a shoreline in a sip. Cocktail Asura, on the other hand, hits you with a lime and curry leaf distillate and is topped with a flame-charred curry meringue. When the stomach gets hungry, order a half-dozen of their Pani Puri ($16) – which feature little puri shells filled with creamy butter bean foam. The Mussel Crab Sothi ($24), with its spicy coconut broth and sliced prata for dipping, will be a hit for your table too.

20A Teck Lim Rd, Singapore 088391

What if Indian food was treated with all the fine dining flourishes of European techniques?

That's the question here at Thevar. A recipient of two Michelin stars, Chef Mano Thevar employs the best of both worlds, skillfully blending Indian and European culinary ideas and propositions in a balance that is both exciting and comforting – think French lobsters and beurre blanc used in curries.

Oysters from Ireland are topped with a rassam granita for an explosion of briny, sourish and umami flavours. In contrast, Guava Spiced Gujiya play on the traditionally sweet pastry with the subtly green notes of guava fruit. Then, there's the spiced rack of lamb that is cooked to juicy perfection and a delicious dish to remember.

9 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089117

A historian and a chef walk into a restaurant, and Yantra is born.

Created as a meeting point that explores the rich history and legacy of Indian culture and food, Yantra serves up a menu that incorporates niche ingredients sourced across South East Asia into familiar favourites. The Badal Jaam lets the humble aubergine shine with a smothering of sundried tomatoes, walnuts and yoghurt spread atop, whilst the Chingri Malaikari ladles on the spice with a coconut cream curry that's set alit with Bengali spices and fresh king prawns. Whoever would have thought that history could taste this good?

163 Tanglin Rd, #01-129/130/131, Singapore 247933

At Firangi Superstar, you're always promised a great time. The atmosphere in the room is vivacious and warm, balancing a laidback energy with good food that will inspire conversation amongst friends.

On the menu, The Sun of Thali ($14/100g) takes the classic Sambhar – a lentils-based stew – and ignites it with delicious sunchokes, mint and spicy quinoa crumble. The Rogan Jack And Josh Go Up The Grill ($28/100g) is a mouthful to say, and a mouthful of bliss as you tuck into braised and grilled beef short ribs set over curd polenta with Kashmiri chilli. Then, for a sweet finish, order a Chocolate Jamun ($15) and savour the rich chocolate mousse that's complemented with a rose creme patisserie and a sprinkling of pistachio.

20 Craig Rd, #01-03, Singapore 089692

The menu at Revolver is a celebration of Indian food with a contemporary and international twist. Opened in 2021, Revolver is the fruit of Sameer Sain's quest to redefine and challenge the ideas that people have in relation to Indian food. Step into the restaurant and sit at the countertops, where a gleaming copper tandoor holds the spotlight amidst the open kitchen. The food is grilled but do away with any notions that grilled food cannot be elevated, because Sain's team has done that perfectly.

Take, for example, the minced lamb that is served with gorgonzola kulchette, or paneer that is made fresh with pickled chillis. For those seeking a soul-lifting dish, there's the Alaskan king crab that's fried with peppers.  Other hits we loved include lunchtime finds like the spice-dusted barramundi fish and the asparagus with a curry leaf butter.

56 Tras St, Singapore 078995