Going out to eat as a family with young ones and seniors in tow can seem like a challenge — but it does not always have to be. With a few thoughtful provisions, several restaurateurs have made it possible for young and old to dine comfortably together in venues that range from fine-casual dining to a stately colonial house setting. At the same time, you may spark off an interest in food that junior or grandma never had the opportunity to enjoy before. Here are 6 MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Plate and Bib Gourmand-listed family-friendly restaurants that offer something for every member of the family.
(Banner image: Golden Peony)
Putien (Kitchener)
One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
For families with senior members who prefer Chinese food, lighter flavours and who may have special dietary requirements, this family favourite since 2000 is likely to check almost all the boxes. From a single restaurant along Singapore’s Kitchener Road, Putien has grown into a chain with over 70 outlets across Asia. Featuring Heng Hwa cuisine from China’s Fujian province, the restaurant’s flavours are light and clean with an emphasis on fresh seasonal produce. Signature dishes include Heng Hwa Bee Hoon which uses specially handmade rice vermicelli, the “100-second” Stewed Yellow Croaker, Fujian Lor Mee and seasonal duotou clams. The restaurant is able to accommodate wheelchair users and dietary requests such as soft, low sodium and diabetic-friendly food. Young children will be given specially designed tableware made from environmentally-friendly bamboo fibre.
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Table65
One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
If you have children or teenagers who love watching Masterchef, this ‘no pretense’ fine-casual dining restaurant sited in Sentosa’s Hotel Michael will whet their appetite for more. Helmed by acclaimed Dutch chef Richard van Oostenbrugge of Amsterdam’s Restaurant 212 fame (1 MICHELIN Star) and his partner Thomas Groot, Table65 focuses on creative European cuisine using local and seasonal produce. Seats at this stylish bar-like restaurant comprise only high tables with high chairs, designed to offer diners a good view of the open kitchen. Dinner options include a 4- or 5-course tasting set or a compact a la carte menu offering seafood and meat.
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Zaffron Kitchen (East Coast)
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
Feel like having Indian food but not sure the kids are up for spices and curries? Zaffron Kitchen has made it a lot easier for families. Located in a Katong shophouse, the venue not only serves up authentic North Indian fare in a comfortable modern bistro-like setting, they have also built in a thoughtfully provided play area for children aged 7 or younger. For the kids (and some grown-ups), the menu offers some non-spicy fusion dishes such as salads, chicken tikka burger, seekh mutton wrap, and breaded fish with masala fries. Vegetarians have a wide selection of tandoori options and curries.
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Golden Peony
MICHELIN Plate, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
If you have little ones who like their food to look like cartoons, Golden Peony’s got them covered at their Weekend Dim Sum, which offers a special selection of adorable buns and dim sums such as Panda Red Bean Bun, Piggy Bun filled with Egg Custard, Turtle Toast with Shrimp and Hedgehog Chicken Bun. For aged relatives, the chefs will be happy to accommodate dietary requests, and the restaurant, located at the Conrad Centennial Singapore, is wheelchair accessible throughout. Signature dishes include fragrant fried rice with crab meat, conpoy and fish roe, roast ‘London’ duck and stewed half lobster with crispy egg noodle ball. Families can also curate their own menu with the Discovery Lunch and Dinner set.
Syun
MICHELIN Plate, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
Known throughout Japan for his brand of ‘Nouvelle Japanese’ cuisine that marries Japanese and Western techniques, ingredients and presentation styles, chef Hal Yamashita’s Syun restaurant is ideal for diners wanting a change from traditional Japanese fare. Located at Sentosa’s Festive Walk, the restaurant is cosy and intimate, and often frequented by multi-generational families. Using top notch seafood and meat from Japan, signatures include the chef’s famed sea urchin and Ohmi beef rolls topped with smoked caviar, grilled cod with saikyo miso and parmesan, and premium beef curry. A wide variety of bento sets and a la carte sushi and sashimi are available for lunch, while the dinner menu features several tasting sets, and a la carte seafood and meat dishes as well as tempura, sushi and sashimi.
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Indocafe - The White House
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2019
Comfortingly familiar yet intricate, Peranakan food is unsurprisingly a hot favourite for family dining. Housed in a stately black and white grand bungalow along Scotts Road with an elegant family hall atmosphere inside, this low profile restaurant has been serving Penang-style Peranakan food (as opposed to the Malacca-style more commonly found in Singapore) since 2012. Signatures include beef rendang, assam laksa and kueh pie tee. While many dishes are slightly spicy, there are a number of non-spicy dishes favourites, such as the fried Inchi Kabin chicken. Parking is available very near the main entrance, but diners have to walk up a flight of 12 steps to the restaurant. As most of the dishes have to be made in advance, the kitchen is limited in what they can change to suit guests’ dietary requirements.
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