Known to be a tourist destination where some of Singapore's most iconic structures can be found — Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, museums, and more — Marina Bay is also home to a wide variety of upscale dining destinations for a meal (or four) to remember.
If you're in the mood to splurge a bit, check out these restaurants in the area recommended by our MICHELIN Guide inspectors that'll surely leave a lasting — and delicious — impression.
Two MICHELIN Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
The unobstructed views of the Marina Bay, smart décor and discreet service don’t outshine Chef Emmanuel’s modern French cuisine, underpinned by solid skills and characterised by Asian overtones. His unique ability to accentuate the natural flavours of premium produce is what keeps diners returning. The seafood heavy tasting menu showcases the breadth and depth of his repertoire. It’s closed on some public holidays, so call ahead to check.
Two MICHELIN Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
Hailing from Nagoya, but having done time in China and Thailand, this Japanese head chef champions a refined and elegant take on sushi. Two omakase menus emphasise freshness, featuring white fish alongside other luxury dishes. Ingredients are shipped from Japan four times a week; and sushi rice from Yamagata and Ishikawa prefectures are mixed in a specific ratio to the best effect. Sushi is served with two sauces to accentuate the umami of the fish.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
After the move and decoration that took almost two years, this upmarket restaurant reopened its doors in March 2021. The room furnished in a contemporary style is now divided into three sections: a counter with seats, chef’s table and private rooms. Dinner featured one session only with a choice between classic and seasonal menus. Rest assured that the ingredients are top-notch and dishes are impeccably executed.
Italian food typically conjures up images of pizza and pasta, but Braci specialises in Italian barbecue. Head chef Matteo Ponti skilfully uses the Josper oven and Shichirin grill to enhance the textures and flavours of the produce without overpowering them. His refined dishes are nothing short of phenomenal in terms of both plating and food combinations. Olive oil made by the owner’s family in Puglia is the perfect companion to the bread.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
Chef LG Han takes recognisable local flavours and tastes remembered from childhood as his starting point — and then reimagines and reinterprets them, using superlative ingredients from across Singapore. The result is an exciting, original and unforgettable set menu that surprises, amuses and satisfies. The restaurant’s black canvas is punctured by razor sharp lighting, while the service team are clued up and very well organised.
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
Dining in the Flower Dome makes for a back-to-nature moment and Chef Michael Wilson does it with a touch of class. In his tasting menu, gracefully presented courses are underpinned by solid techniques, packed with oomph and flavours bold enough to match the showy, colourful blooms. The wine list showcases some rare labels, including bottles from Lebanon and Morocco, while the temperance pairing is also interesting. Service is seamless and personable.
Chef Lewis Barker’s debut fits nicely into this posh condo tower, offering three multi-course menus for diners to choose from: Discovery, Inspiration and Experience, all exhibiting acumen, finesse and harmony. Try the line-caught turbot with peas, asparagus, ham and wild garlic as it boasts superb texture and flavours. Service is precise and well-timed; the chef may even bring the food out himself. The open floor plan gives diners a glimpse into the kitchen.
Bib Gourmand • Inspectors’ favourites for good value
Though its name means "anything goes", this restaurant is exceptionally specific about the food it serves – Isan cuisine hailing from north-eastern Thailand and famous for its infernal heat. The PenLaos signature chicken is marinated with white peppercorns and coriander for three days before being grilled to perfection. Leng zaab is pork ribs in a spicy sour broth that is simply addictive. Ask for the house-made Isan tamarind dip to dunk the pork in.
"Fine, fun food from Barcelona" is how the chef describes his Singaporean outpost. He’s brought along the flavours of Catalonia, which he blends with modern cooking techniques to create original and exciting dishes tapas style dishes. The surroundings are relaxed and always furiously busy, with the principal players in the operation represented by huge paper mâché heads. Ask for a seat at the counter to get the most out of the experience, with the chef's seasonal special.
Resplendent in silks, enriched by lacquered woods and engulfed by natural light, this elegant and sophisticated Chinese restaurant is just the sort of place you’d expect to find in the historic Fullerton hotel. Tables allow for much privacy by being large and well spaced and this adds to the restaurant’s popularity with those who have entertaining to do. The menu blends the classics with more modern dishes and the care taken by the kitchen is obvious.
Where to Stay:
The obvious choice of where to stay, of course, will be at MICHELIN-recommended Marina Bay Sands. It sounds odd, but the first thing to mention about the fantastically luxurious Marina Bay Sands is the pool. Spanning the iconic hotel’s three glittering towers, it’s the world’s largest rooftop pool, an impossibly futuristic spectacle that’s as striking to behold by day as after dark, when its infinity-edged surface appears to spill out like a waterfall over the lights of Singapore. Even the most basic room is fairly opulent, with a plush king-sized bed, sophisticated gold and black decor, and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing dazzling views over the city. A suite earns you extras like billiards tables, soaking tubs, baby grand pianos, and round-the-clock butler service. A slew of sleek restaurants and bars serve high-end cuisine and artfully presented cocktails, including MICHELIN-listed Spago Dining Room where Wolfgang Puck’s fresh, revitalising cuisine boasts an appealing blend of American, Asian, and European influences, with dishes ranging from honey-miso broiled black cod to a falafel burger with roasted capsicum.
What to Do:
There is much to explore within the perimeter of Marina Bay. Take a walk along the Bayfront enclave and stop by the ArtScience Museum to check out the latest exhibits. If you are in need of some retail therapy, The Shoppes at Marina Bay is at your disposal where you can explore a wide range of brands from luxury designer brands, to high-end everyday staples.
Don't forget to check out the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome while you are in the area, too! The Singapore Flyer and Singapore's Merlions can also be find within the vicinity; and at night, as it gets dark, take a stroll by the Supertree Grove and witness the iconic tree-like structures come alive with their illuminating lights, coupled with an exciting light show.
