My Top Singapore Must Try Restaurants

Here are some of my top Singapore Must Try Restaurants that I had to share with my best friends! It’s my first time taking my friends around Singapore. This time, I want to show them all the uniquely Singaporean restaurants that best showcase the local cuisine. From the iconic Chili Crab at KEK Seafood House to some of the best chicken rice in town, here are all the can’t-miss restaurants I always come back to in Singapore!

Introducing My Best Friends To The Best Singapore Spots

I’ve been hyping up Singapore to my friends for months before this trip. Like, I wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing the food, the people, and the vibes are. You know that feeling when you talk of a place so much that you start to panic a little, wonder if it’ll actually live up to expectation? Safe to say, Singapore did not disappoint, because all of these restaurants are now in our core memories.

I think I accidentally became a mini local tour guide myself on this trip. We just had so much fun and all of us completely fell in love with the country. Being in my 30s in Singapore with my best friends, I’m filled with love eating good food, collecting little memories, and maybe buying a few blind boxes that I didn’t want.

Boon Tong Kee 文東記 (9.5/10)

The moment we got back to our hotel room from our first day of exploring, it started thundering and pouring rain outside. So, instead of venturing out, we ordered dinner delivered to our hotel from Boon Tong Kee. We’ve never tried it before, but I’ve heard this is actually some people’s favorite chicken rice spot. We had to get their signature half boiled chicken rice (S$23.15) with fragrant rice and ginger garlic sauce. I also ordered their famous crispy tofu ($11.60).

For takeout delivery, they came in good portions in less than 20 minutes, and it was still hot! The food is actually very tasty, especially with ice cold beer. The rice would definitely be amazing in person! The tofu is so soft on the inside. That’s still really crispy on the outside, served with sweet soy glaze.

However, I can’t imagine how good this would be in person. So, we decided to take our friends to Boon Tong Kee in person for our last dinner in Singapore. It was even better in person compared to takeout! This is probably the perfect way to end our trip. We ordered everything: fried tofu, shrimp pancake, sambal water spinach, the beef fried hor fun, and of course their famous chicken rice. We honestly barely talked during this meal. Just smiles. quiet happiness that comes with good food and good company. 

Coconut Club

The next day, I wanted to bring them to another one of my favorite restaurants here in Singapore, the Coconut Club. This modern Peranakan-inspired restaurant celebrats Singapore’s heritage through coconut-based dishes. You will not believe it, but we also bumped into Alyssa here! I haven’t seen her since the last trip here. So, being reunited at my favorite restaurant in the city, let’s just say that this cannot be a coincidence.

The star of their menu, and truly the reason why I keep coming back is their Signature Ayam Goreng Berempah, or fried chicken nasi lemak (S$21). It comes with their iconic coconut rice, which I genuinely believe is the best coconut rice I have ever had in my life. It is so rich, so fragrant, and perfectly fluffy. The chicken is crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. The fragrant sides, with sambal, anchovies, egg, and cucumber, all comes together so perfectly to make that perfect bite so balanced.

They’re called the Coconut Club, so you expect them to do really well when it comes to coconut. Wow, their fresh coconut (S$9) here are next level. Their coconut shake (S$10) are absolutely must try drinks. They’re creamy, icy, not too sweet, just pure perfection. If you’re ever visiting Singapore, please add Coconut Club to your list. I promise you will not regret it!

KEK Seafood House

Speaking of memories I’ll remember forever, here’s one that I know we will all never forget. Yvonne having chili crab for the very first time at the legendary Keng Eng Kee Seafood House. You know those places where the second you walk in, you just know it’s going to be good. Well, that is KEK. It is busy, loud in the best way possible, packed with locals, sharing places of seafood and sipping on ice cold beers. It is truly my kind of place.

Of course, the star of the show is the chili crab, starting at S$86 for approximately 900g. These giant mud crabs come in that glistening thick, sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce that coated every bite so perfectly. It’s particularly good when dipped with the freshly fried golden manto buns into that sauce. Oh my goodness, pure perfection. We ordered 12 buns in total between the four of us. Honestly, I think we should have ordered more.

Other than the iconic chili crab, we also ordered a small order (S$18.80) of their roasted chicken. Crispy skin, juicy meat, simple yet dangerously addicting. Then came my absolute favorite dish here, the beef kway teow (S$11.80+). Soft, silky noodles, perfectly charred from that smoky wok. Then, tossed in the most tender slices of beef and topped with a raw egg. It is one of those dishes that hits all the comfort notes. Savory, rich, and just so satisfying. It was a perfect mix of laughter, good food, and that chaotic happy energy that made you feel so alive. KEK Seafood is truly local comfort food at its best.

Choon Hoy Parlor 春花館

After my meet and greet, I brought my besties along to one of my new favorite spots here in Singapore: Choon Hoy Parlor 春花館, a Singaporean soul food restaurant that instantly feels like home.This restaurant was listed by The Straits Times as Best Mid-Priced Restaurant of 2024, this is a must try when you’re visiting in Singapore. 

They’re particularly known for their baijiu (白酒) cocktails. Baijiu is traditional Chinese grain liquor. Choon Hoy actually has thelargest baijiu collection in the world outside of China, and they know how to create with them. They have everything from Baijiu House Pour to unique Baijiu cocktails. Imagine your classic cocktails like Gin and Tonic, but with a Chinese herbal and floral twist, like these: 

• Jing & Tonic: A signature cocktail using baijiu paired with tonic, goji, and berries, presenting the tradition in modern form.
• La Teh’ Time: Cocktail blending kopi (local coffee) with Maotai/baijiu and chocolatey finish.
• Pandan Coconut Highball: pandan essence, haizhilan, coconut water, and soda

However, if I’m being honest, I’m really here for the food, with nostalgic, classic Singaporean recipes like pork satay (S$16.90). My must order is their Claypot Dry Laksa (S$18.90). It is smoky, savory, packed with that umami flavor from the prawn and rempah sauce. Of course, their Hainanese Kampung Chicken (S$18.90 for half) infused with ginger and other spices. It is tender, juicy, and so flavorful that I genuinely think this is one of the best Hainan chicken here in Singapore.

National Kitchen By Violet Oon (8/10)

For lunch, we went to one of the most stunning restaurants here in Singapore, National Kitchen by Violet Oon. This place is a dream. The moment you walk in, it feels like you’re stepping into a piece of Singapore’s history. They’re known for their piranakan cuisine with an elegant twist.

We started off their iconic Kuey Pie Tee (S$19). These delicate little top hat pastry shells are filled with bamboo shoots, turnip, and prawns, topped with sweet fruit sauce and chili. It’s the perfect bite. It is crunchy, savory, spicy, and just so satisfying.

Then came their Chicken Satay (S$18), grilled perfectly with that smoky char and served with creamy peanut sauce and soft rice cakes. Honestly, if you ever see satay on a menu in Singapore, just order it. I promise you won’t regret it. We really demolished everything because every dish felt like a warm hug. It was so full, comforting, and made with so much love. For mains, we shared all of my favorites:

• Chap Chye (S$19): a mix of vegetables and bean curd skin braised in a prawn bisque
• Beef Rendang (S$28): tender beef braised in spices in a creamy coconut sauce
• Hainanese Chicken Rice (S$26): Poached chicken rice served with sauce and most flavorful soup I have ever had.

But please, please save room for dessert. Their coconut delight (S$16) was pure heaven. It has a soft coconut jelly made with coconut water, topped with fresh coconut flesh, creamy coconut ice cream, and sprinkled with shaved gula mleaka. It is light, not too sweet, the most refreshing way to end the perfect meal. 

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (9/10)

For our last day in Singapore, we decided to slow things down a little and do what we love the most: wandering, eating, and soaking up every last bit of magic the city has to offer. For lunch, we went to one of my comfort spots, Song Fa Bat Kut Teh, a Singaporean classic that has been around since 1969 serving deeply herbal pork rib soup.

Dom and I each got our own bowl of pork rib bak kut teh (S$7.60), and an extra plate of braised pork intestines. The second that peppery, garlicky aroma hits you, you just know it’s going to be so good. The brothy soup is super flavorful, and the meat falls right off the bone. The pork intestines are braised until all that flavor soaks right through. It’s perfect with a bite of rice!

Funny enough, Dom and I actually stumbled across this place 8 years ago, totally by accident, we follow the smell and the crowds, as you do, and this actually ended up being the last final meal that we had on the trip. Now, it’s become a little tradition. Every time we’re back in Singapore, I have to come eat here. Something about the warm, savory broth and tender pork ribs feels like coming home!