Your ultimate guide to Singapore

Japan’s largest pufferfish restaurant chain with 96 outlets, Guenpin, has opened its first overseas outlet here. Specialising in Tora-fugu – the highest grade of fugu in the market – the restaurant serves it sashimi-style ($28), grilled ($48) or in a hot pot ($55) with its signature ponzu sauce. Aside from pufferfish, Guenpin also carries Japanese snow crab that you can have fried or grilled.  A five-course pufferfish menu that feeds one to two people starts from $88, while set lunches with items such as a snow crab tempura rice bowl go from $19.90.

Singapore's cheekiest chef is at it again – Bjorn Shen's Bird Bird moves from the CBD to the eastern 'hood of Frankel. The humble chicken ($29/$49) takes centre-stage. Choose from three flavours: Southern fried chicken served with a side of thick gravy, Bangkok fried chicken tossed with lemongrass, kaffir lime and garlic, and Lebanese fried chicken coated in honey, lemon and a sprinkle of za’atar. If that's still not enough, complement your chick with a bevvy of sides including mac and cheese, milk-braised pork doughnuts or a healthier selection of salads to help ease the guilt of the sinful meal. Be sure to leave room for dessert – the durian softie pie is a winner with its medley of textures, but if you're not a fan of the pungent fruit, there's also a range of doughnuts glazed in honey buttercream and other unique flavours. 

No monkey business, only seriously good Indian food and cocktails at this joint on Bussorah Street. Served tapas-style, expect bites like tandoori chicken ($10) and tulsi cod ($15) fresh from the on-site tandoor. For big plates, the Nalli Gosht ($26) is a lamb shank dish that’s simmered overnight in a creamy peanut and cashew curry ‘til the meat falls off the bone. The cocktails are infused with Indian flavours, too. Expect drinks like the Goa Mamma Lassi – an alcoholic twist on the classic mango lassi – featuring a mix of mango, passion fruit, Aylesbury Vodka, Plantation Dark Rum, milk and yogurt.

This contemporary South-East Asian restaurant by The Spa Esprit group is all things cheeky and fun. Dishes lean towards local comfort food, with items such as rendang beef brisket buns ($21) inspired by chef Miller Mai's grandmother's recipe, and the crispy pork trotter ($29) served with spiced vinegar that's large enough to share among three.  Large plates like the pork collar char siu ($26) and lobster tail in tom yum broth ($30) can be shared or had as a main with a plate of steamed rice.

An à la carte dim sum menu is available during weekday lunch, and on weekends, head down for a brunch buffet that has a selection of over 50 dishes at only $39 for adults and $19 for the little ones. Expect staples such as siew mai with abalone and shrimp dumplings, as well as unique creations like deep fried taro paste wrapped in truffle and mushroom. Don’t miss chef Leong Chee Yeng’s signature osmanthus char siew bao, either – the fluffy steamed buns are meaty and bear a hint of floral fragrance that perfumes each bite. Modern Canto classics are also served in individual portions, including its eight signature dishes – the crispy roasted pork belly and sauteed diced beef tenderloin are exquisitely prepared using traditional and often labour-intensive cooking methods.

Pretty cakes paired with exquisite teas, all housed in a beautifully decorated space adorned with handpainted floral murals – that's what you can expect from Nesuto Patisserie. Helmed by Alicia Wong, the head pastry chef who's spent five years in Capella's kitchen, Nesuto serves cakes, entremets and plated desserts alongside tea pairings by Antea Social. Our favourites include the Noisette Rocher, Wong's take on a Ferrero Rocher made from hazelnut praline mousse, Guanaja 70% ganache and a caramalised hazelnut feuilletine for an added crunch. For something lighter, opt for the yuzu raspberry. The light yuzu meringue and delicate Japanese cotton sponge feel like a cloud on the tongue, with a slight tartness from the raspberries coming through.