The best new restaurants in Singapore 2025

What is it? Udon Shin, the popular noodle house from Japan with hour-long queues, is finally open in Singapore.

Why we love it: The joint is known for noodles that are freshly kneaded, cut and boiled daily, with a distinct slippery and chewy texture. The signature carbonara udon ($24) is what attracts long lines to its store in Shibuya, Tokyo. This bowl features kamaage udon cooked in dashi and topped with parmesan cheese, butter, pepper, spring onions, a raw egg, and a strip of tempura bacon. Break open the yolk and mix in the toppings till each strand is glistening and nicely coated in the creamy, buttery sauce. Despite how indulgent it all sounds, the dish is surprisingly light, balanced and doesn't get cloying over time.

Time Out tip: Expect long queues as this is the first and currently only Udon Shin outlet outside of Japan. While the restaurant has 60 seats, it can get cramped during peak hours, so we recommend dining in small groups.

Address: 391 Orchard Rd, Takashimaya S.C., #B2-32, Singapore 238872
Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm
Expect to pay: From $10 to over $42 per bowl, depending on your order

What is it? Steak frites – it doesn’t get better than that. La Vache!, literally ‘the cow’ in French, but also an expression for ‘holy cow!’, brings the classic entrecôte steak and fries pairing to Singapore from Hong Kong, in a vibrant setting reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie.

Why we love it: For $68 per person, you are served baguettes with butter from Brittany and a salad, plus 280 grams of USDA ribeye and unlimited fries. The steak is succulent and well-seasoned without being too cloying, and is best paired with a tiny dab of a Bearnaise-inspired sauce on the side. Meanwhile, the fries are deep-fried in beef fat and finished with a generous dusting of a top-secret seasoning similar to chicken salt. Desserts are rolled out in grandiose fashion on a display trolley, featuring house-made pastries and rotating specials – treats like vanilla ice cream-stuffed profiteroles, fig tarts and gelato from the cult-favourite Aussie brand Messina.

Time Out tip: Careful not to load up too early on the free baguettes and salad, and save space for the ribeye slabs. Complete the experience with a glass of house red to wash down each bite. And if you find the fries too salty, fret not, as the team brings around freshly fried batches with less seasoning for those who prefer it.

Address: 40 Gemmill Ln, #01-03, Singapore 069269
Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm
Expect to pay: $68 per person for the steak frites set

What is it? This kappo-style restaurant from Ginza, Tokyo has been rated Japan’s number one in the 101 world’s best steak restaurants for two years running. Now, you can taste Nikuya Tanaka’s binchotan charcoal-grilled beef cuts right here in Singapore.

Why we love it: The Kobe wagyu steak is the star of the show, featuring carefully selected Chateubriand (a thick-cut filet mignon from the centre of the tenderloin) expertly grilled over binchotan, to reveal a perfect medium-rare centre. Apart from the beef, an unmissable part of the dining experience at Nikuya Tanaka is the kudzu somen served in an ice vessel hand-carved before your eyes. It’s a thing of beauty, with springy, silky somen noodles suspended in a rich, dry bonito dashi broth.

Time Out tip: Seating is limited, with 10 counter seats and five in a private dining room, so make sure to book early. 

Address: 1 Teck Lim Rd, Level 2, Singapore 088379
Opening hours: Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 5.30pm-11pm
Expect to pay: From $350 per person for the basic lunch experience

What is it? If Violet Oon is where you go for Chinese New Year or a celebratory meal, then Bibik Violet is where you take your loved ones to for Sunday brunch. The new café-bakery is the first casual concept in the Violet Oon Group, with a full-fledged kueh and cake counter and a selection of take-home goodies.

Why we love it: The 54-seater is decked out in rattan furniture, tasselled lamps, batik prints and vintage Peranakan tiles from the 1900s. As for the menu, don't expect a repetition of what's served at Violet Oon. Each recipe is tailor-made for the outlet and distinctly homely in style (read: not just spicy, but unapologetically so). Must-orders include the lady's fingers sambal ($9), ikan panggang sambal ($18) and beef rendang ($19.80).

Time Out tip: You must not leave without trying some of the decadent kuehs, which are available in limited quantities each day. Some which we enjoy include the kueh dadar, ang ku kueh, kueh salat and kueh bingka ambon. 

Address: 28 Orchard Rd, Temasek Shophouse, Singapore 238832
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-9.30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-9.30pm
Expect to pay: Around $30 per person for sharing dishes 

What is it? Singapore’s OG natural wine bar RVLT is making a glorious comeback with a new wine bistro in the heart of Bukit Merah.

Why we love it: The resto-bar has swapped out the grungy aesthetics of its old Carpenter Street digs for a more minimalistic and classy look. Despite the makeover, the borderless and boundary-pushing food and spirit of RVLT live on. Yes, cult-faves have not been taken off the menu. You can still get your fix of the brand’s iconic homemade chicken nuggets ($20) with fermented tomato sriracha, and its wagyu beef patty melt with fries ($28). Other than that, it’s pasta with a local twist that takes centre stage. Think salted egg carbonara ($19.80), hua diao white clams linguine ($19.80) and the like.

Time Out tip: If you miss the vino, shimmy up to the bar counter for spot-on recommendations by co-founders and wine geeks Alvin Gho and Ian Lim.  

Address: 211 Henderson Rd, Henderson Industrial Building, #01-05, Singapore 159552
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am-5pm; Thu-Sat 11am-5pm, 6pm-midnight
Expect to pay: Around $40 per person for weekday lunches

What is it? The only international outpost of the two-Michelin-starred Zeniya in Kanazawa, this refined Kaga kaiseki restaurant now calls Shaw Centre home, joining the ranks of Les Amis Group’s most prestigious concepts.

Why we love it: Available for both lunch ($138/$288) or dinner ($288/$388), the menu changes seasonally, as you’d expect. All ingredients are flown in straight from Kanazawa’s historic Omicho Market, except for the water. Uni and kegani (horsehair crab) might open your meal with a burst of briny sweetness against the tang of tozasu vinegared jelly; you might be treated to nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch); and your meal might end with rice doused in kanou-gani (snow crab), cooked in a thick and rich dashi sauce. Whatever ends up on your menu, we’re confident you’ll enjoy it.

Time Out tip: Sommelier-selected sake of the day is available in 90ml ($30) or 180ml ($58) pours, or opt for the sake pairing for $118 for four glasses. 

Address: 1 Scotts Rd, Shaw Centre, #01-11, Singapore 228208
Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm
Expect to pay: From $138 per person for lunch

What is it? The Coconut Club welcomes a sister restaurant above its Beach Road digs – and no, it’s not plates of ayam goreng berampah it’s selling, but a whole new concept: ‘new-gen’ Singaporean cuisine. 

Why we love it: The kitchen works with disparate flavours, obscure and long-forgotten ingredients, and a whole lot of creativity to whip up dishes that are noticeably Singaporean, yet delightfully foreign. We like the grilled firefly squid salad, where the iconic pairing of dark soy sauce and jambu in rojak is enhanced with briny – if slightly funky – firefly squid, strawberries, and kailan. For mains, our pick is the wok-fried nasi ulam, where herbaceous additions of ulam raja, ginger flower, and laksa leaves make it way too easy to wolf it all down.

Time Out tip: Don't sleep on the cocktail list, which sees three exclusive tipples ($21 each) crafted by Side Door’s resident mixologist Bannie Kang. This is where you can sample her signature clarified style in drinks like the Sambal Marg or Pandan Colada.

Address: 269A Beach Rd, Singapore 199546
Opening hours: Tue-Wed 6pm-8pm; Thu-Sun noon-1.30pm, 6pm-8pm
Expect to pay: From $58 for lunch

What is it? 21 Boon Tat Street has gone through many reincarnations – it’s the birthplace of Chef Rishi Naleendra’s Cheek by Jowl, Cheek Bistro, Fool Wine Bar, and now, Station.

Why we love it: Think of Station as the fun, funky, and casual offshoot of Sri Lankan powerhouse Kotuwa. Graze on interesting snacks and starters like punchy oysters doused in a tangy lychee acharu granita ($7), or egg roti and chicken liver cooked in Kaliya ($14) – a Sri Lankan Malay curry. Our favourite? The Babath crispy tripe ($7) with a crunchy deep-fried exterior dusted with smoked chilli and a chewy middle. The mains are approachable, traditional, and sure to fill you up. Indulge in the roasted chicken with devilled butter and red onions ($34) or braised beef cheek in blackened coconut gravy ($36).

Time Out tip: The best way to feast is to order rice, mains to share, and then have it your way with a range of condiments like the addictive tempered dahl ($8) and eggplant sambal ($5).

Address: 21 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069620
Opening hours: Tue 6pm-11pm; Wed-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat 6pm-11pm
Expect to pay: Around $40 per person for sharing dishes

What is it? Magpie opened its doors early this year in Tiong Bahru, serving up unexpected plates of borderless soul food. The bistro is the project of Kurt Wagner – behind Kafe Utu and Tamba – and New Zealand-born chef Eliot Thomas.

Why we love it: You’ll find influences from all over the world here, from India to Italy, China to Fiji, and so on. The menu also changes every few weeks depending on the ingredients available. Start with small plates like fresh tandoor bread ($9), fried zucchini flowers ($16), and the signature Market Haul ($26) – a spicy and tangy Fijian ceviche also known as ‘kokoda’. Then move on to heftier sharing portions ranging from beef skewers and chicken with mole sauce, to the classic lamb t-bone with roasted aubergines.

Time Out tip: Round off your meal with The Wagner ($19) – a bright spin on an affogato with orange gelato, coffee, and peated whisky.

Address: 57 Eng Hoon St, 01-88, Singapore 160057
Opening hours: Wed-Thu 6pm-9.30pm; Fri-Sat noon-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm; Sun noon-2.30pm
Expect to pay: Around $60 per person for sharing dishes  

What is it? For any hot pot lover, Bon Broth is one of the most unique – if slightly pricier – hot pot experiences in Singapore to add to your list.

Why we love it: Instead of choosing your soup base from an iPad or physical menu, head to a countertop where a ‘broth sommelier’ will introduce you to eight flavours before you sample and pick your favourite. For something lighter on the palate, go for the signature Sichuan green pepper, sauerkraut, or herbal soup bases. And for something more intense, try the milky Hokkaido collagen, laksa, or mouth-numbing mala. Michelin-starred chef André Chiang is the brains behind the concept, and seeks to marry his expertise in both French and Chinese culinary traditions at Bon Broth.

Time Out tip: Go for the standard $110 set with meat, seafood, and vegetables, or top up for the $138 set which includes more premium seafood like rock lobsters and abalone.

Address: 252 North Bridge Rd, Raffles City, #03-01, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm
Expect to pay: From $110 per person for the basic set