The best new restaurants in Singapore 2026

What is it? Expect traditional Spanish dishes to be given a creative twist and dressed up several notches at this new restaurant along buzzy Amoy Street.

Why we love it: We like how the juicy barbecued oysters ($10 each) glide smoothly, with a deeply savoury escabeche sauce masking their usual brininess – a very different but surprisingly pleasant take on oysters. When the crew brings out the long-stemmed glasses to our table, our first thought is that dessert must have arrived a few courses too early. Little did we know, the parfait-like dish is one of the signatures at Amor, called Happy Eggggg ($18). Pumpkin purée, truffle sabayon, a 65°C onsen egg, crispy Jamón chips and brown butter sourdough croutons come together in a tantalising medley that we polish off far too quickly. 

Time Out tip: Amor also offers a wallet-friendly $38 lunch set that includes four tapas, a main and a dessert. 

Address: 107 Amoy St, Singapore 069927
Opening hours: Mon-Sat noon-3pm

What is it? Barrel takes izakaya dining to the next level with whisky-infused dishes and Singapore's most expensive chicken rice.

Why we love it: Backed by Suntory and said to be the first Hibiki-focused concept outside of Japan, this new restaurant on Cecil Street elevates the after-work drinking experience, adding polish and style beyond the usual beers and fries. At Barrel, the sauces are layered and sometimes whisky-infused – with Hibiki, of course – while the dishes, though still casual and snackable, are dressed up a notch. We prefer the aburi wagyu donabe to the chicken rice, Folded with cured egg yolk, plenty of green onions and nori, each bite is textural, buttery and highly addictive. 

Time Out tip: To quench your thirst, flip through the drinks menu, where you'll find everything from whisky by the glass to Hibiki flights, whisky-infused cocktails and more. Simpler profiles pair beautifully with food, like the Hibiki mizuwari or highball ($18 each).

Address: 19 Cecil St, Singapore 049704
Opening hours: Mon-Sat noon-11pm

What is it? Roman cuisine finds a new expression at this crimson red osteria in Singapore, the latest concept by the wildly successful Fortuna Group.

Why we love it: The word 'osteria' might conjure images of a cosy, rustic eatery in a small Italian town. Well, the newly opened Medusa Italian Osteria Romana is anything but. Think big night out energy. Every wall is splashed in crimson. The walk-in area has LED lights, mirrors and plenty of photo ops for the 'gram. And this bold 76-seater is a tribute to founder Egon Marzaioli's wife, who happens to be from Rome. The menu is largely inspired by Roman cuisine and iconic dishes from that region in Italy, from Supplì al Telefono (traditional deep-fried arborio rice ball) and porchetta, to thin-crust pizzas and pastas like carbonara and cacio e pepe.

Time Out tip: Sip on your cocktail of choice at the bar area, which has three small tables perched before the main entrance, or enjoy it with your meal, either in the main dining hall or alfresco area.

Address: 26 Beach Road, South Beach Avenue, #B1-22, Singapore 189768
Opening hours: Mon-Sun noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm

What is it? Chef Bjorn Shen's latest F&B venture is Jellyfish Sushi, a restaurant-in-a-restaurant that sits within Artichoke and beside Small's in New Bahru.

Why we love it: If Small's is Shen's experimental R&D playground, Jellyfish Sushi carries that same ethos, except with a sharper focus on sushi-like creations and raw or lightly-treated ingredients – particularly seafood. At launch, the intimate 10-seater is serving a 12-course bread sushi omakase ($165 per person), where instead of shari (vinegared rice), it's bread that takes centre stage. Our favourite is the third course: red sea bream aged between sheets of kombu – a traditional method called kombujime to achieve a greater depth of flavour – dressed with garlic oil, spring onions, pickled ginger, sesame seeds and lemon zest. Think yu sheng but savoury rather than sweet. Rocket leaves and pistachio pesto are added, and the salad-like dish sits above a piece of thin, fluffy top crust. 

Time Out tip: As only ten seats are available, we recommend booking early.

Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, New Bahru, Artichoke, #01-02, Singapore 239351
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6pm-10.15pm

What is it? French technique, Japanese sensibility and Southeast Asian flavours come together in a thoughtful tasting menu set inside one of Singapore’s oldest mansions. 

Why we love it: Rather than treading familiar French-Japanese ground, what chef Shusuke Kubota does at Loca Niru is far more thoughtful, and far more compelling. French technique and Japanese sensibility still form the foundation here, but the real spark comes from his reimagination of Southeast Asian flavours in an elegant eight-course tasting menu ($298). And then there's the gorgeous architecture, preserved with its original wooden trusses; the Teochew carvings and decorative mosaics made from porcelain bowls on the mansion’s roof; and Japanese craft details that keep the space feeling distinctly wabi sabi.

Time Out tip: For a new joiner, Loca Niru sits at the same price point as Singapore’s most ambitious fine-dining restaurants, inviting inevitable comparisons. What you’re paying for here is premium Japanese produce, meticulous technique and a level of presentation that’s clearly labour-intensive.

Address: 101 Penang Rd, House of Tan Yeok Nee, #02-01, Singapore 238466
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 6.30pm-11pm

What is it? Eurasian eateries are few and far between in Singapore, save for a few rare gems like Quentin’s and Doris’ Devilishly Delicious Curry. And even these might soon face extinction, which is why the opening of Gilmore & Damian D’Silva is very much a silver lining in our culinary scene.

Why we love it: You might already know Chef Damian D’Silva from his stint on MasterChef Singapore as a judge, and from his restaurant Rempapa. What you probably don’t know is the inspiration behind his cooking and his shared history with the National Gallery Singapore. This new 68-seater restaurant is Chef Damian D'Silva's unabashedly personal tribute to his grandfather Gilmore D'Silva, the first and only custodian of the former Supreme Court for 21 years. The menu is a spread of traditional Eurasian staples and several Chinese dishes inspired by Gilmore D'Silva's home cooking. 

Time Out tip: The Christmas Debal is a must-try, featuring 'leftover' festive ingredients like roast pork and cocktail sausages in a rich gravy made of a proprietary rempah, and served with rempah and achar on the side.

Address: 1 St Andrew's Rd, National Gallery Singapore, #01-02/03, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm

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

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

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

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