The best Indian restaurants in Singapore

What is it? Contemporary Indian restaurant with creative yet familiar and delicious plates. It earned its second Michelin star in 2022. 

Why we love it: It’s been a long time coming, but Singapore finally has a contemporary Indian restaurant to call its own. Chef Mano Thevar incorporates European culinary techniques into unusual dishes that highlight traditional Indian flavours. The tasting menu ($298 per person) can see anything from pork belly and sambal aioli wrapped in betel nut leaf to chef's signature Mysore spiced lamb rack. Perfectly charred with a medium rare centre and served with spiced condiments and a side of fragrant biryani and raita, it’s no wonder the dish is a beloved classic at Thevar.

Time Out tip: Come hungry – this is one meal that you won’t want to miss any part of. Certain ingredients on the menu switch up with the season, so you’re always in for a pleasant surprise. Do note that the restaurant is also unable to accommodate vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets.

What is it? A bold and progressive take on Indian cooking, housed in a sleek, industrial-chic space.

Why we love it: The Revolver journey reshapes the way you think about Indian food, without diluting the cuisine’s fiery and punchy character. Your best bet is to go all out with the eight-course Experience menu ($199 per person) which takes you through the restaurant’s flame-kissed star dishes. Else, the seven-course Discovery menu ($139 per person) does the trick as well and is more than enough to satiate. Our favourite part about dining here is the kulchette (flatbread) – a proud revolver invention that marries aspects of the Indian kulcha, Turkish pid, and Neapolitan pizza. These are fired up in the tandoor oven, which is also used to give an alluring char to the rest of the dishes.

Time Out tip: The best seats in the house are those at the counter, right in front of the flickering red embers from the Yarra woodfire. And if you’re not a big eater, come by for the two-course set lunch ($38 per person) which is a solid introduction to Revolver’s offerings.

Address: 56 Tras St, Singapore 078995
Opening hours: Mon-Sat noon-4pm, 5.45pm-11pm
Expect to pay: From $38 for lunch or from $139 for dinner

What is it? Popular North Indian restaurant in Raffles Place serving feasts fit for a royal court. 

Why we love it: If walls could talk, Shahi Maharani’s would tell tales of kings and bygone empires. This restaurant in Raffles City is Indian dining dialled up – think ornate wooden doors, plush burgundy accents, artwork flown in from Rajasthan, and a live classical band that sets the mood. Not to mention, the food and service here have been consistently good for years and counting. The menu is a love letter to India’s beloved flavours, from the rich butter chicken ($38) and creamy palak paneer ($32) to the succulent and tender lamb chops ($50). Pair them all with classic cocktails (from $18) and you’ve got an experience that’s anything but ordinary. Whether you’re grabbing the one-for-one weekday lunch buffet deal or celebrating in the private room, Shahi Maharani will leave you feeling royally spoiled.

Time Out tip: The restaurant dishes out excellent dum biryani (from $30) and yummy Diwali snacks as well. 

Address: 252 North Bridge Rd, Raffles City Shopping Centre, #03-21B, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Daily noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm
Expect to pay: Around $60 per person for a few sharing dishes and drinks.

What is it? An Indian vegetarian restaurant connected to City Hall MRT with gluten-free and vegan selections for all diets.

Why we love it: Nalan is an appropriate spot for a casual business lunch or catch-up in the city (the Little India branch offers slightly more wallet-friendly prices). The restaurant serves up both North and South Indian nosh depending on what you’re feeling that day, and there’s even a special dietary menu with non-root dishes, vegan and gluten-free options, as well as dishes with no onions and garlic. We like the standard South Indian lunch meal ($21) with rice, sambar, rasam, kaara kuzhambu, three vegetables, pickles, curd, papadum, vadai, and milk pudding. Or you can go with the classic naan ($5) and palak paneer ($23) combination that never fails.

Time Out tip: According to regulars, the dahi puri ($15) is a must-order, though the tangy yoghurt filling is an acquired taste for some. Don’t miss out on dessert too. There are several to choose from, including ras malai (cottage cheese dumplings soaked in milk syrup), gulab jamun, and carrot halwa.

Address: 13 Stamford Rd, Capitol Singapore, #B2-54, Singapore 178905
Opening hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Expect to pay: Around $20 for a lunch set meal.

What is it? The Singapore outpost of Bangalore institution Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), serving arguably the best thosai on the island. 

Why we love it: For starters, it’s the Karnataka (Southern state in India) style of thosai that’s served here, made with fermented rice and black lentils. These sheets are crafted with a 60-year-old recipe that requires no modification. Hearty, moreish, and sinfully ghee-laced, each piping hot piece comes with sambhar and chutney. Try the plain thosai ($6) or the masala thosai ($7) for an added kick of spice. There’s also the bisibele bhath ($6), a rice dish of lentils, assorted veggies, nutmeg, curry leaves, and tamarind pulp, served with raita (yoghurt salad). 

Time Out tip: Wash down your meal with MTR's signature filter coffee ($3). It's done the traditional South Indian way, mixing boiled and frothed milk with concentrated coffee liquor in an Indian coffee filter.

Address: 438 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 21133
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 8.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm
Expect to pay: Under $10 for a thosai set and a drink.

What is it? A funky restaurant along East Coast Road serving unpretentious street food from different Indian regions.

Why we love it: Masalaa Bar is the brainchild of Chef Milind Sovani, behind the former one-Michelin-starred restaurant The Song of India. This laidback joint in the East serves up elevated but unrpretentious street food, with influences from regions like Mumbai, New Delhi, and Maharashtra. Kickstart the evening with a boozy pani puri shot ($18) – the regular alcohol free versions are also available ($9.90). Then try the Monster Papad ($13), a wok-sized dish where crisp, lentil-based flatbread is bejewelled with a toss-up of sharp red onions, tomatoes, green chillies, coriander, and a spiced powder mix. 

Time Out tip: Stay on for the Indian-inspired cocktails ($19) and be sure to have a reservation – the space gets packed after 8pm.

Address: 723 East Coast Rd, Singapore 459071
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10.30pm
Expect to pay: Around $50 per person for sharing dishes and drinks.

What is it? Dazzling reinterpretations of traditional Indian cuisine spread across four thematic dining areas.

Why we love it: A meal at Firangi Superstar is a feast for both the eyes and the tummy, with downright swoon-worthy interiors divided into four thematic spaces that are dressed like movie sets. But the food at this cinematic restaurant doesn’t disappoint either. Expect inventive spins on traditional Indian dishes, where recipes are tweaked and tinkered with – respectfully – such that everything tastes new again. For example, shatteringly crisp prata comes presented in the shape of a waffle and topped with spice-scented fried chicken and a drizzle of butter chicken sauce ($32). 

Time Out tip: Whatever you do, make sure to order the This is Also not Aloo Gobi ($18). It transforms the standard potato and cauliflower dish into a modern rendition with cauliflower couscous and potato cubes. 

Address: 20 Craig Rd, #01-03, Singapore 089692
Opening hours: Mon-Fri noon-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm; Sat noon-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm
Expect to pay: From $45 per person for lunch or around $90 per person for dinner with a few sharing dishes and drinks.

What is it? Iconic North Indian restaurant which has been part of Raffles Hotel Singapore since 1892. 

Why we love it: Having been part of Raffles Hotel since the 19th century, special care has been given to the design of Tiffin Room. Wooden floorboards, reminiscent of those found in the 1900s, have been reinstated, while the walls are lined with tiffin carriers – a nod to the restaurant’s name and to help lend a homely touch to the space. No meal here is complete without dining out from a tiffin carrier. The Mera Royal Dabba set (from $126 per person) is an elevated meal that comes served in an exquisite, four-tiered arrangement. Choose from curries and chutneys, including the Murgh tikka masala – grilled chicken breast with browned onions and spices –  and the Macher Jhol where seabass is cooked with ginger and other aromatic spices.

Time Out tip: Make your way to Long Bar afterwards to steep in the beauty and charm of the hotel. While you’re there, make sure to sip on the signature Singapore Sling while crunching peanut shells underneath your foot.

Address: 1 Beach Road, Raffles Hotel Singapore, Main Building, Singapore 189673
Opening hours: Daily noon-1.30pm, 6.30pm-9pm
Expect to pay: From $126 per person.

What is it? While not a restaurant, The Elephant Room is a first-of-its-kind cocktail bar that’s laser-focused on using ingredients unique to Indian cuisine.  

Why we love it: This casual drinking hole in Tanjong Pagar aims to be a microcosm of Singapore’s Indian community, slinging bold and spice-forward concoctions where each drink captures elements of Little India’s sights, scents, and stories. Former Smoke & Mirror bartender Yugnes Susela opened the bar in 2019 with headliners like Buffalo Road ($26) – gin and tonic laced with pink guava and vetiver – which still hits hard after six years and a venue change. Don’t belittle the food menu – there’s plenty to line your stomach with, from seven variations of 10-inch naan pizzas (from $14) to small bites like okra fries ($18), chettinad fish cutlets ($16) and more.

Time Out tip: The cocktails here are distinctly punchy, savoury, and sometimes even spicy – certainly for the adventurous and those who love Indian cuisine. Don’t be surprised to see some inspired by crab rasam, biryani, or even chicken curry as well.

Address: 22 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #01-02, Singapore 088456
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat 6pm-2am
Expect to pay: Around $50 per person for a cocktail and snacks to share.

What is it? A classy restaurant in Tanglin Mall which has been around for almost a decade, serving dishes inspired by heirloom recipes. 

Why we love it: This restaurant in Tanglin Mall used to be a fairly casual joint, but it has since gotten a facelift, now boasting an elegant dining room and bar, plus excellent service. The kitchen whips up dishes inspired by the different regional styles of cooking across India, and a customer favourite is the Purani Dilli Murg Makhani ($44) – known colloquially as butter chicken – with a mild spiciness and tomatoey flavour.

Time Out tip: Dining experiences here are extremely flexible. Go for the $48 executive set lunch, have it your way a la carte-style, or opt for the nine-course experience menu for the whole powwow ($148 per person).

Address: 163 Tanglin Rd, Tanglin Mall, #01-129, Singapore 247933
Opening hours: Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm
Expect to pay: From $48 for the set lunch or $148 per person for the tasting menu.