The best Italian restaurants in Singapore

Former ilLido group executive chef Daniele Sperindio showcases his Ligurian roots with episodic menus that have equally intricate and evocative creations. Expect to eat with your eyes first and get interactive over orchestrated story-telling segments peppered with deeply personal anecdotes with each course. Opt for one of its lunch tasting menus that start from $158 for three courses or go for the full seven-course degustation dinner priced at $328. Every dish is an ode to Italy, where the emphasis on unique high-quality seasonal produce remains. Art has never tasted this good.

Head to Fico for the perfect seaside escape from the city. The Puglian-inspired menu is seasonal and concise; highlights include cardoncelli mushrooms ($21), crispy-chewy focaccina with Tropea onions ($18), handmade orecchiette with broccolini and anchovies ($24), and grilled pork collar ($38). Dessert is served in a charming trolley – we’d recommend the light and crisp cannolis and the sweet-savoury burrata gelato ($14 for two desserts). The restaurant itself, located in East Coast Park, overlooks the sea and is bright and airy, decorated with soothing, earthy hues and pastel green. If the weather permits, book a seat in the beautiful alfresco dining area.

One foot in the charming waterfront location at the Fullerton Waterboat House and you’ll feel as if you’ve wandered into the captivating city of Matera – known for its iconic Sassis on rocky outcrops overlooking the Ionian seas. At the helm is chef Bjoern Alexander (formerly of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Octavium in Hong Kong) with his artfully inventive plates that blend traditional Italian cuisine and vibrant flavours of Asia. Expect combinations like ravioli made from dumpling skin stuffed with sweet red prawns, bucatini pasta coated with spicy Asian dried scallops, Wagyu sirloins enhanced with braised beef tendons on the side, and grilled French pigeon paired with five spice jus. For the full experience, go with the full eight-course dinner priced at $308. Otherwise, ordering a la carte is also an option.

At Pasta Bar, pasta is (obviously) the star of the show. On the seasonal menu, you’ll find hearty handmade pastas ranging from classics like cacio e pepe ($30) and beef cheek tagliatelle ($38), to indulgent and unique finds like sea urchin tagliolini ($42) and cod seaweed tortelli ($34). The interiors are dimly-lit and intimate – perfect for date night. We recommend getting a counter seat that faces the open kitchen – you’ll get to watch your pasta being made in front of you.

Rumoured to have one of the best pizzas in Singapore is the homely La Bottega Enoteca, located in a Joo Chiat shophouse with rustic Italian charm. They’ve switched up their $139 tasting menus for a more accessible a la carte menu; order their signature DoubleCrunch pizzas (from $24 for half a pizza), which have satisfyingly chewy crusts and crispy, wafer-thin bases that somehow remain free from any hint of sogginess. The grilled Spanish pluma Iberica ($58) is also worth ordering – it’s tender and succulent, and portions are generous. Try the parmigiano reggiano gelato ($12) for dessert if you’re feeling adventurous, or stick to classics like tiramisu ($15).

The Italian restaurant takes the cuisine to new heights (literally from the 43rd floor of the Ocean Financial Centre), with impressive plates cooked up by chef Andrea De Paola, a young cook that has worked in big-name kitchens including the one-Michelin-starred Braci. He taps into inspiration from his hometown in Naples to present hearty Italian plates made with a creative spark, including Scampi ($38), par-grilled shellfish alongside white miso sauce made with blended white sesame and 25-year-old mirin; spaghetti with razor clams (from $34); and more. For a true showcase of chef Andrea’s playfulness, consider the Chef’s Menu ($148 for four-courses) with offerings both authentic and innovative.

For affordable and reliable Italian fare, look no further than Lino. The family-friendly restaurant serves great pasta and pizza at wallet-friendly prices – pizzas start from $24 and pastas start from $26. You can’t go wrong with the burrata pizza ($30), prosciutto pizza ($29), and the beef short rib fettuccine ($29). If your kids are picky eaters, fret not – Lino also offers a kids’ set menu ($18), which comes with either a pasta or pizza and is served with a glass of juice and a scoop of gelato for dessert.

The Cal-Italian dining concept of famed American celebrity Chef Nancy Silverton is back. The cosy Tuscan living room now has a stunning mozzarella bar, two wood-burning ovens and an alfresco herb garden. Swing in during lunch and feast on 10 signature pizzas. Our favourites are Silverton’s all-time favourite, the Burrata ($40), the simply satisfying Bianca ($34), and the Singapore-exclusive BLT ($38). Come nightfall, dishes are nodes to classics that first rocketed Osteria Mozza into the dining sphere. Remember the Orecchiette ($32) that stole the show – and our hearts? Its glistening little ears of al-dente pasta, sausage and Swiss chard will take you straight to flavour town. 

Housed in one of Sentosa's finest beachside resorts, Fiamma is the newest Italian restaurant of Chef Mauro Colagreco – owner of three Michelin-starred French restaurant, Mirazur. The menu is inspired by his grandparents where rustic flavours pay homage to his grandma’s cooking using only fresh produce. A highlight is the Carpaccio di Pomodoro e Pesca ($26): finely sliced tomato and peach slivers paired with pistachio bits and chives. Standouts also include a blue lobster tagliatelle ($56) and the Tartufo pizza ($36) with heaps of black truffle shavings.

What was once Milano Pizza & Wine has since rebranded into modern osteria Buca Buca. The menu has since expanded greatly, with old-school tableside service and handmade pasta. Tuck into a hearty beef cheek pappardelle ($38) or a linguini prawn rosso ($42) with gochujang spiced prawns. Interestingly, they also do a zucchini pesto “pasta” ($28), where the pasta has been substituted with zoodles. It goes without saying that the Silician grandma pizza is a must-order. You can choose from delectable toppings like mortadella and burrata ($34) or freshly shaved truffle and burrata ($38). End on a sweet note with the tableside tiramisu ($25), which comes loaded with a delightfully creamy concoction of mascarpone cheese and pasteurised eggs. 

Put aside all thoughts of cosy, family-owned trattorias. The Jigger and Pony venture is perfect for drinks and Italian grub, complete with fantastic views of Marina Bay. Caffe Fernet dedicates a good part of the menu to aperitivo-friendly numbers – think spritzers, bellinis, and frosés and another pageful to negroni variations. All of these help prime the tummy for a seafood-focused line-up of mafaldine cacio e pepe ($29), a classic moreish take on pasta with cheese and pepper; golden pomfret ($48); a delightfully smoky octopus ($36); and more. 

The charm of one-Michelin-starred Buona Terra begins with its ultra-private location. The cosy 22-seater restaurant comes housed within a monochromatic colonial bungalow and has since seen a recent facelift. Its intimate setting makes for a dining experience steeped in tranquillity. The kitchen, headed by chef Denis Lucchi, takes the best the season has to offer to create contemporary Italian plates. Dinner of five courses (from $248) is the best way to sample what Buona Terra has to offer.

Exposed brick walls, vintage mosaic tiles, scissor gates – the industrial aesthetics of Amò may be popular with the trendy crowd, but rest assured that the food has timeless appeal. Pastas and pizzas are the main draw at this buzzy restaurant. Pies are slow-fermented and baked in wood-fired ovens to achieve a satisfying chew and properly blistered edges. Try the pie with pancetta, spicy broccolini, pumpkin and smoked mozzarella ($30) if you're looking for bold flavours.

There are no shortage of alfresco eateries along the length of Robertson Quay, but Publico Ristorante stands out with its charming interior and hearty creations. Its interior offers an Italian escape, and the food is dedicated to the greatest hits of the cuisine. Most tables will spot orders of calamari and cauliflower fritti ($24), housemade pasta (from $28), and wood-fired pizza including classics like Margherita ($26), prosciutto ($32), and more.

Restaurateur Beppe de Vito has many restaurants in the Il Lido portfolio but one-Michelin-starred Braci is said to be his most progressive and creative playground. The compositions are very contemporary, but there’s also a distinct undercurrent of quintessentially Italian flavours. Appointed Chef De Cuisine Matteo Ponti dreams up a progressive menu that pays tribute to his classic Italian roots peppered with personal stories.

Da Paolo's latest outlet, located in the scenic enclave of Dempsey Hill, gathers the best of its concept under one roof – or more specifically, under an overhanging preserved olive tree. The menu changes depending on your time of visit; breakfast is served till 11.30am, where you can have a spicy shakshouka ($29) for brunch. Fresh handmade pasta is also a Scarpa family tradition. Go with the alluring Ravioli di Magro ($27) with sage-infused brown butter, the Gnocchi al Gorgonzola ($29) or the mouth-watering slipper lobster risotto ($37). But save some space for the Naples-style eight Cheese ($37) pizza, where a chef’s selection of cheeses covers a homemade dough that’s fermented for over 72 hours to yield a soft, chewy bite.

Handmade pastas are done fresh at Bar Cicheti's open kitchen. On its seasonal menu are creations like the bucatini cacio e pepe ($28) – thick and hollow noodles are tossed with a fragrant pepper and cheese sauce. Another winner is the squid ink pasta with seafood ($35), best paired with some small plates to share. The wine list is worthy of a shout with mainly Italian labels curated to pair well with your starchy counterparts.

Io has a great many things going for it but perhaps best of all is its array of Italian street stacks. In fact, we’d rather you forego the mains and do it tapas-style, ordering as many appetisers and snacks as you can manage. Among our favourites: stuffed schiacciata (from $7), a comforting sandwich with ciabatta-like crustiness that's slathered with truffle-flecked mascarpone; Rice suppli' ($9), a Roman take on Sicily’s arancini; and moreish globes of olives crammed with minced meat then breaded and fried for a salty-tart-umami flavour bomb ($9).

For a grand Italian feast, there's no better destination to be bound for than Basilico. They're known for their indulgent all-you-can-eat Italian buffets – partake in the Basilissimo Dinner ($98) which presents contemporary Italian flavours on the plate, or the Weekend Brunch Buffet ($128). For a somewhat lighter meal, go for their weekday lunch buffet ($68). 

This tiny restaurant is perpetually packed. Some of that popularity can be attributed to its very reasonable prices – hearty pastas from $28, pizzas from $24. The wood-fired pizzas – crusty, chewy, yielding – largely stick to the conventional Italian playbook. For a taste of Japanese influences, look towards the pasta and cichetti (snacks) sections. Among the intriguing options are: tuna tartare ($32) reinterpreted with negitoro and ikura; whipped bottarga cream and pretzel ($14); and creamy mentaiko and ikura spaghetti ($31).

Set within the lush landscaped gardens of Shangri-La Singapore lies this charming Italian restaurant. Uncover an authentic representation of Southern Italian fare that reminds you of a picturesque seaside town. Impress your guests with the Polpo alla Plancia. Boasting a whole Mediterranean octopus leg (at least 300 grams), it is first steamed till fork tender and grilled over high heat for a caramelised char. Cap off the Italian affair with the Cannolo, you will thank us later.

Garibaldi is a well-respected modern Italian restaurant that sits firmly along Purvis Street. The fashionable and sophisticated atmosphere as well as the stylish bar make this a popular venue to gather. With experienced Executive Chef–Owner Roberto Galetti from Brescia, Italy, calling the shots, it’s no wonder the award-winning restaurant has never failed to attract the crowds – even a Michelin star in 2017. His tantalising menu consists of authentic Italian dishes created from fresh, quality ingredients imported directly from Italy, and it includes specialties like the stone bass in white wine clam broth ($68), crispy breaded veal chop ($78) and linguine with crab meat and vodka sauce ($48).

This Duxton Road stalwart has been doling out Italian dishes to Singaporeans since 2006. Named after Mount Etna, an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, the restaurant showcases the rich agricultural produce of the region. Dig into its linguine al granchio ($28), cooked in a flower crab sauce, grilled yellowfin tuna loin ($36), and other seafood-heavy dishes that showcase what the Italian south has to offer.