This contemporary Indian restaurant on the banks of Kallang River is picture-perfect. Here, Yarana prides itself on the vibrant flavours of North Indian cuisine. Much of the menu takes creative liberty though, with subtle influences from Mexico, Thailand, the Mediterranean, and even local fare.
Chef de cuisine Priya Joseph has years of experience under her belt, having spent time at a fine-dining Italian restaurant in Resorts World Sentosa. She’s also an MOE accredited culinary instructor who runs a tight ship at Yarana, with each dish coming out perfectly fine-tuned according to her palate.
Start with appetisers like the battered bang bang cauliflower ($18) or the Spanish-inspired Goan Gambas al Ajillo ($22), garlic shrimps served with toasted pav (fluffy bread). It’s the meats that we truly enjoyed though, with Chef Priya’s specialty being the marinated Kanpur to Singapore lamb chops ($32). Each bite of the fork-tender lamb is a true burst of flavours, especially when paired with the lightly spiced Singapore-style dipping sauce.
Another standout dish is the fish mappas ($22), a Kerala fish curry that goes beautifully with white basmati rice. This coconut milk-laden creamy curry is a guilty pleasure, but one that has us reminiscing over its bold flavours from time to time. If still hungry, Yarana also has a variety of delectable curries including highway chicken curry ($22), Mysore mutton curry ($24), and daab chingri ($26), a Bengali prawn curry that’s served in a whole coconut.
Even the desserts come with a fusion twist, with the Rasmalai cheesecake ($10) taking on the subtle flavours of Indian spices like cardamom and pistachio. Yarana also has a lengthy signature cocktail lineup, to pair with each bite.
As a natural extrovert, owner Sanjay Singh first started Yarana as a space for loved ones to gather. It makes sense – his childhood was spent at a boarding school in the Himalayas where lifelong friendships and lasting memories came about. The idea is simple: he wanted to forge Yarana as a fun space, where friends and families could bond over tasty food in a relaxed environment.
There are both alfresco dining and indoor seating at Yarana. If it’s a breezy evening, make sure to bask in the ambience of the pet-friendly outdoor terrace. Yarana has also recently opened The Private Room. This Bollywood-themed party room fits up to 65 people, and is open for private bookings for you to host everything from reunions to engagement parties. It also holds live screenings, a perfect space to catch live football games or even the F1. And of course, chat with the friendly folks at Yarana to customise a suitable party menu beforehand.
Enjoy quality time with friends and family at Yarana here.