3 Best Restaurants in Singapore

For a really special treat, this celebrated eatery by chef Richard van Oostenbrugge of Amsterdam's Restaurant 212 will do the trick, offering pricey but precise and elegant tasting menus. In the convivial, communal setting, you might sit next to strangers. The menu varies from season to season, but the usual fine-dining suspects are in the line-up. Call ahead to nab the best seats in the house: at the Chef’s Table directly facing the open-concept kitchen.

Frangipani perfumes the air as you ascend the steps to this former colonial house among the well-manicured gardens of Fort Canning. The menu, which changes with the season, includes homemade breads and a hearty selection of international dishes, such as seared scallops, pan-fried foie gras, rack of lamb, and lobster. Opt for a seat on the balcony, where you can admire the garden, which twinkles with soft lights at night. The easiest way to get here is to enter the park through the Singapore Philatelic Museum's parking lot.

This contemporary restaurant and Rosé bar on the 70th floor of the Swissôtel The Stamford hotel doesn’t just serve up beautifully plated sharing dishes, it also doles out fabulous views of Singapore (and, on a clear day, Malaysia and Indonesia). The staff’s quiet, attentive service contributes to the elegance, as does the warm, modern decor. The two or three-course lunch sets are varied and good value.