Singapore is a hotpot of flavours from around South East Asia, China, India and Europe, and in a city where eating is an obsession, it borders on impossible to list the top 5 new restaurants springing up across town. In fact, ask anyone living in Singapore on the topic of eating, and opinions abound. Urbanologist Kirsten Hunter will give it a whirl…

Timbre+

A Singapore style food court or ‘hawker centre’, Timbre+ is a modern take on such a national treasure, housing food trucks, shipping containers and food stalls under one roof in an ode to eating, allowing you to sample local and international delights at a whim. Highlights include Portico Platos (Spanish Tapas), Dancing Crab Shack (lobster rolls and shrimp po’boy sandwiches) and Chit Chaat Chai (North Indian Street food) to name a few, all served up in graffiti-painted re-purposed containers and caravans. It’s hot and humid and noisy, but a great way to unwind with a Tiger beer in hand and eat with a trendy, mostly local crowd.

Burnt Ends

Headed up by Aussie Dave Pynt (and backed by well known Chef Andre Chiang), Burnt Ends is an homage to the art of barbecue, an art form in itself; souped-up BBQ’s smoke, roast, and cook with coals up to 700 degree Celsius, enhancing flavours, and making it no surprise that this haven topped lists as one of the best new restaurants in Singapore this year. Highly recommended for a casual evening out with buzzy atmosphere; don’t leave without sampling the Burnt Ends’ Sanger ($20) – one of the best brioche burgers ever.

Wild Rocket

Singaporean chef Willin Low created the term modern-Singaporean cooking. This fine dining gem nestled on Upper Wilkie road, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Singapore, is a beautiful hideaway and the surroundings are only matched by the superior dishes on offer, which play with traditional Singaporean favourites such as Nasi Lemak, and turn them on their head with a modern twist. Every dish is inspired by Chef Low’s childhood growing up in Singapore and we have a bit of a soft spot for the Laksa risotto. Even Singapore’s PM says this is a must go, so who are we to argue?

Open Farm Community

Whilst not entirely new on the scene, Open Farm Community is certainly worth a mention and is a refreshing outpost for a Sunday brunch. Open Farm Community champions farm to table cooking, and you cannot find much fresher than the herbs, veggies and fruit growing in the lush gardens and bounteous orchards surrounding the restaurant. The dishes are simple and rustic taking advantage of the produce in their own backyard. We love the starter of seared tuna with green papaya & jicama salad, fresh coconut & dashi vinegar ($26).

Odette

A French fine dining masterpiece, Odette recently opened at the National Gallery and is one of nine new restaurants to open within the complex, to much acclaim. Chef Julien Royer is at the helm, paying close attention to the provenance of the ingredients, a throw back to his childhood growing up on a farm in France. Paying homage to his grandmother named Odette, Royer uses the purest of ingredients and the decor is open and airy with a glass fronted kitchen to watch the chefs at work. One to book in advance and certainly a spot to impress, try the exquisite tasting menu, then walk off the six or eight courses with a stroll along the Singapore river by night, taking in the illuminated skyscrapers and bustling shophouses as you go.

About Kirsten: Having grown up in Hong Kong and Singapore, she now runs a private office and concierge service for Chinese families visiting or residing in the UK: www.hunterinc.co.uk

Ideal For

Being in the know...