The Best Restaurants in CHIJMES Singapore: Casual and Fine Dining in a Historical Landmark
Most people know CHIJMES as an architectural marvel—with its Gothic architecture and ornate details. But for me, this landmark is also a foodie haven because my goodness, the lineup of restaurants is impressive!
Usually, I treat myself to a hearty brunch with savory steak frites, but other times, I’m craving extremely juicy burgers. There are even fine dining establishments here if I’m ever in the mood to splurge!
Out of all the restaurants I’ve tried in the area, here are the best, in my opinion.
Duomo Ristorante
– From: duomoristorantesg
Location: #01-32
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—12 pm to 2 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6589114874
One thing I like about Duomo Ristorante is that it honors old-world Italian roots, so the vibes here are rustic—like you’re dining in the countryside. For that reason, it’s a great spot for a romantic date.
I recommend the taglioni gamberi and limone. The sauce is incredibly buttery and tangy, but the charred sweetness from the grilled prawns balances the flavors out.
If you prefer pizza, the Diavola is worth trying. It has a nice kick of heat from the spicy pork salami, and it’s also super cheesy, thanks to all the shredded mozzarella.
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant has several dining rooms that can be used as venues for special events.
Whitegrass Restaurant
– From: whitegrass.sg
Location: #01-26/27
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6568370402
Curious about what French-Japanese fusion cuisine tastes like? Well, now, with Whitegrass Restaurant, you have your answer! This restaurant has also received a Michelin star, so you just know that dining here is worth it.
The menu here is prix fixe, so you’ll be paying a certain price for a multi-course meal. The last time I came here, the highlight for me was the maple leaf duck breast. The meat was so tender and juicy, and I loved how sweet it tasted thanks to the sauce.
Pro Tip:
- You can host a private event with up to 90 guests here!
Lei Garden Restaurant
– From: leigarden.chijmes
Location: #01-24
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6563393822
Another restaurant that received a star from Michelin is Lei Garden Restaurant. This place specializes in Chinese cuisine, and from my experience, their flavors tend to be delicate and complex at the same time.
I usually get dishes from the chef’s selection. In particular, I love the deep-fried spare ribs because they’re so crispy and just bursting with umami flavors, thanks to the shrimp paste. The double-boiled soup is also great; it’s savory and hearty.
Pro Tip:
- Take advantage of the terrace seating when you can. It feels nice dining with a cool breeze caressing your face.
New Ubin Seafood
– From: newubinseafood
Location: #02-01BC
Operating Hours:
- Monday—5:30 pm to 1 am
- Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 1 am
Contact Number: +6597406870
Craving seafood? Then you need to stop by New Ubin Seafood as soon as possible!
This popular seafood restaurant started as a humble joint on Pulau Ubin, and it specializes in traditional zi char (casual home-style Chinese cooking) with a bit of a modern twist.
I love the mud crab cooked in the classic chili crab sauce. The crab meat is incredibly tender, with a mellow sweetness, while the sauce is also sweet, but this time, it adds a nice kick of spice at the end. I always lick my fingers afterward!
Pro Tip:
- Feeling fancy? You might want to try the restaurant’s Champagne + Brunch Buffet! For a set price, you can enjoy a free flow of food and champagne.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
– From: gyukakutoronto
Location: #01-01
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6563334001
Whenever I’m with friends, we always go to a BBQ spot, and Gyu-Kaku is one of our favorites. This restaurant specializes in yakiniku (Japanese-style BBQ), which means that the meat served is premium Wagyu beef (specifically, A4-grade Wagyu).
The meat pieces are always so tender and juicy, and even without any seasonings or other food pairings, they taste delicious on their own. That said, I still get other side dishes to make my meal more fulfilling. My favorites are garlic fried rice and spicy beef soup (to cleanse my palate).
Pro Tip:
- If you’re overwhelmed with your options, you can choose any of the Big Group Party Menus.
Privé CHIJMES
– From: theprivegroup_sg
Location: #01-33
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—10:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6567760777
Privé is such a lovely spot if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for just a little while. Plus, the menu is full of my favorite comfort foods like burgers, pizzas, and pasta, so I’m always happy and satisfied afterward.
I love the spaghetti aglio olio with roast pork belly. It’s garlicky, savory, and also kind of spicy (you can choose no spice if you don’t like it). The pork belly is also wonderfully roasted, its charred flavor elevating the dish.
Pro Tip:
- Host your special events here—from private birthday parties to elaborate weddings.
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen
– From: ikkoushatoronto
Location: #F1-07
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 8:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563388460
There’s nothing more satisfying than a bowl of hot ramen during a cold day. Whenever the weather is gloomy outside, Hakata Ikkousha Ramen is one of the places I go to first.
This place is best known for its tonkotsu bowls. My favorite thus far is Tonkotsu Black because it has the original tonkotsu broth—rich, hearty, and savory—but this time, fried garlic paste is mixed in, so there’s an extra kick of garlicky goodness.
The noodles are chewy with a slight springiness, and the pork pieces absorb all the flavors from the broth. Ah, my stomach is now grumbling at the thought!
Pro Tip:
- To make your meal more filling, order a side dish. I recommend the gold fried rice. I love dumping the rice into the leftover broth!
Glasshouse
– From: theglasshousesg
Location: #01-03
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 10 pm
Another great spot you might want to check out is the Glasshouse. Most people come here to get a cup of coffee or tea, but there are also filling meals available here.
My favorite thing about this spot is that I can eat breakfast or brunch items for the most part of the day (until 5 pm). So, even if it’s late afternoon, I order the Big Brunch Plate and chow down on the salty scrambled eggs, the tangy tomatoes, smoky charred mushrooms, and savory sausage. Nobody can stop me!
Pro Tip:
- If you’re a big fan of the coffee here, you can get any of the available coffee subscriptions. There’s a subscription for drip bag coffees and another one for capsule pods.
Coriander Leaf CHIJMES
– From: coriander_leaf
Location: #02-01
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
- Saturday—6 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6596180142
What I love about Coriander Leaf is that it honors the unique flavors of various Asian cuisines. For me, dining here is almost like taking a trip around Asia, just without leaving Singapore.
I’m a fan of Nepalese minced chicken momo dumplings. These are just bursting with umami flavors, and the roasted tomato relish and Sichuan peppers add a tangy-spicy note that tickles my taste buds.
Since I love desserts as well, I tend to end my meal with a spiced Valrhona lava cake with teh tarik ice cream. This treat tastes richly sweet, with hints of earthy flavors—almost like an aftertaste.
Pro Tips:
- Planning a party? You can hire this restaurant’s catering services.
- If you’re interested in learning how to cook, you can attend a culinary class here.
- Test your cooking skills by following some of the recipes available on their blog.
The Modern Izakaya
– From: themodernizakaya
Location: #01-18
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562552838
If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant with a casual vibe, then you should stop by The Modern Izakaya. This place is popular among workers who just finished their shift, and that includes me and my friends.
I usually get the katsudon set because it’s so filling. The katsudon is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, and it tastes even better when you pair it with silky, rich eggs. It’s also served with salad, miso soup, and even a dessert of the day, so I’m always satisfied after eating!
Pro Tips:
- If you love oysters, they have a promo where you can get a free oyster if you order a platter of five.
- Before 8 pm (during happy hour), you can score a buy-one-get-one-free promo for the beer!
Analogue
– From: analogueinitiative
Location: #01-31
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 12 am
Contact Number: +6585181882
Analogue is helmed by a team of people who are dedicated to creating a more sustainable dining and drinking experience. To achieve this, they have repurposed dinnerware and used alternative materials for their tables.
I recommend the jackfruit tacos. I know having jackfruit in taco shells may sound odd, but it actually doesn’t taste bad. The texture is very similar to that of meat, and the fruit is also liberally seasoned, so every bite is salty and spicy.
Pro Tip:
- Pair your meal with a cocktail. I recommend the El Mariachi. It tastes fruity and sweet because of the strawberries, but there are also notes of smoky, thanks to the smoked morita.
Renga-Ya House of Japanese Charcoal BBQ
– From: rengayasg
Location: #01-11/12
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—12:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563521966
Enjoy a traditional Japanese BBQ experience at Renga-Ya!
My friends and I love to get the premium Wagyu platter to grill, but there are other options, including pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetables. For side dishes, we order beef garlic fried rice and spicy suji soup to wash down all the grease.
I also recommend giving some of the restaurant’s specialty dishes a try. I love the king prawn mentai because it perfectly combines sweet and umami flavors. There’s also a bit of smokiness to it that I really like.
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant has a semi-private room that can accommodate up to 40 people. If you want to use it for a private event, you can send an inquiry to [email protected].
The Winery Tapas
– From: thewinerysg
Location: #B1-05
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—4:30 pm to 1 am
- Friday and Saturday—4:30 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +6583888850
Boasting a chill vibe and serving delicious finger foods, The Winery Tapas is a great hangout spot. That’s why this Spanish restaurant is on my and my friends’ list of places to go when we have free time.
The Wagyu beef sliders are always my go-to order. I’m obsessed with how juicy the patties are; plus, it has a nice salty-sweet flavor combo because of the cheddar and caramelized onions.
Another tapas I recommend is huevos estrellados, which is made with Ibérico jamón, crispy potatoes, eggs, and caramelized onions. It’s hearty, rich, and salty.
Pro Tip:
- You can host a special event here. If you’re interested, fill out this form.
Harry’s CHIJMES
– From: harryssingapore
Location: #01-14
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 1 am
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 2 am
Contact Number: +6582688307
Harry’s is a popular brunch spot in Dempsey, and it’s one that I really love. So, when I heard that there’s another location in CHIJMES, I was overjoyed!
My favorite from the menu has to be the Drunken Fish and Chips. The fish is perfectly crispy, and the inside is soft and delicate. Dipping the fish into the tartar sauce adds a nice tanginess that I like.
The Guinness beef pie is a must-try as well. The beef filling is slow-cooked, so it’s rich and savory. What a hearty meal!
Pro Tip:
- You can book their catering services for your special event!
Anglo Indian Cafe and Bar
– From: angloindiancafenbar
Location: #01-13
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6568732750
If you’re craving Indian cuisine, you can’t go wrong with Anglo Indian Cafe and Bar. This Indian restaurant has been featured in several trusted media, such as TimeOut and The Straits Times, so you can expect this place to deliver.
Probably to no one’s surprise, my favorite thing to get here is the butter chicken. The sauce is just so buttery and creamy, with a bit of tang that elevates the whole dish.
Don’t pass up the chance to try any of the desserts as well. I recommend gulab jamun, a ball that’s soaked in a sugary syrup. Every bite is a sweet explosion!
Pro Tip:
- If you want to host an event at this restaurant, fill out this form.
Tatsu
– From: tatsugroup
Location: #01-08
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563325868
Sushi lovers will be happy to know that there’s a sushi restaurant in CHIJMES: Tatsu. The great thing about this place is its impressive variety of fish. Most of the fish are also air-flown from Japan, so you know you’ll be tasting the real deal!
My go-to sushi order is the uni because I love how delicate and sweet it is. The spicy tuna roll is another one of my favorites. The rich umami flavor, paired with the kick of heat. I just can’t get enough of it!
Pro Tip:
- This restaurant has a private room that can accommodate up to 10 guests. It’s perfect if you want an intimate gathering with loved ones.