7 Unique Restaurants in Singapore You Must Try

Singapore’s dining scene has always pushed boundaries, from futuristic fine dining to nostalgic eateries that celebrate local culture.

But if you’re looking for restaurants that truly stand out, the kind that turn a meal into an experience, these seven spots represent the city’s most imaginative and memorable venues.

Each of them combines distinct settings, creative menus, and cultural storytelling, making them must-visit destinations for anyone who wants more than just good food; they offer something unforgettable.

1. NOX – Dine in the Dark

At NOX, you won’t see your food at all. You’re seated in a completely dark room, guided by visually impaired hosts. Every course arrives as a surprise, and the goal is to taste, smell, and feel your way through a 12-dish menu.

Each bite is a test of intuition, and once dinner ends, you head back to the lounge to learn what you actually ate. Spoiler: Most people guess wrong.

What to Try

• Smoked duck with truffle mash – most guests think it’s beef until revealed.
• Lemongrass panna cotta with passionfruit jelly – a standout for aroma and texture.
• Beetroot carpaccio with goat cheese mousse – sweet, earthy, and creamy.

2. Ocean Restaurant (Resorts World Sentosa)

Singapore’s only underwater restaurant lets you dine with reef sharks and stingrays swimming past your table.

Every course mirrors ocean life, light, elegant, and beautifully plated. It’s easily one of the most romantic restaurants in the country.

What to Try

• Hokkaido Scallop Tartare – silky scallops with seaweed caviar and yuzu foam.
• Atlantic Cod with Brown Butter Sauce – perfectly flaky, buttery, and balanced.
• Coral Reef Dessert – white chocolate mousse shaped like coral, with raspberry pearls.

3. Absurdities – The Multiverse Dining Show

Absurdities turn dining into a science-fiction adventure. Each of the six courses is served in a different themed room, think neon lights, cosmic sounds, and theatrical lighting.

You literally move between “universes” between dishes.

What to Try

• Molecular foie gras parfait served under black light in the “void” room.
• Smoked salmon with dry-ice citrus foam – eaten while mist rolls across the table.
• Reverse dessert course – served before the main, to disorient your palate.

4. Smith Marine Floating Restaurant

This is Singapore’s floating kelong restaurant, a traditional wooden platform anchored in the sea. You arrive by private boat, catch your own fish if you want, and the kitchen cooks it for you on the spot.

The sea breeze, the creaking wood, and the sizzling wok make it a rare escape from the city.

What to Try

• Catch-and-Cook Steamed Seabass – your own fish, steamed with ginger and soy.
• Butter Prawns with Curry Leaves – golden, crisp, sweet, and aromatic.
• Chilli Crab – their best-selling dish, with mantou buns for dipping.

5. Mama Diam / Lou Shang

Mama Diam brings back Singapore’s old-school kopitiam vibes with a modern twist. Downstairs is a “tuck shop” café serving nostalgic food with creative updates, while upstairs (Lou Shang) becomes a neon-lit speakeasy.

What to Try

• Laksa Pasta – creamy laksa sauce tossed with linguine and prawns.
• Truffle Wanton Mee – crispy dumplings with house truffle oil.
• Kopi-Rum Latte – espresso, condensed milk, and dark rum in a tin cup.
• Bandung Sour Cocktail – rose syrup twist on a whiskey sour.

6. Cavern Restaurant (Mandai Wildlife Reserve)

Cavern Restaurant is Singapore’s first cave-themed eatery, tucked near Mandai Wildlife Park.

Inside, the space glows with amber light and textured walls that mimic natural rock formations. Gentle rainforest sounds play as you dine; it feels far from the city.

What to Try

• Smoked Duck Curry – rich coconut base, aromatic herbs, slow-cooked duck.
• Truffle Rice Paper Rolls – crisp and fragrant, filled with wild mushrooms.
• Lava Cake with Coconut Foam – molten chocolate center with tropical finish.

7. Sushi Airways

Sushi Airways looks like a 1930s airplane cabin, with etal panels, round windows, flight-attendant uniforms, and even boarding passes as receipts. Inside, you’ll find serious sushi craftsmanship paired with playful presentation.

What to Try

• Omakase Sushi Set – chef’s daily selection of 10–12 pieces.
• Aburi Toro Nigiri – lightly torched fatty tuna that melts instantly.
• Truffle Chawanmushi – steamed egg custard infused with truffle dashi.
• Sashimi Platter for Two – perfect for sharing, beautifully plated.

8. Marguerite (Gardens by the Bay)

Marguerite combines fine dining with a botanical atmosphere; you’re surrounded by thousands of exotic plants inside the Flower Dome. Chef Michael Wilson’s seasonal tasting menus highlight local produce, herbs, and edible flowers.

The restaurant even provides a buggy ride from the main entrance and free access to the Flower Dome after your meal.

What to Try

• Morel Mushroom Custard with Pea Emulsion – silky and earthy.
• Grilled King Prawn with Yuzu Butter Sauce – light yet indulgent.
• Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized Onion Puree – the showstopper.
• Tropical Fruit Sorbet with Coconut Meringue – perfect ending.

The Final Bite

Each of these restaurants takes you beyond food; they give you a story to tell.

If you can only pick two:

• Go for NOX – Dine in the Dark for something you’ll never forget.
• And Marguerite for the perfect blend of luxury, nature, and flavor.

But if time allows, make it your mission to try them all, because dining in Singapore isn’t just about eating well, it’s about experiencing the extraordinary.