It's time to ditch the kids on a regular basis for date night with The Other Half! We’ve got picks for all palates in our handy round-up of the best restaurants in Singapore for a romantic meal for two…
Romance. Remember that? You know, before the kids stole your figure, your sleep and half the time, your mind? Well, it’s time to take that ALL back and insist from here on in that at least once a month you’ll start drafting in a babysitter (or leaving the littles in the capable hands of yourfabulous helper) to head out for date night. Yep, a whole meal where you don’t have to worry if there are chicken nuggets on the menu. You might even get to speak to your other half about something other than whose turn it is to attend to the wailing three-year-old who should be sleeping through the night by now. We give you our guide to 15 wonderful, kid-free, grown-up date night restaurants in Singapore that serve up a side order of romance. You’re welcome.
The best date night restaurants in Singapore
#1 // Atlas
If you’re looking for a date night that says class, look no further than opulent Art Deco stalwart Atlas (above). And let’s face it – date night isn’t date night unless there’s some kind of alcohol involved. At Atlas, you can get your craft cocktail on AND get a taste of its dining menu that’s oozing with flavour. If you’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday, we suggest checking out its extensive collection of champagnes, gins and other liquor in its collections menu. Worth every penny, we think.
Where: Atlas, 600 North Bridge Rd, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778
#2 // Summerhouse
Dinner under the stars in a dome? Yes, please! The Summerhouse takes romance up a notch with its sweet garden domes thoughtfully situated amongst the wild strawberries and lemongrass. Each geodesic dome is not only air-conditioned but can sit up to eight guests (not that you’d want any around on date night!). Needless to say, reservations are highly recommended before going down!
Where: The Summerhouse, 3 Park Lane, Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore 798387
#3 // Publico
Handcrafted pizza (that you won’t have to share with the kids), pasta, cocktails and all other manner of Italian delights are what you’ll find on your plate at Publico. It’s one of our favourite picks for its chilled vibe, great music, friendly staff and lovely view of the river (for when we’re not busy gazing into each other’s eyes).
Where: Publico, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
#4 // Flutes
If affordable fine dining floats your date night boat, then Flutes is THE place to have on your ‘dinner for two’ radar. The food, the staff, the ambience and the location all make for a top-notch treat that won’t bust a gaping hole in your wallet. In fact, it’s long been our go-to when it comes to the perfect meal sans kids. There’s also a huge wine menu to go along with the extensive and delicious cuisine.
Where: Flutes, 93 Stamford Road (National Museum of Singapore), Singapore 178897
#5 // Lime House
Tired of your usual restaurant haunts and looking for flavours that offer something a little bit different? How does Tribajam curry goat, jerk chicken and Caribbean nachos (using plantain chips) grab you? Head over to Lime House and chow down on seriously good Caribbean feasts aplenty (including vegan options) at this fun and vibrant date night spot. Make sure you leave some space for the spiced banana cake, but don’t let the evening end there: pop upstairs to the Bago Rum Bar to continue the party for two.
Where: Lime House, 2 Jiak Chuan Road, Singapore 089260
#6 // Candlenut
There’s a good reason why Candlenut is the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant – it’s absolutely delish! They’ve taken traditional Peranakan dishes and heightened them, adding new flavours and nuances that never cease to amaze. You’ll find classics like rendang and interesting takes on traditional dishes like the Buah Keluak tart or ice cream. And, if you’ve stuffed yourself full, Dempsey’s a great place to take a stroll around to burn off all the calories after your meal. And yes, it’s an easy-peasy way to get extra hand-holding action while the kiddos aren’t around.
Where: Candlenut Kitchen, 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676
#7 // CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Celeb chef? Contemporary steakhouse menu? Michelin star? Check, check and check! For a steak that really is a cut above the rest, CUT is one of THE best places to go. Offering the finest range of beef selections grilled over hardwood and charcoal, CUT caters to the true steak connoisseur, all while being surrounded by swish decor and a wonderful ‘grown-up’ ambience. Once you’re done with the delish food, prolong the date by heading up to the top of MBS to Spago Dining Room by Wolfgang Puck for a post-dinner cocktail with stunning views over ‘that’ infinity pool and beyond.
Where: CUT by Wolfgang Puck, 2 Bayfront Avenue, B1-71, Galleria Level The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
#8 // Zafferano
Here’s another top pick for steak lovers: over at Zafferano on Sunday nights, there’s an epic feast to be had. Feast on either the 200 days grain-fed Black Angus beef tomahawk or porterhouse, while enjoying the truly scrumptious side dishes and sauces to accompany it. We can honestly say we haven’t tasted a better steak in Singapore, and ALL of the accompaniments were so good that we’re still dreaming of them now. The clincher? You can bring along your fave bottle of plonk with zero corkage charge on Sunday evenings. The views over Marina Bay and the city make this even more of a night to remember. Recommend.
Where: Zafferano, Level 43 of Ocean Financial Centre, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315
#9 // Summer Hill
Slip-on the strappy summer dresses and bermudas; Summer Hill is the secret date night spot you’ll want to keep to yourself. Located in a little neighbourhood in Clementi, chef Anthony Yeoh serves up French comfort food in a quaint outdoor bistro concept. We’re talking lanterns, rustic wooden tables and dinner by lamplight. And yes, the food is TDF.
Where: Summer Hill; Block 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-62, Singapore 120106 (Sunset Way)
#10 // Xiao Ya Tou
“Modern Asian flavours, served with a touch of naughtiness” is how Xiao Ya Tou (XYT) likes to be known, and we absolutely concur. Local dishes are reinvented with slick style and must-tries include drunken flower clams, Xianjiang-style lamb spare ribs, XYT hokkien mee and crispy otak otak rolls. One of our date night favourites.
Where: XYT, 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592
#11 // Nox Dine in the Dark
You know the drill: you have a dinner date in a half hour and the kids have just flung spag bol at your one non-mumsy dress. You didn’t get near a hairbrush and your make-up seems to have been purloined by your five-year-old for a ‘fashion show’ with her dolls. Time crunched mum, much? We hear you, and we think we have just the place… Nox Dine in the Dark. The menu is a closely guarded secret (the whole point is to taste your food with your senses, not your mind). And as far as date nights go, the mystery and intrigue of this one definitely make for a dinner winner. Also, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or that you have no mascara on. Woohoo!
Where: Nox Dine in the Dark, 269 Beach Road, Singapore 199546
#12 // Panamericana
Not only is the view over the coastline of Sentosa a romantic dinner factor at Panamericana, but the delicious cocktails and excellent menu really seal the deal for a fab date night at this relatively new restaurant kid on the block. Kickstart your evening with a Panamericana Sour and savour the smoky delights from the open oven including Colombian chicken, Mexican pork jowl mole and short ribs. South American food, how we love thee. Our advice? Ditch the kids for the night, and make a Sentosa staycation of it!
Where: Panamericana, Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, 099892
#13 // Black Tap
The competition is stiff when it comes to deciding which burger joint has the best burgs in town. But for date night, if you’re looking for casual dining, excellent burgers and craft beers, there’s plenty of buzz around Black Tap. We’ve been there with our own kids, but would definitely head there for an easy, breezy date night, if for no other reason than not having to share those CrazyShakes with the small humans. Check out our review before heading on over.
Where: Black Tap, 10 Bayfront Ave, l1 80, Bay Level, Singapore 018956
#14 // Greenwood Fish Market at Quayside Isle
Seafood lovers, this one’s for you! We’ve been long-time fans of Greenwood Fish Market at Quayside Isle. Think: freshly shucked oysters, Scottish Diver scallops, Boston lobsters et al and the awesome sunset views to boot. This is not a meal to rush (courses can take a little while to arrive) but it’s perfect for a whole evening of unhindered, leisurely dining sans kids.
Where: Greenwood Fish Market Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way, #01-04, Singapore 098375
#15 // Sabai Fine Thai by the Bay
We don’t know about you, but despite our close proximity to Thailand, we struggle to find really authentic Thai food. Step forward, Sabai Fine Thai by the Bay, which not only has scrumptious Peek Gai Sod Sai, Yam Sam Oo and Gang Daeng Neua (stuffed chicken wings, pomelo salad and beef Thai red curry if you prefer) but also has a fine-dining setting right across the bay from Marina Bay Sands.
Where: Sabai Fine Thai by the Bay, 70 #01-02 Collyer Quay, Customs House, Singapore 049323
#16 // Original Sin
One for the herbivores, Original Sin serves some of the best Mediterranean veggie plates in the city — meat, what? Don’t leave without trying its cheesy baked portobello mushroom with pesto and tomato basil sauce (aka the Magic Mushroom), and the Principessa salad with roasted pumpkin, avocado, asparagus, mushroom, tomato, bocconcini and mesclun, with balsamic dressing. Yes, it’s a veggie restaurant, but even if you’re a prolific carnivore, this one will have you fooled. We *may* have tricked one of our own husbands with this pick and he was won over before he’d even finished the starter.
Where: Original Sin, #01-62, Blk 43 Jln Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115
Where’s your favourite restaurant to go to for date night in Singapore? Let us know!
