You feast with your eyes first, or so the saying goes. While that is normally used to refer to the plating of the dish itself, the ambience of the setting matters too.
Just imagine: the cool breeze, a gorgeous sunset, and the sounds of water crashing around you â all accompanied by a scrumptious meal. It really does not get any better than that. Whether youâre dining with colleagues, family or friends, there is no shortage of restaurants with views in Singapore. Pull up a seat and get comfortable: here are some of our favourites.
Rooftop views
1. Vue
For rooftop restaurants with the best view, it has to be Vue. Why else would the owners choose âvueâ, the French word for âviewâ as their name? True to its name, the sight of the civic district stretching into the horizon is nothing short of breathtaking.
If you love hanging out at rooftop bars in Singapore for a drink or two, weâd highly recommend getting a couple of Les Jardins (S$22) or Kaiser Goblets (S$22) for your pre-dinner drinks at their open-air spritz bar that focuses on wine-based cocktailsâthe first of its kind in Singapore. After pre-dinner drinks, head into the main dining hall and it is here that youâll still get to see the entire Marina Bay area.
To complement its alcohol selection, Vue uses binchotan (Japanese white charcoal) for its grilled specialities, such as the American USDA Prime Ribeye (S$98) and the Japanese A5 Emperor âKokuouâ Black Wagyu Sirloin (S$148). This rooftop dining spot also has a four-course tasting menu (S$228) in case you cannot decide on what to eat. Fancy!
Address: OUE Bayfront, 50 Collyer Quay, Rooftop Level 19, 049321
Opening hours: Monday to Friday â 12:00pm to 2:00pm, 5:30pm to 12:00am, Saturday â 5:30am to 12:00am
2. 1-Atico
Now if youâre looking for an ultra-chic dining experience, 1-Aticoâs the place to be. This multi-concept rooftop dining destination offers not just three distinct dining experiences, but also three different views.
It is nestled atop Ion Orchard â not just a place for shopping for big-name brands â on the 55th and 56th level, which means you get a 360-degree birdsâ eye view of the island city.
The three dining concepts at 1-Atico offer a variety of cuisines and you will be sure to find something that you fancy. There is FIRE which serves Argentinian-inspired dishes (quite a rare find in Singapore), while FLNT specialises in Nikkei-inspired cuisine, a contemporary blend of Japanese and Peruvian flavours. There is also Atico Lounge, great for kicking back with a drink or two.
If we really had to choose, though, we would suggest heading over to FLNT for your first visit, just for their beautifully flaky Gindara Misoyaki (S$48) â a grilled miso cod dish paired with Aji Verde (Peruvian Green Sauce) that is simple, but very well executed by the culinary team to highlight the freshness of the fish.
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #55-01 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: 12:00pm to 11:00pm, daily
Seafront views
3. Stella Seaside Lounge
Unlike what most beachside restaurants bring to mind â extremely sunny, too sandy, perhaps even extremely noisy thanks to all the beach bums around â Stella Seaside Lounge is nothing like that. Hidden along the coast of Changi Beach just behind the National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC), this Bali-esque establishment is the perfect seaview restaurant to chill out and relax in front of a gorgeous view.
Apart from the main restaurant located indoors, it has an outdoor terrace and a seaside deck if you cannot get enough of the cool ocean breeze in your hair. Come evening, the warm glow of the sunset accompanied by the romantic fairy lights really makes you feel like youâve been transported to a paradise island.
Foodwise, youâve got to give their Birria Beef Tacos (S$22) a try. It might look like your standard taco, but a single bite of the slow-cooked beef filling, which is smothered in mole (a traditional sauce used in Mexican cuisine) and soaked in beef consommĂ©, will leave you wanting more. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with enjoying some shucked-to-order seasonal oysters (S$25 to S$40 for 6) by the beach. Just remember to snag a table by reserving early to guarantee a spot among the crowd.
Address: 11 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499740
Opening hours: Monday to Friday â 4:00pm to 10:30pm, Saturday to Sunday â 12:00pm to 10:30pm
4. Panamericana
With an uninterrupted view of the sunset, seaview restaurants do not get more magical than this. It is no wonder booking tables requires a two-month-long wait.
It is located within Sentosa Golf Club, which means no obnoxious obstructions getting in the way of your mobile phone photography sessions to get those #sgsunset Instagram photos. Even if youâre not dining alfresco, the indoor restaurantâs got full-length french windows, which means youâll still get to bask in the sunsetâs rays â just remember to lather up on the sunscreen!
The food is nothing to snuff at either. With dishes from 14 countries across the Americas (hence, Panamericana), youâll be absolutely spoilt for choice. Between the Charred Octopus Tentacles (S$54) and the Peruvian Ceviche (S$32), the Kurobuta Pork Collar (S$54) and the wood-fired Lamb Al Asador (S$67), youâll find yourself struggling to make space for the extensive list of cocktails they offer. Honestly, we do not blame you, we feel the same way too.
Take it from us though, youâd really want a glass of their signature White Wine Sangria (S$25). One word: divine.
Address: 27 Bukit Manis Rd, Sentosa Golf Club, 099892
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday â 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:30pm, Friday to Saturday â 12:00pm to 12:00am, Sunday â 12:00pm to 4:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:30pm
Immersive views
5. Tonito Latin American Kitchen
If you have not heard of Tonito before, well, youâre missing out! A unique food place in Singapore, this Latin American restaurant can only be found in Jewel Changi Airport where it faces the HSBC Rain Vortex. You know, the largest (and grandest) indoor waterfall in the world.
While restaurants near the top of the waterfall might see some crowds, especially on weekends, the outdoor patio space within Tonito has a more intimate setting, especially since itâs surrounded by greenery from the Shiseido Forest Valley. The Forest Valley itself boasts over 60,000 types of shrubs and 900 trees and palms, creating little pockets of space to seek respite within their shade and revel in the magnificent garden view. Thankfully, youâre also allowed to request these seats when making your reservations - remember to book early so that you not only get a good view from the restaurant but also get your belly filled.
Apart from the usual tacos and burritos, Tonitoâs also got dishes like the smoky, drool-inducing Paella de Cerdo (S$28) â grilled Iberico pork and Kurobuta sausages, chickpeas and garlic aioli served on top of a bed of fluffy Spanish rice.
For those who love a good deal and a good time, Tonito periodically offers promotions like a two-course set lunch for S$16.90 or 1-for-1 main menu items, so you can still enjoy the view on a budget. Do remember to check their website before making a booking!
Address: 78 Airport Blvd, #02-248, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819666
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday â 11:30am to 10:30pm, Sunday â 11:30am to 10:00pm
6. Ocean Restaurant
Sleeping with the fish does not sound appealing, but dining with them? Now that is something special.
Ocean Restaurant, located within Resorts World Sentosa, is Southeast Asiaâs first and only underwater dining restaurant. We all know what it is like to have to jostle for space in front of the giant tanks at the S.E.A. Aquarium. Here, youâre given first-class, front-row seats to the massive Open Ocean Habitat.
It might seem like a challenge, trying to tear your eyes away from the majestic manta rays and zebra sharks leisurely gliding through the clear water long enough to eat your food. But with two-Michelin star celebrity chef Olivier Bellin at the helm, have no fear. The food is sure to be a star of its own too.
In line with the oceanarium theme, the menu features only sustainable ingredients â ethically sourced seafood, local produce and home-grown herbs. Depending on your appetite, you could go for the 4-course lunch menu (S$148) or the 6-course dinner menu (S$248), both of which are cooked with a modern European flair for that extra froufrou. If youâd like some alcohol, both menus come with wine pairing at S$78 and S$148 respectively.
Address: Equarius Hotel, 22 Sentosa Gateway, B1M, #B1-455 & 456, Singapore 098136
Opening hours: 11:30am to 3:00pm, 6:00pm to 10:30pm, daily
Who can resist a feast for both the belly and the eyes? Definitely not us, that is for sure. All we can say is make sure to leave enough space in your stomach and your phone gallery when you visit these best restaurants with a good view.
If youâre looking for a different type of view, why not check out our list of hidden beaches for some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets?
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