Best Restaurants in Singapore’s Central Business District: Where to Go for Lunch and Dinner After Work

PUBLISHED March 6th, 2020 10:00 am | UPDATED February 20th, 2021 08:01 am

The Central Business District of Singapore is home to some of the city’s most dynamic restaurants, cafes, and bars (ladies nights, anybody?), which is good news for all you corporate and creative folks working in the area! With only so much time (and belly space) to spare, make the best use of your lunch breaks and dinners at the best restaurants in Singapore’s CBD!

VUE

Want to know where you can get the best view of Marina Bay? The not-so-secret spot is VUE at OUE Bayfront, Singapore’s first rooftop spritz bar (try the VUE Royale) and restaurant. A dazzling panorama of the city is accompanied by a chef-driven menu that includes binchōtan-grilled meats and seafood. Dishes that stand out include the Norwegian King Scallop prepared au gratin; the 18-month Gruyere De Grotte AOP, a premium free-range duck reared by House Burgaud in Challans; and the “KOKUOU” Emperor A5 Black Wagyu. VUE has also launched their new Business Executive lunch sets, so you know where to go if you need to impress that client. Read our review here.

VUE is located at OUE Bayfront, 50 Collyer Quay, Level 19, Singapore 049321, p. +65 8879 0923. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 2.30pm, Mon-Sat 5.30pm – 10.30pm.

Takayama

Treat yourself to exquisite perfection at Takayama, a kappo-style omakase restaurant that embodies the spirit of omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality from the soul. Helmed by Executive Chef Taro Takayama (who was working in three-star Michelin restaurants in Osaka before he was appointed Master Chef at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Singapore), he continues to delight diners with carefully curated menus that change monthly to showcase the best of Japanese ingredients. Complementing the menu are beverages also curated with the changing seasons in mind. Look forward to seasonal dishes such as Tottori “Nebarikko” Yam with steamed Hokkaido Hairy Crab and Shirako with Winter Black Truffle. Our favourites? Definitely the signature Foie Gras Monaka with seasonal fruits, the A5 Wagyu and Abalone with Uni Sauce. Don’t be shy to ask for sake pairing recommendations as well to complete that meal.

Takayama is located at 6A Shenton Way, #01-09/10 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm, Sat 6.30pm – 10pm. Closed Sun.

Zafferano

Perched 240m above street level with a spectacular view of Marina Bay, the main draw at Zafferano is the fantastic food showcasing innovative flavours and modern techniques to time-honoured Italian classics. Expect a contemporary interpretation of traditional recipes from Chef Andrea De Paola, who also uses prime produce sourced from Italy and the rest of the world. Highlights of their new menu include the vegetarian friendly Carciofo, where roasted artichoke is paired with a creamier-than-usual Yamanashi egg yolk and caciocavallo cheese foam, as well as the Spaghetti with razor clams and  oscietra caviar. Coupled with a vibrant rooftop terrace and warm hospitality, there’s no better place to go Italian in the CBD. Read our full review here.

Zafferano is located at Ocean Financial Centre Level 43, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315, p. 6509 1488. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm, Sat 5.30pm – 11pm.

The Spot

Anyone working around Singapore’s Downtown area will have likely heard of The Spot, the holistic food destination with very social vibes, located in Marina One. It’s an all-day dining restaurant, bar, and cigar lounge all in one! Here, Executive Chef Lee Boon Seng fuses his training in classic French techniques with fruits, herbs and spices of his cultural heritage to bring you contemporary European, South East Asian sauce-centric dishes. In fact, the menu was recently revamped to offer a more complete dining experience, from snacks like Boston Lobster & Iberico Chorizo on crispy pork skin to big plates such as Baked Patagonian Toothfish and Roasted NZ Baby Spring Lamb Rack for sharing. Our choice pick? His Pan-Fried Red Snapper with fragrant green curry and eggplants. Read our review here.

The Spot is located at 5 Straits View, #01-26/27 Marina One, Singapore 018935, +65 6284 2637. Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 11pm. Closed Sat-Sun. 

The Black Swan

Decked out in sleek art deco reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, stepping into The Black Swan is like going back in time to the glamorous 1920s jazz age. Beyond its modern European bistro offerings, the restaurant has ramped up its menu to include a wider beef selection comparable to any classic chophouses. Sourced from the best producers and boutique ranches across the world, cuts include a Kobe Cuisine Wagyu Striploin MB 4-5 and Nipponham Angus Striploin. Looking for post-dinner drinks? Slip upstairs to their intimate cocktail lounge The Powder Room or to their new al fresco garden patio.

The Black Swan is located at 19 Cecil St, Singapore 049704, p. 6438 3757. Open Mon 11.30am – 11pm, Tue 11.30am – 12am, Thu 11.30am – 12am, Fri 11.30am – 1am, Sat 5pm – 1am.

Artemis

Priding itself on quality and sustainability, all meats at Artemis are strictly grass-fed and hormone-free, and they also offer one of the largest selections of vegetarian and gluten-free gourmet dishes in Singapore. Think flavours from coastal Spain, Southern France, Italy, and Greece in plates such as Quinoa “Falafel” with hummus and white cabbage slaw, Australian Lamb Loin accompanied by leek gratin, and Sakura Pork Loin with cauliflower Purée and marinated prunes.

Artemis is located at CapitaGreen #40-01, 138 Market Street, Singapore 048946, p. 6635 8677. Open Mon-Wed 11.30am – 10pm, Thu-Fri 11.30am – 11pm, Sat 6pm – 11pm.

OLA Cocina Del Mar

Hidden away in the Marina Bay Financial Centre is this gem of a Spanish restaurant, headed by Chef Daniel Chavez (himself a native of Peru). Casual and unpretentious, the culinary team at OLA delivers especially well with its Pulpo a la Brasa – grilled octopus with romesco sauce – and signature Cochinillo OLA roasted suckling pig. As regulars from the nearby offices would attest, this casual and lively place is perfect for winding down after a day’s work.

OLA Cocina Del Mar is located at #01-06 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, 12 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018982, p. 6604 7050 . Open Mon-Fri 11.30am – 2pm & 5.30pm to 10.30pm, Sat 5.30pm to 10.30pm.

NUDE Seafood

So named because seafood is nutritious and delicious – NUDE uses exceptional ingredients that are cooked simply and transparently. Built around one-dish meals, look forward to affordable and creative lunch items like Cauliflower Cappuccino and Miso-Walnut Snapper. When dinner comes, think ‘finer’ dishes such as King Prawn Tagliolini and Iberico De Bellota Pork.

NUDE Seafood is located at Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3 #01-02, Singapore 018982, p. +65 6443 1167. Open Mon-Fri 8am – 10pm.

Si Chuan Dou Hua

There’s no spice quite like the numbing peppercorns used in Sichuan Cuisine. Perched way up on the 60th storey of UOB Plaza, this fine-dining restaurant is best known for its mouth-watering and lip-burning delicacies like Chong Qing Diced Chicken with dried chilli and the famous Ma Po Tofu. To add to the excitement, Si Chuan Dou Hua has its own gongfu tea master with Tian Fu Tea Room.

Si Chuan Dou Hua is located at 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624, p. 6535 6006. Open daily 11.30am – 10.30pm (high Tea from 2.30pm – 6pm).

TAO Seafood Asia

Tao Seafood offers the best of fresh seafood and Chinese culinary techniques, building its dishes on traditional, passion, and pride. They source produce from all over the world – think abalones from Australia and Mexico, mud crabs from Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and bird’s nest from Indonesia.

TAO Seafood Asia is located at 12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Singapore 018961, p. 6844 9969. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm. Closed Sun.

Top Image: VUE