Communal Dining in Singapore: Restaurants With Big Tables and Even Bigger Feasts
PUBLISHED June 29th, 2018 11:00 am
They say nothing brings together people like food does, and if our fond childhood memories of overcrowded tables and a convivial atmosphere is to be trusted, they’re probably right. Now, the question is: which dining spots in Singapore can fit large groups of people, with great food and drinks to boot? Here are 10 excellent restaurants that are perfect for your next big gathering (alas, good company not included)!
mezza9
You’re in for a treat at this multi-concept destination, where a menu refresh across the board sees new set lunches (from $35) with Luk Chin Yang (grilled Thai fish balls) and a majestic Maine Lobster Hot Pot. Alternatively, dinner offerings from the a la carte menu includes a Nuea Yang ($48, Grilled Black Angus beef salad) from the Thai kitchen or refreshing Spencer Gulf Wild King Prawn Cocktail ($28).
For mains, indulge in the Clam and Lobster Bake ($128), loaded with enough Aceh tiger prawns, black mussels, Maine lobsters, and Manila clams for four persons. Like Japanese food? A luxurious platter of premium nigiri and sashimi awaits with the Sushi Kiwami ($98). And if anything else, get a drink from mezza9’s award-winning martini bar and gin tonic bar, complete with more than 30 martinis and 60 gins.
mezza9 is located at Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228211, p. +65 6732 1234. Open Sun-Thu 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm.
SKIRT
Years after opening at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, SKIRT has upped the ante with a brazen shift towards the season’s finest produce and a new Grazing Menu ($68++) loaded with top-notch prime cuts and fresh catches, unabashedly layered with distinct Asian overtones. What’s more, the restaurant’s gorgeous location lends itself to a relaxing meal at the outdoor terrace or inside where the ambience is cosier. For the ultimate communal feast, splurge on impeccable dishes from the ‘Larger Plates’ and ‘To Share’ section of the menu, as the hotel’s Director of Culinary Justin Dingle-Garciyya brings out a gargantuan 800g Cape Grim Butchers Cut Skirt Steak ($169), Baked Black Cods ($79), and Slow-Cooked Lamb Bellies ($78) like you’ve never tried before.
SKIRT – W Singapore is located at 21 Ocean Way, Lobby Level W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098374, p. +65 6808 7278. Opens Sun-Thu 6pm – 11.30pm and Fri-Sat 6pm – 12am.
Super Loco Customs House
The Customs House branch of Super Loco is the place to be when it comes to authentic Mexican sharing plates, awesome margaritas, and electrifying Mexican festive vibes – that’s like Cinco de Mayo every day! Plus, there’s the breathtaking waterfront backdrop of Marina Bay as your group binges on an all-new contemporary menu inspired by the Yucatán Coastal Peninsula of Mexico. Is it a coincidence that the establishment is right by the bay? We think not.
Dishes to try include the Ceviche de Mango ($16), Cerdo ($30, slow-cooked pork belly glazed with chilli and agave), vegetarian Huitlacoche Quesadilla ($16), and the Watermelon Tres Leches ($14) for a milky dessert. And please, order a round of frozen margaritas for the whole table. Read our review here.
Super Loco Customs House is located at 70 Collyer Quay, #01-04, Singapore 049323, p. +65 6532 2090. Open Mon-Thu 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 12am, Fri 12pm – 12am, Sat 5pm – 12am. Closed Sun.
Beach Road Kitchen
Need something to do this weekend? Beach Road Kitchen is the Sunday brunch venue you’ve never heard of, featuring a scrumptious buffet spread (from $108++/adults, $54++/kids) of air-flown European Cheeses, age-old Pizza recipes, Charcoal Grill stations featuring freshly-grilled European fish, as well as a majestic Seafood Room custom-built to hold a range of smoked fish, fresh crabs, French oysters, and Maine lobsters, among others. That, and a spectacular Dessert Showcase spanning across an entire room. During your meal, the restaurant chefs will also pass around off-menu specials such as freshly-baked flat breads, pastas, and cheeses for you to try. Now, how’s that for service? Read our review here.
Beach Road Kitchen is located at 30 Beach Rd, JW Marriott, Singapore 189763, p. +65 6818 1913. Buffet lunch is available Mon-Sat 12pm – 2.30pm, Sun 12pm – 3pm. Buffet dinner is available daily from 6pm – 10pm. An a la carte menu is also available daily from 6am – 10pm.
Myo Restobar 
As far as traditional Chinese cuisine is concerned, Myo Restobar is the hidden gem of Singapore’s CBD. This offshoot of the popular Kia Hiang Restaurant at International Plaza is ready to accommodate large groups of dinners by shunning the usual round tables and opting for rectangular ones instead. What more, dishes like the signature Claypot Organic Chicken ($28) and Gold Foil Dumplings with Assorted Mushrooms($4.80) are great for sharing. Read our review here.
Myo Restobar is located at Lobby 1, #19-01 Oxley Tower, 138 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068906. Open Sun-Fri 11am – 9pm.
Eight Korean BBQ
With two expansive outlets in the city, 8 Korean BBQ is where your meat cravings are satiated. Plus, a large variety of sets make sure your group is well-fed, from the 8 Colours Set (pristine cuts of thick-cut Hungarian pork belly marinated in eight flavours) to the Big Hog Plate – a chunky slab of Mangalitsa pork belly grilled with king oyster mushrooms and onions. The best part is? It’s a full-service joint, so you and your pals can catch up in comfort while the staff grills up your succulent meats. Read our review here.
8Eight Korean BBQ is located at Shaw Centre #04-20/21, 1 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228208, p. +65 90189212, and 6 Eu Tong Sen St, #02-79/90 The Central, Singapore 059817, p. +65 8692 1188. See individual outlets for opening hours.
Sugarhall
Is Sugarhall a bar? For sure, but it’s a bar that also serves up impressive flame-grilled goodness along with deliciously smooth rum and cocktails. Grab your buddies and make your way down before they close for good at the end of July (join their farewell festivities over the weekend of 27 and 28 July!) for scrumptious Steaks (from $44), whole Spring Chickens ($38), and massive Iberico Pork Collars ($46). Read our review here.
Sugarhall is located at 102 Amoy St, Singapore 069922, p. +65 9732 5607. Open Mon-Thu 6pm – 1am, Fri-Sat 6pm – 2am. Closed Sun.
PS. Cafe
What started out as a small cafe accompanying a boutique store is now one of Singapore’s most popular cafe chains for evening meals and weekend brunches. While there are currently eight outlets to its name, the Harding Road, Palais Renaissance, and Martin Road branches remain our favourite for bigger groups due to space and ambience. Go for a heaping pile of their popular Truffle Shoestring Fries ($15) to start – you won’t regret it.
See the full list of PS. Cafe outlets here.
Plentyfull
Bond over good food at Plentyfull, where the food is honest (everything is made from scratch daily with the freshest produce) and tasty as heck. Designed as a place of restoration and informal conversation, their seasonal menu marries artisanal ingredients with local produce in a seamless blend that results in creations like the Organic Eggs Iberico Ham Benedict and Grilled Pork Jowl with squash purée and za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice mix). Read our review here.
Plentyfull is located at #01-79/80 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039596, p. +65 6493 2997. Open daily 11.30am – 10.30pm.
ToriYard
What goes hand in hand with good friends and wind-down drinks? Our answer is the delectable grilled meats and ToriYard, a Japanese yakitori joint nestled in the lush greenery of Bishan Park. Look forward to classic chicken skewers along with beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables cooked to smoky superbness at the open-concept charcoal grill stations specially imported from Japan. Chef Hasegawa Isao’s other specialities include a crowd-favourite Onsen Tamago Cocktail ($17) decadently topped with foie gras, ikura, and uni.
ToriYard is located at 1380 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Bishan Park 2, Singapore 569930, p. +65 9296 5988. Open Sun-Thu 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm.
