The holidays are just around the corner and that means a few of our favourite things: gift-giving, gatherings and of course, plenty of holiday feasts. No matter your choice of company, one thing you can be rest assured of is that there’s a festive menu for everyone in town, some with a little gastronomic twist in their favour.
For those looking for some classic Christmas fare, look no further than Voco Orchard’s Opus Bar & Grill. Imagine plates of turkey roasts, glazed ham and indulgent prime ribs. Elsewhere, Dolce Vita at Mandarin Oriental and Goodwood Park Hotel have upped the ante with their exquisite holiday menus. Whilst the former—helmed by chef Roberto Zorzoli—brings us on a sojourn to Italy, the latter gifts us with a local update to festive fare, like a Steam-Baked Turkey stuffed with chestnut, shiitake mushrooms and spring onions, better paired with an aromatic house-made chilli sauce for a spot of heat.
The festivities mean eating well, and there’s no better way to do that than with some delicious grills and beautifully seared meats. Whilst Cote Singapore famously ditches tradition in favour of the smoky spirit of America’s first and only Michelin-starred Korean BBQ, you can always count on local steakhouse hotspot Bedrock Bar & Grill for a good time. Then there’s the always lovely Summerhill. Its Festive Trolley—giving its usual brunch wheels a holiday update—delivering some Provencal charm and delicious food from its quaint little corner of Orchard Road.
So let the good times roll. Read on for Vogue Singapore’s shortlist of the best restaurants to dine out at this festive season.
1 / 6
Summerhill
There are brunches, and then there are brunches. Summerhill’s Festive Trolley serves as the latter. Serving up Christmas decadence and Provencal charm on a platter (or a giant trolley), the delightfully quaint restaurant leans fully into the festive spirit with a Christmas twist to its typical wheel service.
Starting with some warm bread and mushroom and walnut paté you won’t be able to get enough of, a series of delightful plates follow in succession. Think fresh oysters, a hearty bowl of garlic and sage egg drop soup and fork-tender salmon soaked in cream, served with dill and fatty cubes of bacon. At Summerhill, one never gives the chicken plates a miss, and the same goes for its truffle roast chicken. Just when you think you’re done, the feasting continues with some baked gammon ham as well as a humble yet delicious side of petit peas, buttered to perfection. If you can keep going, don’t miss the Aligot, a magnifique bowl of creamy mashed potato, richly elevated with Gruyere cheese. The best part of the experience? The crew at Summerhill are happy to serve you second helpings of your favourite dishes—as long as you can stomach it.
But happiness truly comes to a zenith with its desserts. Inspired by the 13 Desserts of Provence, have yourself at some homemade comforts, from the warmth and simplicity of a citrus-scented Pompe à l’Huile, before visiting the ice cream sundae bar, where you can throw on as much of your favourite toppings together for a jolly good time.
The Festive Trolley is available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Summer Hill, 442 Orchard Rd, #02-17 Claymore Connect, Singapore 238879
2 / 6
Bedrock Bar & Grill
This steakhouse has been an Orchard Road staple since 2008. While it’s positioned just outside 313@Somerset, much of the dining space is tucked away from prying eyes, the cosy, leather-clad furnishings a warm backdrop to hearty mains and delicious sides. Now, its lavish holiday menus offer a one-two punch of sheer satisfaction. The star of their festive spread? The Festive Grandeur Platter, a feast for all the senses.
The exclusive seasonal menu, available for lunch and dinner, features a four-fold spread of exquisite meats: USDA Prime Ribeye, Citrus-fed Wagyu Striploin, Australian Grass-fed Tenderloin and Mangalica Pork Tomahawk—a cornucopia of carnivorous delight. These cuts are accompanied by four sauces purpose-built to amplify their moreish flavours, from a traditional Red Wine Sauce to Bedrock’s own deeply savoury Chilli Oil (a real winner in our books). Of course, no steakhouse experience would be complete without a glass (or three) of wine, so the platter comes with Brothers in Arms’ No. 6 Shiraz Cabernet—well-balanced and accessible, with an enviable depth of fruity flavour. The rest of the platter features their A-list sides, including the decadent Bedrock Mac ‘N’ Cheese, dripping with creamy cheese and topped with a crisp crust, and the Grilled Asparagus, seared just right. Rounding out the experience is a steakhouse classic: the Bedrock Apple Crumble, where a frankly prodigious crunch of walnut streusel awaits atop the tart bite of Granny Smith apples.
Bedrock Bar & Grill, 96 Somerset Rd, #01-05 Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard, Singapore 238163
3 / 6
Goodwood Park Hotel
Goodwood Park Hotel brings a local twist to the classic Christmas feast. A line-up of festive dishes are reimagined through a Singaporean lens, offering a sense of nostalgic familiarity at the dining table. The Steam-Baked Turkey, for one, is stuffed with a harmonious blend of braised chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms and spring onions. It’s best paired with the shallot oil infused yam rice, and the house-made chilli sauce that gives a good kick. It’s an aromatic indulgence perfect for Christmas day.
But that’s not all. The hotel’s rendition of Turkey Pot Pie arrives in spiced style, with tender turkey chunks and sautéed potatoes cooked in a rich curry base before being baked in a buttery, flaky pastry. For a sumptuous side, opt for the hand-wrapped Snowy Nyonya Turkey Buns. Sugar-glazed melon buns are filled with diced turkey breast, egg and spring onion. A bite-sized balance of sweet and savoury inspired by Nyonya-style rice dumplings. To end the night on a truly indulgent note, opt for Goodwood Park’s Yuletide Chocolate Travel Cake–vanilla-spiced apricot compote wrapped in decadent, chocolatey goodness. With a wide array of dishes to choose from, this feast is sure to satisfy the local palate.
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221
4 / 6
Cote Singapore
When it comes to the happy holidays, throw out the rulebook dictating what constitutes a Christmas feast. Turkey and cranberry sauce? Oh yes. Steak and eggs? Go forth. And if it’s the latter you’re inclined to devouring this festive season, Cote Singapore’s offerings include a decadent spread of seven varieties of steaks bundled up specially for Christmas. The meal kicks off with a comforting amuse bouche, a USDA Prime beef bone consommé that warms your belly up for what’s to come. Specifically, a sizeable lineup that spans seven specialty cuts, deftly grilled table side by the charismatic staff. Some highlights include a USDA Prime Filet Mignon, a Skirt Steak, a dry-aged Ribeye that hints of a natural blue cheese aroma, as well as an Australian Wagyu and A5 Ribeye from Kagoshima Prefecture. Meat that is cooked to perfection, centered on Cote’s expertise, whilst paired with their signature Ban-Chan (side dishes) of kimchi, seasoned laver as well as an addictive scallion salad tossed with a tangy gochugaru dressing.
The more, the merrier—so on top of that, festive sides include sweet potatoes with truffle butter, Janchi noodles as well as the smoky egg soufflé to out rival what you’ve had at any other Korean barbecue joint. To cut through all that salt, fat and heat? The Feast of the Seven Steaks concludes sweetly with the restaurant’s signature vanilla soft serve with soy sauce caramel. But before you actually call it a night, adjourn post-meal to the Millim Bar, just outside the restaurant—with inventive cocktails spiked with Korean spirits at the ready.
Cote Singapore, 30 Bideford Rd, Level 3 COMO Orchard, Singapore 229922
5 / 6
Opus Bar & Grill
It’s easy to be utterly spoiled for choice when looking at Voco Orchard’s festive menus. So we’re suggesting to take it easy—simply head over to Opus Bar & Grill, where a lavish spread awaits. While there’s still plenty on offer to pick from, you really can’t go wrong here, from sumptuous buffets and their iconic Christmas Day Mega Brunch to the festive editions of their Local High Tea and Grilled Out Sunday events.
On the big day itself, you’re given even more options. These include Asian delights such as the zesty Lemongrass Wok-fried Mud Crab and shatteringly Crispy Pork Belly; European inventions like the hearty Mediterranean Lamb Pie, an inspired pairing with their Roasted Beef Fat Potatoes; and classic Christmas roasts, a la Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, Honey & Orange Glazed Bone-in Gammon Ham and Roasted Prime Rib. Of course, if you can’t wait, Opus has your back, with high tea and Sunday grill occasions that inject a welcome dose of local flair elevated with a festive touch (Satay Turkey, anyone?).
Opus Bar & Grill, 581 Orchard Road, Voco Orchard, Singapore 238883
6 / 6
Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita’s festive menu takes you on a journey to a cosy Italian home, where warm plates are laid on the table and family recipe dishes are served, continuing the household legacy. For the festive occasion, chef Roberto Zorzoli looks back to Christmases spent in his younger days, crafting a menu filled with childhood favourites.
For starters, the Peperoni ‘Mbuttunati is a dish close to the chef’s heart, reminiscent of festivities back in Italy. Tender codfish is rolled in Napoli bell peppers, paired with mint and capers guazzetto. The Vellutata Di Aragosta also brings back fond memories of families experimenting with seasonal ingredients discovered during trips to the supermarket. You’ll find Canadian lobster chunks served in a creamy vellutata along with kaffir lime, cutting through the richness. No Christmas dinner is complete without a roast. The Roasted Christmas Goose takes centre stage, with delightful sides of apricot and chestnut stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce. For dessert, the Celadon Santa from The Mandarin Cake Shop is a showstopper–lemon pain de gênes layered with refreshing apple-dill and yuzu chantilly. A sweet and citrusy treat you can’t get enough of.
Dolce Vita, 5 Raffles Avenue, Level 5 Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 039797
