The local gastronomic scene will slow down for no one. As we pass the midyear mark, more inventive culinary concepts and unique dining destinations are beginning to find their footing on our shores—with a new and exciting restaurant opening every other week or so. Between cosy Italian joints, date night-worthy spots and buzzy Korean addresses, there seems to be something for everyone to look forward to.
We are hardly starved of solid Italian fare in Singapore, but with Giorgio Sorce cranking up on the heat with Fortuna, there’s no question as to where one should be booking in to next if they’re on the search for some artisanal pizza. Meanwhile, Big Wine Freaks offers up a groovy yet sophisticated spot for your next night out. In its name, the contemporary champagne and wine bar promises hours of good fun, with equally delicious fare streaming out of its open kitchen.
Recent months have also seen a boom in modern Korean restaurants, and joining the list are Na-Oh and Odem. Clean, sophisticated flavours are to be expected at chef Corey Lee’s Jurong location. Elsewhere, Odem—which finds itself in Singapore’s newest creative playground New Bahru—puts the focus on one of Korea’s oldest alcoholic beverages: makgeolli. And if you’re in the mood for some elevated fusion food, Camille at 1-Flowerhill in Sentosa serves up a masterclass in French-Japanese cuisine, standing as an ideal date night spot for special occasions.
Ahead of your next gathering or weekend out, look to our list of the city’s latest culinary addresses to dine at, each one promising languid vibes and delectable flavours that are worthy of our dynamic food scene.
1 / 5
Na Oh
You will find one of Singapore’s most prestigious new openings in a fairly unexpected location. Na Oh, a contemporary Korean restaurant helmed by three-Michelin-starred chef Corey Lee, is on the third storey of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre. This glass-walled industrial complex in Jurong might primarily be used for the research and development of Hyundai’s new electronic vehicles, but an unsuspecting visitor will be surprised to find a range of interactive experiences, like a fully robotized smart urban farm (which supplies fresh produce to Na Oh) and a rooftop Skytrack, where you can enjoy a rollercoaster-esque ride in the latest EV.
The crown jewel within the destination is, of course, Na Oh. Lee comes with incredible pedigree, having held top positions at culinary institutions like The French Laundry before opening his own three-Michelin-starred San Francisco address, Benu. In his first Southeast Asian venture, he weaves together a romantic homage to Korean heritage, extending from the menu to the ceramicware.
The food, plated simply but artfully, exudes sophistication, while the flavours in each dish are startlingly clean. Take the refreshing Mulhwe, served in an icy kimchi broth perfect for the summer, or the nourishing Samgyetang, which arrives in grand fashion, taking the form of a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Opt for an iced tea infusion or a refreshing soju highball to wash down the decadent portions. An additional level of cultural immersion comes in the form of a handy glossary on the back of your menu which introduced you to traditional Korean culinary terms, alongside a list of the Korean artisans and designers who created almost every item within the light-filled restaurant.
Na Oh, 2 Bulim Link HMGICS, Level 3, 649674
Enquiries: 6263 1548
2 / 5
Big Wine Freaks
The rising crop of wine bars in the city has a worthy new entrant from Moscow. Step through the doors of Big Wine Freaks’s new Bukit Pasoh venue and you’ll find your senses overtaken by statement design, eclectic music and mood lighting, all of which contribute to a high-octane aesthetic unlike anything else you’ll have seen before in Singapore. Clever space segmentation within the restaurant means you have two distinct seating options: opulently upholstered high chairs at a liquid metal table which sits in the centre of the space, or a moody amphitheatre outfitted with couches to lounge on as you people watch.
While Big Wine Freaks may feel decidedly like a nightlife destination, the food here is not to be underestimated. Every trendy restaurant in Singapore now has a raw bar (or at least a seafood carpaccio on its menu), so it’s no small statement to say that you’ll find some of the best cold seafood plates in town here. Every dish, from the melt-in-your-mouth scallop crudo served with sweet Japanese melon to the ama ebi paired perfectly with kiwi and tarragon, is a hit. Don’t miss out on the caviar-laden French oysters either—we recommend indulging freely in the seafood, especially since it goes so beautifully with the excellent range of wines on offer.
With 500 labels and counting, each sourced from micro-farms dedicated to organic and sustainable farming practices, the wine list has a focus on Burgundy and Champagne. When it comes to mains, the beef rib, paired with confit carrots and served on a bed of sourdough mash, is a solid choice. But if there is one thing on the food menu you must try, it’s the unassumingly named Mushrooms. A luxurious mix of morels, girolles and blue-foot mushrooms charred and sauced to perfection, this savoury smorgasbord will change the way you think about fungi. A gorgeous runny yolk served in the middle lends a final umami touch—you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
Big Wine Freaks, 44 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089857
Enquiries: bigwinefreaks.sg
3 / 5
Odem
Considered the oldest alcoholic beverage in Korea’s history, makgeolli is a must-have when indulging in Korean cuisine. Singapore’s first makgeolli bar, Odem, brings new light to this humble, naturally-fermented drink. With a highly curated selection of over 30 bottles from different parts of South Korea, every bottle here comes from a small-batch craftsman, and is made carefully using local fruits, flowers and top-grade Korean rice. Opt for a makgeolli flight, which will allow you to enjoy a vast array of flavours and textures—from floral and fruity lychee-rose Odem house-brew, to a milky unclarified variety with some alluring funk.
On the food front, the chic restaurant nestled within the lifestyle hub of New Bahru turns out pretty plates of contemporary Korean fare, featuring refined comfort food like a pancake made with fresh, succulent oysters, perfectly marinated barbecued galbi, and indulgent toro kimbap. There is only one dessert on the menu, but it takes up well-deserved real estate. Savoury and complex, the black garlic tart baked with with seasonal berries and served with smoked jujube chantilly cream is a memorable ending to the meal.
Odem, 46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-17, Singapore 239351
Enquiries: 8494 8626
4 / 5
Fortuna
Our city might already be host to a plethora of esteemed Italian restaurants, but Fortuna stands out as the first joint to shine a spotlight on Sicilian-Neapolitan cuisine. In this charming space replete with cosy booths and a skylight towering above, it’s easy to feel right at home. That, coupled with the promise of artisanal pizzas. At the helm of Fortuna’s signature pies, pizza maestro Giorgio Sorce is renowned for his craft to dough-making. Here, he presents a distinctive style that infuses traditional Neapolitan pizza stacked with Sicilian ingredients—to signify the historical unity between Sicily and Naples.
Tuck into iterations that are fried, baked and our personal favourite, Napoletana—made from dough that’s been left to rise for 50 hours through fermentation, before it’s then baked in a wood-fired Valoriani oven. Forming a crust that’s crisp yet chewy, the pizzas go beyond the classic toppings to concoct delectable, well-balanced combinations of prawn, stracciata, pesto and lemon zest. For a umami burst, order the Fortuna that’s plated with truffle, anchovies, olive and mozzarella.
While pizzas are deservingly the star of Fortuna, the pastas do well to hold their own—especially with each plate made à la minute, from seafood bisque to 24 hours slow-cooked ragout. Within, a special ‘1000’ Layers Lasagna stands out, simply for its ability to encompass the crispy bits of a lasagna in this uniquely compressed iteration. Between the paper-thin layers, Provolone cheese and a pistachio pesto converge beautifully to make up a savoury, creamy bite and undoubtedly, a signature to remember.
5 / 5
Camille
A tender exposition of Japanese-French cuisine, Camille has quietly bloomed in an idyllic corner of Sentosa, at 1-Group’s latest multi-concept destination, 1-Flowerhill. As if to mirror the botanical locale it is housed in, a calming palette of cream and beige is the enchanting backdrop for the beautiful installations and artful florals that are scattered throughout its space. This sense of elegance extends into its fare as well, as it discovers a sophisticated convergence of its two cuisines in delectable plates of sheer art.
It’s always a treat to know that you’re eating the season’s finest produce, which you’ll find in starters like the decadent Hokkaido Beef and Tuna Akami Tartare or its sweet Heirloom Tomatoes. While the former certainly serves as an indulgent yet pleasing treat to the senses, the latter dish—served with delightfully creamy goat cheese croquettes and a chilled shiso sorbet—is freshness embodied. For those who prefer to keep things light throughout their meal, the Camille Garden will be a surefire favourite out of the mains, with pan-fried seasonal vegetables, paired with a flavourful celeriac and butternut pumpkin puree, and topped with the delicious crunch of an edible nut soil. Meanwhile, a tasty duck dish awaits in its Magret de Canard—its richness brightened by a marinated plum and heirloom beetroot. Nothing to round out a satisfying meal like an equally punchy dessert, and the Deconstructed ‘Black Forest’ is a real devil in disguise. The glorious dark chocolate mousse beautifully contrasts with a sour-sweet cherry sorbet.
Don’t miss out on the roster of delicate cocktails either—infused with flavours inspired by the four seasons. We’ll recommend the euphoric Seduction in Autumn, that melds a lilting sakura sake with haku Japanese vodka and milk oolong tea. It’s a certified silky treat you won’t be able to resist during your time at Camille.
Camille at 1-Flowerhill, 6 Imbiah Rd, Singapore 099696
Enquiries: +65 9630 1008
