Not feasting is not an option during the holidays, and if you’ve got to eat, you might as well eat well. There’s no lack of awesome Yuletide meals in Singapore, but here, we’ve rounded up some of the best ones you won’t want to miss out on.
Baba Chews Bar & Eatery
Dishing out a Peranakan Christmas is Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong—for all of us who prefer our festive meals with lots of spice. Enjoy a Tok Panjang of brunch ($38) eats like Turkey Roulade Lo Mai Kai and Yakitori Panggang on December weekends, or go for the more lavish $48 brunch spread on Christmas and New Year’s and their eves. There, expect delicacies like 63˚C Sous Vide Egg, Buah Keluak Waffle and Salted Egg Kaya Macarons. Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 30, #01-01 Katong Square, 86 East Coast Rd.
The Black Swan
For festive gatherings in the CBD, The Black Swan is offering a selection of hearty eats during lunch and dinner with dishes like Foie Gras Parfait, Stockyard Angus Porterhouse and Wakanui Spring Lamb Rack on course menus ($56-62 lunch; $188 dinner for two). Then making it extra awesome on New Year’s Eve, they’re throwing a five-course dinner ($118) featuring Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, Maine Lobster Bisque and 75 Days Dry-aged Ribeye. Dec 20-31, 19 Cecil St.
Brotzeit
A taste of Germany’s Christmas markets has come to the various Brotzeit outlets in Singapore. Expect seasonal eats like veal and venison sausages ($24-26) as well as platters ($136) filled with meats such as beer-marinated roasted pork knuckle, braised veal shank and roasted pork roulade. Of course, why you’ll really want to head to Brotzeit is for the drinks. Try the festive ones like the creamy Weltenburger Barock Dunkel ($98 for a 5-litre keg) and the Glühwein ($12 per glass). Nov 16-Jan 2, various outlets
Food Exchange
Make your Yuletide celebrations extra special on December weekends with brunch ($78) and dinner buffet ($68) offerings at newly opened hotel Novotel Singapore on Stevens’s flagship restaurant. Expect a smorgasbord of Thai, Singaporean, Indian and European cuisine served at live cooking stations, and for more reason to bring the gang, every 4th diner will get a complimentary Chocolate Smashing Dome for dessert. There’ll even be a full-fledged Sustainable Christmas Market going on if you head down on Dec 9. Dec 1-25 weekends, 28 Stevens Rd.
Jamie’s Italian
For festive lunch ($49.90) and dinner ($65.90) sets with a heart, Jamie’s Italian is the place to be. Feel the holiday spirit with a complimentary glass of Prosecco or Berry Blast mocktail upon arrival, then feast on dishes like fresh porcini mushroom soup and Italian flash steak for lunch, or other delectables like herby roasted baby chicken for dinner. After desserts, complete the meal with a shot of limoncello for an additional $5.50. Nov 21-Jan 1, #01-165/167 VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk & #01-01/04 Forum, 583 Orchard Rd.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Open since 1999 in Singapore, Lawry’s has been the go-to place for its fine American cuisine, especially its signature roast beef. This festive season, expect course menus like the A December to Remember ($128), a four-course set that begins with The Famous Original Spinning Bowl Salad, and includes dishes like Foie Gras with Thyme Gelee, Acacia Honey Roasted Chicken, their Signature Roasted USDA Prime Rib of Beef, and more. Extra special courses will be available come Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dec 1-31, #04-01/31 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd.
The Line
You can always depend on buffet restaurant The Line at Shangri-La Singapore for a smashing spread from its 16 theater kitchens offering classics such as roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, Boston lobster and lovely macarons. Opt for the bubbly option to enjoy free flow of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and selected red and white wines with your meals. Dec 1-31, Lower Lobby, 22 Orange Grove Rd.
Marmalade Pantry
The homegrown bistro best known for their delectable cupcakes and gourmet foods is offering a special three-course set menu ($48) for the holidays. There’s something for every palate with choices like butternut squash salad, Chardonnay braised turkey breast and nutella tart. Their daily menu just received an update as well, so be sure to check out their new range of dishes and cupcakes, now upsized and made that much more Instagrammable. The festive menu is available at all three Marmalade Pantry outlets including the one in Orchard. Dec 4-23, #03-22 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Mezza9
The flagship restaurant of Grand Hyatt Singapore recently revamped and this season is the perfect excuse to check out what’s newly in store. On its festive a la carte menu are dishes like braised ox cheeks with port wine and slow roasted turkey breast roulade. Then, turning it up a notch on the eve of Christmas and Christmas Day are a buffet dinner ($148-188) and a tantalizing brunch spread ($188-248) respectively. Be sure to sip on the new gummy bear martini and apple truffle martini as well as check out the new gin bar counter (all martinis and gin at $14). Dec 1-25, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd.
Porta Fine Food & Import Company
Go a la carte or enjoy a fuss-free set Festive Menu ($60) at Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s street level bistro, featuring seasonal dishes like cognac-scented lobster bisque with crayfish ravioli ($16), gravlax of Norwegian salmon ($16), Spanish suckling pig confit ($40), pepper steak served with thick cut fries ($38), and more. Dec 15-16, 22-24 & 29-31, 1/F, Park Hotel Clarke Quay, 1 Unity St.
Racines
Newly opened Racines resides within the equally new Sofitel Singapore City Centre, and if you’ve never been here, you should, if only just to check out their in-house apiary. Its buffet spread uses the housemade honey in some of the items available in their Christmas Eve Dinner ($158-228), Christmas Day Brunch ($158-228) and New Year’s Eve Dinner ($148-178) spreads featuring highlights like honey slow-roasted turkey, mulled wine and barrel-aged cocktails. Dec 24, 30, 31, 5/F Sofitel Singapore City Centre, 9 Wallich St.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia
The full-on, ultimate Christmas brunch ($228) awaits at the swanky Ritz. On the 25th, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom will turn into a festive carnival filled with Christmas carollers, a live band, photo booth, a bouncy castle, an appearance from Santa Claus, and much more. So don’t worry about the entertainment as you feast on glazed ham, baked cod, herb-crusted lamb and unlimited pours of Moet & Chandon NV Brut Imperial Champagne, draft beer, wines and soft drinks. Dec 25, 12-3pm, 7 Raffles Ave.
Rumah Rasa
Fans of Game of Thrones, this one’s for you. With winter fast approaching, Bay Hotel Singapore’s halal Indonesian restaurant is throwing a buffet Feast of Fire & Ice ($58-65 lunch; $78-85 dinner with live BBQ) filled with references to the hit television series. There’s the Dothraki Sea on Ice that’s a generous bounty of scallops, crab claws, mussels and more; the fiery but juicy Drogon’s Fire Oysters; The Wall Carving carvery kiosk; and a homemade Red Wedding Cake for dessert. Once done, head on up The Wall to rooftop bar Propeller, where cocktails like the smoking Mother of Dragons champagne and The Winter Is Coming Flaming Cocktail are going at $18 each. Dec 22-25, 29-31, Bay Hotel Singapore, 50 Telok Blangah Rd.
Saint Pierre
Treat yourself to a sumptuous course dinner at the Michelin-starred Saint Pierre. At both the Christmas Eve Dinner ($288) and New Year’s Eve Dinner ($588), indulge in the freshest produce such as Canadian lobster, Hokkaido scallops and French belon flat oysters, as well as feast on hearty meats like lamb rack and wagyu beef. You can top up $158 for a selection of wine pairings on Christmas Eve, while the New Year’s Eve dinner is already all-inclusive. With picturesque views of the Marina Bay waterfront to boot, be sure to make reservations here early. Dec 24 & 31, #02-02B One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Rd.
Song of India
The only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Southeast Asia is the place to be for a Christmas feast with an Indian twist. The star, Whole Tandoori Turkey Stuffed with Morel Briyani ($136), that has been marinated overnight in spices like Kashmiri chili powder, tandoori garam masala, mustard oil and cumin, is sure to please local palates. For a guaranteed satisfying feast, go for the five- or six-course celebration menus that offers dishes like Tandoori Turkey Kebab, Laksa Chicken Kebab and Lemon Chili Lobster in Kerala Moily Sauce. Dec 18-26, 33 Scotts Rd.
SPRMRKT Kitchen & Bar
Eat and drink well at SPRMRKT’s restaurant (not the McCallum Street one but the one housed within the Singapore Tyler Print Institute) as they dish out a special five-course menu ($86) just for the festivities. Highlights include an amuse bouche of trout confit with vodka chantilly and topped with avruga caviar; a homemade seafood fettucine; and a sous vide and shallow-fried turkey roulade stuffed with spicy satay sauce. Have it with their Unusual Tea Party cocktail ($16), a mixture of Hendrick’s Gin, rose tea, Cerana honey and more. Dec 1-31, #02-01, 41 Robertson Quay
Stellar at 1-Altitude
Nonpareil views 282 metres above the streets and fine foods from Executive Chef Christopher Millar are the only reasons you’ll need to head here for your Christmas Day and Eve dinners ($130; $150 for window seats). Expect a five-course set with dishes like caramelized foie gras, poulet de bresse and gamberi prawn veloute, plus a live carvery station decked with meats like smoked ribeye, turkey and bone-in ham. Dec 24-25, 62/F One Raffles Place
The Summerhouse
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city and head over to the idyllic Seletar area for your holiday gatherings at The Summerhouse, where a pop-up gin and cocktail bar awaits to fill you with Christmas-themed tipples. If you’re there on Dec 10, make a beeline to the Festive Market and shop from local traders and makers. Then on the 24th and 25th, enjoy buffet spreads filled with festive eats for brunch ($78) and dinner ($98). An alcohol option’s available too. Nov 15-Jan 1, 3 Park Ln.
