From slow-cooked black curries to Jeju pork tonkatsu, here’s where to eat right now.
September’s dining scene in Singapore is buzzing with fresh concepts that span the globe. A tiny 18-seat hideaway in Havelock II is drawing crowds for its 36-hour black curry, while Marina Bay Sands unveils a family-style Chinese restaurant boasting the city’s largest baijiu collection. Over on Boon Tat Street, a new bodega brings Spanish comfort food to the forefront, and a Korean spot in OUE Downtown Gallery reimagines Jeju pork as tonkatsu. Rounding out the roster is a Mediterranean-Japanese fusion bar in River Valley with weekly ladies’ nights. Here’s your guide to the five openings you need to know.
Kuro Kare: Big Flavors in a Small Space
Tucked into the basement of Havelock II, this unassuming 18-seater is packed daily for a reason. Chef Ho Bing Rru and Aidan Wee, formerly of fine-dining restaurant Fleurette, now helm the kitchen at Kuro Kare, where the star attraction is a signature 36-hour slow-cooked black curry served over Japanese rice. Beyond the staple, expect rotating off-menu items like “Siam Tiu chicken wings”—deboned and glazed in a spicy Thai-style sauce—and a clever take on kaya toast featuring seasoned negitoro and avocado between crispy brioche, with a soy-marinated egg yolk on the side. The pair previously ran a more affordable version at SMU, but here, creativity takes the lead.
Address: 2 Havelock Road, Havelock II, B1-32
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-10pm
Le Ju Xuan: Chinese Regional Fare, Elevated
Marina Bay Sands’ lobby now houses Le Ju Xuan, a massive 188-seat Chinese restaurant that replaces the former Blossom space. It’s the hotel’s second in-house Chinese concept, designed as a more accessible, family-friendly alternative to the Cantonese fine-dining spot Jin Ting Wan. The menu spans regional cuisines—from Cantonese to Northern Chinese and Sichuan—with signatures like Marble Goby, Sichuan mapo tofu with sea cucumber, and fresh seafood prepared to order. For baijiu enthusiasts, this is a landmark: Le Ju Xuan carries Singapore’s largest collection of the spirit, with over 70 labels, including rare limited-edition Kweichow Moutai bottles.
Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Tower 2, Level 1
Hours: Sun-Thu, 11am-10:30pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm
Casa Lola: A Barcelona-Inspired Bodega
If FOC Restaurant is your Spanish food go-to, Casa Lola offers a new casual alternative from the same group. Inspired by neighborhood bodegas in Barcelona, the spot serves uncomplicated, flavor-packed comfort food. Start with tapas like crispy plantains with avocado cream and sriracha honey—a Spanish classic with a Latin American twist—or go bold with crispy suckling pig ear and smoked paprika aioli. Mains include garlic king prawns with Spanish Agria potatoes and eggs, a hearty baked macaroni ragù based on Chef Juanjo Carrillo’s grandmother’s recipe, and a seasonal paella. The vibe is relaxed, the dishes are meant for sharing.
Address: 3 Boon Tat Street
Hours: Tue-Sat, noon-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Katsu By Kyu: Jeju Pork, Reimagined
Skip the Korean barbecue tableside routine. At Katsu By Kyu in OUE Downtown Gallery, premium Jeju pork—introduced to Singapore in December 2025—takes center stage as tonkatsu. The cut is denser and richer in flavor, enhanced by a 240-day dry aging process before being finished over rice-straw charcoal. The accompaniments are equally meticulous: premium Korean Samgwang rice, freshly milled on-site each morning, is cooked to order in a traditional gamasot (cast-iron pot) and served with a “rice card” documenting the grain’s origin. Beyond tonkatsu, the menu features himokawa udon (flat noodles) with soy paste or roasted sesame dressing.
Address: 6A Shenton Way, OUE Downtown Gallery, #01-09
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Noor Singapore: Where Mediterranean Meets Japan
River Valley’s latest hotspot brings together Greek honey, olive oil, tahini, labneh, and harissa with miso, Kobe beef, and ramen. Popular orders include tahini gyozas stuffed with chicken shawarma, finished with pine nuts and chili oil, and hamachi tartlets with yuzu labneh over crispy shells. The miso hummus—dressed with white miso, glazed edamame, and a sweet-savory tare sauce—is a must-order, best scooped up with pita bread. The cocktail menu is worth exploring, but time your visit for Wednesday ladies’ night (free-flow prosecco) or Thursday evenings, when kimono and belly dance performances start at 8:10pm.
Address: 17 Mohamed Sultan Road
Hours: Tue-Sun, 5pm-midnight
Looking ahead: Singapore’s restaurant scene shows no signs of cooling down. Whether it’s intimate curry dens or grand Chinese halls, the common thread is a commitment to detail and global influences that keep the city’s food culture vibrant. Book your tables early—these spots are filling up fast.
For more dining inspiration, check out our guide to the best new restaurants in Singapore.