Despite significant industry challenges marked by restaurant closures, Singapore’s culinary landscape proved resilient and vibrant in 2025, welcoming a surge of highly diverse and impressive new dining establishments. Through keen observation and hands-on experience, Time Out’s team identified 16 standout venues from the approximately 60 new restaurants launched this year, celebrating the city-state’s continued role as a global gastronomic hub. This curated list offers diners unparalleled access to cuisines spanning continents—from refined Japanese techniques to contemporary Singaporean flavors—providing actionable recommendations for seasoned foodies and casual diners alike as they navigate the evolving local scene.
The past year presented considerable headwinds for the Food and Beverage (F&B) sector in Singapore, manifesting in the unfortunate departure of several established favorites. This “farewell fatigue,” however, was significantly countered by an exuberant wave of new ventures. In 2025 alone, the market saw an average of five substantial restaurant openings monthly, driven by aspiring entrepreneurs, respected industry veterans, and large international groups seeking a foothold in Asia.
The Global Palate in Singapore
Singapore’s adventurous and cosmopolitan dining public continues to serve as an effective proving ground for a wide array of international concepts. The 16 top selections reflect this global diversity, showcasing culinary styles from nearly every continent and demonstrating exceptional quality, atmosphere, and value.
The list highlights venues that have successfully transported authentic international flavors while often adapting them for the local palate. For instance, Latido, which offers unique Latin American fare like their popular braised rabbit wraps, and Magpie, lauded for its sophisticated, borderless soul food, including Fijian ceviche, exemplify this successful cross-cultural exchange. Italian cuisine saw a fresh take with Scarpetta, impressing critics with its handmade pasta and inventive desserts like olive oil gelato.
Spotlighting Local and Regional Innovation
Beyond the global roster, several establishments championed flavors closer to home, offering compelling reinterpretations of cherished regional dishes.
- Bibik Violet: A more relaxed, accessible alternative to the renowned Violet Oon venues, this spot delivers honest, high-quality, traditional Peranakan cooking.
- Revolution: A reboot of the popular natural wine bar format, this establishment notably incorporates Asian-inspired elements into its lunch menu, featuring inventive fusion dishes such as hua diao white clams linguine and salted egg carbonara.
- Belimbing: This restaurant champions a unique “new-gen” Singaporean cuisine, with highlights like their fragrant nasi ulam, a deeply flavorful dish chock-full of local herbs like ulam raja and ginger flower.
These new entries underscore an exciting movement toward modernizing local and regional culinary heritage without sacrificing authenticity.
The 16 Essential New Restaurants of 2025
| Cuisine Focus | Establishment Name |
| :— | :— |
| Japanese/Noodle | Udon Shin |
| French/Steak | La Vache! |
| Japanese/Meat | Nikuya Tanaka |
| Peranakan | Bibik Violet |
| Fusion/Bistro | Revolution |
| Japanese Fine Dining | Zeniya |
| Contemporary Singaporean | Belimbing |
| Sri Lankan | Station by Kotuwa |
| ‘Borderless’ Soul Food | Magpie |
| Asian Comfort Food | Bon Broth |
| Italian Pasta Bar | Scarpetta |
| Italian/Cicchetti | Casa Cicheti |
| Latin American | Latido |
| Japanese/Casual | Sushi Zushi (Funan) |
| Desserts/Sweets | Sugarra |
| Korean Fine Dining | Modu |
This vetted list provides practical guidance for those seeking new dining experiences this year, whether planning an intimate date night or organizing a large festive gathering. From affordable venues serving fresh, high-quality eats to full-scale splurge experiences, these 16 restaurants represent the pinnacle of Singapore’s newest culinary offerings, solidifying the city’s position as a food destination continually worth exploring. The successful breadth and caliber of these openings signal a strong vote of confidence in the future of Singapore’s dynamic F&B ecosystem.