Whether you are craving for pasta, porchetta or bombolini, here are 25 local establishments to visit when you need to satiate your cravings
We have to thank Italy for birthing some of the most delicious foods in the world, among which are authentic pizzas, luscious pastas and meats as well as decadent desserts. Luckily in Singapore, we have a plethora of restaurants that allow our palates to travel to its different regions—Sardinia for an authentic taste of its “porcheddu” (suckling pig), Naples for its Margherita pizza and Lombardy for its creamy baked mushroom risotto. Passports not required.
Find out the top 25 best places in Singapore where you can savour authentic Italian food.
1. Capasso
Chinatown
ABOVE Capasso
Colombian chef Fernando Arévalo is proud of his Italian roots, as shown in his latest restaurant opened in honour of his late paternal grandfather (who was originally from Castelnuovo di Conza, Italy). The menu is inspired by his food memories growing up in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, where his family and cousins would feast on pasta dishes and the family’s traditional homemade sauce. Pasta features heavily on his menu with creations like the pappardelle tossed with rabbit ragu, parmesan and thyme, and the tagliatelle with fermented mushrooms, datterini tomatoes and basil. But there are also fish and meat dishes, if these are what you’re craving for. More than the food, Capasso is also a destination for imbibers who want to savour some good ‘ol scotch whiskies, wines and cocktails.
Capasso
Address: 92 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048472
Hours
2. Fico
ABOVE Fico
Experience the beauty of Puglia without leaving Singapore at Fico, chef-owner Mirko Febbrile’s ode to his hometown in Italy. Fashioned after a masseria (a farmhouse built on an estate), the gorgeous space comprises a live pasta counter (where you’ll see the chefs making fresh pastas daily) and communal tables which encourage lively conversations over food and wines. Dishes here are made with three to four ingredients only; the signature foccacina, for example, is crafted with 80 per cent semola and 20 per cent flour, and topped with an assortment of toppings such as anchovies, black olives and capers.
Fico
Address: 1300 East Coast Parkway, East Coast Park Area F, Singapore 468964
Hours
3. Caffe Fernet
ABOVE Burrata at Caffe Fernet
The Amalfi Coast in Italy is the inspiration behind this beautifully designed restaurant which overlooks the Singapore River. Enjoy the view as you tuck into an array of modern Italian fare spanning artisanal handcrafted pizzas, pastas and steaks. The cacio e pepe is a standout, as the creaminess of the cheese is offset by the freshly ground black pepper and truffle shavings. The lobster spaghetti is worth ordering too—you’ll get meaty Boston lobster perched atop al dente pasta coated in a decadent lobster bisque sauce, and served with tomatoes, chilli and basil.
Caffe Fernet
Address: 70 Collyer Quay, 01-05 Customs House, S(049323)
Hours
4. Publico Ristorante & Garden
ABOVE Truffle cacio e pepe
The Amalfi Coast in Italy is the inspiration behind this beautifully designed restaurant which overlooks the Singapore River. Enjoy the view as you tuck into an array of modern Italian fare spanning artisanal handcrafted pizzas, pastas and steaks. The cacio e pepe is a standout, as the creaminess of the cheese is offset by the freshly ground black pepper and truffle shavings. The lobster spaghetti is worth ordering too—you’ll get meaty Boston lobster perched atop al dente pasta coated in a decadent lobster bisque sauce, and served with tomatoes, chilli and basil.
Publico Ristorante & Garden
Address: 1 Nanson Road, Singapore 238909
Hours
5. Bar Cicheti
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/barcicheti/
Bar Cicheti specialises in hand-made pasta, and has entrenched itself in Singapore’s crowded culinary scene as one of the best pasta bars in the city. Its new menu further demonstrates its chef’s creativity, without veering far from its ethos. A must-have is the signature stracciatella, which is the culinary team’s unique take on the classic burrata dish. It features a creamy burrata served with sweet heirloom tomatoes, sundried datterini (little dates), microgreens and toasted breadcrumbs. It would be a crime to skip the bowls of hearty pasta. For something different, try the sagna e pezza—short ribbon squid-ink pasta cooked with fresh prawns, squid, clams and passata. If you prefer something more classic, order the agnolotti, a scrumptious dish featuring grass-fed beef cheek that’s been braised for 10 hours in Fondo Bruno and enhanced with parmigiano reggiano. It’s comforting, flavourful, and a delightful way to cap an evening.
Bar Cicheti
Address: 10 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089264
Hours
6. Monti
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/montisingapore/
Must Try
- Squid-ink tagliolini
- Op rib: costata di wagyu
- Acquerello risotto; Bomba di cioccolato/cigar
This Italian restaurant's prime waterfront location overlooking Marina Bay and its accompanying skyline is unparalleled, and the guests that it draws are from the more privileged crowd. Standout dishes include the Acquerello risotto, a truffle-y affair that is tossed in a wheel of parmigiano reggiano; and the “Sanchoku” beef F1 Wagyu striploin with the steak bone in. Save room for dessert and indulge in standard Italian favourites like tiramisu, comprising layers of smoked mascarpone, layered over espresso caviar, tart Morello cherry and pistachio and coffee crumbs provides.
Monti
Address: 82 Collyer Quay, The Fullerton Pavilion, S(049327)
Hours
7. Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
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Must Try
- Fiorentina 1.1kg F1 wagyu MBS 6+ (T-bone)
- Burrata
- Pappardelle with oxtail; Mushroom risotto
Head to this Italian steakhouse for Tuscan-style steaks and authentic Italian fare. Begin the meal with refreshing burrata, accompanied with rocket and tomatoes. Once your palate has been whet, dig into hearty mains, like the seppia spaghetti, squid ink pasta crowned with luxurious lobster and prawns. When it comes to meat, its selection is extensive, ranging from Miyazaki A4 Wagyu striploin to grain-fed Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Go for the F1 Kuroge Washu-bred Wagyu beef, a gorgeously marbled cut that has been grilled until tender and succulent. Be sure to order a side of roasted brussels sprouts. Delightfully crisp and loaded with smoked bacon and whole grain mustard, it’s satisfying in its own right.
Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse
Address: 26 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238970
Hours
8. Art di Daniele Sperindio
If you haven’t visited contemporary Italian restaurant Art’s new home at the National Gallery Singapore, do yourself a favour and book a table soon. Helmed by executive chef Daniele Sperindio, the restaurant serves innovative Italian dishes in the seven-course Italian Tale tasting menu. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list with over 500 Old- and New-World bottles.
Art di Daniele Sperindio
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, 06-02 National Gallery, S(178957)
Hours
9. Basilico
Known for its traditional, hearty Italian fare, a meal at Basilico will transport you to Italy’s greatest cities in an instant. Savour sumptuous Italian favourites such as the risotto alla Pugliese, served with perfectly cooked seafood ingredients, as well as the filetto di manzo, a grilled Angus beef tenderloin dish accompanied with a side of grilled green asparagus, sautéed seasonal mushrooms and parmesan shavings. Cheese lovers should also not miss out on their weekly Formaggissimo Nights, where they will get to enjoy six cheeses paired with specially selected Italian wines and complimentary dessert.
Basilico
Address: 1 Cuscaden Road, Level 2 The Regent Singapore, Singapore 249715
Hours
Web
10. Dolce Vita
PHOTO 1 OF 2 Chef Giorgio
PHOTO 2 OF 2 Barbabietola
View Menu
Diners may not be able to travel the world, but they can indulge in the beautiful flavours of Italy at Dolce Vita. Its name, which means “a life full of pleasure” aptly describes the menu as they will be able to tuck into authentic Italian cuisine, presented with a modern touch. Pastas and pizzas aside, there’s also a mouthwatering agnello (or lamb) on the menu that’s slow-braised to achieve a delicate texture and decorated with carrot confit, creamy potatoes, oyster mushroom. For dessert, the crostata al limone cleanses the palate with its tangy lemon curd and pleasant elderflower-flavoured ice cream.
Dolce Vita
Address: 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Level 5, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Singapore 039797
Hours
11. Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/garibaldisingapore/
One of Singapore’s best known Italian restaurants, Garibaldi offers an extensive menu that features seafood, pasta, meat dishes, and even vegetable-based choices, alongside a stellar drink list of Italian wines and cocktails. A must-order is the beautifully plated cold angel hair pasta with sweet fresh oysters and Carelian caviar; the dish is sometimes served with sea urchin, prawn tartare and caviar. For pasta fans, the Lunghetti Gamberi E – spaghetti aglio olio, with tiger prawns and bottarga, is also exceptionally flavourful. Tiramisu’ di Mamma Bice with the interesting addition of chocolate chips, created using the recipe of chef-owner Roberto Galetti’s mother, makes for the perfect sweet ending.
Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar
Address: 36 Purvis Street, #01-02, Singapore 188613
Hours
12. Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/gattopardo_singapore/
Tucked away along a row of beautiful shophouses, Gattopardo exudes a quaint ambience that complements its fine dining experience. With a seasonal menu showcasing Italian seafood and Sicilian cuisine, the restaurant places importance on fresh and high-quality ingredients, including sustainable seafood, flown in from all over the world. Order the degustation menu for a five-course Sicilian journey featuring agnello, the juicy slow-cooked lamb shoulder with Sicilian caponata and citrus mustard jus, or pesce al sale, which is Gattopardo’s signature salt-baked fish with Sicilian caponata for two to share. Alternatively, you could “leave it to the chefs” with the highly recommended Sicilian omakase menu.
Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare
Address: 36 Tras Street, S(078975)
Hours
13. Oso Ristorante
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/gattopardo_singapore/
For authentic, contemporary Italian cuisine accompanied by gorgeous views, head to Oso Ristorante on the top floor of the Oasia Hotel Downtown. The elegant restaurant features many spaces to entertain and socialise, from the Antinori Room to the Macallan Bar. The menu focuses on seasonal produce. Must-have dishes include the tegamino, a comforting serving of pan-fried eggs with black truffle purée and cheese; risotto with mascarpone cheese and black truffle purée; beef tenderloin steak with minced black truffle on a bed of poached green asparagus. End your meal with the crostata, a freshly baked 72 per cent chocolate tart, paired with luscious homemade milk ice cream.
Oso Ristorante
Address: 100 Peck Seah Street, #27-01 Oasia Hotel Downtown, S(079333)
Hours
14. Otto Ristorante
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Conveniently situated in the Central Business District, Otto Ristorante serves up quality Italian food and hearty hospitality. Acclaimed Italian speciality chef Michele Pavanello helms the kitchen, creating authentic delicacies with a fresh perspective and quality ingredients from his native Veneto region. These include a crispy suckling pig dish, generously lacquered with acacia honey and balsamic vinegar; the Hokkaido scallop carpaccio (when available on the quarterly changing menu); and the seasonal White Truffle menu. The dishes are complemented by a well-chosen list of wines, sourced entirely from Italy.
Otto Ristorante
Address: 32 Maxwell Road, #01-02/03 Maxwell Chamber, 32 Maxwell Road, S(069115)
Hours
15. Terra Tokyo Italian
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/terratokyoitalian/
Inspired by chef Seita Nakahara’s 20-year career in Italian kitchens in Tokyo, Tuscany, Sicily and Piedmont, the cuisine here is as authentic as they get, boosted by a preference for premium seasonal Japanese produce. In tribute to shokubunka (the honour of Japanese food culture), lunch and dinner feature omakase menus–each dish a fresh creation of chef Nakahara to bring out the flavours of hand-picked seasonal ingredients. They are complemented by terroir-driven wines, served via Coravin. Effort in making its own ingredients also shines through in dishes such as homemade tagliolini with Hokkigai clams and grated house-cured bottarga used as garnish.
Terra Tokyo Italian
Address: 54 Tras Street, S(078993)
Hours
16. Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
An ode to Southern Italy, expect to find fresh seafood, handmade pastas and heirloom recipes at Waterfall Ristorante Italiano. Must-try dishes include the vitello tonnato, a popular summer dish featuring poached sliced veal slathered with a creamy tuna sauce; carpaccio di polipo using Mediterranean octopus; and the linguine allo scoglio, tossed generously with prawns, mussels, scallops, clams and cherry tomatoes. Expect warm Italian hospitality and generous pours of wines by the glass.
Waterfall Ristorante Italiano
Address: 22 Orange Grove Road, Level 1, Garden Wing, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, S(258350)
Hours
17. Fiamma
ABOVE Risotto al granchio e ricci di mare (king crab and sea urchin) at Fiamma
The brainchild of chef-owner Mauro Colagreco (Mirazur, three Michelin stars) and helmed by chef de cuisine Antonio Corsaro, Fiamma is an homage to the fresh ingredients of the Italian country and the simple nostalgia of grand family meals. Nestled in the secluded Capella Singapore at Sentosa, you’ll find ultra-fresh antipasti like the amberjack carpaccio beautifully dressed in a basil-saffron vinaigrette and topped with toasted pistachios for crunch alongside hearty salt-crusted branzino in a citrus virgin dressing and smoked tomato. Don’t miss its handmade pastas or risotto, which includes an indulgent risotto cooked in a lobster bisque sauce, served with Alaskan king crab and fresh uni that doesn’t pull back from the umami flavours of the sea.
Fiamma
Address: The Knolls, S(098297)
Hours
18. Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
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Capturing the essence of an Italian grigliata (a barbecue party), executive chef Andrea de Paola brings the heat and char of the flame at Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen, presenting both classic Italian recipes and contemporary styles of cooking that makes this restaurant worth a trip. A highlight is the 100-day aged, barley-fed bone-in ribeye that’s impossibly juicy and perfect for sharing, as well as Pacific tiger prawns that carry the char of the grill while remaining fresh and plump.
Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
Address: 37 Craig Road, 01-01, S(089675)
Hours
19. Altro Zafferano
ABOVE Sole fish, white asparagus and trout roe mugnaia at Altro Zafferano
Located at the top of the Ocean Financial Centre is Altro Zafferano, where you’ll be treated to brilliant views and even better Italian fare. Helmed by head chef Andrea de Paola, the à la carte menu is populated by gems such as the risotto featuring aged Acquerello rice, zucchini, smoked eel and 20-year balsamico, and an MBS 8-9 Yugo Wagyu beef striploin that’s seasoned impeccably and served with blue foot mushrooms and pink garlic.
The pinnacle of Altro Zafferano’s offerings is its Journey tasting menu, which explores the culinary intricacies across Italy’s regions. The Venetian pigeon, for one, pays tribute to one of the most commonly used meats in the Veneto region with pigeon breast and leg cooked to perfection, served in a rich pigeon jus and a black shallot pâté to add depth of flavour to the dish. Don’t miss out on other playful iterations of classics like the “Mamma’s Parmigiana”, which sees fried eggplant moulded into a spherical mould made of tomato water, presenting the classic flavours of eggplant parmigiana into compact spheres.
Altro Zafferano
Address: 10 Collyer Quay, Level 43, Ocean Financial Centre, S(049315)
Hours
20. Forma
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/forma.sg/
Attracting a four-figure waiting list when it opened in 2022, Forma’s handmade pasta offerings are meticulously researched by culinary anthropologists, with an eye on regional variations and specificities. Nestled in a cozy corner on Joo Chiat, you’ll find corzetti stampati, a medieval Liguran pasta shape stamped from beechwood moulds, served with pesto alla Genovese that’s undeniably fresh and aromatic. You’ll also find raschiatelli, a close relation of the more commonly-known orecchiette, tossed in a ragu alla potentina of pork and lamb, then garnished with horseradish, peperoni cruschi, and Canestrato di Moliterno IGP, an aged sheep and goat’s milk cheese.
Forma
Address: 128 Tembeling Road, S(423638)
Hours
21. Amò
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/amorestaurantsg/
It’s almost easy to miss Amò on Hongkong Street, but once you find it, you’re in for a treat. Pulling together the regional delights of Italy, you’ll find delights like the deep-fried calamari seasoned with sumac and a sundried tomato aioli, elevating a typical Italian antipasti. If you’re a meat lover, though, don’t miss out on the Yamaguchi A5 Wagyu striploin, paired with a charred baby romaine for balance and freshness. But Amò is most famous for its pizzas, so make sure to order offerings like the mushroom and truffle pizza, with a rich mascarpone and drizzled with Tuscan pecorino, or the prosciutto and arugula pizza with creamy straciatella and a subtly sweet fig vincotto.
Amò
Address: 33 Hongkong Street, Singapore 059672
Hours
22. Luce by Davide Giacomelli
ABOVE Prosciutto and prosecco at Luce by Davide Giacomelli
One of Intercontinental Singapore’s culinary gems, Luce is chef de cuisine Davide Giacomelli’s homage to classic Italian flavours influenced by his childhood in Sirmione, Italy. Burrata is never a bad choice, and at Luce, it’s paired with heirloom tomatoes, basil, and extra virgin olive oil that best represents the simple yet impactful flavours of Italy. The proscuitto di parma pizza is not to be missed either, made as it is with a traditional recipe of homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella, Parma ham, arugula, and parmesan. And if you’re peckish for dessert, don’t forget to try the “Luce-misu”, Luce’s signature version of tiramisu featuring a mascarpone cream espuma served with espresso syrup, lady finger sponge, and crunchy feuilletine.
Luce by Davide Giacomelli
Address: 80 Middle Road, InterContinental Singapore, S(188966)
Hours
23. Braci
ABOVE Photo: https://www.instagram.com/braci.sg/
Italian for ‘embers’, one Michelin-starred restaurant Braci at Boat Quay will treat you to chef de cuisine Matteo Ponti’s modern reinterpretation of Italian food with his unabashed use of the charcoal oven and the shichirin grill. Its signature degustation menus range from seven to nine courses (and a three-course executive lunch for time-pressed folks), this season’s offerings include delicacies like the “Nascondino”. Meaning “hide and seek” in Italian, the dish features charcoal-grilled firefly squid and white asparagus, hidden underneath a milk blanket of white asparagus. The sweetness of the seasonal asparagus is elevated by its accompanying bagna cauda, a Piedmontese sauce made with smoked sardines, cantabria anchovies, pink garlic and cream, with its powerful umami. For extra indulgence, opt for extras like the Miyazaki Wagyu A5, which is served with Canederlo morel mushrooms, San Marzano tomatoes, and a vermouth jus to complete a decadent dining experience at Braci.
Braci
Address: 52 Boat Quay, Level 5/6, S(049841)
Hours
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Must Try
- Seafood display (oysters and tiger prawns)
- Pasta station, or Carving station
- Ceneri cheese selection
Previously known as Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse, the Raffles Hotel’s refreshed concept for the Italian restaurant is now called Bar & Billiard Room and headed by chef de cuisine Natalino Ambra. A Sicilian native, Ambra’s curation of authentic, produce-forward Italian cuisine includes highlights like the raw red shrimp from Mazara del Vallo, interestingly paired with candied lemon and pistachio, as well as a cacio e pepe ravioli, served with broccolini in a thyme butter sauce for a beautiful fragrance and richness.
Bar & Billiard Room
Address: 1 Beach Road Raffles Hotel Singapore 189673
25. Buona Terra
ABOVE Aged kinmedai at Buona Terra
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Helmed by resident chef Denis Lucchi of Lombardy, northern Italy, Buona Terra's brand of contemporary Italian cuisine reinvents classic ingredients and flavours and turns them into mouthwatering plates that earned it one Michelin star. Because of its commitment to freshness and seasonality, the menu is always changing, but you can be sure that its signatures, like its Mozambique langoustine, will remain on the menu while being continually updated every quarter to reflect each season's harvest.
Buona Terra
Address: 29 Scotts Road, S(228224)
Hours
