Quick answer: These seven fusion restaurants in Singapore each bring a fresh angle to dining. Candlenut and Cherki give Peranakan food a modern spin, Chifa! mixes Peruvian and Chinese, Morsels plays with fermentation, Nobu does Japanese-Peruvian luxury, Labyrinth turns hawker memories into fine dining, and Empress offers Chinese fusion with a river view. Whether you are planning a date or a family lunch, there is something here that fits.
One of 58 guides in Best Western & European Food in Singapore — worth a look if you are still weighing options.
Cherki
Cherki sits at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, a modern Peranakan spot where nyonya cooking gets a playful, contemporary update. Their Laksa Lobster Linguine is the kind of dish that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner – spicy laksa cream clinging to pasta, a whole lobster tail on top. The Rendang Beef Cheeks come slow-cooked until they collapse under a fork, served with blue pea rice for a touch of colour. Even the cocktails lean on regional spices: the Royal Sultana is a warm, slightly gingery sip that keeps pace with the robust food. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 10pm, closed Monday. 1 Straits Boulevard, #01-02, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore 018906. Phone: +65 6514 8345. Email: [email protected]. cherki.sg. This is for you if you want Peranakan flavours but in a sleek, date-night kind of setting – no frumpy kopitiam vibes here, but the spice is still legit.
Candlenut
Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, hides among the greenery of Dempsey. Chef Malcolm Lee’s Ah-Ma-Kase tasting menu is a love letter to Straits-Chinese cooking – buah keluak wagyu beef that is nutty and deep, sambal petai prawns hitting that sweet-spicy balance, and kueh salat with pandan custard that feels like a refined childhood memory. Lunch and dinner daily; Fridays, Saturdays, and public-holiday eves they stay open till 11pm. 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676. Phone: 1800 304 2288 or +65 6486 1051. comodempsey.sg/restaurant/candlenut. Good for when you need to impress a date or out-of-town relatives who appreciate food with roots and a star. If you are already poking around the area, our Dempsey Hill’s Culinary Crown Jewels list has more spots worth a visit.
Chifa!
Chifa! at Hotel Michael in Resorts World Sentosa celebrates the century-old union of Peruvian and Chinese cooking. Chef Rodrigo Serrano does dim sum with a twist: crab reventado jiao zi – dumplings filled with a spicy Peruvian crab stew – and roasted pork with tamal dumplings and house chilli sauce. Don’t skip the mandarin orange arroz con leche for dessert; it is creamy, citrusy, and unexpected. Lunch Monday to Friday, dinner daily, check the website for weekend hours. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Hotel Michael, Level 1, Singapore 098269. Phone: +65 6577 6558. Email: [email protected]. rwsentosa.com/dine/chifa. This one is for adventurous eaters who have done the usual dim sum rounds and want something that tells a story.
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Morsels
Morsels occupies a rustic barnyard corner of Dempsey Hill, where chef Petrina Loh runs what is essentially a fermentation lab disguised as a restaurant. The Milo Tiramisu with white miso is the sort of dish you will talk about for weeks – it works, we swear. Pork kimchi wontons with jalapeno sauce bring heat and crunch, and small plates like truffled orzo with fermented black beans are layered with umami. Tuesday to Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday till 3pm, closed Monday. 25 Dempsey Road, #01-04, Singapore 249670. Phone: +65 6266 3822. morsels.com.sg. Ideal for anyone who loves eating their way through a chef’s experiments – each plate feels personal and slightly daring.
Nobu
Nobu Singapore sits on the third floor of the Four Seasons on Orchard, bringing that global Japanese-Peruvian magic to town. The tuna sashimi with guacamole and dry miso is a classic, but the F1 Japanese ribeye in anticucho style is a splurge that lands beautifully. Seafood tacos and shrimp lobster in spicy lemon sauce round out a menu that never feels stuck in one tradition. Lunch Sunday to Friday, dinner daily, Saturday brunch. 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 3, Singapore 248646. Phone: +65 6831 7653. fourseasons.com/singapore/dining/nobu. This is the spot when you are feeling a bit atas, maybe celebrating a promotion or just treating yourself to something world-class. If this level of dining speaks to you, our Fine Dining Restaurants in Singapore roundup might be your next read.
Labyrinth
Labyrinth at the Esplanade Mall does “New Singaporean” cuisine with a Michelin star and a sense of humour. Chef Han Li Guang turns hawker memories into fine-dining theatre: a “Ramly” burger with tartare and meringue, oysters served on a miniature hawker table, laksa-infused medai, and cereal prawns reimagined as dessert with rice wine ice cream. Even the bread is coffee-perfumed. Wednesday to Sunday evenings, Friday to Sunday lunch as well; closed Monday and Tuesday. Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue #02-23, Singapore 039802. Phone: +65 6223 4098. restaurantlabyrinth.com. This is for the nostalgic Singaporean who wants to see childhood flavours dressed up – it is clever, never gimmicky.
Empress
Empress overlooks the Singapore River from the Asian Civilisations Museum, serving Chinese fusion in a smart casual style that feels right for a long lunch. The pork sampler platter with char siew and sticky ribs is a carnivore’s delight, while the spicy yuzu halibut in nyonya sauce brings a bright, tangy kick. Vegetarians get love too, with pan-fried Impossible gyoza that do not feel like an afterthought. Monday to Friday 11:30am–3pm, 6pm–10pm; weekends till 11pm. 1 Empress Place, #01-03, Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore 179555. Phone: +65 9172 8984. empress.com.sg. Great for a family meal with a view, or a relaxed dinner where the river breeze and the food both do their part. For something with a different kind of heat, our Thai Restaurants in Singapore for Culinary Indulgence list brings the herbs and spice.
This list is editorial, not advertising. Run something similar? Tell us what you do and we will take a look.
How to choose
Start with the kind of experience you are after. For a polished Peranakan meal with a tasting menu, Candlenut or Cherki are natural picks – Candlenut leans more formal and set-menu-driven, while Cherki feels like a lively contemporary spot. If you want a completely different cultural mash-up, Chifa! and Nobu both marry Asian and Latin influences; Chifa! is more playful and casual, Nobu more luxe. Labyrinth and Morsels each push boundaries in their own way – Labyrinth tells a story through local hawker nostalgia, Morsels through fermentation and funky combinations. Empress is the most relaxed, with generous Chinese fusion plates and a riverfront setting that suits walk-ins and family groups.
Price-wise, expect dinner for two without drinks to run from roughly $80 at Empress to well over $200 at the tasting-menu destinations. Most require reservations, especially on weekends. If you are flexible on timing, weekday lunches are often easier to book and gentler on the wallet.
| Restaurant | Cuisine Fusion | Must-Try Dish | Vibe | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherki | Modern Peranakan | Laksa Lobster Linguine | Sleek date-night | Moderate |
| Candlenut | Michelin-starred Peranakan | Buah keluak wagyu beef | Refined, intimate | High |
| Chifa! | Peruvian-Chinese | Crab reventado jiao zi | Playful, resort casual | Moderate–high |
| Morsels | Progressive Asian fusion | Milo Tiramisu with miso | Rustic, experimental | Moderate |
| Nobu | Japanese-Peruvian | F1 Japanese ribeye anticucho | Luxury hotel dining | High |
| Labyrinth | New Singaporean | “Ramly” burger tartare | Storytelling fine dining | High |
| Empress | Casual Chinese fusion | Spicy yuzu halibut | Relaxed riverfront | Moderate |
Summary
Singapore’s fusion restaurants take familiar flavours and give them a twist you won’t forget. Whether you are chasing a Michelin-starred Peranakan journey, a fermented surprise in Dempsey, or a Peruvian dim sum lunch, there is a table waiting. Pick the mood, book ahead, and let the kitchen do the rest.
All information provided here has been compiled from publicly available sources. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, details may change. Please confirm directly with the business before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is fusion cuisine?
Fusion cuisine blends ingredients, techniques, or traditions from two or more different cultures into a single dish or menu. It can be as straightforward as laksa sauce on pasta or as layered as Japanese-Peruvian tasting menus.
Do I need to make a reservation at these restaurants?
Yes, most of them strongly recommend reservations, especially for dinner and weekends. Walk-ins are sometimes possible at Empress or Cherki on quieter days, but it is safer to book ahead.
Are there vegetarian options at fusion restaurants?
Several of them can accommodate vegetarians. Empress serves pan-fried Impossible gyoza, and Morsels often has vegetable-forward small plates. Always let the restaurant know when you book, as tasting-menu formats may need advance notice.
Which fusion restaurant is most budget-friendly?
Empress tends to be the gentlest on the wallet, with generous sharing plates in a casual setting. Cherki and Morsels also fall into a moderate range, while Candlenut, Nobu, and Labyrinth command higher prices for their tasting menus.
What should I wear to these places?
Smart casual is a safe bet for most. Nobu and Candlenut lean a little dressier, while Empress and Chifa! are more relaxed. No one will mind jeans as long as you leave the flip-flops and singlets at home.
Can I bring children to these restaurants?
Empress and Chifa! are the most family-friendly, with spacious dining rooms and flexible menus. Labyrinth and Candlenut, with their structured tasting experiences, are better suited for older kids who are comfortable at the table for a couple of hours.
