Quick answer: City Hall is where Singapore’s fine-dining scene really struts its stuff. For a blow-the-budget French meal, Odette is the pickup. Jaan gives you killer views with British-inspired plates. Brasserie Astoria feels like a party in a Parisian hall, while Labyrinth twists local flavours into something entirely new. There’s also Whitegrass for serene French-Japanese lunches, National Kitchen for Peranakan comfort with style, and Alice Boulangerie when you need a beautiful bun and a coffee. If you’re exploring beyond City Hall, check out our picks for Orchard Road’s Elite Eats and Culinary Gems in Joo Chiat.
City Hall feeds more than post-museum hunger. The wide corridors of the National Gallery, the hush of a 70th-floor dining room, the old theatre that now smells of flambé—these tables want you to slow down and notice something different. Whether you’re dressed for a tasting menu or just ducking out of the heat, lunch here becomes the main event.
This sits inside Best Food in Central Singapore & the City, alongside 69 related guides.
Odette
Inside the National Gallery, Odette is the French restaurant that snagged three Michelin stars under Chef Julien Royer, and it wears them lightly.
The kitchen works with seasonal ingredients, turning out dishes like kampot pepper-crusted pigeon and inventive desserts by Louisa Lim. A cheese course of artisanal French selections and a deep wine list tie the tasting menus together.
It’s a space that asks you to slow down—soft grey tones, thoughtful pacing, and service that remembers your name. Worth booking for a milestone anniversary or a promotion you’ve been working towards.
This is for the afternoon you decide to take personally. The room feels suspended, and a tasting menu runs like a three-hour conversation—each course a quiet reveal. The cheese trolley alone is an event, and Louisa Lim’s desserts reward the kind of patience you never regret. Book a weekday lunch when you want the gallery at its most unhurried.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, #01-04 National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
Phone: +65 6385 0498
Hours: Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00pm–1:15pm (last seating); Dinner Tue–Sat 7:00pm–8:15pm (last seating). Closed Sun & Mon.
Website: odetterestaurant.com
Price signal: Check with the business for tasting menu prices.
Jaan by Kirk Westaway
Perched on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, Jaan pairs its sweeping skyline with chef Kirk Westaway’s take on contemporary British cooking—a nod to his Devon roots.
Seasonal degustation menus highlight British staples reimagined: a charred leek and potato soup that’s more comfort than ceremony, and produce-driven plates that feel both familiar and smart. The wine list keeps up nicely.
You come for the view, but you stay for the quiet confidence of the kitchen. It’s the kind of place you take out-of-town relatives or a date you want to impress without screaming about it.
Jaan at sunset is a different room entirely. The city lights flicker on mid-course, and suddenly that charred leek and potato soup tastes exactly like the comfort you came for. When someone’s visiting from overseas and you want to show off the skyline without saying a word, this is where you book the window table.
Address: 2 Stamford Road, Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore 178882
Phone: +65 9199 9008
Hours: Lunch Tue–Sat 11:45am–2:30pm; Dinner Tue–Sat 6:30pm–10:45pm. Closed Sun & Mon.
Website: jaan.sg
Price signal: Check with the business for degustation prices.
Brasserie Astoria
Set inside the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Brasserie Astoria revives the glamour of old-world dining halls with a dose of Frantzén Group flair.
The menu hops between hearty European classics and playful touches: Toast Astoria piled with cold water shrimps and trout roe, whisky flambé beef done tableside, and a licorice cream brûlée with tarragon ice cream. À la carte, set lunches, and a bar menu run all day.
It’s theatrical without being gimmicky—a spot that knows how to make a Tuesday lunch feel like an occasion. The bar buzzes well into the night, if you’re killing time before a show.
Between matinee and evening shows, the dining room glows with old-world charm. Slip in for a set lunch when you’re playing tourist in your own city, or stay through dinner for the whisky flambé beef done tableside. That Toast Astoria piled with shrimp and roe makes for a decadent start to an evening that feels borrowed from another decade.
Address: 11 Empress Place, #01-01, Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Singapore 179558
Phone: +65 9619 1567
Hours: Lunch daily 12:00pm–3:00pm (last order 2:30pm); Dinner daily 6:00pm–10:00pm (last order 9:30pm); Bar daily 12:00pm–12:00am.
Website: brasserieastoria.sg
Price signal: Check with the business for menu prices.
Nobody paid to appear here. If you think there is a gap in this list, we would rather hear about it than not.
Whitegrass
Tucked inside CHIJMES, Whitegrass marries French technique with Japanese subtlety under Chef Takuya Yamashita. The room is calm, the pace unrushed.
Seasonal menus build around cross-cultural harmony: a fish course might arrive with Tennouji kabu purée and yuzu, each element precisely placed. The beverage program walks the same line, with sakes and wines that lift the food.
It suits a quiet celebration where the conversation matters as much as the plates. Grab a lunch slot if you want to ease into the experience without the full evening commitment.
Tucked into the CHIJMES courtyard, this is the dinner you book when you want to hear your companion speak. The room is hushed, the plates are precise, and the sake pairing follows the meal like a quiet companion. It suits an anniversary where the conversation is the real guest of honour, and every course builds a bridge between two kitchens.
Address: 30 Victoria Street,#01-26/27, CHIJMES Singapore 187996
Phone: +65 6837 0402
Hours: Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00pm–2:30pm; Dinner Tue–Sat 6:00pm–10:30pm. Closed Mon & Sun.
Website: whitegrass.com.sg
Price signal: Check with the business for seasonal menu prices.
Labyrinth
At Esplanade Mall, Chef LG Han takes the flavours you grew up with and gives them a fine-dining remix. Labyrinth’s one Michelin star is built on Singaporean heritage, not French imports.
The tasting menu walks you through dishes like bak kut teh chawanmushi and bak chor mee with squid “noodles.” Everything is rooted in the hawker centre but plated like it belongs in a gallery.
Come here when you’re feeling a bit patriotic and a bit adventurous. It’s the kind of meal that makes you see lor bak differently for weeks.
When you’re feeling a little patriotic and open to a remix, Labyrinth delivers. The bak kut teh chawanmushi is as clever as it is comforting, and every course nods to a hawker stall you grew up with. Bring a friend who appreciates that fine dining can know its laksa from its lor mee—this is a love letter to Singapore, no French accent needed.
Address: 8 Raffles Avenue, #02-23 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
Phone: +65 6223 4098
Hours: Wed–Thu 6:30pm–11:00pm; Fri–Sun 12:00pm–2:30pm and 6:30pm–11:00pm. Closed Mon & Tue.
Website: restaurantlabyrinth.com
Price signal: Check with the business for tasting menu prices.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon
Inside the National Gallery’s City Hall wing, Violet Oon’s veranda-style dining room serves Singapore’s multicultural soul on a plate—Peranakan, Malay, Chinese, Eurasian, all under one roof.
Beef rendang that pulls apart with a spoon, buah keluak ayam, dry laksa, and plant-based riffs like mushroom pong tay. High tea here means local kueh and savoury snacks, not scones.
Bring your parents when they’re tired of your atas suggestions and just want food that tastes like it should. The setting is grand but the feeling is home.
Bring the family when they’re tired of your experimental picks. The veranda wraps you in nostalgia—dry laksa and beef rendang that pull apart with a spoon, and a high tea that’s all kueh, no scones. A Sunday afternoon here tastes like a grandmother’s kitchen, and the rendang is simply shiok.
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, #02-01 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
Phone: +65 9834 9935
Hours: Daily lunch 12:00pm–3:00pm, dinner 6:00pm–10:30pm; continuous service on Sundays.
Website: violetoon.com
Price signal: Check with the business for menu prices.
Alice Boulangerie
Inside Raffles City Shopping Centre, Alice Boulangerie brings Melbourne-style baking to the city centre. It’s part bakery, part casual European eatery, and entirely a place you’ll end up visiting twice.
Grab a Black Sesame Peanut Mochi Bun or a Matcha Nama Bun from the counter, or sit down for Wagyu Beef Tartare and Aqua Pazza. The pastry selection rotates, and the coffee is serious enough to anchor a long breakfast.
It’s the easy option for a treat that doesn’t need a booking weeks out. Swing by after a shopping run or before a movie upstairs.
The pastry case glows with mochi buns that sell out before you finish your kopi. Duck into the aircon for a quick black sesame peanut bun, then find yourself staying for the Wagyu beef tartare. It’s a Melbourne-style bakery that moonlights as a casual European eatery—the kind of spot where a morning coffee stretches into a long, lazy lunch.
Address: 252 North Bridge Rd, #01-22A Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Phone: +65 8083 5315
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Sun–Thu 9:30am–10:30pm; Fri–Sat 9:30am–11:00pm.
Website: aliceboulangerie.com.sg
Price signal: Check the menu at the shop or online.
How to choose
What separates these spots? Odette and Jaan are tasting-menu-only, heavy hitters built around a single chef’s vision—book them for big celebrations and be prepared to spend accordingly. Brasserie Astoria is more flexible, with daily à la carte and set lunches, plus a bar that runs till midnight. Whitegrass offers a quieter, more meditative fusion experience; Labyrinth is for the adventurous eater who wants a story on every plate. National Kitchen brings bold, shareable comfort food in a heritage setting, while Alice Boulangerie is the casual answer for pastry cravings and coffee. Prices vary widely: a fine-dining tasting menu can run from $200 to over $400 per person before drinks, but always confirm directly. If you’re in the mood for something more casual, our guide to Supper Spots in Singapore covers the late-night side.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Atmosphere | Good For | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odette | French | Elegant, intimate | Milestone celebrations | Essential |
| Jaan by Kirk Westaway | British contemporary | Panoramic, refined | Impressing guests, dates | Essential |
| Brasserie Astoria | European with Nordic/Asian touches | Theatrical, grand | Lively lunches, pre-show meals | Recommended |
| Whitegrass | French-Japanese | Serene, minimalist | Quiet dinners, anniversaries | Recommended |
| Labyrinth | Modern Singaporean | Innovative, narrative-driven | Adventurous eaters, out-of-towners | Essential |
| National Kitchen by Violet Oon | Peranakan, Malay, Chinese, Eurasian | Heritage veranda, familial | Family gatherings, comfort food | Recommended |
| Alice Boulangerie | Bakery, European casual | Bright, buzzy | Pastry fixes, casual meals | Walk-ins welcome |
Nobody paid to appear here. If you think there is a gap in this list, we would rather hear about it than not.
Summary
City Hall packs a lot of dining ambition into a few blocks. Whether you’re after a three-star French tasting in a gallery or a plate of dry laksa on a pretty veranda, the area rewards the kind of meal you plan ahead for. Pick your moment, book early, and dress like you mean it.
Disclaimer: Details can change. Always confirm with the restaurant directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, especially for the fine-dining spots. Odette, Jaan, and Labyrinth often book up weeks in advance. Brasserie Astoria and Whitegrass also recommend bookings. National Kitchen and Alice Boulangerie accept walk-ins but calling ahead is still safer.
Are these restaurants vegetarian-friendly?
Most can arrange vegetarian menus with advance notice. National Kitchen offers plant-based dishes like mushroom pong tay. For others, inform the restaurant when booking.
What is the dress code?
Smart casual is generally the minimum. For Odette and Jaan, some diners opt for jackets. Check with individual restaurants before visiting.
Which restaurant is best for a romantic dinner?
Jaan’s views and Odette’s intimate setting are favourites. Whitegrass also works for a quieter, low-lit evening.
Can I bring children?
Policies vary. National Kitchen and Alice Boulangerie are more relaxed. Fine-dining tasting-menu spots may have age restrictions; enquire directly.
How much should I expect to pay?
Fine-dining tasting menus range roughly from S$200 to over S$400 per person before drinks. Brasserie Astoria’s à la carte and Alice Boulangerie offer lower entry points. Confirm prices with each restaurant.
