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Old Airport Rd Food Centre
One of the great things about eating in Singapore is that the most unappealing-looking places often house the most revered hawkers. This hidden nook boasts Matter Rd Seafood (sign is famously misspelled, but famous for white-pepper crab), Toa Payoh Rojak and much beloved fried Hokkien prawn noodle.
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Original Sin
It must be pretty rare for a purely vegetarian restaurant to have so many ardent carnivorous admirers, but Original Sin's superb creations on an oft-changing menu, coupled with its long wine list and relaxed atmosphere devoid of preciousness have won many meat eaters over - if only temporarily.
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Palm Beach Seafood
There's not a palm or a beach in sight, but the bay views from this split-level, L-shaped diner are pretty good. Groups of suits spin the lazy-susan enjoying 'Herbs & Drunk Prawns' and salt-and-pepper Sri Lankan crab.
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Pasta Brava
This discreet back-street bistro is the place for fabulous homemade pasta. Every table has a white paper sheet over the table cloth and a basket of chalks - doodle away, and if they like your work, it'll get pinned on the wall.
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Peach Garden
For a Chinese restaurant with a view, it's tough to beat this one - and the food and service are immaculate too. Try to reserve a window table well in advance and tuck into superb dim sum, or try the duck, roast goose or lobster noodles.
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Peramakan
Run by a genial couple of cooking enthusiasts, this paragon of homestyle Baba-Nonya cuisine has migrated from its spiritual Joo Chiat home, but the classics such as sambal (spicy shrimp paste) squid and rendang (spicy coconut curry) remain as good as ever.
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Pierside Kitchen & Bar
Pierside's minimalist alfresco stylings earn the Singapore stamp of cool. Mirrored walls double the area the waiters need to cover - they glide around distributing plates of snapper pie, cumin-spiced crab cakes and lobster gumbo to well-heeled diners.
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Projectshop Café
Sit out in the mall to watch Singapore's affluent sashay past, or sit inside the shop linked to the café for a more private setting. Sandwiches and pastas are reasonable, but the real reason to come here is the stupendous desserts. Banana Cream Pie tops our list, or try the key lime pie if you need a serious sugar hit.
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Ps Café
The best of the newer arrivals on Dempsey Rd, this sister restaurant of Paragon's Projectshop Café continues its reputation for fine food and good service with its modern Australian-style menu. It's wildly popular, so book ahead for a seat on the veranda out the back and do not miss the desserts - banana cream and pecan pies deserve particular attention.
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Qun Zhong Eating House
Lunchtime queues conga onto the street for seafood, pork and vegetable dumplings expertly rolled by a crew of old ladies up the back of this shophouse. The red-bean pancake is a knock-out dessert.
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Rang Mahal
Much-praised Indian in sophisticated stone and teak subcontinental surrounds. The vegetarian selection offers silky dhals, while we can confirm the scarlet masala prawns are 'gutsy' rather than 'gusty' as the menu suggests.
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Real Food Daily
The food here is indeed real - browse the chalkboard for delicious breakfasts, organic chicken burgers and wild king-salmon steaks. There's jazz, newspapers, good coffee and a deli out the back.
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Rider's Cafe
There's no more peaceful spot for a meal in Singapore. Part of the Bukit Timah Saddle Club, this old bungalow nestles among the paddocks with only the occasional clop of hoof (and a jazz soundtrack) breaking the silence. Go early in the morning for a perfect breakfast.
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Royal China
An excellent spot for afternoon dim sum, though you'll likely need to reserve a table. Have a light breakfast and fill up on scallop dumplings, crispy duck and lobster noodles.
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Saffron Bistro
Saffron Bistro offers a modern take on classic Indian dishes, its chefs using less oil for a healthier product. The lamb vindaloo will clear the humidity from your nasal passages; the cheesy palak paneer will have a more calming effect.
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Saint Pierre
Saint Pierre serves ultramodern French in a minimalist setting, jazzy tunes resonating around walls covered in alphabetised lists of French cooking ingredients. Try the pan-fried foie gras (goose-liver pâté) with green apples and port sauce, or the excellent two- or four-course set lunches.
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Sakana
Sakana is one of those great little informal eateries you so rarely find outside Japan - super-compact and uncomplicated with tiny screened booths, calligraphic art and rattling racks of sake bottles. Try the set lunch for S$15 .
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Samundar
Avoid the air-con inside and grab an outdoor table, a few beers and order up big from the tandoor menu at this beachside beauty. The North Indian bias suggests it's aimed squarely at the legions of Indian tourists on Sentosa. Features an extensive vegetarian menu.
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Samy's Curry Restaurant
For 25 years, the ceiling fans spun above the banana leaves in this leafy, open-walled, timber-shuttered colonial throwback. Then, as the area developed around them, some genius decided it was time for the timber shutters to go. The food is still magnificent, but much of the atmosphere has gone.
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Sanur
It's hard to ignore Sanur's beef rendang (beef simmered in coconut-milk curry sauce) , a classically-hewn Indonesian indulgence; the fragrant ayam bali (chicken in lemongrass curry) might take your mind off the Fountain of Wealth outside. There's another branch at Ngee Ann City on Orchard Rd.
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Seah Street Deli
Swing back to 1950s US of A at this authentically styled deli serving bagels, Reuben sandwiches, pumpkin pie, pretzels, and 'honest to goodness' burgers. Where are the Happy Days booths?
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Sebastien's
Cosy, relaxed French bistro with a genial eponymous owner, serving up commendable classics such as boeuf bourguignon (pot-roast beef in red wine) and escargot (snails) baked in mushrooms, plus an outstanding collection of cheeses.
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Senso
There are hundreds of Italian restaurants in Singapore, but none can beat this restaurant in a former school for romantic atmosphere. Book a table in the courtyard under the stars for maximum effect (and hope it doesn't rain).
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Shang Palace
Among the best of the city's Chinese restaurants, Shang's sumptuous interior is matched by its Cantonese food. Seafood is a particular specialty, along with classics such as Peking Duck, and there's a dim sum menu if you want the atmosphere without the expense. Book in advance at weekends.
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Shashlik
OK, so the food isn't really Russian, but it does a brave borscht and tender beef/chicken/pork shashliks. The interior is as dated as the waiters who shuffle around behind food trolleys, expertly igniting bombe Alaskas.
