If there’s anything that a true blue Singaporean foodie can’t resist, it’s got to be a good curry. And we’re not talking about the slightly sweet Japanese curries with chunks of carrots and potatoes or the green curries that we associate with the Thais. We’re talking about the sometimes fiery, but always rich blend of spices and aromas of an Indian curry that will whet any appetite!
Here are 10 of the best curry houses and restaurants. If you want more of that spicy goodness, check out our Indian Restaurant Guide too!
1. Aromas of India
Curry connoisseurs know that the best curry houses can be found along Race Course Road, and Aromas of India is no exception to this rule. With cosy décor, an intimate ambience, and wholesome, home-cooked flavours, visiting Aromas always feels like returning home.
Start your meal with the Palak Pakora (chopped spinach, battered, deep fried, and served with mint chutney), before moving onto the Chicken Vindaloo. Need some carbs? These dishes go perfectly with Biryani or Saffron Rice.
Find it at 60 Race Course Road, Singapore 218567
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
2. The Banana Leaf Apolo (Parkway Parade)
Cr: thebananaleafapolo.com
The famed three-shophouse establishment on Race Course Road that is Banana Leaf Apolo needs no introduction. As its name suggests, their menu of South and North Indian dishes come on banana leaves – a tradition that traces its roots back to India. East-siders will also be pleased to know that they’ve opened an outlet in Parkway Parade in February this year!
No matter which outlet you choose to dine at, their signature Apolo Fish Head Curry is always piping hot, with a healthy assortment of vegetables like okra, tomatoes, and eggplant that complement the spicy stew perfectly. And as always, a tall glass of cold, freshly-pressed lime juice is the beverage of choice for such a hearty meal.
Find it at 80 Marine Parade Road, #03-01/02A, Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
3. Punjab Grill
At Punjab Grill, the highlights are always their top-notch tandoori, pakora, naan, and paneer dishes. After all, they are the icons of Punjabi cuisine. If you want to try something new, take a chance on the Saag Gosht. The delicious rendition at Punjab grill features baby lamb and finely chopped spinach. To really amp up your curry meal, order a side of Paneer Tikka Lababdar (cottage cheese in tomatoes and onion gravy) as well as some Kulcha (mildly leavened flatbread, similar to a naan) to mop up all that curry and gravy with.
Find it at 2 Bayfront Avenue, B1-01A Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
4. Rang Mahal
Cr: robbreport.com.sg
Considered the pioneer of Singapore’s Indian fine dining scene, Rang Mahal is a long-standing beacon of traditional Indian favourites as well as contemporary interpretations that will tantalise and surprise. This awardee of MICHELIN’s The Plate 2017 is helmed by Chef Milind Sovani, who spent 5 years in India studying the nuances of Indian cuisine and its spices. He’s also a student of the Ayurvedic approach – one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world – to Indian cuisine.
The result is a plethora of dishes like the spicy Tomato Saar with Mulethi Herb Foam, which boosts immunity and digestion. A must try here is the Parsi Kheema Per Eeda and Maska Bao. The soft maska buns are the perfect vessels for the mild curry of lamb and eggs, and great or cleaning your bowl too!
Find it at 7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3, Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore 039595.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
5. Samy’s Curry Restaurant
Cr: sg.asia-city.com
Located in a colonial building, Samy’s Curry Restaurant has been serving its famous fish head curry for more than 50 years. The décor looks a little like a canteen that’s stuck in time, but the diners that constantly pack this restaurant aren’t there to fill their Instagram feed with pictures (even though we won’t fault you if you snap a few photos). They keep coming back because Samy’s offers hearty Indian food at an affordable price.
Once you’re seated, you’ll get a banana leaf and some utensils. However, we suggest going sans spoon for the full experience. Next comes a scoop of rice – you have a choice of white or briyani – and a serving of vegetables and dhal, before you receive whatever sides and mains you have ordered. We recommend the Fish Head Curry, the Mysore Mutton, and the intriguingly tasty Fish Cutlet (think of it as a fish begedil).
Find it at 25 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249670.
Click here for more information about Samy’s Curry.
6. The Song of India
The Song of India is a 1 MICHELIN Star restaurant that serves refined yet decadent Indian cuisine. Curry fans will appreciate the Lucknavi Lamb Shank or Nalli Gosht (lamb shanks that are slow cooked in yoghurt, spices and fresh coriander until they are fall-off-the-bone tender), as well as the velvety smooth Goan Fish Curry (which has been cooked with tamarind to impart a sweet, tart, yet sour flavour profile that greatly increases the complexity of the dish). If you’d like to try their luxurious take on Indian cuisine, they’ve got options like Lobster Moily (whole lobster pan seared in lemon and marinated with a delicate coconut milk based sauce) and Star Spiced Foie Gras (pan seared foie gras spiced with star anise masala).
To celebrate their 13th anniversary, the restaurant offering a gourmet buffet lunch ($36.90++ per person) from Mondays to Saturdays. Sounds like a good deal? It gets better: every 4th diner dines for free. Take the chance to drag your foodie buddies and check off another restaurant from Singapore’s MICHELIN Guide.
Find it at 33 Scotts Road, Singapore 228226.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
7. Tandoor
Cr: tandoor.com.sg
If you think that all curries are heavy and food coma-inducing, then Tandoor’s summery stews will be a huge eye-opener. They use fresh, sweet mangoes from the Mangalore region in India to make signature dishes like Mango Curry, a tangy, appetising dish. It goes extremely well with a serving of steamed Basmati rice, and is also a perfect accompaniment to heavier dishes like the Bhatti Ka Murgh (Tandoori Chicken) or succulent Fish Goan Curry. Their open kitchen is also a nice touch. Watch the fascinating display of their chefs’ culinary prowess, as they prepare your food in gigantic tandoor ovens.
Here’s some good news for the weekend: Tandoor currently offers an indulgent buffet that serves a wide selection of curries along with various naan bread for $52++ per person.
Find it at 11 Cavenagh Road, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, Singapore 229616.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
8. Omar Shariff Authentic Indian Cuisine
Cr: omar-shariff.com
Just like the other places featured in this list, Omar Shariff definitely knows how to cook a mean curry. We particularly like the Rogan Josh – a dish of Persian origins – that features generous chunks of lamb slow cooked in an aromatic curry, perfumed with a myriad of spices.
Omar Shariff also has a well-crafted vegetarian menu featuring delicious creations like Tandoori Aloo Bharwan (potatoes filled with paneer and marinated in yoghurt masala) and Aloo Jeera (potatoes spiced with roasted cumin).
Find it at 805 Bukit Timah Road, #01-02 Sixth Avenue Centre, Singapore 279883.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
9. Yantra by Hemant Oberoi
Cr: yantra.com.sg
Yantra by Hemant Oberoi is not your typical North Indian restaurant. The flavours and aromas are very much Indian, but the presentation and preparation all come with an unconventional twist. Expect surprising, yet delectable culinary creations like the Chicken Tikka Fondue and the Lucknavi Gosht Lamb Biryani. Curry lovers should definitely try the Martabaan Ka Meat or Pickling Pot Lamb Curry, with some naan on the side. For the stronger of stomach, try the Goat Cheese and Onion Seed Naan. End your meal with a Gulab Jamun Tiramisu or a Sugarcane Sorbet.
Find it at 163 Tanglin Road, #01-28/33, Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG.
10. Zaffron Kitchen
Awarded the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2017, Zaffron Kitchen is known for their extensive selection of curries, snacks, and marinated meats, all perfectly executed and served in hip and modern spaces.
Do what the regulars do: order the Butter Chicken with a side of naan. We particularly love the garlic naan, which has the perfect balance of savoury, crunchy, and chewy. If you still have space for more, The Fish Tikka (made with salmon for a more unique texture) and Mutton Rogan Josh aren’t to be missed either.
Earn 2X Chope-Dollars with the code TASTYBLOG when you book a table at one of these outlets:
