6 Best Indian restaurants to try in Singapore

Curry, Spice & Everything Nice: 6 Best Indian restaurants to try in Singapore

Sarah Khan

23 Sep 2016

updated the 26 September 2016 à 11:18

1/6
Rang Mahal
Located at Pan Pacific Hotel, Rang Mahal offers upscale Indian cuisine in an elegant ambience. With its elevated, gourmet versions of North Indian cuisine, attentive staff, and great wine selection, it's not hard to see why it's well-regarded in the Singaporean Indian culinary scene.

While some people ardently believe that the best Asian food are not in the upscale establishments but nestled in the local food vendors in the streets, Rang Mahal's truly exquisite gourmet interpretation of North Indian cuisine does not compromise on that classic Indian flavour (how does sizzling hot, griddled Tava Scallops drizzled in a classic green chilli and coconut gravy, pictured left, sound?)

Its menu also experiments with Indian fusion foods, like its Espresso and Anjeer Kulfi. The restaurant also features a great-value buffet lunch, with live cooking stations, daily (except Saturday).

Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595

Photo: Rang Mahal
2/6
Punjab Grill
Owned by celebrity chef Jiggs Kalra, his restaurant of the same name in India has won numerous culinary accolades for its gourmet versions of traditional Punjabi cuisine. His best-selling dishes include delectable options like the Tandoori Lobster, Tandoori Duck, Salmon Tikka and four different types of Kebab.

Besides its great culinary options, the restaurant's decor, reminiscent of the regal splendour of India's Maharajas is definitely worth a mention. Diners have the choice between the a la carte menu or indulging in a five course feast.

2 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-01A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Photo: Punjab Grill
3/6
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant
A favourite among Singaporeans, Khansama regularly draws long crowds. Located at the heart of Little India, it attracts both locals and tourists sightseeing in the area alike. With its relatively decent prices (at approximately SGD24/pax), good service and great food, it's not hard to see why it continues to be a favourite among Singaporeans, with many claiming it is one of the best places for North Indian food here.
Their 'must-try' dishes include butter chicken, the Naan Basket (in particular, the cheese naan), mutton korma, palak paneer, lamb rogan josh, and of course, masala tea. Diners have the option of choosing different 'heat levels' on ther dishes, and they also have non-spicy food options for those that might not be as hardy with all things spicy.
166 Serangoon Road. Singapore 218050
Photo: Khansama Tandoori Restaurant Facebook
4/6
Banana Leaf Apolo
As its name suggests, Banana Leaf Apollo uses banana leaves instead of plates as its serving dish. A true local favourite even among stiff competition with other establishments along Race Course Road, this vibrant and bustling eatery has been serving up both North and South Indian dishes and drawing large crowds since 1974.

Best-selling dishes to try are the classic and popular Fish Head Curry, generously served with a banana leaf complete with rice and vegetables (only priced at SGD8), and the famous saccharine-sweet Gulab Jamun served with rose syrup and crushed pistachios. Definitely a must visit for an affordable, yet immensely hearty Indian food fix.

54 Race Course Road

Photo: Banana Leaf Apolo
5/6
Madras Woodlands
Madras Woodlands is a vegetarian restaurant offering South Indian dishes. Its best-selling dishes include iddly, vadai, dosai, gobi manchurian and also a mock-meat option. It prides itself on its freshly-made, authentic and traditional approach to South Indian cooking, and on its use of classic Indian herbs and spices.
Though without the upscale ambience of the other establishments like Rang Mahal or Punjab Grill, Madras Woodlands definitely offers the authentic South Indian food experience that many might prefer and is a great option for both vegetarians and those seeking classic South Indian munches.
1 Cuff Road
Photo: Madras Woodlands Facebook
6/6
The Tiffin Room
The Tiffin Room at the iconic Raffles Hotel specialises in North Indian cuisine with an extensive curry menu from prawn, chicken, lamb to vegetarian curry. Set in a unique colonial-style setting, it gets its name from the colonial tradition of Sunday 'tiffin' curry ('tiffin' translates to 'light mid-day meal). Truly, its white tablecloths, teak tables, glistening silverware and waiters clad in smart white jackets gives you a glimpse into that era of Singapore history.
The restaurant, headed by Chef Kuldeep Negi, also creates a Deepavali special every year, serving a wide, delectable spread of authentic Indian cuisine to celebrate the festive occasion.
1 Beach Road, Raffles Hotel
Photo: The Tiffin Room

A taste of diverse India right here in Singapore.

If anything, the food in India is as rich, diverse and vibrant as its cultural landscape and languages. The predominantly vegetarian and rice-consisting South Indian fare differs from its North Indian counterparts of paneer, chicken tikka and naan. With its large Indian community, Singapore’s Indian culinary scene is definitely one to watch, with upscale, accolade-winning establishments like Punjab Grill, to local-favourite casual eateries like the popular Banana Leaf Apolo In Little India.

For those of you who love a little spice and turmeric in your food, we’ve rounded up the best Indian restaurants (both North and South – with vegetarian options too!) in Singapore to get your tastebuds tingling. With Deepavali just a month away, you might want to bookmark this for your festive family dinner or (if you’re not celebrating) for your Indian flavour fix.

Sarah Khan

Why are Indian weddings so much fun?

Guest Dilemma: What to wear to an Indian wedding?

Nice Bites: 10 Restaurants in Tanjong Pagar worth the hype

Travel Light: The ultimate beginner's guide to...