Cupid’s favourite day is less than a month away, leaving you not much time to find a place that will charm and impress your date. Whether you’ve been together for an eternity or in a situationship, we’ve got you, lovesick folks, covered. Head to any of these delectable restaurants for a meal that’s bound to tickle your taste buds.
KOMA
Great for: “My phone eats first” date
Why we think so: If a restaurant could be a celebrity, KOMA would be the one with millions of followers and a verified blue tick. From its dramatic 20-metre-long passage lined with Japanese torii arches to the impossibly glamorous dining room draped in lanterns, this hotspot is a living, breathing Instagram filter.
What you’ll experience: Start with the Salmon Pillow, a crispy bite of smoked avocado and salmon so beautiful it deserves its own photo. Then, work your way through showstoppers like wagyu sushi rolls and truffle-infused rice that will make your followers jealous. And let’s not forget the drinks – vibrant, theatrical, and served with just enough flair to make your IG Stories pop.
Where to find it: #B1-67 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Website: taogroup.com/venues/koma-singapore
FICO
Great for: Feeling like you're on a romantic Italian getaway, minus the 13-hour flight
Why we think so: Nestled in East Coast Park, Fico is the kind of place where you can eat, drink, and pretend you're on holiday in Puglia, in southern Italy – all without the jet lag. It’s rustic, breezy, and utterly Italian, right down to the pasta and focaccinas that smell like heaven.
What you’ll experience: Fico is the brainchild of Chef Mirko Febbrile, formerly of Michelin-starred Braci, bringing his Italian roots and innovative flair to Singapore’s East Coast. Start with small plates that showcase Italy’s bounty, like creamy burrata paired with escarole, pine nuts, and olives, or aged ricotta kissed with fried sage and honey. Follow it up with a gorgeous plate of charcoal-grilled octopus, or twirl your fork into freshly made pasta that practically sings, “Ciao Bella!” Pair it all with a glass (or two) of Italian wine for peak la dolce vita vibes.
Where to find it: East Coast Park Area F
Website: www.ficomasseria.com
HAYOP
Great for: Debriefs with that outgoing date who never stops yapping
Why we think so: Hayop brings the energy – just the right mix of sizzling Filipino favourites and cocktails that hit all the right notes. It’s the kind of spot where you can laugh a little too loudly, indulge in too much food, and leave feeling full and satisfied, but in the best way possible.
What you’ll experience: Kick things off with their Adobong Dilaw, simmered with turmeric and served with roasted bone marrow and garlic confit puffs that might just make you swoon. Then, dive into the Wagyu & Watermelon Sinigang – sweet and sour, just like the moments you’ll be sharing together. The vibe? A lively fiesta for your taste buds with just enough chaos to make the evening unforgettable.
Where to find it: 104 Amoy Street
Website: www.hayopnimanam.com
CARLITOS
Great for: Snacky vibes only
Why we think so: The ultimate snack-and-chat spot for when you want to keep things casual.
What you’ll experience: Forget boring bar bites – Carlitos is here to spoil you with truffle-brie-laden bikini sandwiches, smoky fried potatoes, and crispy churros drizzled in Valrhona chocolate. Pair your bites with refreshing cocktails like a classic Sangria, guaranteed to break the ice. Besides, tapas-style dining means you can snack your way through the night while keeping things light and fun – perfect for getting to know someone new without the pressure of a formal meal.
Where to find it: 350 Joo Chiat Road
Website: www.carlitos.sg
C.O.T.U
Great for: When you don’t want the night to end
Why we think so: Home to five different concepts, this is where your night keeps going – and going.
What you’ll experience: Kick things off with a steakhouse dinner at Enso Steakhouse, featuring premium cuts like dry-aged tomahawk and buttery wagyu, served with sides as decadent as the mains. After dinner, head to The Whisper Room for a Negroni or two, with live jazz playing in the background. Ready to turn up the energy? Dashi Go Go beckons with curated beats and a dance floor made for unforgettable moves.
Where to find it: CapitaGreen, Raffles Place, Levels 38 and 39
Website: www.cotu.co
LE PRISTINE
Great for: Soft launching on socials
Why we think so: The restaurant’s sophisticated yet cosy atmosphere makes it easy to capture those "casually romantic" shots that everyone will notice.
What you’ll experience: Le Pristine makes it easy to let your love take centre stage – both on the table and online. Slide into a plush booth and start with the creamy Irish Mor oysters or the Pizzette Chilli king crab, which arrives looking like a work of art. The signature seafood orecchiette is equally photogenic, not to mention irresistibly delicious with the ’nduja sauce it comes with. End your meal with the luscious Collapsed Tiramisu, and you’ll be set for the night.
Where to find it: 10 Scotts Road
Website: lepristinesingapore.com
LES AMIS
Great for: Those revenge shots to make your ex green with envy.
Why we think so: Few things scream "I’m thriving" louder than dining at a three-Michelin-starred temple to French gastronomy.
What you’ll experience: Les Amis showcases the best of French haute cuisine, with a menu that celebrates exceptional ingredients prepared with precision and artistry. From exquisitely plated appetisers to indulgent mains and desserts, every bite is a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to perfection. By the time dessert rolls around – a delicate rhum baba or poached pear, perhaps – you'll have forgotten all about your ex (and your diet).
Where to find it: #01-16 Shaw Centre
Website: www.lesamis.com.sg
CAT BITE CLUB
Great for: Drinks with your sneaky link
Why we think so: Low-lit, intimate, and just a little bit edgy, Cat Bite Club is the perfect spot for a rendezvous that’s strictly under the radar.
What you’ll experience: Sip on its signature cocktails, like the Cat Bite Margarita or the refreshing Invisible Gin, each as unforgettable as the company you keep. Pair your drinks with the small plates – think Korean chicken al pastor quesadilla and tortilla chips with onion cream cheese. The ambience is moody and mysterious, making it all too easy to lose track of time.
Where to find it: 75 Duxton Road
Website: www.catbiteclub.com
SOMMA
Great for: “I can eat everything” lover
Why we think so: From creative dishes to bold flavours, this is where “I’ll try anything once” becomes a shared love language.
What you’ll experience: Somma proves that love is adventurous – and so is dinner. Dive into one of their most unique offerings, the Pig Snout dish, a savoury, tender creation that will surprise and delight even the most daring diners. Other must-tries include the Slipper Lobster - Spaghettone - Red Carrot - Sea Snails, featuring spaghettone made from ancient Khorasan wheat and an umami-filled red carrot sauce that will have you and your date dreaming about it for days to come.
Where to find it: #04-02A New Bahru
Website: www.somma.world
WONDERLAND UPSIDE DOWN
Great for: The “dinner and a show” duo
Why we think so: This immersive dining experience combines theatre, fantasy, and a five-course meal.
What you’ll experience: Once you arrive, expect to be whisked through a series of themed rooms inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Each room features its own character-driven performance and a uniquely plated dish, like edible “toothpaste” squeezed onto crackers or desserts that transform before your eyes – perfect for couples looking to escape the ordinary.
Where to find it: A secret until the day before your reservation date.
Website: www.wonderlandupsidedown.com
MARCY’S
Great for: Your “I want atas aesthetic” partner
Why we think so: Stepping into Marcy’s is like entering another world altogether. The deep green walls are illuminated with softly lit table lamps, damask screens covered with crimson drapes, and matching seats, as well as gold baroque frames. It feels like you’re a guest in a fabulous parlour from the Gilded Age. And for two nights – on Feb 13 and 14 – you are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with an exclusive menu.
What you’ll experience: Dishes on offer include Aomori Ice Fish, served over hasselback potatoes and topped with a dollop of Grana Padano pesto and Kaluga caviar. There’s also the Crispy-scaled Sea Bream, paired with grilled edamame and wood ear mushrooms. From the mixologist’s corner, a set of Valentine’s-themed cocktails includes ‘Lady Marmalade’, a raspberry-infused twist on an Aperol Spritz, and ‘Mister Marcy’s’, a tropical spin on a rum old-fashioned. Chin chin.
Where to find it: 39/40 Duxton Road
Website: www.marcys.sg
HEVEL
Great for: Your “anything-is-fine” kinda date
Why we think so: If you’re up for a surprise, head to Hevel. The Valentine’s Day menu, available from Feb 13 to 15, is a whimsical journey of unexpected flavours and ingredient combos that promise an eye- and stomach-opening experience.
What you’ll experience: The menu includes dishes like Kingfish paired with blood orange & yuzu, or Grilled Octopus served with a cloud-like bowl of Piquillo pepper and chorizo. Not to mention, the Kiwami Wagyu Striploin Steak plated with sunchokes. Each course comes with a wine-pairing option as well.
Where to find it: 1 Keong Saik Road, #01-04
Website: www.hevel.sg
ANJU
Great for: Dining with your Hallyu-obsessed bae, without having to smell like a barbeque pit
Why we think so: Think Korean and you’d think of the many KBBQ joints that dot our little island. But if you’re on the hunt for something a little more refined, stop by Anju. Tucked away on quiet Tras Street, Anju’s elegant and serene interiors signal the meal that’s about to come forth.
What you’ll experience: Helmed by Chef Brian Lim and Doreen Ting, Anju’s focus aims to elevate your idea of Korean cuisine. See its version of tofu kimchi, which comes in a chutney version with sourdough. Or sample the crowd-favourite Octopus, which combines fresh octopus legs with a housemade gochujang bisque and multigrain crackers. The Makgeolli panna cotta, with puffed grains and popping candy, cannot be missed as well. You’ll be yelling ‘OMG’ at this Dynamite meal. Now tell us, How You Like That (meal)?”
Where to find it: 62 Tras Street
Website: anju.com.sg
FYSH
Great for: Your main bae
Why we think so: Situated in the newly-opened confines of The Singapore Edition hotel, Fysh is the vision of Josh Niland, who wanted to realise a modern fish steakhouse that spotlights ethically sourced seafood and fish dishes.
What you’ll experience: Take a seat amidst a dining room with soaring ceilings and lush greenery, and tuck into dishes like the Mooloolaba Yellowfin Tuna Steak Tartare that’s mixed tableside for added theatrics, or the Charcoal Grilled Aquna Murray Cod that opens on a smoky note before giving way to the creaminess of cod flesh. For a tipple, the Oyster Shell Gin & Sonic is made with Oyster Shell Gin from Never Never for a saline-laced sip.
Where to find it: The Singapore Edition, 38 Cuscaden Road
Website: www.fyshsingapore.com
NOST
Great for: Your side bae
Why we think so: Given that this is a relatively hidden gem (for now), this would be the perfect spot for a down-low date night. The small and cosy space on the third floor of a walk-up shophouse feels like you’re dining at a friend’s place as you take a seat at the bar and chat with its friendly staff.
What you’ll experience: The menu is an exploration of familiar things, ideas, and memories. Best-sellers include the One-Sided Beef, which combines beef tartare with cured egg yolk, quail’s egg, and crispy crouton bits, or the Roti Jagung which marries cornbread with cranberry compound butter. The Bubba Gump is an otah-topped toastie with a mouthwatering green curry sauce, and you can’t miss the Gyarados – its rendition of the classic Cantonese fish dish that puts together snapper, soy reduction, and lemongrass cream. For that feel-good kick to your night, sip on its Snapple, which blends kiwi-infused gin and strawberry oleo, or the Good Crop Bad Crop which mixes roasted barley soju with honey, lemon, and soda.
Where to find it: Level 3, 98 Club Street
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nost.sg
MOONCHILD
Great for: Your situationship
Why we think so: Look, it ain’t official yet, so best keep it a little casual with a laidback nosh spot. Moonchild, the newly added sister cafe to the hip joints Neptune, Atlas, Supernova, Lunar, and Apollo, comes with plenty of great finds to convive with your date.
What you’ll experience: Indulge in dishes like the Pork Dan-Dan Scallion Noodles or the Messy ‘Nicoise’ Salad, both making delish shareable plates. For that extra bougie touch, hit the table with the Scallop Rose Mafaldine, which comes with juicy seared scallops and is topped with basil oil as well as pink sauce and gochugaru. Extra points? Prices are kept reasonable, with mains starting from $12.80, just in case your situationship suggests splitting the bill.
Where to find it: 351 Jln Besar, #01-01
Instagram: www.instagram.com/whoisthemoonchild
NOURI
Great for: When your boo says “don’t worry about the check, it’s on me”
Why we think so: Since 2017, Nouri has been the playground for chef-owner Ivan Brehm. The one Michelin-starred restaurant invites you into an airy dining room, where you can take your seat at the bar counter or one of its cozier tables. Brehm’s approach here is part of his Crossroads Thinking philosophy – an idea that food draws upon influences shared across cultures through similarities and connections. Ergo, expect to find dishes that blend a variety of cultural influences, all presented in the most arresting manner.
What you’ll experience: See the Boeuf a la Presse, which features A5 Yamaguchi wagyu ribeye with white kimchi and pressed beef jus for an unctuous main course, or the Barbarian’s Head, drawing inspiration from the Manti of nomadic Turks, served with beef consomme and a wagyu ‘nduja roll. The wines here are pretty interesting too, with each category segmented into the ancient world, old world, and new world.
Where to find it: 72 Amoy Street
Website: www.nouri.com.sg
ZEN
Great for: Your one-percenter boo
Why we think so: What can you get for your partner who has everything? Nothing. But you can try to impress with a good meal at a restaurant like Zen. The brainchild of Bjorn Frantzen – who holds three Michelin stars each for both his eponymous restaurant in Stockholm as well as for Zen – serves up a fixed menu for all dinner guests each night. Arriving at the nondescript restaurant front, you’re led into a space that’s done in tastefully minimalist decor. You make your way through different rooms – from a kitchen counter for snacks to ending the night in a living room upstairs for desserts and digestif.
What you’ll experience: The cuisine here explores Japanese culinary influences complemented by French and Scandinavian cooking techniques. Expect surprising bites like juniper-smoked lobster, scallop and white truffle crudo, and akamutsu fish with caviar and dashi. Each course is elegant but packs plenty of surprising flavors to excite even the most jaded diner.
Where to find it: 41 Bukit Pasoh Road
Website: www.restaurantzen.com
KAFE UTU
Great for: Spicing up the night – literally
Why we think so: You like it hot, sweaty, wet – we know – which is why you should check out Kafe Utu.
What you’ll experience: The African restaurant serves plate after plate of spicy dishes that hark back to the Motherland and constantly pushes the bar on the Scoville Heat Scale. Its dark interiors lend perfect sensuality for a dinnertime date, and as you take your seat, start with crowd-favourites like the Buttermilk Fried Chicken – which comes with sauces in varying spiciness – as well as the delicious Lamb Samosas. Must-try mains include the Yassa Fish – Senegalese red snapper stewed with tamarind and coconut curry – as well as the Oxtail Stew that is made with a rempah created in-house as well as palm oil and habanero. Ask to switch your white rice to the coconut rice, which comes cooked in coconut milk and topped with shaved coconut – it’ll take some of the heat off, but with the rest of the meal, you’re promised a sweltering night ahead.
Where to find it: 12 Jiak Chuan Road
Website: www.kafeutu.com
GIBSON
Great for: When your first date looks nothing like their photo, so you’ve gotta keep drinking until they do
Why we think so: It starts with a C, and it rhymes with “hatdish”. Yeah, you got it. But lemonade from lemons, hey? First order of the night, secure a spot at Gibson – best if you can hit it up between 6pm to 8pm for happy hour drinks and oysters – to really get the imbibing started early.
What you’ll experience: Classic cocktails include the eponymously-named Gibson, which combines Roku Gin with homemade Ginjo sake-vermouth and a trio of condiments for a tipple that’s easy to stomach (unlike your date). After that, move on to Urban Farmer No. 4, a cocktail concocted in collaboration with Edible Garden City. It combines gin with cranberry hibiscus, a variety of berries, Muyu Jasmine Verte liqueur for a sweeter sip. Say, is your date getting better looking now? Now, end off with a good kick – no, not kicking your date out – but with Gibson’s riff of the Bloody Mary. Except with theirs, it’s mostly green thanks to a combo of wasabi distillate, jalapeno, green tomato, and capers salt. It’s a refreshing umami bomb that’s guaranteed to make the night more enjoyable.
Where to find it: Level 2, 20 Bukit Pasoh Road
Website: www.gibsonbar.sg