9 best restaurants in Singapore for Indian food

Here’s a list of the 9 best Indian restaurants in town that should give you a comprehensive idea about this rich cuisine. 

Rang Mahal

An upscale Indian restaurant, Rang Mahal is your go-to place for a fine dining experience. With modern, swanky interiors, an extensive menu and impeccable service, this place is a tad expensive but worth every dollar spent on the authentic food that’s prepared with such finesse and attention to detail.

Must-try: Tava Scallops and Portobello Mushrooms

Address: Level 3, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595

Telephone: 6333 1788

Opening hours (daily): 12.00 pm - 2.30 pm, 6.30 pm -10.30 pm

Kebabs & Curries

Sitting atop the Mustafa Shopping Centre, this pocket-friendly restaurant is a hidden gem that belts out some mouth-watering Indian dishes and surprisingly great ambiance. Not many would expect a view here but that’s what you get through its giant glass dome-shaped roof, thus providing a rather unique (and delicious!) dining experience.

Must-try: Lucknowi Chicken Biryani and Butter Chicken with Garlic Naan

Address: 171 Syed Alwi Rd, #07-00 Mustafa Centre, 207704

Telephone: 6419 0749

Opening hours (daily): 11.00 am – 12.45 am

Tiffin Room

Housed in one of the oldest and finest establishments in the city – Raffles Hotel – this opulent space was originally inspired by the concept of “tiffin” meals (or snacks served in lunch boxes) but now gives you a taste of typical North Indian cuisine through its delicious lunch and dinner buffets comprising kebabs, chutneys, biryani and the works, although the ‘High-Tea’ affair, complete with English snacks and tea, is just as popular!

Must-try: Everything that’s curry!

Address: 1 Beach Rd, Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189673

Telephone: 6412 1190

Opening hours (daily):  6:30 am – 10:30 am, 12.00 pm – 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm – 5:30 pm, 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm

Muthu’s Curry

With multiple outlets all over the city, this Indian restaurant is known to rustle up both North Indian and South Indian fare with equal expertise.

While their signature dish – Fish Head curry – is probably the finest in Singapore, the vast menu includes quite a few vegetarian options as well, making this gastronomical hub a major crowd-puller.

Must-try: Fish Curry Head!

Address(es): Blk 7 Dempsey Road, #01-01, 249671

3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-109/177 Suntec City Mall, Suntec, 038983

138 Race Course Rd, #01-01, 218591

Telephone(s): 6474 5128 (Dempsey)

6835 7707 (Suntec)

6392 1722 (Race Course Rd)

Opening hours (daily):  11:30 am –3.00 pm, 6.00 pm –10.00 pm

Komala Vilas

This household name hardly needs an introduction. Over the last 67 years, the loyal customers have loved their food because of one simple reason – a vast menu of simple yet authentic vegetarian fare that’s extremely affordable.

Be it their famous dosas (lentil/rice flour-based crispy crepes) or idlis (steamed rice cakes), each dish is served with generous helpings of chutneys and complimentary spicy stews.

Must-try: Rawa Dosa and Idli

Address: 76 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217981

Telephone: 6293 6980

Opening hours (daily):  7.00 am – 10.30 pm

Punjab Grill by Jiggs Kalra

If you’re thinking Royal India, head to Punjab Grill by Jiggs – a fine-dining establishment that's won many accolades for food and ambiance alike.

While the rich upholstery, along with high-polish metals, will give you a glimpse of the splendour enjoyed by the maharajas,their gourmet take on Punjabi cuisines will take you straight to culinary heaven.

Must-try: Tandoori Lobster and Salmon Tikka

Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-01A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, The Shoppes, 018972

Telephone: 6688 7395

Opening hours (daily):  11.30 am - 2.45 pm, 6.00 pm - 10.30 pm

Khansama Tandoori Restaurant

Tucked away in a little corner of Little India, this nondescript food joint is a gastronomical delight with their comprehensive menu and fabulous great-value meat dishes and vegetarian fare.

They never disappoint their tandoor fans and regularly churn out some of the best-tasting North Indian dishes in the city.

Must-try: Cheese naan, aloo gobi and tandoori chicken

Address: 166 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218050

Telephone: 6299 0300

Opening hours (daily):  11.00 am – 11.30 pm

Zaffron Kitchen

Don’t go by their sleek features and cool downtown vibe. Though not a typical-looking Indian restaurant, Zaffron Kitchen is yet another worthy contender in this list.

Despite the upscale gastro-pub look, their classic Indian fare is the real deal that boasts of authentic and rather delicious dishes.

Must-try: Dum chicken biryani

Address: 137 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428822

Telephone: 6440 6786

Opening hours (daily):  11.30 am – 9.30 pm

Annalakshmi

With a three decade-old mantra that says - Eat what you want, give what you feel. We believe you, we trust you. – this vegetarian restaurant has been feeding all kinds of people at no fixed price.

The no-frills menu is rather dynamic, depending on who’s manning the kitchen, but you can always count on them for staple items like sambar, daal and chutney. Known to have helped many during dire times, this volunteer-run establishment definitely deserves a place in this list.

Address: 104 Amoy Street, Singapore 069924

Telephone: 6223 0809

Opening hours (Daily):  1.00 am - 3.00 pm, 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm.

This story was originally published in Shopback.