8 Best Casual Dining Restaurants You Must Try in Singapore

Casual dining restaurants for all your social needs.

Dress for Comfort • Keng Eng Kee Seafood • Sum Kee (Telok Blangah) • The Communal Place • The Social Outcast • Tomahawk King (Western)

Finely Prepared • Char Restaurant • London Fat Duck • Yun Nans

With dine-out back in full swing, it’s time to gather your friends and family to feast on your favourite cuisines once more. Whether you’re craving Asian or Western, we’ve gathered eight best casual restaurants in Singapore here for you to hit up on your days out!

1. Char Restaurant

Founded in 2014 by two British brothers, Char Restaurant elevates its roasts with Asian and Western techniques, herbs, and spices. Think traditional char siew, roast pork belly, and roast duck with a modern twist.

Don’t miss out on crowd-favourites like Signature Char Siew, known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and sublime flavours. Or the Jasmine Roast Duck, infused with Jasmine tea to tenderise the meat and introduce a subtle fragrance. 

Char Restaurant was awarded the Michelin Plate from 2016 to 2018, and joined the Fine Cantonese Food list in MICHELIN Guide 2018-2019. If you’re looking for a refreshing take on Cantonese cuisine that will impress your traditional relatives, this is the place.

Where: 363 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208994

2. Keng Eng Kee Seafood

From a hawker stall to a full-scale restaurant, Keng Eng Kee Seafood has come a long way. The famous zichar joint has since earned accolades like the Michelin Plate 2016 – 2018, also earning a place on the list of Top 50 World Street Food Masters.

At their premises in Alexandra Village, tuck into dishes like Signature Moonlight Horfun (from $7.80++), served with a moon-like “raw egg” atop glistening noodles that are redolent with wok-hei aroma. Also try the Golden Pearl Rolls (from $14.80++)—a delectable combination of salted egg yolk, prawn, and stewed mushrooms.

Those dining out with friends and family will love the Sharing Platter (from $58.80++), comprising Dough Fritters with Seafood Paste, Yam Baskets, and more. With such delicacies, KEK Seafood is undoubtedly one of the best casual restaurants in Singapore.

Where: 124 Bukit Merah Lane, #01-136, Singapore 150124

3. London Fat Duck

Don’t be fooled by its name — London Fat Duck is a home-grown brand that prides itself on its fragrant Roast Ducks, sourced from Ireland’s famed Silver Hill farm. Enter and you’ll find yourself at home with its vibrant interior, complete with modern furnishings.

Indulge in the classic London Peking Duck ($49.80++) or Italian Truffle Roast Duck ($58.80++), prepared with a secret roasting technique and heritage recipes.

And don’t forget to check out their Father’s Day Menu, which curates several of London Fat Duck’s best-sellers for four to eight people!

Where: 10 Paya Lebar Road, Paya Lebar Quarter, #B2-25, Singapore, 409057 or 66 Scotts Road, Scotts Square, #B1-16/17, Singapore, 228209

4. Sum Kee (Telok Blangah)

With spacious seating in a fuss-free environment, Sum Kee’s Telok Blangah outlet is ideal for family get-togethers. 

Feast on signatures like Ultraman Chicken, Hei Cho, and Spanish Pork Ribs, marinated for over 12 hours to yield a tangy, smoky flavour. The Hei Cho is made using a secret recipe developed over the years, boasting a mix of succulent prawns with chestnuts. For mains, you’re guaranteed satisfaction with their Hokkien Mee, Horfun, and Fried Rice items. 

You can even find Spring Onion Deermeat, an exotic delicacy unavailable in most Chinese eateries! 

Where: 2 Telok Blangah Street 31, Singapore, 108942

5. The Communal Place

True to its name, The Communal Place was established as a shared space for the Katong and Joo Chiat community. Café by day, gastropub by night, it specialises in contemporary Western fusion cuisine and aesthetically-pleasing desserts.

Look out for Little Sharing Plates like Smash (Meat)Ball, made with wagyu patty; Fish or Pulled Pork Taco, and Spam Fries (each from $14++), made to enjoy with company. Save space for the TCP Pancake (from $17++), featuring thick, fluffy pancakes with berries and cookie crumbles.

Where: 465 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore, 427677

6. The Social Outcast

If loving juicy burgers makes us rejects, then count us as part of The Social Outcast’s crew. 

This Muslim-owned casual dining spot excels in woodfire-smoked and charcoal-grilled burgers and meats, guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

Test your pop culture knowledge with their wood-fired pizzas, named after icons like Bonnie & Clyde, Anthony Bourdain, and even Salvador Dalí. The aptly-named Devil Smoked Wings, served with a hint of in-house Outcast Devil Hot sauce, will singe your tastebuds. And don’t miss their fall-off-the-bone Southern Lamb Spare Ribs, served with tempura fries, Carolina BBQ sauce, and green salad.

Keep a look out for the “secret menu”, featuring seasonal ingredients on a rotational basis. Hint: peek into their open kitchen. 

Where: The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, #01-35A, Singapore, 287994

7. Tomahawk King

Get down to business with Tomahawk King‘s premium grills. Meat lovers will find themselves at home with the joint’s mouthwatering cuts, from Premium Australian Ribeye Steak to the juicy and succulent Tomalamb. The Mixed Platter includes flavourful mid-wings, prawn gyoza, potato wedges, calamari, and Farci crab, perfect for four to six people. For those craving something local, Chargrilled Chicken and Beef Satay are also available. Tomahawk King’s selection of delicious meats makes it one of the best casual restaurants in Singapore to unwind and loosen up after a long day.

Where: 324F Changi Road, Singapore, 419799

8. Yun Nans

With over 150 outlets in China, Yun Nans is a household name serving authentic Southwestern Chinese cuisine. The restaurant serves wholesome dishes with influences from Chinese and Thai cooking, a testament to the region’s proximity to Thailand.

Their Steam Pot Chicken Soup alone is worth the journey to Jewel, NEX, or Westgate. Brewed using a pressure-steaming technique for three hours with a special breed of black-feet chicken, the delicious broth is made purely from condensation. Without question, it is one of the best chicken soups to be served in Singapore. 

Where: 78 Airport Boulevard Road, #02-17, Singapore, 819666, or 3 Gateway Drive, Westgate, #03-07, Singapore, 608532, 23 Serangoon Central, NEX, #B1-15, Singapore, 556083

When it comes to our favourite casual dining restaurants in Singapore, nothing beats eating the dine-in experience. After all, a meal out is much more than just the food; it’s also about enjoying the décor and atmosphere. With Oddle Eats, you can take your pick, reserve in advance and skip the queues!