French dining in the Lion City is an intensely satisfying experience. French food strikes a chord with locals, making it one of the most readily available foreign cuisines. Here’s our guide to the best French restaurants Singapore has to offer.
No visitor to the city-state should leave without a meal at Restaurant André, conceived by Taiwan-born and French-trained André Chiang. His trademark ‘octaphilosophy’ – a neologism coined by Chiang to describe his eight central tenets of gastronomy – has fast become renowned well beyond Singapore’s borders. Chiang’s eight-course southern French nouvelle menu is infused with his passion for art and philosophy.
Immanuel French Kitchen, Singapore | Courtesy of Immanuel French Kitchen
Immanuel French Kitchen serves tasty French bite without any fuss. Savor homemade charcuterie, and enjoy the lunch hour mayhem at Bukit Merah, or drop in mid-afternoon for a slower pace and more elbowroom. Standout dishes include the frog legs and rillette.
Situated in one of Singapore’s most glamorous locations on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, Jaan is a veteran presence on the Singapore fine dining scene. A striking Murano glass sculpture adorns the ceiling to complement the impressive view, creating an ethereal ambiance in the dining room. Chef Julien Royer hails from the Auvergne region of France and serves modern French in a variety of set meal options. The emphasis is on ingredients sourced from renowned organic producers scattered across the globe.
The heritage bungalow that plays host to Lewin Terrace strikes the ideal balance between Europe and the Orient, in a visual embodiment of the cuisine artfully composed by Chef Ryoichi Kano. A slice of Singapore’s architectural history nestled among the lush tropical foliage of Fort Canning Park, the colonial era bungalow offers a serene escape from the concrete jungle of the city. Hailing from Japan, Kano’s high attention to detail ensures a perfect marriage of Japanese and French cuisine. The chef takes pride in sourcing the best local produce for his menu.
Les Amis is at the forefront of haute cuisine in Singapore. New chef Sebastien Lepinoy, of French origin, has maintained the high standards set by his forebears. Lepinoy’s formula has successfully ushered Les Amis into the new era of French dining in Singapore. Beautifully presented classics are served up alongside more innovative dishes, satisfying the full spectrum of diners’ palates.
Gunther’s is an award-winning restaurant. Diners are introduced to an array of uncooked meats and vegetables before the meal begins, to emphasize the ingredients’ quality and freshness. Try the cold angel hair pasta with Oscietra caviar, the signature dish at Gunther’s.
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon’s has famed outlets stretching across the globe from Las Vegas to Taipei and everywhere in between. The 10-course degustation option, known as the discovery menu, is the obvious choice for fans of French fare. A la carte is also available.
Reasonably priced wines and a laid-back atmosphere attract patrons to Bistro du Vin. Chef Dalton Fong heads the kitchen, having formerly served at the group’s flagship Les Amis fine dining restaurant. He has also completed several stints in France, learning at the source. Serving up quintessential bistro fare to a high standard, Bistro du Vin is unbeatable value for Francophiles on a budget. Seafood choucroute and escargots are both highly recommended.
Daniel Boulud’s celebrated local iteration lives up to the New York original. Not only does the food meet all expectations, but the thoroughly attentive and knowledgeable staff add polish. Celebrating French origins and American influences, DB Bistro Moderne has a reputation for refined burgers: expect to find braised short ribs, foie gras and confit pork belly between the buns. The bistro is situated at Singapore’s premier address, Marina Bay Sands, within a stone’s throw of the Sands Theater.
