You’ve read the title, you know what to expect. With great ambience and even better food, these restaurants have earned Esquire Singapore’s stamp of approval (to be taken with a pinch of salt, so to speak). Here’s a lowdown of some of their standout dishes that made us sit up, slow down, and savour every bite as of late. Dig in.
A restored 19th-century warehouse, arched doorways, an outdoor terrace, a sweeping view of Robertson Quay’s waterfront. These are some of the prominent features that will strike you first when you walk into Merci Marcel’s fifth location at Robertson Quay. You get what you get at the outlets that came before it—a chic, laidback joint serving up modern French cuisine with an impressive catalogue of French wines to boot.
What separates the latest Merci Marcel, however, is its collaboration with acclaimed Chef Bruno Ménard. Working alongside the restaurant’s chefs, he has curated a new menu that utilises time-honoured French techniques, while building upon it with contemporary inventions.
Begin with the thick and foamy Cévennes onion soup. A rich, velvety broth devoid of any astringent or pungent flavours, leaving behind only the mellowed sweetness of the onion. Buttery chunks of pan-seared foie gras and a cloud of truffle Chantilly cushion any remaining sharpness.
For the mains, the roasted chicken breast with tagliatelle shines in a lively tomato-raspberry sauce, while pan-roasted prawns rest atop creamy coconut risotto, laced with a fragrant curry sauce. But the dish to order? The poached snapper & scallop quenelle. Mussels intensify the sweet and briny flavours of the seafood, while an aromatic Normandy sauce gently fills your nose with each bite.
Dessert arrives as quickly as you’ll likely finish them. The Rum Baba is particularly irresistible, its airy yeast cake soaked in a syrupy blend of passion fruit glaze and double-cask Plantation Rum. Crunchy bits of sugar Chantilly invade each bite, completing an incredible dessert (and meal).
Vibe: Probably the closest thing you'll get to dining by the French Riviera in Singapore
Must-try dishes: Cévennes onion soup, poached snapper & scallop quenelle, Rum Baba
Merci Marcel is located at 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
Stepping into Carnaby means stepping into a snug British pub straight out of the ’90s. Cork-lined walls, classic vinyls on display, and Britpop anthems fill the air. Executive chef Adam Penney doesn’t mess about with his English fare. What he serves can only be described as soul-nourishing, robust, and unapologetically generous.
Start with delicate scallops seared in hot honey, its natural sweetness balanced by the sharp umami punch of treacle bacon. A luscious mound of truffle oil-perfumed cauliflower puree accompanies the dish which was incredibly velvety and addictive.
Then there’s the star of the show, The Gaelic Feast. Two colossal Angus beef ribs marinated for 20 hours before being slow-braised in Irish whiskey and coke for another three. That’s a whole day’s worth of effort invested into this labour of love, and it's evident in the way the beef ribs collapse with the pull of a fork into the rich, velvety sauce. Served with sweet baby heirloom carrots and creamy mashed potatoes, it makes for a hearty meal that easily feeds two. I wasn’t kidding when I said they were generous.
For dessert, don’t overlook the Allo Treacle tart. The addition of salted caramel and Chantilly cream layers the dessert's flavour, striking the perfect balance of sweetness without going overboard.
The Gaelic Feast was part of a special menu item spotlighting Irish ingredients in honour of St. Patrick’s Day, which has unfortunately passed, but I'd still heavily recommend a visit to Carnaby. Plus, I hear that the Teeling small batch whiskey braised Irish Angus beef short rib on the base menu is essentially the same as The Gaelic Feast—which is probably the best news I’ve heard all day.
Vibe: The kind of place where Damon Albarn and Liam Gallagher might actually get along
Must-try dishes: Scallops seared in hot honey, The Gaelic Feast
Carnaby is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-01, Singapore 238252
Award-winning chef Julien Royer is the co-owner of Odette and Claudine—the former being the only restaurant in Singapore to not only hold three Michelin stars but also secure a spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, where it currently ranks at number 7.
Claudine, Chef Julien’s sophomore venture in Singapore, is nothing to scoff at either, placing 85th on the same list. Now, Claudine extends its charm outdoors with La Terrace. A breezy, pet-friendly al fresco concept that captures the essence of relaxed, sun-drenched dining. Picture booth seats strewn with cushions, burgundy floor tiles grounding the space, sunlight gently filtering through white glass panels and bamboo blinds overhead. La Terrace evokes a relaxed dining experience where drinks and conversation flow—and good food flows even easier.
Begin with a selection of deep-fried starters that don’t leave your fingers oily or greasy. The tempura-battered zucchini flower had an airy lightness, offering a delicate crunch. Meanwhile, the tapioca fritters surprised in their savoury reinvention of a usually sweet ingredient. Mistake them for potatoes and you’ll be forgiven, but the tapioca lends a starchier bite, giving the fritters an almost springy mouthfeel that’s subtly addictive.
The Scallops crudo shines in a vibrant medley of dressings to offset the buttery brininess of Hokkaido scallops. Yuzu kosho, orange and yuzu juice, and blood orange segments all collaborate to brighten the dish.
But you don’t come to La Terrace just for its starters—you come for its signature dish: the half-roasted chicken. The dish may sound simple, but it’s anything but. Brined for 12 hours, vacuum-sealed, and steamed for 2.5 hours before being dry-aged and finally roasted atop a bed of Niigata rice simmering in the chicken’s juices, the result is nothing short of spectacular: fragrant, bouncy rice with a glutinous richness from the rendered fat of the golden, lightly roasted skin. Drizzling a spoonful of chicken jus over each bite adds a heightened depth, while crispy shards of chicken skin provide a satisfying contrast. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still thinking about this dish to this day.
End your experience at La Terrace with the freshly baked madeleines, delicately perfumed with acacia honey and lemon, which adds a refreshing twist. These warm treats arrive straight from the oven in a generous basket, dusted with icing sugar to tie everything together perfectly.
Vibe: I’m so glad I got invited to this garden soirée. Also, were the herbs picked just a few minutes ago?
Must-try dishes: Scallops crudo, half-roasted chicken, freshly baked madeleines
La Terrace is located at 39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541
Step into Revolver and you immediately know what you’ve signed up for. The space is dark, sleek, and dramatic—lit only by sharp spotlights and the lick of open flames. The modern grill restaurant is famous for blending traditional Indian spices and techniques with global flair. They play with fire, and they play to win. But there are no secrets here: custom wood-fired binchotan grills and a hand-beaten tandoor take centre stage in the open kitchen for all to see.
Now, Revolver launches its newest offering—a 2-course business set lunch that delivers intensity in a compact format. It kicks off with the Fresh Delhi Paneer—a soft, milky canvas that soaks up its marinade of yoghurt and spices, all brought together by a smooth tomato and fenugreek sauce. The flavours here are slightly smoky and neutral, but they do enough to tantalise the palate for the mains, of which you get a choice between Grilled Broccoli, Corsican Sea Bass, and Sakura Chicken.
From our visit, we opted for the Corsican Sea Bass. Served fresh off the grill, the fish is basted in coriander-dill butter that seeps into the flaky flesh, keeping it rich and moist. The occasional whir of char teases the nostrils, though its smokiness is eclipsed by the Sakura Chicken. Roasted in the tandoor, the chicken leg emerges with a beautifully blistered exterior. Each bite is crispy on the edge, tender within—shiso koji spice and yoghurt rounding out the finish with muted tang and warmth.
The set ends here, but for a SGD10 toll, you’ll experience our favourite bite of the meal, the Butter Chicken Kulchette. A Revolver invention, it stuffs naan-like flatbreads with Parmesan cheese, served alongside a generous lump of butter chicken. The cheese adds a nutty richness that amplifies the creamy, spiced sauce—creating a bite that’s unapologetically satisfying.
For dessert, another SGD10 unlocks the Charoli Yoghurt: a tangy sorbet paired with whipped vanilla yoghurt. It flirts with sourness but never tips over, thanks to charoli nuts and rose-infused honey which pulls the dish back into refreshing, floral harmony.
Vibe: A sleek, carnivorous man-cave with just enough swank to be an exotic date spot
Must-try dishes: Corsican Sea Bass, Butter Chicken Kulchette
Revolver is located at 56 Tras St, Singapore 078995
Chef Damian D’Silva, the founder of Rempapa and often hailed as the grandfather of heritage cuisine, is bringing his signature flavours to Amara Singapore’s Oriental Café in a special collaboration running until 30 April. For a limited time, diners can enjoy a curated menu inspired by his Peranakan and Eurasian roots.
Expect soulful dishes like Ayam Buah Keluak, the zesty Brinjal Pacheree, and a comforting Eurasian Lamb Dhalcha slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, and smoky bacon beans. However, the Chi Pow Kai stands out most here. Succulent, paper-wrapped chicken steamed in its own essence, locks in deep, savoury flavours. It also comes served with a tangy chilli sauce that pairs perfectly with the other dishes.
For dessert, you'll want to try the Kueh Platter. It features a thoughtful selection of really well-made traditional Nyonya treats, including kueh kosui, kueh salat, and kueh bingka ubi—each authentically crafted, perfect for rounding off a hearty meal.
Vibe: Bring your parents, bring their parents, and dig in. Just be sure to pass the plates.
Must-try dishes: Chi Pow Kai, Kueh Platter
When: Now till 30 April
Cafe Oriental is located at Amara Singapore, 165 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088539
