10 restaurants serving up exotic cuisine in Singapore

Greek: Blu Kouzina

Specialising in Greek cuisine, this restaurant recently relocated to a beautiful new space on Dempsey Hill. Two Mycenaean lions flank its entrance, and its interiors are decked out in meander patterns and a soothing palette of white and blue.

Its menu features traditional Mediterranean dishes such as beef meatballs with tzatziki sauce, sheep milk cheese, grilled lamb chops and white cod roe dip — all prepared with organic extra virgin olive oil from the Olive Grove Estate in Messinia, Greece.

Blu Kouzina, 10 Dempsey Road (Blk 10), #01-21, Singapore 247700, +65 6875 0872, blukouzina.com

Portuguese: BOCA

Situated along Bukit Pasoh Road, this quaint restaurant dishes up a repertoire of Portuguese fare such as cured codfish “Bacalao”, chorizo flamed and grilled in liquor, grilled octopus and bread “porridge” — a casserole-like concoction of shrimp, fish stock and extra virgin olive oil. Also available are Portuguese wines, cocktails and beers.

Even the restaurant’s gorgeous nature-themed interior décor is dedicated to the European country, with furniture and light fixtures specially imported from Portugal.

BOCA, 6 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089820, +65 6221 0132, boca-restaurant.sg

Peruvian: Tiger’s Milk

Named after Leche de Tigre, a traditional citrus-based marinade, this vibrant rooftop joint serves up a wide repertoire of Peruvian cuisine. Must-try dishes include ceviche, chicken hearts marinated in harissa paste and Causa Del Mar, a multicoloured potato-based starter packed with avocado, prawns and octopus.

To complete the whole experience, the restaurant is equipped with a pisco bar, where guests can unwind over cocktails to the beats of Latin American music.

Tiger’s Milk, The Club, 28 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069708, +65 6808 2183, www.facebook.com/tigersmilksingapore

Indian-Chinese-Tibetan: Fifth Season Tangra Chinese

Presenting a blend of cuisines from India, Chinese and Tibet, this restaurant will have you spoilt for choice with its extensive repertoire. Signature items include its Tibetan Momos, which are essentially steamed dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, and Gobi Manchurian, which comprises cauliflower florets served dry or soaked in ginger and garlic gravy

Also on the menu are vegetarian dishes such as chilli paneer stir-fried with sliced onions, and mock chicken with chilli and coriander

Fifth Season Tangra Chinese, 28 Race Course Road, Singapore 218550, +65 62934842, www.fifthseason.com.sg

Argentinean: boCHINche

Founded in 2013, boCHINche recently moved to a spiffy new spot along Amoy Street. Its interiors are inspired by traditional Argentine bistros, with lots of dark wood panelling, marble tabletops and a wall lined with Latin American street art.

The menu has undergone a revamp too, with new additions such as empanadas stuffed with braised cuttlefish and charcoal-grilled grass-fed beef, alongside signature items like chorizo croquette and eggs mimosa with mustard. There are also over 40 Argentine wine labels to choose from.

boCHINche, 115 Amoy Street, #01-02, Singapore 069935, +65 6235 4990, bochinche.com.sg

European: Kaiserhaus

Savour food from the Habsburg Empire, which in the 19th century spanned countries such as Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Highlights include Tafelspitzsulze (an Austrian dish comprises finely sliced gourmet beef with quail egg), Hungarian chicken sausages and Bohemia dumplings stuffed with smoked pork.

If that’s not exotic enough for you, try the restaurant’s beers and wines, which are imported from as far away as Slovenia, Croatia and Italy.

Kaiserhaus, Capitol Singapore, 17 Stamford Road, #02-06 and #03-06, Singapore 178907, +65 6377 0013, www.kaiserhaus.sg

Caribbean: Lime House

Caribbean food takes centre stage at this buzzy spot in Chinatown, which is set in a multi-storey heritage shophouse. It offers unconventional but scrumptious dishes such as jerk beef carpaccio, red snapper with sautéed okra and spinach in coconut cream, curry goat and fishcakes served with capsicum and curry aioli.

The establishment recently launched Bago, a bar on its second floor, where patrons can imbibe cocktails and choose from over 150 rums from the Caribbean and South America.

Lime House, 2 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089260, +65 6222 3130, www.limehouse.asia

Persian: Shabestan

This swanky restaurant along Robertson Quay offers delectable Persian fare the likes of lamb stew, lamb kebabs, Caspian-style braised duck and baklava pastry. These are marinated with spices such as saffron, which are imported from the Middle East.

Much effort also goes into the preparation of its traditional breads, which are freshly baked in a clay oven, and its rice — which is soaked in salt water for at least 48 hours and infused with saffron flavouring.

Shabestan, The Pier @ Robertson, 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-13, Singapore 239013, +65 6836 1270, shabestan.sg

Alpine: Zott’s True Alps

Decorated with whimsical paintings and a quirky centrepiece of a taxidermied ox, Zott’s True Alps is Singapore’s first dedicated Alpine restaurant. It serves dishes such as chilled melon soup, Wiener Schnitzel (battered veal escalope with potato foam) and venison loin with celeriac. For the more adventurous, a degustation menu is also available.

For dessert, try the Toblerone chocolate mousse with raspberries, or the Kaiserschmarrn soufflé with plums and raisins.

Zott’s True Alps, 97 Amoy St, Singapore 069917, +65 6223 0913, www.zotts.com.sg

Russian: Shashlik

With over 30 years of history, this Russo-Hainanese restaurant is  one of Singapore’s oldest eateries. It reopened earlier this year at Far East Shopping Centre and dishes up tasty offerings such as borsch, beef stroganoff, caviar, oxtail stew and skewered meat.

The place recently introduced weekday set lunches, which feature options such as fish and chips and spaghetti in white wine cream sauce — ideal for working professionals looking for a quick but delicious meal.

Shashlik, Far East Shopping Centre, 545 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238882, +65 6732 6401, www.facebook.com/shashliksg