Everyone loves dining with a view.
That usually conjures images of a rooftop restaurant, accompanied by the twinkling lights of the quiet cityscape. Yet, as a tropical island, the soft hypnosis of waterfront dining is the one we should truly look out for.
Don’t take it from us — it has been scientifically proven that being near the water is naturally calming, “which may help explain why so many of us seek out beaches or other water-adjacent destinations” explains Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind.
Read on for the best waterfront restaurants in town.
(Hero and featured image credit: Francois Le Nguyen on Unsplash)
Caffe Fernet, located in Singapore’s iconic Customs House, offers stunning mod-Italian plates and cocktails along the bay. On breezy days, the floor-to-ceiling windows of the restaurant are pulled wide open, bringing in tons of light and an unobstructed view of Marina Bay Sands. If you’re only getting one drink and a dish, we recommend a serving of the Cacio e Pepe and a Negroni. Not convinced? Read our full review here.
Kinki is home to a beautiful alfresco bar, but for truly beautiful views, head to Level Two of its revamped restaurant. Request to dine by the oversized windows and you’ll feel as though you’re dining right on the water, minus the sea-sickness of course. If you’re overwhelmed by the plethora of options, we suggest getting a portion of the Cowabunga sushi roll before moving on to crowd favourite mains like the Unagi Claypot Rice, and washing it all down with a cocktail or two.
You might have been around Clarke Quay in the wee hours before COVID-19, but have you taken time to explore the area in the day? Zorba The Greek Taverna may be nestled right by the Singapore River, but a meal here could whisk you straight to the blue and white tones of Santorini. Famished Brunch-goers should definitely grab a serving of the Zorba Breakfast Platter, a hearty ensemble of eggs, Greek sausage, bacon strip, grilled portobello mushroom, avocado and more.
It really doesn’t get any more waterfront than Smith Marine — a Kelong-Seafood restaurant located in between Pulau Ubin and Changi Point ferry terminal — right in the middle of the Johor Strait. Here, diners get to fish for their own food and get each catch cooked in any style you like.
(Image credit: @neo.food.nature via Instagram)
Sabio by the Sea, a grill restaurant and tapas bar nestled in the quiet Sentosa Cove, is where we want to be for a relaxing afternoon, complete with views of luxury yachts bobbing along the quay. The Spanish concept comes with a menu of classics like Paella de Pescado and the El Pulpo.
(Image credit: @sgtravelbuddy via Instagram)
The Punggol Settlement, situated right by the sea, features a row of old-school buildings that have been converted to dining establishments for just about any hungry guest. Feast on the famous Original White Beehoon from White Restaurant or knock back some drinks and meats at Siam Square Mookata, all accompanied by unobstructed views of the water.
(Image credit: @scenechaser via Instagram)
Every outlet of PS Cafe is furnished with stunning interiors and a fantastic vibe, but our favourite branch has to be the one located right in East Coast Park. Here, plenty of sun, water and greenery sits directly in your line of sight as you dig into a menu spotlighting seafood dishes such as the chargrilled octopus and our personal favourite, the lemongrass mussel and clam spaghetti.
