Little India is a maze-like neighborhood jam-packed with restaurants, shops and culture. So when you're in the area and need somewhere to eat, here's where to go, whether you want all types of authentic Indian food or fresh Japanese sushi.

Azmi Chapati Keema

This chapati joint has built quite the loyal following for those who know and like chapati. Sure it might be a little hole in the wall, with its green plastic sign and no-frills set up, but this coffeeshop chapati is pretty close to the real deal. Plus, you can get it with a myriad of sides like mutton masala, chicken liver and potato cauliflower. 
1 Norris Rd., corner of Norris and Serangoon Road.

Cocotte

Tucked in Wanderlust Hotel is this modern French restaurant that serves a twist on comfort food. While the menu changes frequently, mainstays include duck leg confit and mussels in a creamy mariniere sauce. The big draw for most is the weekend brunch trolleys loaded with roast chicken, quiches and desserts like crepes.

Kailash Parbat

It may take a little sleuthing to find Hotel Grand Chancellor and once you do, this place will greet you with mountains of vegetarian food. It specializes in Sindhi food that includes pav bhaji, a mixed vegetable curry; bhel puri, a combo of puffed rice, papadis, onions, potatoes and chutneys; and shahi dum ka paneer, a dish of malai paneer in cashew and cream gravy.  First timers should opt for the Sindhi Jo Swad, a selection of signature dishes.

Kebabs & Curries

Located at the new extension of Mustafa Centre, this breezy rooftop restaurant has both indoor and outdoor spaces. It serves tons of options from both North and South India, including bestsellers like butter chicken and mutton sheekh kebab. But their menu is pretty big, covering things from dosas and uthappam to seafood curries and hearty biryanis.

Komala Vilas

Before anything, head to the flagship Komala Vilas on Serangoon Road. This is the place where you get down and dirty and eat on banana leaves piled high with rice and smeared with lots of curry. The star of the show is the South Indian options, with buckets of dal and vegetable curry lopped on to your plate to your heart's content. Be prepared to eat with your hands.

Mavalli Tiffin Room

One of the definitive Bengaluru restaurants, this no-nonsense, neon-lit lunch room may not be the ideal date spot, but that doesn't matter when you're there for the food. For those unfamiliar with the food, order two stellar dishes: Raba Idli, a flavor-packed take on traditional South Indian rice cake with curry leaves and mustard seeds, as well as Bisibele Bhath, a spicy porridge of lentils and rice and a thimble of ghee.
438 Serangoon Rd., 6296-5800.

Morsels

This hip restaurant needs no introduction in the foodie world. The brainchild of Petrina Loh and Bryan Chia, the quaint place serves modern Western small plates with hints of Asian flavors. Currently on the menu are items like scallop carpaccio with uni sabayon and pork pasta with habanero pesto.

Murugan Idli Shop

A South Indian staple, this no-frills eating house re-creates tiffin staples to a tee. Here, it's all about idli and dosa, paired with chutneys, podis and a selection of ghee pongal dishes.

Mustard

Specializing in Bengali and Punjabi cuisine, this modest space is a stellar dining option in Little India. It's not the cheapest place out there, but the mid-priced restaurant is well worth it. If you're confused on what to order, don't skip out on the coconut prawn curry served inside a coconut, the chicken curry and the moreish dal tadka.

Ng Ah Sio Pork Ribs Soup Eating House

No one can deny a good bowl of bak kut teh, or pork ribs tea soup. This one's particularly famous as it's got outlets all around town. While you can get the signature pork ribs or spare ribs soup, there's a choice of combining the two as well. Sides include lots of organs like pork kidney, intestines and livers, and the famed braised tofu. 

Rouse

A hip halal cafe decked out in the mandatory concrete walls and floors, as well as steel-lined furnishings. One of the great things about this place is their non-traditional menu with softshell crab burgers, salted egg calamari roll and baked potato with pomodoro sauce. 

Sakunthala Food Palace

This place has both South and North Indian food, but also the Chindian (Chinese-Indian) food. While they have three outlets in Little India alone, comprising Race Course Road, Dunlop Street and Syed Alwi Road, the menu's full of chapatis, thosais and the raved-about fish curry.

Sushi Jin

Good and affordable sushi restaurants are hard to come by. With a proper wooden sushi counter, personalized service and a huge menu of dishes outside sushi, this is a solid pick for single-serving sushi, as well as cooked items like tempura udon, truffle chawanmushi and lunchtime don bowls.

Usman

Popular with the night owls, this no-frills cafeteria is open until the wee hours of the morning. The food isn't an afterthought, either, with fresh dishes of dal fry, palak paneer and tender nihari, slow-cooked lamb with bone marrow and ginger. The tandoor menu is a specialty of theirs, too, so order some tandoori chicken and rotis, too.

Zsofi Tapas Bar

A more offbeat gem, this no-frills tapas bar stays true to the Spanish tradition of serving free tapas when you order glasses or jugs of sangria. Although the menu doesn't stay true to Spanish food, there are still options like patatas brava, cheese and ham croquetas and sliders. Each drink you order gets you a free plate of tapas, while each bottle or jug gets you three free plates.

It's not exactly a reputed foodie enclave, but nevertheless it's got some serious gems for breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner. Here are some of our favorites.

Cafes & Brunch Spots

Kilo @ PACT

Although the space is better known as a retail store, the food at the on-site cafe is fresh and unfussy. There are sushi-burritos and bowls at lunch and a menu of staples like eggplant with cream. Plus, it doesn't hurt to dine among lust-worthy goodies.

Oriole Coffee + Bar

This down-to-earth bistro has a great alfresco area that's perfect for people watching on the weekends. The menu walks a fine line between cafe classics and Asian fusion dishes like puffed rice with Chinese sausage. It's great for a quick grab and go sandwich, as well as a sit down meal with wine.

PS. Cafe

The Palais Renaissance outlet of this famed cafe is by far the prettiest looking place in Orchard Road. It's got the group's signature oversized blooms and a restrained black-and-white color scheme, not to mention a gorgeous verandah overlooking the Thai embassy. The menu is eclectiv and features large salads, pastas, pizzas and mains like the miso cod with soba. If you come for brunch, try the Israeli-inspired shakshuka.

Sacha & Sons

Serving some of the best pastrami and bagels you will get in Singapore, this New York-style deli is packed with the works. From salmon and cream cheese to corned beef and chopped liver, you'll find tons of hearty sandwiches and huge sharing plates for an easy lunch.

Noodles & Dumplings

Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck

Ultra crispy Peking duck aside, this Chinese restaurant is also a sure bet for dim sum. Everything is finely-made with staples like the Teochew dumplings, glutinous rice in lotus leaf, yang chow fried rice and prawn in egg white with truffle oil.

Ippudo

Despite the fact that it's got plenty of other outlets around town, this one still has snaking queues, especially on the weekends. Settle down with a hot bowl of tonkotsu-based ramen laced with juicy char siu slices. Don't forget sides like the beef tataki with sweet onions, as well as the buns with pork belly.

Jing Hua

The modern reincarnation of Neil Road staple Jing Hua Xiao Chi, this one has got a swankier vibe thanks to the mosaic walls and Oriental minimalist furniture that fits right in at the chi chi Palais Renaissance. The menu remains the same and is full of homemade dumplings, xiao long bao and noodles. 

Shimbashi Soba

Soba-centric restaurants are hard to come by and this one does the noodles justice. Made fresh daily, the buckwheat noodles come in hot and cold renditions with sets that include sushi, sashimi, tempura and even chicken karaage.

Uma Uma Ramen

Head here if you're looking for dry ramen. Not only is the Tan Tan Men here unique, the mix of minced meat and veggies is delicious. If you're here for dinner, head downstairs to The Horse's Mouth for a cocktail nightcap.

Affordable & Alcoholic

La Taperia

This Spanish restaurant has a classic menu in a slightly obscure location. The second floor of the renovated Shaw Centre may be hidden, but the food here is delicious. There are options like garlicky prawns, squid ink paella and suckling pig. Plus, the space has a balcony that's great for after-work drinks.

Tanuki Raw

Settle down here for the affordable rice bowls loaded with wagyu beef and fresh sashimi. Come nighttime, the casual Japanese joint also has a great happy hour involving a rotating list of freshly-shucked oysters.

Thai Tantric

It says something about a restaurant when even the Thai embassy orders lunch from them (or so the owner tells us with pride). This hole-in-the-wall joint in Orchard Towers is completely no-frills but serves up authentic (and spicy) Thai food like chicken wings, curries, rice and soups. Prepare for folding chairs and fiery spice levels.

Fancy Dinners

Bedrock Bar & Grill

When the craving for a good steak hits, head straight to this place. The New York-style steakhouse, decked out in shades of dark wood and leather, has fantastic grilled meats and a mac and cheese that you simply cannot skip. The restaurant also has a great set lunch for those times you need a daytime splurge.

Saveur Art

This is the higher-end offshoot of affordable French restaurant Saveur. That being said, everything is still affordable with a four-course meal only costing $52. Expect dishes laden with black truffles and Asian-spiced short ribs with jalapeno-rosemary crumbs.

Sopra

If you don't know where to look, this may be a little hard to find. It's tucked behind Palais Renaissance and sandwiched in between Orchard Towers. But this Italian restaurant has a great alfresco space and food to match. You'll find all sorts of pasta, from ravioli to gnocchi, as well as pizzas and hearty Italian dishes of pork belly and tenderloin steak.

Les Amis

Anchored firmly on the San Pellegrino Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, there's no shadow of a doubt that Les Amis consistently serves some of the best French fine dining in Singapore. The kitchen pushes out degustation menus full of meticulously-plated creations topped with decadent ingredients like Omi beef and caviar. It ain't cheap, though.