While Singapore's notorious party zone is best known for its clubs and bars you'll be surprised at the great restaurants that also call the place home.

Most people would know Clarke Quay as Singapore's unofficial party headquarters what with all the bars and clubs that proliferate and usually spill out of its bewildering alleyways. But behind the bright lights and beer you can also get some really good food here, too.

Boss BarBQ

This popular Korean grill and barbecue chain has some pretty ardent followers due to their best-selling chicken dish that comes served with ddeokbokki (braised rice cakes). With a range of Korean liquors, rice wines and beers (as well as a live band), you don't really need to go to Tanjong Pagar to get your Korean food fix.

Hop Dog

Very little goes better than a smoking hot dog and an ice cold beer. This Clarke Quay restaurant does both with over 100 craft beers and a range of hot dogs served on a dizzying array of unusual buns like red yeast rice, toasted sesame and even sweet charcoal. Each hotdog goes for around $12.

Pind Balluchi

Dig into Punjabi classics such as galouti kebab, minced lamb patties, bhatti chicken, chicken marinated in yogurt and rose petals, and tandoori broccoli at this swanky contemporary Indian restaurant. They've got some of the best and most refined Indian food around town. 

Pint & Curries

From the folks behind Bar Bar Black Sheep comes a new gastrobar, which as the name suggests focuses on North Indian dishes, Thai specialties and plenty of craft beer and ciders.

Senor Taco

This recently revamped Clarke Quay outlet sports over 120 seats and a new menu that features piping-hot tacos such as Al Pastor pork, chicken flautas, burritos and creamily addictive homemade guacamole dips. Look no further if you need some refuelling after a boozy night. 

Shiraz

There are no tacky blinds and overly gilded walls in sight at this Persian restuarant. Nor does this modern eatery just do kebabs, they do by the way, you can get them to go and they're delicious, but also offers a whole range of serious dishes like Kufteh-Ye Anor-O Pesteh, lamb meatballs with a pomegranate-pistachio sauce and a stuffed charboiled quail.

Tomo Izakaya

Set out to look like an old Japanese tavern, the menu features an impressive selection of sakes and shochus served alongside a good range of classic Japanese small dishes. Go for the robatayaki, sushi and yakitori with plates of buta kakuni (stewed pork belly), wagyu gyu tan (Australian wagyu ox tongue) and prawn wrapped in perilla leaf and sliced pork.

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Known as the bohemian enclave of Singapore, this seemingly sleepy neighborhood is full of casual restaurants, bars and cafes. Here are the best ones to hit up on your next visit. 

2am:dessertbar

The ultimate sweet tooth retreat, this late night dessert haunt has made waves islandwide. Chef-owner Janice Wong's signature edible art displays include marshmallow walls to chocolate tables, and everything that comes out on a plate is equally decadent. There are dishes like matcha lava cake and pistachio sponge with coco mousse, as well as recently introduced savory items like beef cheek rendang and tacos.

CRAFT Bakery

For those who like a spot of people watching with a good lava cake and coffee, this is the cafe for you. The menu's pretty simple and the attention is focused on 3 Inch Sin's signature chocolate cakes, as well as a some savory options like  bacon mac n' cheese. There's also Papa Palheta coffee that's perfect for a lazy weekend afternoon.

Da Paolo Pizza Bar

As one of Da Paolo's remaining Chip Bee establishments, this pizza bar still draws the crowds with its cow print ceilings, wooden tables and huge wine racks. The thin-crusted pizza is the star of the show with options like tomato, mozzarella, pink peppercorns, avocado and chicken, as well as calzones (folded pizzas). If you're not in the mood for pizza, they've also got salads, meatballs and sandwiches on offer.

Hatched

If you love eggs, this is the place to go. The easy-to-miss cafe nestled amongst a stretch of banks and big corporations specializes in everything eggy. There are favorites like eggs benedict with streaky bacon and ham; wagyu burgers with fried eggs; breakfast burritos and baked eggs, too. 

Original Sin

An institution in Chip Bee Gardens, this Mediterranean restaurant is known for its vegetarian offerings. It's cozy and quiet, which is a welcome change from the raucous weekend atmosphere across the road, with dishes like pan-fried haloumi salad with roasted capsicum and lentils, creamy porcini pasta and great mezze platters to share. Don't miss their ever-changing risotto dish, too.

PARK

Housed in a converted cargo shipping container, this place has a casual vibe with food like spam chips, smoked duck tacos and burgers. If you're looking for casual drinks, they've got a pretty extensive list of beers and wines like Kronenbourg Blanc, Zonin prosecco and Blaissac Bordeaux AOC. Plus, they've got pretty good happy hour and ladies night deals.

The Pit

Tucked away in a corner of Lorong Liput next to some tech stores, this no-frills pub is right below 2am:dessertbar. Frequented by lots of regulars and soccer fans, it's got a convivial atmosphere fuelled by local craft brews by Archipelago. Plus, they've got some pretty decent bar bites like buffalo chicken wings and ribs.

Sanpoutei Ramen

This Niigata ramen restaurant has something a little different to offer: it uses fish stock as its soup base, rather than the usual blend of tonkotsu (pork bone) and shoyu bases. On offer are bowls of tori and miso-based noodles with chasiu, bamboo shoots and, of course, Japanese soy-flavored eggs.

Sunday Folks

Another dessert-centric place, this one specializes in more down-to-earth favorites like waffles and soft serve ice cream. Their ice cream swirling skills are pretty impressive, piled high atop waffles by the Creamier folks. They've also got other sweet treats like yuzu cheesecake, sticky toffee cake, chocolate peppermint marshmallows and takeaway ice cream cones.

Wala Wala

Who doesn't love a casual night out in the open air drinking with friends? This Holland Village stalwart pub has nailed the atmosphere with their approachable list of drinks, pub snacks, sports telecasts and live music. Think drinks like beers on tap, bottles of wine, rudimentary cocktails and bottles of spirits. Don't forget to order jugs of frozen margaritas on that next balmy night out.

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There's much more to the East than the new Sports Hub and good seafood. We've rounded up the 25 best places to get a tipple or two as well. 

1942

Although 1942 may not necessarily have been a good year, this is arguably Singapore's only private war-themed venue. The restaurant serves American food like garden salads and roast chicken, as well as an extensive list of beers and cocktails. It may be a little eerie with all the wartime paraphernalia, but the alfresco area allows you to get out in the sunshine. 

99 Bottles

This weekend-only outfit is a sister outlet to famed hawker stall The Good Beer Company. Expect more of their impressive range of craft brews including Rogue Santa's Private Reserve Ale and Bottleworks' 13th Anniversary Ale. If you manage to come in at the right time, there are also beer flights and tasting sessions.

Adstragold Microbrewery

This neighborhood microbrewery boasts around 15 different types of brews, like their award-winning Red Ale. They've also got a pretty decent selection of pub grub that includes freshly-shucked oysters.

Alibabar the Hawker Bar

Coffeeshop by day and hawker-bar by night, this is a perfect all-day destination. The breezy bistro stocks over 70 labels of beer, including a Belgian Trappist brew. Food-wise, it's perfect for a day or night at the pub with burgers, tacos and chili dogs, as well as a halal eatery.

Bar Bar Black Sheep

A popular hangout for those who want three types of cuisines under one roof, this Katong edition promises that and more. They've got plenty of beer, wines and cocktails starting at $7, as well as affordable American pub grub, Thai and Indian fare.

Betel Box Hostel

Hostels make some of the best pubs with a bunch of enthusiastic travelers and great beer like Chimay and ciders like Kopparberg and Brothers. It doesn't hurt that this Joo Chiat hangout has great people watching, too.

Brussels Sprouts @ Big Splash

If you love Belgian/French moules-frites (mussels and fries), this will hit the spot with over 20 types of mussel dishes available and an extensive Belgian and European beer menu to match. There's plenty of shade and good sea views, making this a prime long dinner spot.

The Cider Pit

The sister to beloved bottle shop East of Avalon wines, no points for guessing what this place's forte is. There are tons of ciders on the menu, but they've also got a pretty good range of English ales and pub grub to pair it with.

Five Bar

The Changi offshoot of popular Raffles Place haunt Five Bar continues its tradition of offering $5 deals. The izakaya-like bar has lots of Japanese skewers, breaded oysters and lotus chips, on top of their nightly $5 deals like Asahi pints and cocktail of the day.

Georges Mad Bar & Grill

This eight-year old Siglap hangout has certainly outdone most of its neighborhood establishments with lots of beer, hearty food like fish & chips, buffalo wings and grilled seafood. There are plenty of locals and backpackers (the upstairs space is a hostel) to liven up the atmosphere.

Happy Days

Sports fan need not look any further with this sports bar that has darts, a foosball table, pool and soccer screenings. Settle down with a range of beers from Australia and South Africa and cheer on that team of yours, or get competitive with some friends.

Harry's at East Coast Park

A staple in any Singaporean's pub experience, Harry's is synonymous with easy (and often slightly greasy) pub grub and lots of beers and wines. One of the plus points for this space is that it's close to the wakeboarding facility and has an easygoing, skater dude feel.

Immigrants

If you don't know about Immigrants, you've been living under a rock. They've got seriously legit Peranakan and Eurasian bites alongside a good variety of whiskey and beers. Line your stomach before you sit down for some Glenmorangies whiskeys and Trappiste Rochefortes ales. 

Jag's Gastropub

This Siglap neighborhood pub serves French and Western grub and is great for a casual day of snacking and tipples. Everything's pretty reasonably-priced too with beers and wines hovering around $11. 

Lower East Side Taqueria

A Mexican-inspired taqueria, the cute and inviting space serves renditions of Mexican favorites, tacos and burritos. They're pretty niche when it comes to their booze selection, with a wide variety of tequilas, mezcals and cachacas. Once you're all liquored up, you can try your hand at their level 5 hot sauce challenge.

Mad Nest

Seems like East Coast is ripe for multi-cuisine spots with this one serving up an array of Japanese, North Indian, Italian-Asian and tapas options. If the food's got you confused, they're also advocates for emerging artists with plenty of works on show at the industrial, concrete space. Drinks-wise they've got you covered with beers, wines, ciders, cocktails, Japanese sakes, whiskeys and other spirits.

Mel's Place

On the far end of East Coast Road, this place may be better known for food like their Kurobuta pork rack and steak burger, but we don't discount their rustic beer garden vibe with live music on weekends. Everyone loves some suds on a balmy night.

Myra's Beach Club

Who doesn't enjoy the sound of a beach club? This 120-seater shares the premises with PA Water-Venture and is unpretentious and super laidback. They've got a mix of Mexican and Indian grub, which certainly makes for an interesting mix, as well as beers, wines and beachy cocktails like mojitos, margaritas and sangrias.

Next Door Cafe

This Mediterranean spot has all manner of pizzas and pastas, as well as a special apple crumble that's only available once a day. There's also an impressive drinks selection with over 100 beers and ales that it's no wonder the restaurant got voted as one of Miele's Top 500 restaurants in Asia. 

Rabbit Carrot Gun

This kitschly-named joint is actually really comfy and has become a dinner and drinks hotspot for locals. The food's pretty straightforward with dishes like chicken liver parfait and onion tartlets, but the drinks are slightly more interesting. You'll find buckshot ales (like an IPA) and Australia-centric wines.

Sunset Bay Garden Bistro

Located along East Coast Parkway, this laidback bistro is perfect for an afternoon or night out with friends. With a "beach garden" vibe, they've got a menu comprising of pastas and pizzas, as well as a list of cocktails, wines and beers. Plus, they even sometimes host yoga classes.

The Trenchard Arms

Rabbit Carrot Gun's sister establishment offers a playful gastropub vibe with craft beers and ales like Blonde Bombshell and a porter ale, Digger. You'll find quintessentially British bites like pies, Scotch eggs and potted shrimp.

The Tuckshop

This cool Geylang hangout also boasts some craft brews, namely Archipelago, and other bottled options from around the world. It's a little kitsch (in a good way) with lots of board games to play and nostalgic rattan furniture. Most people who come here have become regulars, which adds to the convivial atmosphere.

Vau Wine Bar

This Changi Hotel wine bar is a pretty hidden find for those who dare to venture that far East. There's an in-house sommelier who will be more than happy to recommend you bottles of New or Old World wines, as well as some pretty cool vintages. If the wine's got you dizzy, you can take a leisurely stroll by the beach, too.

WaWaWa

Located next to the four segments of what used to be the Berlin Wall, this bistro offers (you guessed it) German pub grub alongside a couple of Asian dishes. The reservoir-side bistro is pretty cool with lots of colorful deck furniture and alfresco spaces. They've got menu items like smoked duck, pizzas, sandwiches and pork knuckles, so expect the same no-frills drinks list. There are commercial brews like Tiger, Hoegaarden and Sapporos, as well as rudimentary cocktails like mojitos, Singapore Slings and Pina Coladas. 

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For a quiet respite without going too far from the bustle of the city, the Dempsey dining enclave has more options than meets the eye.

Dempsey may be tucked away to some, but the dining enclave is always buzzing and full of great foodie options. Whether you're in the mood for some evening cocktails or a degustation dinner, here are your best options.

Chopsuey Cafe

Fancy some Sino-Anglo nosh? Chopsuey Cafe makes some pretty great, albeit toned down, renditions of our childhood favorites. From a smoky sweet & sour pork with pineapple compote, to DIY lettuce cups (San Choy Pau) with a cornucopia of pork, chicken, corn, mushroom, beansprouts and sugar snap peas in a rich, dark sauce. It also doesn't hurt that the colonial-looking space is decorated with plenty of vintage items that take us back to yesteryear.

The Disgruntled Chef

Blink and you'll miss this hidden restaurant. A staircase encased in greenery hides a hillside subterranean restaurant with lots of great food. Whether you fancy something small or big, they have conceptual but comforting food like seared scallops with crackling pork belly, carrot puree and picked daikon; steak tartare with quail eggs and truffled hash browns; as well as decadent brunch items like the Ultimate Beef Burger, with candied bacon, cheddar cheese and caramlised onions. 

Jones the Grocer

There's nothing more leisurely than a warehouse-like space with communal tables, gourmet groceries and a cheese room. We admit that the place may be better suited for lunches, but what they do have on their menu is pretty solid. Whether you opt for a duck confit salad or a rigatoni pasta, the food is light and easy. Don't miss their make-your-own cheese board or cold cut platter – you can even try samples from the cheese room and deli.

La Ventana

Michelin-starred Spanish chef Carles Gaig's Spanish tapas restaurant serves traditional Catalan dishes like Canelon, a cannelloni-style dish stuffed with foie gras, beef and pork in truffle cream; Carabinero paella in a dark brown sauce; crispy boneless suckling pig and pigeon cooked two-ways—confit and josper-grilled. Oh, and the airy space has lots of sangria.

Long Beach Seafood

Few can pass up Chinese and Singaporean-style seafood. This huge seafood restaurant serves up some of the island's best pepper and chilli crabs as well as other favorites like garlic razor clams, succulent steamed prawns and plenty of fish. For those who don't really like seafood, fret not —they’ve got other classics like roast chicken, fried rice and oodles of noodles, too.

The Green Door

This garden-inspired bar not only has kooky cocktails but tons of light bites and weekend barbecues. It's a great place for afternoon drinks or weekend chill out sessions with its Alice In Wonderland-inspired decor and beautiful semi-alfresco space.

Open Farm Community

Chef Ryan Clift teams up with urban farmers Edible Gardens for this farm-to-table(ish) restaurant. The expansive 5,000 sq m space has its own herb and vegetable garden, as well as an airy dining room serving hearty and fresh pastas, salads and meat dishes. Don't skip the creamy rigatoni with local mushrooms, as well as the charred lamb rump with garden peas and mash. The place also encourages people to picnic in the garden while playing a game of lawn bowling or ping pong, too.

PS. Cafe

This Dempsey Hill institution has close proximity to the rainforest, with long timber walkways, huge flower arrangements and floor-to-ceiling windows. Great for brunches, lunches, suppers and everything in between, the easy and breezy space is a favorite hangout for any Dempsey-goer. Although everyone has their favorites, classics like their Green Goddess pesto penne, PS. burger and truffle fries never go out of style. They've also got a pretty neat list of cocktails like their basil & lemon mint mojito, sangrias and extensive wine list.

Red Dot Brewhouse

This large structure perched on a hill is part of Singapore's growing microbrewery scene. Admittedly, they're better with bar snacks and light bites than full-on meals, but the place is pretty and weekend atmosphere buzzing. No one can go wrong with chicken wings, pork belly, fries and a pint of beer, but their grilled sausage platter is pretty legit, too. For heartier meals, they have pastas, pizzas and burgers that go well with brews like the lime wheat, weizen, and kolsch.

Roadhouse

An all-American diner and restaurant, Roadhouse serve up grub like Mac 'N' Cheese, bacon marinated burgers and crispy Cajun shrimp sandwiches. The Simple Brie-vine Burger is something pretty special with a josper-grilled wagyu patty, grilled poached pear, brie cheese, rocket and sundried tomatoes. 

The White Rabbit

Destination dining spot for those special occasions, this converted church is now home to a modern French fine dining restaurant. Once you stop admiring the stained glass windows, white-washed space and tiled floors, the food should grab your attention. Think wagyu beef carpaccio with truffle cream sauce, balsamic pearls and shaved parmesan; a savoury-sweet foie gras duet with apple and cherry compote; an Alaskan king crab and pork broth tagliette; or a 36-hour Brandt short ribs. For those who like cocktails, meander over to The Rabbit Hole to try their 18 different types of gin and tonic.

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