The Restaurants from Spain initiative continues to fuel the rising popularity of Spanish food and wine in the Lion City.
Tapas. Paella. Jamon. Patatas Bravas. And even Churros.
Spanish food terms have seamlessly woven themselves into the Singaporean dining lexicon in recent years as the appeal of Spanish cuisine continues to soar in Singapore. Many Spanish-themed restaurants have sprouted across the country in response, buoyed also by the increased accessibility of food and wine imports from the Iberian Peninsula.
Today you’ll not only find Spanish-themed restaurants in popular dining enclaves across town, but also some that are scattered in the Singapore heartlands.
To help further promote Spanish gastronomy in Singapore, ICEX Spain – the government agency responsible for promoting Spanish products and services internationally – introduced Restaurants from Spain, a certification programme to help identify and support Spanish restaurants as true culinary ambassadors. Since the initiative was first introduced here in 2021, 16 Spanish restaurants in Singapore have been approved as certified ambassadors to help spread the love for Spanish food.
So if you’re looking for an authentic taste of Iberia, do drop in at these 16 certified restaurants.
This article is brought to you in partnership with Restaurants from Spain. To find out more about Restaurants from Spain, visit www.restaurantsfromspainsg.com.
Asador
A restaurant inspired by traditional Spanish ancestral wood-fire cooking methods, Asador along Joo Chiat Road leans on its Basque-style grill and Castilian oven at high temperatures for a taste of flame-kissed Spanish dishes such as its Segovian-style Conchinillo suckling pig or Txuleton de Vaca Vieja OP beef rib. Cocktail hounds will love 60ml by Asador, a post-Prohibition era-inspired speakeasy hidden within.
www.asadorsingapore.com | discover more
Binomio
One of the original pioneers of authentic Spanish cuisine in Singapore, Binomio offers fun twists to popular all-time Spanish tapas favourites such as Jamon de Pata Negra and country-style Pan con Tomate at its bar while serving up refined seasonal dishes in its restaurant proper like Pulpa A’feira or the unctuous Steak Tartar de Binomio. An exceptional Spanish wine list also makes Binomio a must-visit.
www.binomio.sg | discover more
Esquina
Barcelona native and head chef Carlos Montobbio needs little introduction for taking contemporary Spanish and Catalan cuisine to heady heights here in Singapore with Esquina since 2011. Its experimental tasting menu is always revelatory, while inspired a la carte dishes such as Sea Urchin Paella and Smoked Atlantic Sardine – along with Esquina’s fun and edgy vibes – means a constant hungry queue clamouring to get in.
esquina.com.sg | discover more
FOC
Vibrant and buzzy FOC on Hong Kong Street is a slice of Barcelona in Singapore. Expect quintessential Catalan gastronomic influences that are both refined and elevated, such as its uniquely latticed Patatas Bravas, slurp-worthy Argentinian Prawns ‘al Ajillo’, or juicy Roasted Baby Lamb Shoulder paired with cocktails or some fino sherry. Then there’s FOC Sentosa, its more laidback beachside sibling on idyllic Palawan Beach in Sentosa offering a more all-encompassing Mediterranean menu.
focrestaurant.com | discover more
Restaurant Gaig
Restaurant Gaig, the Singapore offshoot of Barcelona’s Michelin-starred restaurant Gaig by Chef Carles Gaig, puts fine in fine-dining Catalan. Here traditional Catalan dishes are reimagined with modern culinary techniques and the best seasonal ingredients for contemporary twists that celebrate the irrepressible Catalan spirit, such as the must-order Bomba de la Barceloneta stuffed potato ball and Boston Lobster Fideua, and the signature Catalan dessert that is Crema Catalana with Our Catalan crème Brûlée.
sg.restaurantgaig.com | discover more
Kulto
Rioja-born chef-owner José Alonso takes diners on a roller-coaster gastronomic Spanish journey at Kulto in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District. The freshest in-season ingredients take centre stage here. We love to sit front row where we can witness endless dishes – piping hot pans of Seafood or Squid Ink Paella, roasted Whole Octopus ‘Galician Style’, or plates of tapas such as Jamón Ibérico Croquettes – issue out of the restaurant’s open kitchen.
Lumbre
One of the newest Spanish restaurants in Singapore, Lumbre – the Spanish word for fire or warmth – takes a farm-to-table approach with fresh ingredients from land and sea and transforms them into flavours of Spain using its open wood-fire grill or Josper charcoal oven. You’ll certainly delight in the charred notes in dishes like Chicken Enrollado and its signature Octopus Lumbre.
Next Door Spanish Cafe
Appropriately named Next Door Spanish Cafe sits in Singapore’s idyllic yet food-loving Siglap neighbourhood enclave, helping to sate nearby residents hankering for familiar bite-sized Spanish tapas favourites such as Anchoas del Cantabrico, Tortilla de Patatas, and Calamares a la Andaluza. Washed down liberally with Sangria or Spanish wine, of course!
www.nextdoorspanishcafe.com | discover more
Olivia Restaurant & Lounge
Chef and co-owner Alain Devahive champions elevated Spanish homestyle cooking in Olivia Restaurant & Lounge, embracing guests with the spirit and taste of Barcelona. But don’t be fooled by its more rustic setting or the simple sounding menu – dishes like Black Rice with ‘Carabineros’, Roasted Meat Canelón and or Vegetables & Mushroom Rice all turn out beautifully. And more importantly, perfectly executed.
www.olivia.com.sg | discover more
Pura Brasa
Josper-backed Spanish restaurant chain Pura Brasa opened its first-ever international outlet here in Singapore back in 2017, bringing to town a casual and friendly atmosphere with a diverse Spanish menu anchored by, yes, Josper charcoal grilling. Chill out here over the likes of Josper Grilled Spanish Pork Ribs, Josper Grilled Wagyu Burger or any manner of tapas for your Spanish fix.
www.purabrasa.com/singapore | discover more
Tapas,24 Singapore
Tapas,24 Singapore, Carles Abellán’s wildly-popular award-winning tapas bar chain’s first outpost in Asia, immerses Singapore diners in an authentic Barcelona-style gastronomic experience at Robertson Quay with its fun-loving vibes and a menu bursting with true Spanish flair. You’ll love their Spanish Tortilla ‘Mallorcan Style’, Clams in Sherry, or the ‘Tapas 24’ Bikini Sandwich, but the Huevos Estrellados with Thick Cut Chips is a true champion matador’s breakfast.
www.tapas24.sg | discover more
Tapas Club
Ask any Singapore about Spanish food, and chances are they’ll mention Tapas Club. Indeed the Spanish restaurant chain – it has outlets in Jewel Changi Airport, Orchard Central and Vivocity – can be credited for bringing affordable Spanish cuisine to the masses. Expect mostly familiar Spanish favourites here, from Salmorejo cold tomato soup and Croquetas de Jamon to family-style sharing options such as Paella Tradicional de Pollo. And don’t forget the Churros con Chocolate for the kids!
www.tapasclub.com | discover more
UNA
UNA at The Alkaff Mansion puts the romance in Spanish fine dining. The cosy restaurant on the upper floor of a secluded manor on Telok Blangah Hill marries traditional Spanish flavours with modern techniques and creativity while paying tribute to regional specialties. Luxuriate in dishes like Fideua de Calamares and Piquillos Rellenos de Bacalao while tipping back a glass of robust Rioja or a zesty Albarino as you gaze into the eyes of your dining partner at UNA.
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