Cross Borders With Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurants in Singapore

This year, Michelin Bib Gourmand went to 67 restaurants which was not easy to filter through. However, we have narrowed it down to our favourite 10 restaurants which allows you to cross borders and treat yourself to European, Mediterranean, Nusantara and even South Asian cuisines. 

Here is a little background about Michelin Bib Gourmand. In 1997, the Bib Gourmand category was introduced to honour establishments that provide diners with a high-quality, affordable gourmet experience in Singapore.   

European & Mediterranean Cuisine

Fool

Among the newly added restaurants included in this year’s Bib Gourmand list is Fool, a European Contemporary restaurant. Another brainchild of Rishi Naldeendra, Chef and owner behind Kotuwa and Cloudstreet, Fool is a vibrant wine bar with a gripping menu of small plates and snacks, all served with precise execution and presentation.

One novelty dish on their menu that is worth a notable mention is the Crispy Frog Leg with Garlic Aioli and Caviar Colony Amur Caviar. Cheese lovers can go for their Saganaki with Fermented Green Chilli and French Fine Beans. While their Sri Lankan Devilled Cashews dish is great to kickstart your appetite, do try out their Charred Shishito peppers with Citrus Soy. 

Fool | 21 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069620

​Bar-Roque Grill

This year marks the 5th year that Bib Gourmand has recognised Bar-Roque Grill for its excellence. Helmed by Chef Stephane’s memories in France, Bar-Roque Grill’s menu is a nostalgic recollection and combination of culinary inspiration from his home region of Alsace.

Celebrate artisanal craft with their highly sought-after charcuterie rillettes, cured meat, terrines and dry sausage which are all made in-house from scratch. Step into the dreams of Chef Stephane as he transforms immersion into reality through his finer art of dry ageing meats.

It is never a dull moment at Bar-Roque Grill as their highlight on French and iconic classics changes every week. Diners can always expect a special meal even on return visits. 

Bar-Roque Grill | 65 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #01-00, Singapore 088539

Nusantara Cuisine  

​Cumi Bali

Another new addition to this year’s list is Cumi Bali. Before moving to their current location, they were situated at Duxton Hill and Tanjong Pagar, the prime location to hunt for delectable food. Upholstered with beautiful wallpaper and interior artefacts, their restaurant allows diners to experience Indonesian culture at its best.

Serving authentic Indonesian dishes, Cumi Bali cooks with homemade sauces that are made with many different types of spices. Spice blends, or "Bumbu," are used in Indonesian cooking to create lingering flavours that come with each meal. For those with a sweet tooth, their Chendol is a must-have. This crowd favourite in Cumi Bali is the perfect end to a savoury meal.

Word of their Sate Madura has spread across local and foreign publications and for good reasons. It’s truly a you-must-try-to-know dish.

Cumi Bali | 50 Tras St, Singapore 078989

​Yhingthai Palace

Thai cuisine also does a pretty good job when it comes to spices and herbs. Fundamental ingredients like Lemongrass, Turmeric and Cumin Seeds work together harmoniously to give that flavour we have all come to love and crave from time to time. 

The one restaurant that understands the assignment when it comes to a good balance between the different herbs and spices is Yhingthai Palace. With more than 20 years of experience, Yhingthai Palace has been serving authentic Thai and Thai Chinese food using only the freshest ingredients. Choose from a wide selection of green and red curries to their clear and coconut-based Tom Yum soup.

Get your tastebuds warmed up with their Thai Crystal Noodle Salad and have a go at their dry curry which will definitely have you going for seconds.

Yhingthai Palace | 36 Purvis Street #01-04, Singapore 188613 

​Indocafe at The White House

The creation of Peranakan food involved the blending of local Malay ingredients and cooking methods with Chinese influences. The food is often fragrant and spicy, and the ingredients reflect the Peranakan cuisine's hybridised heritage.

Inspired by the exotic palate of the spice-abundant straits, Indocafe at The White House invites you to explore their spread of authentic Peranakan cuisine. From traditional Peranakan dishes like Buah Keluak Fried Rice which is rice made with black nut paste, served with peanut and prawns to Kari Kepala Ikan which is a whole Red Snapper fish head cooked with special curry.

Those who are on a plant-based diet are also welcome to try their vegetarian menu. Though the options are not as extensive, quality is not sacrificed. The Eggplant Tempura is a must-have on this menu for its sweet and sour sauce. Peranakan cuisine is not complete without the famous Pulut Hitam or Bubur Cha Cha for dessert. 

Indocafe at The White House | 35 Scotts Road, Singapore 228227

​The Blue Ginger

With customary Asian traditions shifting towards modernisation, the matriarch of the family often gathers the entire family to bond over a mouth-watering feast of robust and spicy dishes. These fond recollections of over-filling meals at your Grandparents inspired the creation of The Blue Ginger, which was motivated by a desire to share this distinctive culture with everyone.

The Blue Ginger at Tanjong Pagar pioneered the Peranakan restaurant in the local dining scene. Housed in a gorgeously-refurbished 3-storey shophouse, this restaurant has become an icon of the street. Their take on Peranakan dishes like the Beef Rendang and Ngo Heong preserves the traditions and heritage of the cuisine while adding a twist of modernity. This three-year recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand is the place to bring Grandma and family. 

The Blue Ginger | 97 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088518 

​True Blue Cuisine

If you are new to Peranakan cuisine, then True Blue Cuisine is the ultimate place to go. Situated within the Peranakan Museum in Singapore, True Blue Cuisine blends 15 years of history and heritage together in a family-friendly restaurant.

Believing strongly in the term “where tradition matters”, Founder and Head Chef Baba Ben along with his Nyonya mother Daisy came up with a menu that is truly immersed in the roots of the Peranakan cuisine. Baba Ben is also one of the first few Chefs to use edible orchids in his dishes which helps to enhance flavour and presentation. 

At True Blue Cuisine, culinary excellence and instruments have been passed down from generation to generation and it is evident in the results. 

True Blue Cuisine | 47/49 Armenian St, Singapore 179937.

South Asian Cuisine 

​Lagnaa

Another cuisine that focuses a lot on the blending of spices is Indian cuisine. Known for using the whole flavour palette – spicy, sweet and sour all at once, it is not uncommon for dishes to be prepared using different types of spices.

Going along the lines of being uncommon, one restaurant in Singapore that encourages diners to remove their footwear before entering is Lagnaa. Masterchef Kaesavan, founder and mastermind of Lagnaa, is a curry and chilli lover who also championed Indian cuisine with his adventurous side.

Curry shots are available as appetisers for those who want to have a taste of the different curries Lagnaa has to offer. Chef recommendations include the traditional Butter Chicken and Threadfin Fish Curry which can be cooked to your preferred spice level.

If you think you can handle your spices well, we encourage you to participate in their Lagnaa Chilli Challenge where spiciness scales by level. Discover “Arusuvai”, the 6 flavours of Indian food and you can attempt to be the first to conquer Level 10.

Lagnaa | 6 Upper Dickson Rd, Singapore 207466

​Muthu’s Curry

One of the more well-known places in Singapore for Indian cuisine is still Muthu’s Curry. Growing from its humble beginnings in 1969, Muthu’s Curry has evolved to become a prominent name in Singapore’s Indian food scene.

Taking pride in their South Indian version of Fish Head Curry which founder Late Mr Ayyakkannu created, this recipe is safe-guarded and perfected by his sons to date. This dish is a burst of aromatic flavours and a myriad of textures that has caught the heart and approval of many generations of Singaporeans. 

Muthu’s Curry now serves a wide variety of dishes originating from both the Southern and Northern regions of India. Their menu broadened to include more popular Indian dishes while ensuring the heritage and traditions of Chettinad remain. 

Muthu’s Curry |138 Race Course Rd, #01-01, Singapore 218591

​Kotuwa

Michelin Chef Rishi Naleendra takes diners at Kotuwa around the sights and tastes of Sri Lanka’s streets which are also rich in culture and flavour. Named after the capital’s central business district, Kotuwa is highly-centred on different variations of seafood recipes such as crab cutlet and crab curry. 

Hoppers, also known as Appam in Singapore, is a crispy pancake with a spongy centre that goes hand-in-hand with Kotuwa’s other dishes which are layered with flavours. Their Kottu Rotti is a chopped flatbread with spiced meat and veggies that is great for sharing, and perfect for family-style dining.  

While their Wambatu Moju is a Sri Lankan spiced eggplant picked in coconut vinegar, most of their vegetable dishes contain coconut, either cooked in a light broth or served as a gravy. You can also treat yourself to a slice of their coconut cake or try the Watalappam tart which is coconut custard with candied orange and spices. 

Kotuwa | 2 Dickson Rd, Level 1 Wanderlust Hotel, Singapore 209494