Spanish cuisine is all about simplicity. Using only the best local produce, time-honoured techniques, and a rustic, homespun dedication to create the beloved Spanish staples we all know and love today.
From seafood packed paella to tasty tapas, here’s where to find the best Spanish restaurants in Singapore.
Carlitos
350 Joo Chiat Road
Image credit: Carlitos | Supplied
Authentic Spanish flavours join the colourful Joo Chiat food scene with the arrival of Carlitos (meaning Little Carlos in Spanish). Designed by the creative eyes of two longtime friends and celebrated chefs Carlos Montobbio of Esquina and Antonio Miscellaneo of La Bottega, Carlitos is a welcoming neighbourhood tapas bar that delivers the no-frills authenticity of Barcelona to Singapore.
Expect quintessential Spanish tapas and small plates from a variety of Chef Carlos’s favourite hotspots throughout Spain. Highlights include the Gilda Pintxo, smoked sardines brightened with pickles and green olive and the Patatas Bravas Bonanova made with agria potato and loaded with garlic aioli, spicy tomato sauce and chilli oil. Other must-haves include the Macarrones del Cardenal, a typical pasta dish from Barcelona, featuring homemade penne pasta enriched with secreto iberico sofrito and Manchego cream and the Fricandó Barcelona which is a hearty thick ragu with Black Angus beef fragranced with porcini mushrooms.
Of course, no visit would be complete without paella. For a taste of authenticity and element of surprise, the Paella del Dia is the house signature paella prepared in varied flavours depending on the fresh produce of the day. Cooked on the spot and served in tapas portions, the individual servings allow you to complement your meal with a serving of hot paella on top of other tapas.
As for the drinks, you will find an extensive selection of Spanish wines on offer. All wines are sourced from boutique and artisanal wineries across Spain, featuring small-batch productions, independent winemakers and hidden gems that offer a glimpse into Spain’s burgeoning wine industry. True to tapas bar tradition, plenty of by the glass options will be offered too.
My Little Spanish Place
54 Boat Quay
Image credit: My Little Spanish Place | Website
Having first opened its doors in Bukit Timah in 2010, My Little Spanish unveiled its second outlet in Boat Quay only five short years later. Based on the Spanish saying, “Mi Casa es Su Casa”, which means “My House is Your House”, the restaurant boasts a fully-fledged menu of Spanish home-style dishes and desserts designed by chefs Maria Sevillano from Spain and Edward Esmero from the Philippines.
Highlights include the jamon-stuffed creamy croquettes with jamon flakes, grilled broccolini with romesco sauce and toasted almond shaves, crispy potatoes with their special spicy sauce and Manchego cheese, and the homemade beef and pork meatballs in tomato sauce. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a glass of sangria.
FOC By The Beach
110 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa Island
Image credit: FOC Sentosa | Facebook
FOC By The Beach (previously FOC Sentosa) is a Spanish restaurant and beach club inspired by Barcelona’s world-famous beach culture. Located at the east end of Palawan Beach, FOC By The Beach boasts an outdoor pool, al fresco dining terrace, picnic tables, beach cabanas, and pool loungers for you to relax on while listening to some smooth beats with a sangria in hand.
Laidback vibes and excellent drinks aside, FOC By The Beach is worthy of a visit for the food alone. The menu, which was designed by Michelin star Chef Nandu Jubany, is packed with delicious Spanish dishes. You can expect plenty of fresh seafood, dry-aged meat cuts, paella, and hot and cold tapas. The deep-fried Iberico ham croquettes and duck rillette served with pickles and toasted bread are an excellent choice.
Tapas,24
60 Robertson Quay, #01-04
Image credit: Tapas,24 | Facebook
Located in Robertson Quay, Tapas,24 is the first Asian outpost of the iconic Barcelonian concept, created by Michelin-starred Chef Carles Abellán.
A tribute to Barcelona’s laidback counter-culture, the all-day restaurant and bar offers an energetic atmosphere alongside an extensive menu of seasonal Spanish dishes, refreshing Sangria, Spanish cocktails, and a robust wine list that showcases the best of Spain’s viticulture. Highlights include the avocado and roasted pumpkin salad, lamb skewers, and the surf and turf paella which comes with mixed seafood and chicken.
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ESQUINA
16 Jiak Chuan Road
Image credit: ESQUINA | Supplied
Spearheaded by Barcelona-born Executive Chef Carlos Montobbio, ESQUINA (which means corner in Spanish) is located at the corner of Jiak Chuan Street and specialises in contemporary cuisine showcasing Spanish and Catalan flavours.
The two-storey space offers two distinct experiences. The ground floor features an open-kitchen concept and communal seating that encourages interaction and allows you to watch the chefs in action, while the second floor is designed to create an intimate setting perfect for group bookings and private parties.
Handcrafted from premium ingredients imported mainly from Spain and also from Japan and Australia, the recently refreshed menu includes signatures such as the Spanish Octopus, which features a succulent chunk of sous vide and charred tentacle accompanied with grilled corn sauce, chimichurri, and an additional touch of chorizo oil. Other highlights include the decadent Uni Paella, served with lobster rice, and the Spanish Suckling Pig, where crispy skin meets juicy meat along with a rhubarb and apple chutney.
Esquina has also recently introduced a fun new ritual called Viva Vermut! (available on the first Saturday of each month between 11am and 5pm), where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon with vermouth, a selection of shareable bites, and a variety of conservas (canned seafood). Priced at $58 per person, the set includes delicious gems like Mejillones en Escabeche (Spanish mussels in Escabeche sauce), Berberechos al Natural (Spanish clams with Espinaler sauce and lemon), Croquetas de Jamón (Croquetas with ibérico ham and Manchego cheese), and Tortilla de Patata (Spanish omelette with confit potato and shallots). It also comes with a drink, where you can choose from El Bandarra Rojo, a vermouth from Barcelona served straight, on the rocks, with tonic or spritz, or Estrella Galicia beer.
Olivia Restaurant And Lounge
55 Keong Saik Road
Image credit: Olivia | Supplied
Located along Keong Saik Road, Olivia showcases elevated homestyle cooking from Barcelona. The restaurant, which was designed by the renowned Barcelona based, Lázaro Rosa-Violán, gives off summer in Europe vibes with its whitewashed bricks, terracotta tiles, and blue booths.
Menu highlights include the ham croquettes, burrata and fresh tomato salad, vegetable and mushroom rice, Mediterranean seabream, roasted lamb rack, and the Spanish suckling pig. As for dessert, do yourself a favour and order Olivia’s blue cheese cheesecake. It’s become so popular the restaurant had to open a separate venue, Queic by Olivia at 41 Kreta Ayer Road, which is dedicated to cheesecakes.
Gaig Singapore
16 Stanley Street
Image credit: Gaig Singapore | Supplied
Showcasing authentic Catalan cuisine crafted with passion and dedication, Gaig Singapore is run by the same family as its namesake in Barcelona. Although the menus change with the seasons, with Michelin star Chef Carles Gaig at the helm you can expect fresh and flavourful produce alongside timeless family recipes.
We recommend the Gaig Tradició Menu which showcases a collection of dishes that you simply can’t leave without trying. Highlights include the fresh pasta stuffed with beef, pork, and truffle sauce and the crispy Ibérico suckling pig from Spain served with fresh strawberries.
Next Door Spanish Cafe
699 East Coast Road
Image credit: Next Door Spanish Cafe | Facebook
Bringing the authentic traditional taste and culture of Spain to the quaint neighbourhood of Siglap, Next Door Spanish Cafe offers a delightful homey vibe and top-notch service. As such, the restaurant fills up fast so make sure you book a table in advance.
If you’re planning on ordering a selection of tapas, some of our favourites include the Patatas Bravas (crispy potatoes with brava and alioli sauce), Tortilla de Patatas (traditional Spanish omelette), Coles de Bruselas con Miel y Pimentón (crispy Brussels sprouts with honey and paprika), and the Cochifrito (crispy fried suckling pig with confit garlic). As for the mains, we recommend the chicken and chorizo paella, grilled catch-of-the-day, and the slow-cooked lamb shank with couscous and nuts salad.
Sabio By The Sea
31 Ocean Way, #01-02
Image credit: Sabio | Facebook
Sabio is a Spanish tapas bar that places a heavy focus on Spanish seafood. One of their most popular dishes is the seafood paella which is packed with squid, sea bass, mussels, clams, and shrimp. The chilled cocktail prawns and Spanish crab cakes are also firm favourites.
Although Sabio has another outlet at Duxton Hill, we love their Sentosa Cove locale as it comes with a delightful sea breeze and picturesque views of Sentosa Marina.
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Main image credit: ESQUINA | Supplied
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