Nestled along the iconic Singapore River, just minutes for neighbouring Boat Quay and Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay has recently undergone a $62 million rejuvenation project.
Although the area is best known for its nightlife options and hordes of tourists, the revamped riverside lifestyle precinct is now a culinary hotspot with everything from delightful Mexican cuisine to bold European flavours on offer.
Here are the best restaurants and bars in Clarke Quay.
Kee’s
21 Carpenter Street
Image credit: Kee's | Supplied by Hosanna Swee
Helmed by Culinary Director Andrew Walsh (the Michelin-starred chef responsible for Cure and Tilly’s) and Executive Chef Iswardy Hamzah, Kee’s is a new neo-bistro and bar that showcases a versatile menu of bold European flavours alongside a tight selection of Pan-Asia dishes and signature cocktails (if you like spicy margaritas, order the Spice & Sips and thank us later).
Small plates include the marinated green olives with fennel seed and citrus peel, as well as the tuna tartare featuring a Vietnamese and coconut dressing. Ideal for a refreshing and light lunch, the citrus kale salad which is tossed in a blend of peanut brittle, pickled ginger, and a zesty lime dressing, is a surefire winner. If you’re still hungry, do yourself a favour and order a side of crispy salt and pepper chicken with curry mayonnaise.
As for the mains (which are generously sized and perfect for sharing), you can’t beat the ribeye steak frites, served with pickled red onion, watercress and chimichurri, and the Japanese Red Sea Bream, served with a herbaceous green curry emulsion and coconut rice. For a sweet treat, we recommend the chocolate mousse which comes with a delicate cocoa tuile and a meringue made with Singapore’s beloved dessert ingredient, pandan. The Kee’s tiramisu with coffee liqueur and mascarpone is also a delicious choice.
Señor Taco Clarke Quay
Block 3C, #01-09A River Valley Road
Image credit: Señor Taco | Supplied
Señor Taco, Singapore’s premier and beloved taqueria, has officially reopened in the heart of Clarke Quay. Since its debut in 2009, Señor Taco has captivated us with its authentic Mexican street food and lively atmosphere.
Señor Taco's newly expanded menu boasts some truly Mexican dishes, like their star player, TROMPO, an addictive corn tortilla taco showcasing fillings such as the succulent Al Pastor Kurobuta Pork and the delicious Chicken Sinaloa-style. Cheese lovers are in for a treat with the inclusion of Oaxaca cheese—a Mexican gem akin to the beloved mozzarella. Embracing the cravings of addictive indulgence, the VOLCAN emerges as a crunchy flat corn tortilla tostada erupting with the rich and creamy goodness of Oaxaca Cheese.
Once you’re ready to burn off all that food, professional Latin dance instructors will be on hand teaching Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba and Afrobeats until the small hours.
Zouk
3C River Valley Road, 01-05 to 02-06
Image credit: Zouk | Facebook
Located within Clarke Quay’s Cannery Block and spanning across two floors, Zouk has become one of the city’s most-loved super clubs and for good reason, a night here will not be easily forgotten.
A trailblazer in the club scene for being one of the first to champion house music, at Zouk you’ll find a line-up of crazy good DJs. Previous superstars who have taken to the decks here include Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, Avicii and the Chemical Brothers—yep these guys know how to throw an excellent party. First opening its doors back in 1991 (it was once housed in an old warehouse) this hot spot has been loved by generations of Singaporean clubbers, so you know it’s absolutely worth adding to your hit list.
Verve Pizza Bar
3D River Valley Road
Image credit: Verve Pizza Bar | Supplied
Serving up a selection of Italian-style pizzas that are handmade fresh in their stone-based ovens, Verve Pizza Bar is the kind of place you want to grab a slice from after a big night out. Unpretentious and easy-going, the food kiosk uses only the freshest ingredients to make their pizzas while the bar serves up in-house developed cocktails including their signature Appletini’s made with fresh Granny Smith apples.
We recommend ordering a slice of the Santino (tomato base, pepperoni, mozzarella, baby spinach, and fresh red chilli) or the Altobello (tomato base, spicy beef, onions, bell peppers, and mozzarella) with a side of truffle fries.
Amò
33 Hongkong Street
Image credit: Amò | Supplied
Short for amore, Amò is named after the colloquial term of endearment used across Italy regardless of dialects and regions. In the same spirit, Amò is a union of Italian cuisine and people, designed as a social destination where the best culinary influences from all parts of Italy come together.
The menu comes in sharing and single portions to encourage interaction, ranging from an assortment of antipasti, salads and sides, to pre-sliced pizzas and large mains such as Butter Roasted Spring Chicken with Truffle and Smoked Cheese Mash, Grilled Octopus with Sardinian Paella and Fregola Pasta, and Grilled Angus Beef Tagliata with Rucola and Parmigiano Salad.
Taking over a sprawling shop house that had its origins as a warehouse since the 1950s, the 90-seater restaurant has a stunning outdoor courtyard featuring a larger-than-life hand-painted wall illustration by local artist Venetia Stravens. The charming terrace accommodates up to 40 guests for dining under the stars.
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Neon Pigeon
36 Carpenter Street, #01-01
Image credit: Neon Pigeon | Facebook
The eclectic Neon Pigeon is an effervescent modern urban izakaya which was once located at the famous Keong Saik Road. In November 2020, Neon Pigeon moved to 36 Carpenter Street where it continues to be one of the buzziest dens in the city reminiscent of Tokyo’s hidden alleys.
Helmed by Chef Sean Mell who began his career at the legendary Nobu in New York, the restaurant serves up a mix of Japanese tradition and dishes reminiscent of Mell’s cherished childhood favourites like the Shime Iwashi with Crispy Ramen and Miso Tofu—a playful dish that brings to mind the quick-fix snacks he used to tuck into as a child.
Other highlights include the Garlic Roasted Amela Tomato with Parmigiana Dashi, Misozuke Tofu Cheese & Kombu Toast which is a take on the grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup Sean’s mother made for him as a young boy. It’s a classic kids combo that comes complete with a side of nostalgia while remarkably still being distinctly Japanese. The Peruvian Sashimi with Chili and Lime is inspired by the chef’s time at Nobu, paying homage to his great mentor, Nobu Matsuhisa, and the person who transformed him into a raw fish aficionado. Did we mention Neon Pigeon has its very own raw bar? For his Moriawase, Mell encourages his suppliers to surprise him with a seafood box each week, where a selection of catch is then used for the for the freshest selection of sashimi and maki. Finally, the KFC Bao which features crispy karaage chicken, drenched in a badass soy-gochujang glaze, all slammed into a fluffy bao bun is not to be missed.
As for the drinks, Mario la Pietra has created a fully inclusive cocktail menu that invites all people, from drinkers to teetotallers, to come together and enjoy the convivial spirit of communing over a drink. His list is split evenly among Full Proof drinks, Half Proof drinks and Zero Proof cocktails (there’s no sugary mocktails here). We recommend the SLING-A.I.-JIN which is a half-proof concoction that is a lightly fruity, floral drink with Nikka From The Barrel, peach wine, Tumugi koji, Thai basil, citrus and ginger ale.
Harry's Clarke Quay
3D River Valley Road, #01-01
Image credit: Harry's | Supplied
Established in 1992, Harry’s is one of Singapore’s longstanding F&B brands. From its humble beginning in Boat Quay, it has since grown into Singapore’s largest collection of everyday bars and kitchens with 19 outlets located across the island.
Now, Harry’s is marking a new era with a revamp and elevation of its menu offerings. The new menu features a variety of lighter and health-conscious choices across both food and drink items, including more vegetarian and wholesome options as well as low-carb beers and wine alternatives.
Highlights include the pan seared salmon which comes with crisp green vegetables, fragrant brown rice and an aromatic house-made pesto sauce, and the Argentinian rib eye which is served with dressed salad, spicy steak sauce, and Harry’s signature spiced fries. Meanwhile, Harry’s updated beverage selection features a refreshing twist, embracing healthier options by using natural sugar and drawing inspiration from modern trends. We recommend the Not So Old Fashioned, Roman Mule and Espresso Martini.
28 HongKong Street
28 Hongkong Street
Image credit: 28 HongKong Street | Supplied
Although this ground floor bar behind an inconspicuous, unmarked door is no longer a secret, the speakeasy vibes live on at 28 HongKong Street with its dim, loungey atmosphere and delicious cocktails, all expertly shaken and stirred, or perhaps served with hand-carved ice.
The well-loved neighbourhood bar and cocktail destination has recently unveiled a new cocktail menu created in collaboration with four local tattoo artists. DR-INK! features new signature cocktails inspired by the artists’ designs that depict what 28 HongKong Street represents to them, with references to their own experiences, childhoods and nostalgic influences from Singapore.
Our pick is the Burung Bathikan featuring Aba Pisco, house-made rambutan shrub, St Germain elderflower liqueur and Mancino Sakura Vermouth—a deliciously smashable twist on the Pisco Sour. The drink was inspired by Honest Bob Tattoo’s exquisite design depicting a batik burung alongside bauhaus symbols.
Femme Fatality featuring Greater Than Gin, chrysanthemum, absinthe, Benedictine and honey vermouth is an elegant martini-style cocktail which was inspired by a Of Gods and Monsters tattoo design, which portrays the bar’s audacious spirit as a cool, tattooed and sword wielding female - a nod to the growing influence of female bartenders in Singapore and the fact that they now make up two thirds of the bar’s team at 28 HongKong Street.
Café Iguana
30 Merchant Road, #01-03
Image credit: Café Iguana | Facebook
Café Iguana has two locations in Singapore—Riverside Point (which is right next to Clarke Quay) and Orchard Rendezvous Hotel—and serves up tasty modern Mexican dishes, zingy tequila cocktails, and a super-chill vibe.
Offering a modern take on traditional Mexican cuisine their must-try dishes include the Tex-Mex Baby Back Ribs, El Marisco Ceviche, Pork Belly Carnitas Tacos and Shaker Churros (complete with fudge sauce made with Brewerkz Fort Siloso craft beer and Mexican caramel).
Yang Club
3A River Valley Road, #01-02 Clarke Quay
Image credit: Yang Club | Website
A dull night out at Yang Club is deemed near impossible with its rotating DJ headliners and VIP experiences.
Located at the iconic heritage mansion The Riverhouse, you can rave until dawn with Yang Club's slapping cutting-edge speakers, confetti guns, neon hues and energetic strobe lights. But take note, women need to be 18 to enter whereas men need to be 21—plus, be sure to leave your slides, singlets and shorts at home because as the club proclaims “don’t come out to play if you aren’t dressed to slay”. You’ve been told.
JUMBO Seafood - Riverside Point
30 Merchant Road, #01-01/02
Image credit: Jumbo Seafood | Facebook
Although Jumbo Seafood has numerous locations across Singapore, their Riverside Point outlet, which opened in 2020, is located along the beautiful historic Singapore River and is only minutes away from the Clarke Quay MRT station.
Capturing the hearts of locals with its award-winning chilli crab, black pepper crab and other fresh seafood cooked to perfection, Jumbo prides itself on continuously creating distinctive dishes to cater to different tastes.
Warehouse
3C River Valley Road, #01-09 Block C
Image credit: Warehouse | Supplied
Situated in the heart of Singapore’s party hub at Clarke Quay, Warehouse is the perfect venue for lovers of great music, great food, and great times.
After opening its doors in 2016, the restaurant and bar has become somewhat of an institution for lovers of live music. Their stage has provided a platform to many local bands and talent, and now boasts a programme of live music performances from 7pm every night until late.
Serving up a mix of Eastern and Western snacks and main courses, you’ll find dishes like salted egg fish skin, lemongrass prawn sticks, sizzling lamb kofta kebabs, mixed seafood platters, and their footlong, fully loaded nachos.
Wings Bar & Grill
#01-04 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Road
Image credit: Wings Bar & Grill | Supplied
Wings Bar & Grill pays tribute to the great aviation years of the 1940s and has become a popular spot for locals as well as tourists. The family-friendly restaurant serves up melt-in-your mouth slow-smoked ribs, delicious burgers, juicy buffalo wings, and a range of brewed at source beers and cocktails from around the world.
A lively and fun venue, you can expect a live band every night as well as some seriously unique aviation decor including a one-third life size P-51 Mustang model, custom-built in Arizona, flying above the bar.
Sanchos
3D River Valley Road, #01-07 Block D
Image credit: Sanchos | Supplied
Inspired by the vibrant tapestry of Mexican culture, Sanchos serves up traditional Mexican street food with an innovative twist alongside signature cocktails like their delicious Coronarita (it’s basically an overturned bottle of Corona which has been placed inside a margarita).
We recommend ordering the stuffed jalapenos followed by the barbacoa tacos (slow cooked shredded duck confit served with blue corn tortillas and a range of toppings). For something sweet, the churros with chocolate sauce are a no brainer.
If you can, get a seat outside along the river for good views and people watching.
Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen
3D River Valley Road, #01 - 02
Image credit: Fu Lin | Supplied
Known for its yong tau foo (a Hakka Chinese dish made from tofu stuffed with a ground meat mixture or fish paste. It is eaten in numerous ways, either dry with a sauce or served as a soup dish), Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen started over 30 years ago as a humble yong tau foo stall in Siglap, run by husband-and-wife duo, Karen and Jimmy. Over time, they’ve grown into several popular food court stalls and now a full-fledged restaurant along the Singapore River, which has helped introduce the local delicacy to a wider international audience.
The pair take pride in preparing yong tau foo fresh every day, using yellowtail fish and wonton (ingredients that have become staples for their loyal customers). Apart from the usual, their signature offerings boast unique noodle dishes bathed in a rich, special gravy, along with homemade chilli sauce and black sauce that pack a punch. They also serve up beloved local favourites like fragrant carrot cakes and comforting zi char dishes.
Looking for more? Check out:
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Main image credit: Verve Pizza Bar | Supplied
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