MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2024: 4 New One Star Restaurants, Meta Earns A 2nd Star

Singapore’s restaurant scene continues to intrigue and excite MICHELIN inspectors, as 4 restaurants win their first Michelin Stars in the latest (8th) edition of The MICHELIN Guide Singapore. 

Local Peranakan Chef Malcolm Lee now helms two One Michelin Star restaurants as Pangium joins its sister restaurant, Candlenut, in the one star category. And for the first time too, a restaurant with South American influences is awarded a Michelin star in Singapore as Araya by Chilean chefs Francisco Araya and Fernanda Guerrero is awarded One Michelin Star. 

All eyes also are on Chef Sun Kim's contemporary Korean dining room Meta, for its promotion to two Michelin stars! Hailing from Busan, Chef Kim’s refined modern cooking combined with the boldness of authentic Korean flavours have heightened the breadth of dining experiences to be savoured in Singapore. 

Another restaurant to keep on your radar is Fiz, by Malaysian-British Chef Hafizzul Hashim. This Contemporary Southeast Asian restaurant which highlights the wonders of traditional Malay cuisine, has been awarded with the guide’s only Green Star this year for its sustainable approach. Opened in mid-2023, Fiz has also debuted in the Michelin Selected category, which is often a lead-in to a Michelin Star. 

At the very pinnacle of fine dining in Singapore, restaurants Les Amis, Odette, and Zén continue to dominate. These remain benchmarks of exceptional culinary artistry and impeccable hospitality expected of three Michelin star establishments, and are considered a must-try for gastronomes visiting Singapore. 

Here is our round-up of the most exciting new entries to The Michelin Guide Singapore 2024, and check out the complete list of all Michelin star establishments here. For a list of other Michelin-endorsed eateries in Singapore, do not miss our selection of Bib Gourmand entrants!

Araya - For A Unique Take on South American Traditions with Japanese Ingredients

Helmed by Chefs Francisco Araya and Fernanda Guerrero, Araya marries high-quality cooking with the unique perspectives of its two-chef culinary team who met in China and have worked the world over. Their blend of influences spans from their native Chile to Spain and Japan, crafting dishes that are both eclectic and exquisite. With an array of Chilean and Japanese produce, they present South Pacific flavours into their menu by pairing Japanese favourites like kinki fish and cod milt with Chilean spices such as aji amarillo and merkén. 

The highlight of the menu, according to MICHELIN inspectors, is the "Pigeon" dish, featuring a charcoal-grilled Bresse pigeon cooked to medium-rare perfection. The pigeon is accompanied by a pumpkin brioche, stuffed pigeon, and is served with a homemade Ecuadorian cacao sauce. This rich sauce, aged for 175 days and meticulously crafted in-house, adds a deep, complex flavour that beautifully complements the tender, crispy pigeon.

Araya Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 83 Neil Road,  #01-08, Singapore 089813. Call (+65) 8870 0871 or Email: [email protected]. 

Chaleur - For Masterful Japanese-French Omakase-style Fine-dining

With a storied 10-course dinner menu, Japanese Chef Kawano masterfully blends French and Japanese ingredients, refined with solid French techniques. At Chaleur, each dish is a visual and gastronomic delight, showcasing Chef Kawano’s meticulous attention to detail.

Lauded by the MICHELIN inspectors for his standout dish of Duck Consommé with Wholegrain Noodle, Chef Kawano’s dedication to perfecting the art of the classic consommé remarkable.  This signature creation features a deep, concentrated duck essence, crafted by extracting flavour from duck bones over several hours. The broth is paired with homemade wholegrain noodles that perfectly absorb the rich, pure flavours of the duck, while maintaining an ideal al dente texture. Garnished with fragrant perilla leaves, the dish achieves a harmonious balance between the robust consommé and refreshing herbal notes. 

Chaleur Level 2, 77 Neil Road, Level 2, Singapore 088903. Call (+65) 8508 3390 or Email: [email protected]. 

Matera - For Modern Italian Cuisine with Bold Asian Influences

Opened in late 2023, Matera is an exciting new fine dining experience located just a stone's throw from many of Singapore's top attractions. Led by celebrated German chef Bjoern Alexander, previously of two-Michelin-starred Octavium in Hong Kong, Matera pushes the boundaries of Italian cuisine with bold Asian influences. 

Diners can watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen, all while enjoying stunning views of Marina Bay Sands and the Esplanade. A must-try is the signature Whole Red Prawn, a perfectly smoked and juicy crustacean served with crispy prawn toast. Signature dishes like Scallops Burrata and Pigeon with Black Truffle showcase his innovative techniques and culinary artistry, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Matera The Fullerton Waterboat House, #02-01/02/03, 3 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049215. For reservations, call (+65) 8031 1993 or Email: [email protected]. 

Pangium - The Address for Heritage Straits Chinese Flavours 

Led by acclaimed local chef Malcolm Lee, who now boasts 2 Michelin star restaurants under his belt, Pangium offers a dining experience that is both innovative and deeply rooted in heritage. Situated in the UNESCO site of Singapore Botanic Gardens, the restaurant provides a serene backdrop that complements its exquisite tasting menu comprising Chef Lee’s family recipes of Straits Chinese (Peranakan) dishes passed down through generations.

The restaurant’s highlight dish, as praised by the MICHELIN inspectors, is its Rice Bowl & Cincalok Sour Chilli. This dish features Koshi Hikari rice, generously topped with finely chopped braised sea cucumber, pork jowl, shiitake mushrooms, wawa cabbage, and dried scallops. At the center lies a cured soy sauce egg yolk. When mixed, the dish offers a harmonious blend of flavours, with the sea cucumber providing an interesting chewy texture. A side of cincalok sour chili adds a tangy kick. 

Pangium 11 Gallop Road, Gallop Entrance, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259015. Reserve online or email: [email protected]. 

Fiz - A Homage To Southeast Asia’s Flavours, Heritage and Culinary History

With the aim of purposefully preserving and elevating the food of his childhood, Malaysian owner-chef Hafizzul Hashim offers his guests an immersive journey through the vibrant culinary landscape of Southeast Asia. Each dish is a celebration of diversity, achieved through the merging of ancient cooking methods, regional ingredients and Chef Fiz’s own refined touch.

Opened in mid-2023, the restaurant has gained notice for sourcing ingredients from small businesses in Singapore and Malaysia and incorporating sustainable practices like using sugarcane fibre collected from hawker centres in the Josper oven. Some ingredients are even foraged from the jungles of Malaysia, especially for his menus! Do not miss Fiz for evocative, bold dishes that will take you through a journey into the rich delights of Southeast Asia. 

Fiz 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-01/02, Singapore 088444. For reservations, call or Whatsapp (+65) 9679 8021, or Email: [email protected]. 

About The MICHELIN Guide Singapore

Launched in 2016, this prestigious international culinary guide celebrates the finest dining experiences in Singapore. Known for its rigorous and anonymous inspection process, the MICHELIN guide awards stars to restaurants demonstrating exceptional quality, creativity, and consistency in their cuisine. A single Michelin star signifies a "very good restaurant," two stars denote "excellent cooking worth a detour," and three stars represent "exceptional cuisine worth a special journey”. 

Check out our MICHELIN Guides for Singapore 2023 and Michelin Bib Gourmand 2024.

For more information, visit the MICHELIN Guide website, Facebook page, or YouTube channel.