We all know it and we proudly wear that badge of honour; Singapore is often hailed as the food paradise of the world, and she has once again proven that her culinary prowess extends far beyond just the conventional chicken rice and chilli crab.

A true testament to our nation’s gastronomic greatness, The Michelin Guide Singapore 2024 was unveiled on 25 June, and it features 283 dining establishments representing Singapore’s rich and diverse food culture. This year, four new restaurants were awarded with their very first Michelin Star! 

From fancy-pants fine-dining venues to cherished hawkers steeped in tradition, international director of the Michelin Guide Gwendal Poullennec cemented Singapore’s position as a global gourmet paradise, offering a captivating culinary journey for locals and visitors alike.

So if you’re wondering where to take your significant other on that anniversary date, or simply want to spoil yourself rotten, here are some places you should look out for!

New Stars Illuminating Singapore’s Dining Scene

The 2024 guide bestowed first Michelin stars upon four establishments: Araya, blending Chilean and Japanese influences, Chaleur, celebrated for its French-Japanese fusion, Matera, known for Asian-infused Italian classics and Pangium, a trailblazer in Peranakan cuisine.

25 June turned out to be an unforgettable day for chef couple Francisco Araya, 41, and Fernanda Guerrero, 37, from the newly one-starred restaurant, Araya, as it also happened to be the day of their engagement and Fernanda’s birthday. Talk about a triple whammy!

Their sommelier (that’s the fancy name for a wine expert), Tomas Tapia, 34, also bagged the Sommelier Award from the Michelin Guide. 

The owners are now setting their sights on getting even more creative and polishing their service.

Their sommelier Tapia wishes to bring in more boutique wines from Chile and Argentina as he believes that it is important to Chilean culture and these fantastic Chilean wines. 

Meanwhile, our very own home-grown chef Malcolm Lee of Pangium, which is all about Straits cuisine, is celebrating another win.

His first restaurant, Candlenut located in Dempsey, has held one Michelin star since 2016. For the 40-year-old, this new accolade is a “significant win for heritage cuisine.”

In other news, the restaurant Meta, renowned for its inventive take on Korean cuisine, ascended to two Michelin stars!

There were not-so-positive adjustments in star ratings too, however.

Fortunately, Singapore’s three top-tier Michelin-starred restaurants – Les Amis at Shaw Centre, Odette at the National Gallery Singapore, and Zen on Bukit Pasoh Road – managed to all maintain their three-star status.

Japanese restaurant Waku Ghin, once a holder of two stars, was downgraded to one star, sparking debates about the guide’s stringent criteria for higher accolades. 

Eight former one-star restaurants are no longer in the guide.

Four of them – Beni at Mandarin Gallery, Cure on Keong Saik Road, Putien on Kitchener Road, and Reve on Kreta Ayer Road – are still in operation. Interestingly, Reve’s former chef Masahiko Kawano now leads the aforementioned newly awarded one-star Chaleur.

The other four – La Dame de Pic at Raffles Hotel, Braci at Boat Quay, Table 65 at Resorts World Sentosa, and 28 Wilkie on Wilkie Road – have all closed in the past year.

Led by chef Sun Kim, Meta is incredibly well known for its authentic yet modern interpretations of classic Korean dishes, blending bold flavours with minimalist presentation. 

Other special awards were handed to outstanding individuals who have shaped Singapore’s dining experience.

To name a few, Seth Lai of Ce Soir clinched the Young Chef Award for his innovative culinary approach, blending local flavours with global influences.

Lufianti Susetyo from Buko Nero received the Service Award for her exceptional hospitality, fostering a welcoming atmosphere at the Italian eatery in Tanjong Pagar. 

Restaurant Fiz also earned the Michelin Green Star, underscoring its commitment to eco-friendly practices in Southeast Asian cuisine. Chef-owner Hafizzul Hashim revealed Fiz’s innovative techniques such as the salai method and the use of food by-products like rice husk and sugarcane husk.

The Michelin Guide Singapore release came just a week after the Bib Gourmand results were announced on 18 June.

In the eighth edition of the guide, there are a total of 283 places listed: 51 starred restaurants, 81 Bib Gourmand eateries, and 151 Michelin Selected venues.