Why Tanjong Pagar is Singapore’s Dining Playground

Few neighbourhoods in Singapore capture the thrill of eating out quite like Tanjong Pagar. By day, it hums with the rhythm of the CBD, but once the sun goes down, the streets shift into one of the city’s liveliest dining districts. Whether you’re craving Korean BBQ that leaves your sleeves smoky, Japanese skewers with sake, or a late-night cocktail, restaurants in Tanjong Pagar offer something for every appetite — and then some.

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Where Korean BBQ Meets Izakayas

No talk of Tanjong Pagar is complete without its K-BBQ legacy. 8 Korean BBQ, Super Star K, and Guiga keep the neighbourhood glowing with the scent of sizzling pork belly and bubbling stews. It’s where after-work dinners stretch into midnight feasts, fuelled by endless rounds of soju. But just around the corner, the Japanese take over — izakayas like Ishinomaki Grill & Sake, Shukuu Izakaya, and Teru Sushi buzz with yakitori smoke, clinking beer mugs, and the warmth of Tokyo-style hospitality.

Cocktails, Wine Bars, and Hidden Lounges

After dinner, the Tanjong Pagar adventure continues. The area has become a cocktail capital in its own right — think Jigger & Pony (ranked in Asia’s 50 Best Bars), Junior the Pocket Bar with its rotating themes, and Employees Only, a New York export that fits seamlessly into the local scene. For wine lovers, Le Bon Funk and Rebel Rebel pour natural bottles in lively, unpretentious settings. And then there are the secret lounges hidden above shophouses — the kind you discover once, then keep in your back pocket for special nights.

Image credit: Paradiso, Barcelona – NOX Agency

Fine Dining and Global Flavours

Beyond its nightlife pulse, Tanjong Pagar also draws serious gourmands. Odette and Meta push the boundaries of modern European cuisine, while Esora and NAE:UM present refined Asian artistry. On nearby Keong Saik, Burnt Ends serves its cult-status Australian barbecue, while Cloudstreet creates one of the most inventive tasting menus in the city. Together, they prove that this neighbourhood isn’t just for casual bites — it’s home to some of Singapore’s most ambitious kitchens.

A Middle Eastern Surprise

And then, there’s something unexpected. In the heart of Peck Seah Street, The Prince brings the generosity and boldness of Middle Eastern dining to Tanjong Pagar. Mezze platters arrive as a feast for the table, lamb slow-braised with apricots and almonds, seabass crusted in sumac — all paired with cocktails laced with saffron, rose, or pomegranate. It’s a dining experience that feels both familiar and new: rooted in tradition, but styled for today.

For those seeking a more homestyle touch, Alaturka and Byblos Grill in nearby Kampong Glam show the warmth of Turkish and Lebanese kitchens. But The Prince sets itself apart in how it reimagines the Middle East for modern Singapore — atmospheric, refined, and just a little bit daring.

Where every plate begins in quiet focus — and ends in a story, told at your table. At The Prince.

Why Tanjong Pagar Works

Ultimately, what makes a restaurant in Tanjong Pagar memorable isn’t just the food — it’s the neighbourhood itself. Dinner here spills into drinks, which often turn into late-night suppers and conversations that stretch until morning. With Korean energy, Japanese precision, European polish, and Middle Eastern generosity all in one postcode, Tanjong Pagar isn’t just another place to eat. It’s Singapore’s dining playground, and the perfect backdrop for nights you’ll want to relive.

✨ Looking to experience this neighbourhood for yourself? Start your night at The Prince, where modern Middle Eastern flavours meet cocktails worth lingering over. Book your table, bring your friends, and let Tanjong Pagar show you why it’s the city’s ultimate dining playground.