21 Best Places for Dates

The bold flavours and charming courtyard space of Artichoke are best enjoyed with a best friend, the kind of person who won't judge when you make inappropriate noises at dinner. Both the relaxed atmosphere and honest food demand that you leave all etiquette at the door — you're gonna get your hands and face a little dirty. Start your food adventure by ordering warm pita bread to dip into tasty mezzes like Babaganoush ($8) and Beetroot Tzatziki ($8), these make for a fine introduction to the flavours of the Middle East that inspire the food here. Next, let the creamy Feta "Burrata" ($22) seduce you, before you assault your tastebuds with the piquant green harissa sauce of the Hot Skillet Prawns ($36). Don't be shy, suck on those prawn heads! Pick from either the Chargrilled Pork Belly ($28) or the intensely smoky Smoked Chicken ($30) to finish up, should you still have the space. For those who must end on a sweet note, share either a Rocky Road or Mango Sticky Rice Neh Neh Pop ($7-8).

Ambience: Super laidback
Price: Avg $120 per couple

There are few places that can rival Alkaff in class, beauty and serenity. This beautiful white mansion sitting atop Telok Blangah Hill oozes history and elegance, complete with a garden and fountain. You have many options when it comes to dining here, from induging in a Saturday Italian Brunch ($48) featuring a live band and a selection of pastas, pastries and desserts, to a luxurious Sunday Prosecco Brunch ($108) that allows you to sip on wine while tucking into oysters, caviar, beef, ravioli and more. In the day, you will feel transported to another time and place as you relax in the midst of all that greenery. At night, however, the space becomes magical, with an old-world charm. For dinner, enjoy composed dishes such as Sesame-crusted Tuna with Balsamic and Orange Sauce ($26), Squid Ink Tagliatalle ($32), and a classic Sardinian Suckling Pig ($46). Take a cab or drive in together, you won't want to mess up your hair walking up that slope!

Ambience: Dress to impress
Price: Avg $150 per couple

Part taqueria part garden bar, this hip joint serves up some of the tastiest tacos and margaritas on this side of town. Grab your girlfriends for a fun night out on the town, or bring a date who doesn’t mind getting their hands a little dirty while you feast on tasty albeit messy Mexican street food like the Elotes ($8), grilled corn with chipotle mayo, cottage cheese and lime; Prawn and Octopus Ceviche ($20) and Tostaditas de Pollo ($16), bite-sized chicken tostidas with chorizo, avocado and mayo. The winners here are clearly the tacos (averaging at $11 per single serve) — the pork belly, tiger prawns and Baja fish are all tasty options. Though on the smaller side, the tacos are bang on flavour and, as Burppler Rachel Xie says, “like fireworks in the mouth”. You can easily put together a light meal with a selection of appetisers and tacos, or opt to share a more substantial main like the Bistek con Nopales ($40), grain-fed sirloin served with cactus, salsa verde and chimichurri sauce. Just be sure to wash it all down with Lucha Loco’s legendary margaritas (from $16 a glass). If tummy space permits, end the night with the Pastel de Elote Azul ($14), a most unique dessert of blue corn cake with agave nectar and mezcal cream, and perhaps one more margarita…

Ambience: Sexy and playful
Price: Avg $80 per couple, without drinks

Located away from the hustle and bustle of Bugis, Joo Bar is a modern Korean restaurant cum gastrobar perfect for a girls' night out. The three-storey industrial-chic space on Tan Quee Lan Street brews its own makgeolli (rice wine), so it is a must to start your night with the Makgeolli Sampler ($35 for five) — flavours include strawberry, peach, yuzu, lychee and original. Don’t be fooled by its milky Yakult-like appearance — the drink contains six to eight percent alcohol, so pace yourself! Order some anju, Korean dishes that go well with alcohol. Both the Tofu Chips with Guacamole and Kimchi Salsa ($14) and the Warm Kimchi with Tofu and Spam ($14) are great options. If you'd like something more substantial, order the Seafood Gochujang Risotto ($24) — it comes with generous portions of plump, juicy seafood like mussels, clams and prawns, and the spicy pepper paste cuts through the creaminess of the risotto perfectly. Keep the drinks flowing with the Yucha Sojurita ($28, enough for up to four people). The frozen concoction of soju, yucha, Cointreau and lemon juice comes with an overturned bottle of Hite beer plugged in the centre! Pro tip: For more privacy, ask to have the sliding doors shut around your table to create your own private room!

Ambience: Sexy and playful
Price: Avg $100 per couple, with drinks

If you're a fan of Maison Ikkoku's cocktails, you're going to swoon over their latest concept housed in the Pinacothèque De Paris, right in the heart of Fort Canning Park's lush grounds. While most make the trek to this unexpected hideout for its underground vibe (think copper pipes, filament bulbs and velvet curtains) and excellent cocktails, the value-for-money, 12-course omakase set ($68) is its best kept secret, and just the thing for an intimate date night. The selection offers foolproof dishes that are also available on the à la carte menu such as The Sea ($38, à la carte), an indulgent starter of Hokkaido scallops, ikura and tobiko, as well as The Nest ($28, à la carte), a parmigiano-reggiano and mozzarella custard. For the complete experience, opt for the cocktail pairing (from $18, available for every dish) and imbibe on Maison Ikkoku's bespoke tipples. The pairings are all well thought out — for example, the marvellous whisky-based 'Antibiotic', infused with young ginger and smoke (using Jack Daniel's wood chips), goes seamlessly well with The Nest's rich flavours.

Ambience: Sexy and playful
Price: Avg $140 per couple, $200 with drinks

Tucked away in an office compound along Alexandra Road, Portico makes up for its slightly out of the way location with fine-dining-worthy dishes at very reasonable prices — perfect for impressing a first date without breaking the bank! On a cool night, sit alfresco to enjoy the lush garden setting, and get to know each other over the moreish Truffle Fries ($15), a crowd favourite that is generous with both the shaved truffles and parmesan. If you prefer something lighter, go for the Salad of Vine-Ripened Tomatoes ($17) — the sweet and tart tomatoes pair beautifully with sliced Serrano ham, quinoa and a honey-melon dressing. This should whet your appetite for the Braised Beef Cheek ($32), cooked till fork tender in mulled wine and served atop buttery mash, as well as the Pan-Seared Pulau Ubin Sea Bass ($28), a classic but no less tasty pairing of fresh fish with roasted potatoes. Don’t leave without tasting the Deconstructed Blackforest ($15), a garden-inspired chocolate and berry dessert that packs lots of texture and flavour in every mouthful.

Ambience: Cosy and charming
Price: Avg $100 per couple, without drinks

If quality pasta, pizza and desserts in an intimate spot is your idea of a good date night, then this is undoubtedly the place for you. The menu is unpretentious and so appealing in its simplicity, and it is this approachable vibe of Cicheti that makes for a perfect first date or a no-brainer, regular date night. Start with the Insalata di Rucola e Pera ($11), a well-balanced salad of grilled sweet pear with salty gorgonzola, refreshing fennel, peppery arugula and an umami finish of balsamic reduction. Then, have the comforting handmade Pappardelle al Ragu with lamb shoulder ($26), a wood-fired Bismark ($23) pizza topped with an oozy egg, or the Cioppino ($29), seafood gently stewed with tomatoes, garlic and chili. Don't leave without sharing a dessert, this is one of the few places that maintains excellence across the entire menu. For the perfect ending, go for the luscious molten Salted-Chocolate with pink sea salt, or the Cold-Smoked Cheesecake (both $12.50) that is exquisitely creamy and gently kissed with smoke. If you have the space, have them both. Enjoy the warm, inviting glow of the restaurant as you chat your way through your wine, thoughtfully priced at just $12 a glass, while bottles start at $55.

Ambience: Cosy and charming
Price: Avg $80 per couple, without drinks

Sushi runs in chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida’s blood. His family takes pride in the collection of recipes passed on for generations, including a secret sauce that was developed 135 years ago (!!). With over 20 years of culinary experience under his belt, including an apprenticeship under his father, sushi master Tokio Hashida of the eponymous Hashida Sushi in Tokyo, it is no surprise to find chef Hatch helming the sushi-ya’s first international outpost in Singapore. An omakase dinner here will set you back a whopping $300, making the $80 lunch a much more pocket-friendly deal — it is still fancy enough to knock the socks off your date! The season’s best will take centre stage in the ever-changing menu, featuring premium and exotic ingredients air-flown from Japan six times a week — an extremely rare treat for sushi aficionados! The nigiri sushi extravaganza starts with slices of delicate fish like sea bream, gradually progressing to richer and more flavourful varieties including the smoked mackerel before the grand finale of the hand-carved otoro from a slab of bluefin tuna belly. The meal ends with chef Hatch's amazing macarons — fingers crossed the sakura ones are available when you visit!

Ambience: Classy and modern
Price: Avg $180 per couple

Not one to pull out all the stops for Valentine’s Day? If your idea of the perfect date involves unpretentious, good food and flip flops, By the Fire is just the place to be — bring your spouse or make it a boys’ night out. Located within Alibabar the Hawker Bar, opposite I12 Katong, this hawker stall turns out hearty grills and smart pastas, as well as moreish deep-fried bites like battered baby squid ($9.90) and the very popular Scotch Egg ($6.90). The golden breaded exterior reveals tender pork mince and a perfectly half-boiled egg, and it is served with a tart cabbage slaw to cut through the richness. For mains, you won’t go wrong with the BBQ Pork Ribs ($14.90), slathered in homemade barbecue sauce and served with macaroni and cheese, or the tender Grilled Pork Cheek ($15.90), interestingly glazed with Japanese curry oil. There’s no need for dessert here, not when you can share an order of their signature Keystone’s Seaweed Pasta ($8.90). The simple but tasty combination of aglio olio angel hair pasta with shio kombu and sakura ebi is better than any chocolate cake.

Ambience: Super laidback
Price: Avg $40 per couple

Not all dates have to involve a full-on meal. Sometimes, all you want is a drink and a bite. If you can, come to this rooftop Boat Quay spot at sunset, and settle down at a counter seat overlooking the gorgeous river and city skyline. Start with some cold Umami Signature Oysters (six for $24, $20 before 8pm) with a refreshing ponzu and yuzu sauce. The stunning view and cold oysters at sundown is certain to put you at ease, making this a fine choice for a first date. Then, when the sun sets, order from their hot oyster selection — the Unifeller (six for $30) cannot be missed. Think creamy, briny uni sabayon finished with cheese. Over the course of your night, sip on a Southern Belle ($18) — wild berries and chamomile-infused whiskey, strawberry caramel and lemon — or the naughty Lust, Caution ($16) with Sichuan pepper-infused gin! Should you not want the night to end, take a leisurely stroll along the river and let the rest of the date unfold ;)

Ambience: Quiet with a view
Price: Avg $100 per couple, with drinks

Now with English chef Kirk Westaway at the helm, JAAN continues to serve up some of the most impressive, Instagram-worthy degustation meals that showcase seasonal produce — anything from Welsh lamb to Tajima wagyu beef and heirloom tomatoes. Coupled with stellar service and impressive views of the city skyline, it is no wonder JAAN continues to be one of the most popular places to go for anniversaries and proposals. The three-course set lunch ($78) is the most pocket-friendly way to get acquainted with the JAAN experience, but if you’ve been saving up for this occasion, it is entirely worth your money to splash out on either the five or seven-course degustation menu (from $118 without wine pairing), so as to experience the true depth of chef Westaway’s cuisine. The menu changes seasonally, and current offerings include his signature rosemary smoked organic egg, confit rainbow trout and artichoke ravioli, all presented to look like art on a plate. For even more wow factor, reserve a quiet table for dinner (from $198 for a five-course degustation meal before wine pairing) and let yourself be romanced by the heady mix of exquisite food, stellar service and unparalleled views of the twinkling city lights.

Ambience: Dress to impress
Price: From avg $180 per couple for lunch, without drinks

Award-winning chef David Thompson’s Long Chim recreates Bangkok’s vibrant streets and markets in its swanky Marina Bay Sands digs, making it the perfect stop for some pre or post-show food and cocktails. With its buzzy vibes, this is probably not the best place for a quiet, romantic date, but it would definitely fit the bill if you’re looking to share some tasty nosh while on a laid-back one-on-one with someone special, or a fun night out with girlfriends. Besides its stellar service, what sets this place apart is its take on Thai street food — the interpretations here manage to add a chic, modern twist to the food while maintaining the authenticity of flavours. Long Chim is great at both their cocktails and bar bites, so get your appetites going with creative tipples like the tropical gin-based 555 ($18) while nibbling on moreish starters like Cured Pork Fritters ($18), before moving on to the mains. You will not go wrong with classics like Green Curry of Chicken ($24) and Pad Thai ($30), but more adventurous palates will likely appreciate lesser-known dishes like Sour Orange Curry in Snakehead Fish ($29) and Dtom Yam Super ($25) — a tangy broth with chicken wings and feet, livened with aromatics. To finish, the Durian Ice Cream ($15) packs a punch of unadulterated durian flavour into a scoop, but you may want to skip this if you’re planning on getting cosy after.

Ambience: Sexy and playful
Price: Avg $100 per couple, without drinks