12 Best Places for French in Singapore

Along the slew of restaurants and eateries at Keong Saik Road lies Restaurant Ember, a mod European restaurant with a focus on French cuisine. The Bouillabaisse ($32), a classic French stew, reflects the freshness and sweetness of the seafood and still remains delicate; no doubt one of the best you'll come across. It's chock-full of seafood like scampi, Hokkaido scallops, clams, and sea bass, perfect for seafood lovers. Meat lovers can go for the uber flavourful and tender 60 hour slow-cooked Angus Short Rib ($38). Don't end your meal without trying the Valrhona Chocolate Brownie, Banana & Peanut Butter Parfait ($18), a classic combination that's worth every calorie! Escape the madding lunch crowd with your favourite colleague and treat yourselves to a reasonably-priced three-course set lunch at $42!

Currently helming the kitchen of Shelter in the Woods is Chef Masashi Horiuchi, who brings with him a wealth of experience from having worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. This rustic rotisserie puts out simple dishes executed with finesse that keep you coming back for more. Order the delightfully sweet, fragrant and rich Seafood Casserole ($39), which pairs very well with the crusty cheese croutons served on the side. Be sure to also try the flavour-packed Shelter Quiche ($14.50), stuffed with forest mushrooms and Gruyère in a most buttery shortcrust pastry. This hidden gem makes for a great spot for quiet dinners with loved ones and transforms to a cosy space for some seriously delectable brunch on Sundays.

Saint Pierre is one of the top French restaurants in Singapore for all the right reasons. There is a strong emphasis on organic, wholesome produce coupled with top-notch service and a calming waterfront view (it’s vegetarian friendly too). Go for the Discovery menu at $148 per head, and tuck into a nine-course extravaganza featuring delectable dishes like seared scallops with black truffle essence and cauliflower mousse, herb crusted langoustine, and charred joshgyu beef sirloin. Interested in a completely different dining experience? Mark April Fool’s and Halloween on your calendars and try to snag one of the limited seats to sample chef Emmanuel Stroobant’s creative dinner menus for said occasions – think edible eye balls and a dessert called “You see, the brain itself feels no pain, if that concerns you”…

Entre-Nous Creperie specialises in sweet and savoury crepes (galettes) from Brittany. Opened by a French couple, you can be sure you're going to get excellent crepes here. Opt for wheat or buckwheat crepes, with the latter having an earthier, nuttier taste. A safe option for a savoury crepe would be the Ham & Mushroom ($15.40) or Stephan's Favourite ($20.20), which has chunks of roast chicken, wholegrain mustard and sweet caramelised onions. Make space for the sweet ones like Faustine's Favourite ($14.90), topped with coconut, homemade chocolate sauce and coconut sorbet, or the foolproof Entre-Nous ($9) drizzled in their heavenly homemade salted butter caramel.

Located at Boat Quay, Restaurant Absinthe is a three-storey restaurant that offers different dining experiences on each level. Have a laid-back dinner alfresco or at the seafood bar on the first floor, dial it up a notch on the second floor with a classier, vintage feel and go all out on the third floor with a posh, fine dining experience. Start off with the Hamachi ($22), a Japanese-inspired carpaccio of yellowtail kingfish, with salmon roe and truffle. Then, move on to the sublime Canard Confit ($28) – a classic French duck confit with thin, crackly skin and exceedingly tender, flavourful, and juicy meat – probably one of the best you'll ever have. For a sweet finish, go for the Crème Brûlée ($12) or go savoury with exquisite Fromages (from $26 for three) from a trolley of French farmed cheeses. Working in the area? They've got set lunches too (from $28 for two courses)!

One of Asia's best restaurants, Les Amis is an institution that should be on your restaurant bucket list. Be warned though: Chef de Cuisine Sebastian Lepinoy's exquisite gastronomic creations are guaranteed to spoil your taste buds. For the best dining experience, go for the Le Menu Tasting ($145 for lunch) and savour glorious signatures including the unassailable black truffle-laced cold angel hair topped with Kristal caviar, lip-smacking lobster bisque and flavoursome grilled Japanese dry-aged Omi beef. For a more pocket-friendly option and to design your own menu, opt for the Prix Fixe a la carte lunch option ($80 for three courses + dessert) instead or the Menu Express ($55 for three courses) if time is not on your side – the restaurant can complete the service within 45 minutes!

Do.main Bakery is a casual, home-style French bakery at Tanjong Katong Road that has gained a loyal following from the excellent pastries and viennoiseries it serves. Besides the usual sweets, they do serve savouries like charcuterie (from Bar-roque Grill), quiches, and breakfast dishes. The Tartiflette "Reblochon" ($16) – comprising oven baked potatoes, bacon and cheese – is almost faultless. A classic combination and melty, gooey cheese? What's not to love? The Salted Caramel Eclair ($5) is easily one of the best we’ve ever had: filled with luscious salted caramel custard in a crisp pastry shell and topped with more salted caramel. Get some croissants, bread, or danishes to go as well. Or, indulge your sweet tooth in their High Tea set if you've got the time ($32 for two).

Housed in a black-and-white colonial bungalow in the Botanic Gardens, Corner House serves up gastro-botanica cuisine by award-winning chef Jason Tan, which aims to highlight sustainably-sourced seasonal produce and vegetables. Expect inventive and creative plates such as Oignon doux des Cévennes, a roasted, hollowed-out onion filled with a sous vide egg and grated black truffle; New Zealand Cod Crispy Scales, and; ‘My Interpretation of Kaya Toast’, a deconstructed kaya toast, featuring gula Melaka and pandan ice cream sandwiched between muscovado sablés. The lush and refined setting of this fine-dining restaurant is the perfect backdrop for an exquisite French meal, so bring someone you're dying to impress. ;) Prices from $42 for a three-course lunch set.

As its name suggests, this cosy French-inspired bar and grill serves plenty of grilled meats and seafood. If you're a fan of charcuterie, the Charcuterie Board (from $38) that features divine cured meats, home-made terrine, foie gras and pickles won't disappoint. Otherwise, start off with one (or two) of their moreish Alsatian Tartes Flambées ($15) – The Classic, studded with bacon bits and onions, sounds simple but will surely hit all the right spots. Regardless of which protein you pick – roasted Free Range Yellow Chicken ($26), Grilled Leg of Lamb ($38) or Stockyard Wagyu Hanger ($42), be sure to add the Ravioles “Royan” ($12) for some insanely addictive mini ravioli filled with wild mushrooms and shallots in a creamy aged Gruyère sauce. The heartier portions here is ideal for dining with a group of friends.

JAAN is an award-winning restaurant that takes customers on a gastronomic adventure while treating them to spectacular views of the city. Located on the 70th floor of Swissotel, the experience of dining here is like no other. They vary their menu seasonally, so don't expect the same dishes every time you go. Go for the Menu Épicure ($298), a 10-course menu that features their greatest signature dishes featuring the season’s best, like the show-stopping 55' Rosemary Smoked Egg. Prices may run steep, but it truly is worth it for what you're getting. File this away for occasions worth splurging on like anniversaries and birthdays. Lunch (from $78 for three courses) and dinner (from $190 for five courses) menus are also available.

Immanuel French Kitchen is no stranger to the new age hawker scene. Located in the Salut Coffeeshop, expect to enjoy decent French fare at affordable prices. Tuck into their signature Kakuni Style Pork Belly ($16.90), boasting incredible flavour and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, and served with duxelle mushroom, onsen egg and potato foam (though you might want to request for the ‘bacon’ bits to be served on the side). For something more classic, opt for the crispy Duck Leg Confit ($15.90) sitting on silky mash, braised savoy cabbage and jus. If you're sharing, complete your French experience with some escargot ($12.90) and foie gras ($16.50) coated with black miso! Don't expect to have the best French meal of your life, but this certainly hits the spot when cravings set in.

Au Petit Salut is a long-standing establishment nestled in the verdant Dempsey Hill that serves contemporary French cuisine. Other than a reliable date spot, their value-for-money set lunches are a draw: you get to enjoy a three-course menu with coffee or tea from $38. The Baked Burgundy Snails are a real treat to start your meal with – baked escargots bathed in herbed garlic butter, stuffed in a bone marrow. If you like foie gras, they are pretty generous with their portion and sear it till an impeccable crust is achieved, but still melts in your mouth. For the mains, go for the 150 days grain-fed Bavette for some perfectly cooked, flavourful and succulent steak. For a sweet finale, the beautifully balanced Homemade Lemon Tart is bound to please.