Embark on a culinary odyssey through the gastronomic capitals of Asia, where the fusion of ancient culinary traditions and avant-garde techniques gives rise to a tapestry of exquisite dining experiences. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the vibrant markets of Bangkok, Asia’s culinary landscape boasts an array of high-end restaurants that redefine luxury dining.
In this realm of indulgence, each dish is a masterpiece, a symphony of flavours orchestrated by world-renowned chefs who push the boundaries of culinary innovation. Join us as we traverse the continent in search of Asia’s best high-end restaurants, where opulence meets epicurean excellence and every meal is an immersive journey into the heart of culinary sophistication. These dining establishments stand as a testament to Asia’s unwavering commitment to offering the epitome of culinary refinement.
SINGAPORE
Aniba by Foragers
One of the most experimental and eclectic concepts to open in Singapore in 2023, Aniba is a hidden gem within the Central Business District that beckons guests into another world. With various curated experiences during different days and times of the week – from weekday lunches to a full-scale culinary journey in the evenings, to hearty Shishi brunches on Sundays, the chef’s kitchen and lounge promise a refreshing and memorable encounter for every visit. The menu of classics and sharing plates fuses Middle Eastern flavours with European flair, all brimming with vibrant, warm, and soul-satisfying flavours.
Osteria Mozza
The only Asian outpost of one-MICHELIN-starred Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles, Osteria Mozza is the truest expression of celebrated American chef Nancy Silverton’s Californian-inspired Italian ethos and aesthetic. From kinds of pasta to grilled beef tagliata and rosemary olive oil cakes, Osteria Mozza is a menu that can be recited by heart – great classics that are done well. The Singapore outpost also features dishes crafted specially for the outlet. Recommended dishes are many at Osteria Mozza: Nancy’s Caesar and Nancy’s Chopped Salad from its antipasti selection; lunch exclusive wood-fired pizzas such as the Meat Lover and Funghi Misti; kinds of housemade pasta such as Orecchiette and Ricotta & Egg Raviolo; and signature desserts such as the Butterscotch Budino and Hot Fudge Sundae. The 14-seater mozzarella bar at the heart of the restaurant is also not to be missed, where a variety of cheese dishes such as Burrata and Mozzarella di Bufala and condimenti are prepared. Osteria Mozza’s interior parallels that of a Tuscan farmhouse. Some design elements include stacks of firewoord; leather features; gabion stone walls and flooring; end cut wood; natural brick screen; and exposed nuts, bolts and fixings — all of which combine to further Hilton Singapore Orchard’s Orchard Trail Experience inspired by the stables and tannery buildings that were once situated along Orchard Road.
www.hiltonsingaporeorchard.com/osteriamozza
White Shades
Inspired to marry different concepts under a single for ultimate convenience, this venue offers diners to embrace the extraordinary, the imaginative, and the unforgettable. This remarkable dining destination promises to be a platform for new experiences, where colours, flavours and music unite. The first floor welcomes you to Dessert, the ice cream parlour, where joy and playfulness set the vibe. Venturing to the second level, Cocktail, you will find a sophisticated bar enveloped in dark gradient tones and man-made stone. The ambience switches to a more elegant and luxurious mood. Take the lift up another level and teleport into the Event universe: A blank canvas adorned with ambient ceiling lights that can transform into any colour. Here, you can expect creativity meets imagination, vibe and style. Finally, atop the shophouse on the breathtaking rooftop, White Shades takes the concept of laid-back cocktail experiences to new heights.
IG: @whiteshadessg
BALI
Koral Restaurant
Koral takes pride in curating a culinary journey that blends the finest seasonal ingredients into a tantalizing set menu and a distinctive degustation experience. Their commitment to modern cuisine with a creative twist establishes Koral as a dining destination unlike any other in Bali. Fusing culinary expertise, locally sourced premium ingredients, and innovative compositions, Koral stands out as a unique gem. Immerse yourself in an aquatic wonderland of bistronomic delights at The Apurva Kempinski Bali’s Koral, an unparalleled aquarium dining experience. Stimulating all the senses simultaneously, Koral invites diners to indulge in sophisticated dishes influenced by Indonesian coastal flavours, meticulously crafted from indigenous ingredients. Blending an informal yet refined ambience, Koral transcends the traditional restaurant concept, offering a complete bistronomic encounter. Enhancing the dining experience is the enchanting backdrop of an aquarium, accompanied by a mesmerizing soundtrack that captures the enchantment and enigma of life beneath the waves.
www.kempinski.com/en/the-apurva-kempinski-bali/restaurants-bars/koral-restaurant
di Mare
Nestled on a cliff 85m above Bali’s southern Uluwatu coast, Karma Kandara’s iconic flagship restaurant, di Mare, presents a mesmerizing 180° panorama of the Indian Ocean. Here, culinary enthusiasts can savour a harmonious blend of innovative Indonesian flavours, masterfully uniting rare ingredients from the archipelago with a hint of Mediterranean flair. Some menu highlights include tantalizing starters like the Miyazaki A5 first course made from premium Japanese Wagyu beef paired with sunchoke and pickled hon shimeji mushrooms. For the main events, the Ayam Cemani Agnolotti, made with the rare Javanese Cemani black chicken breed, is served with mascarpone, truffle and candlenut foam for an unforgettable culinary experience.
The cave
The cave by Chef Ryan Clift stands as a pinnacle of haute cuisine in Asia, a culinary sanctuary where innovation meets elegance. Renowned as one of the region’s premier high-end restaurants, it embodies Chef Clift’s avant-garde approach to gastronomy. Nestled in opulent surroundings, The cave offers a sensory journey through meticulously crafted dishes that redefine fine dining. Discovered in 2013 during villa construction, this subterranean natural cave is now preserved, offering guests a unique dining experience amid stalactites and crescent walls. With its culinary excellence and sophisticated ambience, The cave by Chef Ryan Clift stands as a beacon of gastronomic indulgence in the heart of Asia.
IKAN Restaurant
Nestled along the pristine beachfront of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, Ikan Restaurant stands as a captivating dining haven, specialising in fresh seafood and Indonesian-inspired cuisine. Recognizable by its contemporary island aesthetic, the open-air restaurant and bar offer a unique experience with a thatched roof, tactile furniture, and locally-inspired design elements, seamlessly transitioning from day to night. By day, it’s a laid-back eatery, and by night, it transforms into an elevated dining destination.
Thoughtful design includes various seating arrangements, from beachside aperitifs near the bar to intimate dinners in the main restaurant area. Ikan Bar, adjacent to it, provides a sophisticated space with wicker-back bar stools and a turquoise-clad island counter. Privacy is ensured with an air-conditioned private dining room and a hexagonal semi-private dining area, while romantic beach dinners can be enjoyed at five individual tables.
Ikan Restaurant transcends being just a dining venue; it’s an award-winning destination where guests create unforgettable memories with friends and family, immersed in its laid-back vibes. For moments that linger, choose Ikan Restaurant at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.
Piasan Restaurant
Piasan strives to capture the essence of a typical Italian home dining experience. The restaurant has a mesmerizing atmosphere with silence and a beautiful, magical ambience all around to set the mood. The food is carefully crafted to bring out the best Italian flavours and spices, ensuring that every bite is an unforgettable one. They serve up a different experience of fine dining with a beautiful yet delicious taste by using only the finest quality products, with a blend of tropical flavours in the food element.
Afterglow Bar and Kitchen
Located on the 6th floor of Tribe Bali Kuta Beach Hotel, this Awards Winning Rooftop Restaurant overlooks Kuta’s sandy shores and has been designed with sun-drenched days with unforgettable island nights in mind. By day, their local bartenders are on hand to keep you fuelled up. Come afternoon, the scene starts to pick up a little bit, and by the evening their curated menu of food and drinks is in full swing, set to a playlist of soulful sounds. Head up to the rooftop for panoramic views and a dip in the infinity pool.
www.tribehotels.com/en/indonesia/bali-kuta-beach
BANGKOK
Embassy Room – Catalan Cuisine
Located in the vibrant heart of Thailand’s capital city, the Embassy Room – Catalan Cuisine, which was unveiled last year at Park Hyatt Bangkok, diners can enjoy an elevated Catalan dining experience featuring cuisine prepared with the best seasonal ingredients complemented by the most extensive list of Spanish wines available in Bangkok. Led by a creative Catalonian chef Ferran Tadeo who is devoted to his culinary heritage, this is the only dining destination in Bangkok offering authentic yet refined Catalan fares. Expect the unique dining experience to focus on the freshest seafood, highest quality cuts of meat and crisp vegetables. The restaurant was recently included in MICHELIN Guide Recommended Restaurants 2023 and will be part of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024.
www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/park-hyatt-bangkok
Mezzaluna
Situated on the 65th floor of the iconic Lebua at State Tower, Mezzaluna is more than a restaurant; it’s an elevated culinary destination that takes fine dining to new heights—both figuratively and literally. As guests step into the sleek and sophisticated space, they are immediately captivated by the panoramic views of the sprawling city below, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Mezzaluna’s ambience is a harmonious blend of modern elegance and breathtaking vistas. The restaurant’s design is minimalist, allowing the focus to remain squarely on the culinary creations and the expansive cityscape beyond. The intimate setting, with a limited number of tables, ensures an exclusive and personalized dining experience.
www.lebua.com/restaurants/mezzaluna/
MALDIVES
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
This resort offers guests a truly remarkable and exclusive oenophilia experience. Aside from the fine cuisine and stunning views of the local marine life, its award-winning SEA Underwater Restaurant now offers a unique experience of wine tasting featuring underwater-aged wines. In 2020, the wine experts at Anantara Kihavah started an innovative experiment of submerging bottles of Dom Perignon 2008 vintage Champagne below the ocean’s surface to age for 365 days. The bottles are submerged in open water without enclosures and away from direct sunlight. After the sunken bottles were retrieved, the Champagnes noticeably gained distinct flavour notes such as seaweed, minerals, and salinity in their taste, perfectly complementing the classic components of Dom Perignon’s citrus, brioche, and nutty characters. Now there is a range of underwater-aged Champagne and wines to taste.
www.anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives
Vakkaru Reserve
Featuring a communal dining table for ten and a wine bar, this venue is a feast for the senses. Savour a fantastic four- or five-course set menu specially created by the chef and paired with a selection of fine wines. Their resident sommelier will guide you through the journey of aromas and flavours, before leaving you to eat, drink and be merry with loved ones.
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