FOOD & WINE

Taste: Top Tables for May 2025

by Anton D. Javier
09 May 2025

A mix of new and familiar names round out this list of the best restaurants to try for the month.

  • SUGARRA
  • MARE HACHIKYO
  • BINOMIO

SUGARRA

  • Remolacha
  • Cochinillo
  • Txuleta
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Resorts World Sentosa’s newest culinary destination, Sugarra, is the first modern Basque and Spanish concept to open on the island. Helmed by Chef Aitor Jeronimo Orive, whose career has spanned acclaimed kitchens like Mugaritz, The Fat Duck, and his own Basque Kitchen by Aitor, Sugarra draws on his Spanish roots and personal food memories to present bold, seafood-forward dishes rooted in Basque tradition. The name Sugarra, which means “flame” in Basque, nods to the open grill at the heart of the kitchen and brings to life the restaurant’s rustic, produce-driven approach.

Alongside Chef Aitor is Chef de Cuisine Aitor Gonzalez, whose culinary journey began in Barcelona and was shaped under three-Michelin-starred Chef Martín Berasategui. Together, they craft a menu that blends classic and modern, with signature dishes like Josper-grilled hake kokotxas, poached cod with Biscayne sauce, slow-cooked cochinillo, and bomba rice cooked in oxtail jus. Diners can choose from a 4-, 6- or 9-course tasting menu, beginning with a beautifully-laid out tapas spread and ending with playful desserts like bergamot sorbet or coconut sago.

The 68-seat space marries Basque warmth with modern elegance: Let your eyes take in the green and gold accents, plush leather seating, and shelves of olive oil surround an open kitchen where meats, seafood, and vegetables are grilled to smoky perfection. And with over 750 wine labels available, Sugarra offers a refined yet spirited introduction to the flavours and soul of northern Spain.


Visit Sugarra at 8 Sentosa Gateway, Level 1, Hotel Michael, Resorts World Sentosa, Tel: 6577 6665

  • SUGARRA
  • MARE HACHIKYO
  • BINOMIO

MARE HACHIKYO

  • Signature Donabe
  • Hokkaido Kuroge Wagyu Tendorloin
  • Three Crab Ramen
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Mare Hachikyo recently opened at Palais Renaissance, marking the first overseas outpost of the beloved Hokkaido-born brand. Founded by Sapporo native and Tourism Ambassador Noguchi Kei, Mare Hachikyo Singapore carries forward the deep-rooted values of Hokkaido’s producers and their reverence for nature. With 90% of its ingredients sourced directly from Hokkaido, the kappo-style omakase restaurant offers a menu that evolves every six weeks, honouring the peak of seasonal harvests and culinary integrity with subtle Chinese and Western inflections.

At the heart of the experience is the Signature Donabe, enjoyed in three traditional styles: Topped with seasonal seafood, as the signature Tsukko Meshi with overflowing ikura, or as a comforting ochazuke with warm dashi. Each rendition is a tribute to hospitality and heritage, echoing the generous spirit that first inspired the dish. Another highlight is the Signature Hokkaido Temaki, which brings together kegani, uni, and ikura in crisp seaweed over Hokkaido’s prized Yumepirika rice. Guests can also explore the full 9-course omakase ($228++) or enjoy more accessible lunch sets starting from $68++.

Inside, the restaurant is a serene composition of pale pine and rich rosewood, anchored by a 12-seat counter where diners interact closely with chefs. Two private rooms offer more intimate settings for gatherings. More than just a meal, Mare Hachikyo is a showcase of omotenashi, expressed through exceptional produce and service.


Visit Mare Hachikyo Singapore at 390 Orchard Road, #01-07, Palais Renaissance, Tel: 8428 0073

  • SUGARRA
  • MARE HACHIKYO
  • BINOMIO

BINOMIO

  • Marinated fried sea bass
  • Lobster with seafood sauce
  • Lamb saddle with smoked carrot purée and thyme demi-glace
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Binomio, a beloved name in Singapore’s Spanish dining scene, enters an exciting new chapter with its recent move to the Raffles Hotel Arcade from its Craig Road address. This relocation signals more than a change of address, but marks an evolution for the brand, blending its hallmark warmth and Spanish hospitality with an elevated experience in a space that marries classic elegance and contemporary artistry.

Binomio’s new space introduces a dual-concept layout: A breezy alfresco tapas bar perfect for lively gatherings, and an intimate dining room with an open kitchen and exclusive private room lined with fine wines. At the helm is Executive Chef Félix Noguera, whose impressive pedigree spans three-Michelin-starred Can Fabes, Aponiente, and luxury icons like Nobu London and Cipriani Downtown Miami. His menu is guided by balance, sustainability, and the purest expression of each ingredient.

On the menu, familiar tapas are reimagined. Croquetas in cod, mushroom, truffle, and signature Binomio variations, cider-braised chorizo on warm bread, as well as seafood-forward dishes like seared baby scallops and marinated sea bass. From the main kitchen, dishes like seabass carpaccio with black truffle vinaigrette, sous vide lobster in seafood sauce, and smoky angel hair fideuà with duck reflect Chef Félix’s nuanced touch. Desserts, including a classic Basque cheesecake and daily cake specials, round off the experience.


Visit Binomio at 328 North Bridge Road, #01-25, Raffles Hotel Arcade, Tel: 9758 6471