A Taste of Tradition: Where to Find Authentic Heritage Local Cuisine in Singapore

Singapore is a culinary mosaic—a city where every bite tells a story of its past. Beneath the glitz of modern cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants lies another dining scene that celebrates nostalgia and culture: heritage local cuisine. These are dishes that trace their roots to the early settlers—Peranakans, Malays, Chinese, and Indians—whose kitchens shaped Singapore’s identity long before it became a global food capital.

Today, a handful of hotel restaurants continue to honour these flavours, keeping the spirit of traditional cooking alive. From fragrant Penang laksa to rich ayam buah keluak, these venues serve not just food, but a taste of memory. Here’s a journey through eight restaurants in Singapore where you can savour authentic heritage cuisine, lovingly preserved in elegant, comfortable hotel settings.

Singapore’s Classic Heritage Dining Experience

1.Spices Café @ Concorde Hotel

At the heart of Orchard Road, Spices Café offers a buffet that feels like a walk through Singapore’s culinary history. The restaurant is best known for its “Singapore Flavours” spread, which celebrates timeless local favourites—think laksa simmered in creamy coconut gravy, aromatic chicken rice, and Nonya kueh desserts layered with gula melaka and pandan.

The café’s ambiance blends modern comfort with a touch of colonial charm, creating the perfect setting for rediscovering traditional tastes in the heart of the city. Whether you’re indulging in a leisurely lunch or an evening dinner, Spices Café brings the warmth of local home-cooking into a refined hotel experience.

2.Princess Terrace Authentic Penang-Peranakan Food @ Copthorne Kings Hotel

Few names evoke nostalgia among food lovers like Princess Terrace. Since the 1970s, this restaurant has been synonymous with authentic Penang-Peranakan cuisine, faithfully served in buffet style. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the comforting aroma of sambal, belacan, and pandan.

Diners return time and again for classics such as Penang Hokkien Mee, Assam Laksa, Nasi Lemak, and delicate Nonya kuehs—all prepared with old-school precision by chefs who treat each recipe as a legacy. The experience here is not about glamour, but authenticity. Princess Terrace is a taste of Penang preserved in time, right in the heart of Singapore.

3.Sun’s Café @ Hotel Grand Pacific

For purists who believe heritage food should be cooked the traditional way, Sun’s Café is a gem. Tucked along Victoria Street, it has earned a quiet reputation for serving some of the most authentic Peranakan fare in town. Signature dishes such as Ayam Buah Keluak, Nyonya Laksa, and Chap Chye are lovingly prepared from family recipes, resulting in flavours that are deep, spicy, and unmistakably comforting.

Sun’s Café has none of the pretension of high-end buffets. Instead, it channels the warmth of a Peranakan kitchen—generous portions, bold spices, and a sense of home. The restaurant’s understated décor allows the food to take centre stage, and diners often linger long after their meals, chatting over bowls of durian pengat and cups of kopi.

4.The Buffet @ M Hotel

Located in the Central Business District, The Buffet at M Hotel is an urban retreat for those who crave the taste of home amidst the hustle of city life. While its spread includes international favourites, its local section stands out for its variety of Singaporean comfort foods—from fragrant chicken curry to satay grilled over an open flame.

The Buffet offers the convenience of a hotel setting while still serving up flavours that are familiar and heartwarming. It’s a favourite among office workers looking to unwind over a meal that tastes like their grandmother’s kitchen, only with the polish of a modern hotel.

5.The FernTree Café @ Hotel Miramar Singapore

Along Havelock Road, The FernTree Café presents a welcoming space filled with sunlight and the aroma of local spices. Its international buffet always includes a tribute to Singapore’s heritage cuisine. You’ll find stations serving laksa, sambal prawns, and stir-fried noodles, alongside a colourful dessert table showcasing local sweets.

What makes The FernTree Café special is its easygoing charm—it’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a comforting meal without the crowds of Orchard or Marina Bay. The emphasis here is on relaxed dining, good service, and the simple joy of familiar food made well.

6.Whampoa Room @ One Farrer Hotel

Perched elegantly on Level 6 of One Farrer Hotel, Whampoa Room is a contemporary celebration of Peranakan heritage. Helmed by Executive Chef Marcus Tan, the restaurant offers a curated buffet of time-honoured dishes—Gulai Tumis Stingray, Kueh Pie Tee, and Ayam Buah Keluak among them.

The interior design blends heritage motifs with modern sophistication, reflecting the fusion spirit of Peranakan culture itself. Every dish here feels personal, crafted with respect for tradition yet plated with finesse. Whampoa Room has quickly become a destination for diners seeking a more elevated take on local heritage dining, where the experience is as elegant as the cuisine is authentic.

7.The Orchard Café @ Orchard Hotel

The Orchard Café embodies the cosmopolitan energy of Orchard Road while staying rooted in local culinary tradition. Its buffet celebrates the diversity of Singapore through a medley of heritage and international dishes—each highlighting the island’s multicultural influences.

Signature offerings often include spicy laksa, slow-braised beef rendang, and traditional desserts like sago gula melaka. The décor is stylish and contemporary, but the flavours evoke the warmth of a kampung kitchen. Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or treating yourself after a day of shopping, The Orchard Café captures the balance between luxury and local authenticity.

8.The White Tiffin Fusion @ Hotel Faber Park Singapore

A relatively new addition to Singapore’s heritage dining scene, The White Tiffin Fusion at Hotel Faber Park reimagines local classics with a modern twist. Here, traditional recipes meet creative presentation, proving that heritage cuisine can evolve without losing its soul.

Expect familiar flavours such as curry chicken and chap chye, but with thoughtful updates that make them feel fresh. The setting, surrounded by greenery on the slopes of Mount Faber, adds to the charm—serene, intimate, and distinctly Singaporean. The White Tiffin is ideal for diners seeking a quieter, more reflective experience of heritage dining.

Preserving Flavours of the Past

In a city that changes faster than most, these restaurants remind us that food is a bridge to memory. Heritage local cuisine is more than just a meal—it’s a story of family, migration, and belonging. Every spice blend and every coconut milk broth carries echoes of generations past, passed down through time and served with pride.

Whether you’re exploring the lavish spreads of Orchard Road or the tranquil dining rooms along Havelock, each of these hotel restaurants offers more than just a buffet—they offer connection. A connection to history, to home, and to the timeless comfort of dishes that will always feel like Singapore.

Summary

Embark on a culinary journey through Singapore’s finest heritage restaurants that keep local traditions alive. From fragrant Peranakan dishes at Princess Terrace and Sun’s Café to classic local buffets at Spices Café and The Orchard Café, these dining destinations offer a taste of the island’s cultural roots. Discover how each restaurant preserves authentic flavours, time-honoured recipes, and the comforting nostalgia of Singapore’s traditional cuisine—all within the elegance of modern hotel settings.