Best Izakaya Singapore: Your Complete Guide to Authentic Japanese Dining Experiences

Top 6 Izakayas and Modern Izakaya-Style Bars in Singapore

1. Izakaya Hikari: A Friendly Traditional Izakaya Hidden Gem in Fortune Centre

Address: 190 Middle Road, Fortune Centre #03-01, Level 3, Singapore 188979
Nearest MRT: Bencoolen MRT (5-minute walk)
Price: Sashimi donburi from S$16.90–S$25.90, grilled meats from S$3.90, gyoza around S$6.90, sake bottles from S$35.
Signature order: Salmon Mentaiko Donburi ($16), Miso Soup
Best time to visit: Weekday lunch for value, or early dinner before popular items sell out

Not every izakaya night needs to drain your wallet. Hidden away on the third floor of the slightly dated Fortune Centre, Izakaya Hikari is a friendly traditional izakaya that feels like a neighborhood tavern. It’s a small, unpretentious haven for budget-conscious lovers of japanese food, serving traditional izakaya cuisine with all the izakaya favourites done well.

The menu focuses heavily on straightforward comfort food, featuring grilled chicken skewers, buta kakuni, gyoza, and fresh seasonal produce. On my last visit, I ordered their signature Salmon Mentaiko Donburi paired with a warming bowl of miso soup, which delivered an incredibly satisfying, rich, and creamy punch without feeling overly heavy. The space is tight and functional, so you will likely be bumping elbows with regulars who come here for dependable good food and a genuine izakaya experience.

Unlike the flashy CBD spots, Hikari doesn’t have an extensive menu or mood lighting. It is quieter, humbler, and significantly gentler on your bank account. It’s the kind of place you drop into solo after a long day when you want good food without having to shout over loud music.

• Go here for: Budget-conscious solo counter dining or casual weeknight comfort food lovers looking for a hidden gem in Singapore’s izakaya scene.

• Skip his if: You are planning a romantic date night or expect a highly stylized, modern interior.

• Before you order: Arrive early for dinner if you want comfort items like oden or fresh sashimi, as they often sell out. Keep in mind they are closed on Sundays.

2. The Public Izakaya: Lively Japanese Izakaya with All the Izakaya Favourites

Address: 100AM Mall, 100 Tras Street, #01-09, Singapore 079027
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar MRT (3-minute walk)
Price: Small plates generally around S$8.64–S$21.60, Buta Kakuni around S$19.44, Tori Kara-age around S$18.36, sake bottles from about S$42.80.
Signature order: Assorted Oden, Yakitori Grilled Skewers, Buta Kakuni ($18–$25 for platters)
Best time to visit: Thursday or Friday evening for the full, chaotic after-work drinks atmosphere

If you want to experience the loud, unpretentious energy of Tokyo’s salaryman districts like Shimbashi, The Public Izakaya at 100AM Mall is exactly where you need to go. Designed as a friendly traditional izakaya for the masses, this sprawling venue is packed with antique Japanese memorabilia, glowing lanterns, and a lively atmosphere that buzzes with good vibes.

This is not a place for a quiet, intimate meal. I visited on a Friday night with a group of diners, and the atmosphere was electric. We ordered massive platters of oden, crispy karaage, grilled items including wagyu steak and golden mushroom skewers, washing everything down with Japanese spirits like sake and shochu. The food is decidedly casual and designed specifically for sharing small plates, making it perfect for groups who want an authentic izakaya experience.

Because it is a high-traffic CBD venue, the service can get a bit stretched during peak hours. You might have to flag down a server to get your next round of cocktails, but the staff are generally fast and efficient once they take your order.

• Go here for: After-work drinks, loud group dinners, and casual beers with grilled skewers.

• Skip this if: You want a quiet, romantic ambiance or highly personalized, slow-paced service.

• Before you order: Reserve well in advance for Thursday and Friday evenings. Ask for a table slightly away from the main walkway if you want to hear your friends without shouting.

3. Shunjuu Izakaya: Classic Grilled Skewers and Fresh Seafood by the Riverside

Address: 30 Robertson Quay, #01-15 Riverside View, Singapore 238251
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning MRT (12-minute walk)
Price: Kushiyaki skewers generally around S$5–S$10 per stick, premium skewers such as wagyu around S$25, sashimi moriawase around S$57, rice and noodle dishes around S$13–S$26.
Signature order: Assorted Kushiyaki, Chicken Meatballs, Sashimi Moriawase ($6–$8 per stick)
Best time to visit: Weekday dinner for a calmer riverside meal

If you want the classic charcoal-grill experience but don’t want to sit in a cramped, windowless room, Shunjuu Izakaya is the answer. Established in 2003, it is one of Singapore’s longest-running yakitori-style japanese restaurants. The real draw here is the combination of authentic sumiyaki (charcoal grilling) over binchotan and the breezy, relaxed riverside setting of Robertson Quay. Sitting outside with a cold beer while the scent of roasting chicken fat and sweet soy glaze drifts from the kitchen is incredibly atmospheric.

The kushiyaki here is stellar, with must try dishes like tsukune (chicken meatballs), grilled chicken skewers, and fresh seasonal produce. I highly recommend ordering a massive spread of skewers and fresh sashimi to share rather than sticking to individual mains. Compared to the hyper-modern CBD izakayas, Shunjuu feels like a grounded, reliable classic serving traditional izakaya cuisine.

However, be warned that the bill can climb aggressively fast. Because you are ordering stick by stick and adding rounds of drinks, a “casual” dinner can easily turn into a premium spend. It is definitely more expensive than a neighborhood spot like Izakaya Hikari, but you are paying for the riverside real estate and decades of grilling expertise.

• Go here for: Classic yakitori lovers and relaxed riverside group dinners.

• Skip this if: You are looking for a cheap, fast meal right next to an MRT station.

• Before you order: Request an outdoor riverside table when booking. Start with a chef’s assortment of skewers and a bottle of sake before adding heavier rice or sashimi items like bara chirashi to gauge your appetite.

4. Uoharu Kaizen Izakaya (Downtown CBD)

Address: 2 Central Boulevard, #01-16, IOI Central Boulevard Towers, Singapore 018916
Nearest MRT: Downtown MRT (2-minute walk)
Price: Small plates from around S$14.30++, sushi and rice dishes around S$28.80++–S$29.80++, grilled mains around S$32.80++, draft sake from S$19++ per 100ml.
Signature order: Katsuo Warayaki / Straw-Roasted Bonito ($24)
Best time to visit: Weekday dinner to catch the live-fire roasting experience

Uoharu brings a highly theatrical, modern Tokyo experience straight to the Singapore CBD. The moment you arrive, you have to bow slightly to pass through their intentionally lowered wooden entrance—a symbolic gesture of respect that immediately sets the tone. Inside, the space is polished, sleek, and filled with a mix of corporate professionals and food enthusiasts.

The absolute standout here is the Katsuo Warayaki. They roast the bonito fish over a massive, roaring straw fire right in the open kitchen. The intense burst of heat gives the fish a profound, smoky flavor while leaving the center raw and buttery. I also highly recommend the Seared Miso Sashimi Tartare. The flavors here are noticeably more elevated and adventurous than your standard pub grub.

Uoharu is more polished than casual izakayas, but that means it is slightly less spontaneous. The crowd leans corporate, and the ambiance feels closer to a modern restaurant than a gritty back-alley bar. It is a fantastic place to bring a client or a date you want to impress without going full fine-dining.

• Go here for: CBD professionals, impressive business dinners, and diners who love a bit of culinary theater.

• Skip this if: You want an old-school, smoky, hole-in-the-wall neighborhood izakaya.

• Before you order: Try to snag a seat with a clear view of the open kitchen so you don’t miss the massive flames during the straw-roasting process.

5. Shukuu Izakaya (Telok Ayer)

Address: 8 Stanley Street, Singapore 068727
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer MRT (5-minute walk)
Price: Starters from around S$6–S$10, Kani Gratin around S$10, Rosti Mentai around S$12, kushiyaki from around S$4–S$9.50 per stick, sake by glass from S$8–S$12.
Signature order: Kani Gratin / Crab Gratin ($12) and Mentaiko Rosti ($14)
Best time to visit: Weekday dinner for sake pairings and shared plates

Tucked along the heritage shophouses of Stanley Street, Shukuu Izakaya is undeniably the strongest sake bar on this list. While places like Kazu or Shunjuu focus heavily on charcoal grilling, Shukuu leans deeply into an extensive, expertly curated sake menu paired with highly inventive small plates.

The vibe inside is cozy, dimly lit, and buzzing with a sophisticated after-work crowd. During my visit, I skipped the usual skewers and ordered their Kani Gratin—a rich, creamy, incredibly savory crab dish baked in its own shell. We followed that with a crispy, savory Mentaiko Rosti. The real magic happened when we asked the staff for a sake pairing. Instead of choosing randomly, the sommelier brought out a dry, crisp sake that perfectly cut through the heavy richness of the crab and potatoes.

The portions here are decidedly small. Shukuu is much better for drinks and grazing than for a heavy, massive dinner. If you come here starving and expect massive bento boxes or large mains, you will end up with a very high bill. Treat it as a tasting experience rather than a feed.

• Go here for: Sake beginners and enthusiasts, intimate catch-ups, and late-night Japanese bites.

• Skip this if: You want large portions or a full, heavy dinner without ordering multiple small dishes.

• Before you order: Tell the staff what you are eating and what flavour profiles you usually enjoy, then let them guide you toward a sake pairing.

6. Toku Nori: Modern Handroll Bar with Fresh Seafood and Sake

Address: 200A Telok Ayer Street (Level 2), Singapore 068638
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer MRT (3-minute walk)
Price: Toku Nori 5-handroll set around S$38, sake pairing flight around S$18, individual handrolls around S$8–S$16, premium uni handroll around S$32, izakaya sides around S$12–S$16.
Signature order: Toku Nori Set of 5 Handrolls, Sake Flight
Best time to visit: Weekday dinner for an intimate sushi and sake experience

If you want a modern, trendier take on the izakaya format, Toku Nori is an absolute must-visit. Hidden behind a bright red door on the second floor of a pre-war heritage shophouse, this intimate 40-seat venue is fundamentally a tapas bar-style japanese izakaya serving excellent handrolls made with premium fresh seafood like scallops and wagyu, alongside an extensive sake menu.

The setup here revolves around a beautiful sushi counter where chefs hand you each roll individually. Combined with their sake flights, it’s one of the most polished, enjoyable dining experiences in Singapore’s izakaya scene. The space has mood lighting and good vibes, perfect for a date night or solo counter dining.

Because the space is so small and popular, it can feel a bit crowded, and seating is strictly timed. It’s not the place for sprawling grilled items or loud after work drinks, but it’s ideal for savoring all the izakaya favourites in a refined setting.

• Go here for: Modern date nights, sushi and sake lovers, and intimate counter dining.

• Skip this if: You want a traditional yakitori pub with smoky grills and loud drinking energy.

• Before you order: Request counter seating when you book so you can watch the chefs craft each handroll.