I’ve spent the better part of the last few years on a personal quest to find the best izakayas in Singapore that feel like a genuine escape from the usual Orchard Road dining scene. I’m not talking about flashy, high-concept restaurants that happen to serve skewers, but the real-deal, cosy spots where the sake flows, the conversation hums, and you can truly unwind after a long day of shopping or work.
If you’re new to izakaya culture, I’ve broken down what truly defines an authentic experience in my complete guide to the Best Izakaya in Singapore.
Orchard Road, with its endless malls, tourist traps, and many stores, might seem like the last place to find these authentic gems—but I promise you, they’re there. Tucked away in basements, hidden on upper floors of old shopping centers and other malls like Orchard Plaza, and waiting for those in the know to discover their traditional Japanese cuisine and rich flavours.
After countless nights spent exploring this maze of Orchard Plaza food spots, I’ve put together this list of four standouts. These are the places I return to, the ones I recommend to friends, and the ones that capture the true spirit of izakaya culture right in the heart of Orchard Plaza Singapore.
1. MOMOYA Japanese Obanzai Izakaya (Orchard Plaza) – Regional Japanese Cuisine and a Few Dishes at Reasonable Prices
Nearest MRT: Somerset (7-min walk)
Address: 〒238841Singapore, Orchard Rd, 150号 #02-24
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm; closed Sunday
Estimated Spend: ~$40–$70 per person
Typical Dish Prices: Obanzai plates $8–$18 | Mains $15–$22 | Omakase menu ~$50
Another hidden gem in the maze of Orchard Plaza food, MOMOYA specializes in Oita-style obanzai from Kyushu. It’s intimate, counter-centric, and deeply personal—Momo-san runs the show with warmth and quiet precision. This Orchard Plaza Singapore restaurant serves dishes prepared in the traditional way, emphasizing fresh ingredients and balanced flavours.
My go-to order is the Oita-style Tori-ten (~$14–$16)—lighter than karaage, delicately battered with a crisp batter, incredibly juicy. Obanzai plates (simmered vegetables, rolled omelettes, braised dishes) typically range from $8–$18, making it possible to build a varied meal without overspending.
If you’re unsure what to order, the Omakase course (~$50 per person) is excellent value for Orchard standards. It usually includes multiple small plates and a more substantial main, offering strong variety at a fixed price point.
Compared to other Orchard Plaza food options, MOMOYA feels refreshingly honest in pricing and atmosphere, perfect for a budget-conscious yet authentic experience.
Ideal for: Quiet date nights or solo dinners exploring regional Japanese comfort food and traditional side dishes, including fresh salads and flavourful bowls.
Not recommended for: You’re with a large, loud group—the space is intimate and pacing is relaxed.
Helpful tip: Sit at the counter for interaction and ask about seasonal specials not listed, some of which come with a spicy sauce punch.
2. Bisco Sakaba — Modern Bistro-Izakaya Energy and Orchard Plaza Food Vibes
Nearest MRT: Somerset, around 5–7 minutes on foot
Address: 150 Orchard Road, #01-24/25 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm; closed Monday
Estimated Spend: Around $80–$100 nett per person with a drink
Typical Dish Prices: Small plates from around $8–$28+ | Dashi Egg $12+ | Sweet Potato Tempura with Dill Cream $15+ | Japanese Mussels $27+ | Aniko Monkfish Karaage $28+
Bisco Sakaba feels like Orchard Plaza learning a new rhythm without losing its old soul. It is not the hushed, wood-panelled izakaya where everyone speaks in low voices over sake. This one has movement. A little music. A little edge. A small room, a live DJ in the corner, and a Japanese couple running the place with the kind of warmth that makes the restaurant feel more personal than polished.
The name itself says plenty: Bistro, Disco, Drinking Place. That explains the mood of the room. It leans more French cuisine and Japanese than traditional izakaya, with a compact menu built around a handful of appetizers, hot dishes, and dessert. The food menu is not huge, but that works in its favour. It feels considered rather than crowded.
The Dashi Egg is the kind of small dish that tells you what Bisco is trying to do. Familiar ingredients are rearranged into something playful: hard-boiled eggs, tartare, and a soft savoury finish. The Sweet Potato Tempura with Dill Cream brings a crisp, creamy, lightly herbal contrast, while richer dishes like Japanese Mussels and Monkfish Karaage make the place feel more dinner-worthy than just a drinks stop.
Expect the spending to climb once drinks enter the picture. Bisco has a one-drink policy, though water is served without extra charge. For a full evening with food and drinks, $80–$100 per person is a realistic range.
Ideal for: A modern Orchard Plaza date night, after-work drinks, or anyone who wants izakaya energy with a French-Japanese bistro twist.
Not recommended for: You want a long, traditional izakaya menu with endless skewers, grilled fish, and old-school sake-house quiet.
Helpful tip: Book ahead, especially for dinner. The space is small, the atmosphere is lively, and the counter seats give you the best feel of the room.
3. Apollon / AM-Bar — Cosy Oden, Highballs, and Proper Izakaya Vibes at Orchard Plaza Food Hub
Nearest MRT: Somerset, around 5–7 minutes on foot
Address: 150 Orchard Road, #01-29 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841
Opening Hours: Opens from around 5:00 pm based on booking listings; check before visiting
Estimated Spend: Around $45–$75 per person with drinks
Typical Dish Prices: Gyu Suji around $10 | Oden available à la carte menu or as a combo | Larger plates can go up to around $30++
Apollon is the kind of place that reminds you why Orchard Plaza works so well for Japanese drinking food. It does not need to announce itself loudly. It sits quietly on the first floor, small and slightly hidden, with a counter that gives you a clear view of the cooking stations and the rhythm of the staff moving between orders, drinks, and simmering pots.
The mood is cosy, casual, and unmistakably izakaya. Apollon and the adjoining AM-Bar are run by the same group, with the same food and drinks served in slightly different settings. The menu leans into oden, agemono, soups, ramen, and Japanese pub food, making it a good choice when you want something warm and savoury with your drink rather than a formal dinner.
The oden is the natural starting point. You can order pieces individually or go for a combo, with items like daikon, tamago, tsukune, sausage, beef, and seafood sticks sitting in a light broth. The Gyu Suji, or beef tendon stew, is one of the better-value dishes, rich and comforting without feeling too oily. There are also heartier options like maki rolls, karaage, croquettes, and hambagu, though some dishes may be stronger than others.
This is very much a drinking izakaya. One review notes that each guest is expected to order at least one drink, or agree to a shorter seating time. The barrel-tapped sake is worth asking about if you enjoy sake beyond the usual bottled pours.
Ideal for: Small groups, colleagues, casual Orchard drinks, and anyone craving oden, highballs, sake, and simple Japanese bar food.
Not recommended for: You are not drinking, or if you want a spacious dining room with a slow, restaurant-style meal.
Helpful tip: Start with oden and gyu suji before adding fried items. It gives the meal that proper izakaya rhythm: warm broth first, crisp bites later.
4. Sakutto Tempura & Oyster — Live Oysters, Crisp Tempura, and Seafood Drinking Food in Orchard Plaza Food Scene
Nearest MRT: Somerset, around 7–10 minutes on foot
Address: 150 Orchard Road, #03-33 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841
Opening Hours: Listed as daily, 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm on current dining profiles
Estimated Spend: Around $50+ for a lighter à la carte menu visit; higher if ordering oysters, drinks, and courses
Typical Dish Prices: Oysters have been listed around $9–$12 depending on origin | A5 Miyazaki Beef Tartare previously listed around $19 | Course dining can go much higher depending on selection
Sakutto Tempura & Oyster is for the nights when you want something sharper, brighter, and more seafood-driven than the usual yakitori-and-beer izakaya route. Tucked on the third floor of Orchard Plaza, it specialises in live oysters, tempura with crisp batter, and izakaya-style dishes, which gives it a slightly more refined drinking-food identity than a standard casual bar.
The draw here is in the name. The oysters are the opening move, with varieties previously noted from places such as Canada, Ireland, the US, Miyagi, and Hyogo, depending on availability. Some listings and reviews also point to Japanese oyster varieties and toppings like uni and ikura, making it a stronger pick for seafood lovers than for people looking for basic pub plates.
The tempura is the other reason to come. Reviews describe the batter as light and crisp rather than heavy, with the kind of freshly fried texture that makes sense beside beer, sake, or wine. Expect seafood, vegetables, and more premium items depending on the course or daily menu. The restaurant has also been linked to the team behind Kakiin, which explains the oyster focus and the more polished seafood angle.
This is not necessarily the cheapest Orchard Plaza izakaya-style stop. A casual à la carte menu meal can stay moderate, but once oysters, drinks, and courses enter the picture, the bill can rise quickly.
Ideal for: Oyster lovers, tempura cravings, seafood-forward drinking nights, and small groups who want something more polished than a basic izakaya.
Not recommended for: You are looking for cheap skewers, ramen, or a broad izakaya menu with lots of meat-heavy sharing plates.
Helpful tip: Ask what oysters are best that evening rather than ordering blindly. The experience depends heavily on what is fresh and available.
Last Impressions: Navigating Orchard's Izakaya Scene and Orchard Plaza Food
Orchard Plaza may not have the shine of newer developments, but it quietly holds some of the most authentic Japanese dining experiences tucked away above the main streets of Orchard.
Each spot offers a distinct price point and personality, but all stay rooted in the relaxed, unpretentious spirit of traditional izakayas.
Next time you’re in Orchard, don’t just stick to the main shopping belts. Head into Orchard Plaza, go up the older escalators, and explore the quieter levels.
That’s often where the most authentic Japanese comfort food experience in Orchard is quietly found, creating memorable evenings filled with fresh sashimi, flavourful tempura, and a mix of drinks and dishes that make every bite a delight to the palate.
Author’s Note:
After revisiting this article, I felt it made more sense to keep the spotlight on Orchard Plaza itself. The building has its own little world of izakayas, sake bars, and Japanese small-plate spots, so I’ve updated the guide to focus only on places found inside Orchard Plaza. I hope this refreshed version makes it easier to choose the right spot for your next Japanese dining night. Happy reading!
