Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown & CBD

Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown and the CBD hold Singapore's densest run of French restaurants, set in restored shophouses on Keong Saik Road, Tras Street, Club Street and Telok Ayer Street. The area works for business lunches by day and for bistro dinners and wine bars at night.

Fleur de Sel on Tras Street is Michelin Selected, with classic French set menus from an open kitchen, and Pulsii, also on Tras Street, cooks French classics over open flame. On Keong Saik Road, Bistro Gaston (Michelin Selected) leans on Burgundy, and Justin et Daryl serves Justin Quek's foie gras and apple tart. HENRI Bistrot du Boulanger bakes its own bread, Chez Suzette flambés crêpes at the table, and La Table d'Emma cooks Alsatian dishes on Club Street. Merci Marcel, Bonjour Ma Cuisine and French Fold cover brunch and crêpes.

Book dinner, especially Thursday to Saturday, as many shophouse rooms are small. Weekday lunches are busy with office workers. Tanjong Pagar, Maxwell, Outram Park and Telok Ayer MRT stations are all within walking distance. Prices range from casual crêpes to set-menu fine dining.