From Thevar to Zen: A seat at Singapore’s most exclusive tables, now within effortless reach

The most memorable meals aren’t always defined by the number of courses, but by the closeness of the experience – a quiet exchange with the chef, a dish prepared just for you or a table few others can book.

This spirit of connection is best embodied by DBS’s The Culinaire’s List. First unveiled last year as a by-invitation programme for DBS Insignia Cardmembers, it offers rare access to some of Singapore’s award-winning restaurants, as well as behind-the-scenes experiences with visionary chefs, off-menu dishes and the ease of a dedicated concierge to secure a table.

Now, with an enhanced edition extending privileges to DBS Vantage Cardmembers, The Culinaire’s List opens its gilded doors a little wider. At its heart, The Culinaire’s List isn’t merely about dining – it’s about belonging to a circle where every meal is a story, and every reservation is an invitation into a world that transcends the ordinary.

An elevated experience

For DBS Insignia Cardmembers, The Culinaire’s List curates 12 acclaimed restaurants in Singapore, seven of which were recognised at the Best Chef Awards 2025.

They include Thevar with a Three-Knife rating, which has been wowing diners for seven years with exquisite Indian food interpreted through modern techniques; and Somma, a new addition to The Culinaire’s List with a One-Knife rating. The new brainchild of chef Mirko Febbrile of Fico fame, Somma is a dual-concept dining destination that translates the warmth of Puglia into refined modern Italian plates.

Earning a Two Knives distinction is restaurant Zen. The Singapore outpost of Stockholm’s acclaimed Frantzen continues to champion Nordic cuisine, subtly enlivened with South-east Asian influences.

For DBS Insignia Cardmembers, chef Martin Oefner has crafted an exclusive off-menu creation: smoked marron with sea buckthorn kosho beurre blanc.

“Marron, when done right, is one of the most tender crustaceans, with a sweetness I absolutely love,” he says. “It’s so good you could almost serve it plain and still be impressed – but the technique must be precise. The sauce adds depth and creaminess, complementing its rich, delicate meat perfectly.”

Beyond exclusive creations like this, DBS Insignia Cardmembers can also look forward to meeting the chefs behind the menus, and enjoy complimentary beverage credits with every two tasting menus ordered.

And if it’s your birthday month, you’ll receive a waiver on corkage for one bottle of wine or champagne. Best of all, every detail – from reservations to special arrangements – is handled seamlessly by a dedicated team of DBS Insignia Service Ambassadors.

A new vantage point

The expansion of The Culinaire’s List brings DBS Vantage Cardmembers into this world of culinary discovery, offering priority access to 12 additional restaurants: Artichoke, Brasserie Astoria, Fico, Im Jai by Pun Im, Kappou Sushi, Latido, Maggie’s, Naked Finn, One Prawn & Co, Province, Rappu, and South & East.

Each addition offers its own take on modern gastronomy. Those needing to kick back after a long week will find Rappu the right place to relax and recharge. Set within a minimalist space with heritage beams and a 20m-long quartz counter, this sleek sushi bar specialises in handrolls, fresh seafood, craft sakes and creative cocktails.

The standard offering here is a six-handroll set; but the restaurant has recently curated an exclusive tasting menu for The Culinaire’s List.

DBS Insignia and Vantage Cardmembers have the freedom to select your preferred options, mixing and matching items to your satisfaction for a truly customised meal. This includes a starter, six handrolls, drinks pairing and dessert.

For an elevated, refined and unusual take on our local cuisine, head to Province where chef-owner Law Jia-Jun, who has honed his craft in California and Singapore, offers dishes highlighting South-east Asian ingredients and his Teochew-Hokkien heritage.

For those drawn to rustic-refined dining, newly-opened grillhouse South & East is the place to be. Combining Southeast Asian flavours (notably Indonesian spices) with smoke-infused barbecue meats, the dishes here tick all the boxes for a truly soul-satisfying meal.

At these 12 restaurants, both DBS Insignia and Vantage Cardmembers can also enjoy a range of exclusive dining and beverage credits; Vantage Cardmembers can book their experiences through The Inside Access.

Explore The Culinaire’s List by DBS – your invitation to Singapore’s most exclusive tables.