For discerning palates: The connoisseur’s guide to Singapore’s rising stars of fine dining

True connoisseurs know that culinary genius often reveals itself before the accolades arrive.

Those who take pleasure in seeking tomorrow's top stars can tap The Culinaire's List, an insider guide that showcases the most promising talents of Singapore’s fine dining scene.

Launched this year, this thoughtfully curated list presents different fine dining establishments to consider – some flying under the radar, some Michelin-starred, but all offering something new, even to the most sophisticated of diners.

These establishments are bound by their chefs' devotion to artistry and innovation – masters who continually refine their craft while pushing the boundaries of technique and flavour.

For DBS Insignia Cardmembers, the experience deepens with exclusive privileges – from specially crafted dishes to private sessions with these rising star chefs – thanks to a special dining programme.

Uncover unique fine dining experiences

The most memorable meals transcend mere ingredients and technical mastery. Chefs also infuse their own memories and heritage into the food, making the meal a stunningly personal one. And few do this better than Louis Han, chef-founder of Michelin-starred Korean restaurant Nae:um.

Chef Han crafts seasonal episodic menus that speak to both heart and palate. Each dish weaves together his childhood memories of Seoul with insights gained from his global culinary journey, creating an experience that nourishes both body and soul.

Sometimes, eating out can be a form of entertainment too. Chefs are known to dazzle their diners with their theatrical culinary skills, turning the meal's preparation into a jaw-dropping performance.

A good place to witness this is Revolver, the modern Indian restaurant that made waves when it launched because of the way it elevated the traditional cuisine with the use of an open-fire grill.

Today, the team led by chef Jitin Joshi continues to offer up genre-defying dishes cooked on custom-built wood-fire grills and in a huge hand-built tandoor. These include the kulchette, a reinvention of the traditional Indian flatbread or kulcha.

Set in a gorgeous open sunken kitchen, the cooking stations invite diners to watch every step of the process. In fact, diners can also try their hand at making a kulchette, from rolling the dough ball and stuffing it with ingredients to finally baking it in the tandoor.

Revolver’s multi-sensorial experiential dining has not only captured the hearts of Singaporean diners but is also now set to enchant Dubai, with a new outpost. It is exactly the kind of culinary star that The Culinaire's List seeks out – restaurants destined to leave their mark on the dining world.

Go behind the culinary curtain

Chefs Han and Joshi join a select circle of stellar chefs who masterfully bring their vision from kitchen to table. A conversation with these artists adds another layer of distinct pleasure and understanding to the dining experience.

This is a privilege that DBS Insignia Cardmembers can look forward to – special meet-and-greet sessions where chefs share their stories and inspirations behind each innovative dish they have savoured.

Cardmembers also have the opportunity to try exclusive off-menu creations – paired with a complimentary glass of wine or champagne – when they place a reservation at any of these partner restaurants through DBS Insignia Service Ambassadors. These off-menu items change regularly, so diners are always surprised by something new.

Beyond its curated restaurant selections, The Culinaire's List offers deeper insights through The Culinary Canvas, a monthly editorial series that ventures into the minds and kitchens of Singapore's most intriguing chefs. Here, they reflect on everything from their heritage and craft to broader trends in the fine dining landscape.

In addition, The Canvas Corner offers the latest updates in the local dining scene each month, keeping discerning diners at the forefront of Singapore's evolving culinary landscape.

Find out more about The Culinaire’s List by DBS.