Rice Raves: Where to Get the Best Briyani in Singapore
In Singapore, briyani restaurants offer a delightful fusion of Indian, Malay, and Chinese culinary influences. From classic chicken, mutton, or beef briyani to inventive seafood and vegetarian variations, there’s something to tickle every taste bud.
Join me on a journey to the best briyani spots in Singapore that offer everything from innovative twists to traditional recipes.
Bismillah Biryani Restaurant
Address: 50 Dunlop St, Singapore 209379 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6569351326
Hours: Daily, 11.30 AM – 8.30 PM
Price: $$
It’s important to state that Bismillah Biryani Restaurant on Dunlop Street has been endorsed by renowned food critics like the late Anthony Bourdain and the Michelin Bib Gourmand of 2017.
But even locals will tell you how tasty its dum biryani (rice cooked with layered meat) is that’s made with authentic basmati rice. Each dish boasts a fragrant aroma and perfectly cooked meat, devoid of any gaminess.
You can take your pick from chicken dum, fish, double chicken, vegetarian, mutton, and lamb shank biryani.
Pro-tip: No curry is required with the lamb shank biryani; the lamb’s marinade and juices infuse the entire plate!
Islamic Restaurant
Address: 114 Desker Rd, Singapore 209635 (Google Maps)
Contact: +65 6298 7563
Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Islamic Restaurant is a renowned name in Singaporean briyani, thanks to its over 96 years of traditional recipes. In particular, its chicken biryani features tender meat with flavourful spices, perfect for mixing with rice.
Speaking of rice, the restaurant uses exceptional basmati rice that boasts impressively long grains. It’s especially fragrant when served with the juicy and soft mutton.
Pro-tip: There’s free street parking available on Sundays.
Mr Biryani
Address: 11 Chander Rd, Singapore 219529 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6586614271
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 11 AM – 9.30 PM; Thursday to Sunday, 11 AM – 10.30 PM
Price: $$
Established in 2017 by Chef Govinda Rajan, Mr Biryani offers authentic Hyderabadi biryani with a local twist. It offers an extensive menu featuring fragrant rice topped with chicken, mutton, and fish.
There are also vegetarian options like vegetables, brinjal (eggplant), paneer (fresh cheese), and jackfruit biryani. Even better—one plate of biryani serves two to three people, which is ideal for light eaters.
Pro-tip: The flavours tend to be on the spicier side.
The Banana Leaf Apolo
Address: 20 Sixth Ave, Singapore 276479 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6563622444
Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 10 PM
Price: $
Established in 1974, The Banana Leaf Apolo is a renowned Indian restaurant popular among locals and tourists. Even passersby won’t be able to resist the enticing aroma of traditional spices wafting from within.
While it’s known for serving spicy fishy curry, its briyani is also note-worthy. We opted for the vegetable briyani paired with chicken masala and came away feeling satisfied and emitting pleasant-tasting burps.
Pro-tip: Biryani or white rice additions are complimentary and included in the minimum serving price per person!
Gokul Raas Vegetarian Restaurant
Address: 19 Upper Dickson Rd, Singapore 207478 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6563967769
Hours: Daily, 10.30 AM – 9.30 PM
Price: $$
While some briyani traditionalists may baulk at vegetarian options, Gokul proves them wrong with meatless versions of classic local dishes. We’re meat-eaters ourselves, but we couldn’t pass up the chance to try some sinless briyani.
Its extensive menu includes four variations of vegetarian briyani, including the Hyderabadi-style clay pot briyani. Its version of the dum briyani features delicious soya chunks in saffron rice!
Pro-tip: Gokul offers a diverse menu of Asian and Indian vegetarian dishes, all free from eggs, onions, or garlic.
Master Briyani Restaurant
Address: 416 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, Singapore 534995 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6589515989
Hours: Open 24 hours
Price: $
Originally a hawker stall on Commonwealth, Mr Briyani expanded due to growing demand for their equipment-intensive Hyderabadi-style briyani. It aimed for accessibility to the Indian community and now operates Singapore’s few 24/7 briyani spots.
We tried its acclaimed mutton briyani, served with raita, dalcha (lentils), salad, and papadam (Indian flatbread). The mutton was tender and boneless so it was a pleasure to chew on.
Pro-tip: The freshly made, in-house paneer tasted better than the frozen variety.
Victory Restaurant
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Address: 701 North Bridge Rd, #701, Singapore 198677 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6562986955
Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: $$
Opposite the Sultan Mosque, Victory Restaurant is a popular Indian-Muslim eatery known for timeless favourites like murtabak (minced meat-filled dough) and briyani.
We found the fluffy basmati rice lightly spiced, resembling Middle Eastern mandi rice. The mutton, though not falling off the bone, is tender and juicy. Alongside chicken and mutton options, it also offers a fish briyani.
Pro-tip: Feeling adventurous? On weekends, the restaurant offers exotic meat murtabak like deer murtabak!
Samy’s Curry Restaurant
Address: 25 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249670 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564722080
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), 11 AM – 3 PM and 6 – 10 PM
Price: $$
Samy’s Curry is an old Indian curry house known for its simple ambience and focus on delicious food. Despite its basic decor, it’s always bustling.
We went for its signature dish: briyani rice topped with fish head curry, chicken masala, and fish cutlet. The briyani here is moist to cater to local tastes, but you can also enjoy it with flavourful chicken gravy on the side.
Pro-tip: Cool off your tastebuds with a refreshing mug of lime juice.
Singapore Zam Zam
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Address: 697-699 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198675 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6562986320
Hours: Daily, 7 AM – 11 PM
Price: $$
Singapore Zam Zam came highly recommended to us for its nasi briyani. One bite of the fluffy nasi briyani smothered with mutton curry and we were hooked.
With over a century of history, this Kampong Glam institution attracts devotees from all over the island for its mutton, beef, or chicken briyani. We reckon it’s an ideal spot for nursing hangovers after partying along Haji Lane.
Pro-tip: Pair your flavourful carbs with a frothy mug of milky teh halia (ginger tea).
Sakunthala’s
Address: 151 Dunlop St, Singapore 209466 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6562934431
Hours: Daily, 9.30 AM – 10.30 PM
Price: $$
Sakunthala’s Restaurant was established in 1997 and named after the owners’ mother. It began with South Indian cuisine and later added North Indian dishes, all halal-certified.
It’s also the first Indian restaurant in Singapore to offer Chinese cuisine and is renowned for its fresh seafood. A must-try here is the prawn briyani, cooked to perfection with basmati rice in the dum briyani style.
Pro-tip: There’s unlimited white rice. Hurray!