The 9 Best Restaurants in Little India (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best restaurants in Little India in 2026 include Muthu's Curry and Banana Leaf Apolo for fish head curry, Bismillah Biryani for dum biryani, Lagnaa for customisable spice levels, Komala Vilas for vegetarian dosai and thali, Mustard for Bengali and Punjabi food, and Swaadhisht for Kerala cooking.

Little India is where Singapore goes for South Indian vegetarian meals, fish head curry, biryani and tandoor-cooked North Indian food, and most of the places below sit within a few streets of Little India MRT around Race Course Road, Serangoon Road, Dunlop Street, Upper Dickson Road and Chander Road. Prices are modest by Singapore standards, but several restaurants shut between lunch and dinner or have changed hours, so check before you go. For quick, cheap plates under one roof, see Tekka Centre in our hawker centres guide, and for the rest of the city see the best restaurants in Singapore.

1. Muthu's Curry — Little India (Race Course Road)

Fish head curry that put Race Course Road on the Michelin map.

$$ Mid-range

Muthu's Curry serves its signature fish head curry in a Chettinad-style gravy, alongside tandoori dishes and other Southern and Northern Indian favourites. Michelin lists it as a Bib Gourmand restaurant and calls the South Indian-style fish head its signature.

Order a fish head to share with rice, and add a vegetable side. The dining room is air-conditioned and takes groups, which makes it an easy pick for a family dinner after exploring Serangoon Road.

Good to know: Share one fish head between two or three people and order the rest on the side rather than one dish each.

#01-01, 138 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218591

Google Maps Website

2. The Banana Leaf Apolo — Little India (Race Course Road)

A family-run Race Course Road institution that has served fish head curry for decades.

$$ Mid-range

Banana Leaf Apolo says it was founded in 1974 by S. Chellappan, who began with a thosai stall at Cuff Road, and that it moved to Race Course Road in 1983. Its website now lists fish head curry, flower crab, mutton briyani, a naan platter, tandoori chicken and vegetarian meals as signatures.

The fish head curry, made to a family recipe that includes pineapple, is the dish most people come for. The restaurant's website lists opening daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm, so it works for an off-peak lunch or a late dinner.

Good to know: The restaurant's website lists daily hours of 10.30am to 10.30pm; confirm before visiting on public holidays.

54 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218564

Google Maps Website

3. Bismillah Biryani — Little India (Dunlop Street)

Dum biryani cooked in the traditional way, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand regular.

$ Budget

Bismillah Biryani calls itself a heritage restaurant serving authentic dum biryani, a method that seals meat and rice together and cooks them over coals. Its website says it is 100% Muslim owned and operated and a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner. Its menu runs from mutton and chicken biryani to lamb shank, prawn and vegetable versions.

Alongside the biryani, look for curries such as chicken nihari, haleem and butter chicken, plus naan and kulfi. The Dunlop Street outlet lists daily hours of 11.30am to 8.30pm, so it is a lunch-to-early-dinner stop rather than a late-night one.

Good to know: The Dunlop Street outlet lists last service around 8.30pm, so go for lunch or an early dinner.

50 Dunlop St, Singapore 209379

Google Maps Website

4. Lagnaa Barefoot Dining — Little India (Upper Dickson Road)

A three-storey Little India house known for spice levels you choose yourself.

$$ Mid-range

Lagnaa describes itself as Michelin-recognised, and Michelin's guide lists it as a Bib Gourmand restaurant. Its website shows an 'Arusuvai' set built around the six flavours of Indian food, plus a Chilli Challenge page for those who want to test their tolerance.

Michelin describes it as a three-storey building with customisable spice levels, so tell staff how hot you want your curries. Reservations are taken through the website or WhatsApp, and the site says deposits are applied to your final bill.

Good to know: Opening hours differ between listings (several give 11.30am to 10.30pm, closed Mondays), so book ahead.

6 Upper Dickson Rd, Singapore 207466

Google Maps Website

5. Komala Vilas — Little India (Serangoon Road)

A long-running vegetarian restaurant for dosai, thali and South Indian coffee.

$ Budget

Komala Vilas describes itself as an authentic Indian vegetarian restaurant. It says it was established in 1947, founded by Murugiah Rajoo, and that the family's third generation now runs it. Its menu covers dosais, thali meals, idlis, uthappams, vadais and South Indian coffee, with tandoori roti and naan too.

The Serangoon Road restaurant lists opening daily from 7am to 10.30pm, including public holidays, so it works for breakfast as well as dinner. There are sister outlets for sweets and savouries on Upper Dickson Road and Fennel by Komala Vilas on River Valley Road.

Good to know: Come for breakfast: dosai and a filter coffee are a classic Little India start to the day.

76-78 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217981

Google Maps Website

6. Mustard — Little India (Race Course Road)

Bengali and Punjabi dishes, including a fish croquette with fermented mustard sauce.

$$ Mid-range

Mustard says it is Singapore's first and only Bengali and Punjabi restaurant, with the concept brought to Singapore in 2005 by Chef Radhika Abbi. Michelin's guide describes it as halal and recommends the maacher cutlet, a fried fish croquette served with a house-made fermented mustard sauce called kashundi.

Its menu marks signatures including Bengali vegetable chop, damodar chingri and the Kolkata special chicken biryani. Food is made to order, so expect a wait, and Michelin lists opening hours of 11.30am to 3pm (4pm on Saturdays) and 6pm to 10.45pm.

Good to know: Book through the restaurant on +65 6297 8422; private hire is offered for up to 40 people.

32 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218552

Google Maps Website

7. Swaadhisht — Little India (Chander Road)

Kerala cooking in Little India, from bamboo biryani to puttu and kappa.

$$ Mid-range

Swaadhisht says it opened in 2005 and describes itself as the first restaurant in Singapore serving authentic Kerala cuisine, founded by Bindu Anil. Its menu covers Malabar-style seafood, meat and vegetarian curries, biryani cooked in bamboo, puttu and kappa.

The restaurant names its special chicken dry and special fish fry as signatures, along with bamboo biryani. It lists opening daily from 11am to 10pm.

Good to know: Try the special fish fry or the bamboo biryani, both of which the restaurant names as signatures.

47 Chander Rd, Singapore 219546

Google Maps Website

8. Jaggi's Northern Indian Cuisine — Little India (Race Course Road)

Punjabi food in a casual Race Course Road setting.

$$ Mid-range

Jaggi's describes itself as a hidden gem near Little India serving traditional Punjabi dishes from authentic recipes. Its website lists outlets on Race Course Road and at 2 Mistri Road, #01-01.

Diners on Burpple mention tikka dishes and freshly baked naan. Hours are not listed on the restaurant's website, so check before you go.

Good to know: Check hours with the restaurant before going; they are not listed on its website.

72 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218573

Google Maps Website

9. Madras New Woodlands — Little India (Upper Dickson Road)

An old-school South Indian vegetarian restaurant known for thali and tiffin.

$ Budget

Madras New Woodlands is widely listed as a vegetarian South Indian restaurant on Upper Dickson Road. Press features point to its VIP Thali and Madras Thali for a full meal, and to dosai, idli and vadai for breakfast or a lighter bite.

Listings give opening hours as roughly 7.30am to 10.30pm daily, though some sources differ, so check before you go. It is a short walk from Komala Vilas and Lagnaa if you want to compare South Indian options.

Good to know: Hours vary between listings, so confirm before a late dinner.

14 Upper Dickson Rd, Singapore 207474

Google Maps

Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants in Little India?

Muthu's Curry and Banana Leaf Apolo on Race Course Road for fish head curry, Bismillah Biryani on Dunlop Street for dum biryani, Lagnaa on Upper Dickson Road, Komala Vilas on Serangoon Road for vegetarian food, Mustard for Bengali and Punjabi dishes and Swaadhisht for Kerala cooking. Michelin's guide lists Muthu's Curry, Lagnaa and Bismillah Biryani among its Bib Gourmand picks.

Where can I eat fish head curry in Little India?

Muthu's Curry at 138 Race Course Road and The Banana Leaf Apolo at 54 Race Course Road are the two best-known places. Muthu's Curry describes its version as Chettinad-style, while Apolo says its family recipe includes pineapple. A fish head is big, so most groups share one with rice and a vegetable side.

Are there vegetarian restaurants in Little India?

Yes. Komala Vilas on Serangoon Road describes itself as an authentic Indian vegetarian restaurant, and Madras New Woodlands on Upper Dickson Road is widely listed as a vegetarian South Indian restaurant. Both serve dosai, idli and thali-style meals. Mustard and Swaadhisht offer vegetarian dishes alongside meat and fish.

Which Little India restaurants are halal?

Michelin's guide describes Mustard as a halal restaurant, and Bismillah Biryani says it is 100% Muslim owned and operated, though its site does not mention halal certification. Many others, including Banana Leaf Apolo, make no halal claim on their websites. If certification matters, ask the restaurant or check the MUIS halal directory before you go.

What is banana leaf rice?

Banana leaf rice is a South Indian meal served on a banana leaf, with rice, vegetables, a papadum and pickles, and with curries ladled over it. It is traditionally eaten with the fingers. Banana Leaf Apolo on Race Course Road is one of the best-known restaurants for Southern Indian meals in the area.

How do I get to Little India?

Take the MRT to Little India station, on the North East and Downtown lines, or to Farrer Park or Rochor. Race Course Road, Dunlop Street and Upper Dickson Road are a short walk from Little India station. For the neighbourhood's temples and shopping, see our best attractions and markets guides.

1. Muthu's Curry — Little India (Race Course Road)

2. The Banana Leaf Apolo — Little India (Race Course Road)

3. Bismillah Biryani — Little India (Dunlop Street)

4. Lagnaa Barefoot Dining — Little India (Upper Dickson Road)

5. Komala Vilas — Little India (Serangoon Road)

6. Mustard — Little India (Race Course Road)

7. Swaadhisht — Little India (Chander Road)

8. Jaggi's Northern Indian Cuisine — Little India (Race Course Road)

9. Madras New Woodlands — Little India (Upper Dickson Road)

Frequently asked questions

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