There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when you push open a modest door in Singapore and suddenly feel like you’ve stepped into a back-alley drinking den in Tokyo. Over the past year, we’ve spent more evenings than we’d like to admit hunting down the best izakayas in Singapore, chasing that exact feeling. Some places nail the aesthetic but fall flat on the food. Others serve incredible grilled skewers but feel like a generic food court stall with sake on the menu.
This list is about the rare izakaya restaurants that get both right. These are the izakayas in Singapore where the lighting, the buzz, and the plates all work together to transport you somewhere else. We’ve eaten at all five of these, sometimes more than once, and we’re being honest about where each one shines and where it stumbles. If you want a bar experience in Singapore that actually feels like Japan (and gives you a great photo while you’re at it), keep reading.
Quick Summary of the Establishments: Instagrammable Izakaya Singapore Highlights
Izakaya Hikari (Fortune Centre): A friendly traditional izakaya hidden gem known for serving traditional izakaya cuisine with an extensive menu featuring grilled skewers, fresh sashimi, miso soup, and warm hot dishes.
Issho Izakaya: A sleek Japanese izakaya in the CBD with attentive service, fresh seafood, and standout dishes like wagyu steak and bara chirashi that showcase fresh seasonal produce.
Shunjuu Izakaya: Famous for its grilled chicken yakitori and charcoal-grilled meat, this izakaya offers an authentic izakaya experience with many izakaya favourites served alongside sake and shochu.
The Public Izakaya by Hachi: A lively Japanese bar with a tapas bar vibe, known for its lively atmosphere, free flow drinks, and classic izakaya favourites like buta kakuni, jaga mentaiko, and deep fried delights.
Neon Pigeon: A modern Japanese restaurant and izakaya with mood lighting and creative dishes such as kfc bao, foie gras-infused gyoza, and tokyo hummus, blending traditional izakaya with contemporary flair.
1. Izakaya Hikari at Fortune Centre: The Friendly Traditional Izakaya Hidden Gem
Located in Fortune Centre, Izakaya Hikari is a true hidden gem among izakayas in Singapore. This friendly traditional izakaya serves traditional izakaya cuisine with an extensive menu that covers all the izakaya favourites. From grilled skewers like yakitori and golden mushroom to comforting miso soup and fresh sashimi, everything here is designed to create an authentic izakaya experience.
The intimate space and attentive service make it a perfect spot for after work drinks or casual dinners. The grilled items, including tender grilled chicken and other grilled meat, pair beautifully with their sake selection. Whether you’re craving small plates or a hearty bowl of noodles, Izakaya Hikari delivers good food in a cozy setting that feels like a true Japanese izakaya.
Good Vibes for: Fans of traditional izakaya cuisine and those looking for a genuine Japanese bar experience in a hidden gem.
Hard Pass if: You want a flashy, modern izakaya or extensive free flow drinks.
2. Issho Izakaya: A Japanese Izakaya with Fresh Seafood and Wagyu Steak
Issho Izakaya, located at Marina One The Heart, is a standout among many izakayas in Singapore for its fresh seafood and premium grilled meat offerings. This Japanese izakaya boasts an extensive menu that showcases seasonal produce and dishes like sashimi moriawase and bara chirashi, perfect for sharing.
The grilled chicken and wagyu steak here are cooked to perfection, highlighting the best of traditional izakaya cuisine with a modern touch. The atmosphere balances casual dining with attentive service, making it ideal for both work drinks and relaxed dinners. Pair your meal with sake or shochu for the full izakaya experience.
Good Vibes for: Seafood lovers and those seeking good food paired with quality drinks in a Japanese bar setting.
Hard Pass if: You prefer a more casual, lively atmosphere over polished dining.
3. Shunjuu Izakaya: Authentic Izakaya Experience with Grilled Skewers and More
Shunjuu Izakaya is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic izakaya cuisine in Singapore. Located at Robertson Quay, this izakaya singapore gem is celebrated for its charcoal-grilled skewers, including juicy grilled chicken yakitori and a range of grilled meat options. Their menu features many izakaya favourites like buta kakuni, gyoza, and miso soup, all served in a lively atmosphere perfect for after work drinks.
Shunjuu’s focus on fresh seasonal produce and grilled items delivers an unmatched dining experience. The extensive menu also offers sushi and hot dishes, making it a comprehensive choice for fans of things Japanese.
Good Vibes for: Groups looking for a lively atmosphere and classic izakaya dishes with sake and shochu.
Hard Pass if: You want a quiet, intimate dining experience.
4. The Public Izakaya by Hachi: Lively Atmosphere and All the Izakaya Favourites
The Public Izakaya, located in 100AM Mall near Tanjong Pagar, is one of Singapore’s best izakayas for a lively, casual night out. This large Japanese bar serves traditional izakaya cuisine with a tapas bar twist, offering free flow drinks and an extensive menu featuring grilled skewers, deep fried delights, and seafood dishes.
Standout food items include the jaga mentaiko, buta kakuni, and fresh sashimi, all served with attentive service in a buzzing environment. The Public Izakaya embraces the spirit of sharing small plates and enjoying good food with friends, making it a top choice for after work drinks or group dinners.
Good Vibes for: Large groups craving a lively atmosphere with many izakayas-style food items and drinks.
Hard Pass if: You want a quiet, traditional izakaya experience.
5. Neon Pigeon: Modern Japanese Restaurant with Creative Izakaya Flare
Neon Pigeon is a modern Japanese restaurant and izakaya singapore that brings a fresh, creative edge to traditional izakaya cuisine. Located on Carpenter Street (No, not our favorite popstar singer Sabrina Carpenter), this vibrant spot combines mood lighting, a lively atmosphere, and an extensive menu that includes unique dishes like kfc bao, foie gras-infused gyoza, and tokyo hummus.
This tapas bar-style izakaya serves grilled skewers, fresh sashimi, and grilled items alongside inventive cocktails and sake. The blend of traditional izakaya favourites with innovative dishes and drinks makes Neon Pigeon a popular choice for those seeking good food and a trendy setting.
Good Vibes for: Trendy diners and fans of fusion Japanese food with a lively bar vibe.
Hard Pass if: You want strictly traditional izakaya cuisine without modern twists.
What is an Izakaya? Understanding the Japanese Gastropub Experience
An izakaya is a casual Japanese gastropub that combines the relaxed atmosphere of a bar with a diverse menu of small, shareable plates. These establishments are designed for socializing over drinks and food, offering a lively and informal dining experience that encourages guests to order multiple rounds of dishes to share among friends. An izakaya offers a more casual, social dining experience with shareable small plates and flexible pacing, unlike the structured, chef-driven progression of an omakase meal.
Izakayas emphasize “nomunication” — the cultural practice of bonding and communicating through drinking — making them popular spots for after-work gatherings and casual nights out. Many izakayas also serve an otoushi, a small appetizer automatically brought to the table upon seating, setting the tone for the meal. The atmosphere is typically lively and buzzing, with the clinking of glasses and shared plates fostering a warm and inviting environment reminiscent of Japan’s vibrant street izakayas.
In Singapore, izakayas bring this authentic Japanese dining culture to life, offering everything from traditional grilled delicacies to fresh seafood in settings that range from cozy hidden gems to modern, Instagrammable hotspots.
SENDs Take: Discover the Best Izakayas in Singapore for Instagrammable Japanese Food
Singapore’s izakaya scene offers a diverse range of experiences that capture the essence of Japan’s rising sun culture. Whether you’re after a friendly traditional izakaya like Izakaya Hikari at Fortune Centre, fresh seafood and wagyu steak at Issho Izakaya, or the grilled skewers and lively atmosphere of Shunjuu Izakaya, there’s an izakaya singapore spot for every mood and occasion.
Don’t miss The Public Izakaya for a bustling Japanese bar vibe with all the izakaya favourites or Neon Pigeon for a modern take on classic dishes with creative flair. Each place offers something unique, from extensive menus featuring hot dishes and sushi to thoughtfully curated sake and shochu selections.
Plan your visit around their opening hours, come hungry, and prepare for an authentic izakaya experience filled with good food, drinks, and memorable moments. These are the best izakayas singapore has to offer for anyone craving an Instagrammable night out that feels like a trip to Japan without leaving the island.
