Whether you’re craving classic curries or a lavish Thali feast, these Indian restaurants offer delicious fare to celebrate the festival of lights this year.
Text by: Eris Choo
Tiffin Room
Celebrate Diwali at the historic Tiffin Room at the Raffles Hotel Singapore, as Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi presents a refined three-course menu which includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The feast begins with playful bites like mint- and orange-spiked golgappa and smoky kebabs, paired with the restaurant’s own spiced Golden Tadka Beer. The main course arrives in Tiffin Room’s signature tiffin carrier, unveiling a medley of rich curries and fragrant pulao, best enjoyed with buttery naan and refreshing raita. Sweet endings come in the form of rose-scented gulab halwa and creamy mango malai, which can be paired with a vintage port. To take the festivities home, Tiffin Room’s handcrafted Mithai gift box, filled with jewel-like confections, is the ultimate edible keepsake. The Diwali-exclusive menu is available until 23 October 2025.
Rang Mahal Restaurant & Bar
A name known to generations of Singaporeans, Rang Mahal Restaurant & Bar has opened its doors in a new space within the trendy Naumi Hotel. Indulge in a spread of authentic classics from North, South, and coastal India, alongside favourites drawn from cherished family recipes. Whet the appetite with starters like Maa’s Chilli Cheese Pakoras, featuring moreish cheddar and cream cheese-stuffed green chillies battered in spiced gram flour, and Arshiya’s Chowpatty Slider, named after the restaurant founder’s daughter who loved this snack as a child. For the main event, choose from sizzling grill platters, curries, and briyani; and if you prefer coastal Maharashtrian cuisine, the Kokan Fish is a well-rounded coconut-based curry with generous chunks of seabass. Stop by in the afternoons for a satisfying Royal Set Lunch Thali, accompanied by sides like burani raita, mango turnip salad, green pea pulao, and a bread basket. For reservations, visit rangmahal.com.sg.
Gully
Gully at the Holiday Inn Singapore Little India, which opened this year, fits right in with the neighbourhood’s vibrant charm. Inspired by the bustling ‘galis’ (narrow alleyways) of India, expect a menu filled with street food classics reimagined, with small and large plates ideal for communal dining. Snack on creative tacos that take you on a journey through India’s rich food landscape, such as the smoky Mutton Seekh Taco, which take after the flavours found at Jama Masjid’s iconic kebab stalls; and the Tandoori Fish Taco, which captures the coastal zest of Mumbai. Another standout dish is the Gully Smoked Butter Chicken, a spin on Delhi’s famous butter chicken. There’s an exciting drink menu to go with the food, too, with must-tries like Gully Signature Margarita, Mango Lassi, and the Little Chennai, featuring Kaya Butter Whiskey Sour, a homage to the restaurant’s locale.
Gupshup
Hidden beneath The Serangoon House in Little India is Gupshup, where old-world colonial charm meets bold, modern Indian flavours. Led by Surjan Singh “Chef Jolly” of MasterChef India fame, this vibrant underground spot, decorated with beautiful wall murals, is made for feasting, and like the restaurant’s namesake in Hindi, for conversation. Go all out with The Great Indian Feast, an unlimited ala carte experience of 13 dishes that takes you from the smoky tandoors of Punjab to the spice markets of Chennai with dishes like Pani Poori shots, Gosht Seekh Kebab, and Kulfi Falooda. For something charmingly nostalgic, opt for the Dabbawala Tiffin Set on Tuesday to Thursday afternoons, which pays tribute to India’s lunchbox tradition, beautifully served in a custom brass carrier.
SanSara
SanSara at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel celebrates the season with a limited-time Diwali Thali (available until 23 October 2025), presented as a festive platter with highlights like Laal Maans lamb shank curry, Punjabi Murgh Tikka, Malai Broccoli, and golden Keshari Rasmali for dessert. The restaurant’s Mithai gift box comes packed with sweet goodies, from the saffron-rich Sunehri Mohar to the nut-filled Rajsi Mewa, making it a thoughtful choice for family, friends, or corporate gifting. Beyond the festivities, the restaurant has also newly launched its Tiffin Lunch and Dinner Sets, inspired by India’s legendary dabbawallas (tiffin carriers), who deliver hot, homecooked meals to workers in major cities across India with clockwork precision. Presented in gleaming copper tiffins, each set comprises a chaat appetiser, a regional curry of the day with rice or naan, a side of seasonal vegetables or meat, and traditional Indian sweets to close.