L'etoile Hella Inn

Comfort and luxury partly explain the popularity of this firm favourite with foodies, thanks to plush fabrics, beautifully dressed tables and Chinese art, but the skill and experience of the kitchen team also play a role. Their soups made with top-notch ingredients win the hearts of countless connoisseurs. Double-boiled Silkie chicken soup with dried scallop and abalone stands out with deep, complex umami. Other specialities include Peking duck and baked stuffed crab shell.

Chinese

Chef Kin’s stints at famous sushi-ya in Hong Kong and Japan explain his exceptional sushi making skills and artistry. According to the oiliness of each fish, he pairs it with rice dressed in one of his two vinegar blends. A single omakase menu is served, composed entirely of ingredients flown in from Japan, such as umami-laden kuruma prawn that is perfectly cooked and boasts bouncy, juicy flesh. The lunchtime menu is a bargain. By reservation only.

Thanks to his considerable experience and skilfully executed dishes, the head chef has been enticing diners back here for over a decade. Named after the owner, the signature Ah Yung abalone is slowly braised in a secret sauce for up to 20 hours. Fried hump-head garoupa served in a claypot is perfumed with ginger, garlic, scallion and cilantro and boasts bouncy skin and crisp tasty meat. The dining room feels elegant and relaxing.

This branch of the Singapore-based brand is housed at an iconic skyscraper overlooking the harbour. The stylish dining room is embellished with subtle Chinese motifs, such as ceramic Koi carps and calligraphy. Live seafood is a must – try steamed lobster in chicken fat and Huadiao wine on a bed of silky egg white custard. The winey aromas are mesmerising. Hand-crafted dim sum is another unmissable highlight at lunch.

Once the famed hotel's grand ballroom, Gaddi's is known for its authentic, lavish decor, warm, meticulous service and impeccably crafted dishes. With chef Anne-Sophie Nicolas at the helm – its first female chef since it opened in 1953 – the legendary institution is ushering in a new era. Expect legacy recipes jazzed up with creative twists. The pan-seared Norwegian langoustine, cooked to perfection and boasting intense umami, is the must-try.

The space evokes old Shanghai circa 1920 – stained-glass windows, teak floors and rugs all nod to the golden era. On the menu, meanwhile, classics rub shoulders with novel creations. Green lobster two ways juxtaposes smoky caramelisation from wok-frying with wine aromas and the clean taste of the steamed crustacean on egg white custard. Their smoked barbecue pork is another must-try (you need to pre-order). Try their tea-infused cocktails, too!