Private home dining has emerged as a unique culinary trend in Singapore, offering food enthusiasts an intimate and personalised dining experience that goes beyond traditional restaurant settings. What is private home dining and how popular is it in Singapore? And who are some of the standout chefs and cuisines that are making waves in this vibrant scene?
Private home dining refers to the practice of hosting exclusive dining experiences in a private setting, often within a chef’s home or a specially designed venue. This concept allows guests to enjoy meticulously prepared meals in a cosy and intimate atmosphere, typically with a small group of diners. The experience often includes personalised menus, where chefs craft dishes tailored to the preferences and dietary restrictions of their guests.
The allure of private dining lies in its exclusivity and the opportunity to connect with chefs on a more personal level. Guests can engage in conversations about the food, the inspiration behind the dishes, and the cooking techniques used, creating a memorable and enriching experience uniquely to your meal.
The growing scene in Singapore
In Singapore, the private dining scene has flourished, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many chefs to pivot from traditional restaurant roles to more intimate settings. This shift has led to a surge in demand for unique dining experiences that prioritise quality, creativity, and personal interaction.
The private dining landscape in Singapore is diverse, featuring a wide array of cuisines and styles, from traditional Peranakan dishes to contemporary fusion creations. Many chefs draw inspiration from their cultural backgrounds, family recipes, and culinary travels, resulting in menus that are both innovative and deeply rooted in heritage.
Chef Will Chng – Umami Table
 Image Credit: Umami Table’s Instagram |
Year started: 2021 Cuisine: Modern Contemporary Chinese with Japanese and European tastes Location: Ang Mo Kio Experience: Chef Will Chng, known as the ‘Umami Boy’, offers an eight-course tasting menu that highlights the umami flavours found in various ingredients. His dishes include Yunnan Wild Matsutake Broth and Hokkaido Scallops with Seaweed Congee Umami XO Capellini. The intimate setting allows guests to enjoy high-quality fare reminiscent of fine dining but in a more relaxed environment. Chef Will has collaborations and pop-ups now and then, so look out for them in his Instagram below. |
Chef Jenna – Wala Pizza
 Image Credit: WALA Pizza Private Dining’s Facebook |
Year started: 2021 Cuisine: Pizza Location: Chua Chu Kang Experience: A self-taught pizza chef, Jenna crafts unique pizzas with flavours inspired by her food science background. Guests can expect a multi-course meal featuring a variety of pizzas such as smoked margherita, hot smoked salmon and sweet pea, each showcasing different toppings and styles, all for S$158 per person. Bookings are released every 20th of the month before on their website. |
Website: https://walapizza.sg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walapizza.sg/
Chef Linda – Linda’s Table
 Image Credit: Stories of Hope Website |
Year started: 2020 Cuisine: Peranakan Location: Pandan Valley Experience: In a true Omakase-style, Linda’s Table is celebrated for its authentic Peranakan dishes. As a self-taught chef, Linda offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, making her dining experience a favourite among locals. Get ready to dazzle your taste buds with her well-known Beef Rendang, perfect for spicy lovers, and Sambal Prawns with Belimbing, giving you a jump with the burst of flavours. |
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindatable.pd
Chefs Sean and Jordan – Rhythm
 Image Credit:Rhythm’s Instagram |
Year started: 2021 Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese Location: City HallExperience: Rhythm presents a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine, blending local Singaporean elements into its seven-course menu. Each dish is prepared with finesse, offering diners a unique culinary journey priced at S$178 per person. Dishes in the current menu include pork trotter, chestnut crab. Their menu changes every six months, so if you see something you like, don’t wait to book your slot! |
Website: https://rhythmsg.wixsite.com/rizumu
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythm_sg/
Chef Jesper – The Wood Ear
 Image Credit: The Wood Ear’s Instagram |
Year started: 2018 Cuisine: Eclectic Location: Chua Chu Kang Experience: Chef Jesper’s menu changes based on different culinary themes, offering dishes like Claypot Rice with Crab and Lobster Cheddar Noodles. His approach to cooking emphasises quality ingredients and creative presentations. His first pop-up was at The Arts House in July with a culinary theme of “Chinese Seafaring Heritage”. |
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodear
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodear_sg/
Chef Sam Chablani – No Burn No Taste
 Image Credit: No Burn No Taste Website |
Cuisine: Umami BBQ Omakase Location: According to diners’ preference Experience: With a philosophy that emphasises the beauty of charred flavours, Chef Sam’s – describing himself as a “culinary pyromaniac” – 10-course Umami BBQ Omakase features dishes like lychee smoked umami crab and smoked wagyu steak, all served in an alfresco setting of your choice for S$185 per person. He also sells his famous Dirty Delicious Umami Butter for $18. |
Website: https://www.noburnnotaste.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noburnnotaste/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noburnnotaste/
Chef Henry Lau – 劉府私房菜 (Liu Fu Si Fang Cai)
 Credit: 劉府私房菜 (Liu Fu Si Fang Cai)’s Facebook |
Year started: 2017 Cuisine: Elevated Singaporean-Chinese Location: Joo Chiat Experience: If you want a private dining experience a little closer to home, Chef Henry brings familiar Singaporean zichar dishes to our stomach and infuses them with unique twists. His offerings include prawn paste pork belly and black garlic chicken soup, priced at S$155 for a seven-course meal. Getting a seat is by ballot so you can’t bring a friend, though you can make new foodie friends. |
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/劉府私房菜-100063732872721
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liufusifangcai/
Chef Alberto Simillides – Proud Potato Peeler
 Image Credit: Proud Potato Peeler’s Instagram |
Year started: 2022 Cuisine: Middle Eastern and Mediterranean with Cypriot, Greek, Turkey and Lebanon tastes Location: 10A Perak Road Experience: With over 15 years of experience, Chef Alberto offers a seven-course omakase featuring traditional Cypriot and Turkish recipes. His classic dish is his potato pie with hand-rolled phyllo pastry, smoked cheese, homemade spicy yogurt, prosciutto and fresh truffle. Another evergreen is the homemade sourdough bread made with a 12-year-old starter hand-carried from Greece. The experience is priced from S$158 per person. |
Website: https://proudpotatopeeler.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proudpotatopeeler
Chef Sophia Yeow – Butterfly Table
 Image Credit: Butterfly Table’s Instagram |
Cuisine: Peranakan Location: East Singapore Experience: A MasterChef Singapore Season 2 contestant and Lee Kum Kee Supreme Chef 2021 winner, Sophia offers a tok panjang (long table) communal dining experience featuring vibrant Peranakan dishes, with the atmosphere akin to a party. Guests can enjoy a vintage ‘museum’ tour of her antique collection, including her exquisite teacups, teapots, and tea sets, making for a culturally enriching evening. She also caters for corporate or special order. |
Website: https://www.tiaptiapwithsoph.com/butterfly-table
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butterfly.table/
The Private Dining Experience
Private home dining in Singapore has transformed the way people experience food, offering a unique blend of intimacy, creativity, and cultural appreciation. With a diverse array of chefs and cuisines, the scene continues to grow, attracting food enthusiasts eager to explore new flavours and culinary traditions.
Private home dining experiences typically range from S$120 to S$200 per person, depending on the chef, menu, and level of service. Many chefs operate on a reservation-only basis, often requiring bookings months in advance due to their popularity and the obvious limited seating.
The ambience of these dining experiences is often cosy and personal, with chefs welcoming guests into their homes or specially designed spaces on a special journey only private dining can achieve. Many private dining venues also allow guests to bring their beverages, removing the additional corkage costs and the hassle that conventional restaurants impose.
As the trend gains momentum, it not only supports local chefs and their culinary journeys but also fosters a deeper connection between diners and the food they consume. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, indulging in a private dining experience is a delightful way to savour the rich tapestry of Singapore’s culinary landscape.
