The best restaurants and bars in Clarke Quay run from chilli crab institutions to a speakeasy that was once ranked the best bar in Asia, all packed under the district’s distinctive canopy roof along the river. Unlike Robertson Quay’s quieter dinner scene, Clarke Quay is built for a full night out: dinner, drinks, and dancing within a five-minute walk of each other. Here is where to eat and drink, block by block.
How Dining in Clarke Quay Is Organized
Clarke Quay’s restaurants and bars sit inside five converted riverside blocks connected by a covered canopy walkway, a redesign completed in 2003 that turned the old godowns into a continuous, weatherproof entertainment strip. Riverside Point, a separate mall just across Read Bridge, adds another cluster of seafood restaurants facing the water. Most kitchens run late, past 11pm on weekends, and the bars and clubs pick up where dinner leaves off, so a single evening here can move from a sit-down meal to a nightclub without ever leaving the quay.
Best Chilli Crab: Red House Seafood Nanyang and JUMBO Seafood
Two of Singapore’s best-known chilli crab kitchens sit within walking distance of each other here. Red House Seafood Nanyang serves its signature chilli crab alongside a rotating seasonal menu directly on the Clarke Quay riverfront, while JUMBO Seafood at Riverside Point is the branch of the chain famous for its award-winning chilli crab and black pepper crab. Both are worth booking ahead on weekends, since crab dinners here regularly run to two hours with the shell-cracking involved.
Best Korean BBQ: Hanjip Korean Grill House
Hanjip specializes in premium cuts, including Wagyu and Berkshire pork, grilled tableside with smokeless ventilation so the smell doesn’t follow you out the door. It’s a step up from casual K-BBQ chains, with a wine and soju list built to match the richer cuts on the menu.
Best Mediterranean: Zorba The Greek Taverna
Zorba brings a riverside alfresco setting with what regulars describe as genuine Santorini charm, built around grilled meats, fresh seafood, and a mezze spread that works well for groups splitting several plates over a long dinner.
Best Ramen: IPPUDO Clarke Quay
IPPUDO’s Clarke Quay outpost is a Hakata tonkotsu specialist, running the same rich pork-bone broths and thin noodles that built the chain’s reputation in Fukuoka, and it’s a reliable, faster option on a strip where most kitchens are built for a slow, multi-course night.
Best Latin Bar: Cuba Libre Café & Bar
Cuba Libre pairs Cuban-leaning tapas with a cocktail list built around roughly ten mojito variations, and it’s known for spicy salsa nights that pull a dancing crowd rather than a purely seated one.
Best Nightclub: Zouk
Zouk has run in Singapore since March 1991 and moved to its current address at 3C River Valley Road, inside The Cannery at Clarke Quay, in December 2016. The main room holds over 3,500 people, and the club has placed in DJ Mag’s global Top 100 Clubs multiple times, including a number 3 ranking in 2017, the highest of any Asian club that year. It’s still the anchor of Clarke Quay’s nightlife scene and the reason many visitors end their evening here regardless of where dinner started. If you would rather eat with a river view than a dance floor, see our guide to the best rooftop and river-view dining along the quays.
Best Speakeasy: 28 HongKong Street
28 HongKong Street sits just off the main Clarke Quay strip and was named the best bar in Asia at the inaugural Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards in 2016. The dim, loungey speakeasy is known for hand-carved ice cocktails and a menu built around rotating artist collaborations, and it books out on weekends, so arriving early or reserving ahead is worth it.
Best Old-School Local: Fu Lin Clarke Quay
Fu Lin has operated for more than 30 years as a Hakka specialist, serving yong tau foo, tofu and vegetables stuffed with fish or meat paste, alongside classic zi char dishes. It’s the most affordable, least touristy stop on this list and a useful contrast to the riverfront’s pricier seafood houses.
Quick Comparison of the Best Restaurants and Bars in Clarke Quay
| Venue | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Red House Seafood Nanyang | Seafood | Chilli crab |
| JUMBO Seafood (Riverside Point) | Seafood | Chilli and black pepper crab |
| Hanjip Korean Grill House | Korean BBQ | Premium cuts |
| Zorba The Greek Taverna | Mediterranean | Groups, mezze |
| IPPUDO Clarke Quay | Japanese ramen | Quick, reliable meal |
| Cuba Libre Café & Bar | Latin bar | Mojitos, dancing |
| Zouk | Nightclub | Late-night dancing |
| 28 HongKong Street | Speakeasy | Cocktails, date night |
| Fu Lin Clarke Quay | Local Hakka | Budget, authentic |
Clarke Quay vs Robertson Quay for Dinner
Clarke Quay is the louder, later option, built for a night that runs from dinner into a club. If you want a quieter riverside meal instead, our guide to Robertson Quay covers the warehouse-converted restaurants further upstream, and our Clarke Quay and Boat Quay travel guide has the full picture of both districts together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Clarke Quay for chilli crab?
Red House Seafood Nanyang, directly on the Clarke Quay riverfront, and JUMBO Seafood at nearby Riverside Point are the two best-known chilli crab kitchens in the area.
Is Zouk still open in Clarke Quay?
Yes. Zouk operates at 3C River Valley Road inside The Cannery at Clarke Quay, its home since relocating there in December 2016.
What is the best bar in Clarke Quay for cocktails?
28 HongKong Street is the standout, having been named the best bar in Asia at the inaugural Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards in 2016.
Are there budget dining options in Clarke Quay?
Yes. Fu Lin Clarke Quay has served affordable Hakka dishes like yong tau foo for more than 30 years, well below the price point of the riverfront seafood restaurants.
Bottom Line
For a full night out, the best restaurants and bars in Clarke Quay let you eat, drink, and dance without leaving a five-minute radius: start with chilli crab at Red House or JUMBO, move to cocktails at 28 HongKong Street, and finish at Zouk if you want to stay out late. For a calmer alternative, Robertson Quay’s restaurants sit just a short walk upstream.
Pingback: Clarke Quay and Boat Quay Travel Guide: Riverside Nightlife and Dining
Pingback: Best Rooftop and River-View Dining Along the Quays | Singapore With Me
Pingback: Robertson Quay: A Quieter Riverside Alternative
Pingback: Robertson Quay: A Quieter Riverside Alternative