If your knowledge of North Indian food is limited to the usual suspects of tandoori dishes and palak paneer, it’s high time you expanded your horizons at SanSara, which has made its home in a quiet nook of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Though North Indian restaurants are aplenty in Singapore, this particular establishment is one of the rare few that specialises in Awadhi cuisine. Taking inspiration from age-old recipes that were used to serve actual kings and sultans, the spice-laden dishes at SanSara are prepared with the utmost care, down to the seasonal ingredients used.
Both meat-lovers and vegetarians are equally catered to here. We’d highly recommend starting off with the Tamatar Kele Dhaniya Shorba ($16), a spicy-tangy tomato broth served with crispy namakparik crackers on the side. Then, sink your teeth into one of the kebabs (from $30), where options include stuffed chicken breast, minced lamb, pomfret, and mackerel.
When it comes to lamb dishes, gaminess is often an issue for those with sensitive taste buds, but the Awadhi gosht biryani ($38) and SanSara-e-lazeez maas ($36) – the restaurant's signature lamb curry – come with tender meat that’s pleasant on the palate. Wash everything down with a selection of Indian desserts and unique cocktails.
To savour the best of multiple dishes, go straight for the set menus. Prices start from a wallet-friendly $58 for a smorgasbord of nine items.