The best American restaurants and bars in Singapore

There's no need to guess what this place is known for – it's in the name. Meatsmith is a modern smokehouse in Telok Ayer is where you can get some real deal American barbecue. After all, it was inspired by the smokehouses in Nashville, Memphis and Austin. Some of the things you'll find on the menu are its meat platters of perfectly grilled meat, house-made sausage, tangy vinegar slaw, juicy burgers, brisket, burnt ends, smoked ribs, craft beer, bourbons and aged cocktails. A signature at the restaurant is the Beef Marmalade Cheeseburger ($20) which features a beef and brisket patty and the housemade beef marmalade both topped with cheddar cheese, house pickles and their special burger sauce. 

Catapulted to fame by its CrazyShake, Black Tap's signature over-the-top milkshakes that come in flavours like Cotton Candy, a strawberry shake topped with a pink lollipop, rock candy, whipped cream and cotton candy, as well as the Bam Bam Fruity Pebbles shake that comes fully rimmed with fruity pebbles and Rice Krispies finished with a strawberry pop tart and laffy taffy rope. If all that sounds too sweet for you, balance things out with Black Tap's range of juicy burgers. Favourites include the All-American Burger and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.

Singapore might not have that many American-style barbecue joints but Red Eye Smokehouse comes close to the real deal. Everything's done low and slow in small batches, so you best come early to catch the best cuts. There's the usual beef brisket and ribs, but its menu selection also includes lamb shank, pork jowl and pork belly plus plenty of sides to keep you full.

American steakhouse chain Morton's, a pioneer of the high-end steak scene in Singapore, proves that old is gold. The meat-dominant menu only serves aged prime beef in cuts like filet mignons and New York strips. The steakhouse also prides itself on its seafood, offering everything from jumbo lump crab cakes and lobster tails to a towering ocean platter that feeds five to six. Not to be forgotten is the Morton's Bar, which serves Mortini and other refreshing tipples alongside complimentary filet mignon sandwiches during happy hour.

Famous burger chain Five Guys is best known for its hand-formed patties and fresh, crispy fries. You can now satisfy your craving and enjoy its burgers, fries, and milkshakes without having to travel to the East Coast (or its overseas outpost). On the menu includes burgers that come plain ($13) or topped with cheese ($15). But really, you should be getting the bacon cheeseburger ($17) that comes loaded with two rashes of applewood-smoked bacon. Layer your burger with all the fix-ins you want – there’s a total of 15 to choose from – and enjoy a greasy, sloppy stack that has earned the brand a loyal following.

Lucali is kind of a big deal. The legendary pizza joint constantly draws long lines, has appeared on David Chang’s Netflix series, Ugly Delicious, and counts A-listers like Beyonce as loyal fans. And now, it hopes to win the hearts for Singaporeans with its first local outpost, Lucali BYGB, at Kallang Rivergreen Building. Look forward to its famed 18-inch creation that comes slathered with a four-hour secret tomato sauce, and a generous sprinkle of ‘Brooklyn combination’ cheese – buffalo mozzarella, low-moisture mozzarella, and shaved Grana Padano.

After comfort food and Asian-flavoured burritos, Texas-style barbecue is Min Chan's next food playground. Decker Barbecue is a collaboration between the young restaurateur and Texan expat and owner of Bali's Smokehouse BBQ, Elliott Decker, and the cooking is all about the low-and-slow. As a result, the menu is kept simple with just five to six meats – cuts include beef brisket and ribs, sausages, pulled pork and chicken – cooked languidly overnight in wafts of sizzling lychee, apple, oak, and more. 

Live up the Americana life at this casual barbecue joint. Owned by Americans, all the dry rubs are made using secret recipes and the meats are smoked using hickory and mesquite woodchips imported straight from the USA. There's something for everyone on the menu – meat lovers can take their pick from a range of ribs fresh from the smoker, expertly grilled meats, sandwiches stuffed with various pulled or smoked meats, loaded burgers and a range of sides that include beef chilli, sliders and nachos. 

A household name for Southern food in the United States, Yardbirdhas landed on our shores and made The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands its first Asian nest. Famed for its Chicken 'N' Watermelon 'N' Waffle ($45), the restaurant's signature dish is made with chicken that's been brined for 27 hours before it is dredged in flour and pressure-fried 'til golden brown on the outside but still juicy on the inside. Served with spiced watermelon, cheddar cheese waffles, honey hot sauce and bourbon maple syrup, this chicken feast is good enough to fill two bellies. 

Set up by American chef Travis Masiero, the brains behind Luke’s Oyster Bar and Chop House, Blue Label is anything but a classic NYC dollar slice. The hip joint reverberates with Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC and people digging into Chicago-style spinach and artichoke dip and greasy slices of pie well worth the calories. There's the J-Dog, an upgrade on the meat lovers packed with pork sausage, bacon, pepperoni and a tinge of spice from finely cubed jalapeños and The Travis Supreme – sesame coated dough is topped with cheddar-bacon melt, “special sauce" and other hamburger bits.

This American-style diner is definitely a step up from your 24/7 dishing out home fries and scrambled eggs. Instead, you get truffle burgers, lobster mac and cheese and milkshakes that you can spike for an additional $5 (do it). All these plus unbeatable evening views of the bay and a reasonably fresh sea breeze.

Have a slice of suburban American life with some cherry, apple or pecan pie. The Heritage Morello Cherry Pie ($67) has pitted Morello sour cherries baked into a pie topped with a handwoven pastry lattice, the Apple Frangipane Pie ($63) is a baked apple pie with rum raisins and the classic Pecan Pie ($63) is baked with butter, brown sugar, crushed pecans, and a hint of espresso. Yum.

On the back alley of Gemmil Lane, shift through the metal doors next to the neon burger sign and you'll find yourself in an underground bunker, clad in graffiti-covered swirly timber. The menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers and bacon cheeseburgers is best washed down with a pint of craft beer, all available on tap at the bar.

Another New York institution, DeDe Lahman and Neil Kleinberg's first shop in the Lower East Side still sees long queues of tourists and locals hoping for a taste of Clinton St.'s buttermilk fried chicken with waffles and brunch staples. The Singapore outfit is no different, expect diner fare like crispy potato pancakes with house-smoked salmon, Southern breakfast with sugar-cured bacon and cheese grits, and the promise of an Instagrammable brunch.

Can't decide between meat or seafood? Why not have both at The Market Grill? Carnivores can stick their forks in the wagyu tri-tip, Hungarian Mangalica pork chop paired with an apple and sage salad and a selection of burgers like the classic BLT. But those looking for something lighter (and fishier) can opt for the swordfish topped with herb mayo and mango salsa. A trip to The Market Grill also won't be complete without a taste of its lobster roll, a whole lobster chopped and dressed in herb and Pommery mustard mayo ensconced between a toasted brioche roll.