The best restaurants and bars to watch the National Day fireworks in Singapore

This new Japanese-Peruvian restaurant is the latest international name in the dining scene to open in Singapore. And it certainly landed in style, occupying a massive 12,000 sqft space on the 52nd floor of Capital Tower. Sundown is where the magic happens – floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed views of the sunset, cityscape, and come National Day, the stunning fireworks show. In the restaurant itself, a carnivalesque atmosphere fills the air, with live DJs, percussionists and even Samba dancers. You’ll get a mouthwatering mishmash of flavours here, with distinct Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences. You won’t go wrong when you order all-time favourites like the seared foie gras ($38) and kurobuta pork belly ($38). But in the spirit of National Day, why not take the opportunity to try SUSHISAMBA’s Singapore-exclusive items like the SAMBA Singapore Roll with Maine lobster, or the SAMBA Chilli Crab Roll with soft-shell crab?

Here’s a lesser-known lookout spot in the CBD. El Chido at Pullman Singapore Hill Street is the hottest new Mexican joint in Singapore, and it’s the closest you’ll get to experiencing a beach club right in the heart of the city. It’s a swim-up bar perched on the rooftop where you can place your orders and munch on snacks from the pool itself, plus catch the National Day Parade air show and fireworks. The best part? You don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the infinity pool – members of the public have full access to the pool so long as you place an order at the bar. And not to mention, the space transforms into an adults-only venue after 6pm. For National Day, El Chido is running a set menu ($88.88 for three people) consisting of Mexican-Singaporean fusion delights like chicken rice ‘chimichanga’, crispy seafood otah wrapped in soft tortilla shells, and a giant sharing ‘Singarita’, which is a cross between a margarita and a Singapore Sling.

This swanky rooftop restaurant and bar perched on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands needs no further introduction. The night view of the city skyline from here is probably one of the most photographed places in Singapore on Instagram. So it’s no surprise that CÉ LA VI is one of the prime spots to view the captivating aerial show and fireworks this National Day. Show up on August 9 in red and white colours for the restaurant's National Day Fiesta ($58 per person), happening from noon till late. Tickets for this free-standing event at the SkyBar and Club Lounge also include a premium house pour, and a spread of grilled meats, muah chee, popcorn stations and more. There’s also a temporary tattoo station available throughout the day. The space is kept family-friendly till 10pm, after which it’ll be a 21-and-above-only event.

This sky-high Italian restaurant on the 43rd floor of Ocean Financial Centre might not be the highest rooftop destination in the city, but what it has is unbeatable views of Marina Bay Sands, the bay area, and complete visibility of the floating stadium. This National Day, Altro Zafferno is offering a four-course South Italian feast ($248 per person), with specials including spanner crab salad, house-made tagliatelle, black cod, Taijma wagyu striploin, and a refreshing Amalfi lemon dessert. Other highlights include the restaurant’s 12-metre-long open kitchen that greets you when you enter, and an extensive menu of Italian wines. Pro-tip: while the entire restaurant is fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s the open-air but sheltered bar outside that offers the best views. Plush sofas are arranged in romantic two-by-two settings directly facing the window, creating the ideal atmosphere for a cosy, post-dinner nightcap.

Scratching your head over what to eat this upcoming public holiday? Throw your elaborate home-cooking plans out the window and settle for something simple: hot dogs. Lots and lots of ‘em. Las Palmas, a Palm-Springs-inspired rooftop bar at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, is keeping the celebrations laidback this year, with a National Day Weekend Hot Dog Fiesta (from $59 per person) running from August 8 to 11. Feast on the ultimate hot dog spread featuring three variants – the classic garlic pork sausage with bacon and pico de gallo; the NYC-inspired beef and pork sausage with sauerkraut and caramelised onions; and the Chilli Dog with chicken franks and chilli con carne. Wash it all down with your choice of a glass of draught beer, house-pour wine, or special National Day cocktails crafted with Brass Lion Singapore Gin. And as the sun sets on the city on August 9, get ready for a spectacular view of the NDP fireworks show in the distance.

Pet parents might have heard of Canopy – the biggest pet-friendly restaurant chain in Singapore with four outlets across the island at Esplanade, HortPark, Changi City Point, and Changi Village. This National Day, delight in Canopy’s limited-time only National Day menu while dining with your kids and furkids by your side. Priced at $59 for two as a nod to Singapore’s 59th year of independence, the menu spotlights Singaporean flavours in dishes like Canopy’s homemade chilli crab pasta and sambal baked salmon. This set will be available across all Canopy outlets for the entire month of August, but for an extra special experience, head down to Canopy Esplanade to get a bird’s eye view of the Marina Bay area, where beautiful fireworks will be lighting up the night sky on August 9.