Review: terra Tokyo Italian – One of the Pioneer Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Singapore

A seeming mainstay in Singapore’s fine dining scene, terra Tokyo Italian is now on its 6th year with the Michelin star. It earned a star during the inaugural list in 2016, and consecutively from 2019 to 2024. Throughout all this time, it has remained well within the city’s dining radar with its blend of Italian culinary traditions and Japanese sensibilities. 

With the turn of the season, terra Tokyo Italian is now offering its autumn/winter menu, with lunch sets starting from S$98++ and dinner sets from S$128++. There is a trend among fine dining establishments to offer more affordable alternatives given the more price-conscious dining scene in Singapore as of late.

I dropped by recently for dinner to check out their mid-tier S$298++ dinner omakase.  terra’s presence in the Michelin Guide is made apparent the moment I entered the restaurant, with their 1-star plaques dating back from as early as 2016 displayed proudly at the counter top.

Wine pairings are also available at terra at S$158 with the same number of drinks as there are courses. Wines consist of both Italian wines as well as sake. Non-alcoholic pairings are also an option. 

We started the meal with a Butternut Squash Puree topped with gingko nuts and lily bulbs. The squash puree was of smooth consistency, with a slight caramel aroma thanks to the brown butter that was mixed into it. 

The next course was probably my favorite one of the night. It consisted of a trio of Bruschetta, served in small, thin, canape style portions. One was topped with Shiro Ebi from Toyama prefecture and tomato, another with Oscietra caviar from 8 Gems and organic eggs from Fukuoka underneath while the last one was a most appetizing bafun uni and yuzu topping. I loved them all and we were suggested to eat the trio in this same order. The bread was toasted to a nice crispy texture without being burnt. The toppings chosen for each all came in pairs and I thought the seafood and non-seafood pairing all contrasted nicely. 

Next came the Modorigatsuo or bonito fish, with a shiso salsa verde dressing. The fish came lightly seared with the bulk of the flavors coming from the salsa verde. 

The Homemade Tagliolini seemed like a relatively simple creation at first glance, being topped just by white truffles, but I found it to be another highlight of the dinner. The noodles possessed an al dente quality while the sage butter sauce was simply addictive! I certainly wouldn’t mind a bigger serving for this.

The Seasonal Claypot Risotto was my friend’s favorite dish that evening. It featured Seiten no Hekireki rice from Aomori, prized for its larger grains that offer a superior texture and lighter flavor to balance the rich, fatty autumn fish. The rice is first simmered in a fish and clam broth, while the fish is slowly charcoal-grilled to unlock its deep oceanic sweetness. The dish is finished with a drizzle of single-origin extra virgin olive oil from Lazio and a vibrant fruit tomato reduction.

Our mains, the Wagyu Oven-Prepared Rib came with a serving of porcini mushrooms and chestnuts. While the beef was cooked perfectly and came succulent and tender, I was mesmerized by the juicy and plump mushrooms. The red wine jus was a bit unexpected as I typically associate it with French sensibilities. 

We ended the meal with a “garden” of seasonal fruits served alongside a homemade Hazelnut-flavored Magnum. I don’t typically enjoy magnum so the dessert did not particularly resonate with me but I did enjoy the figs and muscat grapes that came with the sweet ending.

Every bit as deserving of its Michelin star, terra’s autumn menu is one of the more compelling food ensembles I have had as of late. The service was stellar and the staff came by regularly to check on us but more importantly, the food was topnotch and I can directly qualify this statement based on the number of courses I enjoyed. I could name a few highlights during my dinner including the claypot risotto, pasta course and trio of bruschetta. I’d be curious and interested to try their future menus as well.

terra Tokyo Italian
54 Tras Street
Singapore 078993

+65 9751 2145

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 12PM to 2:30PM / 6:30PM to 10:30PM
Saturday, 6:30PM to 10:30PM