Raffles Place is usually associated with office towers, quick lunches, and busy weekday routines. But behind the glass buildings and crowded walkways, there are quieter restaurants where a slower meal still exists, featuring authentic Japanese culinary tradition and dishes prepared with care.
For this Raffles Place food guide, I looked beyond the obvious choices and focused on Japanese restaurants tucked within the CBD. These are places where diners can step away from the rush, whether it is for a business lunch, an after-work dinner, or simply a craving to eat sushi, sashimi, and authentic Japanese dishes paired with drinks and fresh vegetables.
If you are searching for some of the best sushi Singapore restaurants, these hidden gems in Raffles Place offer quality and traditional flavours that stand out amidst the busy city.
1. Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant: A Quiet Japanese Restaurant Inside One Raffles Place
- Location: One Raffles Place
- Price range: Mid-range
- Best for: Business lunch, quiet dinner, and diners looking for traditional Japanese flavours
Inside the busy One Raffles Place building, Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant feels removed from the pace outside. It is the kind of restaurant many office workers may walk past without noticing, but once inside, the atmosphere shifts into something calmer and more intimate.
The restaurant focuses on traditional Japanese dining, serving sushi, sashimi, set meals, and cooked dishes prepared with fresh ingredients like tender fish, vegetables, and meat. The menu feels familiar rather than experimental, making it a comfortable choice for diners who want authentic Japanese food in the middle of the CBD.
Must-try dishes:
- Sushi and sashimi selections featuring premium fish and prawns
- Japanese set meals with a signature broth and onsen egg
- Tempura dishes with a decent portion of vegetables and seafood
- Grilled seafood dish paired with seasonal vegetables
- Miso soup and side salads
2. Tomi Sushi: Traditional Sushi and Sashimi at One Raffles Place
- Location: One Raffles Place
- Price range: Mid to premium
- Best for: Sushi lovers, business meals, and Japanese dining with colleagues
Tomi Sushi brings Japanese heritage into the heart of Raffles. The restaurant has a reputation built around sushi, sashimi, and seasonal seafood, offering a more traditional approach compared with modern Japanese concepts.
The dining experience is straightforward. Diners can choose individual sushi pieces, sashimi plates, rice dishes, or set meals depending on the occasion. It works well for lunch meetings, casual dinners, and anyone looking for a reliable Japanese restaurant near the office.
Must-try dishes:
- Assorted sushi sets featuring fresh prawns and uni
- Fresh sashimi served in generous portions
- Nigiri sushi with tender fish and balanced protein
- Seasonal seafood sourced from Japan
- Rice-based Japanese dishes with a rich broth
3. Sushi Tei: A Familiar Japanese Restaurant in Raffles City and the CBD
- Location: Raffles Place / CBD area
- Price range: Affordable to mid-range
- Best for: Groups, familiar Japanese food, and easy CBD dining
Sushi Tei is one of Singapore’s better-known Japanese restaurant names, but its presence around the CBD still makes it a convenient discovery for diners searching for reliable Japanese food. The restaurant offers a wide menu covering sushi, sashimi, tempura, rice dishes, noodles, and cooked Japanese favourites. This variety makes it suitable for groups where everyone at the table wants something different.
Compared with smaller sushi counters, Sushi Tei feels more relaxed and accessible. The interior is designed for comfortable dining, making it suitable for lunch meetings, family meals, and casual dinners after work.
Must-try dishes:
- Salmon sashimi and fish soup
- Aburi sushi paired with onsen egg
- Sushi platters with a slice of fresh fish
- Tempura with vegetables and prawns
- Donburi topped with tender meat and protein
- Japanese grilled dishes featuring pork and seafood
4. Sushi to Sumi: A Modern Sushi Counter Experience Near Raffles Place
- Location: PLUS Building, Raffles Place
- Price range: Mid to premium
- Best for: Sushi fans, solo diners, and after-work meals
Sushi to Sumi brings a different energy to the Raffles Place dining scene. Instead of a traditional seated Japanese restaurant, it takes inspiration from Japan’s standing sushi counters, creating a faster and more casual sushi experience.
The concept is built around sushi prepared by chefs in front of diners. The counter setting makes the meal feel more personal, even when the visit is short. The menu focuses on sushi, seasonal ingredients, and chef-prepared pieces. Diners can enjoy premium seafood flown in daily from Japan, including uni and other seasonal seafood, while keeping the experience approachable.
Must-try dishes:
- Chef-selected nigiri made with fresh fish and prawns
- Seasonal sushi paired with signature broths
- Premium seafood selections featuring uni and fish soup
- Omakase-style sets featuring a variety of protein and vegetables
- Sake pairings to complement each bite
5. Jun Omakase: A Premium Japanese Dining Experience in Raffles Place
- Location: Church Street, Raffles Place
- Price range: Premium
- Best for: Special dinners, client entertainment, and sushi enthusiasts
For diners looking to slow down, Jun Omakase offers a more intimate experience. Located along Church Street near Raffles Place, this restaurant focuses on chef-led Japanese dining where each course follows the season and ingredient availability.
The experience is centred around sushi, sashimi, and carefully prepared dishes. Rather than choosing everything from a menu, diners are guided through a sequence created by the chefs. The counter setting allows guests to watch the preparation closely, from the handling of seafood to the final presentation of each plate, emphasizing the Japanese culinary tradition of aesthetics and precision.
Must-try dishes:
- Seasonal sashimi including premium cuts of fish
- Nigiri sushi paired with onsen egg and signature broths
- Premium seafood flown in daily from Toyosu Market, Japan
- Chef’s omakase courses featuring a variety of protein and vegetables
- Japanese seasonal ingredients presented with care and artistry
Practical Tips for Exploring Japanese Restaurants in Raffles Place
Raffles Place changes throughout the day. During lunch hours, restaurants fill quickly with office crowds. In the evening, the atmosphere becomes quieter as diners look for places to unwind after work under the sun or with a drink.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Reserve ahead for omakase restaurants, especially during peak dinner hours on fri and weekends.
- Check opening hours before visiting, as some CBD restaurants focus heavily on weekday lunch.
- Consider the purpose of your meal:
- Quick lunch → Sushi Tei or Tomi Sushi
- Business dining → Kotobuki or Jun Omakase
- Sushi experience → Sushi to Sumi
- Walk beyond the main streets. Some of the most interesting restaurants are hidden inside office buildings, packed with hidden gems waiting to satisfy your appetite.
Discovering a Different Side of Raffles
The best Raffles Place food spots are not always the busiest ones. Some are found above office lobbies, behind familiar entrances, or inside buildings people pass every day.
Sometimes, the best meals in the CBD are the ones you discover when you slow down and savour each bite, paired with drinks and fresh salads, in a setting that feels like a bed of calm amid the bustling world outside.
For those interested in exploring more fresh cuts and rice bowls, check out our guide to the best sashimi spots in Singapore.