Marco by Chef Marco Lim

In theory, fine dining and Padang cuisine shouldn’t go hand in hand, the latter being a culinary tradition accessible to the common folk. But the renowned Marco by Chef Marco Lim is a notable exception to this theory.

Whereas most Padang restaurants have set menus every day, at Marco, diners can regularly expect different Padang-influenced inventions — which obviously come at a price. That said, some signature menu items are to die for, particularly the martabak kelapa (traditional crispy pancake sprinkled with grated coconuts and granulated sugar), a dessert you won’t find anywhere else.

The coffee at Marco, roasted in a traditionally Padang method, also reaches levels of near-perfection.