Buko Nero
An intimate 20-seat Italian restaurant on Tanjong Pagar Road with seasonal cooking and an Asian touch.
Buko Nero is a compact, 20-seat restaurant on Tanjong Pagar Road led by Chef Oscar. Its official site describes the food as Italian cuisine with an Asian touch, using seasonal produce and a simple approach. The dining room is small and homely, which gives it a more personal rhythm than larger Italian restaurants. Opening hours are limited, with lunch on selected days and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, so reservations matter. It is best for diners who enjoy a chef-led neighbourhood feel and do not need a large, showy dining room.
Buko Nero has the charm of a small room where the kitchen's personality is part of the meal. The food is Italian at its core but allows gentle Asian accents, which keeps it interesting without feeling forced. Regulars like the intimacy and the sense that the menu can move with the season. The trade-off is capacity and availability; it is not the easiest place for big groups or last-minute plans. For a quieter Tanjong Pagar dinner, it remains very compelling.
Its small scale, chef-led cooking and loyal reputation make it one of Singapore's most personal Italian dining experiences.