From hawker centre to high-end Michelin-star, Singapore's restaurant industry served up a staggering SGD 15.2 billion in 2023, and the numbers behind that feast reveal a dynamic sector rebounding stronger than ever.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Singapore's restaurant industry generated total revenue of SGD 15.2 billion, marking a 8.5% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- The food and beverage services sector in Singapore contributed 1.2% to the national GDP in 2023, with restaurants accounting for 65% of that share.
- Average annual revenue per restaurant outlet in Singapore was SGD 450,000 in 2023, varying by cuisine type with Chinese restaurants averaging highest at SGD 520,000.
- The restaurant industry employed 240,000 workers in 2023, representing 4.5% of total workforce.
- Average monthly wage for restaurant chefs in Singapore was SGD 4,200 in 2023.
- 65% of restaurant staff in Singapore were foreign workers in 2023, primarily from Malaysia and China.
- 55% of Singapore diners prefer dine-in experiences weekly in 2023 surveys.
- 68% of consumers aged 18-34 ordered food delivery from restaurants monthly in 2023.
- Average spend per restaurant visit was SGD 35 in 2023 for locals.
- There were 32,500 restaurant and F&B outlets in Singapore as of 2023.
- Hawker stalls numbered 6,000 across 128 centres in Singapore 2023.
- Full-service restaurants comprised 28% of total outlets at 9,100 in 2023.
- Restaurant industry CAGR projected at 7.2% from 2024-2028.
- F&B sector to reach SGD 20.5 billion by 2027.
- Delivery market share to hit 35% of total revenue by 2025.
Singapore's restaurant industry saw strong growth driven by post-pandemic recovery and diverse trends.
Consumer Preferences
- 55% of Singapore diners prefer dine-in experiences weekly in 2023 surveys.
- 68% of consumers aged 18-34 ordered food delivery from restaurants monthly in 2023.
- Average spend per restaurant visit was SGD 35 in 2023 for locals.
- 47% of diners sought sustainable practices in restaurants in 2023.
- Plant-based menu items ordered 3x more in 2023 vs 2020.
- 72% of tourists dined at hawker centres during 2023 visits.
- Spicy food preference rose to 41% among diners in 2023.
- 29% increase in group dining bookings post-2023 festive seasons.
- Health-conscious meals chosen by 56% of diners in 2023.
- Loyalty programs influenced 64% of repeat restaurant visits in 2023.
- 81% of millennials used apps for restaurant reservations in 2023.
- Average table turnover time in popular restaurants was 75 minutes in 2023.
- 52% preferred fusion cuisines in restaurant choices 2023.
- Weekend brunch demand surged 35% in restaurant bookings 2023.
- 67% of diners read online reviews before choosing restaurants in 2023.
- Alcohol-free beverage orders up 24% in restaurants 2023.
- Family dining segments grew 18% in spend per visit 2023.
- 44% of consumers tried new restaurants quarterly in 2023.
- Outdoor seating preferred by 39% during good weather 2023.
Consumer Preferences Interpretation
The typical Singaporean diner in 2023 was a health-conscious, review-reading creature of habit, loyal to apps and rewards, who loved a spicy fusion brunch with the family but still dreamed of a plant-based hawker feast, proving the nation's appetite is as diverse as its skyline.
Employment & Workforce
- The restaurant industry employed 240,000 workers in 2023, representing 4.5% of total workforce.
- Average monthly wage for restaurant chefs in Singapore was SGD 4,200 in 2023.
- 65% of restaurant staff in Singapore were foreign workers in 2023, primarily from Malaysia and China.
- Turnover rate in Singapore restaurants averaged 28% annually in 2023.
- 42,000 new jobs created in F&B sector including restaurants in 2023.
- Female workers comprised 48% of restaurant employment in Singapore in 2023.
- Part-time staff hours accounted for 22% of total restaurant labor hours in 2023.
- Training expenditure per employee in restaurants averaged SGD 1,200 in 2023 via WSQ programs.
- Unemployment rate in F&B sector dropped to 2.1% in 2023 from 5.8% in 2021.
- Bartenders in Singapore restaurants earned average SGD 3,500 monthly including tips in 2023.
- 15,500 Work Permit holders in restaurants renewed in 2023.
- Managers in restaurants had median salary of SGD 5,800 in 2023.
- Youth employment (15-24) in restaurants was 18,000 in 2023, up 10%.
- Overtime hours averaged 12 per month per full-time restaurant worker in 2023.
- 72% of restaurants reported staffing shortages in peak seasons 2023.
- Service crew wages rose 7.2% to SGD 2,600 average in 2023.
- 5,200 apprenticeships completed in restaurant skills programs 2023.
- Foreign worker levy for restaurants increased to SGD 450/month in 2023.
- 62% of restaurant owners cited labor costs as top expense in 2023 survey.
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
Behind the sizzle of Singapore's thriving restaurant scene lies a relentless, globally-staffed human engine—one that's hiring furiously, training ambitiously, and churning staff almost as fast as the woks, all while watching the wage bill simmer to a boiling point.
Establishment Numbers & Types
- There were 32,500 restaurant and F&B outlets in Singapore as of 2023.
- Hawker stalls numbered 6,000 across 128 centres in Singapore 2023.
- Full-service restaurants comprised 28% of total outlets at 9,100 in 2023.
- Fast food chains operated 2,800 outlets in Singapore 2023.
- 1,650 halal-certified restaurants listed in 2023 directory.
- Coffee shops (kopitiams) totaled 4,200 in Singapore 2023.
- Michelin-starred restaurants numbered 49 in Singapore 2023 guide.
- Cloud kitchens grew to 850 operational sites in 2023.
- Japanese restaurants: 1,200 outlets in 2023.
- New restaurant openings: 1,450 licenses issued in 2023.
- Closures: 850 F&B outlets shuttered in 2023 due to costs.
- Vegetarian outlets increased to 650 in 2023.
- Hotel restaurants: 1,100 within 250 hotels 2023.
- Food courts in malls: 350 locations hosting 5,000 stalls 2023.
- Bar and pub establishments: 950 licensed in 2023.
- Fine dining: 420 upscale outlets classified in 2023.
- Korean BBQ restaurants: 380 outlets in 2023 boom.
- Pet-friendly restaurants: 220 licensed in 2023.
- Pop-up restaurants hosted 150 events in 2023.
- Organic-focused eateries: 180 certified in 2023.
Establishment Numbers & Types Interpretation
For every 850 Singaporean eateries that sadly closed, a resilient 1,450 new ones popped up, proving the city's relentless hunger for both a quick $4 hawker meal and an equally satisfying $400 Michelin-starred experience.
Growth & Projections
- Restaurant industry CAGR projected at 7.2% from 2024-2028.
- F&B sector to reach SGD 20.5 billion by 2027.
- Delivery market share to hit 35% of total revenue by 2025.
- 12% annual growth expected in sustainable restaurants till 2030.
- Tourism-driven restaurant revenue to grow 15% in 2024.
- Plant-based segment to expand at 25% CAGR to 2028.
- Ghost kitchens projected to 1,500 outlets by 2026.
- AI adoption in restaurants to double productivity by 2027.
- Halal market to SGD 5 billion by 2028 in F&B.
- Fine dining recovery to full pre-COVID by 2025.
- Employment to rise 10% to 264,000 by 2027.
- Per capita dining spend to SGD 3,000 by 2028.
- Japanese cuisine outlets to 1,500 by 2026.
- EV charging at restaurants: 500 stations by 2025.
- Contactless payments to 95% adoption by 2025.
- New hawker centres: 10 planned by 2030.
- Revenue growth 9% projected for 2024 post-elections.
- Vegan outlets to triple to 1,950 by 2028.
- Buffet segment CAGR 10.5% to 2027.
- Tech-integrated restaurants to 40% of total by 2026.
Growth & Projections Interpretation
Singapore's dining scene is sprinting towards a future where your sustainable, plant-based, AI-delivered fine dining meal, paid for contactlessly at a ghost kitchen next to an EV charger, is fueled by a booming economy, voracious tourists, and a nation apparently willing to spend the GDP of a small island just to eat out.
Market Size & Revenue
- In 2023, Singapore's restaurant industry generated total revenue of SGD 15.2 billion, marking a 8.5% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- The food and beverage services sector in Singapore contributed 1.2% to the national GDP in 2023, with restaurants accounting for 65% of that share.
- Average annual revenue per restaurant outlet in Singapore was SGD 450,000 in 2023, varying by cuisine type with Chinese restaurants averaging highest at SGD 520,000.
- Quick-service restaurants in Singapore saw revenue growth of 12.3% year-on-year in 2023, reaching SGD 3.8 billion.
- Fine dining segment revenue in Singapore totaled SGD 2.1 billion in 2023, boosted by tourism rebound.
- Casual dining restaurants contributed SGD 6.7 billion to industry revenue in 2023, representing 44% of total F&B sales.
- Hawker centres generated SGD 1.9 billion in collective revenue in 2023, supported by government subsidies.
- Online food delivery platforms facilitated 28% of restaurant revenue in Singapore in 2023, amounting to SGD 4.3 billion.
- The vegetarian and vegan restaurant sub-segment revenue grew by 22% to SGD 450 million in 2023.
- Seafood restaurants in Singapore achieved average revenue of SGD 680,000 per outlet in 2023.
- Buffet restaurants saw revenue of SGD 1.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from pre-COVID levels.
- Total F&B industry revenue including restaurants hit SGD 18.4 billion in Q4 2023 alone.
- Per capita spending on restaurants in Singapore was SGD 2,450 in 2023.
- Japanese cuisine restaurants generated SGD 1.8 billion in 2023, leading foreign cuisines.
- Industry profit margins averaged 6.8% in 2023 for Singapore restaurants, highest in fast casual at 9.2%.
- In 2023, 1,200 new restaurant licenses issued contributed to revenue expansion.
- Revenue from alcohol sales in restaurants reached SGD 2.9 billion in 2023.
- Cloud kitchen revenue in Singapore's restaurant ecosystem was SGD 850 million in 2023.
- Halal-certified restaurants revenue totaled SGD 3.1 billion in 2023, growing 11% YoY.
- Coffee shop chains revenue hit SGD 2.4 billion in 2023.
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Singapore's restaurant scene is a masterclass in organized chaos, where hawker centers hum with subsidized woks, fine dining soars on tourist dollars, and everyone—from the vegan cafe to the seafood tower—is trying to outrun the relentless 6.8% average profit margin while feeding a nation that spent nearly $2,500 a head just to eat out.
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