Raffles Courtyard’s new Tuesday grill night with Happy Hour is made for the midweek, after-work unwind

Raffles Hotel Singapore is known for many things — chief among them is probably its iconic Singapore Sling cocktail. 

But come Tuesday evenings, there’s another reason to come and enjoy the space: Raffles Courtyard’s weekly grill night, running from 5pm to 9pm.

If you love local flavours, grilled food, or simply a beautiful outdoor setting for the evening, this is well worth considering. Prices are undeniably on the higher side, which is to be expected considering the location, but what you’re really paying for is the experience.

The courtyard itself sets the tone. It’s an open-air space that is elegant, yet casual and relaxing, with drinks flowing as the scent of the grill wafts through the air.

When the food arrives, it doesn’t disappoint. Across the menu, the dishes look just as good as they taste.

The menu works great for a casual-but-elevated weekday dinner-date, or a post-work catch-up with friends over drinks and bites — the ideal midweek reset.

Grill night menu

Our clear favourite of the night was the laksa oyster Rockefeller (S$36 for six pieces) with laksa flower, trout roe, and lime.

The oysters were fresh and silky, while the laksa flavour added a punchy and aromatic richness that worked well with the briny oysters. I’d never had oysters done this way before — it was genuinely a game-changer.

A close second was the sambal tiger prawn skewers (S$26 for six pieces) with sambal sauce. The prawns were thick, meaty, and juicy — extremely easy to peel, with just enough char from the grill. 

The sambal delivered a very gentle kick of spice, without overpowering the sweetness of the prawns. This is an easy crowd-pleaser — we couldn’t stop reaching for more.

The grilled Muar otak otak in banana leaf (S$18) was nicely grilled. You’ll rarely go wrong with otak otak, and this rendition was no exception. That said, the pricing for this does feel steep, compared to the others on the menu.

What really stood out, though, was the peanut sauce served alongside it, as it was mixed with pineapple jam. The first bite had us raising our eyebrows, but we quickly found ourselves dipping every piece into the sauce. The pineapple adds a sweetness that cuts through the fishiness of the otak otak well. It’s different, and it works.

The satay (S$26 for six pieces) comes with a choice of chicken, beef and lamb. It’s a classic, best ordered for sharing. 

Each skewer comes with a generous amount of meat and a decent fat-to-lean ratio, making for a satisfying bite once dipped into peanut sauce — a different concoction from the one that comes with the otak otak.

Nothing wildly inventive here — it’s simply a solid, reliable grilled staple that’s a necessity at any grilled feast.

Salted egg fans should look for the chunks of salted egg-marinated snapper (S$26 for six pieces), served with crispy fish skin and fried curry leaves.

The salted egg flavour is rich, and the contrasting textures — especially with the crunchy fish skin and curry leaves — make it a pleasant dish to snack on between bites. It’s not a standout, but rather a good sharing plate that adds variety to the spread.

Happy Hour menu

There’s an outdoor bar onsite, with Happy Hour prices from 3pm to 10pm daily.

When it comes to cocktails, the whisky sour (S$15, U.P. S$22) — made with whisky, fresh lemon juice and a touch of sweetness — is smooth and well-balanced. Meanwhile, the White Lady (S$15, U.P. S$22) leans bright and refreshing, combining gin, orange liqueur and lemon for a crisp, citrus-forward finish.

Beyond cocktails, there’s a full selection of beers, wines and spirits, so you’ll have no trouble finding something that fits your mood for the night.

Raffles Courtyard’s Tuesday grill night delivers good food, a beautiful setting, and a laid-back but polished way to wind down the workday — it just comes with a Raffles-level price tag to match.

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, check out other places to eat at Raffles Singapore: Binomio and Huize van Wely Singapore.