SanSara at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel returns with a refreshed look and seafood-forward menu that reimagines North Indian royalty for the modern Singapore table.
When SanSara first opened in 2023, it stood out as a refined tribute to the royal kitchens of Awadh. Two years on, the award-winning North Indian restaurant along Robertson Quay has returned with renewed confidence, unveiling an elegant new look and a refreshed menu that dives deeper into the Indian subcontinent’s regal culinary heartlands.
The update is timely. More importantly, it doesn’t feel like reinvention for reinvention’s sake.
The interiors of Sansara, for example, have been refreshed with light stone surfaces, brushed metals and pale timber tones which bring modern brightness into the space, while the arches and elaborate artwork on the walls are reflective of Indian architectural heritage that hints at the timeless majesty of the Taj Mahal. Handcrafted ceramic ware and cosy booth seats set in a rich teal heighten the overall sense of luxury while diners indulge on a journey through North Indian cuisine from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Kashmir.
One of the biggest highlights at SanSara is an expanded menu that sees the addition of more seafood-forward dishes, which is surprising considering the cuisines of Northern India aren’t exactly synonymous with seafood.
But here seafood is executed so well we’re happy to overlook the incongruity.
Tali Scallops showcases large Hokkaido scallops, marinated in turmeric and ginger then pan-seared to perfection for a light but flavourful appetiser. Premium seafood continues to shine in Sailana Shevand, an interpretation of a royal prawn dish from Uttar Pradesh, but is elevated here with the use of spiny lobster instead. Bathed in a turmeric, fenugreek, coconut cream, and tomato-onion gravy, this is flavour bomb on a plate.
There are plenty of vegetarian options, but of course. You have the likes of Kumbh Ki Galouti, a minced mushroom cake flavoured with expensive saffron, and Sarson ka Saag with Makai di Roti, a quintessential Punjabi dish featuring slow-cooked mustard greens served with golden maize flatbread.
Meat lovers aren’t left out either. The smoked and spiced Nasila Dunger Lal Maas, a lamb shank curry, is an absolute must. Inspired by Rajput hunting feasts, we are told this dish is thanks a Maharaja who was well in his later years and had lost most of his teeth, but still wanted to enjoy rich meats. To accommodate this, his chef braised lamb in a heavily spiced curry for long hours so that it was so tender he didn’t need to chew the meat.
There’s also a new bar at SanSara, a sculptural centrepiece that signals that this is no mere dinner spot but also a space for celebration and good cheer. Here it slings out inventive drinks that incorporate Indian ingredients, such as Hyderabad Jira Mojito consisting of Amrut rum, cumin, curry leaf and five-spice syrup; Old Mumbai, a take on the Old Fashioned using Indian whisky; and Kasturi Sour, a citrusy, refreshing drink featuring calamansi and spiced tea.
What sets SanSara apart is not only the polish of its interiors or the ingenuity of its menu, but the coherence of its story. From table-side service gestures to curated plate ware, everything points to a dining experience that is deeply thoughtful and flows — true to the restaurant’s Sanskrit name — with purpose.
While there are plenty of options for those seeking refined Indian food in Singapore, award-winning SanSara’s refreshed identity places it firmly among the city’s most compelling tables. This is culture on a plate, and it is delicious.
SanSara
Address 392 Havelock Rd., Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore 169663
Opening Hours 12-3pm, 6-10pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Website www.millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront/sansara
Facebook sansara.sg
Instagram @sansara.sg
Reservations book here
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