Among Singapore’s “OG” venues when it comes to swanky rooftop joints is Altro Zafferano, which opened 13 years ago (sans the “Altro”, which was added to its name in 2022). At the time, the restaurant was among probably a handful where one could watch the sun go down over Marina Bay; it naturally became the site of weddings and fancy dinners aplenty.
Today, rooftop restaurants in the city are a dime a dozen. At the same time, the number of Italian restaurants has boomed, with several mid-ranged eateries in the mix, particularly over the last year.
When Options last visited, Altro Zafferano had just undergone a reinvention of sorts, taking on a contemporary menu inspired by executive chef Andrea De Paola’s southern Italian upbringing. Now, it’s introduced another refresh, with attractively priced menus — especially for a place in the middle of Raffles Place — while extending its style of Italian fare.
Many of the items on the new a la carte menu are made to share, including the foccacinas, which are good for three (or two particularly hungry diners) to share before other dishes arrive. We like the version with a mash of sun-dried tomatoes, topped with basil and a drizzle of olive oil ($15++).
There’s also the octopus salad ($28++), which combines the cephalopod with olives and boiled baby potatoes. The latter comes almost verging on crunchy, and might have benefited from a few more minutes in the pot, but otherwise the dish is saved by a zingy gremolata.
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Pastas at Altro Zafferano retain the fancy flair of its past iterations. Fusilloni is the perfect accompaniment to a rich wagyu cheek ragu ($36++); the larger cousin of fusilli scoops up just the right amount of sauce with every bite.
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Cheese lovers and those coming for an Instagram post will enjoy the rigatoni alla gricia ($36++). Prepared tableside in a wheel of pecorino cheese, the noodles are topped with crispy bits of guanciale, as well as a combination of Sichuan and black pepper.
For mains, there’s a well-executed branzino ($58++), simply poached in a tomatoey broth; we also like the Black Angus slices ($68++), where the Josper-grilled meat is paired with a balsamic-topped rocket salad.
Capping things off is a generously sized tiramisu ($24++) that easily serves two or three. Made with gluten-free ladyfingers, this version of the Italian classic features cointreau and is topped with candied orange peel.
Altro Zafferano also has a good drinks menu, with happy hour from 5.30pm till closing each day. Pick from a range of wines, spritzes and even non-alcoholic options. Orders before 7.30pm come with a complimentary snack, too — can anyone say “after-work tipples”?
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Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. Perhaps, in Altro Zafferano’s case, it’s reinvention. The restaurant’s latest trend towards casual fare is, in all likelihood, a bid to edge out the recent spate of competition in the market, and it’s a move that makes sense.
After all, even with all the Italian places now, few — if any at all — offer a comparable view of the city; yet fewer have the dexterity and culinary chops to keep things going for 13 years. We think that alone makes Altro Zafferano worth another try.
Altro Zafferano
Ocean Financial Centre
Level 43, 10 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049315
Tel: +65 6509 1488
Email: info@altrozafferano.sg
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 11pm
