Hidden away on the 43rd floor of Ocean Financial Centre is Altro Zafferano, a long-standing Italian restaurant serving up classic Italian flavours and dishes. Helmed by Executive Chef Andrea De Paola and Head Chef Federico Schiraldi, the restaurant aims to showcase the vibrant flavours of Italy through its food.
Rooftop Italian Restaurant in Singapore
Altro Zafferano’s space is split into several areas. There’s a terrace lounge that offers an unobstructed view of Singapore’s skyline, making it a great spot for pre-dinner drinks and small bites.
They have a Sunset Aperitivo Happy Hour menu from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, where your first order comes with a complimentary plate of selected snacks. Wines and cocktails are also available for $12 per glass, with a bottle of beer priced at $10. Quite a good deal if you ask us.
The main dining area is stylish and elegant, featuring a space that can accommodate nearly 150 people. There’s even a 24-seat private dining room with a dedicated entrance for those who wish to host more intimate dining sessions.
Altro Zafferano Menu
The restaurant has recently introduced a new à la carte menu, curated for sharing, in addition to 2- and 3-course weekday set lunch menus, priced at $58++ and $68++ respectively. The menu features the robust and bright flavours of Southern Italy, made with fresh, premium ingredients.
Here are some of the items we tried:
We started our meal with the Pomodoro e Basilico ($15++), a house-made sourdough focaccina topped with sun-dried Neapolitan tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Just based on how it looked, we assumed it would’ve been dense, but it turned out to be extra fluffy with a delightful crisp on the outside.
This was followed by the Insalata di Polpo e Patate ($28++), a combination of blanched Mediterranean octopus, boiled baby potatoes, and olives, all brought together with a gremolata sauce. Personally, the texture of the octopus wasn’t the best, but we did appreciate the amazing flavour profiles.
Our favourite starter dish was the Carpaccio di Manzo, Pecorino e Senape ($26++), which feature slices of Australian grain-fed beef rolled with rocket and pecorino cheese. The whole grain mustard dressing served together with it was amazing, with details like a balsamic vinegar brush and a topping of fresh shallots rounding everything up perfectly.
Amazing Pastas
Be sure to save some room for pasta, an Italian staple, as Altro Zafferano prepares it amazingly. The Fusilloni con Ragu alla Genovese ($36++) is one of Chef Andrea’s childhood favourites, and yes, it’s cooked al dente, paired with a slow-cooked concoction of Wagyu beef cheek and white onions—down-to-earth and straightforward ingredients, elevated through technique.
A treat for both the eyes and the palate is the Rigatoni alla Gricia ($36++/pax). The dish features handcrafted rigatoni tossed tableside in a large pecorino cheese wheel, accompanied by a generous sprinkle of crispy guanciale. Despite it looking like it’d be cloying, the dish was surprisingly palatable, thanks to the usage of a Sichuan and black pepper blend.
A Taste of Italy
For mains, we were thoroughly spoiled by the restaurant, as the Branzino all’Acqua Pazza ($58++) dish is a fully deboned sea bass. The fish was tender, served alongside mini-San Marzano tomatoes, olives, and parsley, with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a slice of Amalfi lemon.
To us, it tasted like what we’d imagine Italian summer would be like.
On the other hand, the Tagliata di Manzo, Rucola e Balsamico ($68++) takes us on a land journey, featuring slices of Josper-grilled Black Angus grain-fed beef that’s seasoned simply, with fresh Italian rocket and cherry tomatoes.
The addition of monovarietal Lambrusco balsamic vinegar was a winning move by the restaurant, as it elevated the entire dish and set it apart from the usual steakhouses. The balsamic vinegar was not just tart, but had a nice sweetness to it, which paired amazingly with the steak.
Altro Zafferano Review
Overall, Altro Zafferano left a lasting impression with its spacious setting and menu offerings, featuring high-quality ingredients that were used and executed flawlessly.
The impressive skyline is also a great way to impress your date or dining crew, so we’d see this as a fantastic spot for important occasions.
Ocean Financial Centre
10 Collyer Quay, Level 43, Singapore 049315
Mon-Sat, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm, Closed on Sundays
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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