Let's be honest: finding the right space to host an event in Singapore isn’t a walk in the park. It’s about securing a venue where the food impresses; the setting feels intentional, not like an afterthought; and the experience runs smoothly from start to finish – so you (or the host) can take a step back and actually enjoy hosting instead of running around managing the logistics. 

If you’re looking for a great space that strikes that balance between intimacy and occasion, head straight for the Private Dining Room, or PDR. A PDR is so much more than just another room within a restaurant: secluded enough for real conversation; yet elevated enough to make every occasion feel like it matters.  

And in a city with no shortage of dining options, knowing which PDRs to turn to – and for what kind of occasion – is a skill worth having under your belt. Not sure where to start? We’ve gone ahead and done the homework for you. Here is our PDR edit (Part 1 of it at least), sectioned and broken down by what you need to host your next event – Like. A. Pro. To make things simple, you’ll find 3 different PDR types (arranged by size) – small, medium, flexi – so you can home in on the one that fits you best.  

PS: If you're inspired, the press kits can be accessed through the hyperlinked brand names!

Small & Intimate Spaces – for Truly Special Occasions & Customisable Experiences 
Good for group sizes of 5 to 20 persons 

The best intimate PDRs aren’t just compact – they give you a setting so carefully considered that the occasion almost curates itself. These spaces are for when the guest list is short and every gathering feels personal. 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 
If you're looking for one PDR address that does everything – from a cosy dinner for 6 to a celebratory gathering of up to 20, Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro stands out as one of the most versatile in Singapore.  

Perched on the 35th floor of Hilton Singapore Orchard, this is Singapore's sole specialist in Chūka Szechwan Ryori (the Japanese-Szechwan cuisine style of the Chen family). They’ve been recognised with a Michelin star and hold a spot on La Liste's top 1000 restaurants in the world. The private dining here isn't just a room you book; it's an experience that comes with some serious culinary credentials. 

There are 5 private room options, each named after an iconic city in the Szechwan province. The PDRs here range from immersive and theatrical, to understated and serene – each with its own distinct character. 

Chef's Table – Up to 8 pax 

Shisen Hantan - Chef's Table

A coveted, immersive experience designed for close-knit private gatherings. This is for those who want to be within touching distance of the kitchen – where live cooking becomes part of the dining narrative. Front-row seats to a Michelin-starred kitchen? Check. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 8 pax
• Includes live cooking segment from the chefs – a signature, interactive experience
• Closest to the kitchen action; immersive and energetic in atmosphere
• Seasonal menus that are exclusive to the Chef’s Table (i.e. not available in the Main Dining Hall!)
• Ideal for dynamic celebrations, performance-esque dining, impressing VIP guests

Le Shan Room (乐山) – Up to 6 pax 

Shisen Hantan - Le Shan Room (乐山)

The most intimate of the private rooms, Le Shan is characterised by a calm, almost contemplative atmosphere. It’s designed for an occasion with your closest inner circle. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 6 pax
• The most intimate of the private rooms
• Ideal for small milestone celebrations, confidential business dinners, close-knit gatherings

Chong Qing Room (重庆) – Up to 8 pax 

Named after one of Szechwan's most dynamic cities, this room brings the right energy for an occasion with lively discussion while still maintaining that sense of exclusivity. It's the room for when the guest list is selective, and the evening is meant to feel properly considered. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 8 pax
• Intimate configuration well-suited to close celebrations and private business entertaining
• Ideal forbirthday or anniversary dinners, small corporate dinners, curated social gatherings

Tian Fu Room (天府) – Up to 10 pax 

A step up in scale without losing any of the privacy: this room carries an elegance suited to slightly more grandiose occasions – like a milestone birthday, a business dinner with key clients, or a family gathering that calls for a proper centrepiece. Bonus: it can even be combined with the Cheng Du Room to create even more room for larger parties of up to 30 pax. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 10 pax
• Can be combined with the Cheng Du Room to create one majestic space for up to 30 pax
• Ideal for milestone birthdays, client entertaining, multi-generational family dinners

Cheng Du Room (成都) – Up to 20 pax 

The most spacious of the rooms, the Cheng Du Room offers a luxurious dining experience tailored to each group's unique needs. Comfortably expansive at 20 pax, it scales further when combined with the Tian Fu Room – making it one of the most flexible configurations in Singapore's fine-dining PDR landscape. A seated family celebration, a corporate dinner that needs to actually feel celebratory or a milestone gathering: this room handles all of it. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 20 pax
• Joinable with the Tian Fu Room for a seamless space of up to 30 pax
• Ideal for large extended family celebrations, corporate group dinners, team milestone events

Across all 5 spaces, the cuisine remains the anchor: think their iconic Chen’s Mapo Tofu, the show-stopping Dan Dan Noodles, and the impeccably crafted dim sum that Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro has built its reputation on. Whatever the size of the gathering, the standard of the experience never wavers. 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 
Address: Level 35, Hilton Singapore Orchard, 333 Orchard Road 

Fat Cow
Wagyu enthusiasts are probably no stranger to Fat Cow, an establishment that has earned a devoted following for their Japanese wagyu expertise, beautifully precise theatre-style dining, and its calm, unhurried atmosphere – located in the heart of town, no less.  

Helmed by Head Chef Shingo Iijima whose pride in the washoku traditions of his home country drove him to attain a remarkable depth of experience in kaiseki and kappo despite his youth, Fat Cow delivers a celebration of Japanese produce and a deep respect for seasonality in every bite while centering the star of Fat Cow – premium Japanese wagyu.

Fat Cow - Semi-Private Room

Fat Cow’s semi-private PDRs are an extension of this ethos: considered, thoughtful, and ideal for slow, indulgent meals. Two size options are available: a smaller one that holds up to 8 pax, or a more spacious 18 pax space. The rooms are semi-private – separated using traditional Shoji screens – rather than fully enclosed. Both spaces are discreetly private enough to feel like you’re in your own world, without being isolating.  

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

PDR 1 

• Capacity – Up to 18 pax  
• Ideal for extended family gatherings, business entertainment, or a milestone birthday dinner that needs to feel properly festive

PDR 2 

• Capacity – Up to 8 pax 
• Ideal for discreet client meetings, intimate celebrations, or entertaining in refined surrounds

Fat Cow 
Address: 1 Orchard Boulevard, #01-01/02, Camden Medical Centre 

Ichigo Ichie 
The name says it all: Ichigo Ichie (一期一会) is the Japanese phrase for 'once in a lifetime meeting' – a philosophy that every gathering is unique, unrepeatable, and therefore worth treating with full presence. This omakase restaurant takes that idea seriously, clearly reflected by its two private dining options. 

Ichigo Ichie - Private Dining Bar

For instance, the up-close-and-personal counter-style setting of their Private Dining Bar takes you to the forefront of all the action. Here, the experience is as much about watching as it is about eating and imbibing – where the interaction between guest and chef is all part of the evening.  

For those who simply want to sit back and relax, their Private Dining Room offers a different experience all together. Let Ichigo Ichie’s experienced chefs handle everything: from a special seasonal à la carte menu you can only enjoy here, alongside a curated list of sake, beer, wine and spirits.

Each option provides a distinct but equally considered experience, coupled with refined hospitality done in the way that Ichigo Ichie delivers best. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

Private Dining Room 

• Capacity – Up to 6 pax 
• A beautifully composed space for a fully private omakase-style experience, where every visit is uniquely tailored
• Ideal for quiet occasions without all the fanfare or events that require complete privacy 

Private Dining Bar 

• Capacity – Up to 5 pax 
• Counter-style bar setting with chef interaction as part of the experience
• Ideal for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, intimate omakase experiences, small private corporate entertaining

Ichigo Ichie 
Address: 442 Orchard Road, #01-16/17, Claymore Connect 

Gilmore & Damian D'Silva
Housed within the magnificent National Gallery Singapore, Gilmore & Damian D’Silva is one of the most evocative dining destinations in the city. Renowned Chef Damian D'Silva has created something deeply personal here: a tribute to his grandfather Gilmore D'Silva, expressed through lovingly revived Eurasian recipes, carefully preserved family mementos, and an interior that carries the warmth of memory. Dining at Gilmore already feels like a private occasion – so it follows that the PDR takes this a step further. 

What makes their PDR particularly notable and rare: the Chef Experience Menu here is entirely customisable. It doesn’t matter if you want a niche all-offal menu or a fusion of all of Chef Damian’s specialties. This, combined with the setting – colonial architecture, storied surroundings, and food that tastes like heritage – it’s a private dining experience that lingers long after the meal is over. 

Key USPs & Details to Note: 

• Capacity – Up to 16 pax
• Modular space – Can be split into two separate rooms of 8 pax each
• Fully customisable menu options 
• Ideal for heritage-minded celebrations, corporate dinners with character, events where ambience is as important as the food

Gilmore & Damian D'Silva 
Address: 1 St Andrew's Road, #01-02/03, National Gallery Singapore 

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Aaand, that’s a wrap on PDRs for smaller-scale events! If you’re looking for something to accommodate larger gatherings, not to worry – we’re not done yet. Stay tuned for Part 2, all about medium-sized and flexible PDR spaces that offer you dining options that are more capacious and even more versatile.  

Till then, happy dining!   

 ADDRESSES

• Fat Cow: 1 Orchard Boulevard, #01-01/02, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
• Gilmore by Damian D’Silva: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01-02/03, National Gallery, Singapore 178957
• Ichigo Ichie: 442 Orchard Road, #01-16/17, Claymore Connect, Singapore 238879
• Shisen Hanten: 333 Orchard Road, Level 35, Hilton Singapore Orchard, Singapore 238867