Two floors below Stamford Road, the mall noise starts to fade. Then the smell of cumin and warm ghee takes over.
I’ve eaten dosa in Chennai and paneer in Delhi. Out of habit, I measure every Indian meal against those memories. At Nalan Restaurant City Hall, I went in curious and left thinking about how much ground one kitchen can quietly cover.
Nalan Restaurant City Hall at Capitol Singapore
Nalan is located at #B2-54, 13 Stamford Road, inside Capitol Singapore. It’s about 50 metres from City Hall MRT Exit D, roughly a one-minute walk. When you’re hungry, a convenient location matters more than any menu.
The restaurant opened in 2008. It takes its name from Nala, the legendary king and cook of Indian mythology. The kitchen serves pure Indian vegetarian cuisine from both the north and south of India, maintaining that dual identity across every section of the menu.
Nalan says each outlet cooks its food freshly prepared on site, not in a central kitchen, using locally sourced vegetables and cold-pressed oil. I can’t audit any kitchen’s claim to the finest ingredients. But quality is something you can taste, and this kitchen has it.
A Calm Room, Not a Food Court
The dining room feels warmer than I expected for a basement. There are wood finishes, upholstered chairs and soft pendant lights. From where I sat, the view into the room was calm and unhurried. Outside peak hours, it’s quiet enough to linger over a lassi or a second roti.
There’s also a private dining space for up to 40 people. That makes it a great fit for birthdays, family meals and other special gatherings, especially if you’re loading up a long table with friends.
The Nalan Restaurant Menu: North Meets South
The menu has an amazing variety, which is both the joy and the challenge. Idli, thosai, vadai and sambar sit beside paneer curries, dal, tandoori dishes, breads and chaat. If you’re new here, I’d recommend using the app or OpenTable to browse ahead and ensure you arrive with a plan.
It’s vegetarian, not fully vegan. Many dishes use paneer, ghee or curd. Still, there’s a dedicated vegan menu and a separate no-onion, no-garlic menu. Here, tradition makes room for everyone at the table.
What I'd Order
Tandoori Broccoli and Paneer Tikka Masala
I’d start with the Tandoori Broccoli: florets seasoned with tandoori spices and grilled in a clay oven. It’s a perfect opener, smoky at the edges and tasty enough to disappear quickly.
The Paneer Tikka Masala (S$24) is grilled cottage cheese in a mild curry sauce. It’s rich, so share it with friends. It also appears on the no-onion, no-garlic menu, which shows how flexible this kitchen is willing to be.
Palak Paneer, Paneer Mutter and Aloo Gobi
Palak Paneer (S$23) brings creamy spinach and soft paneer together. The regular version uses roasted garlic, so ask for the no-onion, no-garlic version if you need it. A side of raita helps cool things down if your palate leans toward the milder end.
Paneer Mutter (S$23) adds green peas to a tomato and onion base. It also comes in an allium-free version. Aloo Gobi (S$19) is the humbler plate: potato and cauliflower in masala. It’s on both the vegan and no-onion, no-garlic menus. Sometimes the simplest dish tells you the most about a kitchen.
Butter Naan, Roti and Jeera Rice
A good curry needs something to hold it. Butter Naan is around S$7, and there’s plain roti at around S$5. I love how bread here earns its place at the table rather than arriving as an afterthought. Jeera Rice (S$13) is fragrant with cumin and appears on every dietary menu here. If your table eats differently, jeera rice keeps the peace.
South Indian Thali and Idli
The South Indian Thali is a feast on one tray. It comes with chapati or poori, kurma, rice, sambar, rasam, kaara kuzhambu, three vegetable dishes, pickle, curd, papad, mor milagai, a small vadai and payasam. The nuts in some of these preparations add a welcome crunch where you least expect it.
Idli with sambar is the gentler choice. It’s soft, warm and familiar, the kind of plate I’d want on an early Sunday morning.
Fresh Juices and Mango Lassi
The fresh juices include watermelon, carrot, pineapple, orange and more, at around S$7 to S$9. The Mango Lassi (around S$10) contains dairy, so skip it if you’re vegan. South Indian filter coffee costs around S$6.
Service at City Hall
The staff here tend to offer attentive service, even when the room fills up. It isn’t flawless, though. If you book the private room, confirm it clearly to ensure there’s no misunderstanding when you arrive, because a regular table reservation isn’t the same thing.
Practical Notes
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm; Sunday, 8am to 10pm
Budget: About S$25 to S$40 per person for shared curries, bread or rice, and drinks
Set menus: Flavours of the North (S$35) and South Indian Splendour (S$50)
Reservations: Recommended, via OpenTable or +65 9732 4289; walk-ins welcome if tables are free
Payment: Major credit cards accepted
Parking: Capitol Singapore, Funan, Adelphi or Grand Park City Hall
It isn’t cheap. If you’re used to hawker prices, Capitol pricing will sting a little.
Final Verdict on Nalan Restaurant
Nalan respects authenticity without being rigid about it. I’d send vegetarian families, mixed dietary groups and City Hall office lunches here, along with anyone who wants north and South Indian cooking at one great table.
I’d come back for the thali alone.
FAQ
Is there a Nalan Restaurant in Little India?
Yes. The second branch is at 82 Serangoon Road in Little India.
Is Nalan Restaurant Singapore fully vegan?
No. It’s fully vegetarian, with a dedicated vegan menu.
Are there no-onion, no-garlic options?
Yes. A separate menu covers paneer dishes, Aloo Gobi, dal, Jeera Rice, breads and chaat.
Do I need a reservation at the City Hall outlet?
It’s recommended, especially for Saturday dinners and larger groups.
For more meat-free meals nearby, head over to Healthy Food Guide for the best plant-based dining in Clarke Quay.
