I keep coming back to the same craving: the smell of chicken fat sizzling over glowing charcoal, the soft hiss, that first juicy bite of a tare-brushed thigh skewer. Over the years, I’ve tried every spot on this list—sometimes celebrating, sometimes seeking a smoky pick-me-up after a long bay walk.
Here’s my honest note: true yakitori specialists inside Marina Bay Sands are rare. MBS favors grand Japanese restaurants and fine dining with elegant ambience over tucked-away charcoal counters. So, I’ve mixed the best options actually at MBS with top yakitori spots just a short walk or ride away. I’ve tried all six and will share which suits a date, a lively group, or purists craving perfect skewers.
Let me guide you through these top Marina Bay Sands food and dining options for yakitori lovers, where you can enjoy good food with local flavours and a contemporary setting, some even boasting stunning views of the city skyline. These places are among the best yakitori in Singapore, offering authentic charcoal grilling and memorable dining experiences.
| Restaurant Name | Location | Price Range | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOMA | The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands #B1-67 | $$ | Dramatic Japanese robata grill |
| Tono Izakaya | 8A Marina Blvd #01-02, Marina Bay Link Mall | $–$$ | Authentic charcoal yakitori |
| Yakitori Gosso | Telok Ayer Street | $–$$ | Tokyo-style yakitori |
| Q-WA Bar & Yakitori | Circular Road | $–$$ | Lively yakitori with craft cocktails |
| Yakitori ONE | Near Suntec City | $–$$ | Reliable casual yakitori |
| ADRIFT by David Myers | Hotel Tower 2 lobby, MBS | $$ | Upscale wood-fire yakitori and modern Asian |
1. KOMA Singapore (Marina Bay Sands) – Dramatic Japanese Cuisine with Robata Grill
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (5–8 min walk)
Price: $$
KOMA sits inside The Shoppes at #B1-67, and it’s the most dramatic Japanese restaurant you’ll find without leaving MBS. You walk in through a passage of glowing vermilion arches, and suddenly you forget you’re in a mall. It made my list because its robata grill turns out genuinely lovely charcoal-kissed plates, even if skewers aren’t the heart of the menu.
The grill section is where I’d point you: the Negima, the Japanese Wagyu Yakitori with black pepper chimichurri, the King Crab Sumiyaki, and the Charcoal Grilled Yellowtail Collar. KOMA spends around S$100 per person with drinks, so it’s a treat rather than casual dining. The food is polished, the room buzzes with an elegant ambience, and the music can be loud and clubby. While enjoying these, consider pairing your meal with fine wines or signature cocktails from nearby Renku Bar, known for its curated drinks and bar bites. For more Marina Bay Sands dining, Spago Dining Room offers Californian cuisine with skyline views. LAVO Italian Restaurant Rooftop Bar serves classic Italian dishes with a lively rooftop bar ambiance.
Ideal for: A date or celebration where you want drama and grill without leaving Marina Bay Sands.
Avoid if: You’re a yakitori purist after a traditional skewer-by-skewer experience.
Insider tip: Book ahead, and if you’re an MBS member, ask about the lunch set; it’s been noted as strong value compared to dinner.
2. Tono Izakaya Singapore (Marina Bay) – Casual Dining with Authentic Charcoal Yakitori
Nearest MRT: Downtown or Bayfront (10–12 min walk)
Price: $–$$
When I want actual binchotan charcoal yakitori near the bay, Tono Izakaya Singapore is where I head. It gives you that relaxed izakaya warmth the grand MBS casual dining restaurants simply don’t. Skewers and kushiyaki are grilled over binchotan, which lends that clean, smoky flavour I chase.
The pricing is refreshingly honest, too. Chicken thigh and wing run S$5 each, the meatball is S$6, and the Australian Wagyu beef skewer is S$9. On the vegetable side, I love the Eringi mushroom at S$3 and the zucchini with mentaiko at S$3, while the sweet potato with caramelised sugar and butter at S$5 makes a sneaky-good finisher. You can eat really well here without the premium MBS bill.
Ideal for: Budget-friendly charcoal yakitori after a walk around Marina Bay Sands.
Avoid if: You want fine dining or a big, roomy table for a crowd.
Insider tip: Watch for limited-time promos; the source noted discounted Hon Maguro tuna and buy-one-free-one craft cocktails during certain periods, so ask what’s running.
3. Yakitori Gosso (Telok Ayer) – Authentic Tokyo-Style Yakitori Near Marina Bay Sands
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (short walk)
Price: $–$$
Yakitori Gosso is a short taxi or MRT hop from Marina Bay Sands, and it delivers that old-school, yakitori etiqutte: premium chicken parts grilled over binchotan, a tight sake and beer list, and a cozy izakaya hum. This is the spot for people who treat yakitori as the main event, not a side dish.
In my experience, the skewers I keep ordering are the chicken liver, the thigh, and a side of dashi omelette. The grilling is careful, and there’s a quiet pride to the place that I really appreciate. I’d hold off on quoting you exact prices, since they shift, but expect an accessible-to-moderate range for a proper spread.
Ideal for: Yakitori lovers who want an authentic charcoal counter and don’t mind a short ride.
Avoid if: You need something steps from Marina Bay Sands with no travel.
Insider tip: Pair your skewers with a Japanese craft beer and ask whether there are off-menu seasonal skewers that night.
4. Q-WA Bar & Yakitori (Circular Road) – Lively Group Dining with Craft Cocktails
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (short walk)
Price: $–$$
Q-WA Bar & Yakitori on Circular Road is where I send friends who want skewers with a proper drinks program and a lively, social buzz. It’s a quick ride from MBS, and the energy is unmistakably night-out: bustling, friendly, and a little loud in the best way. It made the list because it nails the casual group dinner that the fine-dining MBS spots aren’t built for.
The skewers I gravitate toward are the juicy chicken, the pork belly, and the vegetable yakitori, all with that satisfying charcoal char. The sake selection is generous, which is half the fun here. In my experience, this is less about reverent, hushed dining and more about clinking glasses with people you like. The contemporary setting and live music make it a nice place to gather.
Ideal for: Groups of friends on a casual, drinks-forward night with craft cocktails.
Avoid if: You want a calm, intimate dinner or a refined tasting flow.
Insider tip: Reserve ahead for evenings, and grab a table early before the after-work surge fills the place.
5. Yakitori ONE 鳥萬 (Suntec / Esplanade Area) – Reliable Casual Yakitori Near Marina Bay Sands
Nearest MRT: Esplanade (around 10 min from MBS via MRT plus a walk)
Price: $–$$
Rounding out the nearby options is Yakitori ONE, a classic yakitori spot near Suntec City. It’s a short ride from Marina Bay Sands, and I think of it as a dependable, no-drama evening choice rather than a destination blowout. It earns its place as a useful fallback when the bayside spots are slammed.
I’ll keep my claims modest here, because it’s a more low-key pick and I don’t want to oversell it. What I can say from experience is that it’s a lively, casual place for an after-shopping skewer session, and it tends to deliver decent value for a relaxed night. I’d steer you toward the standard chicken skewers and a cold beer rather than promising any single signature dish.
Ideal for: A casual evening yakitori fix near Suntec after shopping or drinks.
Avoid if: You want walk-in convenience right at Marina Bay Sands.
Insider tip: Go on a weekday evening when it’s calmer, and treat it as a relaxed warm-up or wind-down spot.
6. ADRIFT by David Myers (Marina Bay Sands) – Upscale Wood-Fire Yakitori and Modern Asian Dining
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (walkable within the MBS complex)
Price: $$
I’m including ADRIFT honestly, because it isn’t a pure yakitori house, but it does belong in any Marina Bay Sands food and grill conversation. Based on Marina Bay Sands materials, it sits in the Hotel Tower 2 lobby and serves over 30 freshly grilled yakitori alongside a wood-fire butcher steak and a broader modern Asian menu. That’s a surprisingly large skewer selection for a restaurant of this style.
What I love is the format. There’s a lounge, a bar, a dining room, and a private space, so you can drift from craft cocktails to a full dinner. In my experience, this is the spot when you want yakitori flavours folded into a refined, occasion-worthy meal rather than a casual counter. The beverage list historically ran deep, including rare Japanese whiskies. The elegant ambience and contemporary setting make it a nice place to enjoy a meal while admiring the city skyline from the top floor.
Ideal for: An upscale, wood-fire grill experience inside Marina Bay Sands hotel for celebrations or business dinners.
Avoid if: You’re a budget-minded purist who wants a classic skewer counter.
Insider tip: Reservations are strongly recommended, and because the available information is older, call or email first to confirm the yakitori menu and hours.
My Quick Guide by Category
After all six, here is how I would sort them for your convenience:
- Best Marina Bay Sands dramatic date or celebration: KOMA Singapore offers a theatrical robata grill experience with a vibrant atmosphere inside the hotel.
- Best upscale wood-fire grill splurge: ADRIFT by David Myers delivers refined yakitori and modern Asian dishes in a polished setting, ideal for special occasions.
- Best honest charcoal yakitori without the premium bill: Tono Izakaya near Marina Bay Sands Link Mall serves authentic binchotan-grilled skewers at reasonable prices.
- Best authentic Tokyo-style yakitori: Yakitori Gosso on Telok Ayer rewards purists willing to travel a short distance for traditional charcoal grilling and izakaya charm.
- Best lively group yakitori night: Q-WA Bar & Yakitori on Circular Road offers a buzzing atmosphere with craft cocktails and live music perfect for social gatherings.
- Best easygoing casual yakitori nearby: Yakitori ONE near Suntec City is a reliable, no-frills spot for a relaxed skewer fix after shopping or drinks. If you want to discover more yakitori dining options in the Suntec area, click here.
As a friendly reminder, always check the latest opening hours and make reservations where possible to ensure the best dining experience at these fantastic yakitori spots around Marina Bay Sands. Whether you’re a local or a guest from around the world, these places offer a nice place to enjoy authentic yakitori and end your meal on a sweet note. Enjoy your meal!
