Chef Rishi Naleendra serves bold, culturally rich tasting menus where caviar meets fermented mango and Wagyu hums with heat.
“If everyone did everything the same, life would be boring”: The phrase, written on a painting just outside the restrooms, might seem like a playful aside, but it’s actually the perfect summary of what makes Cloudstreet—one of Singapore’s most distinctive dining experiences—so extraordinary.
Located in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown, Cloudstreet is the culinary playground of chef Rishi Naleendra and his wife, Manuela, who together bring a rare combination of warmth, precision and creativity to the city’s fine-dining scene. Rishi blends his Sri Lankan roots with contemporary Asian influences and global technique, while Manuela oversees the front-of-house with a grace that keeps the energy flowing effortlessly between kitchen and dining room.
The restaurant’s name is derived from the novel Cloudstreet by Tim Winton, an homage to storytelling and the idea that a meal can carry you on a journey. The result is a restaurant defying categorisation: a place where fine dining meets playful rock ’n’ roll energy, where bold flavours and inventive pairings redefine what modern gastronomy can be.
The journey at Cloudstreet starts at the entrance. Here, subtle hints of old colonial style—wooden doorways, old-fashioned lamps and white walls—set the tone for what feels like a luxurious adventure, an experience that unfolds as you move deeper into the space.
Inside, the interior strikes that rare balance between sophistication and personality: a dark, moody space that still feels sharp, vibrant and fun. A mix of textures and materials—polished stone, dark wood and metal accents—creates a sense of understated luxury, yet nothing feels stiff or formal. From the long bar that opens onto an impeccably clean kitchen to the curated art and ambient lighting, every detail is deliberate yet relaxed.
And then there’s the soundtrack. While most fine-dining establishments lean towards soft jazz or ambient instrumentals, Cloudstreet pumps life into the room with classic rock anthems—The Rolling Stones, KISS, The Clash. The music sets the tone: this is not a restaurant bound by convention, but one celebrating individuality, attitude and joy. Combined with the rhythm of the kitchen in motion, the soundscape gives the space a distinct pulse—you can feel the life of the restaurant all around you.
A culinary journey across continents and culture
Chef Rishi’s tasting menu reads like a conversation between Asia’s spice markets, Australian fire and Europe’s culinary traditions, with Sri Lanka as the heart that ties it all together. Every dish feels like an exploration, a bridge between familiar and unexpected flavours. The sense of fun and creativity diners expect from a boundary-pushing ‘new world’ restaurant is fully delivered here.
One standout was prawns served with fermented mango and caviar, a brilliant juxtaposition of sweetness, salt and umami that awakens the palate. Butternut squash with Japanese squid and fermented chilli offered a refined balance of subtle taste and elegant heat, while the Murray cod—elevated by a vibrant, spicy kick—captured the essence of contemporary Asian cooking: fresh, fearless and complex.
A celeriac custard, smooth and earthy, provided a quiet moment of depth amid the more expressive courses—proof that restraint can be just as powerful as intensity.
Then came a dish with deeper historical roots: a Sri Lankan sausage, its recipe tracing back to the Portuguese colonisation of the island, long since made a classic in Sri Lankan homes. Smoky, rich and aromatic, it serves as a reminder of how history can live on in flavour. And speaking of flavour, the Tochigi A4 Wagyu served with sweet pepper awakens something primal—the meat melting effortlessly on the tongue, making it impossible to resist another bite.
Even the bread course carries a sense of place and story, featuring a stout and liquorice glaze, inspired by traditional Sri Lankan baking. It’s these unexpected details—textures, pairings and cultural layers—that make Cloudstreet so unforgettable.
Playful desserts and bold pairings
Desserts at Cloudstreet continue the restaurant’s philosophy of experimentation and delight. Diners are invited to a separate room for the final act, where the mood subtly shifts for the sweet courses. The popcorn panna cotta is whimsical and nostalgic yet executed with finesse, while the cauliflower ice cream is a clever imagining, turning a humble vegetable into a creamy, subtly savoury revelation. The candy floss served atop white pepper ice cream is another deft nod to childhood memories, elevated through sophisticated technique.
The wine and sake pairings deserve special mention. They are, in true Cloudstreet fashion, exploratory and non-conforming yet never esoteric, with selections spanning both well-known and lesser-known wine countries. This is a programme built for the curious palate—adventurous but accessible—and revealing its own narrative.
One particularly memorable pairing came with the Sri Lankan curry of Normandy lobster, matched perfectly with sake. The delicate rice wine cut through the curry’s richness and spice, creating a harmony that underscores Cloudstreet’s philosophy: that great dining is not about playing it safe, but about mixing styles from around the world to create something entirely new.
It’s daring, confident and completely in tune with the restaurant’s identity—a reminder that when risk is paired with skill, the results can be unforgettable.
Out of the ordinary
Cloudstreet is, at its core, a celebration of individuality. Everything about it—the food, the music, the design—feels intentionally different. It’s fine dining stripped of pretension, a space that invites you to engage, taste and be surprised. This is a playful setting, both on and off the palate.
Chef Rishi has created something rare: a restaurant that feels both deeply personal and universally exciting. Each dish tells a story, each pairing challenges expectations and each bite reminds you that the best dining experiences aren’t about perfection; they’re about personality.
So when you pass that sign near the restrooms—‘If everyone did everything the same, life would be boring’—you realise it’s not just a quote. It’s Cloudstreet’s manifesto. And after an evening here, you’ll be inclined to agree.
