Tiffin, properly defined as a light mid-day meal, has long been a Raffles tradition. Although tiffin curry has been served here since 1899, the Hotel’s main dining room has only officially been named the Tiffin Room since 1976. A restaurant run by the Sarkies from the 1890s at Raffles Place was known as the Raffles Tiffin Rooms. For most of this century a mild chicken curry was one of the few Asian mainstays on the hotel’s daily menu as the partaking of Sunday tiffin curry was an essential aspect of colonial life.
The Tiffin Room’s décor and ambience reflects the Hotel’s glory days from the turn of the century to the 1930s. The designs of the tables, chairs, and uniforms are all based on early photographs. Square teak tables – including many Raffles Hotel’s originals – are combined with "palm back" bentwood chairs.
The brisk, white-jacketed waiters wear badges which replicate a prewar tukang badge, or "water carrier" badge, while the silver vase and salt and pepper shakers are replicate of decades-old silver plate pieces discovered in a storeroom during the restoration.
Dining at Tiffin Room is an essential experience at Raffles Hotel. Tiffin Room's curry buffet is a hot favourite with tourists and Singapore residents alike. Available daily at lunch and dinner, the elaborate buffet features authentic Northern Indian specialities including vegetarian curries for the non-meat diners.
An international spread highlights at breakfast, and the extremely popular High Tea features an English High Tea stand and a buffet. Reservations for High Tea are strongly recommended.
The private dining room at the south end comfortably seats 8 to 12 persons, and is ideal for intimate dinner parties and corporate entertainment as the quiet charm of the restaurant is evident even at its busiest moments.
Dress Code : Smart Casual
Gentlemen are requested to be in business shirts or collared t-shirts, paired with appropriate long pants. Jackets are not necessary. Dresses, skirts or trousers are recommended for ladies.
Patrons are advised that singlets, shorts, bermudas, sandals, slippers and pool attire are not permitted in the restaurant.