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The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento promise dreamy, picturesque travel, but the looming prospect of a 15-hour flight is enough to make anyone pause. So instead of the long trip, let’s explore a spectacular alternative right here at home: the rejuvenated LAVO — perched 57 storeys up on the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands.
Reopened in Sep 2025, the refreshed restaurant is now decorated with cobblestone walls, lush plants tucked into large earthen vases, furniture accented with pops of blue and terracotta, and bathed in warm, romantic lighting. Walking around LAVO instantly makes you feel like you’re exploring a charming, sun-drenched Italian seaside town.
If you love al fresco dining and the feeling of a gentle breeze brushing against your face, then head outdoors where you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping 180-degree view.
Take your pick: gaze out at the Marina Bay area with the vast sea on the horizon dotted with container ships, admire the stunning Singapore skyline, or even spot Gardens by the Bay.
On select evenings, as night falls, you can even groove to the beat with vibrant tunes and exciting live DJ sets. LAVO is the ideal venue for hosting social events, parties, brunches, and much more!
What I tried at LAVO
Since I occasionally rock a Hawaiian shirt, sitting outdoors among those tropical-patterned tables and chairs felt like I’d just clocked in for a beach holiday.
We kicked off the laid-back afternoon with refreshing cocktails and light dishes that perfectly fit the mood. Then came the Jumbo Shrimp Alla Scampi (S$45) — a visual masterpiece.
The ginormous, almost lobster-like shrimp was lusciously bathed in a light lemon butter sauce. It was then topped with mini croutons, torn basil leaves, sliced chilli, specks of Italian parsley, and a lemon wedge. This, my friends, was quite literally summer on a plate.
The bright, zesty hit of lemon was all it took to dial the prawn’s satisfaction knob up to full blast. Fresh and cooked just right, the sweet flesh was further enhanced by the buttery sauce with teases of garlic and white wine hitting you concurrently.
And those tiny crunches from the croutons? The icing on the cake. This was an impressive start, to say the least.
I rubbed my hands together in anticipation before tucking into the next dish — the Wagyu Beef Carpaccio (S$35). It was beautifully plated like a work of art. Paper-thin slices of well-marbled wagyu formed the circular base, elegantly crowned with sliced button mushrooms, shaved black truffle, arugula, and translucent sheets of parmigiano reggiano.
The nutty parmigiano reggiano and the earthy duo of truffle and mushrooms was a harmonious blend with the beef’s velvety, melt-in-the-mouth texture. The flavours hit all the right notes so perfectly that I didn’t even hesitate before immediately digging in for two more bites.
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Be sure to visit the awesome bar — it is the centerpiece of the entire restaurant design. Lavo’s new lineup of mocktails and cocktails gets an Italian makeover, featuring fanciful names that are music to the ears.
The Roman Holiday (S$16) mocktail, decked in ruby red, is a rejuvenating floral concoction. It consists of 0.0% rum spirit, rose, lime, 6-hour steeped cranberry tea, and sparkling soda, making it acidic yet refreshing.
For a little boozy kick, the Sunset By The Bay (S$27) takes you on a mini flavour roller coaster. Silky Roku Gin is paired with a nutty almond-flavoured liqueur, topped with zesty orange curaçao, grapefruit and lemon. Sweet orgeat syrup is then added to counteract the bitter notes.
Try sipping this as you watch the sun sink toward its daily slumber — and your day is, may I say, complete!
To make the most of my time at LAVO, I asked the friendly staff if I could head indoors to soak in the romantic ambience — and, let’s be honest, grab some much-needed air conditioning (psst, I’m Singaporean). We continued the afternoon by savouring 2 more mains.
The pizzas at LAVO are made with whole-grain, single-source flour, with the chefs painstakingly hand-stretching the dough and baking them to golden-brown masterpieces under the brick oven.
My stomach was rumbling at the sight of the Burrata (S$36) pizza, topped with pancetta, red onion, arugula, tomatoes, and the best part — torn pieces of creamy burrata. The way it was scattered across the pizza was eye candy, offering a refreshing change from other places that serve it as a single orb in the centre.
I’m not even holding back — the first slice of this pizza was heavenly enough to send me straight into pizza euphoria. What I initially thought was drizzled balsamic vinegar turned out to be slightly sweet, almost fruit-like. It brought the flavour combination of the savoury pancetta, creamy burrata, sweet onions, and the nutty arugula to the next level. Even the crust was divinely flaky and crispy, with not a hint of doughiness.
Saving the best for last, the Seafood Fra Diavolo (S$46) is great for pasta and seafood fans. A succulent orchestra of shrimp, scallops, and calamari are added to the fiery tomato-based pasta.
The unique pasta, shaped like telephone cords, was an excellent vessel to absorb the brandy and slightly spiced notes of the tangy tomato sauce. The star of the dish was definitely the seafood, cooked so perfectly it would have Italian grandmas exclaiming with delight, “Perfetta!”
Final thoughts
It seems LAVO made the right call taking a four-month break and coming back with a bang. The menu’s renewed focus on clean, light flavours shows that indulgence doesn’t have to be heavy — it can be elevated, impactful, and satisfying at one go.
What are you waiting for? Whether you’re bringing your family, planning a romantic date, or arranging an all-girls night out at LAVO on the 57th storey of Marina Bay Sands, I promise it will be an unforgettable experience.
To book a table, click here.
* This post is brought to you in partnership with LAVO.
