September in Southeast Asia is serving up a feast for the senses with exciting food festivals. From the cultural melting pot of Singapore to the beachside buzz of Desaru Coast and the fine-dining glamour of Bangkok, three standout festivals are set to celebrate the region’s rich culinary diversity in unforgettable style.
Whether you’re drawn to heritage hawker favourites, celebrity chef creations, or global flavours with a Southeast Asian twist, these events promise an irresistible blend of flavour, artistry, and experience. Here’s where to go — and what to taste — this September.
Singapore Food Festival 2025
4–24 September | Singapore
Marking its 32nd edition, the Singapore Food Festival (SFF) returns from 4 to 24 September 2025 with the theme “Have You Eaten Yet?” — a heartfelt nod to how food expresses love in many Asian cultures. This year’s celebration blends heritage and innovation, offering over 50 curated experiences, including pop-ups, immersive tastings, and online activations.
The festival’s main hub, Mise en Place @ Dempsey Hill, will host signature events like The Long Table, a theatrical communal feast; Food Is Art, where desserts meet fashion and design; and Future Food, an exploration of molecular gastronomy and sustainability. Celebrity dessert chef Adriano Zumbo will debut Zumbo Desserts, while fashion curator Daniel Boey adds a stylish flair to the programme.
Chinatown Complex Food Centre — this year’s Heritage Hawker Partner — will spotlight Singapore’s culinary soul through its 226 hawker stalls under the theme “A Taste of Time”. Meanwhile, the Singapore Food Stories digital series will explore personal food narratives, connecting memory, identity and heritage.
Ombak Festival 2025 – Desaru Coast, Malaysia
12–14 September | Desaru Coast, Johor
Malaysia’s sun-soaked Desaru Coast is turning up the heat with the return of Ombak Festival 2025 — a bigger, bolder three-day celebration blending global music legends, regional stars, and a serious focus on food and flavour. This year’s headline acts include Simply Red, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Joss Stone, and Flight Facilities, joined by 29 regional artists from across ASEAN.
The F&B lineup is just as enticing. Taste & Toast brings top chefs centre stage, with highlights like Sazón Tapas & Grill by Andrew Walsh, and Carbon KL’s Smoke & Fire concept, offering elevated grills and bold regional flavours. Flavours of Johor celebrates homegrown heritage cuisine in a refined festival setting.
World Gourmet Festival 2025 – Bangkok, Thailand
22–28 September | Anantara Siam Bangkok
Celebrating its 25th year, Bangkok’s World Gourmet Festival returns with a dazzling line-up of culinary heavyweights from around the globe. Held at the iconic Anantara Siam from 22 to 28 September 2025, this milestone edition features chefs from three of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, bringing world-class dining directly to Bangkok.
Among the headliners are Eric Vildgaard of Jordnær (Denmark), Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends (Singapore), and Vaughan Mabee of Amisfield (New Zealand) — each making their Thailand debut. From Vildgaard’s poetic Nordic cuisine to Mabee’s theatrical, foraged storytelling, guests are in for a rare dining experience.
Also on the bill: Latin American-Japanese fusion by Santiago Fernandez (MAZ, Tokyo), modern Mexican fine dining by Paco Méndez (COME, Barcelona), and artistic desserts from Asia’s top pastry chef, Janice Wong.
Expect intimate chef’s table dinners, wine pairings, edible art installations, and more — with events tailored across price points to welcome gourmands of every stripe. For those craving an unforgettable culinary journey, these food festivals in Southeast Asia make September the most indulgent month of the year.
