A Local-ish Guide to Singapore
WHAT TO DO
The Botanic Gardens are the perfect example of how Singapore has preserved lush green spaces in the middle of a bustling city. It's Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site and I love starting my day with a stroll through the gardens. I typically enter from the Tanglin Road gate but there are 4 other entrances depending on where you're coming from (Tyersall, Nasim, Gallop, and Bukit Timah). There are maps dotted throughout for you to consult if you happen to get lost. Plus, it's free to enter!
The Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is so far off the beaten path and unlike anywhere I've been before. It has been in operation since 1965 and owned by the same family since! You can check out the oldest dragon kiln in Singapore, take pottery classes, or spend hours shopping through an array of local and Peranakan pottery. There's seriously everything you could possibly imagine buying here!
You'll see it on every guide in Singapore but it is SO worth a visit! Gardens by the Bay is a paradise of horticulture. These beautiful gardens always have flowers blooming and have won a handful of awards. The Cloud Forest is my favorite to visit as it's home to one of the world's tallest indoor waterfalls where you can walk around the aerial walkways observing plants from all around the world.
The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore! This mythical creature is part lion and part fish. You can visit Merlion Park near the Central Business District on the Singapore River. It's right by Marina Bay Sands as well if you're looking to grab a drink afterward.
Marina Bay Sands is one of the most recognizable buildings in Singapore and it's known for completely transforming the city's skyline. It looks like a ship on top of three buildings and it's home to the world's largest infinity pool. Marina Bay Sands has a hotel, mall, several restaurants, an observation deck, and even a club in the basement! I like going to Ce La Vi, a restaurant on the rooftop to grab a drink and a few snacks without the astronomical price tag.
WHERE TO EAT
Singaporean food has many influences from around the world but Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India and the UK. It sounds so random but it's the best amalgamation of cuisines from all those countries and more.
What's particularly great about Singapore is eating out is actually very cheap! Singapore is known for its Hawker Centers, think a food court but without the dodgy food, where you can usually try Singapore's best-known dishes. You have to try Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Goreng, Roti Parata, Char Kuey Teow but feel free to branch out from my favorites.
There is SO much good food to eat in Singapore but here's my list of must-have foods every time I visit. If you're looking for a deep dive into the best restaurants in Singapore, feel free to check out my foodie guide!
Hainanese Chicken Rice is my favorite dish of all time. My family has always liked going to Wee Nam Kee for chicken rice but you'll find good options all over Singapore and especially at hawker centers.
You'll have the option of getting your chicken boiled or roasted. Boiled is more traditional but I love crispy chicken skin so I tend to opt for roasted if I have the choice. With chicken rice, there are 2 things that make it so freaking good. Firstly, the rice is seasoned PERFECTLY. And secondly, the condiments (dark soy, ginger, and chili sauce). Make sure you give everything a little taste!
My Go-To Order: Roasted Hainanese Chicken and Bok Choy or Kailan
By far the weirdest thing I've recommended on a travel guide (thus far) but I've come to realize that they sell a pretty great curry puff and there's no shame in that. Chef Willin Low of modern-Singapore restaurant Wild Rocket partnered with petrol stations all over Singapore to sell local foods as ready-to-eat snacks.
If you're unfamiliar with this Southeast Asian snack, it's typically a pastry filled with curry, chicken, and potatoes that are baked until golden perfection.
My Go-To Order: Chicken Curry Puff
I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but this is one of my few exceptions. Since you're in Singapore and they have 20+ locations, I would definitely pay it a visit.
Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese chain known for its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) but everything is great down to their service! They don't accept reservations but they're very efficient with their system. Plus, their kitchen has glass walls so you can watch the chefs making the dumplings every step of the way while you wait.
My Go-To Order: Xiao Long Bao (pork), Fried Rice (veggie), Bak Choy or Broccoli with Garlic & Cucumber Salad
Long Beach Seafood on Dempsey Road is an all-time favorite of the Cutts family. We'd usually go here on our last night in Singapore as it's the perfect place for a celebration with semi-private rooms with large round tables with lazy susans. It's a combination of a dim sum and a seafood restaurant but they've got an array of other seafood and non-seafood options too.
My Go-To Order: A black pepper and a chili crab on top of the usual dim sum suspects!
Roti Prata is a flatbread kind similar to naan in concept but crispy and flaky on the outside yet soft on the inside. It's usually served with curry that you dip your Roti Prata in.
What I like about Casuarina Curry is they have SO many options for both roti and curry. We got a number of plain roti but we also got green chili too, and fish, chicken, and lamb curries.
My Go-To Order: Plain Roti Prata with Chicken Curry
WHERE TO GRAB A DRINK
A Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail made by a bartender at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel back in 1915. Today it's known as one of Singapore's signature cocktails and definitely a must-try!
Club Street has the cutest little strip of bars perfect for a pub crawl. My parents and I went to a handful of bars on a Friday evening but Le Bon Funk took the cake. It's a tiny restaurant but had both outdoor and indoor seating, very friendly bartenders, and perfect little snacks to accompany our drinks.
WHERE TO SHOP
Singapore has fantastic shopping and Orchard Road is a shopper's paradise. I'd say it's one of the main shopping strips in Singapore with lots of options to choose from including TANGS, ION, Takashimaya, Paragon, Wisma, Far East Plaza, and more. Most of the malls on Orchard Road are connected through underground tunnels and walkways which makes it perfect to stay cool in the air-conditioning when it's sweltering out. Save your receipts as you may be able to claim back the taxes at Changi Airport on your way out. Just make sure you have your passport on you when shopping!
I feel like department stores get such a bad rap these days but Takashimaya is great. I particularly love shopping at Takashimaya because they have the best homeware for very good prices! I was gifted these Japanese soy sauce dishes and wanted to get matching rice bowls, and the sales associate was so helpful!
Although there's nothing I can casually buy on the first floor, it is so much fun to window shop the designer stores. It looks like a spaceship from the street and it feels like there are 20 floors once you're inside. Definitely worth popping in.
Mustafa is another Cutts family favorite! I sometimes call it the Indian Walmart as its nestled in Little India and they have everything you could possibly imagine from silk fabrics to rice cookers. I primarily go here to pick up curry spice mixes and Hainanese Chicken Rice packets to bring back home with me and last until the next time I visit Singapore.
THE ONE NEIGHBORHOOD YOU MUST VISIT: TIONG BAHRU
I like the little strip of Yong Siak Street to wander through as it's unlike anything you'd find on Orchard Road. Here are a few of my favorite spots I visit every time I'm in Singapore. Let me know what you think if you visit any of them!
Tiong Bahru Bakery is a French bakery with locations all over Singapore but had its first bakery in Tiong Bahru. They bake their croissants hourly and you'll be lured in by the smell!
I LOVE stopping by Cat Socrates when I'm in Tiong Bahru. It's one of those shops perfectly curated with quirky, witty knickknacks. They have anything from Boy Smells candles to Singlish dictionaries to plants. I like buying local themed gifts to bring back from Singapore without them screaming "I'm a cheap souvenir" and Cat Socrates is the best place for it! I've got coasters with different Singaporean foods and have my eye on a shop house tea towel for next time.
This quirky little children's bookshop is worth stopping into. I love picking up little gifts for nieces and nephews, and any of my friends expecting a baby!
OVERVIEW
Language(s): The official language is Malay, the defacto language is English and the colloquial language is Singlish! Chinese and Tamil are also commonly spoken.
Currency: Singapore Dollar ($/SGD). A lot of places accept major credit cards but some places are PayNow (a Singaporean money transfer app) or cash only so I would highly recommend taking out some cash.
Climate: The climate is tropical with high temperatures, lots of rainfall, overcast and high humidity. Temperatures usually are around 77°F to 90°F (25°C to 32°C).
Best Time to Visit: Singapore is honestly a year-round destination but from March through August you'll get the least amount of rainfall, lower humidity, and more comfortable temperatures.
Travel Tips: Singapore is so so hot. You don't want to forget to hydrate throughout the day. Tap water is totally safe to drink.
Packing Tips: You'll want to pack lots of lightweight cloth options. On the contrary, make sure you bring a cardigan, pashmina, or sweater if you dine indoors because most places will blast the A/C. An umbrella is also a must because you're bound to get caught in the rain it quite literally comes out of nowhere.
If you have any other questions about visiting Singapore, please feel free to reach out! I love working with individuals directly to plan a custom itinerary that matches their expectations for their trip.
Just reach out to me directly (:
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