Editor’s Note: This travel guide for Singapore originally appeared in Volume III of B.H. Magazine. For access to future issues, subscribe here.
Singapore remains one of Asia’s top tourist destinations for good reason. It’s a bustling metropolis, bursting at the seams with world-class hotels, restaurants, and bars, and has plenty of its own local delicacies that are a must-try for any visitor to the island nation.
So if you’re considering Singapore as your next destination, here’s your travel guide to the country, from someone who’s lived there.
Stay
QT Singapore
Fans of the QT brand will be pleased to know its shiny new Singapore outpost is as good as ever. And it couldn’t be in a better spot either. Facing Lau Pa Sat hawker centre and its famous open-air Satay Street, the original neo-classical building houses 134 redesigned rooms that seamlessly fuse architectural heritage with the playful design aesthetic QT is so well known for.
The city’s towering skyline can be appreciated to full effect on the rooftop, where there’s a mesmerising pool and an adjacent bar that serves excellent cocktails. If you’re in the mood for meat, you can’t go past the hotel’s signature restaurant: Cygnet. Led by international chef Sean Connolly, the Manhattan steakhouse is a real vibe, and delivers on all fronts.
Address: 35 Robinson Rd, Singapore 068876
Contact: +65 6701 6800
Pricing: Starting at SGD$479 (AU$573)
Artyzen Singapore
If a cantilevered glass-bottom pool on the 20th floor doesn’t thrill you, then maybe Artyzen’s swathe of textures and eye-popping art will. Located just a short stroll from the iconic Orchard Road and Botanic Gardens, the new 142-room hotel is ideal for those who are looking for an oasis on the fringes of the action.
Its spaces are seductive yet lofty, and feature striking barrel-vaulted entryways, polished-concrete finishes, and detailing that speaks to Singapore’s colonial heritage. Also highlighting the country’s multicultural palate is Quenino, an excellent dégustation-onlyrestaurant on level four, led by Australian chef Victor Liong. And if you’ve got somewhere else to be, the hotel offers a complimentary car service – a brand-new Mercedes S-Class, no less.
Address: 9 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249719
Contact: +65 6363 6000
Pricing: Starting at SGD$480 (AU$574)
Eat
Marguerite
There are a total of 51 Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore, but a standout – in both execution and location – is Marguerite. Nestled inside the iconic Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, the contemporary fine-diner is owned and operated by Melbourne-born chef Michael Wilson, who aims to celebrate the European seasons, bolstered by top-tier produce from Australia and New Zealand.
Whether it’s wood-grilled asparagus from the Loire Valley, or confited ocean trout from Tasmania, every delicate dish is finished at a central bench, creating just the right amount of theatre. For something unique, opt for the non-alcoholic drinks pairing, which pairs laboriously clarified juices and fermented teas.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-09 Flower Dome, Singapore 018953
Contact: +65 9862 3306
Jungle
Historic Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown recently welcomed Jungle– a buzzy new bar and grill showcasing regional Thai dishes and smashable cocktails (their signature Jungle Zest is a must-try). Service can be sluggish in this city, but not here, as each dish is delivered promptly and with a friendliness rarely seen at other dining establishments.
Highlights include a palate-cleansing banana blossom and green mango salad, sugarcane-smoked pork jowl with nam jim jaew (a sour, spicy sauce), and a fragrant yellow crab curry. Warning: Chef Liaw Wei Loon doesn’t hold back on the chilli. It’s Thai food, as it should be.
Address: 10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789
Contact: +65 8389 2258
Dirty Supper
If you weren’t in the know, you’d walk straight past Dirty Supper in the charming neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru. Hidden behind an old Hua Bee Restaurant sign, the narrow and dimly lit eatery is a perfect blend of grunge and old-school charm.
Whole-animal cooking is the name of the game here, where Aussie chef-owner Peter Smit champions every part of the beast – pig’s head nuggets, or barbecue duck neck, anyone? Yes, it all sounds a bit rich, but don’t fret, there’s plenty of pickled things and veggie sides, plus juicy, natural wines to balance it all out. Retreat to the venue’s covert bar, Dirty Sips, for a cheeky nightcap.
Address: 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-19, Singapore 162078
Contact: +65 6438 4567
Air CCCC
Once you’re done pounding the pavement (and your Amex) along Orchard Road, find respite at Air CCCC in the upscale enclave of Dempsey Hill. Set atop a hill, and surrounded by tropical foliage, the open structure is dishing up some of Singapore’s most progressive and delicious food.
Helmed by two hospitality heavyweights – Will Goldfarb (Room4Dessert, Bali) and Matt Orlando (Amass, Copenhagen) – the restaurant, which operates alongside a cooking school and research-and-development centre, serves Southeast Asian fare with a Euro twist; think cassava bread with mushroom-XO butter, or grilled sea bass with galangal hollandaise, plus an adventurous wine list to match.
Address: 25B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249918
Contact: +65 8228 1528
Must-Try Hawker Dishes
Hawker centres are the backbone of Singapore’s food culture, and with more than 100 spread across the cityyou can never go wrong with a local delicacy.
Sambal Stingrays: Yes, stingray! If you’ve never tried it before, it can be described as chicken of the sea. Grilled and then smothered in a funky, spicy sambal sauce, the meat is tender and not at all fishy.
Friend Carrot Cake: The carrot here is actually daikon, a large, white radish, which is grated and mixed with glutinous rice flour, then turned into a savoury “cake” and fried until crispy. It’s sold as black or white, based on the sauce – get a mix of both.
Zha Jiang Miana: Also known as Chinese bolognese, this is a classic and comforting dish consisting of wheat noodles topped with saucy mince and finely shredded cucumber, plus condiments like raw minced garlic, black vinegar, chilli paste, and Chinese celery.
Roti Prata: Nothing beats the smell and taste of a freshly fried prata. Soft on the inside, and golden and flaky on the outside – have it plain, or stuffed with cheese, egg, onion, mushrooms or banana.
Balonglong Juice: This is not a dish but a refreshing elixir extracted from an exotic fruit endemic to Southeast Asia. The flavour is unique, and tastes like a green mango, pineapple, and celery had a baby.
Drink
It’s easy to resort to the World’s 50 Best playbook when you arrive at a new destination, but lists like these only scratch the surface. With such a diverse and ever-evolving food and drinks scene, keeping your finger on Singapore’s pulse is a full-time job. Lucky for you, we’ve got the insider info. The city presents a smorgasbord of innovative cocktail bars to whet your whistle, either pre- or post-dinner.
Dimple
Newcomer Dimple guides customers by strength: Whisper (Light), Embrace(Moderate), and Euphoria (Strong), making it easy to choose something that suits your mood.
Address: Hotel NuVe Heritage, City Hall, 13 Purvis St, Singapore 188592
Contact: +65 8221 1250
Live Twice
Live Twice in Tanjong Pagar – a popular district south-west of the CBD – transports guests to Japan, emphasising craftsmanship and attention to detail, from exquisite Japanese glassware to vintage mid-century seating and lighting.
Address: 18-20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089834
Contact: +65 9011 8304
Side Door
Down the road is Side Door, a cosy neighbourhood hangout that happens to do serious aperitifs, including a cocktail pairing menu where drinks come with an accompanying snack that complements and modulates their taste.
Address: 3 Neil Rd, #01-01, Singapore 088805
Contact: +65 8835 8389
Idle Hands
In Chinatown, Idle Hands is cocktail king Jay Gray’s latest passion project that he built with his own two (not idle) hands. Hidden up a steep staircase, the 15-seat bar is dark and mysterious, and the ideal spot to down a Marcellus Wallace, or three.
Address: 3 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069785
Contact: +65 8042 9659
Le Bon Funk
Le Bon Funk’s original Club Street location is hard to beat – go for a drink and stay for an outstanding meal, it’s unpretentious and lively with a comprehensive wine list to boot.
Address: Chinatown Point, 29 Club St, Singapore 069414
Contact: +65 6224 1490
Manhattan
Inspired by old-world New York glamour, Manhattan inside the Conrad hotel oozes romance and pomp – an essential stop for anyone who’s a fan of the namesake cocktail.
Address: Conrad Singapore Orchard, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Level 2, Singapore 249715
Contact: +65 6725 3377
Visit
Red Dot Design Museum
If you happen to find yourself wandering the Marina Bay area between meals (highly likely) and you want to get some creative juices flowing, then be sure to drop into the Red Dot Design Museum – a physical embodiment of the international Red Dot Design Award, one of the largest design awards in the world.
There are over 500 thought-provoking pieces on show, from tech and furniture, to everyday items that have been created differently. Admission is a palatable $12, which comes with a $5 credit for the awesome shop on the ground floor
Address: 11 Marina Blvd, Red Dot Design, Singapore 018940
Contact: +65 6514 0111
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