Love food? You'll love Singapore!
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures with people from all corners of the world. But as you explore the streets, there is one this that unifies everyone - they love their food and their food is everywhere.
Hawker centres are a unique feature of very few Asian cities, but in Singapore they have completely eliminated street food stalls and can be found everywhere. Small stalls of street food style merchants gather into complexes with shared tables in the middle, it’s a more practical street food than I’ve experienced in other parts of Asia. They even come with hygiene ratings from A to C to help guide you, be warned to stick to As and Bs, Cs are for the brave only.
The hawker stalls in Singapore are so good that in 2016 two were awarded Michelin stars. While the A rating’s were good, the Michelin star has to be tried so I headed to Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle to find out just how good these noodles are. If possible time your visit for just before the lunchtime rush. It was ‘quiet’ when I visited, but I still had a 40 minute wait for my food and when I came out the queue was more around 2 hours. These noodles were well worth the wait, one star is not enough if you ask me!
As an expat city, brunch has become a big thing and there are now numerous places to choose from. I visited P.S. Cafe in Dempsey Hill which has that garden city feel that Singapore is famous for. A winding path leads to a green oasis where you could be mistaken for feeling as though you’ve left the city behind. A great menu making decisions difficult, they have a gin cupboard with a range that just calls to be tried and tested from start to finish, and the most delicious granola with a coconut yoghurt parfait. Perfect set up for a day of exploring.
Back in town, Wild Honey is a great brunch option to kick off a busy Orchard Road shopping day. Set in a Scotts Centre this all day breakfast restaurant maintains a cosy and intimate ambience despite it being in a shopping centre and is another option that feels to have taken some Western influence.
Club Street and Ann Siang Road have a great range of dinner options and as many bars to wash it all down at. My absolute favourite restaurant in Singapore & the world is Lolla, a fuss-free, unpretentious, classy restaurant. Walking in, you are greeted by a laid-back, bustling wonderland with guests seated at the bar counting peering into the open kitchen. Make sure to request one of the upstairs seats where you will have more interaction with your chefs as they whip up your dinner. The menu is a combination between flavourful European and clean Japanese, served in small tapas style dishes which are perfect to share and its a difficult choice from the extensive menu with the smells making you want one of everything. Take the Duck Rillette while you decide and make sure to finish your meal off with the Steamed Dark Chocolate Pudding, pure perfection!
Eating high up in the sky isn’t something you can do everywhere. With breathtaking views in a spectacular setting, perched perfectly overlooking the Bay of Singapore, you can’t visit Singapore without dining at Cé La Ve. Set on top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands, it’s the perfect setting to take in the sunset over the city and the light daily light show that lights up the Bay. The menu is modern Asian in style and expects guests to order a few items from each section. Make sure you book ahead as the experience of being here is one not to be missed.
It feels as though every great new cocktail bar is opening up in Singapore. If you’re looking to squeeze in as many as you can, they often have delicious bites to accompany your drinks so you can have your dinner while you crawl. The food options are as exciting and delicious as the drinks so join them both and make the most of your night time in Singapore.
