Still one of my favourite cities in the world. It's changed a lot since we lived here 12 years ago but it's a marvelous place to live and work. And visit for a few days or more. It's always had a proud foodie tradition. We used to say all Singaporeans have just two hobbies - shopping and eating, but in the last few years it has claimed a spot as one of the world's great gastronomic capitals.
It's best to explore neighborhood by neighborhood; some are better by day and some by night. Singapore is not an early morning place ,so unless you want to get some exercise like walking or jogging in before it gets too hot, I would stay out late and sleep in.
We spent a week at Claire and Grahame's and tried to fit in all our favourite things. We went to the Rugby Sevens over the weekend.
The following bullet point guide to Singapore barely covers
the basics but will help you plan your stay...all the places mentioned are our more recent tried and tested favourites...
CHINA TOWN
Temples, cheap souviners and traditional Chinese shops.
ClubSt, An Siang Hill, Duxton Hill, Keong Saik, Neil Rd
Nightlife and bars aplenty in Club St area. Packed on weekends. Fine dining all over the place.
Alba - Italian
Burnt Ends - Meat
Chicken Rice with a Michelin Star at Maxwell Rd Hawker Centre
Chicken Rice with a Michelin Star at Maxwell Rd Hawker Centre
ORCHARD ROAD : the Malls and Hotels
Window shopping in all the malls, with good restaurants, food courts and coffee shops.
High End Chinese restaurants and Takashimiya in Ngee Ann City.
Din Tai Fung in Paragon.
Salt Grill and Sky Bar in Ion.
Check out the Japanese supermarket in the basement of Isetan in Shaw Centre.
Buffets and Sunday Brunches in the top hotels.
Basilica in the Regent.
LITTLE INDIA
Tekka Wet Market.
Street Shopping Indian Style.
Hindu Temples.
Mustafas 24hr department store.
Explore Serrangoon Rd and all the side streets. Head to Race Course Rd for the best Indian restaurants.
Pulled tea and Murtabak for breakfast.
ARAB ST
By day, check out the Mosque and wander around the neighbourhood, looking for interesting shops and cafes. At night, especially on weekends the restaurants spill out onto the streets serving great Middle Eastern or Malay food.
Kampong Glam
Alaturka
THE QUAYS : Better at night.
Robertson Quay
Wine Connection
Whisky Bar
Good Japanese and Korean
Boat Quay
Party with the bankers from the financial district
Our Village for Indian with a view.
Clarke Quay
Clubs
Live Music esp. at The Crazy Elephant
DEMPSEY ROAD
Old army barracks now a beautiful green space with restaurants galore.
Red Dot Brewery
Jim Thompson
SENTOSA ISLAND
Man-made island with beach side dining and Universal Studios.
HOLLAND VILLAGE - Expat enclave
EAST COAST
Joo Chait and Geylang areas
Watersports
National StadiumJoo Chait and Geylang areas
No Sign Board for seafood
COLONIAL SINGAPORE and the Museums
Esplanade Theatres
Raffles Hotel currently undergoing renovations
Grand Prix
GREEN SPACES: parks and islands
Haw Par Villa
Botanical Gardens
Mc Ritchie Reservoir
Pulau Ubin and the other Singapore islands