Singapore is a city-state located on an island at the southern tip of mainland Malaysia. Stretching less than 750km², it manages to pack an incredible amount in. Home to more than six million people, it has the third highest population density in the world.
With four official languages (English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil), you can expect the food to reflect that and more. Immigrants move to Singapore from all corners of the globe, bringing their traditional foods with them. You can dine out at all price points, from the world-famous Hawker Centres serving up cafeteria-style food to world-class Michelin-star restaurants, Singapore seems to have it all.
We spent a week in Singapore in mid-February as our choice for this year's annual "three-day bender", the name we have given to the three days of 13, 14 and 15 February. The 13 is my birthday, of course the 14 is Valentine's and the 15 is my partner's birthday, so we basically just celebrate for three days in a row and then move on for the year; it's fun!
→ Check out my blog post about turning 30!
Naturally, with just a week in the city, there was no way we could try it all. You couldn't even with an entire lifetime to spend. But we like to think we sampled a great variety of what Singapore has to offer. So, without further ado, here are my recommendations for (at least your first visit to) Singapore's food scene.
COMING SOON → My complete guide on how to spend a week in Singapore!
NOTE: Many dine-in restaurants in Singapore require reservations in advance; no matter what day of the week or time, you're better off making one than not.
Every single spot (and more) that I mention in all my blog posts about Singapore can be found in my Singapore | Ultimate Map!
This is a digital map which opens straight in your Google Maps featuring more than 40 of my favourite restaurants, shops, photo spots, museums and more in Singapore.
Each pin includes exact locations, images, detailed information and a link to my relevant blog post to read more.
COMING SOON → Buy the Singapore | Ultimate Map!
ahimsa sanctuary
A yummy all-vegan spot in Chinatown open all day with a mouthwatering selection of dishes. We went for brunch and had their tofu scramble breakfast burrito and açaí bowls.
They also offer yoga classes!
Location: 76 Neil Road
Common Man Coffee Roasters
This was our favourite brunch during our week in Singapore. On Joo Chiat Road in a vibrant, fun neighbourhood, this excellent spot is both a coffee roastery (so the coffee is really good) and also a fantastic brunch place with seriously yummy food. The vibe is also so fun with both indoor and outdoor seating and industrial decor. Highly recommend!
Location: 185 Joo Chiat Road
The Coffee Code
This beautiful café in Chinatown had such a pleasing interior decor we couldn't help but step in. The coffee was fantastic and, if you're after a sweet treat, they also serve up fresh waffles!
Location: 37 Neil Road
Raffles
Raffles is the most expensive hotel in Singapore, designed in old colonial style with teak and marble throughout. It opened its doors in 1887 by four Armenian brothers and has since grown to become an icon of Singapore. We did not stay as guests but did take part in a high tea in their lobby one afternoon. The food and tea was outstanding and we stuffed ourselves!
You must pre-book this experience.
Location: 1 Beach Road
Starbucks
You might be wondering why I'm including a Starbucks in my Singapore recommendations but seriously, this one in Chinatown is just so cute, you must see it. Painted in beautiful pastel colours, it's in the heart of the Chinatown Street Market and always packed.
Location: 37 Smith Street
Boms & Buns
This fun little shop serves up bite-sized pastries called "boms" which are basically puff pastries with sweet fillings. We went for a Rocher one and it was delectable.
Location: 193 Joo Chiat Road
cococean
An airy, artsy spot serving a menu entirely based on coconut sweet treats - smoothies, yogurts and bowls. The perfect pick-me-up.
Location: 73 Duxton Road
Ballaji Bhawan
This place was recommended to us by an old friend of mine and we had lunch there together after not seeing each other in over a decade! Tucked right into the heart of Little India, you might walk past it on first glance but seriously, this food is so good. And it's vegetarian!
Location: 103 Syed Alwi Road
Cafe Wabi Sabi
This delightful little café in Joo Chiat served up lots of yummy Japanese dishes. We only stopped in for a refreshing drink and a cup of warm miso soup to escape the rain but the menu looked absolutely mouthwatering.
Location: 283 Joo Chiat Road
Greendot Plus
One of my favourite meals in Singapore and it just so happens to be in the Jewel mall at Changi Airport! A fully vegetarian place. I highly recommend the laksa and the chili tofu, yum!
Location: 78 Airport Boulevard
Lau Pa Sat
This was by far our favourite hawker centre in Singapore. Hawker centres were established across the city in 1977 as part of a decade-long cleanup effort which saw the various hawker stalls around the city be moved into dedicated hawker centres.
Nowadays, they are a key cornerstone of Singaporean food culture and can be found all over the place. Lau Pa Sat is one of the most popular and has tons of cuisines from all across Asia and especially loads of vegetarian options. We loved it so much we came three times!
Location: 18 Raffles Quay
LeVeL33
This was one of our favourite meals in Singapore and where we celebrated my partner's birthday. It's the world's highest microbrewery and it comes with the absolute best view of the Singapore skyline. Skip going up the Marina Bay Sands - from LeVeL33 you can actually see it all.
The food is outstanding. Make sure you book a 5-8pm slot out on the terrace for the best view. If you time it right, you'll get golden hour, the 7:45pm free light show at Gardens By The Bay and the 8pm water show at the Marina Bay Sands Shoppes! You must book in advance and there is a minimum spend depending where you sit.
Location: 8 Marina Boulevard
Maxwell Food Centre
This is such an authentic hawker centre situated right in Chinatown and with tons of yummy stalls serving up seriously good dishes from across Asia. We also really loved the smoothies here, there is a stall right at one exit overlooking the temple.
Location: 1 Kadayanallur Street
Yi Xin
I initially struggled to find vegetarian food, especially at the more local hawker centres, so finding this all-vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Chinatown was so cool!
Location: 43 Temple Street
Madame Claude
We loved this moody social club quasi cocktail bar tucked above a restaurant in Chinatown where we celebrated my 30th birthday with a few mocktails. Great service and fabulous drinks!
Location: 8 Ann Siang Hill
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
