Guide
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Singapore: highlights of food and culture
Where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Singapore, from someone who lived there for over two decades.
Singapore ·
Where
Singapore
We lived in Singapore for over two decades and watched it grow from a regional hub into a global city. Ultramodern architecture sits beside older neighborhoods like Kampong Glam and Tiong Bahru. Greenery is policy, from Gardens by the Bay to the parks in every district. And the food runs from hawker stalls to Michelin rooms, often on the same street.
Where to stay
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Marina Bay, in the middle of the entertainment district, with the full run of amenities. Fora perks: $100 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in and checkout whenever possible.
Shangri-La Singapore. Fifteen acres of gardens in the city, rooms across three towers, and plenty for families. Fora perks: $50 hotel credit, VIP welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in and checkout whenever possible.
Grand Hyatt Singapore. Orchard Road, with strong restaurants and a serious spa. Fora perks: welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in and checkout whenever possible.
Things to do
Take the cable car to Sentosa for the beaches, Universal Studios and the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. For the older city, walk Chinatown and Little India, where the streets and temples, Sri Mariamman among them, show how many cultures share the island.
In the evening, the Night Safari at Singapore Zoo, or a sunset river cruise from Clarke Quay with the skyline lit. End at East Coast Park with a beachfront bike ride and seafood outdoors.
Day trips
Johor Bahru, Malaysia. A short drive across the Causeway for markets, temples and Legoland. The Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque is the building to see.
Batam, Indonesia. One hour by ferry for beaches, golf and resorts.
Places to eat and drink
Singapore serves Indian, Malay, Japanese, Chinese and its own food across the island. The hawker centers, open-air markets once and indoor food courts now, are where to start.
Breakfast. Swee Choon Dim Sum, order anything. Ya Kun Kaya Toast, the kaya toast with a soft-boiled egg.
Lunch and dinner. Tian Tian Chicken Rice for Hainanese chicken rice. Makansutra Gluttons Bay for satay. Jumbo Seafood at East Coast Park for chili crab with fried mantou. 328 Katong Laksa for laksa with otah on the side.
