Singapore
The thing about Singapore is that you need to scratch beyond the surface to understand and appreciate its cultural richness. From the outdoor hawker centers scattered around the city that serve up regional cuisines, to an emerging arts scene with new galleries and art shows, to tucked away shops along Haji Lane, to expansive parks, and a movie theatre hidden in a parking garage, Singapore has no shortage of greenery or grit.
Know Before You Go
Take a Hike
If you are constantly on the lookout for outdoor experiences, try exploring the various nature trails in Singapore, which range from beginner to intermediate levels. From the deep mangroves of Sungei Buloh to the gorgeous view atop Mount Faber, spending a day on any of Singapore’s nature trails will expose you to its rich wildlife and provide a unique urban escape in one of Asia’s greenest cities.
Coffee Culture
Ordering a coffee in Singapore is an art form – the traditional local brew consists of black brewed coffee, condensed milk and evaporated milk. Over the years, locals have been customizing their own morning cuppas, introducing new names like “Kopi-O” (black coffee), “Kopi-C” (black coffee with evaporated milk), “Kopi Gao” (thicker coffee) and “Kopi Siew-dai” (a less sweet variant of the regular coffee). While the list of names goes on, take comfort in the fact that a cup of aromatic and robust coffee is only a coffee shop away.
Closing Time
If you’ve ever romanticized about enjoying the enchanting views of Singapore’s skyline at night with a beer in hand, do it in a licensed bar or risk getting a fine! Since the infamous riot that took place on Race Course Road in 2013, local authorities have banned the purchase and consumption of alcohol in public between 10:30 pm and 7 am. This isn’t entirely bad news – you can still enjoy a tipple or two while overlooking Singapore’s skyline at the many rooftop bars like Ce La Vi or 1-Altitude.
Keep the Change
Unlike many western countries, it is not compulsory for diners to tip service staff in Singapore. This is because most restaurants or cafes will impose a 10% service charge on top of your final bill. Does that count as an indirect tip? Maybe, but individual staff usually do not receive a cut from it. That said, the act of tipping itself isn’t illegal, and you can still make someone’s day with a tip should you feel like it!
Reserve Your Spot
Should you decide to have a meal at one of the many hawker centers – essentially a food court – look out for tables with packets of tissues scattered on them. In a local context, this indicates that the table has been “choped”, or reserved. Probably one of Singapore’s quirkiest habits, many locals are still doing it (though they may get creative and use umbrellas instead), so keep this in mind while you hunt for a spot.
Trust the Train
Due to the small size of the city, getting from one point to another in Singapore is not time consuming. Major landmarks are also well connected through a comprehensive train network, which gets you from suburban parts of Singapore to the heart of the city under 30 minutes. Read up on how to navigate transport in Singapore.
Can’t-Miss Neighborhoods
Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru has the distinction of being one of the hippest neighborhoods of Singapore, something that becomes evident as soon as you start exploring. It’s also one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, which gives it a unique blend of historic and modern. Spend some time here seeing what surprises await down Tiong Bahru’s quiet streets since you never know what you might come across, be it a chic café, art gallery or cute independent boutique. In the heart of the neighborhood you’ll also find Tiong Bahru Market, a massive wet market and food centre, which makes for a great place to fill up on local foods like chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes topped with preserved radish).
Keong Saik
Keong Saik can be found on the edge of Chinatown. In this neighbourhood, you’ll find mostly banking and media professionals who have tired of the hedonistic nature of Club Street. Mostly bars and restaurants, we love Potato Head Folk where you can start with a meal and then sit upstairs and enjoy a cocktail in their alfresco tiki-style bar. For a filling meal that won’t break the bank, check out the Mexican fare at Muchachos and finally, if you’re trying to impress your date take them to The Library, a proper speakeasy, the bar is password protected and hidden behind a bookcase in The Study.
Little India
Of all the ethnic enclaves in Singapore, Little India is the city at its most liveliest and colourful. With narrow little lanes and a bustling community, things can get a little messy here – quite unlike the rest of orderly Singapore. Keep your cameras ready for unexpected sights, and come with an empty stomach to eat all the good food around here. Here’s our guide to the top 10 things you should do in Little India.
When to Go
Although Singapore is a year-round destination, the best time to visit Singapore is from December to June. The months of February to April fall within Singapore's dry season and is typically when the country has the least amount of rain, the lowest humidity, and the most sunshine.
Featured Local:
Tanja Crnogorac
At the age of 24 I moved to Shanghai on a one year consulting contract. Though that was a super exciting opportunity, I was feeling pretty unfilled in my professional life largely because I didn’t feel passionate about what I was doing. When I moved over to Shanghai I was surrounded by bizarrely ambitious, creative and talented people that nudged me to seek out a career that would let me be equally creative, as it would strategic and analytical. It went a little something like this: from a government job, to a consulting stunt, to fashion runways, and then finally into advertising and branding where I find myself today. I work as a creative strategist which means I’m a bridge between clients and creatives. I work closely with clients from all sectors; fashion, beauty, online retail, to F&B, helping them get their finger on the pulse of culture, understand who their consumers are, what makes them tick, and how to position themselves to resonate with these people. I then work closely with a group of creatives to generate ideas on how to get our client to where they need to be.
Tanja’s Must-Dos
BooksActually
Located on Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru, BooksActually is a well-curated, independent book shop in my favorite nook of Singapore. Explore books from local authors and international best sellers, or grab a magazine and enjoy it over a coffee across the street at 40 Hands or at Plain Vanilla bakery just down the road. Tiong Bahru is known for local food, so make your way to the market afterwards and head to the second floor to enjoy some Michelin star chicken rice and popiah.
Burnt Ends
Located on Teck Lim Road, in the heart of Chinatown, Burnt Ends is a must while visiting Singapore. Get their early and put your name on the list for a seat at the kitchen counter. Watch your dishes cooked to perfection in a lively atmosphere and enjoy some great cocktails. Among my favorites are the eggplant and miso, beef marmalade and house pickles, and the burnt ends Sanger.
More of Singapore
Zion Hawker Center
Located along the river along Zion Road, this hawker is hands-down my favorite in the city. Serving the best prawn noodle, prawn crackers, carrot cake, and xiaolongbao, there’s no shortage of options to cure any craving. Grab a seat along the river, order 2 big bottles of Tiger beer and enjoy the local grub over a game of cards or chat with some locals and get some local knowhow! If you fancy a walk, head east down the river and in roughly 500m you will hit Publico, a good spot for an outdoor drink in a lit up and lively outdoor patio.
The Projector
Located on Beach Road this place falls into the category of ‘movie theatre’ but it’s so much more. Showing indie and foreign films, as well as some iconic throwbacks, The Projector is equally retro as it is hip, and in the most authentic way. They are known to throw some pretty good parties on weekends with snacks, beer and live music, drawing in quite the crowd.
PUNCH
Located on North Canal road, PUNCH is one of my favorite places to ride to on the weekend. Serving up things like grilled cheese, earl grey pancakes and avocado toast, PUNCH delivers the perfect early morning breakfast paired with excellent coffee. The space in the back is probably my favorite thing about it; an excellent spot to enjoy a book while being surrounded by tropical plants and a slight breeze that squeaks in through the back door.
