Things to do in Singapore

Things to do in Singapore

Food

• Din Tai Fung: if you like Dim Sum you must go to one of the locations of this restaurant whose original location was Michelin starred. Absolutely fantastic soup dumplings.

• Tendon Itsuki: the best tempura I’ve ever had. You have two options on the menu: chicken tempura meal or veggie tempura meal. Very small place (probably not good for kids), expect a line outside when they open. They move pretty fast, taking your order while in line outside! You sit at a bar and watch them cook while you eat. http://www.tendon-itsuki.sg/

• Food courts! There are large open air food courts throughout Singapore. They are regulated with cleanliness ratings and are some of the best food in Singapore. A couple I went to:

  • Telok Ayer Market very popular, in the center of business district. Feels like more of a planned center, but lots of food options. A bunch of great Satay barbeque joints on the street in the evening.

  • Maxwell Hawker Center feels older and more “authentic” has excellent food options. Anthony Bordain loved the chicken and rice at one of the places here.

  • Chinatown Food Street I did not get to eat here but walked around late at night and it was really interesting. I’d definitely recommend walking around Chinatown if it sound interesting, as it is one of the older places around.

• Marutama Ramen - this was my favorite ramen in Singapore and Vancouver. Although I didn’t try too many other ramens in Sing. They use a creamy chicken broth that is fantastic. There are also a couple Ippudo Ramen places which are always excellent.

• Common Man Coffee - my favorite coffee shop in SIngapore! Also great food.

• Forty Hands Coffee - my second favorite coffee shop in a delightful neighborhood called Tiong Bahru, know for its art deco architecture.

• Lady M Crepe Cakes - this is decadent, but I had in Boston and continue to think about it regularly :) I just noticed there are four locations in Singapore! Its a stack of crepes with whipped cream in between each one and a creme brulee crunchy topping.

Activities

• Singapore Botanical Garden - really enjoyed this place, a little older and dated than most of singapore attractions though, which was fine with me. Absolutely incredible orchid collection/garden.

• Singapore Zoo & Night Safari - night safari was super cool. Didn’t go during day.

• Marina Sands Hotel - Incredible views and cool hotel. Have to pay to go to top though if not staying there and you can’t go to the infinity pool without staying either. If nothing else, definitely walk around the bay. There is a super high end mall below it too, if that is of any interest. Think Guuci, Rolex, Leica Cameras, etc.

• Merlion: the symbol of Singapore. Kids will like this. It’s part of walk around the bay.

• National Gallery - really cool art gallery in a modern renovation of old(maybe?) stone building. Part of it has a water on glass roof!

• Walk the Riverfront - from the National Gallery, the riverwalk through Singapore is really nice. With lots of shopping and dining areas along the way.

• Gardens by the bay this place is amazing. My favorite is the Cloud Forest indoor waterfall part. (I didn’t care much for the Flower Dome) The giant tree things look cool at night but I didn’t go at night.

• Jurong Bird Park - touristy but really amazing birds.

• Orchard Road - I wouldn’t normally recommend a shopping area. But you’ve never seen shopping like in Singapore. It’s like every major US mall lined up on the same street. Pretty bonkers. If this sounds interesting, check it out!

• Sentosa Island is probably fun for kids. I hear the aquarium is great. I did not go out there though.