Singapore Restaurants, Food and Dining Guide

Singaporeans are passionate about food and eating. Look around and the proof is everywhere! Almost in every corner of the island, you will find an endless variety of food, served hot or cold, at any hour of the day (or night)! In this cosmopolitan and multicultural city, you can expect nothing less than a mélange of flavours from around the globe. It’s not just East-meets-West when it comes to feasting in Singapore – it is a tasty tale about a country’s unique cultural tapestry woven in with its distinct influences to capture the essence of Singapore’s multicultural heritage.

Exploring the streets of Singapore will reveal a vast variety of easily accessible restaurants serving great food. The choices of cuisine are diverse offering wide range of local favourites and international delights.

Where to Eat!

Boat Quay

Boat Quay is a historical quay in Singapore which is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River on its southern bank.

It was the busiest part of the old Port of Singapore, handling three quarters of all shipping business during the 1860s. Because the south bank of the river here resembles the belly of a carp, which according to Chinese belief is where wealth and prosperity lay, many shop houses were built, crowded into the area.

Though serving aquatic trade is no longer Boat Quay's primary role, the shop houses on it have been carefully conserved and now house various bars, pubs and restaurants. Therefore Boat Quay's social-economic role in the city has shifted away from that of trade and maritime commerce, and now leans towards more of a role accommodated for tourism and aesthetics for the commercial zone of which encloses the Singapore River. It is the soft front to the cosmopolitan banking and financial sectors lying immediately behind it.

Clarke Quay

Lying near the mouth of the Singapore River, the site of Clarke Quay was the centre of commerce during the late 19th century. Today, Clarke Quay is still buzzing with life and activity. The waterfront godowns now play host to a colourful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops. The bustling market atmosphere of bygone days comes alive amidst the rows of charming shop houses, pushcarts, and five-foot-way merchants.

Today, Clarke Quay is a delightful mix of modern and traditional. A reminder of its rich heritage is reflected in the vibrantly orchestrated concept. Their vision - an innovative approach which boldly reflects the heritage and charm of Clarke Quay.

Chijmes

After almost five and a half years of painstaking conservation and construction work, what was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus(CHIJ) and the seat of education for generations of Singapore girls, has been converted into a plaza of theme retail and F&B outlets interspersed with ample outdoor spaces and courtyards, cloistered walls and long, covered walkways. This haven in the city hub of Singapore, known as Chijmes (pronounced "chimes"), is unmatched for its location and unique ambience.

Given the varied range of F&B dining experiences set amidst unique landscaped surroundings; it's the perfect venue for cosy indoor dining or alfresco dining under the stars. Chijmes, with its charming settings and historical appeal, is definitely a must visit for the local and expatriates community.

Chijmes is located at 30 Victoria street.

Holland Village

Holland Village is a small commercial enclave near the Buona Vista MRT Station close to the Queenstown area in Singapore. A popular venue for younger Singaporeans and expatriates, it is dominated by and often visited solely for its eateries, along with some specialist shops selling non-traditional wares. The place is sometimes referred as "Holland V". Holland Village will get its own MRT station in 2010 with the same name.

Many food chains in Singapore, such as Crystal Jade, BreadTalk, The Coffee Bean, Burger King, Subway, Indochine and Häagen-Dazs, are located in Holland Village. A 24-hour coffee shop, a market and a food court are also present with food stalls selling Chinese and Western dishes. Other eating places include Swensen's, Thai Express and several dessert, Western cuisine and Japanese cuisine outlets. The gentrification of the Holland V area is characterised by the more up-market dining options such as the numerous ethnic restaurants as well as franchises such as Marmalade Pantry and Tapas Bar. Other prominent bars include Tango's, Baden and Harry's Bar. However, Wala Wala remains the grand dame of the bars along the Lorong Mambong stretch. This decade-old two-storey stalwart packs a crowd that ranges from varsity students to yuppies with its laid back atmosphere and nightly live music.

Hawker Centres

Hawker centre or food centre is the name given to open-air complexes in Singapore housing many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food. They are typically found near public housing estates or transport hubs (such as bus interchanges or train stations).

The following are a few of the recommended hawker centres in Singapore:

1. Newton Circus Food Centre
   The Newton Circus Food Centre is a popular hawker centre located in Newton, Singapore. The food centre was promoted by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as a tourist attraction for sampling Singaporean cuisine. It was first opened in 1971 and it closed down in 2005 as the government wanted to revamp the food centre. The food centre then went through a major renovation before reopening on 1 July 2006.
2. Lau Pa Sat ("old market")
   Built in 1894, Lau Pa Sat is the largest remaining Victorian filigree cast-iron structure in Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Singapore's business district, the former wet market has been restored and is now a favourite food centre of the locals, offering a wide and affordable variety of local food.
3. East Coast Lagoon Food Village
   Located in The East Coast Park is a beach park located on the southeastern coast of Singapore. It was opened in the 1970s, when the government completed reclaiming land off the coast at Katong which extends from Changi to Tanjong Rhu.
4. East Coast Lagoon Food Centre
   The East Coast Lagoon Food Centre opened in 1977, and is a popular hawker centre among locals and tourists. In late 2003, the hawker centre was upgraded to give it a newer and fresher look, having new features. The braised duck rice, satay and the Hwa Kee wanton noodles are firm favourites.
5. East Coast Seafood Centre
   The East Coast Seafood Centre was opened at the same time as the East Coast Park, with eight restaurants serving seafood. Its initial name was known as UDMC Seafood Centre, which was later changed in 2000 to its current name. Local favourites such as chili crab, black pepper crab and mee goreng can be found there. In 2005, the Seafood Centre was upgraded to give it a modernised look, and better facilities. Many of the features were revamped, and a number of old tenants vacated for new tenants to take their place.

The Seafood Centre has become a popular dining spot for tourists and locals alike, with many of the establishments being fully booked on most evenings. Given that most of the dining tables are placed outdoors, diners get the pleasure of eating while enjoying the sea breeze and sights of the numerous ships anchored in the Singapore Strait.