Singapore booklet

Singapore Little Black Book

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Paprika Media Pvt Ltd Essar House, 11 KK Marg, PO Box 7964, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400 034 General Enquiries and Listings (91 22) 6660-1111

Editorial Consulting Editor: Radhika Raje

Art Deputy National Art Director: Pramod Jadhav Designing: Sachin Bhandalkar, Brijesh Gajjar Digital Imaging: Pravin Pereira

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Head Office Editor in Chief: Jaideep VG (jaideep@paprikamedia.com) Publisher & COO: Rajnish Rawat (rajnish@paprikamedia.com) Founder: Smiti Kanodia (smiti@paprikamedia.com) Printed and published by Rajnish Rawat on behalf of Paprika Media Pvt Ltd at Essar House, 11 KK Marg, PO Box No.7964, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400 034.

Printed at Print House (India) Pvt. Ltd. Plot No. 6, Datta Mandir Road, Bhandup (W), Mumbai – 400078.

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors and omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers in particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.

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Size doesn’t matter: this tiny city-state has big ambitions

VINCENT CHONG

Shopping Sh pp ng ppi

Art rt r t & Culture Cul ul ltur ture

Around Aro A o nd d Town To T ow wn n

Know Singapore

Hotels

Bars & Nightlife

Food

S Spas

View from Marina Bay Sands

No, Singapore is not in China; yes the commercial import of chewing gum is banned (although the chewing of it isn’t); and yes – it is very, very clean.

Singapore’s synonyms are one way of getting a grip on modern culture here: Lion City, Garden City, New Asia and the Little Red Dot – there have been so many that they start to strike one another out. Singapore, is after all, an inadvertent nation that has made itself up as it moved ahead.

It proudly proclaims itself Asian and routinely tops world globalization indexes with pride. It’s home to some of the world’s swankiest hotels, 4 restaurants recognized on the World’s 50 best restaurants and the only Formula One street night race. And then there’s the mega-malls – yes, they’re all that they claim to be and more.

Locals are intelligent, well-dressed, and not so modest. They’re predomi-

nantly Chinese, but there are significant numbers of Malays and Indians plus a foreign element: about 18% are non-residents, and another 7% permanent residents. With this cultural mix, it’s only natural that the food choices are plentiful. As the different races intermingled, they exchanged recipes, cherry-picked techniques and ingredients and adapted their cuisines.

Singapore is highly urbanized but its nickname ‘The Garden City’ is one to be proud of. Outside the city centre are nature reserves and pockets of rainforest, and even some farmland.

Apart from the Singapore clichés about chewing gum and cleanliness: there’s more to this little red dot than such simplifications. The only way to find out is to explore by travelling beyond the Changi Airport. Because if the airport is this good, can you imagine what’s on the other side?

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A brief guide to Singapore’s own pidgin English...

A male bogan.

“Ah lian”

Female form of Ah beng.

Chinese equivalent of ‘Oh no!’ or ‘Oh dear!’

“Ang moh”

Literally means ‘red hair’. A commonly used term for Caucasians.

“Sotong”

Forgetful, or not knowing what’s going on.

“Spoil market”

Someone who does his work so well that he makes everyone else look bad.

“Ta pau”

Take away.

Food F d

“Aunty / Uncle”

Tagged at the end of a sentence as an exclamation except in questions.

S Spas

“Aiyah / Aiyoh”

“Lah / Leh”

Shopping Sh i

“Ah beng”

Art & Culture

It’s not surprising that Singapore is the modern-day Babel, with four ‘official’ languages – English, Chinese, Tamil, and Malay - and a host of unofficial languages but Singapore’s unique gift to the English speaking world is Singlish.

This language makes you add ‘lah’ to the end of sentences or exclamations for emphasis, such as telling an impatient person to ‘Wait, lah!’. Query a taxi driver about driving to the airport and he might simply reply ‘can’ or ‘cannot’.

Other examples include ‘want’ and ‘don’t want’ which might sound like ‘wan’ and ‘donwan’, as the ‘t’ will be silent. Spoilt means broken, as in ‘this camera is spoilt’, and ‘to keep’ means to ‘put away’ thus ‘keep the clothes’ would mean ‘put the clothes away’. Here is a brief dictionary...

Around Town

Speak Singlish

Bars rs & Nightlife Nig i htl h lif ife if

Pronounced ‘Anteee’ or ‘Uncaaal’, these are used as a generic address for the middle aged or the elderly.

“Kopitiam”

Literally means ‘coffee shop’.

“Kiasu”

Hotels H tels Hot Hotel s

Literally means to be afraid of losing out on something. It defines characteristic of Singaporeans who will rush for early-bird event tickets or openingnight tables at new restaurants.

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Plan your trip around…

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown

Spas Spa s

January-February

Chinese New Year Festivities Biggest festival of the year. Activities take place such as streetlighting ceremonies, the spectacular Chingay parade, lion dance competition and magnificent fireworks.

Art Stage Singapore A global marketplace for the world’s most influential art lovers. It’s the only international art fair with a special focus on Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific.

Bars Bar a s & Nightlife Nightl N Nig ghtl tl li

Late March-Early April

Hotels Hotel Hot els s

JORDAN TAN /SHUTTERSTOCK

SHUTTERSTOCK

Asia Fashion Exchange

Food Foo d

Shopping Shoppi Sho Shoppin ppi pin ng

Art rt t & Culture C lt

Around Town

Singapore Events Calendar

World Gourmet Summit Cook and dine with the culinary masters at this summit spread across the city’s top restaurants and bars.

April

Savour A unique gourmet festival that makes fine dining places affordable for foodies. It also gives foodies an opportunity to meet foodie stars.

Mid May

Asia Fashion Exchange Be among the first to spot the hottest new local labels and ogle world-class collections by international designers at this celebration of fashion.

May-July

Great Singapore Sale Need we say more? Shopping, the national obsession (after eating and talking about eating) goes into overdrive. Experience eight weeks of sheer joy to indulge in delectable offers.

May and November

Affordable Art Fair This biannual festival aims to popularise contemporary art by showcasing for everyone’s benefit.

August-September

Mid-Autumn Festival This Chinese Festival honouring the fairy living on the moon is celebrated with colourful paper lanterns.

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Late September

Deepavali Little India’s Serangoon Road is artfully illuminated for this Hindu festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

November-December

Year End Celebrations Orchard Road and Singapore River are dressed in Yuletide finery from mid-November, marking the beginning of Christmas celebrations.

Shopping Shoppi Sh Sho ppi pin ng

Grand Prix Season Singapore Expect nights of glamour and highoctane entertainment which culminates with the high speed action at the Formula 1TM Singapore Grand Prix.

Early November

Art & Culture C ltu Cul tur ur r

Singapore Night Festival Treat your senses to an outdoor showcase of spectacular light installations that promises to be a visual feast for all to enjoy.

Around Town To own wn

Hari Raya Puasa Marks the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting... the streets of Geylang Serai come alive with roadside bazaars and traditional Malay food.

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown The hottest countdown in town.

October

Spas Spa pas s

Women’s Tennis Association Championships Singapore will host the world-class Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Championships, the crown-jewel of the WTA season, from 2014 to 2018.

Deepavali

Bars rs r s & Nightlife Nightlif Nightl Nig tlife ife if e Hotels Hotel Hotel els s

SPORTS HUB PTE LTD

Food Fo d Foo

Singapore Sports Hub, the venue of WTA Championships

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Around Town

Your Singapore Must-Do List

TIMOTHY HURSLEY

Spas Spa s

Shopping S Sho h pp ppi ing g

Art t & Culture

No trip to Singapore is complete without…

Marina Bay Sands rooftop pool

Hotels

Bars & Nightlife Nightl Nig Ni i htl htl li

Food Food

Get sky high See the whole of Singapore from the Sands SkyPark of Marina Bay Sands.

At 200 metres above ground, the Sands SkyPark took three months to lift up to the 57th storey where it now sits prettily atop three hotel towers and is home to the famous infinity rooftop pool. 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay (+65 6688 8868 www.marinabaysands.com).

Journeys Pte Ltd, as guides talk you through Singapore’s lesser-known history. From atmospheric night walks through the old red-light district of Chinatown to fascinating war trails, expert storytellers shine a light into the nooks and crannies of the city even locals don’t know about, bringing its fascinating history and culture to life (+65 6325 1631 www.journeys.com.sg).

Walk the talk

Feel the beat of Clarke Quay and Boat Quay

Put on your walking shoes and join Original Singapore Walks by

Down by the riverside of the Colonial District is where much of Singapore

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BYELIKOVA OKSANA /SHUTTERSTOCK

Food F d Bars rs & Nightlife Nig Nig i htl h lif i e ife Hotels H tel Hot tel ls

Budget bohemia thrives in Haji Lane, a sliver of an alley sandwiched between Arab Street and Bali Lane. Mini boutiques mix with Middle Eastern shisha cafes and design houses. Pick up some monochrome accessories at

The Salad Shop (25 Haji Lane, +65 6299 5805) and for kitsch appeal, don’t miss Modparade (68 Haji Lane, +65 6296 4166). For an even more exciting fashion experience you’ll need to leave ground level and make your way to the second floor of the shop houses. Soon Lee is one such must-visit shop offering an eclectic range of one-of-a-kind clothes, jewellery, hats and accessories (73 Haji Lane +65 6297 0198).

Spas S

Discover a unique treasure in Haji Lane

Haji Lane

Shopping Sh i

have their fun, with a number of the most popular bars, pubs and nightclubs perched on the edge of the river along Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Discover a little Latin flavour at Cuba Libre (01–13 Clarke Quay, +65 6338 8982) or rub shoulders with the beautiful people at Attica (3A Clarke Quay, +65 6333 9973). If your dance moves leave a little to be desired, you can always get your thrills beyond the bars. Try the G-MAX Reverse Bungee or GX5 Extreme Swing instead – no rhythm required (3E River Valley Road +65 6338 1146).

Art & Culture

LEUNGCHOPAN /SHUTTERSTOCK

Around Town

Clarke Quay and Boat Quay

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Around Aro A o nd d Town To T ow wn n

MARIDAV/ SHUTTERSTOCK

Art rt r t & Culture Cul ul ltur ture Shopping Sh pp ng ppi S Spas Food Bars & Nightlife Hotels

Join Singapore’s culture clubs

Fish Pedicure

Catch a performance by international touring companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company or local talents like the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the iconic landmark and world-class artistic venue, The Esplanade. 1 Esplanade Drive (+65 6828 8377 www.esplanade.com).

Go wild at the Night Safari

See how the locals live

With the use of special lighting, the award-winning safari park allows you to see what over 2,500 nocturnal animals do after dusk. The 40-minute tram ride lets you see the animals from the safety of your seat.

Night Safari’s newest attraction, the captivating Wallaby Trail includes an immersive Ranger Station learning experience. It highlights the few free ranging walk through habitats in Asia. 80 Mandai Lake Road (+65 6269 3411 www.nightsafari.com.sg).

Venture beyond the hub of the city to visit the heartlands and suburban neighbourhoods where locals reside, shop and socialise. Toa Payoh features a bustling local mall as well as the grand Buddhist temple, Lian Shan Shuang Lin monastery (www. shuanglin.sg). Katong and Joo Chiat are also worth a visit for their melting pot of cultures and sampling at local food stalls from Malay to Indian to Chinese to Peranakan.

Rejuvenate your feet with a fish pedicure Let the fish take care of your stinky feet for you. Shoals of Turkish fish wait to nibble away dead skin and leave your toes fresh and exfoliated.

This amazing treatment costs $35 for 20 minutes in the pool and 20 minutes foot reflexology. Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa 313 Orchard Road (+65 6887 0303 www.kenko.com.sg).

Use your spare change…

Start with a dirt-cheap yet delicious lunch from one of Singapore’s many hawker centres. Think delicious roast pork or fluffy pancakes at Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre (Lim Liak Street & Seng Poh Road) for around $3. If you are in a shopping mall, check out the food courts such as Vivocity’s Food Republic.

1 HarbourFront Walk (+65 6276 0521 www.foodrepublic.com.sg).

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Shopping Sh i

Splurge on a lavish dinner at Tetsuya’s Waku Ghin, which offers multi-faceted dining at its quirkiest. Take in the opu-

lent surroundings as you work your way through the incredible 10-course degustation menu, which starts at $325. 10 Bayfront Avenue, Casino Level 2, Marina Bay Sands (+65 6688 8507)

Art & Culture

…then blow the budget

IRAKITE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Around Town

Lian Shan Shuang Lin monastery

Spas S Bars rs & Nightlife Nig i htl h lif ife if Hotels H tels Hot Hotel s

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Food F d

Night Safari

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Around Town Art rt t & Culture C lt

Must-do... to know more about Chinatown’s notorious past

Spas Spa s

Shopping Shoppi Sho Shoppin ppi pin ng

Around Town & Sightseeing Make the most of Singapore’s best attractions

Secrets of the Red LanternTM River Safari & Giant Panda Forest

Prices start at $55 (adults only). For 18 years and above. Tour starts from Chinatown MRT Station, Exit A. Reservations required (+65 6325 1631 www.journeys.com.sg).

Singapore Bumboat Cruise Must-do... to enjoy the sights of the Singapore River Boats run daily (9.30am–10.30pm) (+65 6336 6111/ 19 www.rivercruise. com.sg).

Admission daily at $25 (adult) and $16 (child) (+65 6269 3411 www. riversafari.com.sg ).

Pulau Ubin Must-do... to turn back time Explore on bike Chek Jawa, a unique natural area worthy of exploring to see marine life. Taxi is an option. (+65 6542 4102 www.nparks.gov.sg).

Gardens by the Bay

Must-do... for breakfast with birds

Must-do... to see every variety imaginable of a garden

Breakfast Show daily from 8.30am.

2 Jurong Hill (+65 6265 0022 www.birdpark.com.sg).

Admission rates vary from $12 to $28 (+65 6420 6848 www. gardensbythebay.com.sg).

Giant Panda Forest

Gardens by the Bay

DERRICK SEE

Hotels Hotel Hot els s

Bars Bar a s & Nightlife Nightl N Nig ghtl tl li

Food Foo d

Jurong Bird Park

Must-do... to know more about the black eyed animal

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Around Town To own wn

Alternative Singapore Scratch the surface to discover another side of Singapore

Art & Culture C ltu Cul tur ur r Shopping Shoppi Sh Sho ppi pin ng

Marina Bay Cruise Centre

Hotels Hotel Hotel els s

If you think Singapore is all about the fast-paced bustle of the city, Think again. Explore the farms by day and enjoy the fruits of its labour on your dinner plate at the retreat’s restaurant. 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Kranji (+65 6862 9717 www.dkranji.com.sg). 100 Neo Tiew Road, Kranji (+65 6898 5001 www.bollywoodveggies.com).

Bars rs r s & Nightlife Nightlif Nightl Nig tlife ife if e

Escape to the country

Food Fo d Foo

Best way to enjoy the diversity of Southeast Asia is to take a cruise.

Within a few days of sailing, one can experience lush tropical rainforests, vibrant open-air markets, chic boutiques, mystifying ancient cities, cosmopolitan metropolises and sunny white sand beaches. Cruise holiday is the perfect vacation to meet different needs and wants for the families. As you enjoy fun activities and entertainment from broadway musicals to concerts by regional artists on board Superstar Virgo, meet up with characters from Madagascar, Shrek, etc on board Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas.

Also enjoy an endless supply of glorious food and catch the latest movies

together. While your kids enjoy the wide range of fun activities and entertainment programmes onboard, you could indulge in pampering spa treatments/private couple’s spa at Diamond Princess’ Lotus Spa Complex or private lounges or specialty dining on Costa Victoria’s Sabatini’s restaurant.

Spas Spa pas s

Take a cruise

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Around Town

Surprising Sentosa

Hotels Hotel Hot els s

Bars Bar a s & Nightlife Nightl N Nig ghtl tl li

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE™

Food Foo d

Spas Spa s

Shopping Shoppi Sho Shoppin ppi pin ng

Art rt t & Culture C lt

In what used to be a small fishing village now stands Singapore’s exciting playground. Sentosa is jam-packed with a myriad of activities, from theme parks to a mega-resort and much more...

Universal Studios SingaporeTM at Resorts World TM Sentosa Universal Studios Singapore with 21 attractions across seven Hollywood blockbuster themed zones including Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Waterworld, Transformers, and our favourite, Revenge of the Mummy, is one of the best attractions for young and old alike. The indoor roller coaster

ghost train travels through a pitchdark room and has enough surprises to scare you. Grab the front seat. 39 Artillery Avenue, Sentosa (+65 6577 8888 www.rwsentosa.com).

Resorts WorldTM Sentosa This pleasure seeker’s mecca of entertainment, shopping and dining hosts everything from a Vegas-style casino to six unique world-class hotels. Also

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MegaZip Adventure Park

DOLPHIN ISLANDTM

iFly Singapore

Put your surfing skills to the ultimate test at Wave House Sentosa. Ride the rush of water on the Double Flow

If you can visit only one World War II-related site, make it this one. The story of Japan’s victory is punchily

Hotels Hotel Hotel els s

Fort Siloso

Bars rs r s & Nightlife Nightlif Nightl Nig tlife ife if e

Wave House Sentosa

Skyline Luge Sentosa

Food Fo d Foo

This part toboggan, part go-cart ride down a choice of two 650-metre long tracks, involving hairpin bends and speedy straight sections, is a thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled adventure for kids and kids-at-heart. Imbiah Lookout, beside Beach Station (+65 6274 0472 www.skylineluge.com).

Ever fancied the idea of skydiving but not the risks that come along with jumping out with just a parachute? iFly Singapore, the world’s largest wind tunnel gives you the chance to experience the adrenaline-rush of having just jumped out of a plane… without actually having to. iFly Singapore is an experience for anyone from first time flyers to seasoned skydivers aged between 7 and 106 years old as they provide professional guidance. Siloso Beachfront, Beside Beach Station (+65 6571 0000 www.iflysingapore.com).

Spas Spa pas s

Singapore’s longest and steepest flying fox ride will send you soaring at breathtaking speeds. Remember not to hog before the ride. Imbiah Hill Road, Sentosa (+65 6884 5602 www.megazip.com.sg).

RiderTM, or try surfing the more challenging Flow BarrelTM, an endless sixfoot wave. Or take a fancy stroll along the 3.2 km stretch of white sandy beach. 36 Siloso Beach Walk (+65 6274 0472 www.wavehousesentosa.com).

Shopping Shoppi Sh Sho ppi pin ng

interact with Indo-Pacific bottlenosed dolphins for an unforgettable experience at Dolphin IslandTM (+65 6577 8899 www.rwsentosa.com).

Dolphin Island

Art & Culture C ltu Cul tur ur r

RESORTS WORLD SENTOSATM

Around Town To own wn

Resorts World Sentosa

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RESORTS WORLD™ SENTOSA

Around Town Art rt t & Culture C lt Shopping Shoppi Sho Shoppin ppi pin ng Spas Spa s

Rainbow Reef at Adventure Cove Waterpark™

Hotels Hotel Hot els s

Bars Bar a s & Nightlife Nightl N Nig ghtl tl li

Food Foo d

iFly Singapore

told, alongside displays of Japanese occupation. Siloso Point, Near Underwater World, Sentosa Island (+65 1800 736 8672 www.fortsiloso.com).

Marine Life ParkTM & S.E.A. AquariumTM Dive into Marine Life ParkTM, the world’s largest oceanarium and be inspired by the myriad marine wonders of our blue planet. Also, don’t forget to explore the awe-inspiring universe of life in the ocean at S.E.A AquariumTM that features more than 100,000 marine animals from over 800 species across 49 habitats such as manta rays, etc (www.rwsentosa.com)

Wave House Sentosa

Adventure Cove WaterparkTM Feel the adrenaline rush as you zoom down the water slides at Adventure Cove WaterparkTM. You can also snorkel over a colourful coral reef with 20,000 friendly fish or wade amongst dozens of rays as you touch their velvety wings. (www.rwsentosa.com)

The Maritime Experiential MuseumTM Check out the Jewel of Muscat that is housed in The Maritime Experiential MuseumTM. It also has some 60,000 artefacts salvaged from the Belitung shipwreck (www.rwsentosa.com)

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IndoChine at Gardens by the Bay

1Singapore Flyer

30 Raffles Avenue (+65 6333 3311 www.singaporeflyer.com.sg).

Art & Culture C ltu Cul tur ur r

Bay Sands 2Marina SkyPark

$20 adult, $14 child. 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay (+65 6688 8868 www.marinabaysands.com).

4

1-Altitude

IndoChine, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay (+65 6694 8489 www.indochine-group.com).

Spas Spa pas s

No 1 Raffles Place (Former OUB Centre) 63rd Level (+65 6438 0410 www.1-altitude.com).

at Gardens by 5IndoChine the Bay

Shopping Shoppi Sh Sho ppi pin ng

Cable Car Ride at 3Jewel Mount Faber The Jewel Cable Car Station, 109 Mount Faber Road (+65 6377 9638 www.mountfaber.com.sg).

Around Town To own wn

Top 5…Viewpoints

View from 1-Altitude

Food Fo d Foo Bars rs r s & Nightlife Nightlif Nightl Nig tlife ife if e Hotels Hotel Hotel els s

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Around round Town Tow To wn

Pinch of Art & Culture

Art & Culture

Thanks to Singapore’s diverse population there is a whole melting pot of cultures to experience within one compact city. Think of it as Instant Asia...

ANDREW TAN

Spas

Shopping

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htl li

Food

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay Few buildings have created such a stir as this one. Opened in 2002, the eyecatching bayfront complex has been dubbed ‘the durians’ by locals because of its resemblance to the spiky tropical fruit. Esplanade is Singapore’s premier performing arts centre and often draws comparisons with the Sydney Opera House. Its crown jewels are the 1,600-seat Concert Hall and the 2,000-seat Theatre. There is also a black box Theatre Studio (seating 220) and a Recital Studio (245). Programming is an eclectic mix, veering from Western to Eastern flavours and

including festivals and touring productions. 1 Esplanade Drive (+65 6828 8222 www.esplanade.com).

Peranakan Museum The name Peranakan describes both a rich culture and a unique ethnic group. This ten-gallery exhibition venue houses the world’s largest and best overview of Peranakan life over three floors. Gallery defines the Peranakan culture of Singapore, Malacca and Penang in broad terms.

Second level is devoted to the Peranakan wedding and its associated rituals and on the third level you can explore religion, public life and food.

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Gillman Barracks

Around Aro und Town Tow To wn

39 Armenian Street (+65 6332 7591 www.peranakanmuseum.sg).

leaves sourced for oldest tea traders, etc. Sign up for daily walking tours to learn more about the culture and history of Chinatown (+65 6221 5115 www.chinatown.sg).

Art & Culture

The up-and-coming destination Gillman Barracks is set amid lush greenery and was once a stronghold base of the First Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. It now houses galleries and creative businesses, as well as the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA). 9 Lock Road (www.gillmanbarracks.com).

Shopping Hotels

To create an image of an avant garde art hub, this amazing gallery has maintained its space with its freight elevators and exposed pipes. It is perfectly located amidst a bustling area. With their white cube concept of large open space and high ceilings within an industrial setting, Artspace@ Helu-trans has become a highly sought after venue for art collectors to display their collections.

Their current tenants are Richard Koh Fine Art, Galerie Steph, Ikkan Fine Art International and ReDot Fine Art Gallery. 39 Keppel Road, #02-04/05

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e

Located at Kreta Ayer Square, just behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Chinatown Visitors Centre serves as a complete stop for visitors looking for information about Chinatown’s history, shops, culture and more. It will also house a line of products such as plush dolls of symbolic Chinatown figures, tea

Artspace@ Helu-trans Food

Chinatown Visitors Centre

ArtScience Museum

Spas

ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands is known as the museum that celebrates creativity, the processes at the heart of art and science, and their role in shaping society. It seeks to understand what drives creative people, how they acquire and use their skills, and how the world around us is changed because of it. Featuring 21 gallery spaces totalling 50,000 square feet, the boldly iconic ArtScience Museum is also the premier venue for major international touring exhibitions from the most-renowned collections in the world. 10 Bayfront Avenue (+ 65 6688 8897 www.marinabaysands.com).

VINCENT CHONG

ArtScience Museum

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Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htl li

Food

Spas

National Museum of Singapore The Singapore History Museum reopened as the National Museum of Singapore, the largest museum on the island. The museum comprises two main galleries: the Singapore History Gallery, which traces the history of Singapore from its beginning in the 14th century to the present day, and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focus on four lifestyle themes – food, fashion, film and photography. The main gallery is jam-packed with objects and film footage, accompanied by no less than seven hours of audio narratives, explanations, dramatisations and soundscapes. It’s worth a visit just for the building, an imposing neoclassical structure, complemented by modern glass additions. Look out for films shown on the outdoor screen.

93 Stamford Road (+65 6332 5642 www.nationalmuseum.sg).

Changi War Museum & Chapel

SAM DCRUZ/SHUTTERSTOCK

Tanjong Pagar Distripark (+65 6225 5448 www.helutrans.com).

AITI/SHUTTERSTOCK

Around round Town Tow To wn Art & Culture Shopping

National Museum of Singapore at Night

Changi War Museum & Chapel This is the most famous of Singapore’s World War II sites, even though the museum is housed in a purpose-built venue, and the chapel is a reconstruction. The civilian and military internees established an alternative, if somewhat surreal, society, catering for everything from entertainment to the manufacture of thousands of everyday items. It also houses copies of the kitschy Changi murals, recreated by the original artist, Stanley Warren, after a widely publicized international effort to find him. 1000 Upper Changi Road North (+65 6214 2451 www.changimuseum.com).

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Around Aro und Town Tow To wn

Top 5...Temples, mosques & churches

Art & Culture

1Sri Mariamman Temple

The oldest Hokkien temple where immigrants came to burn incense in thanks to Ma Cho Po, a Taoist deity.

158 Telok Ayer Street (+65 6423 4616 www.thianhockkeng.com.sg).

The Sultan Mosque has a dome with a base made up of many glass bottles. These glass bottles are

Guided tours of this Gothic edifice built by Indian convict labourers in 1862 – highlight distinctive features such as the Coventry Cross. 11 Street Andrew’s Road (+65 6337 6104 www. livingstreams.org.sg).

Srinivasa Perumal 5Sri Temple

A major festival celebrated is Thaipusam which starts early morning by devotees fulfilling their vows carrying milk pots and wooden kavadis along the 4.5 km walk. 397 Serangoon Road.

Hotels

3Sultan Mosque

4St Andrew’s Cathedral

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2Thian Hock Keng Temple

formed out of many bottles collected by devotees. 3 Muscat Street (+65 6293 4405 www.sultanmosque.org.sg).

Food

The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore is smack in the middle of Chinatown and the site of Theemidhi, a fire-walking ceremony held a week before Deepavali. 244 South Bridge Road (+65 6223 4064 www.heb.gov.sg).

PAULA HRESKOVA

Sultan Mosque

Spas

TOH MING ZONG

Shopping

Sri Mariamman Temple at Chinatown

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Buying Happiness You’ve died and gone to retail heaven...

ION Orchard Best for... the ultimate megamall experience with stunning architecture ION Orchard has become the “centre of gravity” in the retail scene, with spectacular frontage and cutting edge designs and concepts. It provides flagship space to some of the world’s best loved brands, housing concept and lifestyle stores within one development, with over eight levels of intelligently designed shopping space – four levels above ground and four levels below – totalling 66,000 square metres. Visitors are treated to a unique shopping experience at over 300 retail, F&B and entertainment stores in duplex units fronting Orchard Road, international brands and popular high street fashion and lifestyle stores carefully selected for their strong branding. In addition to the extensive stable of brands, an extensive food hall offers visitors a myriad of food choices ranging from local favourites to international cuisine. 2 Orchard Turn. (+65 6238 8228 www.ionorchard.com).

ION Orchard

Mustafa Centre Best for... just about everything A Singapore institution, Mustafa’s is open round the clock, offering 75,000 square feet of bargains, not to mention a hotel, café and supermarket. It’s a treasure trove of discount shopping that carries everything from skincare and electronics to sports wear and luggage. 145 Syed Alwi Road (+65 6295 5855 www.mustafa.com.sg).

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Best for... Designer world Hailed as one of the premier luxury shopping experiences on the planet, Marina Bay Sands is the glittering home to the who’s who of the

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The new four-storey retail podium lies within the five star hotel Grand Park Orchard. Key retailers include

Best for... wow factor Visit the super-chic designer brand’s ‘island’ store – a glass-and-steel Crystal Pavilion that floats on the water, bang on Marina Bay. We think it definitely compares with the Takashi Murakami-themed store in Tokyo. Marina Bay Sands (www.louisvuittion.com).

Shopping

Best for... Five-star shopping

Louis Vuitton Island Maison

Art & Culture Cultur Cul tu

Knightsbridge

Malmaison by The Hour Glass which is an 8,000 square feet emporium. Opulent decor aside, Malmaison’s primary focus is on haute horology and showcases some of the world’s most renowned timepieces. 270 Orchard Road (+65 6593 6999 www.knightsbridge.com.sg).

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designer world – from Hermès to Cartier, Gucci and Fendi to Yves Saint Laurent, and for the boys, there’s even a Ferrari shop. The high-end shops aren’t the only impressive thing about this mall – if you find you’re burning a hole in your soles (and pocket) you can always put your feet up with a glamorous, luxurious boat ride along the canals which wind through the shops. 10 Bayfront Avenue. (+65 6688 8868 www. marinabaysands.com/ shoppes/).

Spas Food Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e Hotels

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Around Aro ro ound Town Tow To wn Art rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Shopping

Bugis Junction Best for... suburban shopping Formerly a red-light district, Bugis has been redeveloped and how. An outdoor fountain is where you will often see drenched, screaming kids having a good time. As the water comes from the floor and in various shapes and patterns, guessing where the next spout shoots out is half the fun. 200 Victoria Street (+65 6557 6557 www.bugisjunction-mall.com.sg).

Funan DigitaLife Mall Best for... electronics (don’t forget to claim your GST on departure)

Spas

The one-stop haven that offers the wid-

est range of genuine electronic gadgets, shoppers at Funan are assured the best names without being ripped off. With its extensive range and perfect blend of retail and entertainment, there is something for every taste and interest! 109 North Bridge Road (+65 6336 8327 www.funan.com.sg)

Far East Shopping Centre Best for... cool one-offs When it comes to street fashion, this mall just off Orchard Road is the spot.

Subculture types flock here to stock up on clothes, eat delicious food and get tattooed and pierced – Far East Shopping Centre has the largest concentration of tattoo parlours in Singapore.

14 Scotts Road (+65 6735 1218).

Food

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Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htl li

Hotels

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Know Your Brands Look out for these big-name brands in Singapore, because you may not find them at home

Art & Culture Cultur Cul tu

Topshop/Topman

Shopping

The UK high-street super brand is one of the most wished-for stores thanks to its savvy fashion collections at purse-friendly prices. ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, with additional outlets. (+65 6509 8602 www.topshop.com).

Fashion-conscious males also get a look-in with Topshop’s offshoot Topman, which offers cutting-edge men’s fashion that won’t break the bank.

270 Orchard Road, Knightsbridge (+65 6733 1111 www.topman.com).

The king of fashion (one of the few designers to make the Time 100 Influential People list) brings his supremely wearable styles to the streets of Singapore. Mandarin Gallery Orchard (+65 6304 1376 www.marcjacobs.com).

Uniqlo

This Swedish powerhouse is at the forefront of affordable chic, with guest designers including Lanvin, Viktor & Rolf and Stella McCartney lending their haute vision to fast fashion.

Orchard Building, 1 Grange Road (www.hm.com).

Hotels

Japan’s popular casual clothing brand offers functional staples that combine

H&M

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e

Home-grown fashion and leather goods brand from the house of FJ Benjamin.

Since its international debut, RAOUL has been creating a buzz with its sleek take on contemporary affordable luxury fashion. Paragon, 290 Orchard Road (+65 6737 0682 www.raoul.com).

classic cuts with on-trend styles, designed to be mixed-and-matched into your own unique style. 313@somerset, 313 Orchard Road (+65 6834 4073 www.uniqlo.com/sg).

Food

RAOUL

Spas

JORDAN TAN /SHUTTERSTOCK

Marc by Marc Jacobs

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Find antiques and quirky boutiques on the streets of Singapore...

Arab Quarter & Haji Lane Budget bohemia thrives in Haji Lane, sliver of an alley sandwiched between Arab Street and Bali Lane. Hot spots include Dulcetfig (No. 41, +65 6396 5648) for printed dresses, wide array of wicker handbags and vintage jewellery; and The Salad Shop (No. 25, +65 6299 5805), which specialises in black-and-white goods – from T-shirts to home accessories. Fashionistas flock to Modparade (No. 68, +65 6296 4166) for Indie, quirky and fun style. For thoughtfully Tiong Bahru in light curated boutique, head to Threadbare and Squirrel on Bali off-the-grid retail experience. It was Lane (660 North Bridge Road, +65 once most famous for its bird sing6299 5805). While you’re in the neighing corner, but now it’s a must-visit bourhood, browse the proliferation of destination for bookworms, thanks ethnic shops along nearby Bussorah to Books Actually, a comforting yet Street, the pedestrianised strip in chic bookstore owned by local couple front of the Sultan Mosque.

Kenny and Karen (No 9 Yong Siak Street, +65 6222 9195). Once you’ve purchased a treasured tome, head Tiong Bahru straight to 40 Hands Café, a perfectly Tiong Bahru is one of the oldest squishy bar that serves excellent housing estates in Singapore, which coffee, and is bracketed among the may not instantly scream ‘shopping league of cafés that are driving Singadestination’ but you’d be mistaken pore’s quiet coffee revolution (78 Yong if you didn’t hotfoot it there for an Siak Street, +65 6225 8545).

BRENDA CHAN/SHUTTERSTOCK

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Beyond the mall walls

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Dempsey Road & Holland Village

Food Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e Hotels

Occupying the former British Army barracks, Dempsey Road is a great place for lovers of antiques, notably objets d’arts from Indo-China. It’s across the Botanic Gardens, but you’ll need a cab to get there. Shang Antique (#01–04/05 16 Dempsey Road, +65 6388 8838 www. shangantique. com.sg) sells antiques dating from the seventh century, as well as fine reproductions. Holland Village is a shopping enclave, especially with expats, but the tight-knit community of Chip Bee Gardens is way hipper.

Food is a theme: in addition to cafés, restaurants and gourmet butchers, you’ll find organic foodstore Bunalun, baked goods specialist Phoon Huat (44 Jalan Merah Sagah, +65 6471 5250 www.phoonhuat.com) and Shermay’s Cooking School (64 Jalan Merah Saga, +65 6479 8414 www.shermay.com).

Spas

The brightly coloured conservation shophouses in the enclave formed by Ann Siang Road, Erskine Road and Club Street are home to an increasing number of hip-to-the-beat boutiques, offering expertly curated ranges of cult fashion, chic furniture, homeware and quirky gifts. The baroque Scarlet Hotel forms an imposing landmark here, setting the tone for shops like Egg3 (33 Erskine Road, +65 6536 6977), with its glossy homeware and graphic T-shirts, and Asylum (22 Ann Siang Road, +65 6325 3019 www. theasylum.com.sg). The latter is one of Singapore’s top design companies, with an office in the basement and a concept shop on ground level filled with vintage Enid Blyton books, art publications and clothing by too-coolfor-school local and international designers. A large section of it has been declared as a national heritage site.

Shopping

Chinatown

Art & Culture Cultur Cul tu

TUPUNGATO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Around Aro und Town To own

Chinatown

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It would be rude to leave without picking up at least a few of these Singapore-designed products...

Charles & Keith Every Singaporean woman knows Charles & Keith. After all, what selfrespecting female wouldn’t want to become well acquainted with two blokes dedicated to supplying them with sexy sandals and stilettos that are so reasonably priced they can afford a new pair to match every outfit? Go shop! ION Orchard. (+65 6238 1840) and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. (+65 6634 0843 www.charleskeith.com).

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htl li

Food

Spas

TWG Tea From the magnificent rotating tea wall to the delightful patisserie counter serving the prettiest sweet treats and every tea accessory you can imagine, Singapore’s first and only high-end luxury tea salon is a must-stop shop for tea buffs. It boasts a range of more than 800 single-estate teas from around the world. Don’t leave without trying one of their unique tea blends – opt for the Singapore Breakfast Blend or the Singapore Paris Blend. ION Orchard and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B2-89/89A (+65 6535 1837 www.twgtea.com).

RISIS What better way to remember your Singapore stay than with a version of the delicate national flower that will

GLOWONCONCEPT/DREAMSTIME

Around Aro ro ound Town Tow To wn Art rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Shopping

Souvenirs You Need to Pick

never wilt (nor cause any hassle at customs)? The jewellery and accessories brand RISIS dips real orchids in 24-carat-gold and turns them into necklaces, brooches and earrings. The Centrepoint, 171 Orchard Road with additional outlets. (+65 6475 5104 www.risis.com).

Woods & Woods Add a hot young local designer to your wardrobe. Not literally of course, but head to award-winning rising star Jonathan Seow’s boutique Woods & Woods and bag yourself some of his unconventional creations, which feature unusual fabrics and quirky colour combinations. You’ll turn heads wherever you go. Raffles Hotel Arcade #02-08, 328 North Bridge Road (+65 6220 5054).

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bracelets to earrings and necklaces, which now adorn the likes of Sir Elton John. (www. purplegold.com).

TravelPAC

Mother & Child Project

Food Hotels

Here you can pick up a local, handmade product and feel good about your purchase, not only because it makes a cute souvenir but also because a percentage of the profit goes towards helping disadvantaged women. The project provides them with home-based work so they can become economically self-sufficient. Mother & Child products can be bought at a range of locations in Singapore. (www. motherandchildproject.com).

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e

You’ve no doubt heard of white gold, yellow gold and rose gold, but purple gold? This Singaporean innovation is created by mixing 80 per cent gold with 20 per cent other precious metals. The chemical reaction creates the purple colour, and it has been crafted into all manner of jewellery from

Singapore’s oldest and most established custom shirt maker boasts an impressive clientele of famous personalities and celebrities. Established in 1935 by Chiang Yick Ching, this fashion institution lets you choose everything from your materials to buttons, collar size and cuff style to create your perfect shirt. Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road (+65 6336 3556 www.cyccustomshop.com).

Spas

Purple Gold

CYC The Custom Shop

Shopping

Named after her beloved Jack Russel terrier, Jo Soh’s hansel label has something of a cult following for her ladylike and whimsical designs that are cut to perfection. You’ll be hard-pressed to restrain yourself from wanting to buy everything in the shop – and it’s not all clothes, you can accessorise your new outfit with printed canvas bags, or some seriously cute costume jewellery, too. TANGS Orchard and #02-14 Mandarin Gallery (+65 6836 5367 www.ilovehansel.com).

Indulge the geek in you at this onestop shop for all things gadgety. The sleek designs lend a sexy edge to the tech treats. From a psychedelic mouse to bold iPhone cases and the best in earphone design. (+65 6295 7208 www.travelpac.com.sg).

Art & Culture Cultur Cul tu

hansel

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hansel AW13 Heartland campaign

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Even a queen would be pleased with such attention...

Spas

Shopping

Art rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e

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Pamper Yourself

Aramsa Garden Spa

Spa Botanica

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htl li

Food

Go here for... an all-day spa session in a garden setting Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Spa Botanica occupies a lush, tropical compound on the island of Sentosa. For a close-tonature experience, there are private, Balinese-style outdoor pavilions, plus a man-made waterfall (all the better to pummel knotted backs with), mud pool, labyrinth garden and lounge pool to flop down beside, before and after your treatment. And you don’t even need to get dressed and leave should you get hungry: just pull up a chair at the adjoining Garden restau-

rant – a light-and-airy eatery serving a range of organic juices, salads and light dishes for the health-conscious.

2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa.(+65 6371 1318 www.spabotanica.com).

Aramsa Garden Spa Go here for... an alfresco massage in the park Aramsa’s unusual location in the middle of suburban Bishan Park means that it is surrounded by nature and feels like a million miles from the concrete jungle of the city centre. Individual spa suites are linked via resort-style covered walkways and some sunken bathtubs in private gardens. Get your rough bits

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Go here for... an experience of a spa with a view

Go here for... pampering SATCstyle

Food

Beauty Emporium

Spas

Bliss, NYC’s cult spa made famous by the Sex and the City gals, has finally arrived in Singapore. The Bliss set-up features a nail lounge, recliners for on-the-spot mini treatments and cosy ‘capsule’ rooms for treatments such as the triple-oxygen energising mask or the hot milk and almond pedicure.

It’s the cute extras that set Bliss apart – a spa buffet with brownies, olives, crackers and cheese. A 30 to 45 minute time slot will earn you a movie. #01–05/06 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn (+65 6509 3511 www.blissworld.com).

Shopping

Banyan Tree Spa is the tallest spa in Singapore, situated on the 55th level of the Marina Bay Sands. You can enjoy your spa treatment in an intimate and private space. This spa offers distinctive array of treatments in one of the 15 uniquely designed spa suites set against a panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline. As a tribute to Singapore’s heritage, they include the national flower Orchid

Bliss Spa

Art & Culture Cult Cul tur u

Banyan Tree Spa Marina Bay Sands

as a unique element in the signature treatment of this spa that is a winner of over 60 awards and accolades to date. Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Tower 1, Level 55 (+65 6688 8825 www.banyantreespa.com).

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exfoliated and knots released with a huna huna or bamboo massage. Bishan Park II, 1382 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 (+65 6456 6556 www.aramsaspas.com).

Hotels

Banyan Tree Spa

Pick up a massage, facial, manicure or Brazilian wax. You’ll get a handpicked selection of tunes, flowers and books, plus an exclusive beauty range, from Aunt Ilcsi, Books Actually, Browhaus, La Compagnie De Provence, Love Da Music etc.

House, Block 8D Level 2, Dempsey Road (+65 6475 7375 www.dempseyhouse.com).

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MARINA BAY SANDS

Go here for... everything to do with beauty

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Around Aro ro ound Town Tow To wn

Food Lover’s Paradise

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htli htl

Food

JOHN HENG FOR IGGY’S

Spas

Shopping

rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Art

Home to 4 of the Top 50 restaurants in the world and more than 40,000 eateries on a tiny island, here are a few favourites...

Iggy’s

Iggy’s

The White Rabbit

Go here for... a five-star degustation

Go here for... dining in a converted church

Named Best Independent Restaurant 2010 by Time Out Singapore, Iggy’s is fast becoming one of the island’s most famous (and best) restaurants. Reservations are still made way in advance to secure a spot, and its bold menu shifts with the seasons, but a recent favourite is char-grilled sea bass with truffle gnocchi and rosemary oil. The Japanese white peach with Champagne jelly, sorbet and elderflower foam dessert makes this modern European eatery well worth the splurge.

The Hilton Hotel, 581 Orchard Road (+65 6732 2234 www.iggys.com.sg).

We all remember the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, who leads Alice down a hole into a phantasmic world. Back to reality – and Harding Chapel, is where Singapore’s own White Rabbit has emerged from its ‘hole’. This church was abandoned for 15 years but now invites patrons into a restaurant and bar with its high ceilings and generously proportioned dining and drinking areas. Located at the back of the church is the bar area, which opens to a grassy knoll and a family of animal sculptures made of wire and grass. Diners return for the

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Go here for... casual brunch or bistro-style dining

Go here for... home-style Italian food

Hotels

As expected, the sea views don’t disappoint and the curved balcony offers prime sunset watching. Beneath the restaurant’s centrepiece – a Marc Wanders chandelier – guests dine on chef Michele Pavanello’s superb homemade pasta with creamy sea urchins and squid-ink tortellini stuffed with Atlantic cod. Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa (+65 6866 1977 www.il-lido.com).

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Since its establishment in 1971, Indian restaurant Rang Mahal features a paradigm of cuisines from the northern, coastal and southern regions of India – using the finest ingredients. It recently reopened with a brand new look; reflecting the same celebrated standard of culinary

il Lido Food

Go here for... an elegant royal Indian meal

Among the scores of Indian restaurants in Little India, Muthu’s is easily the most dressed up. The menu is small (try the creamy butter chicken and the crispy onion-flecked brinjal) with a very good vegetarian section, and easy on the hip pocket. The star attraction is the award-winning fish head curry: a huge bowl of tart, pineapple scented sauce bathing a fleshy, whole fish head – offers a takeaway option too. #01–01 138 Race Course Road (+65 6392 1722 www.muthuscurry.com).

Spas

Rang Mahal

Go here for... fishhead curry

Shopping

In-mall dining is about as romantic as a Saturday afternoon in IKEA, but even though the latest PS Café is in the Palais Renaissance, this demure outlet surprises with its charm. The space – think colonial conservatory with rattan seating – is divided into three sections: a bar/patisserie where the famous PS cakes are displayed; a large, dimly lit section favoured by hip media types; and the pièce de résistance, a whitetiled terrace with colossal windows that open onto a view of the verdant Thai Embassy grounds. Palais Renaissance #02–09A, 390 Orchard Road (+65 9834 8232 www. pscafe.sg).

Muthu’s Curry

Art & Culture Cult Cul tur u

PS Café – Palais

excellence and timeless elegance.

Enjoy a luscious buffet lunch spread in the main dining hall that models after great royal halls, or hold an intimate meal in the private dining room for the ultimate in luxury. (+65 6333 1788 www.panpacific.com).

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desserts: the unexpected crunch of toasted almonds in the crème brûlée is, like everything else about the White Rabbit, an unmitigated delight.

39C Harding Road (+65 6473 9965 www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg)

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Around Aro ro ound Town Tow To wn rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Art Shopping Spas

Tippling Club Go here for... progressive cuisine by Aussie boys Some chefs make the mistake of labelling molecular gastronomy a cuisine, rather than the culinary toolset that it actually is; hence, underneath all their faffing with foams, there’s nothing but hot air. Fortunately, the duo behind the Tippling Club, chef Ryan Clift and award-winning mixologist Matthew Bax, have no such mistaken notions.

Do not miss their funny and sensible menu. 8D Dempsey Road (+65 6475 2217 www.tipplingclub.com).

Chef Ryan Clift at Tippling Club

Flutes at the National Museum

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htli htl

Food

Go here for... old-world romance with new-world food Flutes made history in 2004 when it was set up over premises that no other restaurateur at that time thought would work. In 2013, Flutes makes a monumental move forward by moving back in time. It took its place in a section of the original National Museum which was opened to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. It is a treasure among treasures right in the heart of the city! The National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road. (+65 6338 8770 www.flutes.com.sg).

Yantra Go here for... Indian cuisine with a twist Yantra is a trendy and chic fine dining restaurant, offering Indian cuisine with inventive recipes and alluring flavours to stimulate the palate and gratify the senses. The open concept kitchen, a key feature of the restaurant, displays 4 large custom-made Tandoors which are impeccably laid out behind a glass enclosure. Guests can enjoy watching the chefs whip up breads and meats whilst enjoying their aperitifs. The restaurant has an indoor area of up to 7,000 square feet and an alfresco area of over 4,000 square feet. Surrender to the unforgettable taste of Yantra. 163 Tanglin Road. (+65 6836 3088 www.yantra.com.sg).

Punjab Grill by Jiggs Kalra Go here for... an experience of ancient Indian taste The illustrious Jiggs Kalra has redefined Indian food with Punjab Grill. Showcasing the Jiggs Kalra Signature style, this classic restaurant serves cuisine from the erstwhile Royal State of Punjab. Renowned for reviving the lost cuisines and cooking styles from ancient India, Jiggs Kalra offers a spread of age old delicacies like the Kebabs incorporating four separate techniques of grilling, which exemplify his signature style. B1-01A, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. (+65 6688 7395 www.punjabgrill.com.sg).

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Belly Must-Try Singapore must-eats that you just can’t miss…

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Do battle in the Katong Laksa Wars!

Several laksa joints along the East Coast Road lay claim to being home of the original Katong laksa – a coconut curry soup laced with fish cake, cockles and daun kesum leaves. The territorial tussle has become known as the Katong Laksa Wars. We recommend 328 Katong Laksa – but you be the judge. Try it at... 328 Katong Laksa, 328 East Coast Road.

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e Hotels

Kaya Toast & Eggs is favourite breakfast amongst the locals. A delicious coconut egg jam that is spread on toast, which you then dunk into the accompanying soft-boiled eggs. Try it at... Chin Mei Chin Confectionery, 204 East Coast Road (+65 6345 0419).

It’s difficult to go past the sweet, sour and spicy chilli crab, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t also sample the black pepper crab or butter crab.

Try it at... Sin Huat Eating House, Geyland Road (+65 6744 9755).

Food

Kaya Toast & Eggs

Go beyond chilli crab

Spas

The lingo needed to order a coffee or tea in Singapore is akin to that of an espresso bar in Rome. Straight kopi or teh contains both sugar and condensed milk. If this is sweet for you, order it kosong (without sugar) or o kosong (no milk no sugar). A kopicinno on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like. Try it at... Ah Tengs Bakery, Raffles Hotel Complex, 1 Beach Road (+65 6412 1816).

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Shopping

Coffee and tea Singapore style

Art & Culture Cult Cul tur u

A beloved dish of succulent poached chicken paired with red chilli sauce and rice steamed with ginger, garlic and chicken stock. Called Hainanese chicken rice, the dish doesn’t actually exist in Hainan and is considered a true Singaporean classic. On the other hand, Singapore Fried Noodles, despite the geographic reference in the name, isn’t a Singaporean dish. Try it at... Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Road Food Centre.

Laksa

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Hawker food

Hotels

Bars Bar s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htli htl

Food

JOYFULL /SHUTTERSTOCK

Spas

Shopping

rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Art

For a uniquely Singaporean food experience, head to a hawker...

The food is fantastic and made to order; prices are rock-bottom (a dish plus drink costs about $5); and they’re noisy, vibrant and bustling warrens of local life – an antidote to the sanitised, manicured side of Singapore. You’ll find a treasure trove of taste sensations, gathering under one roof an entire microcosm of cuisines – Chinese, Malay, Peranakan, Indian, Eurasian. Hawker centres also known as food centres, have been around since the late 1950s, often attached to a wet market selling fresh produce. But it wasn’t until the government clamped down on street food (mainly for hygiene reasons) in the early 1980s that they became ubiquitous, each neighbourhood having its own designated centre.

There are around 120 hawker or food centres in Singapore, each sheltering anywhere from 50 to 100-plus food stalls, often family-run and each specialising in a few dishes, drinks or desserts. All stalls get a cleanliness rating (A to D) posted on the front of their stall.

Communal sharing of the tables is the norm. To reserve or ‘chope’ a space, locals sometimes place a packet of tissues on a seat while they are ordering their food. To order, join a queue (the longer the line, the better the food), wait for the cook’s assistant to bark at you – courtesy is not a strong point here – then tell him what you want and the number of your table. Pay when your food arrives, some stalls are self-service.

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Shopping Spas Food

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e

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Top 5...Hawker or food centres If any food lover only had few hours in Singapore, he will make a trip to one of these hawker centres.

Has a great variety of local food and is one of the best food centres in Singapore. 19 Old Airport Road.

Riverside Food 2Zion Centre

Highlights include roast pork from Tiong Bahru Roasted Pig Specialist (stall 02-38) and fluffy pancakes from

Arguably one of Singapore’s finest is, sadly, only accessible by car, but jump in a cab and the tastiest grilled stingray awaits (stall 1). 20 Kensington Park Road.

Road 5Maxwell Food Centre

Be quick if you want Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Stall 10) at one of the oldest food centres. South Bridge Road & Maxwell Road.

Spas

3Tiong Bahru Market

Chomp 4Chomp Food Centre

Shopping

Slurp sweet Asian desserts at Mohammed Sultan Road Cheng Tng (Stall 32) or rojak at Clementi Brothers Rojak (Stall 21). Zion Road & Ganges Avenue.

Mian Jian Kueh, a few stalls down at No. 34. Lim Liak Street & Seng Poh Road.

Art & Culture Cult Cul tur u

Airport Road 1Old Food Centre

Bars rs s & Nightlife Nightl Nig htlif htl ife if e Hotels

LORIMER IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK

Food

Maxwell Road Food Centre

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Time Of Your Life

ZOUK MANAGEMENT

Spas

Shopping

Art rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e

Some places earn you brownie points. Here are a few of them where you would want to bring your significant others and friends to impress them...

Privé

Hotels

Bars & Nightlife

Food

Go here for... glam by the sea On an island not so far away from Singapore sits the rather slick Privé, where in-the-know locals love to escape in the evening to lounge about on one of the bar’s large sofas. A short cab ride across a sleek, trendy bridge on the ground floor of Keppel Island’s marina, Privé’s waterfront bar is stunning in the simplicity of its décor, and how it incorporates the sights and sparkling lights of the boat park and nearby Caribbean-style condo into its open, breezy atmosphere. Drinks are well made and you come back to the main island (yes, Singapore) feeling

like you’ve been away somewhere else completely. 2 Keppel Bay Vista. (+65 6776 0777 www.prive.com.sg).

BAR Stories Go here for... cocktails in a cool neighbourhood setting The company prides itself as a speciality cocktail bar that is unlike any other. Infusing a new way of drinking cocktails using fresh produce without artificial flavours, each drink is specially crafted to individual palates. At BAR Stories, there is no one signature cocktail per se. The speciality is that there is no menu. A myriad of fresh foods, combined with the mixologist’s

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At BAR Stories

Spas

creative flare, will ensure customers leave with a happy palate. 57A Haji Lane (+65 6298 0838 www.barstories. com.sg).

Go here for... trivia and to cheer on your team

Hotels

lian or international sporting calendar, The bar’s trivia nights on Tuesday at 7.30pm are also worth a look-in with the winning table receiving their bar tab on the house (tabs have gone as high as $1,700). Get yourself along if you know the first Grammy Awardwinning song to include the f-word in its lyrics. #01–15 The Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay (+65 6738 1077 www.boomarang.com.sg).

Bars & Nightlife

No, that’s not a typo. Boomarang is the correct way to spell the name of this relaxed, family-friendly riverside hang-out featuring open-air seating, picnic-style wooden tables and lowback chairs. It proudly serves fresh, authentic Australian cuisine while celebrating the charming culture. A popular haunt of local Aussie expats, this is the place to sink a few cold ones while watching live coverage of the AFL Cup Final, Melbourne Cup or any other major event in the Austra-

Food

PAULA HRESKOVA

Boomarang Bistro & Bar

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Around Aro ro ound Town Tow To wn Art rt t & Culture Cultur Cul ture tur e Shopping Spas Food Bars & Nightlife Hotels

Blue Bali on Cluny

Zouk

Blue Bali on Cluny

Go here for... dancing the night away to the best DJs

Go here for... chilling out to live music

Three clubs in one, this iconic music venue is where anything and everything happens. Electro bad-girl Peaches put the ‘sin’ in Singapore when she sported a dildo while performing ‘Shake Yer Dix’ in the club’s main room, and revolutionary hip-hop group De La Soul brought the house down when they rapped and rhymed in Velvet Underground’s cosy atmosphere. The third club, Phuture, makes room for resident DJ Andrew Chow and his now-infamous Flava Fridays.

This place pumps even mid-week with Wednesday’s Mambo Jambo. It’s no wonder that Zouk won Time Out Singapore’s Best Club 2010 award. 17 Jiak Kim Street (+65 6738 2988 www. zoukclub.com).

Want to know the best part about Blue Bali on Cluny? The serene nature amidst an urban business environment. It’s the nature that creates a platform for people of all walks of life to polish their creativity and to reminisce about experiences. It helps you meet minds alike and inspiring youth and entrepreneurs. This Balinese garden does just that. It teaches you to relax and use your god-given senses to appreciate each day and every moment. The plants further create a natural scene with water as a background to enhance the calmness. Blue Bali on Cluny invites guests to a comfortable romantic atmosphere, a feeling of privacy and exclusivity. 1D Cluny Road (+65 6733 0185 www.bluebali.sg).

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1Lantern

DÉ TA Restaurant and 2KU Lounge SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands North Tower, 1 Bayfront Avenue (+65 6688 7688 kudeta.com.sg).

3Loof

Odeon Towers, #03–07, 331 North Bridge Road (+65 6338 8035 www.loof. com.sg).

Shopping

4The Terrace

The Screening Room, 12 Ann Siang Hill (+65 6221 1694 www.screeningroom.com.sg).

KU DÉ TA Restaurant and Lounge

Art & Culture Cult Cul tur u

The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 1 Fullerton Road, Marina Bay (+65 6597 5299 www. fullertonbayhotel.com).

Around Aro und Town To own

Top 5...Rooftop bars

5Orgo Bar & Lab

The Esplanade, 8 Raffles Avenue (+65 6336 9366 www.orgo.sg).

Spas Food Bars & Nightlife Hotels

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1Naumi

The Time Out Singapore’s Best Boutique Hotel 2010, Naumi Hotel is a state-of-the-art boutique hotel set in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, a stone’s throw from the Suntec Convention Centre, the Formula One Track, and a myriad of inner-city shopping centres.

41 Seah Street (+65 6403 6000 www.naumihotel.com).

2New Majestic Hotel

You’ll feel like a rock star here thanks to the big white lobby, vintage fans, designer chairs and idiosyncratically themed guest rooms. 31–37 Bukit Pasoh Road (+65 6511 4700 www. newmajestichotel.com).

New Majestic Hotel

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TOP 5‌ BOUTIQUE HOTELS

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Lobby at Wanderlust

The Club is the Harry’s Bar chain’s first crack at the boutique hotel market. Sip in style at Ying Yang, the sleek rooftop bar. 28 Ann Siang Road (+65 6808 2188 www.theclub.com.sg).

Food

4Wanderlust

5The Scarlet

Hotels

Occupying a series of shophouses, the rooftop bar, Breeze, offers delicious cocktails and city views.

33 Erskine Road (+65 6511 3333 www.thescarlethotel.com).

Bars & Nightlife Nightli i

An achingly hip new boutique hotel, located in the Little India area of Singapore, with unpretentious French rustic cooking to be had at Cocotte. 2 Dickson Road (+65 6396 3322 wanderlusthotel.com).

Flower Room at Wanderlust

Spas

3The Club

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Relax In Style

GAGAN SHINDE

Spas

Shopping

Art rt & Culture rt

From colonial gems to 72-storey giants, Singapore hotels are on the up and up...

Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands

Hotels

Bars ars r & Nightlife

Food

Best for... swimming in the sky With more than 2,500 gigantic rooms and suites, Marina Bay Sands claims to be the biggest hotel in Singapore.

We believe them. The rooms offer views of the South China Sea or Marina Bay and the Singapore skyline, but let’s be honest: the Moshe Safdiedesigned SkyPark is the real crowd puller. The best views are to be had from the infinity pool, the largest of its kind. Swimming is for hotel guests only but outsiders can watch smug guests swim while munching on $6 hot dogs, which is almost as much

fun. 10 Bayfront Avenue (+65 6688 8868 www.marinabaysands.com).

Raffles Hotel Best for... old-school charm The grande dame of colonial hotels, Raffles needs no introduction. Established in 1887, the Raffles legend endures, thanks to its fusion of timeless elegance, classical architecture and tropical gardens. Refurbished in 1991, all 103 rooms are now suites.

The seven Grand Suites are the most nostalgic, with lofty ceilings, polished wooden floors, opulent drapes and balconies overlooking the garden.

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Best for... pure indulgence

Best for... waterfront view

Bars & Nightlife Nightli i Hotels

You couldn’t ask for a perfect positioning than that of the Fullerton Hotel and Fullerton Bay Hotel – both of which are perched right on the banks of the Singapore River. Built in 1928, The Fullerton Hotel has been lovingly restored as the island’s GPO building, and retains all of its Art Deco charm and elegance. It preserves the best of past and present. Book early to bag yourself a much-desired room overlooking the Marina, and if you need a little respite from the city, while away a few hours at the rooftop pool.

Don’t miss the award-winning rooftop Lantern bar. The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square (+65 6733 8388 www. fullertonhotel.com). The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay (+65 6333 8388 www.fullertonbayhotel.com).

Food

Situated on the former premises of the British Sergeants’ Quarters, the Amara Sanctuary is 121 rooms of pure luxury.

Set in a tropical 3.5-hectare space, the resort stands out as a result of its hybrid architectural style. In addition to housing Si Bon, Singapore’s only kushiage restaurant (traditional Japanese cuisine where fresh ingredients are coated in egg, breadcrumbs, deep-fried and served on skewers), there are also three swimming pools scattered about. 1 Larkhill Road, Sentosa Island. (+65 6825 3888 www.sentosa.amarahotels.com).

The Fullerton Hotel & The Fullerton Bay Hotel Spas

Amara Sanctuary Resort

Shopping

Among the numerous bars and restaurants is the traditional Raffles Grill and of course, the Long Bar: the place to try a Singapore Sling. 1 Beach Road (+65 6337 1886 www.raffles.com).

GAGAN SHINDE

Art & Culture Cultu ur

The Fullerton Hotel

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Save with these great Singapore passes…

Hotels

Bars & Nightlife

Food

S Spas

Shopping Sh pp ng ppi

Art rt r t & Culture Cul ul ltur ture

Around Aro A o nd d Town To T ow wn n

Explore with great value

See Singapore Attractions Pass Powered by iVenture, the See Singapore Attractions Pass is a smartcard style attraction pass. Available for 1–3 days, the credit card-style pass includes entries to over 15 of Singapore’s favourite attractions.

1-day pass: adult $79, child $49. (seesingaporepass.iventurecard.com).

delights. Day Play Pass: Adult from $63.90, child from $47.90. (www.sentosa.com. sg/en/whats-on/ promotions/sentosa-play-pass).

Park Hopper 3 in 1 Pass Combines the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park into 1 pass which saves money on entries. (www.zoo.com.sg).

Sentosa Play Pass

The Singapore Tourist Pass

This pass allows users to access up to 13 attractions on Sentosa Island and there are variations of this pass which cater to a full day, half day, premium attractions and even one that offers mouth-watering ‘all-you-can-eat’ local

The Singapore Tourist Pass, the only pass that offers travellers unlimited rides on Singapore’s public transport system. The pass includes the MRT, LRT and basic bus services. (www.thesingaporetouristpass.com).

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Hotline: 1800-SENTOSA (736 8672) www.sentosa.com

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Singapore Little Black Book So you think you know Singapore?

Think again. Time Out’s Little Black Book is your guide to one of Asia’s most vibrant destinations. Singapore – the holiday you take home with you…

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