Family-Friendly Restaurants in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Young family eating lunch together

What makes a restaurant family friendly? Ask most parents of small kids and they’ll likely say play areas and activity corners first, baby-changing facilities second and a decent kids’ menu third (or, better still, a kids-eat-free option). Good news: Singapore is a fab destination to visit as a family, boasting not only a world-class zoo, great theme parks, an aquarium and dozens of other kiddie-tastic attractions, but also a plethora of cafés and restaurants that are perfect for families and that raise the bar well above the usual soulless international fast food joints. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of those too!

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly Singapore eateries, from toddler-pleasing cafés with playgrounds to rip-roaring restaurants for ravenous teenagers.

Open Farm Community

Let’s start as we (sort of) mean to go on with a healthy option that won’t have the kiddos turning their noses up in disgust. The Open Farm Community is a verdant urban oasis, just south of Singapore’s sprawling Botanic Gardens. Wander among beds of organic herbs and vegetables in the restaurant’s expansive grounds, the air heavy with the scent of basil and thyme. Pause for family selfies by the arty sculptures and challenge the kids to a game of bowls on the lawn. Appetite well and truly worked up, you’ll love the menu of garden-fresh crowd-pleasers that includes bolognese, fish and chips and flatbreads for the kids, and sharing platters of salmon, duck and eggplant for the grown-ups. Yum.

Find it: 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819

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Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari

Sticking with the green theme, Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari is pretty much next door to the Open Farm Community, so an ideal pitstop if you’re staying in the sassy Dempsey Hill neighborhood. Expect a range of breads and pastries and dine-in dishes including sourdough waffles and fresh garden salads. The safari theme includes plenty of lush tropical foliage around a large tent (for that outdoorsy eating vibe), as well as a fab playground and an edible garden for intrepid young jungle explorers to discover. It’s from right here that the ingredients for this eatery’s salads are plucked daily, though you can of course opt for a great big slab of carrot cake and a coffee instead.

Find it: 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819

Bayswater Kitchen

Lazy weekend brunches don’t get much more perfect than at Bayswater Kitchen, a breezy, informal diner overlooking Keppel Bay Marina. The Sunday menu, served 11AM–3PM (also public holidays), is particularly good. Parents can grab a table al fresco and gorge on freshly shucked oysters and whole grilled snapper with bottomless prosecco while watching the yachts bobbing gently in the turquoise waters. For kids: classics including burgers and fish and chips. Foosball and ping-pong tables and a playground should also keep them entertained long enough to justify just one more glass of prosecco...

Find it: 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382

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Trapizza

Just across the bay on the northern tip of sunny Sentosa Island, Trapizza is about as family-friendly as Singapore restaurants come. Close enough to the shore to dip your toes in the bay’s warm waters, this is a pizza joint par excellence, with a huge range of 16-inch sharing options with classic toppings from Siciliana to quattro formaggi and – love it or loathe it – Hawaiian. Kids can go solo with build your own bento lunches including a choice of pasta, sauce, veggies and juice, plus a slice of pizza on the side. Dedicated play zones and a coloring corner will also keep little uns busy while the grown-ups finish their Singapore Slings.

Find it: Shangri-La Rasa Resort, 101 Siloso Road, Singapore 098970

SandBank

You don’t need an excuse to visit Singapore’s East Coast Park with its white sands, swaying coconut palms, abundant wildlife and – critically – excellent play areas. But if you did, SandBank is it. A dedicated kids’ menu and a 15-meter plunge pool keep kids of all ages entertained, while parents tuck into chargrilled meat and seafood dishes, handmade pizzas and freshly baked treats from the on-site bakery.

Find it: 920 East Coast Parkway, Parkland Green, Singapore 449875

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Platform 1094

Singapore’s roster of themed restaurants ranges from Hello Kitty to Japanese animé. Harry Potter-inspired eatery Platform 1094 lies somewhere in between, with wizard-themed decor, fun dressing up materials and, naturally, oodles of Instagram opportunities. We’re talking cute owl-shaped cookies, wizardy tableware, cauldron-shaped serving plates, Quidditch-themed desserts, and magical dry smoke effects aplenty. There are brightly colored flaming cocktails for the grown-ups, too. For a treat, book the Enchanted Afternoon Tea which includes savory snacks and sweet treats such as chocolate frogs and golden blood mousse.

Find it: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192

Baker & Cook

Baker & Cook’s belly-busting brunches and foot-log sourdough pizza ‘planks’ are fast earning it a reputation as a Singapore institution. Hit up the Dempsey location for all of the above, plus a kids’ menu that includes irresistible Nutella sandwiches, truffle fries and mini cheeseburgers with fries. The airy glasshouse dining area overlooks a large leafy garden with a shaded play area, so the kids can let loose while adults enjoy some much-needed downtime accompanied by great pizza, healthy garden salads, grazing platters and a long list of excellent red and white wines from New Zealand.

Find it: 30C Loewen Road, Singapore 248839

Waffle Place

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Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Muslim district, isn’t short on great places to eat, but for family-pleasing goodness, the Waffle Place is hard to beat. This eye-catching halal café serves up a kaleidoscope of waffle toppings with flavor combinations to satisfy every palate. Try crispy-skin salmon with spicy mentaiko mayo sauce or go for crispy chicken with fried egg, mayo and maple syrup. Kids will no doubt insist on sweeter options like strawberry cheese and classic apple pie flavors, or can have fun creating their own topping combos with fruit, marshmallows, chocolate flakes, whipped cream and more.

Find it: 56 Kandahar St, Singapore 198904

Hawker Centers

Singapore’s legendary hawker centers are a sensory explosion of steaming hot plates, heady spice-laden aromas and Instagrammable food stalls. Take the kids to any one of around 100 of these bustling foodie meccas across the city for maximum selfie opportunities and to give them as wide a choice of different cuisines as you’re likely to find under one roof. Sizzling BBQ pork, zingy fried noodles, fish head curry and lime-drenched chili crab might be at the more adventurous end for younger kids, but sticky peanut satay, melt-in-the mouth steamed bao buns and more takeaway desserts than you can shake a very large stick at should be enough to keep everyone happy. Check out the likes of the Old Airport Road Food Centre, Ghim Moh Market and Adam Road hawker center for some of the most mouthwatering snacks in the eastern hemisphere!

Find them: everywhere!

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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New Years Eve in Singapore

By Mia Russell Singapore shimmers with bright lights and buzzing energy and is one of the best places to ring in the New Year. With extravagant fireworks displays, dazzling parties, and glittering celebrations, Singapore packs a punch when it comes to saying goodbye to one year and welcoming in the next. From fabulous fine dining at some of the world’s best restaurants to sipping cocktails at the top of the Marina Bay Sands, here are some ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve in Singapore. Marina Bay Marina Bay is where it all happens on New Year's Eve there’s no better way to ring in the New Year than from the SkyPark Deck on the top of the Marina Bay Sands. Based on the 57th floor, this stunning spot offers the most incredible views of the sunset-silhouetted cityscapes and Marina Bay. Book a table at the CÉ LA VI SkyBar to get front-row seats of the breathtaking fireworks to display at the stroke of midnight. Enjoy a five-course menu with standout dishes and use your pass to enjoy a free drink. Watch the fantastic Share the Moment light projection show that illuminates the façades of the Fullerton Hotel Singapore and the Merlion hotels while resident DJs will be spinning dance-hall-infused hits all night long. Star Island Say hello to the new year with a musical extravaganza of live entertainment and spectacular fireworks at Star Island. Expect 80 minutes of dazzling lights, sound, and color with larger-than-life pyrotechnics, world-renowned DJs on the decks, and specially designed-fireworks. There is also plenty of pre-show entertainment and family-friendly activities at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, including food and drinks booths and meet-and-greets with some of Sanrio’s most beloved characters. The Great Bay Fiesta Join the family-friendly festivities at the Great Bay Fiesta. Taking place at the Bayfront Event Space for the entire month of December, you’ll find a host of fun, family-friendly activities to enjoy from a circus show and a food festival to a colorful carnival. Feast on delicious local and global fare from 35 different food stalls and take a trip back in time on Flying Dumbo and Bumper Cars rides at the Great World Carnival. Make snow angels and build your own snowman; try ice skating, ice bowling, and ice curling; and watch acrobats perform death-defying stunts at the Great Cirque des Cascades. Skechers Sundown Festival Hit the beach for an epic New Year countdown event and dance your way into the new year. Head to Palawan Beach Sentosa for Skechers Sundown Live, a one-night music event featuring headline DJs and other Asian acts. There’ll also be loads of family-friendly activities like face painting, scratch art, film screenings, and a food village. Make your way to Sentosa Island with a fun ride on the Singapore Cable Car and use your pass to soar over Singapore’s skyline to the island. LAVO New Year’s Eve Party For a glitzy and glamorous countdown party, head to LAVO Italian Restaurant & Bar at the Marina Bay Sands. Located on the 57th floor of the luxurious hotel, the restaurant serves contemporary Italian-American cuisine and an inventive craft cocktail menu against a backdrop of spectacular views of Singapore’s glimmering city skyline. Relax over post-dinner drinks in the luxurious lounge to the tunes of international DJs before the midnight countdown in Marina Bay. Watch the fantastic Share the Moment light projection show illuminates the façades of the Fullerton Hotel Singapore and the Merlion hotels, followed by the world-famous fireworks display Singapore is famed for. Party at the MARQUEE Welcome to the new year with an unforgettable carnival experience at one of Singapore’s nightlife superstars: MARQUEE. Spread over three floors with 30-meter-high ceilings, the mega club features a giant indoor Ferris wheel, three-story slides, and four thematic bars. Party to a line-up of highly talented resident spinners and international DJs against a backdrop of stunning visuals and state-of-the-art lighting. 665°F and Mr. Stork at Andaz Singapore Take to the sky to ring in the new year with award-winning cuisine, fine wines, and spectacular views at 665°F and Mr. Stork at Andaz Singapore. Begin the evening with a special New Year’s Eve five-course tasting menu at sky-high steakhouse 665°F at Andaz Singapore. Feast on delectable bites like Boston lobster, Kaluga caviar, blue cod bouillabaisse, and winter black truffles. Sip the world’s finest champagnes and pair your meal with a selection of curated wines. After dinner, head up to Mr. Stork to soak up Singapore’s iconic skyline against a backdrop of tunes from a live DJ.
Cara Merren
Singapore skyline at night with colored lights
Blog

Best night clubs in Singapore

Looking for somewhere to dance the night away in Singapore? You’re in luck! With its warm evenings and lively nightlife spots, this city is the perfect place to be nocturnal. From rooftops to resorts, house to hip-hop, there are clubs for all tastes here – and if you happen to stay out all night, there are plenty of picturesque spots for watching the sunrise. Our list of Singapore’s best night clubs includes: Zouk Ce La Vi Headquarters Marquee Tanjong Beach Club 1-Altitude Raffles Hotel Zouk One of the oldest and most famous clubs in Singapore, Zouk began life as a renovated warehouse complex in 1991. The first in the city to introduce house music, the club grew and expanded until it was relocated in 2016 to its current premises in Cannery Block in Clarke Quay, near Fort Canning Park. Past and future collide in this new, two-floor, five-bar compound, as it still has the feel of an industrial warehouse but with super-modern LED lights everywhere. Zouk always boasts an impressive list of resident and guest DJs – past artists to have led the rave here include Chemical Brothers, Avicii, Bjork, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez and Primal Scream. And the DJs aren’t the only ones mixing things up here – there are karaoke rooms in the Red Tail Bar, and Spin classes available every day with Absolute Cycle X. Ce La Vi SkyBar If you’re going to scope out the night scene while you’re in Singapore, then you absolutely have to try the 57th floor Ce La Vi SkyBar at the Marina Bay Sands. Its lofty position attracts some of the best local and international DJs, so you can be sure you’ll be dancing to the best and freshest tunes. Enjoy unmatched views over the city, looking down on the Gardens by the Bay to the Marina and the river beyond. If you’re peckish, there’s a menu of tapas-inspired treats perfect for sharing, and their signature cocktails are inspired by classic favorites with a local twist. Party until the small hours with the stars overhead and the twinkling metropolis below. And the best part is, with your Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass, the first drink is already paid for! HeadQuarters by the Council If underground vibes are more your thing, head for Headquarters on Boat Quay opposite the Asian Civilizations Museum. Run by local music agency The Council, Headquarters hosts parties every Wednesday to Sunday night, showcasing local and guest DJ’s playing the best and newest house, techno and disco music. Red laser lights and a giant cage set the scene here – but if you’re feeling a bit more mellow, head upstairs to find a cozy balcony with sweeping city views. ‘Chilled’ is the catchword here, and there’s no dress code – instead Headquarters recommends you wear your most comfy shoes (though they do politely note that ‘slippers are not encouraged’). Marquee Another offering from the Marina Bay Sands, this time indoors – not that you’d know it, because this epic adult playground boasts 70-foot-high ceilings and around half an acre of floor space. Accurately calling itself the biggest nightclub in Singapore, Marquee fills its ample space with massive LED screens and cutting-edge sounds from the latest DJ heavyweights (previous acts include Tiesto, Afrojack and Steve Aoki), so it’s a properly immersive experience. As if that wasn’t enough, there are three-storey-high slides to ride down and an 8-pod Ferris Wheel with individual photo booths and epic views over the whole club. You’ll probably have to queue at some point, but it's worth it because this mega-venue is genuinely mind-blowing. Tanjong Beach Club Since we’re talking about clubs in Singapore, we can’t not put a beach bar on the list. There are plenty, but Tanjong is the one to beat. Snuggled on the western edge of Sentosa Island (just down the beach from the Wings of Time light display, if you want to make a proper evening of it), the Tanjong Beach Club was launched in 2010 by two brothers from Australia who felt that party goers in this very by-the-book sort of city needed a place to let their hair down. Pop by during the day for chill out music, beach volleyball and awesome seafood, or turn up on the right night and you can join one of their famous ‘Smack my beach up’ celebrations, where you’ll find plenty of opportunities for beer pong, cocktail buckets and whatever subsequent consequences might ensue. 1-Altitude Another one on Sentosa, this time a terrace bar taking up the entire roof of the Outpost Hotel. It’s easily recognizable thanks to its modern black and white exterior, and the entire hotel is adults-only so you can come here any time of the day or night to get your grown-up beach bar fix. It’s right in the center of the island, so if you’ve spent the day meeting your heroes at Madame Tussauds or pumping adrenaline at Universal Studios you can head here afterwards to sip a cocktail and enjoy 360 degree views of the sunset. Then get your dancing heels on (or kick them off, whatever suits) as this daytime oasis transforms into a trendy chill-out bar with sleek dance sounds and night sky views all around. Raffles Okay, this is not strictly a nightclub (unless you define night club as somewhere that serves drinks after sunset, in which case we’re good), so consider it our alternative suggestion for anyone who’s more into history than hangovers. Easily visited via the Red Line of the Big Bus Tour, this colonial-style villa is one of the oldest in the city and has a past-guests list brimming with celebrity and royalty. Raffles is also the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, invented in a time when it was considered impolite for ladies to consume alcohol in public. The bartender saw an opportunity and disguised it in a juice drink, and unsurprisingly it was a massive hit. You can try one in the historic Long Bar, or you might prefer the more sophisticated interior of the Writer’s Bar, named for the numerous literary greats who’ve stayed in the hotel over the years. Dance the night away with Go City In Singapore, you can sightsee all day and party all night with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass. You’ll save on all your favorite attractions and have a vacation that’s truly one to remember!
Karleen Stevens
The rooftop infinity pool at the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel
Blog

Things to do in Singapore when it's hot out

Heat. Often it's what we seek when we head off on vacation. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming, forcing us to take shelter in the cold and dark. If you've suffered enough of the sun on your trip to Singapore, here are our picks of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Including: Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Virtual Room Singapore Sentosa 4D Adventureland Madame Tussauds Singapore and more! Enjoy a Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour One of the best ways to avoid the heat is to head out when the sun's gone down. No sun - no intense UV heat; a rule we should all live by. So if you want to see more of Singapore but don't want to sweat buckets, take an evening tour of Singapore's beautiful Marina Bay. With an experienced tour guide in tow, you'll pass plenty of Singapore's blissful landmarks, from the Gardens of the Bay to the SuperTrees, and along the Kallang River. And if you want to know more about each place, your guide will be more than happy to drop some knowledge bombs on your trip. If you're looking for things to do in Singapore when it's hot out, a nighttime cycle around the beautiful bay might be just the ticket. Experience a Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Or, why not brave the sun but embrace the cooling power of water? It's one of our favorite elements, easily beating out bottom-placed wind. The wind is fine, but it doesn't have the same fun factor. Anyway, with water in mind, why not take a splash on a nature kayaking adventure at Pulau Ubin? Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last remaining villages. As such, they live life a little in the past. And that means plenty of untouched natural beauty, clean air, and good vibes. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna like herons and kingfishers. Of course, the whole thing is guided by an expert, so they'll be able to fill you in on the village's way of life, as well as the different species that call Pulau Ubin home. Good stuff. Enter Virtual Room Singapore Want an even better way to avoid the heat when it's hot out? Why not look for things to do inside? There are plenty of fun things to do indoors in Singapore. You could even enter another reality if you like. And what better reality to enter than a virtual one? At VirtualRoom, you'll find an award-winning VR experience like no other. Fully immerse yourself in high-definition, three-dimensional gameplay as you interact with your surroundings, walk, talk, and solve problems. Each adventure lasts 40-50 minutes, but in the delightfully air-conditioned building, you won't feel a single bead of sweat. Play in your own dedicated room as you collaborate with other players in groups of two, three, or four. Then, solve puzzles, complete activities, and try to achieve sweet, sweet victory. Or fly a jet at Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Or, if you prefer your indoor, virtual entertainment with an injection of delicious adrenaline, then why not take to the skies in a VR fighter jet? Embody the spirit of Maverick as you swoop past some of the biggest landmarks in America. Fly by the Golden Gate Bridge? Not a problem. Descend into the Grand Canyon and pull off some sweet trench maneuvers? Go get 'em, champ. Even newbies can get involved, with an experienced instructor on hand to get you settled and show you the ropes. Take off, spins, drifts, and all the other terrifying maneuvers will be drilled into your brain before you're launched into the sky to do your thing. And, of course, you'll be surrounded by sweet, sweet air-con. Visit Sentosa 4D Adventureland For more inside fun to dodge the heat, why not enter the 4th dimension? At Sentosa 4D AdventureLand, you'll discover that the 4th dimension isn't time. Really, it's fun! Who knew? Pick two of the four rides on offer, and escape to another world entirely. On the Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ride, you'll relive some of the crazy sequences from the hit film, all while being splashed and feeling objects and insects fly past your face. Wild. Or, take the plunge on the Extreme Log Ride, saddle up on the Desperados ride, or dodge ghosts and other spooky somethings on the Haunted Mine ride. Whatever floats your boat, Sentosa 4D Adventureland is sure to tickle your fancy. That's why it's one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Image courtesy of nhumster/Shutterstock Immerse yourself at Madame Tussauds Singapore They say you should never meet your heroes. After all, celebrities have a tendency to quickly shatter the illusion you have in your head. You live long enough to see yourself become the villain and all that. But what if your favorite celebrity couldn't talk? What if they couldn't move? How could they ever tarnish the idea of them? They couldn't, which is why you should head to Madame Tussauds Singapore and snap some photos with your favs. From David Beckham to Taylor Swift, you're sure to find someone famous you like around there. And with rides and other fun things to do, it's definitely worth a visit during your vacation! Image courtesy of Saiko3p/Shutterstock Discover the National Museum of Singapore Want to learn more about Singapore's culture and history while dodging the heat? Head over to the National Museum of Singapore and get some of that sweet knowledge in you. Wander through multiple galleries that chart the course of Singapore's history, delve into its myriad cultures, and explore the stories of its residents throughout history. Learning about another culture is one of the joys of vacationing abroad, so you've got no excuse. Plus, thanks to the air conditioning, it's easily one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Venture out on a Night Safari And finally, let's end on another evening adventure. On this night safari, you'll get the chance to see a variety of exotic species like lions, tigers, hippos, and hyenas during the darker hours, just like in those nature documentaries! And best of all, at night, you can bet the temperature will be much cooler and more bearable. And that's our list of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Looking for more experiences to make your trip special? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley

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