Singapore food market

Unique Dining and Food Experiences in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak

If you’re looking for unique culinary experiences, you’ve come to the right place. Singapore is an absolute mecca for foodies. Here’s where spectacular Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indonesian influences collide in a veritable explosion of flavours; where you can gorge on umami hawker center chili crab for just a few dollars, or splash serious cash on tasting-menu odysseys at any number of Michelin star-winning luxury restaurants. There’s plenty to satisfy IG addicts too, with quirky dining options galore sure to light up your socials and set your tastebuds singing. Check out our guide to some of the most unique dining and food experiences in Singapore below, including:

  • Wild dining at Mandai Wildlife Reserve
  • Sky high eats on the Sentosa Cable Car and Singapore Flyer
  • Harry Potter vibes at Platform 1094
  • Hawker center street food highlights
  • Immersive dining at Absurdities
  • Robot baristas and fortune tellers at Soul Coffee
  • Underwater eats at Ocean Restaurant

Mandai Wildlife Reserve

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If you’ve always dreamed of breakfasting with baboons or picnicking with pandas, Mandai Wildlife Reserve is the place for you! Bird Paradise is where it’s at for peckish punters with a penchant for penguins. No, of course you don’t eat them! But you can watch them glide gracefully through their underwater kelp forests as you munch on your sandwiches. Or take in spectacular views of the wetlands waterfall and tropical birdlife from the Crimson Restaurant. Hit up neighboring Singapore Zoo for breakfast among the lush jungle foliage that surrounds Ah Meng Terrace. You’ll meet park ambassadors such as cute coatimundi, multicolored macaws and curious orangutans and hear from their handlers as you tuck into a wide range of breakfast items including cereals, fruits, eggs and curries. Heck, you can even have a four-course lunch overlooking the giant panda enclosure at River Wonders if you fancy it; a tour of the panda forest guarantees your Insta feed will be the envy of everyone you know. Top tip: you can save money with a Singapore pass from Go City that includes entry to all four of the Mandai wildlife parks. But note that the dining experiences are separate and must be booked direct via the individual attraction websites.

Sky High Dining

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Did someone say dinner with a view? Well, it doesn’t get much better than dining aboard the Singapore Flyer. Rotating all the way up to a knee-knocking 541 feet, this mammoth observation wheel is a great way to take in the city at night, as the sun sets and lights come on all over town. A double rotation of the wheel gives you plenty of time to finish your private dinner (served with champagne, natch). Just as much fun is the dinner and drinks experience aboard the Sentosa cable car, which soars 200 feet over the sea, showcasing Sentosa’s lush foliage and fine sandy beaches en route. Book a private pod for dinner at sundown and fear not: once again a double rotation means there’s no need to rush dessert.

Tea for Two

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No-one could ever accuse the late Queen Elizabeth II of being poorly traveled. Nor of declining a spot of light refreshment when offered. Her various sojourns to Singapore saw her (allegedly) drink the bar dry at the legendary Raffles hotel and, in 1989, bring hubby Phil along for a rather more sedate tea-drinking experience at Tea Chapter, one of the city’s most celebrated (and authentic) tea houses. You too can indulge in a regal tea appreciation ceremony right here in this lovingly converted haven of zen Chinese architecture, sampling the very same leaves – jasmine-scented Imperial Golden Cassia – once deemed fit for Liz’n’Phil.

Hawker Centers

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Rich with the heady scent of sizzling satay pork and deliciously umami chili crab, hawker centers – great sprawling street-food markets that can be stumbled upon on nearly every corner – are the quintessential Singapore foodie experience. If you only visit one, make it Lau Pa Sat, an iconic local landmark that’s as famous for its distinctive octagonal shape, colonial-style architecture and convivial dining crowd as it is for its food. Nab a spot beneath the center’s soaring Victorian arches and get stuck into a gourmand’s smorgasbord of international cuisines, including Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian, Chinese and more. Fancy a day at the beach instead? Hit up the East Coast Lagoon Food Village hawker center, where picture-postcard ocean views accompany your crispy oyster omelet and ice-cold Tiger beer. Perfection.

Absurdities

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If immersive dining experiences and little bottles bearing ‘drink me’ labels are your bag, the aptly named Absurdities restaurant is the one for you. Indeed, the term ‘restaurant’ feels a little prosaic for this wacky gastronomic journey, which promises a multi-course, multi-room culinary extravaganza in which you might find yourself coming over all reflective in a tunnel filled with infinity mirrors one minute, and exploring an enchanted forest or chilling in a Bedouin tent the next. The six-course omakase meal that accompanies this wonderfully disorienting and dreamlike experience is every bit as confounding, and twice as delicious. One way or another, you won’t forget it in a hurry.

Platform 1094

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You can expect to have an, ahem, wizard time at Platform 1094, Singapore’s first magic-themed café which takes Harry Potter as its theme and, well, flies with it. There’s wizard-themed decor, fun dressing up materials for kids (yes, and adults too) plus more Instagram opportunities than you can shake a wand at. The Enchanted Afternoon Tea, for example, comes with treats including chocolate frogs and golden blood mousse. Owl-shaped cookies, Quidditch-themed desserts and cauldron-shaped plates help keep the kids entertained while smoke effects and flaming cocktails make it a pretty magical experience for grown-ups too.

Ocean Restaurant

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Do you relish the prospect of watching (and being watched by) majestic manta rays and reef sharks while chomping on your tuna? Course you do! Ocean Restaurant is housed within Resorts World Sentosa, where you can accompany your sumptuous seafood dinner with ringside views of the oceanarium’s underwater habitat. Angled mirrors positioned strategically opposite the viewing window mean you’ll get an eyeful of kaleidoscopic tropical critters wherever you happen to be sitting in the restaurant. And there ain't nothing fishy about that.

Soul Coffee

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You’d be forgiven for thinking there are hallucinogens in the beans at Singapore’s Soul Coffee, where the often bewilderingly trippy experience takes in tarot readings, wild wall projections of the natural world, and a robot barista by the name of George Hillary. Ask Mr George for your coffee straight up, or set him to work on one of the signature horoscope blends, such as the super-sweet Capricorn with espresso, salted caramel and vanilla, or the Leo, with festive flavors of cinnamon and gingerbread. Mocktails in a range of bright colors and fruity flavors – yuzu, kiwi, pineapple, agave and more – round out the drinks selection.

Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari

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Last but by no means least in our rundown of unique, quirky and downright wacky dining experiences in Singapore is the relatively wholesome Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari. This safari-themed eatery in the hip Dempsey Hill district is a family favorite, all lush tropical foliage, al fresco dining opportunities and an ace playground to keep the kids entertained. Heck, there’s even an edible garden for intrepid little adventurers to explore. Work up an appetite in the glorious grounds then tuck into sourdough waffles, face-sized wedges of carrot cake and some of the best coffee in the neighborhood.

Save on attractions and activities in Singapore

Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

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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Traditional boat on the Singapore River near Clarke Quay
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Best boat tours in Singapore

Set on the banks of the historic Singapore River, Singapore has a deep connection to water and it’s the lifeblood of this Asian metropolis. Hopping on a boat ride and exploring the ancient river and its islands is an incredible way to see the city from a unique perspective. We hit the water and came up with a list of the best boat tours in Singapore. From classic bumboat tours of the city to exploring the northeastern islands of the city-state, you’ll find an array of fantastic boat tours that cater to every desire. Here are our top picks for boat tours in Singapore. Grab your camera and let’s hit the water! Singapore River Cruise Highlights See the city from a unique perspective Experience life on the Singapore River both day and night Discover the city’s extraordinary mix of heritage and modernity Spot famous landmarks like the Merlion, Raffles, and the Esplanade Experience Singapore’s most famous landmarks and historic monuments on a Singapore River Cruise. One of the best boat tours in the city, this fantastic tour takes you past all the top spots in the city. Hop on a traditional bumboat at Clarke Quay Counter, the very place where Sir Stamford Raffles first stepped foot onto Singapore. Marvel at the enchanting mix of rich heritage and modern architecture. Ancient shophouses along the riverbanks have been beautifully restored to house stylish restaurants and bars and shimmering skyscrapers stand sentry over the city. Glide beneath the grand bridges of Singapore such as the Anderson, Cavenagh, and Clemenceau Bridges, and learn their fascinating stories from your guide. You’ll also get to visit various historical landmarks along the Singapore River that played a central role in the development of the city. Pass the emblematic Merlion statue at Marina Bay and keep an eye out for the Raffles' landing at the historic Boat Quay. Admire the breathtaking modern architecture of the Esplanade performing arts center. Designed to look like a durian (tropical fruit), the striking buildings have aluminum cladding that reflects the sun to create a spectacular shimmering effect. Have your camera ready to catch it at the perfect angle. Singapore River Cruises are offered during the day and at night. Don’t forget to use your pass to get onto one of these incredible tours and soak up the essence of Singapore. Singapore DUCK Tour Highlights Explore Singapore on land and sea by amphibious vehicle Make a splashy entrance into the sea at Marina Bay Another fantastic way to explore the city from the water is on a Singapore DUCK Tour. These tours are conducted on remodeled amphibious vehicles from the Second World War Vietnam and promise an unforgettable experience. Use your pass to enjoy this one-of-a-kind Singapore experience. Hop on board at Suntec Shopping Mall and drive to Marina Bay where you’ll splash into the water for the water-based part of the tour. Take in spectacular views of Singapore’s famous landmarks like the Esplanade Theater, Gardens by the Bay, and the awe-inspiring Marina Bay Sands. Keep your camera on hand to snap a shot of the official mascot of Singapore - the Merlion. Trundle back onto land and drive into the Civic District, passing the giant Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel. Explore the rich history of the city with visits to the Old Supreme Court, where the British surrendered to the imperial Japanese army during the Second World War. Pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Japanese occupation as you pass the War Memorial Park. Take a final spin around the world’s largest water fountain, the Fountain of Wealth before ending your tour back at Suntec City. Sunset Sail - Dinner Cruise Highlights Cruise in luxury on the Royal Albatross tall ship Discover the magic of old Singapore Take in the spectacular sunset from the water Enjoy a gourmet three-course dinner while cruising Treat yourself to something special with a luxury dinner cruise on the Royal Albatross. Board the four-mast, 22-sail tall ship at the Sentosa Gateway and cruise past the Palawan Beach Walk on Sentosa Island as you sip aperitifs. Watch the sun dip below the horizon as you sail past the beautiful southern islands of St Johns and Lazarus. Sit down to a gourmet three-course dinner of globally-inspired cuisine. Marvel at the spectacular views of the city by night as you sail back to Sentosa. Kelong and Pulau Ubin Guided Boat Tour Highlights Escape the city and explore the northeastern shores of Singapore See mangrove swamps, uninhabited islands, and loads of nature Experience life on a floating fish farm Discover the island of Pulau Ubin Escape the concrete jungle and enjoy a three-hour sojourn to the northeastern banks of Singapore. Hop on a catamaran at the SAF Yacht Club and head out to sea with an experienced guide at the helm. As you make your way towards Pulau Ubin, keep an eye out for fishermen earning their living and floating kelong villages. Learn about life on a kelong, a wooden platform built by fishermen primarily for fishing or fish farming, and the struggles of sustainable fishing and fish farming. Larger structures are also used by fisherman and their families as dwellings. Only a handful of these ancient structures remain due to rapid urbanization. Cruise along the shores of Pulau Ubin, the only inhabited island out of Singapore’s 63 islands, and home to traditional kampongs (villages) and disused granite quarries. Pass the lush mangrove swamps of the Chek Jawa Wetlands and watch out for bulbuls and kingfishers. End your trip with a visit to a kelong with a floating restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal as you experience life on a floating fish farm. Southern Islands Tour Highlights Explores Singapore’s lesser-known southern islands Learn interesting history and facts about the islands from an experienced onboard guide Enjoy a picnic on Lazarus Beach Hop on a private boat charter for a curated tour of Singapore’s lesser-known islands. Explore five beautiful islands, including Kusu Island, Lazarus Island, St John's Island, Sisters’ Islands, and Seringat Island. As you cruise around the uninhabited islands, a professional guide will share the rich historical and cultural heritage of the islands and the extraordinary biodiversity of flora and fauna that reside on them. Visit the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, home to Singapore’s first turtle hatchery. Discover why Kusu Island is also known as Tortoise Island and is steeped in local folklore and myth. Learn the significant history of St John's Island that is tied to Singapore. Enjoy a picnic on the little-known beach paradise of Lazarus Island and swim in gin-clear waters.
Alex Birungi
Friends having fun on a rollercoaster.
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The Best Theme Parks in Singapore

Looking for high-octane thrills in Singapore? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got rollercoasters! We’ve got bungee jumps! We’ve got hair-raising rainforest luge rides! Heck, we’ve even got a great big swing that soars 40 meters above the beach! Add to that water parks and plenty more kid-friendly fun and you’ve got everything you need for a fun-packed Singapore vacation. Here’s our adrenaline-fueled guide to the very best theme parks in Singapore... Universal Studios There’s hours of fun to be had at Universal Studios Singapore (USS), the first and indeed only Universal Studios in all of Southeast Asia, with a whopping six themed zones to explore. We’re talking everything from kid-friendly meet and greets with the Minions, SpongeBob and Sesame Street pals to white-knuckle rollercoasters like Revenge of the Mummy and the Accelerator for teens and grown-ups. Adrenaline heads should make straight for Sci-Fi City, an imagined metropolis of the future where the dueling Human and Cylon Battlestar Galactica rollercoasters are among the tallest of their kind in the world and are all but guaranteed to trigger your fight or flight response. For something a teeny tiny bit more sedate, hop aboard the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure in The Lost World zone for a white-knuckle white-water adventure pursued by hungry dinosaurs. Or join the kids in Far Far Away, a vast Shrek-inspired zone with family friendly fun featuring all your favorite characters, including a Puss in Boots rollercoaster and a live show starring Donkey himself. Though hands-down the best theme park in all of Singapore, USS is just one of many amusements designed to attract thrill seekers across the bay to Sentosa. Read on to discover what else you can do on this diminutive island... Adventure Cove Water Park A hop and a skip from USS, Adventure Cove offers yet more heart-pounding rides for adrenaline junkies. Spiral Washout is every bit as exhilarating as its name sounds: brave souls are fired down a giant flume with only a rubber dinghy to cling to for dear life, before being unceremoniously ejected into a pool, at very high speed. Then there’s the terrifying-sounding Riptide Rocket with its gravity defying loops and twists and stomach-churning drops. Once again, there are also plenty of rather more tranquil entertainments for the faint of heart to enjoy. Drift along the Adventure River in a huge donut, meandering gently through 14 different zones, including a flourishing jungle garden and peaceful grotto. There’s even an underwater tunnel full of colorful tropical marine life, like something from a particularly psychedelic dream. You can ogle many more such eye-popping critters while snorkeling the Rainbow Reef, home to over 20,000 fish. Or kick back with the kids in the wave pool at Bluwater Bay or at Big Bucket Treehouse, where avoiding a drenching is the (near-impossible) name of the game. AJ Hackett Sentosa Set on the golden sands of Sentosa’s palm-strewn Siloso beach, AJ Hackett provides ideal entertainment for those with a head for heights, or indeed anyone who just fancies scaring themselves silly. Experience crazy highs on the SkyBridge, 47 meters above terra firma before testing your mettle on the bungee rope or giant swing. Big enough to hold two people, the swing soars over Siloso’s treetops at nerve-jangling speeds of up to 120kph, so maybe not one to attempt too soon after lunch. Skyline Luge This one’s a corker for anyone who feels the need... for speed. First though, the Skyline cable car carries you gently up, up and away over the jungle treetops to the top of the hill, where four different luge tracks – each over 600 meters in length – allow you to choose your thrill-a-second downhill adventure. Don your helmet, strap in and get ready to burn some rubber on your track of choice, be it the Expedition Trail through the twists, turns and tunnels of Sentosa’s rainforest, the Dragon Trail where mythical fire-breathing beasts lie in wait for you, or the Jungle Trail’s terrifyingly tight hairpins. Jewel Changi Airport Is it an airport? Is it a theme park? You decide! In any case, it's easily among the best entertainment destinations in Singapore. Alongside the great many shops and restaurants housed inside this architectural masterpiece, you’ll find epic indoor waterfalls, unique art installations, and a lush garden that spans five floors. And that’s just for starters! Go on a Jewel-rassic dinosaur hunt in the Shiseido Forest Valley and Canopy Park, where your augmented-reality TimeLens reveals Jurassic behemoths lurking in the undergrowth. Bounce yourself silly on the huge Bouncing Net, lose yourself in the kaleidoscopic Mirror Maze and interact with art in the giant sculpture playground that is Discovery Slides. Or, if you just want to let loose, The Slide@T3 may be for you. This four-story slide whizzes willing victims participants from level one all the way down to basement level three in just a few thrilling seconds. Pororo Park Themed around the animated series Pororo the Little Penguin, this indoor amusement park is strictly for the kids. It’s a technicolor explosion of fun, where infants and toddlers can meet Pororo and other pals including Crong the baby dino, Rody the robot and Popo and Pipi the... well, we’re not quite sure what Popo and Pipi are. Gentle activities here include a sensory Hinoki Pit filled with tiny wooden cubes, Poby’s Jungle Gym, Pororo’s House and, perhaps best of all, the Pororo Express Train, ably piloted around the park by Pororo and Eddy the fox. Haw Par Villa No rides here, but what Haw Par Villa lacks in adrenaline rushes it more than makes up for in hallucinatory historical dioramas. Make no mistake: this is one of the weirdest theme parks you’ll ever visit, containing hundreds of statues depicting Chinese folk tales and lessons in Buddhist morality. If you think that’s given you some idea of what to expect, think again. Some of the dioramas look like the kind of thing you might expect to encounter in a fever dream. Rat taking a phonecall? Sure, why not! Tortoise serving tea to a deer? Completely normal! Giant crab with a grinning human head? Oh, go on then! As fascinating and memorable as a trip to Haw Par Villa undoubtedly is, do note that the hellish and macabre nature of many of the exhibits mean parental discretion is advised if you’re planning on taking the kids along. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Coffee mug on a ledge with Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background
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Best cafes in Singapore

There’s nothing better than taking our time over a morning coffee or late breakfast – and there’s no better time for it than when we’re on vacation! Plus, it’s one of the best ways to soak up the atmosphere of a new city – sitting outside and watching people go past, checking out quirky interior décor or even chatting to whoever’s on the next table. If you’re in Singapore, you’ll find plenty to choose from, many with great views and cool vibes as well as awesome views! Here’s our list of some of the best: Waga Waga Den One Fullerton Tea Chapter My Awesome Café The Mind Cafe Sunday Folks Silver Shell Café Soak up Singapore vibes with Go City Whether you prefer cozy interiors or sweeping views, there’s nothing like relaxing over a coffee to build up energy for sightseeing! Make sure you’ve got your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass, so you’ll save on all your favorite Singapore attractions as you go!
Karleen Stevens

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