HAWKER STALLS
FIRST THAI, 23 Purvis Street
‘Great value authentic Thai food. The servings are generous so it’s worth going with friends and sharing a variety of dishes.’ Anna-Marie Ullmann, income trader
MATTER ROAD SEAFOOD BARBECUE, 01-55 Old Airport Road Temporary Hawker Centre
‘Singapore is famous for its chilli crab. Matter Road (originally Mattar Road) has fresh crabs in spicy chilli and pepper sauces – I’m told the owner spends two days a week preparing them.’ Carmen Roberts
WEE NAM KEE HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE RESTAURANT, 275 Thomson Road, 01-09
‘Chicken rice is a must-try dish for visitors. Wee Nam Kee is a humble shop serving tasty and good quality rice, tender chicken and great chilli.’ Sheo Shanker Rai, hotel PR executive
LUNCH
STRAITS KITCHEN, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 10 Scotts Road
‘Delicious local delights served in posh surrounds for those not brave enough to hit the hawker stalls.’ CR
UNTEC CITY MALL, 3 Temasek Boulevard
‘Shop at this futuristic office/retail/exhibition complex and enjoy a quick but tasty lunch at The Fountain Terrace, home to outlets for Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian and every variety of Chinese food.’Nigel Yeo, retail assistant
CI YAN ORGANIC VEGETARIAN HEALTH FOOD, 8 Smith Street
‘The food here is delicious but basic, and the menu changes daily. The staff don’t speak much English, but the menu is chalked up in English on a blackboard by the counter so ordering is no problem.’ Belinda Tan, estate agent
PEARL RIVER PALACE, Suntec City
‘Located in the quiet and cavernous Convention Centre and Exhibition Hall, this is the place to go for incredible dim sum away from the noise and crowds.’ NY
DINNER
VALENTINO’S, 11 Jalan Bingka
‘This family-run Italian trattoria is set deep in the western suburbs and has a massive following of loyal local customers.’ Sunita Rajan, sales executive
IMPERIAL TREASURE, Second Floor, Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade
‘This restaurant wows me nonstop. The food is delicious – you must try the crispy roasted chicken.’ Ruth Lim, marketing and communications manager
RAKUZEN, Millenia Walk Mall, 9 Raffles Boulevard
‘This intimate restaurant serves excellent Japanese food at reasonable prices.’ Nathan Lee, property developer
HOTELS
THE SCARLET, 33 Erskine Road, Chinatown
‘Achingly hip hotel in the heart of Chinatown. Rooms have funky furnishings and there’s a cool vibe at the rooftop bar.’ CR
NAUMI, 41 Seah Street
‘A trendy 40-room boutique hotel with a small pool on the top floor with stunning views of the city.’ CR
GOODWOOD PARK, 22 Scotts Road
‘Combining five-star luxury with colonial design, the Goodwood is located on a quiet corner of Singapore’s super-shiny central shopping district. The dining is particularly good.’ Joseph Teo, business analyst
BARS
THE SCREENING ROOM, 12 Ann Siang Road, Chinatown
‘All-in-one hip entertainment venue comprising two bars, screening room, bistro and function room. The highlight is most definitely the sofa-filled movie rooms and the rooftop bar offering fantastic views.’ CR
THE SHACK, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa
‘The perfect spot for sundowners on a Sunday. Hop onto a day bed or deckchair and chill out with good tunes and a few beers while watching the sun set.’ A-MU
HIDDEN SPACES
GEYLANG SERAI MARKET, 39 Geylang Serai
‘Tucked away behind some older-style Geylang Road housing blocks, this is a traditional Asian market with baskets of dried fish, squirming toads, stingrays and slippery eels.’ CR
KAMPONG GLAM, Bussorah Street
‘This is where you’ll find restored colonial shophouses, shisha bars and an array of Malay and Arab shops. It’s where the hip young things of Singapore hang out and is also a great way to get an insight into Malay heritage.’ Michelle Wan, hotel PR director
DAY TRIP
JOHOR BAHRU
‘Take a bus across the short, narrow strait that separates Singapore from Malaysia to this relaxed, vibrant town where Singaporeans go to buy their fresh produce and find cheaper goods.’ NY
BEST BEACHES
SILOSO BEACH, SENTOSA
‘Undoubtedly the best beach in Singapore. There are also lots of activities here, like volleyball, as well as a vast choice of dining options nearby.’ Victoria Gifford Rombola, lawyer
EAST COAST PARK
‘Work up an appetite among locals enjoying sports such as tennis, golf, Rollerblading, cycling and wakeboarding at this large beach park, then head to the nearby East Coast Seafood Centre for some chilli crab and drunken prawns.’ NL
WHAT TO BRING HOME
KAYA
‘It’s a green egg jam that is best spread on bread or dipped into soft boiled eggs. Buy it in jars from supermarkets or speciality shops.’ Russell Ee, marine biologist
NONYA CAKES
‘Colourful rice-based coconut and pandang-leaf flavoured delicacies that look as good as they taste. Buy from Bengawan Solo cake shops.’ Linda Tan, teacher
