Leaf through any number of Singapore travel guides, and you’ll notice a pattern of recurring attractions. Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, the Merlion, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay — the list goes on.
While these glittering stars of Singapore’s tourism industry are indeed must-visits for newcomers, they hardly encompass all the Lion City has to offer.
Despite its youth as a city nation — or perhaps, because of it — Singapore plays different roles for different kinds of travellers. If you stick to the tried and tested, it’s an ultra-modern metropolis bustling with glitzy fine dining and white-walled cafes. But venture further, and you’ll find a dazzling street food scene, a melting pot of cultural tourist destinations, and maybe even a shot of excitement.
Even Singapore’s East Coast, home to the hipster enclave of Joo Chiat, is packed with surprises. Read on for a flâneur’s guide to the Lion City as you’ve never seen it before.
EAT
If you’ve been to Singapore before, you’ve probably pulled up a chair at its most famous eateries — from street food spots like Newton Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat to the many popular restaurants clustered around the centre of town. Here are some alternatives for diners craving new flavours — as a bonus, you might even find reservations or walk-in seats that much easier, too.
Experience Local Hawker Stalls
For a hawker centre experience that’s about as quintessentially Singaporean as it gets, head to the freshly renovated Old Airport Road Food Centre.
It’s popular among locals whether you’re there for lunch or dinner, with ample seating crammed between its bustling three rows of food stalls plus outdoor tables under quaint umbrellas. In terms of food, you’re pretty much spoilt for choice, too.
Our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors recommend To-Ricos Kway Chap for silky smooth broad rice noodles with a mix of pork bits and offal; Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow for dark sauce-laden fried noodles brimming with wok hei; and Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee for noodle enthusiasts who love their spice.
Embark on a Dessert Tour Across the East
Start at Beach Road, just a short hop away from the westernmost end of East Coast Park at Bib Gourmand hotspot: The Coconut Club (Beach Road).
Chendol is a well-loved Southeast Asian dessert made with shaved ice, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup, topped with slippery green pandan rice flour jelly noodles, red beans, and other confections depending on who's making it. It's sweet, creamy, and refreshing — perfect for cutting through rich meals or beating Singapore's tropical heat.
(Photo: The Coconut Club)
Next, head further east along Singapore’s longest beach to Katong for scoops of floral-scented gelato on thyme waffle cones at Birds of Paradise (Katong), the only MICHELIN listed ice cream shop where, according to our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors, Sea Salt Hojicha, White Chrysanthemum, and Raspberry Lychee are some of its outstanding offerings.
Finally, if you're feeling la dolce vita, head at Bib Gourmand Fico, about three-quarters of the way through the park, for cannoli, burrata gelato splashed with extra virgin olive oil, or opt for a sweet treat from the dessert trolley laden with Italian delights.
People-Watch as you Dine in Joo Chiat
In fast-paced Singapore, places where you can leisurely people-watch aren’t easy to come by — unless you’re in the hipster enclave of Joo Chiat.
It boasts a charming collection of heritage Peranakan shophouses, which means you’ll be able to spend an afternoon flitting between cultural experiences, great food and watching the world pass by. To combine the three, Chilli Padi (Joo Chiat) serves authentic Peranakan eats on tables covered with cute batik-inspired prints.
PLAY
With all those mainstream destinations crossed off your itinerary, your schedule might be feeling a little empty. Luckily, there are plenty of entertainment options available along the East Coast of Singapore, each more underrated and intriguing than the last.
Soak in Some Peranakan History
Joo Chiat was designated as Singapore’s first heritage town back in 2011 for a reason. Even today, traces of its historic Straits Chinese and Eurasian populations are evident throughout the district, from its colourful and intricate architecture, with pastel-hued shophouses adorned with tiles and geometric motifs lining the streets, to the collection of private museums and galleries scattered around the area.
Venture into Vibey Back Alleys for Candid Street Shots
The retro charm of Joo Chiat has hallmarked it as a destination for street photographers looking to capture nostalgia on film. Though the beautifully anachronistic shophouses are of course a huge attraction, visitors can also head into the area’s back alleys to discover hidden murals layered with history. A prime example is Medley Alley on 113 East Coast Road, where wings covered with colourful motifs inspired by Peranakan tiles work to reinforce the area’s rich heritage.
Uncover a Vintage Treasure Trove
There’s more to shopping than what you find on Orchard Road. On the East Coast of Singapore, those looking to indulge in some retail therapy will be pleased to find a growing selection of vintage clothing stores and thrift shops at Joo Chiat and its hipster bedfellow, Haji Lane.
In Joo Chiat, treasure hunters can step into A Vintage Tale, a whimsical boutique that channels old-school glamour with racks of handpicked vintage dresses, statement accessories, and a hidden bar for a little post-shopping tipple. You’ll also find the charming Cat Socrates, featuring a delightful mix of quirky stationery, books, and home décor. For vinyl enthusiasts, the area boasts several spots where you can browse through an eclectic selection of classic albums and retro memorabilia.
(Photo: A Vintage Tale)
Joo Chiat is also home to quirky bakery-cafés, wine bars, and specialty grocery stores like Little Farms and The Cheese Shop, where you can stock up on artisanal snacks, organic produce, and rare culinary goodies you won't find in your average supermarket. Just remember to save some room in your luggage for the inevitable haul — you’re not walking out of here empty-handed.
STAY
Ditch the predictable comfort of your go-to business hotel and make a beeline for accommodation that excites. Despite its compact size and polished reputation, Singapore attracts plenty of visitors seeking adventure, fostering a vibrant scene of quirky yet comfortable boutique guesthouses. Here are the ones to look out for.
The Vagabond Club, Singapore makes no apologies in its appeal to the unabashedly avant-garde, cloaking a mere 41 rooms with enough heavy wood, Italian marble, and Egyptian cotton to identify it as a player worthy of recognition. It fully embraces its location in the heart of Singapore’s buzzy Kampong Glam neighbourhood with a residential programme for notable writers, musicians, and visual artists from across the world. Take your chances with a stay, and you just might find yourself sipping a dram at their well-stocked whiskey library next to a current (or future) artistic luminary.
Cost of Stay: Prices start at US$205 for its lead-in Classic room. Book your stay here.
Old-world Indian colonial glamour takes centre stage at The Serangoon House where gilded canopy beds, marble-clad bathrooms, and even bedside rotary phones set the tone. This 90-room gem is perfectly situated in Singapore’s vibrant Little India district. It is every bit as bold and lavish as it sounds, and that’s all part of the charm of staying at a boutique hotel so committed to its oxymoronic vintage-modern aesthetic.
Cost of Stay: Prices start at US$175 for its lead-in Royal Classic Room. Book your stay here.
Hyatt’s luxury lifestyle spinoff, Andaz, might place personal style, freedom, and experimentation at the top of its priority list, but you’d never know it. From the moment you step into its elegantly appointed lobby of Andaz Singapore, you’re greeted with enough warmth and luxury to make you feel like a king. However, once you’ve stayed long enough to look past the stunning decorations and amenities, you’ll find that edge you’re looking for — and it is glorious.
Cost of Stay: Prices start at US$525 for its lead-in King Room. Book your stay here.
