Calling all foodies! We’ve found your travel paradise

By Hannah Edensor

Food has become one of the most sought-after features of travel, with tours on cruises, hotels, coaches – you name it – looking to foodie experiences as the ultimate travel drawcard.

So when you’re seeking some of the most exciting flavours in the world, where’s your first stop? Singapore, of course.

You’ll find some of the best hawker food in Singapore, but you’ll also find Michelin-star restaurants and world-renowned chefs.

Foodies from around the world flock to this Asian city to uncover some of the most diverse and delicious food on the planet.

Find out the tantalising delights you’ll taste when you visit the Lion City.

Get local

Everywhere you look, travellers want to sit in the street and share a meal with the locals, so that’s exactly what Singapore gets you to do.

There is an endless supply of local creations to try. The fantastic thing about local food in Singapore is that it’s cheap and highly accessible.

First on your list should be Maxwell Food Centre. Conveniently located on the fringe of the bustling Central Business District (CBD), this hawker centre is home to over 100 food stalls that put out some excellent crowd favourites.

One of the biggest highlights is Tian Tian Chicken Rice, this famous outlet (which won over celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain when he visited Singapore some years ago) specialises in one of the nation’s most iconic dishes—tender chicken served with a side of fragrant white rice alongside fiery-tangy chilli sauce, dark soy sauce, and a bowl of belly-warming soup.

Another spot to check out is Lau Pa Sat. This historic food market was established in the 19th century and is an architectural feast for the eyes. Here you’ll find a smorgasbord of creations, from fishball noodles to chapati (Indian flatbread served with curry).

Love the idea of chowing down on satay (grilled skewered meat) while chugging an ice-cold Tiger beer with your mates? You’ll be spoilt for choice at Satay by the Bay. Located at the award-winning Gardens by the Bay, this food centre features numerous pushcarts serving up the delicious Malay creation. Don’t forget that side of peanut sauce!

Get a bit fancy

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So you’ve savoured the streets and want to see what else is on the menu? Try a celebrity chef adventure or a Michelin-star experience!

Get a taste of your favourite celebrity chefs’ creations at dining establishments like Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Tetsuya Wakuda’s Waku Ghin, and Cut by Wolfgang Puck—all of which can be found under one roof over at the world-famous integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands.

For some real Michelin-star hotspots, try the following divine locations:

Joël Robuchon Restaurant – contemporary French cuisine in an Art Deco-inspired dining room (3 stars)
Les Amis – serving up plates of delicious French food combined with a light touch of Asian aesthetics (2 stars)
Shisen Hanten – this Japanese restaurant at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore uses family recipes to bring a taste of Japanese fusion to Singapore (2 star)
Alma by Juan Amador – Enjoy Asian-influenced Spanish-European cuisine at this restaurant in five-star Goodwood Park Hotel (1 star)

Get back to the roots

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Want a taste of traditional Singapore? Longstanding heritage restaurants are the answer.

Head over to the ever-charming neighbourhood of Joo Chiat in eastern Singapore for bak chang—rice dumpling with various fillings, such as meat—from Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

While you’re here, you might want to also pick up some Peranakan (Straits-born people of Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage) treats like pineapple tarts and kueh (bite-sized desserts).

If you can handle the heat, there’s Samy’s Curry over at popular dining enclave Dempsey. This Indian dining establishment has been around since the 1950s and has been serving up plates of their iconic dishes like fish head curry and chicken masala.

For a dizzying array of mouth-watering options, Hajah Maimunah at Kampong Glam is a must-visit. Traditional Malay dishes take centre stage at this glorious eatery, and you can expect to find creations like beef rendang (braised beef cooked in coconut milk and spices) and tahu telor (tofu omelette served with peanuts and a spicy sauce).

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