Dr Nicola Cann, Sleep Psychologist & Regular Contributor
If you judge a city by its food, Singapore punches far above its weight. In the 2017 CNN Readers’ Choice survey of the World’s Best Foods, this tiny island-state claimed four of the top fifty spots—a remarkable feat for a country with fewer than six million people.
I moved to Singapore in 2019 and spent around 3 years living there ‘full time’. I now split my time between the ‘Lion city’ and New Zealand. When I’m back it’s safe to say I always make sure to get my fill of all the food.
Singapore is famous for being clean, efficient, and multicultural, but ask any local what they’re most proud of, and chances are the answer will be food. From humble hawker stalls to Michelin-starred fine dining, from kopi made the traditional way to avant-garde cocktails, the city is a paradise for foodies.
The problem isn’t finding good food—it’s knowing where to start. Most visitors pass through Singapore on a stopover, with just a day or two to explore. But fear not: you can still enjoy a whirlwind culinary adventure that captures the essence of Singaporean cuisine while seeing some of the city’s iconic sights.
In this guide I’m going to take you through a full day in Singapore, structured around eating (naturally), with practical tips for navigating the city. Bring an empty stomach, an EZ-Link or contactless card for the MRT, and maybe a packet of tissues to “chope” (reserve) your seat.
Why Singaporean Food is Special
Singaporean cuisine is a living reflection of the city’s history and diversity. It draws from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Indonesian, Peranakan, and Eurasian traditions, yet every dish has evolved into something uniquely Singaporean. Char kway teow here tastes different from Penang’s version; laksa comes in varieties that spark endless debates over authenticity. Even “simple” roti prata or kopi has dozens of variations depending on where you buy it.
The food culture also reflects Singapore’s rapid economic rise: alongside heritage hawkers, you’ll find sleek cafés, experimental fine dining, and some of Asia’s most innovative bars. What unites them all is a national obsession with food. Singaporeans talk about what they’re eating, what they just ate, and what they’re planning to eat next.
Tips Before You Start Eating
- Bring cash or a contactless card – most hawkers now accept PayNow or QR payments, but a few still prefer cash.
- Look for queues – locals will wait in line for the best stalls. Follow their lead.
- Stay hydrated – hawker centres aren’t air-conditioned; bring water or order fresh lime juice or a coconut with a straw.
- Book ahead for fine dining or bars – spontaneity is great for hawkers, but Michelin restaurants and cocktail spots fill quickly.
- Travel light – Singapore is compact, and the MRT (subway) is efficient, clean, and air-conditioned.
- Check the price – in many bars and restaurants prices will be “++”, which means you need to add on service charge of 10% and GST at 9%.
Morning: Kopi, Kaya Toast, and a Taste of Local Life
Start your day the Singaporean way: at a kopitiam (traditional coffee shop). Forget flat whites and frappuccinos—here the drink of choice is kopi, roasted with sugar and butter, then brewed in a sock-like filter. Order confidently:
- kopi – comes with condensed milk and sugar
- kopi-o – black with sugar
- kopi-o kosong – black, no sugar
- kopi siew dai – less sugar
Pair it with kaya toast (toasted bread slathered with coconut jam and butter) and soft-boiled eggs seasoned with soy sauce and pepper. It’s sweet, salty, and rich—the perfect start.
Where: Anywhere in Singapore, but Tong Ah Kopitiam at 35 Keong Saik Road is a good central option.
MRT: Outram Park (10-minute walk)
Cost: Around S$5
If kaya toast feels too heavy, another favourite of mine is youtiao (fried dough sticks), ideal for dipping in sweet kopi. Either way, you’ll quickly understand why a lot of Singaporeans don’t eat breakfast at home.
Sightseeing tip: From Keong Saik, stroll into Chinatown. Wander past restored shophouses, pop into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, or browse the Chinatown Complex hawker centre (home to the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal—soya sauce chicken rice for S$3).
Late Morning: Coffee Culture, Old Meets New
Singapore’s café scene is booming, with anything on offer from third-wave speciality coffees, to Instagrammable minimalist cafes, and local hybrids. So if you need a break from sightseeing, and caffeine boost, skip the international chains and try one of Singapore’s homegrown coffee gems.
For specialty, third-wave style brews, head to Chye Seng Huat Hardware in Jalan Besar or The Community Coffee near Telok Ayer, both known for their precise brewing and single-origin beans. Minimalist cafés like Nylon Coffee Roasters in Everton Park or Japanese-inspired Kurasu Singapore at Waterloo Street are perfect if you love clean design with your flat white. Or, for something uniquely local, grab a strong, fragrant cup at Kopi More in Far East Plaza, where kopi culture meets modern brewing.
Sightseeing tip: After your mid-morning coffee, head towards Little India on the MRT. Wander through the Tekka Centre, shop for spices, or admire the technicolour Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. You’re perfectly placed for lunch.
Lunch: Hawker Heaven
No Singapore food trail is complete without a hawker centre. These bustling food courts, recognised by UNESCO in 2020 as intangible cultural heritage, are the beating heart of the city.
Here’s what to order:
- Laksa – rich noodle soup with coconut milk and sambal. Try the legendary bowls at Sungei Road Laksa.
- Hokkien Mee – stir-fried egg and rice noodles with seafood, best eaten with sambal and calamansi lime.
- Carrot Cake (Chai Tow Kway) – not a dessert! It’s fried radish cake with eggs, salty and crispy.
- Roti Prata – flaky Indian flatbread with curry dip. Comfort food at its best.
- Rojak – fruit and vegetable salad tossed with shrimp paste dressing and peanuts. Sweet, savoury, tangy, addictive.
Top hawker centres to try:
- Tekka Centre (Little India) – for curries and prata.
- Old Airport Road (Geylang) – beloved by locals.
- Chinatown Complex – for soya chicken rice and endless noodle and dumpling stalls.
Cost: Most dishes S$3–S$6.
Sightseeing tip: After lunch, head by MRT or taxi to Marina Bay Sands. Walk along the waterfront, admire the skyline, or pop into the ArtScience Museum. Save Gardens by the Bay for evening, when the Supertrees light up.
Afternoon: Sweet Treats and Tropical Fruits
By mid-afternoon you’ll need a sugar hit. Luckily, Singapore’s dessert culture is as rich as its savoury one.
Traditional Kueh
Small, colourful treats often made with rice flour and coconut milk. Try:
- Kueh lapis – Layered buttery cake.
- Lapis sagu – Rainbow-layered steamed cake, fun to peel apart.
- Ondeh-ondeh – My personal favourite, pandan flavoured balls, coated in coconut and filled with molten palm sugar that bursts in your mouth.
Street Snacks
- Pisang goreng – banana fritters, crisp and sweet.
- Muah chee – glutinous rice flour coated in crushed peanuts, messy and delicious.
Boutique Ice Cream
- Birds of Paradise (East Coast/Chinatown Point) – botanical-inspired gelato (try the white chrysanthemum with cacao nibs).
- Apiary (Neil Road) – artisanal ice cream, local flavours like pandan or blue pea vanilla.
The Durian Experience
No article on Singaporean food is complete without durian, the “King of Fruits.” Its pungent smell divides opinion, but many locals adore its creamy, custard-like flesh. Head to Geylang or Balestier Road, follow your nose, and let the seller pick a durian for you.
Not feeling brave enough? Try cempedak (a milder cousin) or stick to tropical fruits like rambutan, mangosteen, or soursop.
Sightseeing tip: From Chinatown, walk or ride to Kampong Glam. Explore Haji Lane’s street art and boutiques, visit the golden-domed Sultan Mosque, and stop for a snack. You’re also near Bar Stories—handy for fabulous cocktails later.
Dinner: From Shophouses to Michelin Stars
Evenings are when Singapore’s fine-dining scene shines. You can go casual with modern bistros or splash out on Michelin-starred tasting menus. Options span the globe but increasingly pay homage to Singaporean roots.
- Esquina (Keong Saik) – Catalan-style tapas in a lively shophouse.
- Thevar (Keong Saik) – bold modern Indian with Michelin recognition.
- Lolla (Ann Siang Road) – Mediterranean small plates, female-led kitchen, open counter dining.
- Revolver (Tras Street) – modern Indian grilling, stylish and loud.
- Odette (National Gallery) – French fine dining, one of Asia’s best restaurants.
- Labyrinth (Esplanade Mall) – “New Singaporean Cuisine,” reimagining local hawker classics with creativity and nostalgia.
Cost: From S$80 per person for tasting menus at casual fine dining, to S$400+ at three-starred institutions.
Sightseeing tip: If you dine near City Hall or Marina Bay, step out afterwards to see the Marina Bay Sands light show or a nighttime stroll along the Singapore River.
Evening Drinks: Cocktails in the Lion City
Singapore doesn’t just do food well—it’s also a heavyweight in cocktails, with four bars in the World’s 50 Best Bars (2024).
- Jigger & Pony (Tanjong Pagar) – consistently ranked top 10 globally; known for approachable yet creative cocktails and great mocktails.
- Atlas (Bugis) – step into a soaring Art Deco hall with 1,300 gins and 250 champagnes. Luxury personified.
- Bar Stories (Kampong Glam) – no menu; bartenders create bespoke cocktails based on your preferences. Intimate and unforgettable.
- For the cliché (but still fun): Order a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel. Pricey, touristy, but iconic.
Cost: Expect S$25–S$40 per cocktail.
Getting around: The MRT runs until around midnight; after that, Grab (ride-hailing) is your friend.
Conclusion: Eating Your Way Through Singapore
In just one day, you’ve tasted kopi, kaya toast, hawker favourites, sweet treats, fine dining, and world-class cocktails. You’ve wandered Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, Marina Bay, and more—all through the lens of food.
Singapore may be small, but its culinary scene is vast, layered, and deeply tied to its identity. Whether you’re here for a layover or a longer stay, the best way to understand the Lion City is to eat like a local: follow the queues, embrace the heat, and never say no to “just one more dish.”
Food isn’t just fuel here. It’s history, culture, community, and celebration. And after a day of feasting, you’ll see why Singapore has earned its reputation as one of the world’s great food capitals.
If you liked this post, check out my Alternative Guide to Singapore
