Singapore, Singapore Hotels and City Guide

Singapore - Restaurants

Come hungry and eat often. Singapore loves food, and visitors will be treated to some of the best cuisine in Asia. Singaporean palates are treated to Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Italian, American, and French cuisines, among others. Singapore’s characteristic diversity clearly extends to its food. Among all the variety, don’t miss out on Singapore’s own culinary delights, such as chili crab, Char Kway Teaw, a delicious noodle dish that is both sweet and savory, or flavorful Satay, sumptuous skewered meat in a spicy peanut sauce. Seafood is a common staple on the island, and you can have it prepared in any number of mouth-watering ways.

Malayan, Indian, Chinese, and western influences combine to create an exciting choice of dishes and in the types of restaurants you can try during your visit. Graze at Singapore’s trendiest restaurant, Graze. Try their creative, healthy dishes while you lounge in the cute bungalow or elegant bar. Have an intimate dinner at IndoChine Waterfront, where you will be surrounded by oriental antiques and modern luxuries. Dine on superb seafood galangal soup or grilled scallops followed by their famous lemongrass crème brulee. For more casual dining, make a stop at the Adam Road Food Center to try Nasi Goreng and Singapore’s favorite, Nasi Lemak. You will find excellent Malay and Italian options. No wonder eating is considered Singapore’s unofficial pastime!

When in Singapore, experience one of the local hawker centers. You could eat at one everyday and not get the same thing twice. The variety is unbelievable, and the prices can’t be beat. Food and amenities can be expensive in the city, so save some money while giving yourself an authentic Singaporean treat. A hawker center is, in essence, a collection of vendors where you can find dishes from $2 -$5.

Visitors do not need to be intimidated by Singaporean dining customs, but they should keep the following in mind: many dishes are eaten with chopsticks. If you would prefer a fork and spoon, simply ask. Singapore is a gracious host and will gladly accommodate you. For those using silverware, use the fork to cut the food with your left hand and the spoon to pick up food in the right hand. If eating food with your fingers, always use your right hand as Singaporeans traditionally perform “dirty” tasks with the left (such as when using the bathroom). Though this may not be the case with today’s hygiene standards, it is still customary to eat with your right hand.

Visiting vegetarians, Buddhists, and Muslims will have no problem finding acceptable dishes and restaurants. Strict vegetarians will want to check when ordering to ensure that no meat-based products are used in the preparation of the meal. Muslims will see the MUIS-issued halal certificates, attesting to the vendor’s adherence to dietary restrictions. Jews who keep kosher will find food near the city’s two synagogues in the Business District, but kosher fare is harder to find overall.

From Australian to Italian to Chinese and authentic Singaporean, you will find a world of tastes to explore.

Singapore Restaurants

Pete's Place
Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 6416 7113

mezza 9
Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 6416 7189

Hai-Tien-Lo
The Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 6826 8338

Latour
Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 6737 3644

Gordon Grill
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6730 1744

Nadaman
Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
Tel: +65 6737 3644

Chang Jiang
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 6730 1752

Cherry Garden
The Oriental, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 6885 3538

Jiang-Nan Chun
Four Seasons Hotel, 190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248646
Tel: +65 6734 1110

Li Bai
Sheraton Towers Hotel, 39 Scotts Road, Singapore 228230
Tel: +65 6737 6888

JP Bastiani's
3A River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6433 0156

Our Village
46 Boat Quay, 4th and 5th Floors, Singapore 049835
Tel: +65 6538 3092

Thanying
Amara Hotel, 2nd Floor, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 6222 4688

Dragon City
Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Plymouth Wing, 214 Dunearn Road, Singapore 299526
Tel: +65 6254 7070

Club Chinois
Orchard Parade Hotel, 1 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247905
Tel: +65 6834 0660

Tipping

Unlike many other countries, tipping is discouraged by the Singaporean government. Don’t try to tip at the airport because it is prohibited, and there is generally no need to tip at hotels because a ten percent service charge is assessed. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers or at coffee shops and hawker centers. If you are unsure whether or not you should tip, look at the bill. There is often a service charge or gratuity included. Cases where you may want to tip include when you are dining with a large party. Typically, a ten percent tip is extended over the service charge. Many also tip hairdressers, manicurists, and valets at posh establishments (a dollar or two).

Hotels in Singapore, Singapore