Rosie & Gen
Things to Do
Tiong Bahru Market
Close to where we live, and where Rosie works, this food market has almost everything you could want to try while you're here. Some recommendations include: Chicken Rice: Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice #02-82 Soya Milk: Teck Seng Soya Bean Milk #02-69 Bak Chor Mee: Kim Fa Fish Ball Minced Meat Noodle #02-65 Chee Kueh: Jian Bo Chee Kueh #02-05 Try them all. In the same trip. Bring friends.
Xiao Ya Tou
A more up-market, hipster, pricier version of local classics but with just as much wok hey as the OGs. In fact - try Tiong Bahru market's hokkien mee, then try Xiao Ya Tou's (pictured)! We've eaten here a number of times and have tried almost everything on the menu just so we can say with 100% certainty that this is a MUST go while you're here (you're welcome). so go, you must.
JUMBO Seafood - various locations
There are sooooo many ways crab is done here in Singapore. Some say Jumbo has the best chilli crab, some say other places do it better. All we know is you just have to try it. Unless you're Gen, or Joe, or also allergic to crab. Get the fried buns ('mantou') with the chilli crab. You won't regret it. Unless you're gluten intolerant. Then why on earth are you eating buns?!
The Coconut Club
Up market, delicious, and completely insta-friendly! What more do you need?! Have the nasi lemak, have the extra dishes, end it all off with the cendol, a delicious local desert. Don't forget to take a photo of it though! Because if it's not on social media, did it even happen?!
Char
Amazing roast meats, melt in your mouth char siew (sweet roasted pork), delicious salted egg pork. Basically, don't go to Char if you're vegetarian. Or don't eat pork. Or don't want your past substandard char siew experiences marred by deliciousness.
Burnt Ends
There is nothing this place can't do - their bakery is incredible, the restaurant has a warmth and that's not just because of the 4 door oven that constantly churns out the most exquisite flavours. It's very difficult to get a reservation here, even with their expansion. Bookings open a couple of months in advance so get on it as soon as you can (and feel free to invite us along!) Try everything, and when you're think you're done, have 1 more thing, then get dessert.
Combat Durian
Not for the faint of heart. Leave your sense of smell at home, bring your sense of adventure.
Antea Social
We found a pop up Antea Social while on an experiential walk around a neighbourhood in the east called Joo Chiat. In between writing on a pavement in chalk (don't worry, all legal, no vandalism here), playing croquet down an alley, and looking for clues tied to trees, out popped Antea Social's Lychee Oolong, providing us with a little respite on a hot day. Before it started raining. Singapore weather eh.
Native
This has been described as one of the best bars in the world. From the photos on google, we'd agree. The best bit? Start with drinks here, at their rooftop bar (it's literally, in a roof), then head on downstairs to Dumpling Darlings for delicious upmarket dumplings or Wanton Seng's Noodle Bar for delicious wantons and add ons, or over to Tanjong Pagar for korean fried chicken at Kko Kko Nara. I mean, this is the gift that keeps on giving.