Things To Do

Acid Bar

Where the story began. 'Acid Bar' is at the bottom of Emerald Hill, a heritage street right in the centre of Orchard Road, the shopping centre of Singapore. The street has several bars with drink offers and live music - Scott also proposed on the corner to cheers from the Acid Bar Sunday afternoon crowd. Also go to '5 on Emerald Hill' for deals on Martinis and as many peanuts as you can shell (feel free to just chuck the shells on the floor)

Boat Quay

Historical riverside area in the centre of downtown – a string of bars line the water and the streets behind – great for a soaking up the atmosphere of the city. Weekdays tend to be busier than the weekends with the working crowd. Check out 'Penny Black', an English bar on the corner, the 'Harry's Bar' where Nick Leeson went to hide after bringing down Barings Bank, or 'Club Hitsuji' for excellent Japanese Lamb BBQ

Botanic Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city to explore the world's first tropical garden to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens are extensive and can be entered from either from Bukit Timah Gate (Botanic Gardens MRT Station), or the Tanglin Gate (Orchard Road MRT Station + Bus). Check out the Evolution Garden, the Orchid Garden, or just stroll around the lakes - watch out for wild chickens and big monitor lizards!

Chinatown

One of the three cultural centres of Singapore (along with Little India and Kampong Glam). The area is one of the best places to pick up souvenirs. There are a lot of great hidden food spots here too (try Maxwell Food Centre or People's Park Food Centre and look for the stall with the longest queue), or indulge in some traditional Chinese massage to address the airplane stiffness!

Chijmes

Clarke Quay

Bar and club district in Singapore – bit commercial but great location in centre of town and picturesque setting on the river. Be prepared for rowdy expats and drunken teenagers. For the more daring, Bungee Bar has some daredevil rides which offer a 360 degree view of the city.

Gardens by the Bay

Haji Lane

ION Orchard Mall

The main shopping centre on Orchard Road, and is connected underground to even more shops! Located just above the Orchard MRT Station, this mall has everything from high end to High Street, with food options to match. Ladies, you'll definitely want to check out the Charles and Keith store (#B3-58) for some trendy new kicks. Ps – Justine used to be part of the footwear design team.

Kra Pow Thai Restaurant

Thai gem inside Far East shopping centre – serves authentic thai street food at a reasonable price. Make sure to ask for less spicy if you’re not a heat freak. Our recommendation would be the Kra Pow Chicken, Tom Yum Soup, Pad Thai and Red Ruby for dessert.

Little India

Another of Singapore’s cultural centres. Recommend to get off at the train at Little India MRT Station, Tekka Market exit, then walk up Serangoon Road and down side streets to soak up the energy. Top recommendations – Mutton Biryani from Allauddins (stall #01-229, Tekka Market), veg thali from 'Madras New Woodlands'. You can also head up all the way to Mustafa Centre, a huge superstore selling everything (literally).

Newton Food Centre

Head here for a taste of local street food. There is an art to this. Go in an evening, find a table, then look for the stall with the longest queue and join the line! Some of our favourites are: Hokkien Mee from #01-15, Chai Tow Kway (white carrot cake) and chicken wings from #01-28, popiah from #01-12, fish porridge from #01-20, sambal stingray from #01-39. Complete your meal with fruit juice from #01-08 or an ice cold pint of Tiger – our local beer – from #01-41 (the guy is super proud of how ice cold his beer is)

Raffles Hotel

Recently refurbished, this is the centre of colonial Singapore. We went to the Long Bar in our third date – it’s a singapore institution and home of the Singapore Sling – although neither of us had been before or back since.

Sanpoutei Ramen

Simply the best! Rich TORI x SPICY-MISO ramen for me, Rich TORI x MISO ramen for Justine and an Oden to share. For something lighter, go for one of their shoyu ramen options.

Spago Singapore

In our opinion the best sky bar and view in Singapore (with no cover charge!). We used to come here to nurse a single drink for hours whilst enjoying the views and laid back atomosphere. Try the Get Lucky, a pitcher of fresh juices with rum for a long lazy afternoon. (Unfortunately no access to the Infinity Pool unless you're staying in Marina Bay Sands hotel.)

Super Loco

Home to Scott’s favourite sandwich in Singapore (until they discontinued it and broke his heart). Good Mexican food alongnside the river – they do a great weekend brunch which you can follow up with a stroll along the river (to walk it off and prepare for lunch!)

Takashimaya Department Store

Fantastic food hall in the basement level of this up market Japanese department store. Scott’s go-to meal is the Nasi Padang, rice with assorted curry dishes – just point at what looks good. Also recommended is 'Nakajima Suisan Grilled Fish' in the back corner of the basement – be prepared for a queue but for under $10 you can get a full meal and a drink, freshly cooked and delicious. To finish, the ice cream at Venchi is AMAZING –the fig and mascarpone is our favourite, but ask for samples to find yours.