24 hours in Singapore
Whether it’s food, shopping or the sights, there’s plenty to do in 24 hours in Singapore
Brian Crisp hits the ground running on a one-day stopover in Singapore. He did a lot of eating but also found some hidden gems.
9am
Tiong Bahru Market is the place where locals come to eat breakfast. Built in the 1930s, this Art Deco neighbourhood is home to some of the city’s best hawker stalls. Don’t expect to be eating in plush surrounds but the food is tasty and spicy. The char siew and roasted pork is amazing while the Tiong Bahru Hainanese boneless chicken is a popular dish.
Details: 30 Seng Poh Rd, #02-74, Singapore 168898
10.30am
I’m not a garden-visit type tourist. But two hours at Gardens by the Bay may well have changed that forever. The Supertree Grove, Flower Dome and Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes are living art galleries. The towering tree structures of the Supertree Grove look like something from the set of War of the Worlds, especially with the city skyline in the background. The Flower Dome has to be the coolest spot in Singapore literally. The airconditioned dome provides spring-like temperatures allowing plants from throughout the world to prosper.
Details: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953.
1pm
PS Cafe on Dempsey Hill does not take reservations. Judging by our fellow diners, PS Cafe is a haven for Singapore’s expat lunching ladies. The outside terrace, overlooking the gardens, was full so we dined inside near the kitchen. The menu is very Western (think chicken parmigiano, shepherd’s pie and burgers). I had a craving for something more authentic though so I went with the king prawn aglio olio which was very tasty while the dessert menu was to die for.
Details: 28B Harding Rd, Singapore 249549 Ph: +65 9070 8782 Transit: CSC Dempsey Clubhse
2.30pm
Sated, we headed for some shopping in the edgy Haji Lane, in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood. Apart from a collection of Middle Eastern cafes, there are some trendy independent fashion boutiques here.
The streets are narrow and sometimes the shops are hidden. But it is well worth exploring this area. We had two hours so I quickly shopped and still managed to grab a 30-minute massage ($25) just to get me in tune for tonight’s flight to London.
6.30pm 1-Altitude Rooftop Bar won the Best Nightspot Experience at the Singapore Tourism Board’s 2012 awards. It is the highest bar (282m) in Singapore, so the views are unparalleled. You can design your own cocktails with the help of the bar staff. After drinks we headed to the Coriander Leaf at Clarke Quay for dinner.
It was a nice way to finish a lightning visit to Singapore.