Singapore For the Creative Soul With an Appetite
Photo: cprogrammer / Flickr
As beauty and lifestyle industry entreprenuer, Cynthia Chua tends to her 68 brick-and-mortar businesses around the world, which makes each bite of tar sau pau even sweeter when she's back in her hometown of Singapore.
WHERE TO STAY
Fullerton Hotel
1 Fullerton Sq.; +1-65-6733-8388
For a touch of the luxe factor, try the five-star hotel by the river. Book yourself in around the end of September, and you can enjoy a great view of the F1 race in the comfort of your own room. Or try its counterpart, Fullerton Bay Hotel, where you can sip on a cocktail and enjoy the sea breeze while relaxing next to a beautiful pool overlooking the stunning Marina Bay.
New Majestic Hotel
31-37 Bukit Pasoh Rd.; +1-65-6511-4700
Converted from a heritage shophouse, this uniquely charming hotel near China Town is the perfect blend of modern interior design and contemporary art. It is a breath of fresh air amongst the stuffy, franchise-style hotels.
Wanderlust
2 Dickson Rd.; +1-65-6396-3322
A whimsical boutique hotel located within Little India. The perfect place for travelers who appreciate a mishmash of grunge, eclecticism, and quirky design.
WHERE TO EAT
Esquina
16 Jiak Chuan Rd.; +1-62-6222-1616
If you are after an authentic taste of Spain, head to the this charming corner shophouse. It's a delightful spot for tapas and offers a great selection of wine.
Forty Hands
78 Yong Siak St.; +1-65-6225-8545
This café offers the best coffee in town! Make sure you try their tau sar pau, a steamed bun with smooth and rich red bean filling. They also have delicious grilled gourmet sandwiches.
House
8D Dempsey Rd.; +1-65-6475-7787
A communal, creative playground in Dempsey Hill with multi-function rooms along with a spa, bar, and restaurant. Make sure you try one of the skinny pizzas. The thin, crispy crust is a great alternative to the usual pizza made of stodgy dough and greasy melted cheese.
Open Door Policy
19 Yong Siak St.; +1-65-6221-9307
Another secret gem tucked away in the up-and-coming Tiong Bahru neighborhood. A modern bistro with a speciality coffee bar and freshly prepared comfort food made from artisanal ingredients. A great place for people watching.
Shinji
328 North Brideg Rd.; +1-65-6338-6131
This mecca for sushi is located within the Raffles Hotel. Ask for the main hall seating at the sushi counter and try their lunch menu — better value than dinner and a much better vibe. It costs about SG$125 per head, but it is worth every penny.
Tippling Club
8D Dempsey Rd.; +1-65-6457-2217
Right next door to House, award winning Australian chef Ryan Clift and his team offer innovative food minus the stuffiness of fine dining. Try the five-course degustation menu with creative cocktail pairing options.
WHERE TO SHOP
Books Actually
9 Yong Siak St.; +1-65-6222-9195
An excellent, tucked-away indie bookshop that truly respects and appreciates words and literature.
Strangelets
7 Yong Siak St.; +1-65-6222-1456
This quirky store stays clear of mass-produced goods and offers a great range of unique and eclectic creations. I love their PostalCo. journal collections. A great place for the creative soul, though hard on the wallet.
Beauty Emporium
8D Dempsey Rd.; +1- 65-6475-7375
This is my one-stop beauty and grooming supermarket inside House. Services from Strip: Ministry of Waxing, Browhaus, and Spa Esprit are available under one roof.
MAP IT
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