Singapore
Meharwan (Mike) Singh
When my friends are in town, I take them for a drink at… Bar Rouge on the 71st floor of Swissôtel The Stamford (swissotel.com). Overlooking the marina and the city, it has fantastic views and is a great spot for a cocktail and some bar bites.
The restaurant locals are loving is... National Kitchen by Violet Oon (violetoon.com). Violet is a famous local chef and business owner with restaurants all over the city but this establishment at the National Gallery is a standout, with a stunning setting and beautiful food, including a great chilli crab and delicious laksa. Book ahead. You’ll find the best chilli crab at… Red House Seafood (redhouseseafood.com). There are three outposts across Singapore but the one on Robertson Quay is tranquil; it’s removed from the more hectic tourist spots.
For breakfast, I recommend… Heading to a hawker centre. The main one in the city centre is the historic Lau Pa Sat (18 Raffles Quay; +65 6220 2138). It’s open 24 hours and has up to 100 stalls, about 40 of which are open for breakfast. Do as the locals do and try buttered toast with kaya – a jam made from coconut and egg.
For my caffeine fix, I go to… Glasshouse, which is a specialty coffee shop in Chijmes (chijmes.com.sg), a converted old convent now home to some lovely restaurants, cafés and bars.
For a romantic experience, head to… Cé La Vi (sg.celavi.com) at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark for modern Asian cuisine. If the weather is good, you can sit outside the restaurant on the 57th floor and overlook the beautiful marina.
If it’s raining, visit… Gardens by the Bay (gardensbythebay.com.sg). It has two huge conservatories, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Both are climate controlled and showcase flowers and plants from around the world as well as one of the tallest indoor waterfalls.
The best daytrip out of Singapore is… to Tiger Brewery (tigerbrewerytour.com.sg), which is only about half an hour [from the CBD] by taxi. It offers tours and has a visitor centre that takes you through the history of Tiger brewing. But, of course, the best part is getting to taste all of the beers at the end.
Singapore’s best-kept secret is… Changi Village, located just east of the city. It’s an old fishing village with a great hawker centre, beach walks and bike paths and a sailing club where you can charter a boat and head off on an adventure. It’s wonderfully quaint and quiet. Yet to visit Singapore? Discover all the must-dos in our first-timer's guide at qantas.com/travelinsider.