Singapore Standouts | Restaurant Edition
If you’re looking for a way to use those extra PTO days before year-end, I’ve got just the place…Singapore. There’s simply no place like it. Located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore boasts one of the most vibrant and diverse cultures I’ve ever experienced.
Food enthusiasts unite! From hawker centers to Michelin-star restaurants, Singapore has an incredible culinary landscape and definitely lives up to its reputation.
As of 2023, 286 restaurants compose the country’s 2023 Michelin selection, highlighting 30 different types of cuisines. And if that doesn’t blow your mind, 55 restaurants in the country have been awarded a Michelin star. Impressive when you think that the entire country is smaller than the state of Rhode Island. To top it off, they also have five restaurants featured on the prestigious World’s 50 Best listicle.
If you require a little retail therapy, the shopping options are endless. You can cruise through Funan Mall on a bicycle, which was a first for me to witness, or indulge in all things luxury on Orchard Road. Whatever you choose, I’m certain you won’t walk away empty-handed.
Undoubtedly, the skyline of Singapore is iconic. It is hard not to wander the street without marveling at the many architectural delights. Singapore’s eclectic architectural style reflects a multitude of influences and styles from various places and periods throughout history. Travelers may notice that more contemporary structures strongly focus on sustainability, introducing vegetative landscapes into high-rise buildings. I’ll never forget the first time I happened upon the Parkroyal Hotel—the epitome of sustainability. They have created a 15,000-square-meter botanical oasis using over fifty different plants. There is no need to get a ticket to Gardens By The Bay while staying here.
What can I say? Singapore has it all.
I could give you countless reasons to consider adding Singapore to your list of travel destinations. Instead, I will share some of my favorite places I had a chance to experience during my last trip. This was my second time visiting Singapore, and no matter how much time I have, I can never mark enough places off my list.
Warning | This content may not be suitable for those who are hungry!
Tiong Bahru Bakery | <Top> Kouign Amann < Bottom> Green Tea Almond Croissant
Confession- I went to Tiong Bahru Bakery EVERY SINGLE DAY during my trip. It didn’t help matters much that there was one right under my hotel. There were so many options right at my fingertips, but when the coffee and pastries are THAT good, you don’t need to try anything else. Each morning started with an incredible latte and the best Kouign-Amann I’ve ever put in my mouth. While Tiong Bahru is known for being the best French Bakery in Singapore, they also have a couple of outposts, Raffles City and TBB Centrepoint, that feature an assortment of hot food options. Make sure you wear something forgiving - as I like to say, it’s definitely not a time for hard pants. From Savory Pancakes to a Cluckin’ Amazin’ Burger, it will be hard not to order one of everything.
I am fond of all things art-deco, but I have a penchant for jewelry and architecture from that period. When I discovered Atlas, I knew I wouldn’t leave Singapore without having one cocktail. Atlas is known for its opulent decor, extensive gin collection, currently 1300 bottles, and a world-class cocktail program. After all, they are ranked #48 on the World’s 50 Best Bar List. I had the pleasure of sampling several cocktails and bites during my visit, but of course, I walked away with a favorite.
There are a few things you should know before you go.
First things first, reservations open 90 days in advance. If you are a planner, this won’t be an issue. Otherwise, this could present some challenges if you are looking to imbibe at a prime time. A credit card is required to secure your reservation.
Secondly, drinks reservations are for a maximum of two hours. Despite several open seats, I maxed out my time and could not stay longer.
Lastly, in case you aren’t a menu stalker like me, prepare yourself for the slightest amount of sticker shock. Cocktail prices start at $22.00 and increase from there. If you choose to partake in the Atlas Vintage selection, cocktails begin as little as $60.00 and span upwards of $275.00, depending on the decade.
My favorite cocktail of the afternoon was The Grand Pour, a champagne cocktail that included American Rye Whiskey, Rosé Wine Aperitif, Vanilla, and Grapefruit Soda. It was beautifully bright and the perfect fall concoction. Next, I ordered the Crimson Pipe, a twist on a classic old-fashioned and included pink peppercorn bourbon, Italian herbal liqueur, cherry chocolate, and rioja. It was perfect to sip on while I enjoyed their shoestring fries served with horseradish bacon mayo. Fries are always an acceptable order no matter where in the World you are. I would have been remiss if I left Atlas without sampling the Atlas Suite. Comprised of three petite martinis, Atlas Suite features three modern adaptations of the iconic Martini in one flight. Need I say more? All three tiny tinis were lovely, but the Orange Blossom Martini stood out. It was fantastic.
If you plan to spend a few days in Singapore, Atlas is a must for your travel itinerary. There’s a lot of hype around the venue and the cocktails, but deservedly so. I dare you to walk into this bar without uttering, “Oh my god!”
Atlas | The Grand Pour | Champagne + American Rye Whiskey + Rosé Wine Aperitif + Vanilla + Grapefruit Soda
Atlas | Shoestring Fries + Horseradish Bacon Mayo with a Crimson Pipe | Pink Peppercorn Bourbon + Italian Herbal Liqueur + Cherry Chocolate + Rioja
Atlas | Mushrooms On Toast + Chestnut Butter + Wood Sorrel
Atlas | An Atlas Suite- Three Modern Adaptations Of The Iconic Martini
ATLAS Martini | London Dry Gin + Ambrato Vermouth+ Orange Bitters+ Champagne Vinegar
Orange Blossom Martini | ATLAS’ Very Own Orange Gin + Blanc Vermouth + Chocolate Bitters +Mint
ATLAS Espresso Martini | French Vodka + Coffee Liqueur + Espresso + Cinnamon + Cream
Even though I could dedicate an entire blog post to my dinner at Burnt Ends, yes, it was that incredible; I'll try to keep my fan-girling to a minimum. When I discovered I was traveling to Singapore, I immediately got out my calendar and started doing the math.
Looking for an opportunity to treat yourself? Look no further than Burnt Ends. Not only does this restaurant boat a Michelin star and rank #24 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurant List, but they are serving modern Australian barbecue and boutique wines and spirits in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. If you are lucky enough to snag one of their notoriously hard-to-get reservations, grab a seat at the chef's counter and enjoy the show. It's a theater for the senses. There's genuinely nothing I love more than having a front-row seat to view the action. What can I say?
The food is impeccable; Chefs Dave Pynt and Patrick Leano are incredibly hospitable, and I can't wait to return—an extraordinary dining experience.
From one foodie to another, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Burnt Ends has a strict reservation policy. Reservations open at 10:00 AM sharp SGT, 30 days in advance, and are released one day at a time.
Unlike many highly acclaimed restaurants, Burnt Ends will accommodate single diners.
Guests can order a la carte or choose the chef's select. This is by far my biggest regret. I opted to order a la carte, and while my meal was outstanding, hindsight is 20/20. If I had it to do all over again, I would choose the chef-select option and buckle up for a wild but delicious ride.
Burnt Ends always has a few nightly specials that are limited. If you are at all intrigued, pull the trigger and order before it runs out.
If the reservation gods do not smile upon you and you cannot get a seat for dinner, I've heard that reservations at the bar are much easier to come by, but don't expect the full restaurant menu to be available. Think highlights and heavy hitters.
Some of you may be skeptical and questioning the fact that a Michelin star was awarded to a barbecue restaurant in Singapore. Trust me. I got lots of side-eye when I told people I would have barbecue while overseas. The most popular response I received was, "You live in Nashville. Why would you travel across the world to have barbecue?"
I'll be the first to tell you this meal was unlike anything I've ever had, particularly the steak. Given the price point and the numerous accolades, my expectations were high. But Chefs Dave Pynt and Patrick Leano knocked it out of the park. With the help of my server, I ordered the Blackmores' Striploin. I had absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into, but when I say that the steak arrived, it was truly love at first bite. A steak has never melted in my mouth like butter in my entire life, but this one did. Burnt Ends has ruined me, and steak will never be the same.
Burnt Ends | Smoked Quail Egg + Caviar
Burnt Ends | Views From The Chef’s Counter
Burnt Ends | Pork Rib Tacos
Burnt Ends | Fennel + Orange + Burrata
Burnt Ends | Blackmores’ Striploin
Burnt Ends | Chocolate Fondant + Smoked Ice Cream
Hello Arigato | Katsu Curry Sando // Freshly Breaded Chicken Katsu + Homemade Japanese Curry Sauce+ Curry Mayo + Daikon + Pickles + Slaw + Japanese Milk Bread
Thanks to the New York Times, Bon Appetit, and countless other publications, it's virtually impossible to dine at Kisser unless you are willing to wait a considerable amount of time. Seeing as I was craving some Japanese comfort food, I started doing a little digging and happened upon Hello Arigato.
Hello Arigato has locations sprinkled throughout Singapore, and I decided to make the most of my outing and check out the outlet on Joo Chiat Road. I had my eye on the Katsu Curry Sando, and I also wanted to check out the beautiful architecture.
Aside from serving up minimalist vibes, Hello Arigato serves some seriously thick and delicious sandos. Check out each outlet's menu, as each has different food offerings. It was another episode of my eyes were bigger than my stomach. While I wanted to order the Hello Twister Fries in addition to the Katsu Curry Sandwich, the dismay the server dealt me made me question my choices, and I only opted for the sando. In this case, she was correct- I was over-ordering, but let a girl live!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my sando; admittedly, the server was correct. It was super filling, and I wouldn't have done the fries justice. After a bit of caffeination and hydration, I wandered around Joo Chiat, snapped a few photos, and went on my way… in search of air conditioning.
Peranakan Shophouses Along Joo Chiat Road
Cedric Grolet | Afternoon Tea Service
ICYMI: I am under the London influence and fully embracing the ritual of afternoon tea. I’ll say I’m quite fortunate as the reservation gods smiled upon me once again as I was able to snag a table at the newly opened Cedric Grolet Singapore. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cedric Grolet, he’s a renowned French pastry chef whose pastries focus on fruits and the reinterpretation of traditional French desserts. Go ahead and check out his Instagram page. It’s incredibly easy to lose time scrolling through his decadent pastries.
It was quite a luxe experience. Their tea set is served in a gorgeous golden tree stand and highlights the seasonal rotation of Cedric Grolet’s entremets and savory sandwiches. Would afternoon tea be complete without a glass of champagne? Absolutely not, if you ask me.
This is a fantastic option for those interested in sampling a variety of Grolet’s creations, including some bites that aren’t featured on the regular menu.
Cedric Grolet Singapore | Afternoon Tea
Forget about the hellaciously long flight and the fact that you will likely end up with jetlag and book your flight. Singapore is a lovely country with so many incredible things to see, do and taste!
Until Next Time!