{"id":15860,"date":"2021-12-26T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-26T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/?p=15860"},"modified":"2023-05-09T18:27:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T17:27:39","slug":"best-restaurants-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/best-restaurants-in-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Foodie Guide: Best Restaurants in Singapore and What to Eat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Except for its world-renowned attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and Sentosa Island, Singapore<\/a> has an excellent gastronomy that every foodie must experience at least once in their lifetime!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you\u2019re planning a trip to Singapore soon and want to know all about the BEST places to eat in Singapore as well as THE most unique dishes to try, my complete foodie guide is here to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to find my curated list of 21 must-try dishes<\/strong> in Singapore as well as my list of the best restaurants<\/strong> in Singapore for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and everything else in-between!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>What to eat in Singapore – 21 Must-try dishes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I know, I know, I have prepared quite a HUGE list for you. 21 dishes is a lot and you\u2019ll need at least 5 days in Singapore in order to experience everything once. But food is such an essential element of Singaporean culture (which is actually a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian influence) that I really believe it’s important to taste at least some of the items in my list below. Trust me, you\u2019ll be mind-blown by the mix of spices, tastes and unique ingredients in Singaporean gastronomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, without further ado, let\u2019s find out all about the best food in Singapore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1 – Nasi Lemak<\/h3>\n\n\n
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In case you\u2019re wondering what to eat for lunch in Singapore, a plate of nasi lemak is your answer! Nasi Lemak is a Malay-inspired rice dish that comes in various combinations. If you\u2019re expecting a plain rice dish, you\u2019re in the wrong this time and you\u2019re in for a world of flavors! The rice is first cooked in coconut milk, it is then combined with fried anchovies (bilis), eggs, peanuts and chili paste (sambal). And all Singaporeans know that a Nasi Lemak is as good as the quality of the sambal used! Most vendors have their own version of Nasi Lemak and they sometimes add fried chicken or fish in the combo as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR NASI LEMAK:<\/strong> Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak<\/a> or Changi Nasi Lemak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>4-5 SGD (3.00 – 3.70 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ: <\/strong>Your Best Singapore Travel Guide – Things to Do, Hotels, Restaurants and More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2 – Bak Kut Teh \/ Pork Ribs Soup<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This is a Chinese dish that has become super popular in Singapore over the years. Bak Kut Teh is similar to a hearty soup and it\u2019s made by boiling pork ribs in an aromatic water with garlic, salt and pepper (and sometimes star anise too). It\u2019s boiled for so long that the meat becomes super tender and the liquid acquires a strong garlicky aroma. The soup is served with a bowl of rice and other small side dishes, depending on the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The literal translation of Bak Kut Teh is \u201cpork bone tea\u201d because it is usually consumed with a cup of strong, hot Chinese tea. A must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR BAK KUT TEH: <\/strong>Song Fa Bak Kut Teh<\/a> in Clarke Quay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>7-8 SGD (5.20 – 6.00 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3 – Laksa<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Regardless of which type of laksa you choose (asam laksa or curry laksa), you\u2019re in for a treat! Laksa is a Chinese-Malay dish made of fish, broth and noodles. You\u2019ll see that Curry Laksa is more popular in Singapore and it\u2019s usually made with thin rice noodles, coconut milk, fish (optional: shrimp and cockles) and some sort of curry sauce or gravy. But although the curry version is super good, the true Singaporean Laksa is Katong Laksa, its unique treat being the fact that the noodles are cut into short strings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR LAKSA: <\/strong>Sungei Road Laksa<\/a>, a hawker food stall best known for this exact dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>4-6 SGD (3.00 – 4.50 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4 – Nasi Biryani<\/h3>\n\n\n
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You may have heard of Biryani before, a popular rice dish of Indian origins. Well, you\u2019ll be happy to know that this dish is super popular in Singapore too! Nasi Biryani is basically a mixed rice with flavorful saffron and a protein (either chicken, beef, fish) on the side. The rice is also combined with different spices when cooked such as nutmeg or cinnamon for an extra kick. Vegetarian options are available as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR NASI BIRYANI: <\/strong>IMAM Banana Leaf Restaurant<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>6-7 SGD (4.50 to 5.20 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 – Chicken Rice<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Simple, but super delicious! Chicken rice (also called Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore) is exactly what you expect it to be – a comforting dish made of rice cooked in a delicious stock with ginger and garlic, plus tender chicken (make sure to request it de-boned). There\u2019s also a sauce involved, sometimes a spicy chili sauce, other times a dark soy sauce – it all depends on the hawker stall you choose!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR CHICKEN RICE: <\/strong>There are countless hawker stalls serving it; I recommend Tian Tian Chicken Rice<\/a> or Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle<\/a> – the only Michelin-star chicken rice stand? Yep, only in Singapore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>4-5 SGD (3.00 – 3.70 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6 – Char Kway Teow<\/h3>\n\n\n
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If you like stir-fry dishes, you\u2019ll love this one! Char Kway Teow, although hard to pronounce, is an excellent, spicy Singaporean dish made of chunky, flat rice noodles stir-fried in a hot pan with eggs, soy sauce, chili, Chinese sausages, pork lard and shrimp paste or whole shrimps too. Sometimes you\u2019ll also find a cockle or two in your char kway teow, especially if you serve it from a stall near the port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR CHAR KWAY TEOW: <\/strong>Hai Kee Teochew Char Kway Teow<\/a> or Hill Street Char Kway Teow<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>3-5 SGD (2.20 to 3.70 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7 – Fried Carrot Cake \/ Chai Tow Kway<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Nope, it\u2019s not a dessert and it has nothing in common with the carrot cake we all know! Chai Tow Kway is a traditional Singaporean dish found everywhere in the city, made of rice flour, shredded daikon radish and eggs. The composition is then shaped like rice cakes and it\u2019s fried in lots of oil. Yep, it can be a bit heavy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two fried carrot cake variations in Singapore: a \u2018black\u2019 one, fried with dark soy sauce, and a \u2018white\u2019 one, fried with eggs only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s with the name, though? I know, this dish has no carrots at all, so it may all sound like a lie, but the name is actually given by the daikon radish used in the recipe which can also mean \u201ccarrot\u201d in Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR FRIED CARROT CAKE: <\/strong>Song Zhou Luo Bo Gao<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>2.50 – 4 SGD (1.80 to 3 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8 – Dim Sum \/ Dian Xin<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This Chinese-Hong-Kong-inspired dish is actually a set of several small dishes, with the intention to be shared (similar to tapas). From  pork buns in BBQ sauce, chee cheong fun (dumplings), xiao long bao (cute little steamed buns) and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST DIM SUM IN SINGAPORE: <\/strong>Hua Ting Restaurant<\/a> or Din Tai Fung<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>10-20 SGD (7.50 to 15 US$) for an entire dim sum set or dim sum buffet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ: <\/strong>Where to Stay in Singapore<\/a> – 7 Best Areas and Handpicked Hotels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9 – Wanton Mee<\/h3>\n\n\n
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You\u2019ll find the super popular noodle-based dish called Wanton Mee everywhere in Singapore at hawker centres. This dish consists of fresh egg noodles, vegetables, wanton (minced pork) dumplings and Chinese BBQ pork slices. It\u2019s said to be inspired by Hong Kong gastronomy and it\u2019s super flavorful and delicious! In Singapore, Wanton Mee is usually served with a tiny bowl of soup as a side and it comes in two different versions: spicy and non-spicy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR WANTON MEE: <\/strong>Guangzhou Mian Shi Wanton Noodle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>3-4 SGD (2.2o to 3 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10 – Chili Crab & Black Pepper Crab<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Let\u2019s talk about one of the national dishes of Singapore, my friends! Chili crab is a super famous dish in Singapore and there are two different ways of cooking it: chili crab and black pepper crab. Both of them are extra flavorful, the \u201cchili\u201d one being made of a spicy chili sauce. This is, in fact, a complex dish, as the crab meat is first boiled then fried, then combined with the sticky, yummy sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both versions are usually served with a side of fresh buns and dipping them in the chili or black pepper sauce is an absolute must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHERE TO EAT CRAB IN SINGAPORE: <\/strong>Long Beach Seafood Restaurant<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>100 SGD (75 US$). It\u2019s not cheap, but it\u2019s such a special dish to try in Singapore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11 – BBQ Sambal Stingray<\/h3>\n\n\n
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In case you\u2019re wondering what to eat for dinner in Singapore, this is my suggestion to end your day with trying something new! This dish is true to its name – it\u2019s a combination of stingray and sambal (chili paste) and it\u2019s super delicious! The traditional way of serving the stingray is cut into small bites and wrapped in banana leaves, then grilled and eaten with some freshly squeezed lemon juice on top and sometimes even fresh shallots as well. It\u2019s super flavourful! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR SAMBAL STINGRAY: <\/strong>Chomp Chomp BBQ<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>10-12 SGD (7.50 to 9 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12 – Fish Bee Hoon<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Yep, another yummy noodle dish! And if you\u2019re a fish fan, you\u2019ll surely love this one. Fish Bee Hoon are rice noodles boiled in a flavorful fish broth with fish bones, served with veggies, herbs and evaporated milk as well. The dish was originally made of fish heads (waaaaaay back when Singapore was a poor country), but nowadays it\u2019s usually made with fish chunks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR FISH BEE HOON: <\/strong>Jing Hua Sliced Fish Bee Hoon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>5-6 SGD (3.70 to 4.50 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13 – Bak Chor Mee<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Bak Chor Mee is a popular dish in all of Southeast Asia and you can find some amazing combinations in Singapore as well. The traditional dish is usually made with noodles, minced pork, meatballs, fishballs, fisk cake and liver – so yes, it\u2019s super hearty! There\u2019s also a sour sauce involved and when it comes to the egg noodles, you can choose from thick ones (mee pok) or thin ones (mee kia). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bak Chor Mee is usually served \u201cdry\u201d, so it\u2019s not a soup, but it has plenty of sauce instead and it sometimes even comes with a small bowl of soup on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR BAK CHOR MEE:<\/strong> <\/b>Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles<\/a> or Lai Heng Mushroom Minced Meat Mee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>5-8 SGD (3.70 to 6 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14 – Fish Head Curry<\/h3>\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re not into extreme flavors or if you don\u2019t like seeing a fish head on your plate, keep scrolling! But it would be such a shame, as the Singaporean fish head curry is actually pretty delicious. This dish has Indian origins and it\u2019s made with red snapper head, curry and a mix of Asian veggies. There\u2019s also a Chinese version which is milder, while the Indian one is richer in spices and it has a stronger taste. Both of them are worth trying if you\u2019re up for a gastronomical adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR FISH HEAD CURRY: <\/strong>Samy\u2019s Curry<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>20-35 SGD (15 to 26 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15 – Orh Luak \/ Oyster Omelette<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Oyster omelette is popular all around Asia and you HAVE to try it while you\u2019re in Singapore. Orh Luak is a type of omelet made of a mix of potato starch and eggs, fried until crispy. Then the resulting omelet is mixed with bean sprouts and raw oyster and it\u2019s served with a sour, vinegar chili sauce. The taste is rather strange and it may not appeal to all tastes and preferences, but I recommend trying it at least once in your lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR OYSTER OMELETTE: <\/strong>Lim’s Fried Oyster<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>5-8 SGD (3.70 to 6 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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16 – Satay<\/h3>\n\n\n
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This is another dish widely available in different parts of Southeast Asia. Satay is skewers with marinated meat, grilled over charcoal. You can find Satay in most hawker stalls around Singapore and you can choose from chicken, beef or pork satay. The skewers are usually served with a peanut sauce and a side of fresh cucumbers, onions and rice cakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR SATAY: <\/strong>Alhambra Satay<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>5-6 SGD (3.70 to 4.50 US$) for a mix of 10 satays<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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17 – Rojak<\/h3>\n\n\n
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If you love sweet and salty dishes, get ready for a real Singaporean delicacy! Rojak literally translates to \u201cmixture\u201d and it\u2019s a different dish depending on where they\u2019re serving it. There\u2019s Chinese rojak made of pineapple, dough fritters, bean sprouts, all mixed with a shrimp paste and crushed peanuts. Then there\u2019s Indian rojak made of potato pieces, dough fritters, veggies and fruit, usually served with a spicy-savoury sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, regardless of which type of Rojak you\u2019ll try in Singapore, get ready for a unique mix of flavors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR ROJAK: <\/strong>KS Fruit Rojak<\/a> or Toa Payoh Rojak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>3-4 SGD (2.20 to 3 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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18 – Coffee, Kaya Toast & Soft Boiled Egg<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Wondering what to eat for breakfast in Singapore? Heh, here\u2019s your answer: kaya toast, a soft boiled egg and some coffee! This typical Singaporean breakfast has Malay-Chinese influences and it\u2019s the best excuse to relax and catch up with friends over a cup of coffee. Kaya Toast is made of kaya (a traditional jam with coconut milk and sugar) spread on a piece of toast. You can also choose a soft boiled egg for breakfast, usually eaten with soy sauce and pepper. It may sound unexpected, but it\u2019s the most popular breakfast combo in Singapore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR KAYA TOAST: <\/strong>Tong Ah Eating House<\/a> or Chin Mee Chin<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>A serving of Kaya Toast is usually 1 SGD (0.75 US$) and an entire breakfast can be around 3 SGD (2.20 US$).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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19 – Tau Huay<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Enough with the noodle dishes and grilled meats, it\u2019s time for dessert! Tau Huay is one of the best Singaporean desserts and it\u2019s made of beancurd tofu and sugar syrup. It\u2019s creamy and flavorful, sometimes with soy milk added as well or different flavors such as mango or, a favourite of mine, sesame. You can either consume it hot or cold!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST RESTAURANT IN SINGAPORE FOR TAU HUAY:<\/strong> <\/b>3S Beancurd City<\/a> or Rochor Beancurd<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE: <\/strong>1.50 – 2.50 SGD (1.10 to 1.80 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20 – Ice Kacang<\/h3>\n\n\n
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I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard about shaved ice before and yes, it\u2019s a popular dessert in Singapore as well. Ice Kacang is basically a tiny mountain of crushed or shaved ice served in a cup with different syrups of your choice, condensed milk and rose syrup on top. You can find it everywhere in the city, at numerous hawker centres!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST PLACE IN SINGAPORE FOR ICE KACANG: <\/strong>Berseh Food Centre<\/a> or Jin Jin Dessert<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRICE:<\/strong> <\/b>1.50 SGD (1.13 US$)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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21 – Last but not least: durian!<\/h3>\n\n\n
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I\u2019m leaving this one at the end of my list as it\u2019s not really a dish, but a fruit. Durian is something you have to taste at least once in your lifetime, I swear! Many Singaporeans love it and it\u2019s even called the \u201cking of fruits\u201d. Well, that must mean something! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durian is a big, spiky, interesting-looking fruit but it\u2019s mostly known for… being extremely smelly! Yes, durian is only for the fearless! Some say it has a strong smelly socks aroma, but if you ignore the initial wiff, you\u2019ll discover a wonderful world of flavour! It\u2019s sweet, very creamy\u2026 really, there are simply no words to describe its taste – I guess you\u2019ll just have to taste it and see for yourself\u2026 if you dare!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FUN FACT:<\/strong> <\/b>Even though most durian in Singapore is grown in Malaysia<\/a>, they still consider it to be their national fruit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE:<\/strong> This fruit is SO smelly that it is actually banned from being taken on public transport or entering many hotels and buildings. Best to find an outdoor vendor for this one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Best restaurants in Singapore<\/h2>\n\n\n

Okay, now that you know all about the good food in Singapore that you just HAVE to taste during your trip, let me share with you my list of amazing restaurants that should be on your list. I know I\u2019ve given you one or two recommendations for renowned good restaurants in Singapore for each of the 21 dishes above, but I have some more places for you! Let\u2019s see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Best Hawker centres in Singapore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re looking for cheap and good restaurants in Singapore where you can taste every street food available, be it Indian, Chinese or Malay-inspired, I have one answer for you: hawker centres!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hawker centre is an open-air food complex where you\u2019ll find numerous stalls serving all kinds of street food dishes for VERY, I repeat, VERY good prices. Most of them are located in the most famous spots in the city that are usually frequented by tourists and locals as well and they\u2019re an important part of Singaporean culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the best hawker centres in Singapore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n