Where to Eat in Singapore
Singapore is a chance for you to let your kids try new food. While our kids don’t like spicy stuff (sorry laksa!), they did like the satay, char kway teow, chicken tikka masala, and kaya toast. As for us grownups, we love everything!
1. Chinatown Food Street
Most hawker centers have zero ambiance, and that’s fine since you’re there for the food. But Chinatown Food Street (CFS) does have the extra punch with its nostalgic feel. Located at Smith Street in Chinatown, you can choose from dozens of street hawker stalls and restaurants in one row, eating al fresco style and surrounded by old Victorian-style shop houses. It can get crowded, especially at peak hours, but once you find a table, you can pig out on some of the best hawker food in Singapore.
2. Chinatown Seafood Center
Right smack on Pagoda Street a few steps from the Chinatown MRT exit, Chinatown Seafood Center is a great choice. We had sambal squid, satay, crispy honeyed baby squid, and char kway teow (and Tiger beer for me).
3. The Banana Leaf Apolo
The Banana Leaf Apolo is practically an institution in Little India. The cafeteria-style restaurant offers a wide variety of Indian food served on banana leaves. We had samosas, mutton masala, chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, and lots of butter naan. Definitely one of the best Indian food we’ve had.
3. Derwish Turkish Restaurant
We came by here by accident as we were looking around Arab Street for where to eat. A Filipino waiter overheard us and whisked us to a table at Derwish. We were not disappointed. We had mix kebabs, which is a huge sampler of lamb and chicken shish kebabs, Adana lamb grilled on skewers, hummus, and vegetables.
5. Food Republic
Definitely one of the best mall food courts! It’s a themed food atrium designed like the early 1900s Singapore. Food Republic, located inside VivoCity (there are also a dozen other branches in Singapore), houses some of Singapore’s best hawker stalls in one (air-conditioned and comfortable) roof.
6. Singapore Food Treats
Another retro-inspired hawker center, Singapore Food Treats is located at the Singapore Flyer. There are dozens of stalls to choose from. You eat outdoors with great views of Marina Bay. We had lots of satay and beer in crushed ice (which I can attest is the best way to enjoy beer!). We went here in 2015 (when we had a great time), but it seems it has lately been getting mixed reviews.
