Category Archives: Singapore

Great Grinds & Best Brews – Coffee Around The World

6th February 2026 / 7 Comments on Great Grinds & Best Brews – Coffee Around The World

To many, it might just be a great way to start the day, but a cup of coffee is so much more than a hot, caffeinated drink. In several countries coffee is a way of bringing people together and expressing cultural identity. In fact, it is so important to so many nations that the culture of coffee around the world has been inscribed by UNESCO for multiple countries. And there are lots of exciting ways to brew and serve coffee. This is our guide to some of the world’s best brews.

Where It All Began

Ethiopia Origins

The coffee plant, Coffea Arabica, originated in Ethiopia. Legend tells of a 9^th century goat-herder who noticed that his flock of goats were a lot more lively when munching on the local bushes. When travelling in Ethiopia it is possible to see coffee beans growing wild.

Coffee ceremony is very much a part of the culture in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The whole process can take over an hour. The beans are washed and then roasted on a skillet. Once the skins have burst, they are removed from the fire and ground using a metal stick. They are then placed in a circular clay pot with a rounded base, known as a jebena, and hot water is added. Finally the coffee is served in a cini – a small round cup. Many hotels have coffee ceremony equipment all ready to welcome guests.

This process has been used for many centuries. Coffee ceremony paraphernalia can be seen at the ethnographic museum in Addis Ababa.

Coffees and Chimpanzees in Uganda

Uganda is another producer of coffee, the plant having been introduced from Ethiopia. In fact, after Ethiopia, Uganda is Africa’s second biggest exporter of coffee. Robusta coffee grows in the Kibale forest area. This region is best known for its habituated chimpanzee population, a key attraction for visitors, but it is also possible to visit local villages, and stop by for a very fine brew, with the coffee made in the traditional way.

The coffee berries are dried in the sun and pounded to remove the husks…

…It’s a fine art to blow away the husks to reveal the beans…

…Then it’s time to light the fire and roast the beans…

…Grind and then brew with water for a damn fine cup of coffee. From bean to cup in half an hour. Cheers!

Arabic Coffee – A Symbol of Hospitality

Although the coffee plant originated in Ethiopia it was in Yemen, on the Arabian peninsula, that coffee was cultivated on a commercial basis. It is thought that coffee has been grown commercially since the 16^th century. The port of Mocha was a distribution hub and coffee rapidly spread across the globe. Yemen held a monopoly on the export and distribution of coffee beans. The Ottoman Empire had control of the Yemen at this time. Coffee was initially traded in Cairo then the beans were distributed across the empire.

Omani Coffee, Flavours and Dates

In Yemen’s neighour Oman, and across Arabia, coffee is an expression of hospitality. It is so important to local culture it is UNESCO listed as it expresses generosity and hospitality.

Omani coffee is often flavoured. Brewed with cardamom or even frankincense (a resin from the frankincense tree), these spices add a subtle flavour to the brew. Coffee is traditionally made in front of the guest – from the process of lightly roasting the beans, pounding them in a pestle and mortar and then placing them into a large coffee pot. Water is added and warmed over the fire. Then the coffee is decanted into a smaller serving pot and distributed into small cups.

And, of course, the coffee is served with dates. Date palms are an important part of the Omani landscape – found near water sources, over 200 types of date are grown in the region. Squeeze the date between your fingers to remove the stone before popping it into your mouth. There is usually a vessel to put the discarded stones in.

If you are offered coffee, it is actually polite to decline the invitation initially. This gives your host the opportunity to back down if they aren’t really able to offer coffee at that time. But if they insist, do accept! Cups are small and it is polite to drink between one and three of them.

Turkish Coffee – An Intense Brew

Coffee had reached Istanbul by 1539 and within just a few years the first coffee house opened. It wasn’t long before many more established themselves all over the city and beyond.

This is another coffee culture that is UNESCO listed: The tradition itself is a symbol of hospitality, friendship, refinement and entertainment that permeates all walks of life. An invitation for coffee among friends provides an opportunity for intimate talk and the sharing of daily concerns. Turkish coffee also plays an important role on social occasions such as engagement ceremonies and holidays…

Turkish coffee is coffee to the power of coffee! It is a very different brewing process to many other brews. The roasted beans are ground to an extremely fine powder then added to the coffee pot with water. The coffee is brewed with sugar – so if you go to a coffee shop you will be asked how much sugar you would like in advance. It can be unsweetened (sade kahve), with a little bit of sugar (az şekerli kahve or orta şekerli kahve), or sweet (çok şekerli kahve).

It is boiled until it almost froths over and then served in small cups. Importantly, the grounds are not filtered out. The coffee is always served with a glass of water.

turkish coffee served with glass of water

The best way to drink the coffee is to sip and enjoy the intense flavour. Swirl the cup to redistribute the grounds after each sip.

Don’t consume the sludge at the bottom of the cup. Like tea-leaf readings in the UK, coffee grounds readings can sometimes be used to tell someone’s fortune, making for fun entertainment.

Often the coffee is served with something sweet – Turkish delight, delicious baklava or even rice pudding.

Turkish coffee culture is one of hospitality and sociability – people gather together in coffee houses for drink and lively conversation.

European Coffee – Bitter Coffee with Sweet Treats

Bosnia Coffee

As the Ottoman Empire expanded and flourished throughout Europe, so coffee culture developed with it. The city of Sarajevo was the second most important city in the empire, after Istanbul, so it’s not surprising that coffee quickly made its way into and around Europe. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an incredibly strong, rich, sweet coffee, served in a set, is the quintessential way to round off a meal.

Like many accompaniments to a hot, bitter brew, a sweet dish is often enjoyed to accompany the beverage. Many Middle Eastern sweets are comprised of pastries doused in a sweet syrup. Hurmasica is no exception, this sweet, gooey cake has a lovely texture and a lemon-flavoured sugar syrup.

Italian Caffè

The words are all so familiar: espresso, cappuccino, americano… and yet Italian coffee doesn’t (yet) have UNESCO status. A failed application earlier this decade has been resubmitted to acknowledge the importance of espresso coffee in Italian culture. It is believed that coffee was imported into Venice in 1580 by Prospero Alpini, a botanist and doctor, and it quickly gained popularity. Although Naples, Italy’s greatest coffee consumer city, has claims that coffee arrived in the city even earlier.

The word espresso derives from the Latin ‘exprimere’ which mean to express, a description of the process by which hot water is forced through ground coffee beans under pressure. The moka pot, una caffettiera, popularised in the 1930s, is a clever design that uses steam pressure from the heat of a stove to force hot water through coffee grounds. Espresso machines serve a similar function by forcing pressurised water through compacted coffee.

Espresso is the basis of Italian coffee. A small shot of intense flavour in a mini cup. If you want more, ask for a doppio, a double. Espresso is the base for the many variations of coffee that are served in Italy. If you’re travelling in the region, ask for ‘un caffè’ rather than ‘un espresso’.

The espresso can easily be turned into a longer drink with the addition of hot water, to make an Americano. Some caffeteria give you the espresso and a jug of water so that you can top up to your desired strength. You may also receive a small glass of cold sparkling water.

A macchiato is an espresso with just a touch of milk, often foamed. The word macchiato means ‘stained’ or ‘spotted’.

Cappuccino is a popular coffee. It comprises equal parts espresso, milk and creamy milk foam in a 1:1:1 ratio. It’s a decadent drink with a luxurious feel. It’s also the prettiest coffee as the crema (coffee oil and brewed coffee) mixes with the foam!

Italians love a coffee, drinking is very much a social event. A coffee shop, called a bar in Italy, is the place to enjoy a coffee, often with a sweet treat. There is always a great choice of coffee available – there are so many variations it can be quite overwhelming – and it is prepared with care. Although apparently if you order a cappuccino after 10:30am, we have it on good authority that you are secretly considered to be a barbarian! And never, ever mention large plastic cups…

Viennese Coffee Houses

Turkiye also had an influence on Viennese coffee houses. It is thought that these were established towards the end of the 17^th century around the time of the Turkish siege of Vienna. The first coffeehouse was apparently established in order to produce coffee for the Hapsburg court, but many more soon followed for ordinary people.

According to UNESCO: The coffeehouse is a place “in which time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is listed on the bill.”

Vienna is justly famous for its coffee culture. There are loads of cafes all over the city which offer coffee and cake. This is an essential foodie activity to enjoy these when visiting this very lovely city. Beware of queues though. At weekends and during the busy tourist season, people will be queuing out the door. Coffee is always accompanied by a glass of water.

Sweet treats are an important accompaniment to Viennese coffee. Sacher Torte is probably the cake most associated with the city, created in 1832 by Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich. The torte is a conventional chocolate cake but has a fruity layer of apricot jam running through the middle.

viennese cake - sacher torte perfect with coffee

Dutch Coffee with Vlaai

It is thought that the Dutch were quick to start trading with Yemen and exporting their coffee. Because of this, it is believed that perhaps Dutch sailors developed the cold-brew method of coffee making because they didn’t have access to fires aboard their ships. This is a process whereby cold or room temperature water is dripped through coffee grounds over a long time, up to 24 hours. This allows the coffee to infuse in the water and produces a beverage with a very different flavour. Cold-brew can be heated carefully in a saucepan or microwave – just don’t let it boil.

Dutch coffee culture is thriving. The Dutch have ‘coffee time’ many times throughout the day. Colin’s family come from Limburg, where the locals are very sociable. This is emphasised by their greeting technique: not one, not two, but three kisses on the cheek. Left-right-left. Or right-left-right. Either is fine. If you visit a local home you will almost certainly be offered coffee and vlaai. Dutch coffee is generally not cold-brew these days but properly made ground filter coffee. Vlaai – also known as Limburgse Vlaai – is a fruit tart.

The vlaai base isn’t made from traditional flaky pastry but from a yeast dough which gives it a light, cake-like texture. Each vlaai comes as a big round disc of deliciousness, usually around 30 cm in diameter. It is cut into large slices for guests to enjoy. The traditional vlaai is a fruit-based tart, often with a latticed pastry top. Cherries, apricots, apple – all sorts of soft fruit can be used as a filling. It may be served with a dollop of rich cream.

And then there are more unusual variations. Berry mouse and meringue is also a great combination. The gooseberry vlaai topped with fluffy meringue is both tart and sweet. The rice pudding vlaai, with cream and chocolate shavings for added decadence, will keep you satisfied for a week.

Tradition dictates that visitors are offered coffee and vlaai and it is polite to accept. Apparently it is also considered to be a little bit rude not to accept a second slice of vlaai. It’s possible that Limburgians have a secret second stomach as it is genuinely impossible to eat two slices of vlaai in quick succession, scrumptious though it is.

Scandinavian Coffee

Scandinavians are well known for their love of coffee. In Sweden, Fika is a word that can be used as both a noun and a verb. It is derived from the old Swedish word ‘kaffi’, spelled backwards. It is all about taking a break to enjoy a hot drink and something yummy to eat. Fikabröd’ (fika bread) is the term used for the accompanying baked goods. It’s more than just a coffee break, fika is about taking a moment to relax with friends and family. And you can fika any time of day or night.

In Finland, one of the more unusual ways to serve coffee is with bread cheese. Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is sometimes known as cheese bread or juustoleipä. It’s a firm squeaky cheese that has the texture of Halloumi but is sweet and not salty. Kaffeost comprises cubes of this cheese submerged in dark black coffee. The cheese soaks up the coffee and you can eat the cubes with a spoon. It sounds like an odd combination but it does work.

South East Asian Coffee – Alternative Brews

Coffee in South East Asia offers a very different experience. This part of the world is hot and humid and might not be considered the ideal location for drinking hot beverages. But there are some very interesting caffeinated variations here.

Coffee, But Not As We Know It – Kopi

Kopitams – coffee houses – are very popular in Singapore and Malaysia. Nanyang coffee is known as kopi. The coffee is placed inside a coffee sock – the grounds are inside the cloth sock which acts as a filter – and then brewed inside a kopi kettle. The kettle has a wide opening to accommodate the sock and a long spout for precise pouring. Cups are kept inside a heated bucket to keep them warm.

The Nanyang breakfast is a very special thing and popular in both Singapore and Malaysia. It comprises a really good, strong cup of coffee accompanied with kaya (coconut jam) toast and two very soft-boiled eggs.

Malaysia Opium Coffee

The Malyasian city of Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo, is a UNESCO foodie city and has many delicious charms. It also has an unusual form of coffee at Madam Tan’s Hiap Yak on Lorong Kai Joo. It is called ‘opium coffee’ because you are likely to want more and more…

The coffee itself is rich, dark kopi brewed in the traditional style. But it is served with a large knob of butter! The creamy butter melts slowly into the coffee adding a richness to the brew. Odd, perhaps, but surprisingly delicious. And definitely decadent.

Lao Iced Coffee

When we visited a local barista in Lao’s capital Vientiane we didn’t have very high expectations of the drink we were about to be offered. But we ended up being pleasantly surprised, if totally hyperactive for the rest of the afternoon. Lao Coffee In Five Easy Steps:

Step 1: Make sure you don’t plan to sleep for any time within the next 8 hours.

Step 2: Our barista had a basic coffee filter set up. She brewed a very strong brew…

Step 3: Brewed, of course, into a can of condensed milk which is milk plus, plus, plus: thick, smooth, creamy and outrageously sweet. Yes, that is an entire can of sweet, syrupy, gloopy, delicious condensed milk.

Step 4: Don’t forget that it’s a lovely day. The weather is HOT. Why would you want a hot coffee on a sultry and humid day? Of course you actually want your coffee to be cold! Fill a mug with ice.

Step 5: Pour the delicious coffee/condensed milk mixture on top. If you want a sugar rush on top of the caffeine, add a tablespoon or so of sugar. Stir, then serve.

Bonus: Just in case you aren’t consuming enough calories, why not enjoy some scrummy home-made doughnuts which are a delightful accompaniment to the Lao coffee?

Beats anything by any of the big coffee chains any day of the week. Delish! What was really nice about this experience that after making Ultimate Coffee for us, our barista settled down to eat her lunch inside her house (just beyond the shop front) with her mum. They offered us some to try – it was frog stew: whole frogs in a spicy sauce with lots of fresh herbs. It was very good indeed. Really.

Central and South America – Plantations and Brews

The coffee plant made its way across the Atlantic with the European colonisers in the 18th century. The climate and soil conditions in South and Central America were ideal for the production of coffee and this continent is now the largest bean producer. Both key types of coffee plant can grow here: the Arabica bean grows well in higher altitudes and the Robusta is happier below 750m above sea level.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, there’s a saying that ‘life is too short to drink bad coffee’. Costa Rica is one of the world’s coffee producers but, like many of the crops grown in this incredibly fertile country, the aim is to produce quality rather than quantity. The country lies fairly close to the equator so the coffee trees flower all year round.

Costa Rica is fairly close to the equator so the coffee trees flower all year round.

It is possible to visit coffee plantations and see how the beans are processed. Beans are harvested, the outer husk removed

Next the beans are roasted. The roast is what gives coffee its distinctive flavour. Less than 4 mins (not worth the effort) and greater than 26 mins (actually burnt) isn’t any good it but everything in between will offer a slightly different flavour.

What was interesting about the coffee in Costa Rica was the brewing process. Everyone knows that tea leaves should be steeped in water but most coffee processes involve a filtration process where water is forced or filtered across ground coffee beans. But in Costa Rica coffee is often steeped. An eco-friendly solution is to use a rather elegant contraption. The wooden stand called a chorreador and it holds a brewing sock known as a bolsita, which means ‘little bag’. Put the ground coffee into the pot and pour the boiling water on top.

You could probably use a sock inside a teapot but make sure the sock is clean otherwise who knows what sort of caffeinated nightmare beverage you could produce.

We discovered Costa Rica’s love for coffee in every hotel we stayed in. Most hotels around the world offer you a kettle and a selection of sachets of (not at all pleasant) instant coffee. Every hotel had its own filter coffee machine with a coffee bag. Just chuck the bag in the jug, fill the machine with water, let it dribble through and wait a while for it to infuse. It’s rather lovely to be able to have proper coffee whenever you wish.

Final Thoughts

Enjoying coffee is one of life’s great pleasures, especially when on the road. Coffee is so much more than a beverage, it is an inherent part of the culture for so many countries around the world, reflected in the sheer number of UNESCO listings that demonstrate how the heritage of drinking coffee brings people together. What is your favourite brew? Have you ever tried an unusual coffee on your travels? Let us know!

A Splendid Three Days in Singapore Itinerary

20th July 2025 / 7 Comments on A Splendid Three Days in Singapore Itinerary

Singapore is the only island city-state in the world, located right at the bottom of the Malay peninsula. It has a diverse culture, interesting places to visit and is extremely clean and safe. And the food culture is simply sublime. Our three days in Singapore itinerary offers a variety of activities in this lovely country which will show you some of the best areas to visit, as well recommend some foodie favourites to tantalise your tastebuds.

three days in singapore itinerary supertrees

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When To Visit Singapore?

Singapore can be visited any time of year. The best months are outside the rainy season, so February to April and June to August are good times. The weather will be driest and sunniest from June to August. It is hot and humid all year round, temperatures ranging between 25 and 32 degC.

How To Get Around Singapore

Singapore is a small country and it is very easy to get around. The MRT – subway – system is cheap and efficient and you can travel between sites of interest easily and quickly.

If you wish to use buses, there is a comprehensive bus network with a stop around every half a kilometre or so.

Travel Tip – you don’t have to buy tickets or a travel card to use the MRT. You can just tap your credit or debit card in and out at the barriers. There is a small daily charge (less than a dollar) then you pay as you go.

If you wish to purchase a card which you can use on the transportation system as well as at various stores and attractions, the NETS FlashPay Travel Card may be useful.

Where To Stay in Singapore

Singapore has a huge range of accommodation from the super-posh to more basic. Prices vary accordingly. The hotels around the Marina Bay area are likely to be pricier.

We chose to stay in Kinn Studios, a boutique hotel in Chinatown. Its location was excellent for the MRT and it was just a three minute walk from the Chinatown hawker market – a place of great deliciousness.

Three Days in Singapore Itinerary – Day 1

Explore Chinatown

MRT: Maxwell, Chinatown, Outram Park

Head out to Chinatown. Start your trip by having breakfast at a hawker centre. The Chinatown Complex and Maxwell centre are two great options in this area. There are multiple stalls to choose your breakfast from. Place your order and pick a table. Don’t forget to take your tray to the clearing up area. Because our hotel was so close by, we could enjoy a leisurely, and uncrowded, breakfast.

Chinatown is a pretty area to wander around.

Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. The temple is named after the left canine tooth of Buddha and is displayed in the temple, housed inside a large golden stupa. This multi-storey museum also has additional displays about Buddhism and a roof garden with orchids. It is free to visit.

Explore Little India

MRT: Little India

Little India, as its name suggests, is the area where many residents of Indian heritage have made their home. There are two Hindu temples along the Serangoon Road. Both the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (5:00am to 9:00 pm daily) and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple ( 6:00am to 12:00pm and 6:00pm to 9:00pm) are open daily. Visitors are welcome. The Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his one of the most historically important temples in Singapore. The architecture is beautiful, especially the tall Gopuram (tower) at the entrance. Note that shoes will need to be removed before entering the temples.

The Indian Heritage Centre offers displays showcasing the Indian heritage of the area.

Little India is the place to explore the shops for all sorts of flowers, fruit, vegetables and spices. There are a plethora of restaurants in the area, serving food from all regions within India.

Don’t forget to stop for sweets.

Spend the Evening in the Marina Bay Area

Head to the trendy part of the city to explore the modern architecture and entertainment options. There are all sorts of shopping malls and cultural events in this area.

Check out the Singapore Merlion which is the city’s mascot and which overlooks the bay.

Marina Bay Sands, the resort most likely to survive global warming with its grandiose ship design sitting atop three towers, offers Spectra, a nightly light show that runs for around 15 minutes every evening. You can visit the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck for a fee (about S$25-36) to get a panoramic view of the city.

The Singapore Flyer is Asia’s largest big wheel and also offers fantastic views of the bay and the city.

We were in Singapore during the National Day rehearsals, which ran every Saturday from June to August, so we enjoyed watching various displays, including a fantastic fireworks display, across the bay.

Three Days in Singapore Itinerary – Day 2

Explore Kampong Glam

MRT: Bugis

Kampong Glam is the Malay district, Singapore’s Muslim quarter. It’s located a short walk from Bugis MRT and is one of the oldest districts in Singapore. It is a lovely, vibrant area with loads of street art to enjoy. Haji lane has a bunch of cool shops as well as restaurants.

The Sultan Mosque is open to visitors from Sunday to Thursday (10.00-12.00am and 2.00-4.00pm). The mosque was constructed in 1824 by the first Sultan of Singapore, Sultan Hussein Shah. Please note that modest dress should be worn and shoes removed before entering the mosque. Cover ups are available, if needed.

The Malay Heritage Centre (currently closed for renovation) offers a variety of exhibits showing the history and culture of the area.

If you are seeking great Malaysian, Indonesian and even Middle Eastern food then this is the place to be.

Botanical Gardens

MRT: Botanical Gardens

Spend the afternoon at Singapore’s extensive botanical gardens, which are UNESCO listed (they were Singapore’s first UNESCO site, inscribed in 2015). They are free to enter and located right by the MRT station.

There are some indoor attractions such as the Centre for Ethnobotany, which displays infographics on some of the cultural aspects of local plants, and a Forest Discovery Centre.

The gardens are beautifully designed and you may see otters or monitor lizards wandering through the gardens as well.

The orchid garden does have a fee but it is worth it to see these beautiful flowers – and catch some time in the cold house, which simulates alpine climates and provides some relief from Singapore’s heat and humidity!

Alternative activity: Singapore’s zoo is one of the best rainforest zoos in the world – it is extensive, has a good space for the animals. They also run popular night safaris where you can see the nocturnal species, something to consider for the evening.

Three Days in Singapore Itinerary – Day 3

Take some time to wander around the colonial district. St Andrew’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Singapore with its distinctive architecture. Fort Canning Park, set atop a hill, has nine gardens including a spice garden. It also offers a number of horticultural events.

Museum of Asian Civilisations

MRT: Raffles Place

We recommend this museum as a place to understand heritage and culture from all over Asia. It has an extensive collection of objects that showcase the region’s history, as well as religious and cultural artifacts.

Singapore National Gallery

MRT: City Hall

If you are interested in art, the National Gallery is worth a visit. Located in the former Supreme Court and former City Hall buildings, the main galleries have a large collection of Singaporean and South East Asian art. There are a number of galleries dedicated to special exhibitions, often with an Asian theme, at a small extra fee. These are very well curated.

Alternatively, visit the National Museum which offers an extensive history of Singapore.

The Peranakan Museum celebrates Peranakan culture, a mixed-heritage community with roots from China, India, the Middle East, and Europe, many of whom intermarried and settled in Southeast Asia.

Even though you’re in the area, don’t bother with a Singapore sling in the Long Bar at Raffles, the famous – and incredibly posh – historic hotel. While the fruity gin-based cocktail, invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915, is undeniably delicious, it is super-expensive (and then you get hit with a service charge and tax on top of the pricey price tag) and not worth it in our opinion. If you do want to go, get there early, as there’s often a queue.

We should have listened to the late Anthony Bourdain who noted, ‘Nobody in Singapore drinks Singapore Slings. It’s one of the first things you find out there. What you do in Singapore is eat. It’s a really food-crazy culture.’ He’s right. We forked out so you don’t have to.

But if you do fancy a tipple, why not visit the bar at the Warehouse Lobby Bar at Robertson Quay? You can walk along the river from the colonial district (or it’s a short walk from Havelock MRT). The hotel offers a range of exciting and unusual cocktails from a bar that contains a vast array of alcohol and mixers. The cocktails aren’t cheap but they are cheaper than Raffles and are delicious and innovative, with some really unusual flavour combinations.

Evening At The Gardens by the Bay

MRT: Gardens by the Bay or Bayfront

The Gardens by the Bay are an extensive set of beautifully designed gardens. They are free to enter but if you wish to visit specific attractions, such as the cloud forest, flower dome or supertree observatory, there is a fee. The supertrees are a highlight, these giant vertical gardens house over 200 species of plant. The free daily Garden Rhapsody light and sound show takes place at 7.45pm and 8.45pm and shows off the supertrees at their most delightfully glittery.

super trees at gardens by the bay in singapore

If you get a chance, it is also worth squeezing in a visit to the Gardens by the Bay during the daytime as they are very beautiful.

Day 3 Alternative – Sentosa Island

MRT: Harbourfront, then transfer to Sentosa Express

If you are travelling with children, you might want to consider a day trip to Sentosa, an island to the south of Singapore, which has all sorts of attractions, including Universal Studios, an oceanarium, a waterpark as well as spas and beaches amongst many others.

Singapore For Foodies

Oh, where do we begin? Singapore has a fantastic food culture and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a really excellent meal.

Singapore’s Hawker Centres are also UNESCO-listed as an intangible cultural heritage. They are food courts where you can browse the dishes on offer at the various stalls and buy them directly from the vendor before sitting down at a vacant table and scoffing. They are truly fantastic places to get a really cheap and very delicious meal. If there’s a queue for the food at a particular stall, it’s almost certainly worth trying!

If you want to dine at the popular outlets arrive early. The centres will be busiest around lunchtime, between 11am and 2pm. Most hawker stalls will be cash-only – so make sure you have notes with you.

One of the most popular stalls in the Chinatown Complex is Hawker Chan, whose chicken rice received a Michelin star some years ago (it is no longer starred but still mentioned in the guide) – possibly the cheapest Michelin meal in the world! We arrived at the stall just after it had opened but still had to queue.

They offered both chicken rice (see further below) and delicious noodles.

Specific Singapore dishes that we recommend are:

Nanyang breakfast – kaya (coconut jam) toast and kopi (coffee), with soft-boiled eggs. Definitely one of the world’s best breakfasts.

Chicken rice is often considered to be the country’s national dish. The chicken is gently poached and served with lovely rice and a chilli, garlic and ginger glaze.

Chilli crab – gloriously messy, but utterly delicious, this is a whole crab cooked in a spicy sauce.

Satay – skewers of grilled meat, served with a spicy peanut sauce.

Congee – rice porridge with a variety of toppings, the ultimate comfort food.

In Little India, Chettinad crab soup, heavily spiced with the heat of pepper, was delicious.

Steamed pot rice or clay pot rice, fluffy rice with a variety of toppings, is a popular hawker centre dish. Expect to pay less than S$4-5 for a filling meal.

Fruity drinks are perfect for the hot climate. Fresh coconut water, straight out of the shell, or freshly squeezed lime juice with sour plums are so refreshing.

Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip

Singapore Accommodation

MRT Transport Card

Activities in Singapore

Final Thoughts on Three Days in Singapore Itinerary

Singapore is a fantastic country to visit, with a diverse range of things to see and do. It is the kind of place where everything just works – the transportation is cheap and reliable, and the country is very clean and safe. We received a friendly welcome wherever we went. And its wonderful multi-cultural heritage guarantees a food scene that is absolutely divine.

Very Tasty World