Skip the tourist trap. We’re asking locals and well-versed folks only for their edit of the secret spots they visit time and time again.
Many people think Singapore is boring and there’s nothing to do there. That’s the most common misconception about the country, according to Dave Pynt, an Australian-born chef who’s lived in Singapore for 12 years. Pynt is now the chef-owner of Burnt Ends Hospitality Group which manages a handful of restaurants in Singapore, including one Michelin-starred Burnt Ends. He’s also the author of Burnt Ends Book.
“There’s so much going on in Singapore,” says Pynt. “There are museums, galleries, amusement parks, sports, restaurants and bars. There’s so much to do and see – I haven’t gotten bored yet.”
Here, Pynt shares some top picks on things to do and where to eat, drink and stay while you’re there.
Best Restaurants in Singapore
Pynt says Singapore’s dining scene has something for everyone, from artisanal hawkers to three Michelin-starred restaurants. Pynt says the appeal for him to open Burnt Ends in Singapore is that it’s such an eclectic, fast-moving city with residents who love to eat well.
One of his favourite places to eat for a special occasion is Odette, a fine-dining restaurant in the National Gallery Singapore, by Chef Julien Royer and inspired by Royer’s grandmother, Odette. “It’s a three-star establishment that combines French and Japanese influences,” says Pynt.
Another favourite is two Michelin-starred Meta, which Pynt describes as the Korean version of Odette, calling its chef Sun Kim a real talent. Kim combines his Korean heritage with Japanese culinary techniques and Western culinary training to create a unique East-meets-West menu.
If Pynt craves Peking duck or suckling pig, he’ll head to Imperial Treasure on level five of the Paragon Shopping Centre. The Chinese fine-dining restaurant has venues worldwide and a dozen in Singapore.
“Lau Pa Sat is an iconic hawker market with a famous Satay Street, full of satay stalls,” says Pynt. “My favourite for satay is 7&8. Order a mix of dishes for the table. Enjoy the smell of satay grilling, drink beer and watch the world go by.”
Finally, Pynt recommends you head to Spago Dining Room for city views while you eat. The lunch and dinner restaurant by Wolfgang Puck is in one of Singapore’s most famous hotels, Marina Bay Sands.
Best Things to Do in Singapore
To truly immerse yourself in Singapore’s dining scene, Pynt suggests you book an eating tour that takes you to little-known hawker favourites and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Another activity Pynt tells everyone to do is to visit the Art Science Museum, which has 21 gallery spaces. “They’ve had exhibitions from Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali,” he says.
Other activity highlights include wakeboarding at Singapore Wake Park, seeing the city from above on the Ferris wheel at Marquee nightclub, which also has a three-storey slide, and electric go-karting. “The go-karts have Mario Kart-style features that let you drive over ‘stars’ and give you special powers that allow you to ‘shoot’ other cars,” says Pynt.
Best Hotels in Singapore
Singapore’s home to countless historic hotels, but Pynt’s favourite is Raffles, which opened in 1887 with only 10 rooms. Today, it has 115 suites and several bars and restaurants you can visit even if you aren’t a hotel guest.
“You should stay at Marina Bay Sands if you want to use its SkyPark infinity pool,” says Pynt. “It’s the largest infinity pool in the world and the only way to swim in it is to be a hotel guest. For somewhere more tranquil, there’s Capella on Sentosa Island, just a 20-minute drive from the mainland.”
Opened in 2009, Capella is set on 12 hectares of rainforest, facing the South China Sea. The hotel has a spa, three restaurants and a golf course.
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