24 hours in Singapore

What to do if you have 24 hours in Singapore? Here are a few of our ideas for something a little more off-the-beaten track.

9 am Kaya toast breakfast

This is the iconic Singaporean/Malaysian breakfast. Kaya is a coconut custard spread and it is usually slathered onto some toast with a slab of butter and served with two soft boiled eggs on the side and your choice of local coffee or tea. You can find this all over Singapore, even in malls (look out for Ya Kun and Toast Box). But for an old school experience, head to either Chin Mee Chin in Katong or Heap Seng Leong (near Lavender MRT). The latter is as old world as you can get. Some might find it a touch grubby though, so if that concerns you, go to Chin Mee Chin instead. 

10 am Katong

The Katong area on the east side of Singapore is a chill area long popular with the upper middle classes. In the colonial years, this area was where the well-off locals would have their weekend bungalows. Most of these stand-alone houses no longer exist, but Katong still has a large number of very pretty pre-war terraces, which architecture lovers will enjoy. This district was also popular with the Peranakans. Numerous Peranakan families run home museums and eateries here.  Focus on exploring Joo Chiat Road and East Coast Road, though a few side streets are worth a look too.

If you are moving through the streets quickly, then walk north along Joo Chiat Road until you reach the Geylang Serai Market. This is one of the main hubs for the Malay population of Singapore. You will find ingredients not often found elsewhere. The ground floor is a wet market. Upstairs is a Malay-centric hawker food centre. You can have brunch/lunch here or head to….

12 pm Lunch at Fico at East Coast Parkway

Hop into a taxi and make your way to Fico, a casual Italian restaurant by the sea. East Coast Parkway is a popular park that runs along the coastline and once you get to the restaurant you will feel as if you have been transported to a seaside resort. Fico is always full, so if you want to go there, do reserve a table in advance. The food is excellent and the environment allows one to unwind after a busy morning. You can also take a walk in the park after. 

If you don’t fancy the Geylang Serai food centre or going to Fico, there are plenty of options along Joo Chiat Road to choose from as well: Peranakan, Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian…

2 pm 

Stroll or bicycle along the sea at East Coast Parkway for a relaxing afternoon. It’s easy to forget that Singapore is an island and this is one of the few places where you can actually soak up an urban island vibe. You can swim here, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The waters are not the cleanest due to the heavy tanker traffic in the region, and the park being built on reclaimed land means that the beaches are man-made and drop off quite abruptly into deep waters. If you find yourself needing some refreshment, there are numerous options from P.S. Café East Coast Park to East Coast Lagoon Food Village.

4 pm Return to your lodgings to rest and freshen up.

6 pm Dinner

Rempapa is helmed by chef Damian D’Silva, who is Eurasian and very keen on keeping heritage recipes alive. The menu focuses on Peranakan cuisine, which is known for its fusion of Chinese and Malay ingredients.

If you’ve already eaten at the Geylang Serai market or opted for some Peranakan food in Katong, you might want something different at this point. Why not try some South Indian vegetarian food in Little India? You can give Podi & Poriyal a go (a touch pricey, but it has a nice ambiance) or Nalan Restaurant. Nalan also has a branch on Stamford Road, if you happen to be close to City Hall MRT station. For a more rough and ready experience but with fantastic food and great service, go to Erode Amman Mess. We normally opt for the Special Veg meal so as to get a taste of everything, though we have also heard good things about their biryanis.