If you just had two days in Singapore.. – Itinerary

I recently went over to Singapore for a few days and decided I wanted a chill, no fuss, relaxing holiday that wasn’t jam packed with touristy things and long lines. The only planned things were the Art Porters Gallery, and Cloud Forest. I like arty pretty things, and nice food, so my holiday definitely ticked those boxes. If you’re also into those things, and want to go to Singapore for a few nights, below is my recommended itinerary for a nice short break.

Day one:

Breakfast – Toast Box (or any Singaporean café that sells kaya toast with soft boiled eggs). They’re super cheap, scattered throughout Singapore, and are open quite early.

Order the kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and a coffee or tea. (Around AU$5.50 total)

The toast has a spread of kaya coconut jam and a thick slice of butter that oozes out as you eat it. I’ve noticed most people prepare their meal by cracking their soft boiled eggs into the dish, sprinkling it with pepper, pouring in some soy sauce, stirring it all together, then dipping their kaya toast in after each bite.  I personally don’t like soft-boiled eggs so I went with just the kaya toast and a tea.

After breakfast, make your way to Cloud Forest  – Open 9am                                                                   18 Marina Gardens Dr

Get there as close to opening time as possible if you want to avoid crowds to get some pictures without people in them. I was there in the school holidays on a Wednesday and arrived around 10:30am. It wasn’t busy. The gardens are beautiful and you could easily spend hours wandering.

Gardens By The Bay is beside Cloud Forest so you can                                                                            wander around there afterwards. 

The Art Science Museum is walking distance if you wanted to include another activity in your day. I personally wasn’t too impressed with the Future World exhibition as it was more for kids. If you have kids they would love it.

It’s no trip to Singapore without a bit of shopping. Orchard Road is a must. Lined with shopping centre after shopping centre, all selling the same designer stuff, it’s definitely worth checking out and feeling posh for a bit. There are also a lot of places to eat; the shopping centres have some really nice affordable food courts. Stop somewhere for lunch/afternoon tea along Orchard Road or if you’re just feeling like a snack, you must try an ice cream sandwich (the bread ones are better than the wafer). My favourite is the mint choc.

Exhaustingggg!! Whilst on holiday I always have to squish in a midday nap at the hotel. It recharges me so I don’t end up wanting to go to bed at 7pm. My favourite hotel in Singapore is Park Royal on Pickering and they have a beautiful quiet pool area to relax for a bit.

Once revived and refreshed, catch a taxi to Haji Lane, or a train to Bugis Station to find the coolest hidden cocktail bar in Singapore (in my opinion, but to be honest I haven’t been to many other cocktail bars but trust me, this one is unique)

Bar Stories.                                                                                                                                                  57A Haji Lane

Half way down Haji Lane there’s a white lit-up sign above a doorway with some stairs. It’s intimidating, and doesn’t look like a bar, but just go up. Once up there, you will be in a dimly lit space that kind of looks like someone’s living room with a bar in the middle. Grab a seat around the bar and the staff will tell you how it works. There is no drink menu. You describe to the bar staff what flavours you feel like and they whip up the most amazing cocktail with ingredients you didn’t know exist. The cocktails cost I think between AU$20-$40 (ours were $25 each). It’s really enjoyable watching them make the drinks; the effort they put into the taste and presentation is nothing I have ever seen at any bar before. They carve ice cubes with a knife! They light fruit on fire! They spend time describing what they have done and really care if you enjoy the cocktail they have made.

Day two:

Breakfast – Wild Honey – open 9am.

There are 2 locations and they are both very similar:

• 6 Scotts Rd, 03-01, Scotts Square, Singapore.
• 333A Orchard Rd, 03-01/02, Singapore (Mandarin Gallery)

Fancy. The meals here are very creative and there is a lot to choose from. I go here every time I am in Singapore and it never disappoints. This is my favourite café in the world. The meals are around $25 each, but definitely worth it. The waffles are to die for.

Art Porters Gallery                                                                                                                                                   64 Spottiswoode Park Rd

The Gallery is very small but has some unique art, and out the back there is street art by graffiti artist Alex Face

The neighbourhood is filled with cute photogenic pastel houses, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Haji lane shopping and lunch

Haji Lane is a cute little street with boutique shops, cafes, and hidden bars. The shops open from around midday until 8pm. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you must try a slice of the most amazing rainbow cake from ‘I am..” café. They’re usually displayed in the cabinets and taste just as good as they look. You could definitely kill an hour or two wandering Haji Lane.

For dinner tonight I have 2 suggestions:

Maxwell Food Centre                                                                                                                                                 1 Kadayanallur St (near China Town)

This hawker centre has a large variety of stalls selling amazing affordable meals. It’s clean, cheap, where the locals eat, and not crowded with tourists. This is one of my favourites. I really like the laksa, and the Hum Jin Pang (DIY deep fried dough either plain with 5 spice, salt, and sugar, or filled with red bean paste).

NOX Dine in the Dark                                                                                                                                           269 Beach Rd

If you feel like something fancy but slightly quirky, NOX Dine in the Dark is my suggestion. Book it online before you go to avoid disappointment. I am not sure if you can walk in without a booking but I wouldn’t risk it. You eat a 12 course meal in pitch black and it’s so much fun!  I have been twice and it’s been great both times. The meals come out in little bowls in batches of 4 and you’re told to eat them in a clockwise direction. You get four entrées, four mains, and four desserts. At the end of the night when you’re lead downstairs, they show you pictures of what you were eating. The meals are very creative and high quality. I highly recommend fitting this place in on your holiday.