Eat

10 best places to eat in Singapore

CLEO team’s personal favourite spots all around Singapore - in one day and less than $80.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Yup, we did it. Featuring 10 of the CLEO team’s personal favourite spots all around Singapore, we ate out around the whole of our sunny island in one day for less than $80. Here’s our itinerary for your tummy – and yes, you’re welcome.

Nonya laksa

Before you buy anything from this stall, you need to know that the man behind the counter is extremely good at persuading you to buy more. But that’s OK, because everything we’ve had here was sedap. 

What we ate: Nonya laksa Cost: $5 Where: Nonya Delicatessen, #B1-K69, 1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Bukit Timah Plaza
What we ate: Nonya laksa Cost: $5 Where: Nonya Delicatessen, #B1-K69, 1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Bukit Timah Plaza
Kueh dadar

We really want to know how they made the kueh dadar skin so thin. Also, the generous white coconut filling is fragrant and not overly sweet. 

What we ate: Kueh dadar Cost: $4 for a box of five Where: Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, #01-39, Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road
What we ate: Kueh dadar Cost: $4 for a box of five Where: Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry, #01-39, Blk 55 Tiong Bahru Road
Coconut milkshake

Not exactly the most Singaporean food, but so refreshing after all that food we ate. If you need a boost, get the espresso shake to perk yourself up!

What we ate: Original shake and espresso shake Cost: $7.50 Where: Coco Shake Shack, #01-33, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Maxwell Food Centre
What we ate: Original shake and espresso shake Cost: $7.50 Where: Coco Shake Shack, #01-33, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Maxwell Food Centre
Kaya butter bread

We’re pretty sure some nutritionists would not approve, but this bread is so darn soft and fluffy we could just eat a whole bag by ourselves. 

What we ate: Kaya butter bread Cost: $2.30 Where: Nature Bakery, #01-04, 651 Jurong West Street 61
What we ate: Kaya butter bread Cost: $2.30 Where: Nature Bakery, #01-04, 651 Jurong West Street 61
Eggs and Toast

No introduction needed for this famous old-school breakfast spot. A thick slab of butter on a perfectly toasted bun slathered with kaya? Yes, yes, and definitely yes!

What we ate: A butter kaya bun, two soft-boiled eggs and two cups of kopi Cost: $4.90 Where: Chin Mee Chin Confectionary, 204 East Coast Road
What we ate: A butter kaya bun, two soft-boiled eggs and two cups of kopi Cost: $4.90 Where: Chin Mee Chin Confectionary, 204 East Coast Road
Chicken rice

Residents of Potong Pasir will know of this chicken rice stall hidden in a zi char restaurant. The chicken has a unique nutty flavor and the tofu dish is also a must have side. Made Thai style, this sweet and sour tofu is wrapped in a crispy skin and goes so well with your chicken rice. 

What we ate: Chicken rice with tofu Cost: $4.20 Where: Seletar Seafood Centre, #01-135, Blk 146 Potong Pasir Ave 1
What we ate: Chicken rice with tofu Cost: $4.20 Where: Seletar Seafood Centre, #01-135, Blk 146 Potong Pasir Ave 1
Hokkien mee

This dish doesn’t come with as much gravy as we thought it would, but that’s because all its flavor is already in the noodles. P.S. We love how the slightly chewy bee hoon complements the yellow noodles wonderfully.

What we ate: Fried Hokkien mee Cost: $3 Where: Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee, #01-32, 51 Old Airport Road, Old Airport Road Food Centre
What we ate: Fried Hokkien mee Cost: $3 Where: Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee, #01-32, 51 Old Airport Road, Old Airport Road Food Centre
Swiss roll

It took us forever to decide on two out of the nine types of Swiss rolls they offer. The mango Swiss roll came with a slightly salty tinge and pieces of fruit in the cream, and the chocolate Swiss roll was - as the shop’s name states - rich and good. 

What we ate: Mango Swiss roll and chocolate Swiss roll Cost: $15 Where: Rich & Good Cake Shop, 24 Kandahar Street
What we ate: Mango Swiss roll and chocolate Swiss roll Cost: $15 Where: Rich & Good Cake Shop, 24 Kandahar Street
Biryani

This corner joint claims to serve a healthier version of biryani and sure enough, it was less oily than we expected. What’s great is that we could taste the vast combination of spices they used in every grain. It’s spicy, so if you can’t take the heat, get a mango lassi to effectively extinguish the flame in your mouth (tried and tested by us truly). 

What we ate: Mutton biryani and mango lassi Cost: $19 Where: Bismillah Biryani Restaurant, 50 Dunlop Street
What we ate: Mutton biryani and mango lassi Cost: $19 Where: Bismillah Biryani Restaurant, 50 Dunlop Street
Paper prata

This popular supper haunt never fails to satisfy us. Together with a cup of iced teh cino, the sweet and crispy paper prata was a nice break after all the savoury dishes we had throughout the day.

What we ate: Honey/milk paper prata and teh cino ice Cost: $4.20 Where: The Roti Prata House, 246M Upper Thomson Road
What we ate: Honey/milk paper prata and teh cino ice Cost: $4.20 Where: The Roti Prata House, 246M Upper Thomson Road