One of the best ways to rediscover the city, as a local, is by sifting through the many diverse neighborhoods which offer incredible experiences and history for all. While you may be used to going to the same places over and over again, why not have a little change in routine and explore some neighborhoods you haven’t transverse deeply just yet?
Dempsey Hill
One of the most picturesque areas in the city boasting nature, this area is where you can find many impeccable eateries! Explore the area and lounge in cafes or restaurants where you can feast on some of the most scrumptious meals. Stop by Open Farm Community where you can enjoy the lush greenery of the outdoors and have a meal at the restaurant where all produce is locally-sourced. Looking to enjoy garden views with your delicious brunch? Have the popular Peter Gordon’s Turkish Eggs which includes poached eggs and sourdough at Baker & Cook, located in a bright glasshouse by a garden. Bask in the garden allure of the area through the day and well into the night at The Rabbit Hole, a bar with a backyard garden, boosting drinks with a gin spin with signature gins like Chrysanthemum and Hawthorne gin and Oolong and Pineapple Gin. Whether you want to have breakfast or drinks at a bar, Dempsey Hill offers the magical charms of nature along with it!
Queenstown
Home to many Singapore’s firsts including the first satellite town and housing estates, here is where you can find art and food existing in tandem. Visit the Wessex Estate, where you can find black-and-white colonial houses which used to be occupied by British officers and soldiers and are today made into studio spaces for artists. Stop for a hearty meal at ABC Brickworks Centre, first opened in 1974 and house almost a hundred stalls selling dishes like oyster omelette, Penang assam laksa and more! Love coffee? Take some time off your afternoon at Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, where they have been perfecting their coffee for over half a century.
Redhill
With cafes, restaurants and even an urban farm in this neighborhood, a day of exploration here would definitely make your stomach happy! Not only that, Henderson Waves and Telok Blangah Hill Park are also located here, perfect to balance out the meals you can have here. Stop by Jia Xiang, a popular stall at Redhill Food Centre which serves only two dishes, Mee Siam and Lontong, so you know that they are great at what they do! Craving for a good plate of curry rice? Then Hong Seng Curry Rice should be your pick, a favorite eatery for many.
Yishun
While many might think that Yishun is not quite the hip place to head on to, there is so much to do here! Not too sure what to do for the night? ORTO is a multi-activity venue where you can go paintballing, prawning or drift karting! If you are hungry, there is even a popular Mookata spot or if you want a drink, there are also bars around. This neighborhood is also home to Coba Coba, famous for their nasi ambeng, a mountain of rice with portions of hearty dishes all around. Need to finish up your meal with a sweet dessert? Stop by Holy Cow Creamery, where you can get affordable ice-creams with flavors like Mao Shan Wang, Vietnamese Drip Coffee and more!
Seletar
Under the radar and known for its rustic allure, Seletar is a great place to enjoy nature and more. Explore Rower’s Bay Park where you can enjoy some of the best views of sunrise and sunset along the boardwalk. Enjoy watching planes take off? Head on over to Seletar Aerospace Park where you can also find a glimpse of colonial history in nature. Hungry? Stop by Wildseed Cafe and Bar boasting breakfast classics and the favorite, carbonara.
