Lantern is on the roof of my favorite hotel in Singapore. One of my go-to bars to take friends when they’re visiting from out of town.Bottom line: you are not coming for speciality cocktails. You are not coming for superb food. You are coming here for the INSANE views of the both the Marina Bay Waterfront AND city skyline. It’s a very chill, relaxed vibe that is perfect for hanging out with friends. .
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✨: lounge kind of vibe. Lots of people coming here from work, and of course lots of hotel guests. In general, it’s mostly westerners.
Note: There are different kinds of tables: low to the ground sofas and then standard tables with actual chairs. If you’re planning on eating, take the normal table. 🛎: service is slow (has been every time I’ve been), but #protip just order a bunch of drinks at once so you won’t have to wait 🤪
🍸: Pictured is the peach berry sling. Pretty to look at but I’ll be honest with you - it tasted like a sweet bar of soap. One thing I don’t like about Lantern is that the drinks are all served in plastic glasses/cups. I think this is so people can take into the pool and not have to worry about glass breaking. Still, it feels/looks a little out of place with how trendy the rest of this lounge is.
🍴: recommend getting some small bites. Love their pita with dips and their sliders.
🔜: recommend coming here for drinks either before/after your dinner. Some of my favorite restaurants within walking distance are: Cafe Fernet, Artemis, and No Menu. Also love La Brasserie which is on the ground floor of the hotel. If you’re visiting Singapore, you can try Lau Pa Sat - a hawker center next door - for food to get that authentic experience, and then come here for drinks for a familiar environment.
💰: $$
❗️: dont need a reservation unless going at peak hours (after 7 on weekdays, after 6 fri/sat). But you can make one online.
⏱: cocktails everyday from 3pm. Closes 1am on weeknights and 2am Friday/Saturdays .
📍: Fullerton Bay Hotel (downtown on the marina)

Not to be dramatic but Otto Ristorante changed my life. the food blew my freaking mind. As far as food goes, this is easily now my favorite Italian restaurant in Singapore. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you’re visiting, this would not be a top recommendation just because the ~experience~ isn’t anything super special (and it’s def not Singapore-specific: I’m sure you can find similar restaurants in any city). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But if you’re planning a family dinner or you have a big work dinner coming up, I strongly advise you to consider Otto. They have 4 big private rooms (that were all full last night with businessmen/women) that are perfect for the occasion. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨: sophisticated Italian restaurant, think: white tablecloths, leather chairs and booths, wine bottles in nicely lit cases as decor. Chill-hit music playing quietly in background. It’s not really a romantic restaurant or somewhere you’d go with a group of friends - again, it’s more for business or family dinners. That’s not to say I won’t be coming back for date-night with my husband every chance I get...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🛎: very attentive service. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍸: extensive wine list ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴: the Burrata is now the best I’ve had in Singapore (until now it was at Publico). So creamy... for entres, you have to get pasta. I had the white truffle tajarin (kind of like angel hair pasta, but flat) which was effing tasty - very simple and not too heavy. My dad got the tagliatelle with wagyu and foie gras (pictured) which is definitely heavier and extremely rich but damn delicious. Mom got the Ossobucu with saffron risotto, which was insane and something I would never think to order. But thank god she was the one to get it cause she never finishes her food 🙋🏼‍♀️ PS, they have an ENTIRE WHITE TRUFFLE MENU. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $$-$$$ - but they do have a set lunch menu too for $38! Includes a starter, main and dessert (pay extra for some dishes). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: reservation recommended⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⏱: Mon-Fri: 12-2:30, 6:30-10:30. Sat: 6:30-10:30. Closed Sundays⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: 32 Maxwell Rd

This was my first time at Blu Kouzina - a family-friendly Greek restaurant in Dempsey. The food was INCREDIBLE - next time I’m feeling like a healthy dinner date, this will 100% be the move.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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After a week of my parents in town (aka a week of non-stop eating), this Greek salad was like a gift from heaven. The variety of tomatoes and freshness of the cucumber had me shoveling the salad into my mouth. Left the restaurant with the conclusion that I have not eaten enough Greek food in my lifetime.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
✨: casual, great for a family dinner or catch up with a friend. Not a romantic restaurant (so wouldn’t recommend for a first date). Both indoor and outdoor seating options. Quiet Greek music playing in the background. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🛎: service was great! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴: to start, we loved the dips — hummus and tzatziki were addicting. My advice would be to get with cucumber/carrot sticks so you don’t fill up on pita bread. Lamb meatballs (fried) were also delicious and come with a yummy creamy red spicy dipping sauce. Greek salad (called the Horiatiki salad - pictured) was so refreshing and satisfying (I love how many yummy healthy options are on their menu). Side note on the Greek salad: I don’t love the taste of pure olive oil so I asked for mine with just a little bit; Nadim didn’t ask for less and his salad was swimming in it - so keep this in mind if you order. My parents had the Mousaka (think: cross between eggplant lasagna and Shepard’s pie) and the Pastitsio (kind of like a Shepard’s pie with big noodles) and they were both raving about how good they were (and they eat a lot of Greek food so their opinion counts 🙊). I ate their leftovers for lunch today and can confirm that everyone should try one of these (which one depends on if you prefer noodles or eggplant).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥗: many many vegetarian options ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $$⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: reservation optional ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⏱: 12-2:30, 6-10pm⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: Dempsey

Publico reminds of Bali with some European vibes. Outdoor seating available but we opted for indoor (cause I like my brunch without sweat). For the Sunday Isola Brunch there’s a live DJ from 2:30 onwards. Doesn’t get crazy, but it’s perfect for big groups looking to drink and carbo-load.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🛎: service was veryyyyy slow. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴: Burrata with cherry tomatoes was top 3 I’ve had in SG. I usually love grilled octopus but it was way too tough here - wouldn’t recommend. Wood fired pizzas are a must - we had the Quattro Formaggi (GET IT), Prosciutto, and the Tartufata (black truffle). Carbonara, spaghetti chitarri, and black truffle tagliatelle were 🍝🔥🍝🔥🍝 carbonara is creamy but not too heavy and has big, fatty pieces of bacon in it 😈⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍸: free flow options are available - unlimited beer/Pinot Grigio/Prosecco/rose for $75/pp ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $$⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: reservation required for weekend brunch ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⏱: m-th: 5pm-11pm, fri: 5pm-12am, sat: 12pm-12am, sun: 11am-12am⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: Intercontinental, Robertson Quay.

Coffee was good not GREAT. Was in a rush to get back to the office but plan on coming here on a weekend for a proper brunch.
💰: expensive af for coffee - this was $9, I was like 🧐. it was delicious. but, not $9 delicious. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍 Martin Road (Robertson Quay)

There are a few options on top of Marina Bay Sands for food or drinks, but Spago Lounge is my favorite. We’ve brought every friend whose visited us in Singapore here, and it’s always a huuuuge success. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But it’s not just a “must-see if visiting” place. We love coming here on random weekend nights, just the two of us or with friends. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Plenty of fun cocktails to choose from and you can’t beat that al fresco setting. Would recommend getting dinner at the formal Spago Dining Room restaurant (food is 😍) and then heading to the lounge after. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you’re feeling peckish (which I always am), order these tuna cones. The crunch and subtle sweetness from the cone are a perfect complement to the fresh tuna sashimi. Incredibly delicious. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨: very trendy spot with top notch views. Perfect for big group get togethers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🛎: service is pretty average; if you drink enough it won’t bother you🤓⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍸: looooong cocktail list to choose from - I recommend straying away from your normal drink (don’t be boring by getting a gin & tonic🙄). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴: tuna cones ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🔜: after a few drinks, you might feel like dancing. On weekends head to Lavo, Avenue or Marquee. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $$⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: reservations recommended, especially on weekends⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands

✨: best for brunch! Great place to come for a cute brunch date or even to meet up with someone you haven’t seen in ages. It’s one of those every-occasion kinds of places. We’ve also done a couple massive group brunches here (like 15 people) and it’s always fun. Took the second pic from @thedempseycookhouseandbar.sg to give you an idea of layout.
☕️: amazing coffee
🍴: love the burger with Brie and truffle mayo (+ great fries), truffle pizza, and calamari. Crispy salmon sushi is a requirement!! .
🧁: pancakes with ice cream 😈
💰: $$
❗️: reservation required .
⏱: opens at 11:30 for brunch on weekends. Gogogogogo
📍: 17 Dempsey Road

Not suprising - the burgers at Black Tap are phenomenal. Yes surprising - the Turkey Burger Salad is my favorite salad of all time. ALL TIME. Anywhere in the world. Really.

It’s the perfect place to go if someone wants to indulge and another wants to be healthy.
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It’s made with a turkey burger, kale, apple, blue cheese (which I switch for feta), avocado, dried cranberries, and a house buttermilk dressing. The turkey patty is moist and so flavorful - you can even ask for the dressing on the side since the juice from the turkey acts like a tasty & natural dressing. It’s SO satisfying - even when your husband is sitting across from you eating a double-burger and 2 portions of fries. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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. ✨: casual American burger restaurant, perfect for families with small children. It’s actually really well done, aesthetically too!
🍴: a burger or a salad - make sure to go for something with a meat patty (if not vegetarian). The original 🍟 and sweet potato fries are also amazing here. 🥗: there are a couple vegetarian options - “vegan burger” and a falafel burger. Gluten free buns available too.
🧁: if it’s your first time, you kinda have to get one of their famous milkshakes for dessert. And then you’ll probably never want one again. .
💰: $$
❗️: no reservations, lines are long at lunchtime. But there are often bar seats available.
⏱: 11am-11:30pm everyday .
📍: Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

chic bar connected to an incredible restaurant. Loud music, colorful lights, and amazing views. There’s a clear after-work crowd on weekdays.
💰: $$-$$$

Incredible coffee at %Arabica. %Arabica’s flagship store is in Kyoto, but after much success they’ve quickly opened branches around the world - with the one in Singapore having opened August 2018.

Their coffee is extremely high quality. The geographic origin of the beans varies by season so you’re getting tip-top premium coffee all year round. Comes at a price though.

I had both a classic iced latte ($8 for small, $9 for large), and a Spanish hot latte, made with condensed milk🤤 ($7.80/8.80). Think I nearly medically-overdosed on caffeine so will come back another time to try the matcha latte (the guy after me ordered it but I decided 3 drinks for myself was excessive🍵). Also, they do have ‼️oat milk‼️ upon request!!

The design of the store is very minimalist, and very instagrammable. Bright whites and sparkling clean. The baristas also give off a really cool/chic (/intimidating?) vibe. The shop is small, so would recommend grabbing coffee to go. They have a few pastry options, but no other food.
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💰: $-$$ - expensive for coffee!!! You better love and be able to appreciate premium coffee if you’re gonna cough up $8-$10 for a cup. .
⏰: 8am-8pm daily .
📍: 58 Arab Street

I loooove Da Paolo Gastronomia for lunch during the work week; their build-your-own-bowls are delicious and packed with nutrients (if you do it right🙊)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The panini was a bit of a letdown. The bread was much too sweet for me, and there wasn’t nearly enough meat inside. This goes for both the Parma Ham & Wild Rocket panini (pictured) and the Meatball & Mozzarella panini. Won’t be ordering a panini here again. Made for a pretty picture tho😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That said, if you do like eating clean and haven’t checked out Gastronomia, I highly recommend it. Other than the bowls, I regularly get the Spinach Lasagna and Salmon Mushroom Rice Salad (I heat it up and eat it hot). For a treat, the chocolate croissant (glazed and HUGE) and twice-baked almond croissant are both delicious. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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✨: fast-casual healthy options and sweets. Good for takeaway, too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥤: cold pressed juices ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍴: build your own bowl, spinach lasagna, salmon mushroom rice, chocolate croissant, double baked almond croissant ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥗: vegetarian options are plentiful ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $-$$⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: no reservations ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: nearly 10 locations across singapore, including: Holland Village, Paragon Mall, Raffles City, Raffles Place...

✨: cute cafe, wooden stools, huge windows, lots of people in the 15-25 year old range. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
☕️: great coffee⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧁: this Sea Salt Gula Melaka ice cream on a waffle is our favorite and #1 rec. they also serve a variety of cakes but trust me - go for the ice cream/waffle combo. If you don’t live in the area, this is worth the detour⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
💰: $$⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❗️: You can reserve a table on Chope - recommend doing this on weekends if you’re more than 2 people, it gets pretty packed⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⏱: closed on Mondays. 1pm-10pm Tuesday-Thursday. 12pm-11pm Friday/Saturday. 12-10pm Sundays.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📍: Chip Bee Gardens (Holland Village)