Plateplotter SINGAPORE

Where to eat, what to do - and where to shop - if you find yourself with 24 hours in the Lion City, Singapore. 

PS: Thank you to my best friend, Rana - the big-haired lady behind Singapore's favourite fashion blog Bonjour Singapore - for her super shopping tips and for acting as my personal food guide when I paid Singapore a visit this summer.

9.00am: Dive into some coffee and kaya toast at Killeney Kopitiam
The service may be curt, the coffee may slosh over your cup before it gets to your table, and you may have people hovering over you in the hope you'll relinquish your seat, but one bite of a warm toast slathered with butter and coconuty kaya jam will make you see why Singaporeans can't do without their favourite breakfast treat at this cafe, the oldest kaya toast joint in the city. For a more laid back experience, Hanis on Wilkie Road also does a mean caramel toast version.

In and around the area: The sorbet-coloured shop houses of hip Haji Ali for some one-of-a-kind designer finds; the quirky blog shops of Bugis Village for some great bargains. 

12.30pm: Crab by the coast
Head out to Singapore's East coast seafront for a taste of the city's most famous crustacean delights, Singaporean Chilli Crab or Pepper Crab. It may be spicy and messy, but there are few better ways to spend an afternoon in Singapore than digging into a massive mud crab doused in fiery, flavour-packed sauce.

In and around the area: Head back to the city centre's most famous shopping address, Orchard Road, for some mega mall-hopping; go souvenir shopping for ceramics, chopsticks and hand-waving kitties at the colourful crazy warren that is China Town; traipse the rainbow-hued streets of Little India for on-trend ethnic jewellery.

6pm: Hit the hawker centres
Other Asian cities may snigger at Singapore's super-sanitised street food stalls but your tummy will be grateful... From the popular and practical Maxwell Road Hawker Centre to the gorgeous Victorian cast-iron splendour of Lau Pa Sat, Singapore's hawker centres are landmarks in their own right and a food lover's dream! No matter where you choose to head, some must-tries on the menu include laksa, chicken rice and as many versions of dim sum as you can get down.

In and around the area: Catch a HiPPO tour from Clarke Quay and take in the city at a more leisurely pace or wander down to Gardens by the Bay for the spectacular Super Tree Grove Sound & Light Show.   

10.30pm: Toast the city from the top of MBS
Grab a cocktail at Ku De Ta, perch by the railing and take in Singapore's sparkling skyline from atop one of its most iconic landmarks - the megalithic Marina Bay Sands. 

In and around the area: Cross the water to pay a midnight visit to Singapore's most  legendary resident - the Merlion statue - responsible for the island's Lion City moniker.


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