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Singaporeans are famously proud of their culinary heritage. After all, the Lion City’s dining scene is one of its greatest draws. And it hasn’t escaped notice from the coveted Michelin Guide, one of the world’s most esteemed culinary institutions.
In recent years, it has also honoured some of Singapore’s beloved hawkers, granting them both Bib Gourmand awards and stars. Stalwarts like Odette and Les Amis continue to impress, retaining their trio of stars. This year, a total of 33 new restaurants and hawkers join the Michelin Guide, across the starred, Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selection categories. Here are 7 newcomers and old favourites to note.
Michelin-starred restaurants
Michelin stars are the most coveted awards a restaurant can receive. They stem from the Guide’s past as a French motoring guide, where one star denotes a restaurant worth a stop, two stars denoting that the excellent food is worth a detour and three stars being exceptional cuisine that’s worth a special journey. In order to make the cut, five universal criteria are taken into account: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavours, mastery of techniques, consistency and the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine.
NewcomerBorn clinches its first star
It’s always thrilling when a new restaurant joins the ever-growing pantheon of Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore. The Malaysian-born chef of Born, Zor Tan, has had a storied culinary journey involving stints at acclaimed restaurants like Restaurant André in Singapore where he learned under the tutelage of André Chiang. AtBorn, set within former rickshaw depot Jinricksha Station, Tan presents his enigmatic marriage of French and Chinese cooking through a nine-course menu that highlights eclectic dishes that include pickled starters, fish bacon and a Spanish-inspired fried “bao” – dishes that represent his culinary journey.
Restaurant Born’s pickles and snacks. Photo: Restaurant Born
Seroja’s stunning hat trick
This newcomer managed to snag a Michelin star less than a year since opening – an impressive feat in itself. Even more impressive is thatSeroja is the first and only restaurant in Singapore to be awarded the Michelin Green star, which recognises restaurants that maintain sustainable and ethical practices. Chef Kevin Wong, who also received a Young Chef Award from Michelin – completing Seroja’s hat trick – celebrates the varied cuisines of the Malay Archipelago through his menu. Its efforts towards sustainability include sourcing local, seasonal dishes and utilising vegetable trimmings in their cocktails, all of which serve to emphasise regional flavours.
A two-star exemplar of modern-Indian cuisine
We’ve said it before,modern-Indian cuisine is having its heyday in Singapore. If you need convincing, consider thatThevar is one of only six restaurants on the island to clinch two Michelin stars. Helmed by Penang-born Chef Mano Thevar, the eponymous restaurant champions, in the chef’s own words, “Indian flavours by way of the Malay Peninsula”. What’s also striking about Thevar’s menu is that it presents dishes that defy the usual ideas of what Indian food is, broadening the perception of the cuisine. The best way to experience Thevar’s offerings is through the Chef’s Menu that features unique dishes like Madurai pepper crab rassam and Iberico pork thogayal (chutney) along with classics like lamb biryani.
(Clockwise from left) Strawberry chaat, pani puri, obsiblue prawn vada chilli toast, and crispy pork sambal in betel leaf. Photo: Thevar
A three-star stalwart that’s going strong
When it comes to Singapore’s trio of three-star MICHELIN restaurants,Zén often doesn’t get as much attention as its contemporaries Odette and Les Amis. While its peers favour French and European cooking with Asian influences, chef-owner Björn Frantzén instead champions a neo-Nordic menu with Japanese inflections and an emphasis on seafood. Zén’s dining space also defies fine dining archetypes and is instead set within a charming shophouse on Bukit Pasoh Road, adding an intimate vibe to this exceptional culinary experience.
Bib Gourmand entries
While not as prestigious as a star, the Michelin Guide is firm in the belief that a Bib Gourmand isn’t merely a consolation prize. This award honours restaurants that offer “exceptionally good food at moderate prices”. Among these 79 establishments, you’ll find a mix of hawkers and affordable restaurants that have quietly distinguished themselves.
Another hawker hero clinches a Bib Gourmand
Mutton soup is a primal affair – it’s messy, you use your hands and you’d be silly to wear white while eating it. Essentially, it’s far from the white tablecloth affairs most people would associate with the Michelin guide of old. Joining the list of Bib Gourmand awardees this year is Bahrakath Mutton Soup, housed in the much-loved Adam Road Food Centre. Open since the ’70s, the stall offers a variety of mutton soups made with leg and ribs along with offal like tripe and even brain. The richly spiced soup is replete with tender portions of meat, and is best enjoyed with chunks of bread to sop up the gravy.
Bahrakath Mutton Soup. Photo: @melmeleats on Instagram
A contemporary take on a classic Malay dish wins mention
The Coconut Club’s entry into Singapore’s dining scene was met with scepticism by some Singaporeans – mostly due to its upmarket price for the typically humble hawker dish nasi lemak (fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf). But they’ve more than proven their merit with ample portions, high quality ingredients and an exceptional sambal that ties it all together. In addition to their nasi lemak, you can add other homestyle Malay dishes to your meal like chicken satay, sayur lodeh (Indonesian vegetable soup prepared with coconut milk) and a delightfully tender homemade otah to your meal.
Nasi Lemak spread. Photo: The Coconut Club
Michelin Selection eateries
Being in the Michelin Selection is a “sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well cooked; simply a good meal,” says Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin Guide books. While not as prestigious as the aforementioned awards, these are certainly establishments to look out for – it’s not unheard of for Michelin Selected establishments to rise to the ranks of Bib Gourmand, and perhaps even a star.
One of Singapore’s cheapest hawker dishes takes the spotlight
More than half of the 33 new Michelin Selected establishments are hawker stalls, but the humblest of them all is perhaps the chwee kueh, a rice cake served with chilli and chai-poh (preserved radish cooked in lard). AtBedok Chwee Kueh, a single piece will set you back just $1.20 (though a pair is considered the usual portion). Served on its own, these tender rice cakes have little to no flavour, but the magic is in the stall’s spicy chilli and their distinctively fragrant chai-poh. While the stall didn’t earn a star or Bib Gourmand award, the recognition of such a humble local dish is something that Singaporeans can certainly be proud of.
Bedok Chwee Kueh. Photo: @therantingpanda on Instagram
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flight service to Singapore, visit the official website.
Located along the eclectic Neil Road, this independent boutique began life as a pop-up shop at nearby Keong Saik. Today, it houses over 20 emerging and cult labels from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and more. Curated by founder Mary Knickrehm Kumar, the collection includes refined tailoring from Vietnam’s ClothesBar and Indonesia’s Cult Suri, alongside conscious demi-fine jewelry from APOLUNA from Hong Kong. Thai heritage silk house Jim Thompson adds an element of sophistication with its range of menswear, womenswear, scarves and bags, while Singapore-based Paper Palette offers a sweet femininity. The brands refresh every eight weeks, so every visit promises a surprise.
Bali’s surf scene is legendary – in fact, some of the first Western visitors to the island in the 1930s were wave worshippers captivated by the warm, clear waters off Kuta Beach. While urban development has mushroomed in some pockets, Bali still has its fair share of off-the-beaten-path surf spots and uncrowded line-ups. Couple this with trendy surf-themed eateries and quality surf schools and you have the winning formula for a swell holiday.
Kuta Beach is a great place for beginner surfers
The starting point: Kuta Beach
Once a quiet stretch of sand, Kuta Beach is today teeming with vendors hawking anything and everything from massages and henna tattoos to ice-cold drinks and local snacks. But rampant tourism hasn’t dampened the beach’s allure as a prime surf spot. Renowned for its accessible swells and reliable waves, Kuta is an ideal training ground for beginners. More seasoned surfers can head to nearby Kuta Reef, an offshore break easily accessible by boat.
Grab your gear from The Drifter. Photo credit: Tommy Schultz
Get kitted out at this shop, café and gallery all rolled into one. Drifter stands in stark contrast to larger surf stores on the island. Instead of retailing big-name brands, it focuses on promoting independent and up-and-coming labels, as well as surf-related art. Here, you’ll find one-of-a-kind surfboards, stylish accessories, surf-related books and collectibles. Complete your shopping experience with an espresso at the on-site café.
Grab a board and get your lessons at The Chillhouse
Chillhouse opened back in 2005 when the hipster stomping ground of Canggu was still very much a sleepy surf village. Today, the long-standing institution offers surfing lessons for all levels, along with accommodation and yoga classes. Sign up for one of the various packages and hone your skills on the punchy barrels of Canggu’s fringing reefs.
The Balcony is a Bali favourite with celebrity surfers
This breezy second-floor café in the heart of Kuta has welcomed surfing legends such as Rob Machado, Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning. The décor here is on point – think surfboards adorning the ceiling, a Wall of Fame documenting famous visitors and shelves stacked with surfing magazines. On the food front, there is a diverse menu of salads, pastas, seafood dishes and Indonesian classics – best washed down with a frozen margarita or two.
The secret swell: Balian Beach
Approximately a 2.5-hour drive northwest of the airport, Balian Beach makes for a great escape from the nearby tourist enclaves of Canggu and Seminyak. Still relatively undeveloped, this unpretentious beach is known for its long swells and picturesque black sands. Balian village also offers accommodation and restaurants for those who wish to stay in the area overnight.
Cliff Surf Camp is situated near some of the island’s best waves
Guests at this surf camp on the picturesque Bukit Peninsula practically live and breathe the sport. Surrounded by caves and hills and only accessible via a stepped path, this laid-back venue offers accommodation, surfing lessons and yoga classes. Some of the island’s best surf breaks – including Green Bowl (which is just 150m away), Padang Padang, Uluwatu and Impossibles – are within easy reach.
Try out night surfing in Komune and then indulge in the luxury of their villas
Fancy a challenge? Head to Komune on the east coast of Bali, one of the first resorts in the world to offer night surfing. Every evening from 7pm to midnight, the Keramas reef is illuminated by enormous floodlights, with daredevils riding the powerful right-handers and deep barrels that spill onto the gorgeous black-sand beach. Limited to just six surfers per night, it’ll certainly be a surfing experience like no other.
Wind down with fellow surfers after a day on the waves
Named after one of Canggu’s most popular surf breaks, Old Man’s attracts a mix of expats and tourists, who often come in straight from the waves. The open-air venue features a long bar and a lounge area with plenty of seating, where you can quench your thirst with an ice-cold beer or an espresso martini. Refuel with an array of pizzas, salads, burgers, fish and chips, or Asian dishes like chicken curry. Visit on Wednesdays for beer pong nights, and on Fridays and Saturdays for live music.
FEATURE IMAGE BY TOMMY SCHULTZ
Singapore Airlines flies to Bali four times daily. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
The Mid-Autumn festival has been observed since the early Tang dynasty (618 – 907), with the cakes themselves believing to have originated in the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) when revolutionaries used them to pass secret messages to each other.
In China, Mid-Autumn festival is a public holiday where families get together to enjoy grand lantern processions, moongazing and a sumptuous feast. In places like Hong Kong, carnivals and lantern displays, as well as the Fire Dragon Dance, are held in public spaces like Victoria Park.
Here in Singapore, while places like Chinatown and Gardens by the Bay are decked out with colourful lanterns for all to enjoy, it is the variety of mooncakes that most choose to celebrate with. Traditional mooncakes are often made with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolks, but today, there is a mind boggling variety. Here are some of the very best to share with your family on the 24 September.
Traditional mooncakes from Thye Moh Chan
1. For old-school, flaky pastry: Thye Moh Chan
Thye Moh Chan, the 75-year-old Teochew confectionery has rolled out a collection of handcrafted mooncakes with a unique and memorable light flaky pastry. Like the brand’s signature tau sar piah, these seasonal items are hand-crafted the traditional way, using high quality ingredients such as meticulously prepared smooth mung bean filling.
The mooncakes feature a mix of savoury and sweet fillings, such as favourites like the Salty Tau Sar with Salted Egg Yolk ($38.80) and Sweet Tau Sar with Melon Seeds ($38.80). The brand has also introduced a new flavour – Red Bean Mochi with Salted Egg Yolk ($38.80). The pastry is woven with sweet Taiwanese red beans and soft chewy mochi, and balanced with salted egg yolk and melon seeds. Those who are more adventurous can zero in on the limited-edition Mao Shan Wang Durian with smooth durian-infused mung bean paste ($43.80). The mooncakes come in pretty pastel packaging with peony flower motifs.
This year, Shang Palace has created Hong Kong style baked custard mooncakes filled with delicate bird’s nest. The hand-crafted treats are rich and creamy, yet not overwhelmingly sweet. Shang Palace’s Executive Chinese Chef Mok Kit Keung who was previously at the helm of the two Michelin-starred Shang Palace at Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, created these Signature Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest for Singapore’s market for the first time. These golden gems come in elegant champagne gold “treasure chests” with intricate designs. They are available in a box of eight pieces at $118, and perfect for gifting.
Goodwood Park Hotel’s Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncake
Durian lovers will enjoy Goodwood Park’s popular D24 and ‘Mao Shan Wang’ snowskin mooncakes. These soft snowksin mooncakes are freshly made using pure durian pulp without any preservatives.
The premium Mao Shan Wang Durian Mooncakes are $88 for four pieces and $56 for two, and the luscious D24 Durian Mooncakes are $56 for 2 pieces and $88 for four. Great for gifting is the Snowskin Combo ($62 for four pieces) featuring tropical fruit-based mooncakes: Soursop with Calamansi, Mango with Pomelo, Cempedak and D24 Durian.
Fairmont Singapore’s Salted Egg Caramel mini snowskin
Fairmont Singapore is most known for its handmade mooncakes featuring soft delicate snowskin, and unique flavours, sometimes infused with alcohol.
Two of its best-sellers include the Mini Champagne Truffle & Chocolate Ganache snowskin mooncake ($70 for eight), and the snow-pearl edition of Mini Rum & Raisin with Chocolate Truffle ($68 for eight). This year, the dim sum team also unveiled their new Mini Salted Egg Caramel mooncakes ($68 for eight). The delicate rose-hued treat with a dark chocolate praline in the centre is well-balanced with a touch of saltiness.
This small boutique bakery offers handcrafted petite-sized snowskin mooncakes using only natural ingredients – from the various flavour pairings to the delicate snowskin made with a special house blend flour.
For example, fresh raspberries are used to tinge the snowskin of the Black Sesame Raspberry Truffle treat. Other sublime flavours include the Japanese Yuzu Truffle – yuzu is infused into the snowskin, and paired with low sugar white lotus paste. The centerpiece is a white chocolate truffle filled with yuzu white chocolate. For a local touch, try the blue-hued Butterfly Pea Gula Melaka made with low sugar Gula Melaka lotus paste and a dark chocolate truffle filled with white chocolate coconut ganache. Prices start from $34.
This year, heritage brand Old Seng Choong presents seven traditional mooncakes. New this season are three traditional baked flavours: White Lotus Paste with Durian Paste ($66.80); White Lotus with Yolk Blend and Mixed Seeds (pine nuts, pumpkin seeds and melon seeds ($66.80)); and Longan with Wugu ($66.80) whose filling is made with pure dried longan paste, dried longan and ‘wugu’ – a mix of five different seeds and berries. Top pastry chef Daniel Tay has also experimented with various ingredients such as dark chocolate, liquors, seeds, nuts, as well as durian, longan, yuzu and cherries.
For a flaky, crisp pastry that you won’t find in many places in Singapore, try Yan’s Thousand Layer Yam mooncakes, inspired by the Teochew style of mooncakes. In layers of crispy, light, golden pastry, the sweet yam filling is aromatic and pleasant, a perfect balance. Yàn’s mooncakes are available in boxes of four pieces (from $62); the version with single yolk embedded within is $64. Order them one day in advance.
Pack a picnic or grab some finger food at popular hawker centre Satay by the Bay, before settling down on the barrage’s grassy roof. It offers great views of the city.
The Parade takes place at The Float @ Marina Bay; as such, the surrounds will undoubtedly be packed. Head over to the bars and restaurants around the Esplanade Theatre instead.
Many rooftop bars offer great views of the action, but few afford guests as good a perspective as this beautiful cocktail venue atop the iconic National Gallery Singapore.
In 2000, the Schiffbau building, where ships were once manufactured, was transformed to house the 750-seat Schauspielhaus Zürich theatre with three stages. Don’t speak German? No worries – the theatre now offers English language surtitles for all its German language productions.
Meaning “saw mountain” in the regional Catalan dialect, Montserrat is pinch-yourself photogenic: knife-edged cliff peaks erupt like giant pink molars above a 11th-century Benedictine monastery. Home to over 70 monks, there’s a real spiritual energy here – touch the hand of the Virgin of Montserrat statue in the Basilica, which is said to have healing powers. Of the five hiking trails in the area, the route to Sant Jeroni, via bizarre rock formations, is worth the ascent, as you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Mallorca on a clear day. To get here you can catch a one-hour train from Plaça d’España (which leaves Barcelona hourly or twice hourly). Arrive early, as Montserrat gets busy as the day goes on.
Watch L’Escolania, the famed choir boys, perform live at the Basilica of Montserrat
2. Sitges
Catch the train south from Passeig de Gràcia – Barcelona’s glossy shopping street – and 40 minutes later you’ll pull into picturesque Sitges. This seaside town is a patchwork of cobbled streets, pastel walls and balconies straining with blooms. It’s a treat for the stomach too. Paella at Vivero Beach Club is served mere centimetres above the sea (book the “terraza inferior”), while laid-back Nem offers a modern incarnation of tapas – its patatas bravas ditches predictable potato cubes for crispy-skinned slivers of salty goodness. Sensory overload peaks at Palau de Maricel, a palace whose exuberantly over-the-top décor is a sight to behold.
Sitges International Film Festival of Catalonia takes place annually every October
3. Penedés
The cava region, an hour west of Barcelona, is where 95% of the Spanish sparkling wine ferments – made by both big producers (Torres, Freixenet, Codorníu, Jean Leon) and smaller family operations serving organic wines and farm-to-table tapas. Take the train from Plaça de Catalunya to cava-land’s capital, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, where many wineries are within 15 minutes’ walk – including Freixenet beside the station, Gramona, with its ancient underground cellar, and the brilliant Recaredo (reservations are essential everywhere). Castlexperience hosts daily tasting trips to country house wineries, while Blend and Bottled – Barcelona’s coolest wine-tasting studio – has launched boutique cellar and sampling tours for eight or more people.
A vineyard in Penedés, with Montserrat in the background
4. Girona
River Onyar, separating Girona’s medieval Barri Vell from its newer western side, provides the postcard image of this arty cathedral city – with reflections of sunset-hued houses that look more Copenhagen than Catalunya (though Game of Thrones fans will know Girona better as the setting for Braavos). Ancient streets wind like threads, knotted with coffee-sipping patios (La Fábrica serves the best), but little beats dining at the world’s second-best restaurant according to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2018, El Celler de Can Roca. Can’t crack the one-year waiting list? Eat lunch at Divinum, whose chef Jordi Rollan trained in the Roca kitchen, or try a panet – hot brioche stuffed with ice cream – from Rocambolesc, the Roca family’s ice cream boutique. Trains from Barcelona Sants take 38 minutes.
Girona is home to one of the world’s best preserved Jewish quarters
5. La Roca Village
La Roca Village, accessible via coach from Barcelona, falls firmly into the camp of an outlet shopping mall that serves up genuinely wardrobe-changing finds. Part of the consortium behind Shanghai Village and Bicester Village near London, it’s also a beautiful place to shop: all Modernist-style architecture and bright flower vines. But, above all, its brand selection delivers in the form of unique pieces from Spanish designers such as LOEWE and BIMBA Y LOLA alongside Bally, Burberry, Gucci and Prada. Discounts can reach up to 60%, though 30% is more typical.
La Roca Village comprises more than 140 fashion boutiques
6. Figueres
The birthplace of Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was never going to be boring. Back in the 1960s, the town’s mayor asked if Dalí would consider donating an artwork to a local gallery. Dalí, with characteristic flamboyance, said no – he preferred to build himself a museum. And so, the Dalí Theatre-Museum was born – a storage spot for 1,500 pieces of art (including a mirrored flamingo, a taxi with rain falling inside and a few skeletons) which has pink exterior walls topped with eggs (best glimpsed from along Pujada del Castell). Trains go from Barcelona Sants to Figueres-Vilafant (a short bus or taxi ride from the city centre) in 55 minutes.
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7. Costa Brava
What do Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Truman Capote have in common? They all got inspiration from the Costa Brava – a coastline of white-walled villages and electric blue waves that spectacularly ripples from Blanes (70km northeast of Barcelona) all the way to France. Aside from Lloret de Mar, its towns have also managed to escape the skyscrapered gulp of mass tourism. Cove-hop by car or take a Moventis Sarfa bus from Barcelona’s Estació del Nord to Palamós, Begur, Cadaqués or Palafrugell. The latter is famous for its summer music festival, Cap Roig, where big-name artists perform on the grounds of a medieval-style castle.
The dramatic coastline of Costa Brava. Photo credit: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock.com
8. Tarragona
Once one of the most important Roman cities, much of Tarragona’s epic 15,000-seater Mediterranean-hugging amphitheatre remains – today, honoured with Unesco World Heritage site status. There’s also the eye-catching cathedral, with a giant rose window in its façade; the buzzy central square, Plaça de la Font; Rambla Nova with its Modernist architecture and lunchtime pit-stops; or the nearest beach, Platja de l’Arrabassada. While the latter lacks the wildness of Cala Fonda (dubbed Tarragona’s Waikiki) further along the coast, it’s easily accessible and delightfully golden. It’s all just an hour’s train ride from Barcelona.
Pont del Diable, a Roman aqueduct, in Tarragona
Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking and seating requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For updates and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
This article was originally published in the June 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine
With National Day rolling up on 9 August, Singapore is pulling out all the stops. Marking its 60th birthday this year, the country is rolling out a full lineup of SG60 festivities, promos and patriotic vibes. Whether you’re all about feasting as fireworks light up the night sky, digging into locally inspired bites or jamming out to a concert featuring homegrown talent, here’s to making the nation’s Diamond Jubilee one to remember.
Be sure to watch this space as we update this story with more deals and SG60 specials.
Be taken through 60 years of Singaporean pop culture at SingaPop! At ArtScience Museum from 2 August to 28 December 2025. Curated by well-loved local composer and cultural icon, Dick Lee, the exhibition celebrates the vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s cultural evolution.
Enjoy a colourful look at Singapore’s history and culture. Photo: ArtScience Museum
Spanning five eras – from the swinging 1960s to the digital dynamism of 2020s – expect an experience brimming with nostalgia, music and interactive zones. At the heart of it is RojakLand, a whimsical reimagining of Singapore’s cultural icons, from hawker culture and Singaporean fashion to beloved TV shows, National Day parades and Singlish charm. Then step into SingaStories, where immersive 360° videos chronicle Singapore’s pop culture evolution from the 1960s to present day. The experience concludes with SingaVoices, an homage to Dick Lee’s iconic song “Home” (1998), written during his time in Hong Kong as a reflection of homesickness.
Visit the ArtScience Museum website here for ticketing details.
2. Gardens by the Bay and MediaCorp National Day Concert
Gear up for a night of music and revelry, as Gardens by the Bay and MediaCorp present their National Day Concert at The Meadow on 3 August (7.30pm to 10.30pm). Free for all, this year’s theme, “Ties that Bloom” celebrates the bonds of nationhood, community, family and friendship.
Enjoy an evening of popular National Day songs amidst the supertrees. Credit: Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp
The stage will come alive with a star-studded lineup of homegrown talent, including Kit Chan, Taufik Batisah, Hady Mirza and Charlie Lim. Hady will also debut this year’s National Day Concert (NDC) song, “Ties That Bloom”. As a nod to the theme of enduring familial bonds, there’ll be performances by local family duos: JJ Neo and her mother Lucy Neo; Rahimah Rahim, her sister Rozie Rahim and granddaughter Alyaa; siblings Tay Kewei and Tay Kexin; and husband-and-wife duo Mark Sara and Annetha Ayyavoo.
From 4.30pm, there’ll be fringe activities, hawker bites and snacks (including free ice cream), and a pre-show concert (from 5pm) led by Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra, The Purple Symphony (TPS).
3. SG60 celebrations at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi
The SG60 festivities are in full bloom at Changi Airport and Jewel Changi, including spectacular horticultural displays across the airport’s terminals and the mall. These include: a 7m-tall Vanda Miss Joaquim – Singapore’s national flower – centrepiece and an orchid showcase at Terminal 3; a spectacular 6m-tall floral Merlion at Terminal 2 crafted from over 60 types of plants; and over 1,200 orchids transforming Jewel’s Forest Valley into a sea of red and white.
Celebrations are taking flight across Changi Airport and Jewel. Credit: Changi Airport Group
As night falls, Forest Valley comes alive with a special rendition of the signature light and music show, featuring Kit Chan’s beloved National Day song “Home”, alongside projections of iconic Singaporean symbols on the Jewel Rain Vortex. Running throughout August, shows are at 8pm and 9pm daily, with an extra 10pm performance from Friday to Sunday.
For a journey through time, visit the Evolution of Travel pop-up at Changi Experience Studio, opening 1 August. This immersive exhibition traces the transformation of air travel, from traditional travel agencies to today’s digital platforms. Plus, discover how Changi’s terminals and in-flight dining have evolved to match global trends and tastes.
4. Where to watch free National Day fireworks
The beauty of the National Day fireworks is that you don’t need a ticket to the parade to enjoy them. Launched from Marina Bay, there are many places to enjoy a view for free. Here is a list of places where you can watch the spectacle and even enjoy a picnic and some family time.
The Promontory & The Lawn @ Marina Bay
Located near the waterfront, these wide, open spaces offer stellar unobstructed views of the fireworks. But they’re also popular spots that fill up fast so arrive early to snag a spot.
Promenade in front of Bay East Gardens
The Bay East Gardens is still under development, but you can still head to the promenade to catch views of the waterfront, the Marina Bay skyline and the fireworks display.
The Esplanade area is a great place to watch the fireworks as well as the navy display on the water. Photo: Shutterstock.com
Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge and Jubilee Bridge These iconic bayfront spots offer prime views of Marina Bay and the city skyline. For a more elevated perspective, head to Esplanade Bridge or Jubilee Bridge. Arrive early to grab a good spot, as these locations are perennial favourites.
Marina Barrage
A popular picnic spot thanks to its rooftop lawn, the open-air Marina Barrage offers an unobstructed view of the CBD area. This year, it’s also one of the five designated satellite Bay Celebration sites where the public can come together to catch a live telecast of the National Day Parade.
Esplanade Waterfront Promenade and Esplanade Roof Terrace
For an elevated vantage point, you can also head to the Esplanade Roof Terrace. With manicured lawns and shady trees, it’s the perfect chill spot to marvel at the pyrotechnic showcase.
Bayfront Event Space Another official NDP celebration site, this open space beside Marina Bay Sands is perfect for soaking in carnival festivities, catching the NDP livestream and catching spectacular fireworks.
5. Luce: Marrying international cuisine with local delights
Italian flavours meet local delights at InterContinental Singapore’s Italian restaurant, Luce. Across two Saturdays (2 and 9 August 2025), dive into a buffet lunch specially priced at S$60 nett per person (UP S$82.73 nett). Savour Italian comfort food like gnocchi ai formaggi (gnocchi in four cheeses), the hearty ragu alla Napoletana (slow-braised pork ribs and Italian sausage in a tangy tomato sauce) and spezzatino di maiale, a rustic Iberico pork stew.
A perfect blend of Italian and Singaporean culture on a plate. Credit: Intercontinental Singapore
As a tribute to Singapore’s heritage, there’ll be local fare like Singapore fruit rojak and kueh pie tee with tiger prawns as well as whole roasted Irish premium duck. Keep an eye out for the parmesan cheese wheel station serving up creamy spicy chilli crab risotto, tossed with jumbo crab lump and finished in a molten Parmigiano Reggiano wheel.
Those with a sweet tooth, head there on 9 August and dive into an astounding spread of 60 handcrafted cakes across its lunch and dinner buffets. Think reimagined nostalgic favourites, including orh nee custard cake, pandan chiffon cake, milo tiramisu cake and ondeh ondeh swiss roll.
Lunch is priced at S$60 nett per adult (2 and 9 August, 12.30pm to 2pm) and dinner is at S$98++ per adult (9 August, 6pm to 10pm). Reservations must be made in advance with the code “SG60”.
Perched on the 51st storey of CapitaSpring, Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill and Bar offers a great vantage point to catch the National Day fireworks. The restaurant is best known for its open-fire cooking and Australian-Japanese flavours, which you can sample across its 4-course National Day menu (S$138++ per person).
Get a window seat in Kaarla or park yourself at the 1-Arden rooftop bar for the best vantage point to catch all the action. Credit: 1-Group
On the menu: wood-fired grilled Hokkaido scallop served with fennel fresh from 1-Arden’s rooftop Food Forest, and Black Angus grainfed steak complemented by grilled artichoke, sweet potato veloute and tamari jus. The dinner experience is available on 5, 12 and 19 July, and 9 August from 6pm. For the best views, snag a window seat, available at an additional S$20++ per person.
You can also take it outdoors to the 1-Arden rooftop bar. On 9 August only (from 6pm), be treated to National Day fireworks with nibbles and a drink in hand. Priced at S$60++, the experience includes two beverages and maki.
7. Nova: Drinks and rooftop views of the fireworks
Take your National Day festivities to new heights at Singapore’s highest rooftop bar, Nova. Nestled on Level 63 of One Raffles Place, you’ll be soaking in spectacular panoramic views, stunning sunsets and multisensory vibes. Join the party on these Saturdays – 26 July, and 2 and 9 August – and you’ll also get front-row seats to thrilling flypasts, dazzling fireworks and the buzz of the city below. All with a drink in hand.
Soak in the celebrations with a drink in hand and the city at your feet. Credit: Nova
Entry starts at S$60 before 9pm (or S$35 after), which gets you two drinks and access to the lower deck/free-standing areas. Want to level up? Go for the Basic Package at S$120 per person, which includes table service at the upper deck and two drinks – perfect for small groups (minimum booking of two pax applies).
Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore has embarked on a six-month culinary campaign (May to October 2025) that shines the spotlight on the flavours, people and stories that define the nation. Teaming up with iconic local chefs and heritage brands, they will be joining hands in July with Keng Eng Kee (KEK) Seafood to give the latter’s zi char classics a modern twist. Think a reimagined prawn toast, filled with KEK’s house-made hei zho (Teochew crispy prawn rolls) and set atop deep-fried mantou, as well as stir-fried prawns tossed in salted egg yolk sauce. Available as a set lunch, from S$38++ for a two-course set, as well as a communal menu (S$65++ per person, minimum two pax).
Sample heritage-inspired bites amidst the stylish setting at Café Quenino. Credit: Hotel Artyzen
August ushers in a playful yet heartfelt collaboration with Goobycakes helmed by self-taught baker Jie Hui. Her signature cheese pãos get a local upgrade with fillings like sambal, ginger chicken, and bakkwa. To celebrate National Day, all SG60 collaborators come together to curate a special lunch and dinner menu, available throughout August. Guests can also meet the chefs during their appearance on 1 and 2 August 2025.
Your celebration just got sweeter with LeVel33 X Janice Wong’s SG60 National Day Cacao Experience – a one-night-only immersive free-roaming dining affair featuring a nine-course menu (S$328++) that fuses local flavours with cacao and freshly brewed LeVeL33 craft beers. Think inventive dishes like chocolate-aged wagyu beef, chocolate & stout char siu served in steamed buns, spent grain pasta in a laksa emulsion with grilled tiger prawns and market oyster omelette chawanmushi. Encompassing interactive live stations, butler-passed canapés and playful plating inspired by hawker culture, it wraps up with Janice Wong’s signature edible art installation, to be unveiled just as the fireworks light up the night sky.
Savour chocolate-infused treats, craft brews and superb firework views at LeVel33. Credit: LeVel33
Thirsty? Sip on the Cacao Sling, a fresh take on the Singapore Sling featuring cacao nib-infused Brass Lion Singapore gin, Benedictine DOM, cherry brandy, pineapple, lemon, Aztec chocolate and Angostura bitters. Available all month long.
10. Estate: Heritage buffets with complimentary limited-edition beer
Estate at Hilton Singapore Orchard is reinterpreting local fare across its Taste of Heritage buffets, along with a limited-edition craft beer if you dine between 6 to 31 August. For non-drinkers, there is also the locally inspired tie guan yin roselle hibiscus and chin chow pandan kefir kombucha.
Dive into a lunch spread of local and Western delights at $60 nett. Credit: Hilton Singapore Orchard
For lunch, the new individually plated Chefs’ Signatures embrace local flavours with highlights like wok-fried Hokkien prawn noodles and Singapore laksa with prawns. Be sure to stop by Estate’s signature dessert room to sample the likes of bandung strawberry cake, lemongrass pandan chiffon cake and an ice cream cart. For dinner, there’s pan-seared foie gras with tahu goreng, kong bak pau with braised kurobuta pork belly and orh luak omelette with Japanese oysters. Seafood fans will want to head straight to the Seafood Bar for French oysters, Boston lobsters and Alaskan king crab legs, while hearty carvings of Robbins Island wagyu beef striploin, Lumina lamb shoulder and local roast meats will find favour with meat lovers.
The lunch buffet is available from 6 to 31 August 2025. From S$60 nett per adult. The dinner buffet is available from 6 August to 23 November 2025 (Sunday to Thursday). From S$108++ per adult (6 to 31 August 2025) and from S$98++ per adult (from 1 September 2025 onwards).
11. ANTI:DOTE: Flavours of Singapore through the art of Yip Yew Chong
The Fairmont Singapore’s ANTI:DOTE is currently hosting a special edition high tea in collaboration with local artist Yip Yew Chong that takes inspiration from his iconic murals and Singapore’s multicultural food heritage. Available until 30 September, the menu is a playful take on local favourites, reimagining favourites from chick satay to laksa, as well as sweet treats like orh nee and kueh salat.
These inspired sweet and savoury dishes featuring Singaporean flavours are accompanied by traditional scones. Photo: ANTI:DOTE
Inspired cocktails by new head mixologist Edu Zuma also take centrestage with Whispers of the Alley combining No.3 London Dry Gin with coconut water and pandan liqueur.. The drink is served in a double rocks glass and is crowned with a printed icing sugar sheet of Yip’s artwork. There is also a cendol-inspired mocktail using sparkling coconut water and topped with pandan air foam for a light but flavourful option.
The high tea is available until 30 September, 2025 and is priced at S$68++ for adults and S$34++ for children aged 6 to 12.
12. Oasia Spa: Enjoy S$60 off on all 90-minute massage or facials
Throughout the month of August, Oasia Spa at Oasia Resort Sentosa is giving visitors the opportunity to rest and rewind with S$60 off à la carte body massages or facial treatments. Indulge in their Oasia Signature Massage or try the soothing Hot Stone Massage at a price that allows you to celebrate SG60 in a truly indulgent way. There are also quality facials using Swissline by Dermalab, only availably at Oasia Spa. Mums and mums-to-be can also make use of this offer on pre and postnatal massages.
Photo: Oasia Spa
Oasia Spa is elegant spa destination in a heritage building that is easily accessible in Sentosa. Guests can explore the island and its many activities before heading to the spa for a rejuvenating treatment.
To book, call +65 6818 3388 or email oasiaspa.orsentosa@fareast.com, quoting “OSSG60” to redeem your offer.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, visit singaporeair.com.
As far as icons go, none are more enduring in the airline industry than the “Singapore Girl”. Since the sixties, the Singapore Girl has been an embodiment of the airline’s quality of service and grace.
The kebaya was first worn by Malayan Airways’ flight attendants in 1968 and is described in the book SIA: Take-off to Success as “a modified sarong kebaya rendered in batik cloth [which] was the standard for Malayan Airways, with their flight attendants laying the groundwork for the service that Singapore Airlines would become known for.”
Flight attendants and ground staff posing with Japanese women
The airline subsequently commissioned French couturier Pierre Balmain in 1974 to adapt the uniform. The designer himself recognised the impact of the kebaya and did not want to change it too much. As he explained, “I approve of your sarong kebaya, I think it’s very graceful, and if any alterations are to be made, they should only be to make the dress easier to wear.”
Fashion forward
For See Biew Wah, the flight stewardess chosen to model the kebaya for Balmain, the whole process was steeped in mystery, even though she is now well-known for being his model. “I got a call from my cabin crew manager to meet a designer from Paris. Couture hadn’t really come to Asia, so I didn’t really know who [Balmain] was. At first I was quite nervous, but I figured it was just part of another assignment.”
See Biew Wah modelling the Singapore Airlines kebaya and overcoat
Biew Wah headed to Paris (“The airline didn’t even fly to Paris at the time!”), and was brought to the House of Balmain. “Every morning for a week I would walk to the designer’s maison, and at lunch time I would sit outside and people watch,” she says of the experience.
“At the time, we were not yet known for service – but half the battle is won just by wearing the kebaya.”
At the time, Balmain was also designing outfits for Queen Sirikit of Thailand, “For me, this showed that he understood Southeast Asian designs,” says Biew Wah. The designer had Biew Wah carry herself as though she was working, to get a real feel for what kind of movement the kebaya allowed for.
After a week in Paris, Biew Wah went back to Singapore. “I never wore the finished product – I couldn’t have! That was far too precious! That’s now in safekeeping by the airline.” For Biew Wah, the kebaya has represented so much more than just a uniform for a job.
Biew Wah in her kebaya
“Before becoming a flight stewardess, I had spent time in the United States, which left me bitten by the travel bug. “I thought this job would give me the opportunity to go back [there]!” she says with a laugh. “But really, the kebaya is something so dear to my heart. I’m very attached to it. At the time, we were not yet known for service – but half the battle is won just by wearing the kebaya.”
A career for life
Lim Suet Kwee, who is now head of cabin crew performance, has been with the airline since 1986 when she first became a flight stewardess. At that time, she couldn’t have known that she would eventually be chosen to model for the airline’s first Madame Tussaud’s wax figure and be the face of the airline throughout the nineties.
Lim Suet Kwee has her wax model prepared at Madame Tussaud’s
“It’s always a girl’s dream to fly with Singapore Airlines,” says Suet, “but I didn’t have the courage to apply until a friend suggested it.” She remembers what training was like in the eighties, and how different things were back then. “The passengers, the hardware, these were all very different,” she recalls. “But at the same time, [the] service will never change,” she says, noting that training now is still as rigorous as it was back then.
Suet posing with her wax figure
“The passengers, the hardware, these were all very different. But at the same time, service will never change.”
Like Biew Wah before her, Suet was also part of the “assignment pool,” referring to flight stewardesses who also worked ground events. Her sitting and subsequent wax figure for Madame Tussaud’s was another closely guarded secret that was only revealed to her after she arrived in London. “After that, they took hundreds of pictures of me, and it was still very secretive – I couldn’t even tell my husband!”
Her role in the assignment pool made Suet a recognizable face for the airline all over the world. In the late nineties, she decided to step down and spend more time with family, but after a year and a half away, she found herself back as a “flying mother,” doing short daily routes that allowed her to be home with her family later. “When I returned and did my first flight, putting the uniform back on made me realise how much I really missed the whole experience. I was so excited to be flying again,” she recalls.
Suet with the 4 different ranking crew at The Intan Peranakan Home Museum
For 50 years, the kebaya has never changed – and this has made it as much a part of the airline’s reputation for service as the women who wear it. “I still feel so proud when I see today’s cabin crew wearing that uniform,” says Biew Wah. “It’s still so recognisable, you’re basically living the brand.”
Find out more about the sarong kebaya in this video featuring lesser known facts about its form and functionality:
