9 Spots in Singapore To Frequent if You Want To Be a True Local
A trip to Singapore typically includes the latest tourist attractions such as the infinity pool on top of Marina Bay Sands, man-made Gardens by the Bay to re-dressing Sentosa island and Orchard Road over and over again and the UNESCO site of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Yet for those who live here, there are other spots that we go to again and again. They are the familiar sights and tastes of what we know as truly local.
Editor’s note: These spots are all taken directly from travelstoke®, a new app from Matador that connects you with fellow travelers and locals, and helps you build trip itineraries with spots that integrate seamlessly into Google Maps and Uber. Download the app to add any of the spots below directly to your future trips.
1. The Projector
The Projector is housed within Golden Mile Tower which, together with Golden Mile Complex, is thought of as “Little Thailand” in Singapore. Thai eateries abound and even a Thai supermarket can be found here.
2. Beach Road Prawn Mee Eating House
This place holds special memories for many of us who used to grow up in this area. A typical lunch affair includes a hearty bowl of noodles and then an espresso at Penny University next door. While the architectural landscape has changed much, this eatery seems untouched.
3. Old School Delights
This venue has games like five stones and Old maid playing cards. With communal seating available in the bistro, it makes it easy for family and friends, young and old, to gather together for a good meal and fun on a weekend.
4. Mustafa Centre
This place can be a lifesaver for many of us who work late at night and still need to run errands or buy last-minute groceries.
5. Queensway Shopping Centre
Built in 1976 for the purpose of providing an outlet for recreational goods, the baby boomers grew up in this mall and judging from the regular crowd there, it is still serving the later generations well.
6. IMM
Orchard Road is not synonymous with shopping in Singapore. If you want to stretch that dollar and are looking for mid to high-end range of products, head down to IMM in the west. There are also other shopping malls in the vicinity to satisfy your shopping needs like Westgate, JCube and JEM, if IMM is not enough for you.
7. Ministry of Durian
When it comes to durians, it can either be a love or hate affair. For many locals (and even some foreigners), this is a taste worth lining up. Ministry of Durian at Upper Paya Lebar Road attempts to demystify the various sub-species of durians with an introductory chart prior your order. This place can be a great entry point for those clueless in their first foray of durian tasting.
8. Dairy Farm Nature Park
It is not unusual to see couples, young children, joggers, cyclists and hikers sharing the same space on weekends. Be sure to pack sunscreen and mosquito repellant!
9. Geylang nightlife
Many shops cater late in the night selling grocery, sundry and telco stuff to foreign workers. A visit to Geylang in the late hours can be an entertainment by itself.