A bustling metropolis with glittering skyscrapers, British colonial architecture, and natural beauty, Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating destinations. Among the world’s youngest countries, the island city-state just south of Malaysia became independent in 1965 and has since cleaned up its act in a major way, becoming one of the world’s wealthiest countries. As a result, Singapore boasts skyscrapers like Marina Bay Sands, with its famed infinity pool overlooking the sea, exceptional government-funded museums, world-class shopping, and some of the best restaurants and bars in Asia. A major port city for centuries, Singapore represents a crossroads where Chinese, Indians, and Malaysians coexist with expats from Australia, the U.K., and beyond. All these cultural influences are represented in the city’s architecture and design, from Little India and Chinatown, with the old shophouses built by the British that bear Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian motifs, to Tiong Bahru, Singapore’s hipster neighborhood where Art Deco apartments mingle with hip cafés, bakeries, and indie shops.
RafflesFor classic elegance, book a room at the iconic Raffles Hotel, Singapore’s grande dame. Built in 1887, the property has hosted everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Queen Elizabeth II. The design harks back to the colonial era, with white wall panels contrasting with mahogany and rattan furniture, Persian rugs, and tropical plants. Be sure to try a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar, where it was invented. From $1,024; raffles.com/singapore/
Hôtel VagabondDesigned by Jacques Garcia, the Hôtel Vagabond boasts a theatrical design full of plush red furniture, one-of-a-kind art, and brass trees handmade by Indian artisans. Rooms and suites feature photographs taken by the owner, Santinder Garcha, on his travels through Mongolia, Italy, Cuba, and beyond. An artist-in-residence program welcomes jetsetting DJs, performance artists, and painters. From $211; hotelvagabondsingapore.com
National Kitchen by Violet OonMaster chef Violet Oon has two namesake restaurants in Singapore, showcasing Peranakan cuisine, a fusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian culinary influences. The one inside the National Gallery is a jewel box of a restaurant, with a glamorous colonial design melding a colorful tiled floor, emerald-green booths, marble tables, chandeliers, and vintage art. violetoon.com
EmpressSituated inside the Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress bears a sleek, vintage-inspired design with leather-and-rattan chairs, sculptural lights, and potted palms. Come here for classic Chinese dishes like dim sum, fried rice, and halibut cooked in a lotus leaf. Don’t miss the egg custard tart for dessert. empress.com.sg
The Halia at the Botanic GardensDining at the Halia (which means ginger in Malay), inside the Botanic Gardens, feels like eating in a treehouse in a lush tropical jungle. Simple, modern furnishings and artful hanging lamps let the greenery envelope you. The cuisine is a mix of Southeast Asian flavors and Western offerings, like truffle fries and baked halibut with a soy-ginger broth and Japanese rice. thehalia.com
Employees OnlyNew York’s award-winning speakeasy opened its second location, in Singapore, and the design replicates the Art Deco original with curved wooden walls, a long bar, yellow booths and tables in the back, and vintage art. You’ll find many of the same cocktails, too, from classics like Martinis and Manhattans to EO signatures, like the Mata Hari, made with cognac. employeesonlysg.com
Operation DaggerOpened in 2015, Operation Dagger was named best international bar and one of Asia’s 50 best bars. Inside this hip watering hole, an installation made with 6,000 lightbulbs hangs like a cloud from the ceiling, a neon X adorns the wall, and a crown motif pays homage to Basquiat. Liquors and cordials are stored in apothecary bottles without any brand names, and the menu doesn’t list spirits, only flavors, so surrender your fate to the bartender and go along for the ride. You might end up with a concoction made with liquid nitrogen, miso, sesame, or other unusual ingredients. operationdagger.com
SupermamaStop by this design boutique for bespoke porcelain plates with modern designs and other contemporary giftware. Items are curated or designed in-house by Singaporeans and produced in Japan. Blue-and-white plates with Singapore’s iconic landmarks by Ella Zheng make great non-touristy souvenirs. The flagship store is conveniently situated off Haji Lane, where you’ll find many other great boutiques. supermama.sg
BooksActuallyThis charming bookshop in Singapore’s thriving Tiong Bahru neighborhood offers Singaporean and American literature, art and design books, magazines, and cute tote bags. Outside the shop, there’s a vending machine selling mystery books for people who love a good surprise. booksactuallyshop.com
National GalleryDesigned by Studio Milou and opened in 2015, the National Gallery unites the former Supreme Court and City Hall to create Singapore’s largest and most important museum. The current exhibit, “Artist and Empire: (En)countering Colonial Legacies,” is a collaboration with Tate Britain showcasing works made during the colonial era and pieces by contemporary artists living in the former British colonies of Southeast Asia and Australia that address the relationship between the colonizers and colonized. nationalgallery.sg
Singapore Art MuseumHoused in a renovated 19th-century school, this was Singapore’s first art museum, when it opened in 1996. SAM champions contemporary Singaporean and Southeast Asian art with a dynamic roster of exhibitions, including the Singapore Bienniale, which is on view until February 26. singaporeartmuseum.sg
Gillman BarracksThis set of former military barracks has been converted into a massive contemporary-arts complex comprising studios, galleries, an outpost of Supermama, and several cafés, restaurants, and bars. There are currently 11 galleries from Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including Singaporean FOST Gallery and an outpost of New York’s Sundaram Tagore Gallery. The barracks host a large open house for bi-monthly editions of Art After Dark. gillmanbarracks.com
