7-Day Singapore Travel Guide

Before You Go: Essential Things to Know

Singapore’s tropical climate stays warm and humid throughout the year, so you can expect temperatures around 28–32°C with brief, refreshing bursts of rain. The MRT system makes getting around effortless, and most attractions are connected by well-marked walkways or local buses. While cash is accepted everywhere, Singapore is predominantly cashless—your credit card or mobile wallet will work at hawker centres, restaurants, and even convenience stores.

Food culture here is a cherished part of everyday life, and the best introduction is through its hawker centres. These open-air dining halls gather dozens of stalls serving iconic dishes, many prepared from recipes perfected across generations. The etiquette is simple: follow the queues, return your tray after eating, and don’t forget that a tissue packet placed on a chair means the table is “chope’d” (reserved).

7-Day Singapore Itinerary for Foodies

Day 1: Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay & Hawker Classics

Your first day begins at Lau Pa Sat, one of Singapore’s most legendary food centres. It’s the perfect gateway to local cuisine, offering dishes like satay, laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, and freshly grilled seafood. After breakfast, stroll over to the Marina Bay waterfront to see the Merlion and enjoy the skyline views that define the city.

The afternoon is ideal for exploring the ArtScience Museum and its interactive exhibitions before making your way to Gardens by the Bay. The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are spectacular indoor conservatories that provide a cool break from the heat. In the evening, you can stay for the Garden Rhapsody light show and end the day at Satay by the Bay, where chargrilled skewers, smoky barbecued stingray, and ice-cold sugarcane juice create a perfect dinner pairing.

Great dishes to try today:

• Satay skewers
• Char Kway Teow
• Hainanese Chicken Rice

Day 2: Chinatown’s Rich Flavours & Historic Heritage

Chinatown is one of the best neighbourhoods for food lovers. Start at Maxwell Food Centre, home to the famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. The surrounding streets offer a feast of sights and aromas—from traditional medicine shops to ornate temples like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

As you explore further, consider stopping for lunch at Hawker Chan, known for its Michelin-recognized soy sauce chicken. Chinatown Complex Food Centre offers even more variety, with stalls selling everything from handmade popiah to silky tofu pudding. After a day of exploring museums and heritage lanes, unwind in Ann Siang Hill or Club Street, where trendy restaurants and bars deliver inventive fusion menus that reflect Singapore’s multicultural identity.

Neighbourhood highlights:

• Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
• Chinatown Heritage streets
• Michelin-rated hawker eats

Day 3: Sentosa Island — Beaches, Attractions & Resort Dining

Sentosa offers a refreshing change of pace with its beaches, attractions, and relaxed resort atmosphere. Whether you choose to spend your morning at Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, or lounging on the sand, Sentosa’s cafés and beachfront restaurants offer comfort food with island flair. Brunch at Coastes or Tanjong Beach Club is a favourite among both tourists and locals.

After a sun-soaked afternoon, return to the mainland for dinner at VivoCity’s Food Republic, an elevated food court serving local staples like bak kut teh, prawn mee, and oyster omelette. If you're craving a quieter evening, head to Quayside Isle for waterfront dining featuring fresh seafood and modern Asian cuisine.

Sentosa dining ideas:

• Island brunches
• Local hawker classics
• Fresh grilled seafood

Day 4: Little India & Kampong Glam — A Colourful Feast of Cultures

Little India is a sensory explosion of colour, fragrance, and flavour. Begin at Tekka Centre, where roti prata, masala dosa, and aromatic biryani are cooked to order. The surrounding streets lead you past sari shops, spice stalls, and the towering Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. This neighbourhood rewards slow wandering and spontaneous snacking.

Later, walk to Kampong Glam, another historic district full of character. Haji Lane’s murals and boutiques set the tone for a relaxed afternoon. Around the corner, the golden dome of Sultan Mosque rises above a collection of Middle Eastern cafés and restaurants. From murtabak at Zam Zam to Turkish coffee along Bussorah Street, this area is a dream for food explorers.

Must-try dishes today:

• Roti Prata
• Murtabak
• Teh Tarik

Day 5: Mandai Wildlife Reserve + Night Safari Eats

A visit to Mandai Wildlife Reserve lets you pair wildlife experiences with casual local dining. Begin at the Singapore Zoo, then continue to River Wonders for a glimpse at giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia. The food offerings at Mandai Wildlife West are simple but satisfying, featuring noodle bowls, chicken rice, and classic Singaporean snacks.

As evening arrives, the Night Safari transforms the experience into something magical. Before boarding the tram, grab a light dinner or refreshments—satay, fried noodles, and barbecued snacks are conveniently available right outside the entrance. The Night Safari is extremely popular, so booking ahead is essential.

Good food options here:

• Noodles and rice dishes
• Local BBQ skewers
• Casual Singapore snacks

Day 6: Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road & Dempsey Hill

Start the day with a tranquil walk through the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens. The National Orchid Garden is a highlight and makes a peaceful backdrop for a morning coffee or brunch at Bee’s Knees or Botanico. Afterward, retreat into Orchard Road's air-conditioned shopping malls for urban exploring, people-watching, and some of the best food courts in the city.

In the evening, head to Dempsey Hill, a lush enclave that has become one of Singapore’s top dining destinations. Many celebrated restaurants—ranging from modern Peranakan cuisine to global fusion—call this area home. It’s the perfect place for a slow, memorable dinner paired with wine or cocktails.

Dining recommendations:

• Peranakan cuisine
• International fusion
• Elevated café dining

Day 7: Tiong Bahru, Clarke Quay & Your Final Feast

Spend your last day in Tiong Bahru, a charming neighbourhood known for its Art Deco architecture and café culture. Start with flaky pastries at Tiong Bahru Bakery or a hearty brunch at Forty Hands. If you’re still hungry—and you should be—head into the Tiong Bahru Market downstairs for prawn noodles, chwee kueh, or lor mee, each prepared by long-standing hawker legends.

In the afternoon, stroll along the Singapore River toward Clarke Quay. This picturesque riverside zone offers countless dining options, from traditional bak kut teh at Song Fa to riverside eateries serving Singaporean comfort dishes. For your final night, savour chilli crab at Jumbo Seafood or admire the skyline from a rooftop bar like 1-Altitude or Ce La Vi.

End your trip with:

• Chilli crab
• Riverfront dining
• Rooftop cocktails

Where to Stay

Food lovers will thrive in neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Bugis, Kampong Glam, and Tiong Bahru, where exceptional restaurants and hawker centres are steps away. Marina Bay offers sweeping views and convenience to major attractions, while Orchard Road provides easy access to shopping and upscale dining. Sentosa is a great choice for travellers who want a resort-style experience with beachside restaurants.

Singapore Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes

Singapore’s food scene is a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan influences. Some dishes you absolutely shouldn’t leave without trying include Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, chilli crab, kaya toast, nasi lemak, roti prata, BBQ stingray, and bak kut teh. For the best variety, visit hawker centres such as Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, Newton Food Centre, Old Airport Road, Amoy Street Food Centre, and Tiong Bahru Market.

Budgeting & Costs

A foodie trip to Singapore can be surprisingly affordable. Hawker meals typically cost between $5–$9 SGD, while café brunches range from $15–$25 SGD. Restaurant dinners vary widely depending on the cuisine, with upscale dining starting around $100 SGD per person. Attraction fees like Gardens by the Bay, the Zoo, and the Night Safari average between $35–$85 SGD each. Most travellers can expect to spend around $100–$150 SGD per day, including meals and activities.

Practical Tips

Bring tissues for hawker meals, reserve tables using the local “chope” method, and stay hydrated in the tropical climate. Tap water is safe to drink, so carrying a refillable bottle is helpful. Apps like Grab and Chope make transportation and restaurant reservations straightforward, and Google Maps works flawlessly across the city.

Singapore is a dream destination for food lovers. Every neighbourhood tells a culinary story—one that blends heritage, creativity, and cultural pride. This 7-day itinerary ensures you’ll experience everything from iconic hawker dishes to world-class dining, all while discovering the city’s most remarkable attractions. Whether you’re sampling laksa at a bustling market or indulging in chilli crab by the river, each meal will reveal another layer of Singapore’s rich and delicious identity.