7 Unique Dining Experiences in Singapore You Need To Try in 2022
Singapore is probably one of the few countries where dining is considered a national pastime. After all, we love food so much we're one of the few countries which managed to get our hawker culture added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
With the plethora of dining options available in Singapore, it is often difficult to settle on a restaurant or café when eating out. In fact, the most common question couples ask one another when they're dining out isn't "Do you love me?", but "Eat what?" After all, whether it is decadent fine-dining delights or traditional local comfort food, the food scene in Singapore covers it all.
Now, if you find yourself nodding to everything we've said above, don't worry. No matter whether it's for a special occasion, or a chance to try something out of the norm, we have something for you.
Read our rundown on restaurants that offer dining with a twist in this city.
1. NOX: Dining in the Dark Experience
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to dine in the dark? If you're curious, you can enjoy a meal in pitch darkness at NOX. The concept of dining in the dark was to let people experience what it is like to be blind. Typically, blind and visually impaired waiters and waitresses will serve you at these restaurants.
As you cannot see what you are eating during the experience, you will rely extensively on your taste buds and olfactory senses to enjoy the food. By engaging your senses, you will re-evaluate your perception of taste. Additionally, let your creativity run wild and try to paint a mental image of the food while savouring the food. Ultimately, these will enrich your gastronomic pleasure.
At NOX, you will be taken on a journey through rich flavours and unique textures. There is a wide range of dishes for you to sample. It is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is worth the splurge.
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | Chinatown Point 83 Club St, Singapore 069451 |
| Opening Hours | Tues-Sun 6pm-1030pm |
| Contact | 6298 0708 |
UOB One Credit Card: Best for Cashback
- Pros
- Good fit for budgets of at least S$2,000 per month
- Easy cashback on daily spend
- Gives rebates for paying bills
- Cons
- Doesn't fit inconsistent budgets
- Annual fee
With the UOB One Card, cardholders earn based on a tiered rebate system, based on their minimum spend within a quarter. Those with consistent S$2,000/month spend earn 5% general cashback–including for dining locally & overseas–up to S$300/quarter. This rate is boosted to 10% for Grab transactions & select UOB Travel spend and 6% for recurring utilities bills. Lower spenders earn 3.33% cashback up to S$50 or S$100/quarter (depending on spend level).
2. Absurdities: Interactive Experience
Have you ever been to a restaurant where you have to crawl through different rooms and hidden doors and climb up ladders? Absurdities is a restaurant that promises an interactive and multi-sensory dining experience. You will be taken on a (literal) culinary journey during your two-hour dining experience at Absurdities. Head Chef Jason Ang curates dishes with a novel and unique spin for diners to enjoy.
At this omakase restaurant, you will be treated to a six-course dinner, paired with two alcoholic beverages. If you have dietary requirements, fret not as the culinary team will be able to accommodate your needs.
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | 311 Jln Besar Singapore 208970 |
| Opening Hours | Thurs-Sat 6.30pm-10.30pm |
| Contact |
American Express Platinum Card
- Pros
- Exclusive local privileges
- Great local dining discounts and rewards on designer brands
- Cons
- Lacks luxury travel perks
- Limited miles accrual
American Express Platinum Card offers some of the most remarkable dining privileges for local Singaporeans on the market. Cardholders enjoy up to 50% off at high-end restaurants and buffets through Love Dining, complimentary cocktails at trendy bars with the Chillax programme, and additional special discounts via Amex Selects.
Amex Platinum Card also allows consumers to earn miles for their luxury spend. General purchases earn just 0.69 miles (1.25 pts) per S$1, but spend with Platinum EXTRA Partners–primarily designer fashion, watch and jewellery brands–earns an elevated 3.44 miles (6.25 pts). This is ideal for affluent shoppers who may feel restrained by typical shopping cards' rewards cap. While there is a S$321 annual fee, wealthier Singaporeans–especially those who frequently dine out–may feel that Amex Platinum's perks outweigh its cost.
3. Poison Ivy Bistro: Farm-to-Table Food
What's not to love about fresh and organic food? Poison Ivy is a farm-to-table restaurant that serves hearty and homely food. They use fresh produce(from herbs to vegetables and fruits) grown locally to prepare the dishes.
Poison Ivy gets its local produce from Bollywood Veggies, an organic farm located in the Kranji district of Singapore. A trip to Poison Ivy would allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The rustic charm of the farm will make you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. After your meal at Poison Ivy, you can explore the Bollywood Veggies Organic Farm. You can't get a fresher experience than this!
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | 100 Neo Tiew Road (Kranji) Singapore 719026 |
| Opening Hours | Thurs-Fri 7am-4pm Sat-Sun 7am-6pm |
| Contact | 6898 5001 |
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card: Best for Miles
- Pros
- 3 mi per S$1 on SIA, SilkAir, Scoot & KrisShop
- Up to 3 mi on dining, transport, online shopping & travel
- Expedited KF Elite Silver status, Scoot privileges
- 10,000 annual bonus renewal miles
- Cons
- Just 1.2 mi on non-category overseas spend
- No lounge access perks
- No spend-based fee-waiver
KrisFlyer UOB Card is an excellent option for young travellers who frequently fly with SIA brands. Cardholders earn 1.2 miles per S$1 general local and overseas spend, boosted to 3 miles for global dining, transport, online shopping & travel bookings with just S$500 SIA spend in a year. Given that KF UOB Card's S$192.6 fee is almost completely offset by its annual 10,000 renewal miles bonus (worth about S$100), the KrisFlyer UOB Card is definitely worth applying for.
4. Canteen 398: Taste of Old School Singapore
Want to experience what life was like in the '60s? Get first-hand experience at this kampong-style eatery, Canteen 398. It has been around since 1969 and when you're there, you'll feel like time in this eatery has stopped moving while the rest of the world carried on. The old school tiles and run-down exterior stands testament to its age and having a meal under the outdoor umbrella table in the kampong will take you back in time.
At Canteen 398, you will find a Malay stall selling Nasi Padang and a Chinese store selling Chye Peng. There is also a drink stall for you to quench your thirst. Come have a taste of nostalgia for yourself before this canteen vanishes into Singapore's history books.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Seletar Army Camp 398 Piccadily Road |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Fri 6am-1.30pm |
| Contact | - |
5. Smith Marine Floating Restaurant: Eat What You Catch
To say that Smith Marine is a unique dining experience is an understatement. Where else can you dine out at sea on a kelong? Smith Marine began as a fish farm in 2006. In 2014, Smith Marine transformed their kelong into Singapore's first floating seafood restaurant out at sea. Smith Marine is located 15 minutes away from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. To get there, you can hop on a bumboat leaving the terminal.
At Smith Marine, you can catch fish from their pond which will then be cooked by the chef. You will have the freshest fish directly from the farm served to your dining table. Furthermore, there is also a pool table, carrom board and other board games to play with your loved ones while you are out at sea.
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | 15-minute bumboat ride from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Sun 10am-7pm |
| Contact | 9792 7609 |
OCBC 365 Card
- Pros
- 6% rebate on dining, 3% on groceries, transport, utilities, online travel
- Fee waiver with S$10,000 annual spend
- Up to 22.1% fuel savings at Caltex, 20.2% at Esso
- Cons
- 0.3% rebate on general spend
- High S$800 minimum spend requirement
OCBC 365 Card is the absolute best no-fee rebate card on the market for everyday essentials. Cardholders earn up to 6% rebate on dining & online food delivery and 3% on groceries, travel bookings, land transport and recurring bills. Essentially, you can earn some of the highest rates for dining on the market, while also earning top rebates in a variety of spend categories. Even better, there are no merchant restrictions, which is rather rare amongst top dining cards. Overall, OCBC 365 Card is a great no-fee option if you want high dining rates, but also want the convenience of a single card to reward nearly all of your spend.
6. The Wood Ear: For a Private Dining Experience
In recent years, private home dining has gained traction among foodies. It is easy to understand why private home dining is all the hype. Firstly, you can have an intimate and exclusive dining experience in a homely setting. Secondly, you can taste unique dishes typically not found in commercialised restaurants.
At The Wood Ear, you will get to sample the creations of chef Jesper Chia. Known for his delicate plating, chef Jesper Chia serves exquisite fusion food presented thoughtfully. Dishes he has served before include think crab cocktails, fish with soubise and salted egg yolk desserts. We guarantee that every bite you take during your meal will be flavourful.
Make your bookings soon as the wait is usually a few months out -- that is how popular this private home dining experience is.
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | 487B Choa Chu Kang Ave 5, Singapore 681476 |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | [email protected] |
7. Cable Car Sky Dining: Dining in the Air Experience
What's better place to have your meal at then doing it while you're high up in the air. While taking in a birds-eye view of Singapore, you can also enjoy a delectable dinner in your private cable car capsule. During this experience, you will ride the cable car line three times, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your food and company. If you are lucky, you will be able to catch the sunset during your experience. Do not forget to take photos for the memories.
Read more here.
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount Faber Lodge Level 2 Faber Peak Singapore, 109 Mount Faber Rd, 099203 |
| Opening Hours | Mon-Sun 5.30pm-8.30pm |
| Contact | 6361 0088 |
Pay With The Right Credit Card For More Savings
Did you know that you can save money on some of your unique dining experiences? With the right credit card, you can easily make your meals more affordable. These dining credit cards gives you attractive rewards rates as well as great discounts and privileges at a wide range of restaurants in Singapore.
Of course, if these experiences are not your cup of tea, why not fill your belly with a scrumptious buffet feast? You can find some of the best buffet deals here.
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Boon Hun spent over five years in the content marketing space as the managing editor of Goody Feed creating interesting and relevant content for the social media generation. In 2022, he moved to the FinTech space while remaining true to his roots, intending to bring financial literacy to more people in Singapore. When not doing his work, he can be found watching people build homes on YouTube.