Makan@Sentosa: an island feast
Americans barbeque on the 4th of July and Australians compete in boat races on Australia Day. But ask any Singaporean what’s the best way to celebrate National Day and many would say, “Go overseas and chill lor.”
But you don’t need to go overseas to relax. Sentosa has 7 unique dining spots you can lepak at without booking a plane ticket. And for those with a wanderlust bug, some of these places are made to transport you to a foreign land the moment you step in – bon voyage!
1. Explore a mini Korean village
If you can’t get enough of anything Korean, then Insadong Korea Town is your best bet for a quick retreat. Its exterior screams annyeong, and its interior matches up with street food stalls and wooden tables.
The highlight of this place, however, is the food. There’s nothing that says camaraderie like huddling over a pot of hot stew with your friends, and Insadong’s Army Stew ($32) is definitely something you’ll want to tuck into.
With copious amounts of luncheon meat, sausages, instant ramyeon and tofu, this stew will satisfy the most ravenous eater. The spicy stew is so shiok that you will eat more than you should, but who cares – diet starts tomorrow.
To make things even better, get a serving of Napa Pork ($18 for small). It comes in separate ingredients, which is just like what you would get in Seoul! End things on a sweet note with a J Cone ($6). This crunchy corn shell that’s filled with vanilla soft serve will give you tons of fun as an #OOTD prop.
Address: 26 Sentosa Gateway, #01-33, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098138
Directions: Alight at Waterfront station and turn right after walking past the Universal Studios Singapore Rotating Globe.
Telephone: 6238 8378
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 10:30pm
Find out more here.
2. Have a succulent steak by the ocean
Chilling by the beach is great, but chilling by the beach with a juicy steak is even better. A 3-minute walk from Sentosa’s Beach Station, you’ll be hit with the smell of roasts from Flame the moment you’re within radius. We had a hard time deciding between their Flat Iron Steak ($18 nett) and BBQ Ribs ($16 nett), because they both sounded so good. In the end, we went for both because…YOLO.
Served on a round wooden board, the Flat Iron Steak was exceptionally succulent and the tomato compote and onion jam served with it were equally tasty. Here’s a tip: dip the baked potato wedges into the tomato compote and you won’t find yourself reaching for store-bought ketchup for a while.
The BBQ Ribs were also a treat for our palates. Slightly charred on the surface, the meat of the ribs could be easily pulled apart from its bone. Sweet and savoury, with a smoky fragrance to boot, this plate of ribs could easily cost twice its price at other rotisseries.
Address: 54 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099013
Directions: Alight at Beach station and walk towards Siloso Beach. Flame is directly opposite Skyline Luge and on your left.
Telephone: 6631 8938
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 9pm, Fri 12pm to 10pm, Sat 11am to 10pm, Sun 11am to 9pm
Find out more here.
3. Bikinis and beer by the beach
A stone’s throw away from Flame, Bikini Bar is for those who miss the laidback atmosphere of Bali. You’ll be greeted by waitresses in bikini tops and denim shorts, and be seated at one of their colourful wooden tables. While you won’t get fireworks on your cocktail here, all the necessary items like beer, cider, wine and a selection of cocktails and shooters are in place.
In the spirit of National Day, we got a Singapore Sling ($15 nett) and a half portion of Nachos ($12, $18 nett for a full portion). Topped with guacamole, sour cream, chili beans, tomatoes and cheddar cheese, this huge pile of corn chips is enough to last you through the night.
To fully immerse yourself in the Balinese atmosphere, challenge your friends to a game of pool or beer pong. Yes, there is a dedicated beer pong table for you to use at anytime. If you just want to sit back and relax, grab a bucket of Bintang beer and enjoy the beautiful sea view right before you.
Address: 550 Siloso Beach Walk, #01-01, Singapore 099000
Directions: Alight at Beach station and walk towards Siloso Beach. Bikini Bar will be the second seaside bar you see on your left, just after Coastes.
Telephone: 6631 8938
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 2pm-11pm, Fri 2pm-1am, Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm
Find out more here.
4. Eat all you want – Cheese Buffet, Pink Brunch, and Champagne Brunch
Free-flow champagne? Yes. Free-flow Rosé wine? YES. Free-flow cheese? YASSSSS. With over 32 types of fine cheese, the cheese buffet at Kwee-Zeen feeds you with a complimentary glass of wine at the price of $42++ every Thursday. That’s a little more than a dollar for each type of cheese, so don’t say bo hua please.
For couples out there who are struggling to come up with paktor places, Saturday Pink Brunch ($78++ or $98++ with free flow rosé wine) will do the trick. It features a spread of pink dishes like Beet-Cured Salmon with Pink Grapefruit and Prawn Penne with Pink Vodka Sauce, which will not only taste awesome, but look awesome in photos too.
No boyfriend/girlfriend, no problem. Gather your squad and have a blast at the Magnifique Sunday Champagne Brunch. With live seafood, foie gras, and handcrafted chocolate truffles, you won’t even know where to start. Diners at the Champagne Brunch have free access to the resort’s picturesque pool, so be prepared to snap many instagrammable squad photos!
Address: 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, Singapore 099891
Directions: Take Bus 3 from the bus interchange at Beach station. Alight at the 11th station. There is also a complimentary Sofitel shuttle bus at half hourly intervals between Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa and VivoCity.
Telephone: 6708 8310
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am to 10:30am, 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 9:30pm, Sat 6:30am to 11am, 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 9:30pm, Sun 6:30am to 11pm, 12pm to 3:30pm, 6pm to 9:30pm
Find out more here.
5. Chilli crab by Singapore’s 4 best-loved seafood restaurants under one roof
Chilli crab can be found at many places in mainland Singapore, but you won’t find chilli crab perfected by four of Singapore’s biggest seafood restaurant names anywhere but Sentosa. Started as a collaboration between Palm Beach Seafood, Tung Lok Seafood, The Seafood International Market & Restaurant and JUMBO Seafood, the dishes at Singapore Seafood Republic are fresh, authentic and lip-smacking good.
We went a little crazy when a huge pot of Award-Winning Chilli Crab (seasonal price) arrived, and ordered more Fried Mantous ($0.70 each) than we should have to dip into the creamy spicy sauce. If there’s not enough sauce for you, order an extra bowl at just $5.
The restaurant provides bibs and ziplock bags to shield our outfits and phones from the destruction that ensued as we destroyed the entire dish with our bare hands. Looking glam is so not important in the face of CRAB.
If you’ve got more space in your tummy, their Deep Fried Scallop Wrapped In Yam Ring ($18) is a must-try. Each crispy shell envelops a ball of creamy yam mash and fresh scallop, and together with the sweet sauce that comes with it, tastes so good that you won’t stop at one.
Address: 26 Sentosa Gateway, #01-292, Waterfront, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore 098138
Directions: Alight at Waterfront station and turn right after walking past the Universal Studios Singapore Rotating Globe. Walk straight and cross the bridge on your left.
Telephone: 6265 6777
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 11:30pm, Sat-Sun and Public Holidays 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 11:30pm
Find out more here.
6. Mediterranean food by the sea
Picture this: you’re lounging by the Aegean sea, with a glass of wine in one hand and a table filled with pita bread, grilled calamari and pan-fried cheese before you.
This may sound like everyone’s holiday at a Greek island, but it can be done in Singapore too. That’s right, Mykonos on the Bay at Quayside Isle recreates this experience in Sentosa itself..
Go for a traditional Greek dessert like Pagoto Giaourti ($7.90), which is handmade Greek yogurt ice-cream with acacia honey and walnuts. It may sound simple, but the sweet honey, creamy ice-cream and crunchy walnuts make a great combination to end your meal with.
Address: 31 Ocean Way, #01-10, Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098375
Directions: Take Bus 3 from the bus interchange at Beach station. Alight at the 4th station.
Telephone: 6334 3818
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 6pm to 10:30pm, Thu-Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 10:30pm
Find out more here.
7. Dine with art overlooking the sea
Art jamming at a cafe is no longer a unique concept, but art jamming in a studio by the sea? Now we’re talking. Started by the same people at Arteastiq, Museo is like the atas sister of the familiar art jamming studio/tea lounge, but at the seaside oasis that is Quayside Isle.
Channel your inner Picasso as you chope a spot to unleash your creativity. You’ll be given a canvas, brushes and an unlimited supply of acrylic paint at $38++, so go ahead and let your imagination run wild! Aside from your final piece, you can also bring the brushes home to continue with your personal artistic journey.
After you’re done, head to the adjacent dining area for an afternoon tea session. Featuring 16 different types of teas, this place is a serious heaven for tea enthusiasts. Choose from exquisite sounding dishes like Crispy Baby Octopus with Salted Egg Butter Sauce and Foie Gras Terrine. You get 4 dishes at $59 for 2 pax, so this is a serious steal for those up for some fine food.
Address: 31 Ocean Way, #01-22, Quayside Isle, Sentosa Cove, Singapore 098375
Directions: Take Bus 3 from the bus interchange at Beach station. Alight at the 4th station.
Telephone: 6734 8066
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm to 11pm, Fri 2pm to 11pm, Sat 12pm to 12am, Sun 12pm to 11pm
Find out more here.
An island getaway, no flights involved
There’s nothing like an island retreat to take you away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A mere 15-minute walk from Harbourfront MRT station with free island admission via the Sentosa Boardwalk, Sentosa is a hub of beaches, food and lepak places you can get 24/7.
So anytime you feel like hitting pause on the go-getter in you, drop by this island and FEAST ON!
Find out more about Sentoa’s dining deals here!
This post was brought to you by Sentosa.
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