After refining his culinary creds with some of the globe's most renowned chefs (think Rene Redzepi of Denmark's Noma and Waku Ghin's Tetsuya Wakuda), Aussie-born chef Dave Pynt decided to pack up his life and make the move to Singapore in 2013. Setting up shop in Chinatown, he opened his now world-renowned BBQ restaurant Burnt Ends, serving up his take on modern Aussie BBQ in "one of the great food cities in the world".
A decade in and this globetrotting chef's practically a local—he knows the city like the back of his hand. According to Pynt, everything in Singapore just works. And even if you've only got two days up your sleeve, you can still get around the best of the city without breaking a sweat. So, with Singapore Airlines on board, we handed Pynt the mic to share how to smash out a 48-hour stopover in style.
You’ve only got two days in Singapore—where are you heading to eat first, and what are you ordering?
Ah Hua Teochew Fishball Noodles and Sin Ming Roti Prata for their mutton curry and coin prata, or laksa.
What other restaurants/food spots are you hitting up while you’re in Singapore?
Sin Hoi Sai in Tiong Bahru for a cold beer and a debate about which is better: the chilli crab or the black pepper crab, or Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck for the best duck in Singapore.
Some of the amazing stars around Singapore include Odette (three stars), Meta (two stars) and Ma Cuisine (one star).
The Singapore food scene is so special because we have everything from hawker food to three-star restaurants. So you can get some awesome roti prata, satay or chicken rice for under $AU5, or go to restaurants that rival the best in the world. You have Chinese Zi Char, Malay, Peranakan, Indian, Sri Lankan, Aussie, Japanese, Latin American and everything European.
What about bars? Where are you going for a tipple or two?
D.Bespoke, Cat Bite Club, No Sleep Club, Manhattan and Atlas Bar, just to name a few! The Singapore bar scene is crazy good.
Singapore is known for great shopping. Are you doing any in your 48 hours?
If I'm looking to grab some souvenirs, I'm either heading to Chinatown or Little India, where you can grab some trinkets that will give you a good reminder of your time in Singapore.
Otherwise, some watch boutiques like AP House are based here, but if it's not luxury, stick to the food and you can’t go wrong!
What else is on the agenda? What are your favourite things that you can only see and do in Singapore?
Definitely going to the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands for a sunset drink and the view. Tanjong Beach Club at Sentosa for a late afternoon beach club session.
It's also epic for young kids. You have the ArtScience Museum, Universal Studios Singapore, Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, Hyperdrive and Singapore Wake Park, plus endless soft play to tire them out.
Let's talk accommodation—where are you staying?
Either Raffles for the history, or Marina Bay Sands, so I can get that pool swim in and look over the rest of Singapore. Shangri-La Rasa at Sentosa for the kids, or Capella for some luxury tranquillity in Sentosa.
Got a trip coming up? Switch up that layover to a stopover and explore the city for yourself. Find out more here.
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Imagery: Supplied.