Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Singapore Foods to Try in 2026 from Former Singapore Residents
Singapore isn’t just a destination for us, it’s our second home.
After living in Singapore for many years, exploring neighborhoods from Orchard, Holland Village to Clementi, and spending countless nights enjoying the delicious hawker centers with friends and family, this island has become one of the most meaningful food destinations in our lives. Many places in the world are special, but none quite like Singapore; the culture, the ease of traveling about, and the flavors make it a unique destination we truly love.
So, if you listened to our podcast episode on Singapore Culinary Delights, think of this as your expanded insider guide, shaped by years of local life, firsthand dining, and hotel stays across the island. Everything recommended here is something we’ve personally eaten, personally loved, and personally returned to many times.
This is your ultimate guide to the Best Singapore Foods to Try in 2026, with added info on where to stay, when to visit, how to get around, FAQs, and why Singapore for 2026.
Table of Contents
🌏 Why Singapore Should Be on Your List for 2026
Singapore has always been an amazing destination, but 2026 is a particularly perfect year to visit, and here’s why:
- It’s a global dining powerhouse (and still evolving): Singapore isn’t just a foodie city, it’s a culinary capital of the world. The blend of Malay, Chinese, Peranakan, Indian, and Western flavors makes every meal exciting. In 2026, new hawker stalls, Michelin discoveries, and innovative fusion concepts are pushing boundaries even further.
- It’s one of the safest, cleanest, most efficient cities to travel: As travelers increasingly prioritize ease, safety, and convenience, Singapore stands out. English is widely spoken, transportation is seamless, and everything (literally everything) is well-organized.
- A perfect gateway to Southeast Asia: Many travelers pair Singapore with Bali, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Vietnam, or Tokyo, and Changi Airport – continually ranked as one of the best airports in the world – makes these connections effortless.
- A family-friendly culinary destination: From satay to ice kachang to famous chicken rice, Singapore is an easy place for families to enjoy world-class food together. No complicated logistics, no stress — just incredible meals at every turn.
- For us, Singapore is home: We lived here, went to school here, worked here, eaten at the stalls mentioned below more times than we can count, and stayed at all the hotels we recommend. It’s rare to find a destination that blends comfort, luxury, adventure, and cultural richness so effortlessly.
If you want a destination in 2026 that delivers both comfort and thrill, Singapore is the place. So let’s dive into what makes Singapore such an amazing place by exploring the best Singapore foods to try.
🍜 The Best Singapore Foods to Try in 2026 (Tasted & Loved by Us)
These dishes aren’t just recommendations — they’re personal favorites we return to every time we’re back in Singapore. There are so many delicious options, but for first-timers, we recommend the following as our best Singapore foods to try:
🍗 1. Hainanese Chicken Rice
Comforting, fragrant, tender — the dish Singaporeans proudly call their national treasure.
Our experience:
We’ve had chicken rice at countless stalls, and the simplicity of this dish is what keeps us coming back. Tian Tian at Maxwell was our go-to after work and weekend wanderings.
Where to try it:
- Tian Tian Chicken Rice — Maxwell Food Centre
- Wee Nam Kee — United Square
- Boon Tong Kee — Balestier
🔥 2. Satay
Marinated meat grilled over charcoal, served with addictive peanut sauce.
Our experience:
Newton Food Centre and Lau Pa Sat (and formerly the Esplanade Satay Club on Queen Elizabeth Walk) were practically our second dining rooms. We visited frequently for weekend gatherings, afternoon treats, and family outings. The smell alone takes us back.
Best places to try it:
🍜 3. Mee Goreng
A spicy, tangy, deeply satisfying Indian-Muslim noodle dish. One of our absolute favorites and a staple at any decent hawker center.
Personal note:
Mee Goreng is still one of our comfort foods, anywhere we can find it, we’ll always order a plate or two, but the best we’ve ever had was always in Singapore.
Best places to try it:
🦀 4. Singapore Chili Crab
Rich, bold, delectable dish of sweet, spicy, messy, and unforgettable crabby goodness!
Our tradition:
Chili crab nights at Jumbo East Coast (and before that in Punggol) was always a special treat, and one of the best parts was dipping the bread buns in all the chili sauce. Yummy!!
Best places to try it:
🦀 6. Singapore Pepper Crab
Fragrant, bold, and peppery make this a must try for seafood lovers. Caution, it tends to lead to an unsolvable debate over which is better, chili crab or pepper crab. Either way, your mouth will love you!
Best place to try it:
🍤 7. Drunken Prawns & Steamed Prawns
Herbal, fresh, aromatic, and actually quite large (don’t be fooled by the “shrimp” in the title). This is the kind of seafood you remember.
Best places to try it:
🥬 8. Kailan in Oyster Sauce
Simple, crunchy, garlicky — the perfect side dish for prawns, crab, chicken, mee, nasi, or just about anything.
Best places to try it:
🍚 9. Singapore Fried Rice
Comfort food that hits the spot every time. Our personal favorite, BBQ pork fried rice with fried egg, simple but delicious. We’ve made meals many times of nothing other than just fried rice, it’s that good!
Best places to find it:
🍧 Bonus Items We Love (and Think You Should Try!)
❄️ Ice Kachang
A local version of shaved ice featuring vibrant colors, sweet beans, jelly, and condensed milk. It’s fun, refreshing, and a hit with kids and can be found just about everywhere.
🌳 Durian (for the adventurous)
Creamy, bold, unforgettable, it is known as the king of fruits in Singapore. We’ve tried it, it’s interesting and boy can you tell when it’s in season. Since it’s the king, you should experience it at least once.
🍹 Singapore Sling
A classic that put the Raffles Hotel in Singapore on the map. We have enjoyed this classic many times, and as a former bar tender, I always take pride in my slings! And trust us, it tastes best when made with Gin, Cherry Brandy, Benedictine D.O.M., Cointreau, pineapple juice, bitters, and just a splash of grenadine.
Best places to try it:
- Long Bar — Raffles Hotel (the original)
- Most hotels and happening bars/night clubs
🌤️ Best Singapore Foods to Try: When to Visit
After living there, our honest take is Singapore is incredible year-round, but here’s what you can expect:
- Jan–Mar: Best weather, lower humidity (
- Apr–Jun: Warm & vibrant
- Jul–Sep: Great for food festivals
- Oct–Dec: Rainy but festive, with Christmas events & shopping
Best overall: November through March for the lights along Orchard Road for both Christmas and Chinese New Year. You may experience a bit more rain, but the temperatures are pleasant and the scenery is really beautiful.
🏨 Where We’ve Stayed & Personally Recommend
We’ve stayed at all of these hotels — some multiple times. Each offers something special depending on your travel style.
⭐ Marina Bay Sands: Iconic, luxurious, unforgettable, especially the infinity pool. Also, large rooms that can accommodate parties of 5 or more.
⭐ Sheraton Towers Singapore: Quiet, elegant, and perfect for longer stays. Just feet away from Newton Food Centre and close by Orchard Road.
⭐ Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza; Right on Orchard Road and Scotts Road, offering unbeatable convenience. Also right at the Orchard MRT station for quick transit to just about anywhere in Singapore.
⭐ Shangri-La Singapore: Tropical oasis in the city. This hotel is amazing for families seeking lux accommodations near Orchard Road.
⭐ Mandarin Oriental Singapore: Waterfront views, top-notch service, and comfortable rooms. Convenient location near City Hall MRT station.
⭐ Raffles Singapore: Historic, glamorous, and home to the Singapore Sling. It epitomizes luxury, elegance and history with the added convenience of a great, central location.
🚇 Best Singapore Foods to Try: Getting Around
After years of living here, we can confidently say that Singapore has one of the best transportation systems in the world.
- 🚈 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) – Fast, clean, reliable, and affordable make the MRT the simplest way to explore Singapore.
- 🚕 Taxis & Grab – Taxis are plentiful, affordable and safe. While Uber or Lyft are not available, Grab is an excellent ride-sharing service offering larger/family vehicle options as well as carpooling services.
- 🚌 Buses – Singapore offers excellent bus services that are air-conditioned and perfect for scenic routes.
Tip: Use an EZ-Link card or Apple Pay — cash is rarely needed.
❓ Best Singapore Foods to Try: FAQ — Everything First-Time Visitors Ask
Q: Is English widely spoken?
Yes — there are many languages spoken in Singapore but almost everyone speaks English.
Q: What currency does Singapore use?
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar (SGD), and the exchange rate is roughly 1 SGD = $0.75 USD.
Q: Do I need cash or can I use credit cards?
Most shops and restaurants accept credit cards; however, it’s a good rule of thumb to carry about SGD $50–$100 when visiting hawker centers.
Q: Is Singapore very strict?
Rules are firm, but easy to follow. Respectful visitors never have any issues.
Q: Is Singapore a safe place to visit?
It’s one of the safest cities in the world. Truly.
🌟 Best Singapore Foods to Try: Final Thoughts
Singapore is more than a culinary destination — it’s a place that feels like home in the best possible way. We’ve lived here, eaten at every stall listed above, stayed at every recommended hotel, and explored almost every corner of this vibrant island.
If you’re planning a trip in 2026, Singapore delivers cultural richness, world-class dining, exceptional hospitality, and a travel experience that is both exciting and incredibly comfortable.
For more firsthand insights and stories, check out our podcast episode Singapore Culinary Delights here.
Also, be sure to check out our Destinations and Singapore pages for more information and ideas on visiting this amazing nation-state!
Related content: Top Attractions in Singapore, Your Complete Guide (blog), and Intro to Singapore – Top Attractions and Must-Visit Spots for FIrst-Time Travelers (podcast).
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