7 unique dining experiences in Singapore you need to try in 2022

7 unique dining experiences in Singapore you need to try in 2022
PHOTO: Instagram/The Wood Ear

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 cafe 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

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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 Tuesday to Sunday
6pm to 10.30pm
Contact 6298 0708

UOB One Credit Card: Best for cashback

Consider this if you want a high five per cent rate of cashback on dining expenses.

  • Pros
    • Good fit for budgets of at least $2,000 per month
    • Easy cashback on daily spend
    • Gives rebates for paying bills
  • Cons
    • Doesn't fit high budgets or low/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 $2,000/month spend earn five per cent general cashback — including for dining locally and overseas — up to $300/quarter.

This rate is boosted to 10 per cent for Grab transactions and select UOB Travel spend and six per cent for recurring utilities bills. Lower spenders earn 3.33 per cent cashback up to $50 or $100/quarter (depending on spend level).

2. Absurdities: Interactive experience

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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 Thursday to Saturday
6.30pm to 10.30pm
Contact

American Express Platinum Card

Promo: Receive a free two-night stay at Conrad Centennial with a minimum spend of $5,000 within three months.

Consider this if you are a high income earner.

  • 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 per cent 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 points) per $1, but spend with Platinum Extra Partners — primarily designer fashion, watch and jewellery brands — earns an elevated 3.44 miles (6.25 points). This is ideal for affluent shoppers who may feel restrained by typical shopping cards' rewards cap.

While there is a $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

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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.

READ ALSO: From humble home-based business to restaurant: Local burger specialist NBCB opens first outlet at Orchard Central

Info
Location 100 Neo Tiew Road (Kranji) Singapore 719026
Opening Hours Thursday to Friday
7am to 4pm
Saturday to Sunday
7am to 6pm
Contact 6898 5001

KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card: Best for miles

Promo: Get 3,000 Krisflying miles and $150 cash

Consider this if you want to earn miles on dining expenses.

  • Pros
    • 3 miles per $1 on SIA, SilkAir, Scoot and KrisShop
    • Up to 3 miles on dining, transport, online shopping and travel
    • Expedited KF Elite Silver status, Scoot privileges
    • 10,000 annual bonus renewal miles
  • Cons
    • Just 1.2 miles 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 $1 general local and overseas spend, boosted to three miles for global dining, transport, online shopping and travel bookings with just $500 SIA spend in a year.

Given that KF UOB Card's $192.6 fee is almost completely offset by its annual 10,000 renewal miles bonus (worth about $100), the KrisFlyer UOB Card is definitely worth applying for.

4. Canteen 398: Taste of old school Singapore

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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 Monday to Friday
6am to 1.30pm
Contact -

5. Smith Marine Floating Restaurant: Eat what you catch

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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 Monday to Sunday
10am to 7pm
Contact 9792 7609

OCBC 365 Card

Consider this if you want a card with no fees.

  • Pros
    • 6 per cent rebate on dining, 3 per cent on groceries, transport, recurring bills, online travel
    • Fee waiver with $10,000 annual spend
    • Up to 22.1 per cent fuel savings at Caltex, 20.2 per cent at Esso
  • Cons
    • 0.3 per cent rebate on general spend
    • High $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 six per cent rebate on dining and online food delivery and three per cent on groceries, travel bookings, land transport and recurring bills.

READ ALSO: 5 things to eat and drink in Singapore this week, including weekend brunch at Claudine and french pastries at Flourcrafts Patisserie

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

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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 thewoodear@gmail.com

7. Cable Car Sky Dining: Dining in the air experience

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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 Monday to Sunday
5.30pm to 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.

READ ALSO: 8 Singapore dishes you should never order on a first date

This article was first published in ValueChampion.

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