Marina Bay
Photograph: Celia Ong/Shutterstock
Photograph: Celia Ong/Shutterstock

The ultimate guide to Bayfront

Bayfront is where cultural and culinary delights meet by the water. Written by Hazel Tang

Cheryl Sekkappan
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A vibrant district lies between the glistening waters of Marina Bay and the futuristic skyscrapers forming the city centre. Bayfront is a beguiling beauty of Singapore’s skyline, where concrete, history, and nature converge into a kaleidoscopic array of sights, sounds, and luxury. World-class hotels, high-end boutiques, and restaurants all vie for our attention, leaving no one unsatisfied in the urban bustle.

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Do

  • Attractions
  • Marina Bay

Strolling down the 3.5-kilometre bayside walk is akin to a symphony for the senses - with unimpeded vistas of the metropolis skyline, the vast expanse of the sea, and towering edifices that flank the waterfront. Take some photos on the wooden boardwalk and keep your eyes out for uniquely designed structures like the Horizon Bench and DREAM sign. If you're feeling warm, there are breeze shelters, mist sprays, and motion-sensor fans that serve as a salve. 

Alfresco eateries are neatly lined along the promenade for those who fancy a bite or drink with a view. Other than that, the area is a great spot for jogging, walking, and engaging in the occasional outdoor yoga.

Spectra – Light and Water Show

A captivating spectacle of fountain jets, visual projections, mist effects, and laser lights that weave into an enchanting four-part narrative to spellbound visitors for a good 15 minutes. The Spectra – Light and Water Show illuminates the gleaming façade of Marina Bay Sands twice every weekday and thrice every weekend evening.

The show is led by award-winning Singaporean producer Kenn C.’s orchestral soundtrack. In the heart of the performance, stands a towering 12-metre glass prism, pulsating with life and surrendering everyone to the magic of the night.

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  • Things to do
  • Marina Bay

This verdant wonderland is a horticultural extravaganza that defies the conventions of traditional botanic enclaves and a true marvel of man and nature in harmonious collusion. From towering Supertrees that rise like arborical sentinels, the mist-laden corridors of the Cloud Forest, and themed exhibitions inside the Flower Dome. Gardens by the Bay invites visitors to frolic in a world as if plucked from a sci-fi daydream, but never straying too far from the wonders of flora and fauna.

  • Art
  • Marina Bay

If anything, the ArtScience museum is a playground to revel in the captivating intersection of culture and technology. This avant-garde, futuristic lotus-inspired architecture is a fitting testament to the blossoming ideas that flourish within. With each exhibit, visitors embark on an eye-opening voyage through immersive and multi-sensory worlds – one of the most popular being Future World: Where Art Meets Science by teamLabs.

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Singapore River Cruise

The Singapore River is a living proof of the country’s colonial past and a bustling nexus of commerce where bumboats assembled their trade. The sights of these wooden carriers might be long gone, but visitors could still reminisce about Singapore's rich heritage on 'The Singapore River Experience'.  This boat ride seamlessly intertwines the threads of history and modernity, meandering through the iconic districts of Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, and Marina Bay.

While the embarkation points are aplenty along the river's edge, there are eight other jetties along the river, including one by Bayfront, that gives visitors an alternative gateway to participate in this aquatic journey. It’s highly recommended to come late in the afternoon or evening to bask in the sunset or the city’s urban nightscape. The Singapore River Cruise costs $25 for adults and $15 for children.

  • Things to do
  • Event spaces
  • Marina Bay

The vast and conveniently accessible space plays host to a carousel of large-scale pop-up events and carnivals. From  Singapore Cocktail Festival to Ice Magic – Singapore’s largest winter-themed playground – and the annual Cirque du Soleil prior COVID-19 pandemic. Do keep an eye on all the upcoming fun and celebrations. At the same time, be mindful that the area is unsheltered so contingency plans are always welcome no matter rain or shine.

Eat

SG Food Truck

Amidst the culinary playground of Marina Bay Sands, there exists a fully functioning mobile kitchen where classic comfort foods are conjured with aplomb. From burgers, hotdogs, and wings to chocolate crepe, there’s bound to be something for everyone. 

While the concept of a food truck may not be entirely novel in Singapore, this black and white gem remains a special find, especially when you are in the mood for a nosh after a leisure stroll or an evening jog. Be sure to sink your teeth into their signature chilli beef hotdog and enjoy its fiery flavour while admiring the splendour of the waterfront.

  • Pâtisseries
  • Marina Bay

This European-inspired patisserie is a treasure trove of tantalising and visually appealing pastries. Each creation is born from the seasoned hands of an in-house chef with two decades of experience. Try Mango, a chilled confection that comes with an outer shell of yellow chocolate enveloping a sumptuous mango mousse and passion-lychee jelly core. 

Origin + Bloom also offers a delightful range of premium sandwiches including the towering Whole 9 Yards which has no less than nine layers of thinly sliced ham, cheese, and pickled vegetables. 

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  • Pan-Asian
  • Marina Bay
  • price 2 of 4

Standing atop its fancier cousin Chinoiserie, JustIn Flavours of Asia is a cozy restaurant offering a taste of local delicacies, with a dash of celebrity chef Justin Quek's magic.

Indulge in some of its favoured dishes including lobster Hokkien noodle, lamb leg satay, Kampot white pepper crab, and a range of expertly crafted cocktails. The restaurant also boasts a prime location by the waterfront promenade, with stunning views that are best enjoyed al-fresco, particularly when the Spectra – Light and Water show is in full swing.

  • Cafés
  • Marina Bay

Step into this sun-kissed oasis surrounded by lush greens, Mylo’s is a little epicurean haven where warm bakes and cool gelato (from $6) blend to titillate the taste buds. There are 20 different frozen dessert creations that one can choose from – whether you crave pandan, coconut, or Valrhona chocolate. Take your pick: dine indoors and repose on the rattan-backed chairs or venture outdoors for a closer communion with nature. Not forgetting our furry friends. The pet-friendly café also offers pup-approved peanut butter and honey biscuits and refreshing chicken and beef bone broth popsicles.

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  • Singaporean
  • Marina Bay

Satay by the Bay clings tenaciously to the remnants of a time when arcades, bowling alleys, and pocket-friendly steamboat joints thrived in the former Marina Bay neighborhood. Once an unassuming corner, it is now transformed into a food court for tourists who seek to savour local deli by the breathtaking sights of Gardens by the Bay and Marina Barrage. With a capacious 1,000-seat complex, Satay by the Bay teems with hungry patrons come weekends, offering seven satay stalls in pushcarts (three Malay and four Chinese) and many other nostalgic food choices that relive the bygone Satay Club of the ’80s.

Drink

  • Pan-Asian
  • Marina Bay
  • price 1 of 4

Perched in the picturesque Bayfront Plaza right next to Bayfront MRT station, Hopscotch enjoys a panoramic view of Gardens By the Bay’s Supertree Grove and Dragonfly Lake through its floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Bathed in abundant natural light, its interior gracefully melds elegance with a soothing hue, creating an atmosphere that beckons one to unwind and savour every moment. Visitors can sail themselves through some scrumptious local fusion delicacies or sample various Singapore-themed artisanal cocktails.

  • Marina Bay

This is where one can immerse in a cornucopia of culinary delights, drinks, and live performances all against the idyllic backdrop of the waterfront promenade. The venue’s exquisite fusion of wood, marble, and delicate golden deco creat an intimate haven tailored for every occasion. 

Some of the must-try include the lava cheese-infused wagyu burger and the savoury crab cake. Be sure to partake in their happy hour and not to leave without checking out their cocktail of the month.

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  • Cocktail bars
  • Marina Bay

BLVD embodies the essence of New York, pulsating with sophistication, allure, and the inimitable spirit of the city that never sleeps. As you enter, you will be greeted by an interior that exudes both warmth and cosmopolitan charm. There is a tableau of assorted bottles that adorns the bar and an outdoor patio that promises a delightful atmosphere for patrons from different walks of life. 

At night, the open-air alfresco unveils the breathtaking panorama of Marina Bay. Many are blown away not only by its impeccable setting, but also its great service and bartender’s flair in bespoke creations. 

 

Shop

  • Shopping
  • Shopping centres
  • Marina Bay

An extravagant retail haven inside Marina Bay Sands. Here is where an elite selection of high-end boutiques and illustrious names grace the halls. For those who are not devotees of luxury, The Shoppes is also fuelled with gastronomic wonders from celebrity chef reataurants and hawker-style delights. The other noteworthy interests include a tranquil sampan ride along the man-made canal that runs through the ground floor or immersed in an interactive light installation at the former ice-skating rink.

  • Museums
  • Art and design
  • Marina Bay
Red Dot Design Museum shop
Red Dot Design Museum shop

Found within the Red Dot Design Museum, the shop offers a collection of design objects carefully plucked from different corners of the globe – though a good few are dedicated to showcasing the creative talents of the local artisanal scene. 

Some things you can expect to find: a wooden pelican hanging mobile that flaps its wings when pulled, the modernist architecture-inspired Kismas lamp, and porcelain dishes printed with local icons. There is no end to the inspiration and joy that awaits those who venture here.

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  • Shopping
  • Specialist food and drink
  • Raffles Place

This is the brainchild of Christophe Bidou from Bordeaux, France and Singaporean Diorra Mai, who wish to make French wine approachable and accessible. Their mission goes beyond the conventional drinking of wine; they see it as a gateway to discovering new cultures, regions, and appellations, a veritable adventure for the palate.

At Le Rouge, every bottle of wine is believed to be a masterpiece, a sensorial journey that unveils a rich tapestry of flavours and aromas, and buying a bottle is akin to unlocking the secrets of an artwork. On top of this, the shop also curates a good selection of liquor-infused chocolates, whiskies, sake, and other alcohol.

More to explore

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