Orchard Road, Singapore - Eating Out in Orchard Road

Eating out in Orchard Road is a completely different experience than eating out in Singapore's Chinatown. Chinatown has an 'old world' atmosphere with a Chinese character, while Orchard Road is 'new world' with a Western character. Chinese dishes (Singapore-style) are the main fare in Chinatown, while Orchard Road offers regional diversity. Eating here includes the food courts, street kiosks, fast food chains, cafes and restaurants.

The diversity in Orchard Road includes Western, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Middle Eastern. For Malay and Indian foods, they are mostly found in the food courts. The cafes and restaurants are not for the budget conscious and usually patronised by expats and tourists with fat wallets. Besides fast foods, the food courts are popular with the locals, offering cheaper meals and greater variety under one roof. As for me, I go to where the locals eat.

Outdoor food court in Orchard Road

Starbucks Coffee is also here

Singapore's own snack chain Old Chang Kee

The Coffee Club

Cafe besides the Peranakan Shopping Mall

Central Business District, Singapore - Goodbye Tanjung Pagar Station

The Tanjung Pagar Railway Station in Singapore was once the southern terminus for Malaysia's Malayan Railway (KTM) until 2011, when the terminus shifted northward to the modern Woodlands Train Checkpoint. The station was completed in 1932 and designed in the Art Deco architecture. I have a fancy for travelling on trains and the Tanjung Pagar Station was a favourite.

At least for me, Tanjung Pagar Station had an Old World character with its large hall, white marble reliefs and umbrella shaped roofs. Things moved at snail's pace here and the atmosphere seemed relaxed. I enjoyed my numerous impromptu chats with passengers at the station and having a simple meal and cuppa ordered from the stalls. Those days are gone - goodbye Tanjung Pagar.

Tanjung Pagar Station

Inside the station

Train arriving at the station

Eating at the station

Central Business District, Singapore - Eating Out at Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat is well-known hawker or food centre located at Robinson Road and nearby Shenton Way. The history of Lau Pa Sat's began in 1825 when it was a market. Several buildings have been constructed over the centuries and the current Lau Pa Sat is a reconstruction of the building that opened in 1894 with its octagonal shape and original cast iron supports.

Today Lau Pa Sat is a food centre popular with white-collar workers in the Central Business District heading for lunch. It's practically a one-stop food centre with plenty of options but stalls here serve mainly Chinese dishes Singapore-style. Alternatives beyond Chinese include a couple of stalls specialising in Western, Indian and Malay dishes.

Lau Pa Sat in the Central Business District

Inside Lau Pa Sat

Stall serving Indian food

Mafia Porridge?

Central Business District, Singapore - Eating Out in the Central Business District

The best thing about Southeast Asia is the food and Singapore is no exception. Even in the Central Business District, office workers not only take their work seriously but also their lunch break. Discussing where and what to eat among office workers is serious business here, even if it is 45 minutes for lunch.

The Central Business District may not be a prime destination for dining but if you happen to be in the area (the only reason I can think of is business related rather than leisure), there are reasonably good choices. There is at least a hawker centre or restaurant within walking distance from the office block.

The New Moon in the Central Business District

Eating outdoor at an Indian eatery

Hawker centre at Lau Pau Sat

Fast food

Central Business District, Singapore - So Much Construction

There seems to be ongoing construction work in Singapore's Central Business District. It's either a new high-rise or improving the road system, whenever I am in the area. Even during the global economic meltdown beginning 2008, it didn't seem to have an impact in the Central Business District - must be flush with money! Some buildings in the district have interesting architectural designs but many look like giant shoe boxes.

Constructing new building in the Central Business District

Road work in the Central Business District

Newly completed high-rise

'Pedestrain' at a construction site? 

Central Business District, Singapore - Raffles Place

Raffles Place is the cream of the cream of Singapore's Central Business District. Being located and having a business address here would be considered very prestigious - guess a company is 'moving up' in the business world with an address like Raffles Place. Along with it are the 'prestigious' rentals and sky rocket property values.

Unlike the serious and business like atmosphere of other parts of the Central Business District, Raffles Place has a livelier atmosphere. There are the entertainment spots, eating establishments, shops and the vibrant Riverside is just a short walk. Think of it, who has time to work at Raffles Place when there are many distractions nearby!

High-rise office blocks in Raffles Place

Raffles Place viewed from Merlion Park

Raffles Place viewed from the Riverside

Raffles Place viewed from Boat Quay

Central Business District, Singapore - Shenton Way

Shenton Way is another major road in Singapore's Central Business District and runs parallels with Anson Road. Like Anson Road, Shenton Way is occupied with high-rise office towers and a very quiet area on the weekends. Not much to see or do here except work, work and more work during the weekdays.

There are two small coffee shops just opposite the SGX Tower, with a few tables on the pavement. It's the place to go for the office workers for a short tea break and probably a smoke. With the rising rentals in Singapore, not sure if the two coffee shops are still there.

Along Shenton Way in the Central Business District

More office blocks along Shenton Way

Taking an outdoor break at a coffee shop

Central Business District, Singapore - Anson Road

Anson Road is located on the southern end of Singapore's Central Business District. Not much to see or do here unless on business. As for me, I'd only be here is for a business meeting or meet up with friends who happen to work in the area. Like anywhere else in the Central Business District, Anson Road is full of high-rise office towers. Not a tourist attraction and on weekends, this part of Singapore is like a ghost town.

Anson Road in Singapore's Central Business District

Along Anson Road

At a junction in Anson Road

Old man and his bicycle along Anson Road

Central Business District, Singapore - The Business Hub of Singapore

Singapore's Central Business District (CBD) is the  financial and commercial heart of this island nation - an upscale district of Singapore with high property values. The district comprises of several areas stretching from Tanjung Pagar in the south to the Riverside (along the Singapore River) in the north. Part of the district also includes reclaimed land in the Marina Bay area.

The Central Business District represents modern Singapore, where most of the city's taller buildings are located. It is home to major businesses and financial institutions as well as many of the city's leading hotels, shopping centres and condos for the wealthy. For someone who considers himself from the backwoods, seeing the Central Business District makes my jaw drop!

High-rise buildings in the Central Business District

Another scene in the Central Business District

4-star Millennium Hotel

Taking it slowly on a bicycle in the Central Business District