Having already been deeply impressed by my two previous lunch experiences with their Autumn menu, I am genuinely excited about their first-ever spring menu, just by looking at these delectable images. 

Na Oh, situated within the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), effortlessly blends traditional Korean cuisine with modern culinary techniques, delivering a dining experience that’s hard to beat, especially at SGD 78 per person (based on the Autumn menu I sampled).

From my earlier lunches at Na Oh, the standout elements were clear: incredibly delicious food, fantastic service, and a quiet, yet captivating ambience. Each meal left me feeling I’d uncovered a hidden gem. The newly introduced spring menu promises to continue this tradition by celebrating fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce straight from HMGICS’ Smart Farm, taking their farm-to-table philosophy pretty seriously.

The menu highlights include the Ginseng Chicken Naengchae—a chilled salad featuring tender chicken infused with ginseng and soju, crunchy bamboo shoots, peppery minari, and a delightful pine nut sauce. The Spicy Beef and Spring Leek Gomtang is also particularly enticing, featuring rich flavors from simmered beef short ribs, tendon, fiddlehead fern, and oyster mushrooms, accompanied by Golden Queen’s Rice and complementary dishes like Flowering Shiitake Gyeran Mari and Angelica Shoot Muchim.

Lunch sets offer exceptional value, with creative banchan like kale namul with burdock and jujube and cucumber kimchi with ice plant—fresh from the Smart Farm. To round off the experience, the Misugaru and Cherry Ice Cream Sandwich promises a playful twist on a traditional Korean dessert.

Given my previous wonderful experiences at Na Oh, I’m confident this new seasonal offering will delight diners seeking exceptional Korean cuisine. I’m looking forward to trying it myself (hint, hint, HMGICS)! 

Book your table soon—Na Oh’s seasonal menus are not to be missed.

A Milestone Year for PML

In 2024, PML marked its 45th anniversary with the opening of Singapore’s largest BMW Retail.Next showroom (over 100,000 sq ft). Alongside this milestone, BMW retained its spot as Singapore’s No. 1 premium automotive brand, with PML as its top dealer. BMW Motorrad also led the premium motorcycle segment for the third straight year.

Lifestyle Experiences Beyond the Showroom

Lawrence Tan summed it up: “We are ready for the next chapter. Performance Motors isn’t just a dealership; we are a lifestyle destination. We are dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that connect our BMW customers, fans, and the wider community.”

Here’s how they bring that vision to life:

Gastronomy: Curated Culinary Experiences

Curated Breakfast: From January 2025, customers can pre-order breakfast when booking car services. Choices include blue pea nasi lemak, smoked salmon gravlax, and sous vide eggs. Grab-and-go options are available for those on the move.

Having gotten a taste of the food firsthand, I was very impressed with the quality. The quantity, as well, was perfect for a Monday morning brekkie.

Other initiatives include PML’s Culinary Experience: a monthly, by-invite-only omakase dinner, starting with Chef Seow Tzi Qin from Jiak Kim House.

Yellow Ribbon Brownies: Supporting the Yellow Ribbon Bakery by offering halal-certified brownies baked by Changi Prison inmates.

Golf & Getaways: Driving Connections

PMGA (Performance Motors Golf Association): Connecting BMW owners through local and overseas tournaments, with events such as the Guangzhou golf trip and the ‘Drive your Golf’ event in April.

Escape the City Road Trips: Scenic drives to destinations like Penang and Desaru, some paired with golfing experiences.

BMW Motorrad Rideaways: Adventure rides for BMW motorcycle owners, including past trips to Malaysia and Thailand.

Sustainability and Digitalisation

PML Green Initiative: Customers can opt out of car washes during servicing, with one tree planted for every 30 opt-outs.

Sky Garden: A rooftop herb garden opened in September 2024, supporting in-house events and eco-tours.

Smart Technology: Facial recognition for lounge access, ANPR for automated service tracking, and contactless service options via the SDMSG OneGo app.

A Destination, Not Just a Dealership

Performance Motors’ evolution goes beyond sales, blending luxury with community, sustainability, and seamless experiences—proving that the journey is just as meaningful as the drive.

I guess you could call it their ‘5G network’ – Gastronomy, Golf, Getaways and Going Green.

Hyundai Motor Group has recently opened its doors to a new premium food establishment. Dubbed Na Oh (meaning “moving from inside out” in Korean), it is an in-house restaurant helmed by three Michelin-star Chef Corey Lee. 

With its grand opening on 15 June 2024, Na Oh is set to be a cultural hub celebrating Korean cuisine, craft, and design.

The restaurant is a space where every detail, from the interior design to the tableware, exudes Korean tradition. One can experience Korean culture through meticulously crafted dishes and thoughtfully designed spaces.

“We’re excited to bring this unique culinary experience to our Innovation Center in Singapore,” said Sungwon Jee, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company. “By working with Chef Lee, we’re blending Korean tradition with global innovation that represents what modern Korean culture is all about.”

At Na Oh, Chef Lee’s four-course prix fixe menu offers a delightful exploration of Korean flavours. The menu evolves with the seasons, showcasing creative dishes rooted in Korean fermentation and seasonal ingredients.

This summer, diners can look forward to dishes like Mulhwe, a refreshing seafood dish in an icy kimchi broth; Naengmyun, cold beef noodles that are a summer staple; and Samgyetang, a chicken dish infused with the robust flavours of ginseng.

I had the opportunity to experience Na Oh in person, and it is definitely a treat for the senses, with each part of the exotic set meal I was bestowed exuding different medleys of flavours.

Why is everything so fresh? That’s because Na Oh sources ingredients from Hyundai’s vertical Smart Farm.

This fully automated, robotics-driven farm cultivates nine different crops, including ice plant, red coral lettuce, Swiss chard, mustard, kale, romaine lettuce, and mizuna, creating a unique seed-to-table experience.

“Partnering with Hyundai has been inspiring, allowing us to combine its cutting-edge innovation with our reimagined Korean cuisine,” said Chef Corey Lee. “Na Oh will introduce a fresh, accessible take on Korean cuisine to Singapore’s food lovers, merging casual and fine dining elements.”

Na Oh will be open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended and can be made through the HMGICS website.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

This one-of-a-kind collector’s item will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London on 26 May 2023, with the proceeds going to The Bowmore Legacy fund.

The futuristic design of Aston Martin, along with Bowmore’s unfaltering attention to detail and craftsmanship, has created this unorthodox-looking 52-year-old single malt, presented in a carbon fibre decanter dubbed the ARC-52.

The carbon fibre elements of the decanter have been created to mirror the mokume texture and natural aesthetic, imitating the black rocks in the bay of Loch Indaal and the inside of the charred cask where the special 52-year-old whisky was aged. Gotta go all out with the packaging, right?

The vessel’s design incorporates the latest 3D printing and hand-crafted clay modelling,, resulting in a timelessly beautiful piece of art that is a true coming together of heritage and innovation. This masterpiece has been crafted from some of the oldest Bowmore vintages from the 1960s, an iconic era of Bowmore distilling.

The Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition is a one-off collector’s item, available exclusively from Sotheby’s, with an estimate of £140,000-220,000 (SGD$175,000-275,000).

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to The Bowmore Legacy, a long-term, dedicated project to support the employability, training, and housing needs of Bowmore’s young people, enabling a range of vital outcomes from affordable and subsidised housing to key employment skills for young people with barriers to employment.

The winning bidder will have the opportunity to enjoy an experience at Bowmore Distillery and also get behind the wheel of the limited-edition Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition while on Islay. Or, you know, that person could buy their own DBX.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

Dubbed ‘Heart on Wheels’, this is Food from the Heart’s 20th-anniversary food donation drive, which will see food being donated to less-privileged individuals and families. These are demographics with an average per capita income of below $690 per month.

In 2019, Food from the Heart helped 44,600 beneficiaries. This assistance has since ballooned to more than 60,00 beneficiaries with food support throughout Singapore, an impressive 34% increase since pre-COVID. 

Here is the list of food items requested for Heart on Wheels 2023: 

• Rice (2 & 5kg bags)
• Cooking oil (1-litre bottles)
• Instant noodles
• Canned food (Items such as sardines, tuna, curry chicken, soups)
• Coffee, tea and Milo sachets
• Oat, cereal, biscuit and bread spreads

*Do note that items should be at least three months away from their expiry dates

Join The Community

If you would like to make a difference, here are three ways you can help:

1. Drive-Thru to Donate

Head on down to Wearnes, located at 45 Leng Kee Rd Singapore 159103, on Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th March 2023 with your food donations. Drivers can enjoy a complimentary tyre shine throughout the event.

Plus, the first 100 cars each day will receive a complimentary treat sponsored by McDonald’s Singapore!

2. Order Food From Your Preferred Online Grocer to Donate

Alternatively, you may also order food items on our wish list from your preferred online grocer and arrange delivery directly to the event venue on 4th and 5th March 2023, 9am – 6pm.

Volunteers and team members will be on hand to receive, sort and record the food items donated.

3. Cash Donations Are Welcomed Too

Cash donations are accepted too for this donation drive, and this Giving.sg campaign will be matched dollar-to-dollar by Tote Board.

Do not worry, this will be a safe and seamless way to help needy families with food support. Plus, cash donations to an IPC charity approved by the Commissioner of Charities, such as Food from the Heart, are eligible for a 250% tax deduction.

For more information and for the full requested food list, you can check out Food from the Heart’s website here.

Catch all of the latest news right here on AutoApp!

Everyone’s been the designated driver before, whether willingly or otherwise. You’re stuck sipping Coke through a straw, while everyone downs beers or swirls wine in their glasses…

Having an alcohol-free night doesn’t mean you should be relegated to the sidelines with your soft drink, however. In fact, you’re doing everyone a service by staying sober, so that all can get home safe!

But if you just need that ‘feel’ when drinking alcohol socially, there are plenty of alcohol-free drinks out there. Beers, wines, and even spirits — you name it, it exists. So the next time you drive to a drinking ‘sesh with friends, you can crack open a cold one and still drive home legally!

Alpirsbacher Brewing Company | Alkoholfrei Lager

Beer. It’s the oldest and probably most common alcoholic drink in the world, which is why there are a ton of alcohol-free options available. But if the likes of Heineken 0.0 or Carlsberg Alcohol Free are too mainstream, there’s the Alpirsbacher Alkoholfrei Lager.

The alkoholfrei (that’s German for ‘alcohol-free’) lager is a light beer with a touch of spicy hop notes. It’s slightly tart at first, but mellows after a few sips. As far as alcohol-free beer goes, it’s a pretty good attempt.

Get it from specialty online store Free Spirit here.

Cantine Bosca | ‘Toselli’ Spumante Non-Alcoholic

Wine is typically considered a fancy drink, for atas people (and old men). In fact, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, was reportedly quoted as saying “God made wine because he loves us and wants us to be happy.”

It’s not ‘just grape juice’ as some might say of non-alcoholic wine. To create this non-alcoholic variant, Cantine Bosca stops the fermentation process at the precise moment, just before it develops alcohol. It’s mildly sweet as the label suggests, with a lovely grape aroma.

Get it from online grocer RedMart here.

Seedlip Drinks | Grove 42

This one’s a bit more interesting. Although you can treat it like gin, Seedlip isn’t marketed as a ‘non-alcoholic gin’, because it doesn’t contain any Juniper. What it does contain is a mixture of ingredients — including blood orange, lemon, and ginger — for a zesty scent.

So because of that, it doesn’t quite taste exactly like gin. It might annoy the most hardcore of gin drinkers, but as part of Seedlip’s suggested cocktails, they’re brilliant.

Get it from bottle shop Temple Cellars here.

Need to dabao some food for your drinking sesh? Here’s five places with easy parking that’ll make the dabao experience easier!

The past twenty-five days of not being able to dine at hawker centres have been dreadful. Somehow, hawker food just tastes different when it’s been sat in a takeaway box for half an hour. Then, there’s that experience missing — that hustle and bustle of kopitiams, the drinks uncle yelling out orders.

The situation has been merely an inconvenience for us, but it’s massively impacted the livelihood of hawkers. With no dining-in allowed, hawker stalls have seen a huge dip in revenue, with business reducing by up to 75%.

It’s a combination of factors that has led to this situation. Some diners are simply afraid of contracting the virus while out in public, opting instead to cook at home. Others, though, balk at the idea of dealing with carpark crowds and queues to enter the hawker centre.

While we can’t change the virus situation, we can help make the dabao experience better for you as drivers. Thus, we’ve found five locations with easy parking to make it better — no kidding, you can literally see your car while placing your order at these stalls!

#1 | 热腾腾达人 Re Teng Teng Da Ren

We found this fairly new noodle stall in this coffeeshop while exploring the Farrer Park area one day, lured in by numerous flower stands celebrating their opening. It offers a fairly wide variety, from regular wanton noodles to pork rib noodles. For something a bit fancier, they’ve also got a signature abalone noodle that appeared to be chock-full of ingredients.

If you’ve only got space for one dish, go for the dry wanton noodle — recommended by the friendly stallholder. The wantons were plump and tasted strongly of ti poh (dried solefish), and the traditional-tasting noodles cooked perfectly al dente.

热腾腾达人 Re Teng Teng Da Ren
Address: 568 Serangoon Rd, First Eating House, Singapore 218183
Opening Hours: Daily 8:00am – 6:00pm
Parking: URA coupon parking located next to coffeeshop

#2 | Xin Qi Western

A new addition to this sleepy industrial canteen, Xin Qi Western opened just 3 weeks before the Phase 2 Heightened Alert was announced. It’s a hidden gem, serving up traditional hawker western favourites like chicken chop and fried rice with big portions. They’ve also added a twist on the traditional, offering the proteins with olive fried rice, egg fried rice, and even scallion oil ramen!

We went for the basic chicken chop, with came with coleslaw, fries, and an egg. During this period, they’re even offering a free side with each main course! We opted for nuggets, but spring rolls and cheese tofu are also available as options.

Xin Qi Western
Address: 38 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, #01-13, 38 AMK, Singapore 569511
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00am – 2:00pm
Parking: EPS parking in front of coffeeshop

#3 | Restaurant 121

Hidden underneath an old block of flats in Hougang is Restaurant 121, a small zichar restaurant run by 3 sisters. A small, homely place with just six tables pre-COVID, it’s a favourite of Hougang residents who know of it. Its comfort food just like your mum would do it — large portions served with a smile.

The signature home-made hae zho (fried prawn roll) is a must-order, generously filled with meat and water chestnuts. An interesting dish is their Garlic & Dry Chicken, which is dry-fried chicken and vegetables in a unique umami sauce.

Restaurant 121
Address: Block 6 Hougang Ave 3, #01-84, Singapore 530006
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Parking: EPS parking in front of bistro

#4 | 客家酿豆腐 Ke Jia Niang Dou Fu

A stalwart of the area, this Hakka yong tau foo stall sits amidst 20 other stalls in a small, low-profile food centre near the city. Despite being just a stone’s throw from the posh Robertson Quay area, many locals aren’t aware of its existence. Operated by an elderly couple, as with most stalls here, there’s a variety of lovingly home-made yong tau foo items.

At first glance, it looks a bit plain. But you know it’ll be good, when everything isn’t quite uniformly shaped. Be sure to go for the meatballs and ngoh hiang, or even the pig intestines if you’re adventurous. Combine it with beehoon in the light but flavourful soup, and you’re good to go.

客家酿豆腐Ke Jia Niang Dou Fu
Address: 1 Jalan Kukoh, #01-18, Kukoh 21 Food Centre, Singapore 161001
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00am – 1:00pm
Parking: EPS parking in front of hawker centre

#5 | Muslim Food Stall No. 9

Just walking distance from the Singapore Indoor Stadium is what might be Singapore’s oldest (and smallest!) food centre. Constructed to serve the shipbuilding industry that occupied the area in the 1960s, the hawker centre remained even after everything else had moved away. Today, it’s known for its affordable eats, including the Muslim food at the very simply-named Muslim Food Stall No. 9.

The nasi lemak here uses pricier basmati rice, but at extremely affordable prices. A basic plate of nasi lemak with ikan bilis, a fried egg, and sambal costs just $2! Add on a chicken cutlet for a filling lunch, and pair it with a 60-cent kopi-o for maximum oomph.

Muslim Food Stall No. 9
Address: 56 Jln Benaan Kapal, Stall #9, Singapore 399644
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Parking: Free parking within compound

Now you know what to eat during Phase 2 Heightened Alert, here’s what you can do while cooped up at home.

The motoring experience in Singapore entails payment after payment after payment. It all begins with ARF, COE, then ERP and a whole host of other expensive acronyms. It doesn’t end there, though, with EPS gantries stationed at the entrance of every carpark to squeeze your CashCard dry.

As a car owner in Singapore then, there’s nothing better than hearing these two magic words – Free Parking. If you, like me, are a serial cheapskate, having nifty hacks such as parking at HDB carparks on Sundays should be par for the course.

But what if your CashCard’s on low, and you’re not quite sure where’s free to park? Today’s your lucky day! Here’re five locations with great eats and – you guessed it – free parking.

#1 | Bistro by Gardenasia

Think of the Neo Tiew, and you’ll most probably conjure up images of a rustic establishment like Bollywood Veggies. Though you’re not wrong, did you know that an atas café sits amidst the countryside?

The place is Gardenasia, a café, farm stay and event space all in one. Park within the compound free of charge, and explore the galleries. When you’re done, tuck in to dishes such as Char-grilled Ribeye Hor Fun and Assam Fish Chowder!

Bistro by Gardenasia
Address: 240 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718898
Opening Hours: Wednesday & Thursday 10:30am – 4:45pm, Friday & Saturday 10:30am – 9:45pm, Sunday & PH 10:00am – 4:45pm (Close Monday & Tuesday)

#2 | Tasty Loong by Chef Pung

You’ve probably seen him on TV, now try his food! Started by celebrity chef Pung Lu Tin, Tasty Loong is housed in the old Bottle Tree Park, now rebranded ORTO. Self-described as ‘a sanctuary for nature lovers’, visitors can go prawning or play paintball within the compound. Did we mention that there’s plenty of free parking?

Feeling hungry after all that action? Try the seafood bee hoon stewed in an opeh leaf, or the crispy ‘Dong Tok’ roasted chicken that’s set alight when served – perfect for the ‘gram!

Tasty Loong by Chef Pung
Address: 81 Lorong Chencharu, Singapore 769198
Opening Hours: Daily 11:00am – 10:30pm

#3 | Hangar66 Café

Located away from the main Seletar café enclave, Hangar66 is a treats both the eyes and stomachs of aviation enthusiasts. Located inside an aircraft hangar and overlooking the Seletar Airport runway, the aviation-themed space even has a helicopter in the middle of the dining area!

When you’re done Instagramming the view and décor, check out the creatively named dishes on the menu. Start your meal with a Checklist Chicken Salad, followed by Downwind Beef Burger, before ending with a Happy Landing Cheesecake!

Hangar66 Café
Address: 66 Seletar Aerospace View, WOA Aviation, Singapore 797509
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:30am – 10:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:00am – 10:30pm (Closed Tuesday)

#4 | Georges @ The Cove

Situated just spitting distance from the water at Pasir Ris Park, you’ll feel the wind in your hair at Georges. With everyone flocking to East Coast Park, its less-crowded counterpart at Pasir Ris is more ideal for a relaxing evening.

You’ll probably need a post-meal walk by the seaside, thanks to their massive portions. Be sure to try the Fish & Chips, Spanish Pork Chop, and decadent Guinness Beef Stew!

Georges @ The Cove
Address: 133 Pasir Ris Road, Singapore 519149
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 3:00pm – 10:30pm, Friday 12:00pm – 10:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:30am – 10:30pm

#5 | Cosmo Bar & Restaurant

Unless you’ve attended school at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), you probably won’t have heard of Cosmo. Hidden inside the Campus Clubhouse on the eastern side of the NTU campus, it’s a cosy chill-out spot whether you’re alumni or not.

Getting any of their thin-crust pizzas to share is a great idea. For individual mains, try the Creamy Salmon Penne Florentine or Spring Chicken Forestiere, or perhaps a Cosmo’s Beef Burger if you’re after something more substantial.

Cosmo Bar & Restaurant
Address: 50 Nanyang View, Singapore 639667
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30am – 9:00pm

SINGAPORE – 18 local car clubs will be answering the call from Food Bank Singapore (FBSG) to eradicate world hunger with a charity drive from October 16 to 18, which coincides with World Food Day 2020.

Aligned with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Food Day promotes global awareness and action for those suffering from hunger and the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

FBSG is Singapore’s first food bank founded in 2012. It aims to be the prevailing centralised coordinating organisation for all food donations in the nation.

Over three-days starting from October 16, over 320 cars from the participating car clubs will driving all over the island, donating, collecting and delivering food to the hungry.

Participating car clubs:

1. Assure Group Insurance (Breakfast Drive by AGI)
2. Audi R8
3. BMW F22
4. Chrysler Jeep Automotive of Singapore PL (Jeep Owner’s Club Singapore)
5. Eagles Car Club
6. Elantra Avante Club Singapore
7. Honda Crossroad Club Singapore
8. Jetta Club Singapore
9. Land Rover Owner’s Club
10. Mercedes C118 Group
11. Nissan GTR
12. Outlander Passion Club
13. SG Alliance
14. SG Convertible Club
15. SG Trident
16. The Serpent’s Pit (Alfa Romeo)
17. Tridente Automobili Pte Ltd (Maserati)
18. Tucson Owners Club

Food to Drive Away Hunger

On October 16th, representatives from the participating car clubs will line up to flag off the Drive Hunger Away event at FBSG’s premises at XPACE, 218 Pandan Loop.

From the event, FBSG hopes to receive 100 tonnes of food donations for 360 beneficiary organisations that feed more than 300,000 individuals across Singapore.

Food is basic right for everyone

The beneficiaries of Drive Hunger Away and other activities from FBSG are registered charity organisations or special organisations with a designated meal programmes for low income and underprivileged individuals and families. Through a network of more than 360 such organisations of all sizes, the food bank serves more than 100,000 families and over 300,000 people with all kinds of food – from fresh to cooked.

“World Food Day is a stark reminder that food is a basic right and necessity for everyone. With safe distancing in mind, FBSG reinforces the need to continue feeding despite the circumstance that the world is in. The pandemic has forced us to be more creative to keep our mission of eradicating food insecurity alive. We would like to thank all the car clubs that have pledged their support. Let the feeding continue,” said Nichol Ng, Co-founder of FBSG.

Calling drivers and members of the public

All are welcome to participate in this worthwhile cause. Members of the public can send food and monetary donations to FBSG’s premises.

As part of its safe management measures, the process will be contactless with a drive-through concept. For contributions of at least $10 or 10kg of food, donors can redeem a cup of coffee and a light fruit or pastry snack.

There will also be collection points in malls and Shell stations across the island, where participating cars will collect and deliver items to FBSG.

Apart from the usual non-perishable food items such as rice, oil and preserved food with at least a month of shelf-life, FBSG is seeking donations of healthier food items such as canned protein, whole wheat products and bread spreads.

Want to make the switch to an electric car? Here’s how AutoApp can help make that decision easier.

So you’ve had to bid goodbye to that relaxing resort stay in Bintan, and wave sadly in Singaporean as Malaysia closes their borders till the end of the year. It’s okay, we know the feels. But why should you let these restrictions stop you from spending some quality time with your loved ones? So if you’re looking for child-friendly places that your little ones will love, check out these recommendations below, personally endorsed by the team at AutoApp!

Marcus recommends:

The Three Peacocks

Think of ulu restaurants to dine at, and places such as Neo Tiew and Changi immediately pop into mind. Those areas are the most kampong-esque, where you’d expect to be surrounded by greenery and see wildlife roaming about.

Unlike the ulu makan places we introduced in our previous article, The Three Peacocks is tucked away near the edge of Labrador Park. Despite being just a 15-minute walk away from the nearest MRT station, the restaurant feels ‘un-local‘ – in a good way, of course.

Plus, there’s a massive carpark with ample space. Not to mention dining tables spread across the lawn, and free-roaming resident hens and peacocks (hence the name!) that’ll come up to you. It’s easy to make the kids think they’re in Malaysia or Thailand, if not for the nearby condominiums at Keppel Bay towering over you (even if you are spending the school holidays in Singapore).

Dinner here won’t bust the budget either, as it’s a flat rate for everything, buffet-style. There’s a whole range of seafood from prawns to crayfish, as well as some marinated meats for the carnivores.

Address: 8 Port Road, Singapore 117540 (Map)

Brin recommends:

Little Island Brewing Co.

Fun day out with the kids? Take them to the pub, said no mother ever. Except me, that is.

But before you start dishing out some parenting realness, hear me out. Little Island Brewing Co is a laid-back, rustic set-up that serves up awesome food and even better beers. It also spans an impressive 10k square feet and can seat up to 400 (!) people.

But what I love the most? It’s location. At Changi Village, it’s a little out of the way for most, so you won’t have to worry about massive crowds (v. important during these trying times). And with some help from the sun, sea and beer goggles, it’s almost as if you’re at a beach-side resort bar if you squint a little!

There’s also a kids’ menu and child-friendly facilities like a playground, child seats, and changing station at the loo. Plus, there’s more than enough room for your stroller or diaper bags, which adds on to why it’s a great venue to bring the kids to during the school holidays in Singapore.

Food-wise, they serve up smoked meats, wood-fired pizzas with cheeky names (Optimus Prime Meat or Ham Solo anyone?) and a mean Sunday roast. But of course, if you’re not driving, do try their freshly-brewed beers. Because I’m a sucker for stouts, their creamy Black Milk nitro-chocolate milk stout is one of my faves. But if you’re looking for something more refreshing or light, you can’t go wrong with their Kolsch, Golden Ale or Hefeweizen selections either.

Though you usually need to get a special card to dispense your own beers from the counter, friendly staff will dispense it for you instead due to the COVID-19 situation. Swee.

That said, do not over-indulge and parent. And definitely do not drink and drive.

Address: 6 Changi Village Road, #01-01/02, Singapore 509907 (Map)

Everyone recommends:

Heap Seng Leong

In the era of minimalist modern architecture, Heap Seng Leong is a true time capsule from the 1960s. Look around the store and you’ll see kopitiam furniture that even some Malaysian coffeeshops have done away with.

Marble-topped tables and wooden shelving, for starters. Then there’s the countertop, occupied by two rows of glass jars filled with traditional biscuits. There’s no cash register here either – it’s all mental mathematics and a trusty old abacus.

Heap Seng Leong serves up typical kopitiam breakfast fare. There’s the regular kopi and teh that you’ll expect, paired with kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs. If you’re early, you’ll also find a Malay stall serving up nasi lemak, curry puffs, and assorted kuih-kuih.

What most people come here for though, is the kopi gu you – directly translated from Hokkien as ‘butter coffee’. It’s exactly what you think it is, a slab of butter plopped into a cup of hot coffee. The butter melts rapidly, forming a yellow buttery layer on the top of your kopi and giving it a smooth and silky mouthfeel.

The genuine, laid-back kopitiam feel at Heap Seng Leong is the perfect escape from modernity. There’s also the impromptu history lesson you can give the kids, which is sure to get them wide-eyed.

Address: 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109, Singapore 190010 (Map)

Sheldon recommends:

Qian Hu Fish Farm

In case you didn’t know it, Singapore is one of the world’s largest exporters of tropical ornamental fish. One of the biggest exporters is arguably Qian Hu. Listed on the Singapore stock exchange, the company claims to export around 1,000 species of fish to over 80 countries around the world.

The fish farm is open to the public where you and the family can get up close to hundreds of species. Think of it as a free alternative to S.E.A. Aquarium in Sentosa or River Safari in Mandai with the difference being that you might bring home some fish and a new hobby.

Guided tours for access to parts of the farm can be arranged for a fee. This is arguably worth the price of admission as it would be an educational experience to learn how fish are bred and how to care for them.

A trip to Qian Hu during the school holidays in Singapore creates an opportunity for a nice, long drive, which can also be beneficial to the car. You also get to see a side of Singapore that many are not even aware of. Within a few minutes drive from Qian Hu, you can also visit Koh Fah Technology Farm where you’ll find a weekend farmer’s market selling fresh produce grown on site. Since we’re on the fish theme, there’s also an enormous display tank where you can see a couple of Arapaima – the world’s largest freshwater fish swimming about lazily.

When you get hungry, a nice respite from the heat would be to have a meal at Forrest at Orchidville. It’s a proper air-conditioned farm-to-table Chinese restaurant that serves more-than decent fare. One of it signature dishes, Volcano Rock Baked Kampong Chicken has to be pre-ordered a day in advance but is worth the effort. Another must-try is the deep fried crispy Soon Hock in Hong Kong sauce amongst many other dishes.

Address: 71 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 69850 (Map)

Jonathan recommends:

Amped/Bounce/Katapult Trampoline Park

If there’s one thing children have too much of (other than sheer unfiltered honesty), it’s energy. I’m not a parent myself so I can’t imagine how restless your little tykes were all cooped up at home during the Circuit Breaker, but I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t want a repeat experience during the September school hols.

A perfect antidote to that might be a visit to one of the big trampoline parks we have here in Singapore. Amped, Bounce, and Katapult all offer hyperactive little ones the opportunity to not only run amok to their hearts’ content, but also jump, flip, and literally bounce off the walls.

Each of the three parks have around 30 interconnected trampolines, as well as foam pits, slam dunk hoops, and even dodgeball zones. Katapult and Bounce even have giant air bags for the older or more adventurous ones to try out somersaults or other acrobatic tricks:

One of the great things about this activity is that there is no age limit, so anybody is free to have a go! For the adults, bouncing is also a great workout, as it engages muscle groups across your entire body.

In light of the COVID situation, all the locations have reduced their sessions from 1 hour to 50-55 minutes in order to clean and sanitise the park. Maximum capacity has also been reduced according to social distancing guidelines, so we’d advise booking your slots in advance to avoid disappointment. Prices start from $15 per block.

Addresses:

Amped: The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Road, #02-11, Singapore 239351 (Map)

Bounce: Cineleisure, 8 Grange Road, #09-01, Singapore 239695 (Map)

Katapult: ORTO, 81 Lorong Chencharu #01-11 Singapore 769198 (Map)

Sam recommends:

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

Last but not least, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum offers a casual educational experience for the young, forever-young and oh-so-curious. The museum leads visitors on a journey from the past to the present day, with real dinosaur fossils that are bound to get Jurassic Park fans excited.

Besides the more eye-catching sauropod bones, the museum also includes interactive exhibits and displays on the biodiversity in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Since the museum also doubles as a centre for research, and exhibits are changed and updated periodically, so this destination is definitely not a one-off on the list!

The current exhibit continues the celebration of Singapore’s Bicentennial and charters a course through 200 significant natural history events in our island’s past. All of which, along with how we’ve developed as a nation, highlight how the country’s natural heritage has evolved.

Make sure to book your tickets in advance! The museum opens on Thursdays to Sundays with three different entry timings. Admission is free for children below the age 3.

Now that you’ve got some ideas on fun places to visit with your fam, why not consider a staycation at home with some exciting toys for the little ones and some good grub for you?