From incredible nature walks to edgy izakayas, Michael Goodman explores his top five favorite attractions in Singapore.

Singapore is famous for its great food, cool bars and over the top design. You can always visit Trip Advisor or Yelp for the lowdown, but if you want the best of the best, ask a local. Michael Goodman from the Singapore Studio provides us with his top 5 Singapore favorites guaranteed to knock your socks off:

1. Walk the Green Corridor - It’s not difficult to hear about Singapore’s incredible Botanic Gardens, or the very cool Tree Top Walk at Mcritchie reservoir; but Michael prefers something out of the ordinary.  Singapore’s Green Corridor houses the old train tracks for the Orient Express.  No longer in use, the area makes for an incredible nature walk, as the jungle has begun to reclaim the tracks.  Currently the site is slated to become Singapore’s version of NY’s "high line”, with a massive, yet completely organic, reclamation development in discussion.

2. Try the local fare in Geylang -  Singapore wouldn’t be Singapore without all the food, and for the best local food, you’ve got to go to Geylang.  Geylang is Singapore’s last real surviving red light district, but somehow also manages to have its best food.  Chili Crab may be a national treasure to Singapore, but Black Pepper Crab steals the show in Michael’s book.  Head over to Sin Huat Eating House for a truly incredible pepper crab; or make a stop by Geylang Claypot Rice for another classic… claypot rice with salted fish and lapchong sausage.

3. Eat everything at Nan Bei at Ngee Ann City– According to Michael, “This is the Best. Dim Sum. Ever. Period.  I’ve taken many culinary aficionados from all over the world here, including many from China and Taiwan, and they all agree.  This is not to be missed.  The Roasted Pork (pork belly that’s been roasted with a perfectly lacquered crispy skin) is sublime and the Shanghai Pan Fried Pork Buns are amazing as well.  I’ve never had a bad meal there and I always take out-of-towners.”

4. Go international in Chinatown- Chinatown is a new up-and-coming spot for international cuisine.  Head to Keong Saik Road for the Australian refined barbecue at Burnt Ends, where everything is cooked on charcoal and every seat has a view of the action at the grill.  If they’re over-crowded (they don’t take reservations), then walk on over to Neon Pigeon for a cocktail and some small plates at an Izakaya that’s a bit like if Tokyo and the Lower East Side had a culinary baby.  When dinner’s done, of course it’s time for a drink… try Gibson on Bukit Pasoh, or the Cufflink Club on Jiak Chuan Road. Better yet… visit both.

5. See the National Gallery- Singapore is an incredible modern city with gleaming glass towers sprouting up every week.  But there are still places to get a glimpse of how it used to be.  There are many neighborhoods with the iconic colonial era shop houses, but for something on a grander scale, check out the newly opened National Gallery.  It’s an art museum, but the reason to go is really the architecture.  It’s comprised of the old city hall and former supreme court buildings and has been restored painstakingly over the last 5 to 6 years.  It’s a gem of a building and one that’s definitely worth a visit.

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