A melting pot of a wide variety of culinary cultures, Singapore is an ideal place to progressively dine. It is the concept of having different course of a meal at different places.

“One great attraction about eating in Singapore is variety. And it’s silly of anyone who doesn’t capitalise on the very many different types of food…” says Thomas Wee, media and editorial consultant of Thomas Wee Consultancy.

Eating At Different Places For One Meal

Progressive dining can be done in a form of a planned gastronomical date around town or in an organized dinner party fashion. In a group of friends for example, each individual serves a different course (from appetizer to dessert) at their homes. This ensures bigger fulfillment, lesser wastage and more time to digest in between courses.

Award-winning food blogger, Catherine Ling shares with us her progressive dining experience.

“When I am done with Black Pepper Crab at Eng Seng, I will head to Haato to grab a cup of Yuzu Sorbet or I’ll visit a couple of good hawkers and finish off with those insanely delicious mini-madeleines from Db Bistro Moderne!” quips the freelance writer.

Andrew Wong, a self-proclaimed middle-aged foodie, who also enjoys hunting for good food filled us in on his usual progressive dining routine.

“Happy hours at Wala Wala, Confit of pork belly paired with truffle infused mash at Michelangelo at Chip Bee Garden and knowing that 2am Dessert Bar( just across the road) serves better dessert, I will go for their Kayme H20(yuzu based) there” Wong says.

If travelling is a hassle for you, narrow down to a particular area. In this case, we chose the eastern part of Singapore for a good mix of sweet and savoury. To all of our halal friends, you are in for a treat.

Our Recommendations for Progressive Dining

We recommend you whet your appetite with the soft and fluffy putu piring – stuffed with gula Melaka and grated coconut- at Haig Road(opposite Paya Lebar MRT), followed by savoury nasi padang, just across the road at Geylang Serai Market. Known for their rendang and kampong style fish otah wrapped in banana leaf, we love to pair it up with their fresh urap salad(consists of wing beans, kangkong etc). Round off your meal with a bowl of refreshing chendol at Hollywood Dessert(Bedok Mrt Station, 20 mins train ride from Paya Lebar).
However, if convenience is the least of your concerns, try out this progressive dining route instead.

Start with Kiam Chye Ark – Salted Vegetable & Duck Soup – at Sin Ming Road(Central). It is loved by the masses for their aromatic take on this old Asian dish. Then head east to Joo Hing Restaurant for one of our favourite combinations – steamed meat patties and salted fish paired with rice. Finally, conclude your evening with durians at Combat Durians, Balestier.

As fulfilling as progressive dining may be, timing and convenience deters many from indulging in the best of the variety we have here.

Ling, a die-hard food fan, explains that she cannot progressively dine as often as she would like due to the time-constraint.

In this fast-paced city of ours, it is a pity that a thoroughly satisfying meal is sometimes overshadowed by deadlines and schedules. But a like a wise saying goes, “good food makes you feel good.” So plan a progressive dining date and bask in the satisfaction it brings!