11 new places & things to do in Singapore that secretly opened during Phase 2

by Natalie Lim

If you’ve still got some fight in you for a dose of adventure, here are 11 new places and things to do in Singapore that’ll wake you right up.

Eat. Sleep. Work. Repeat. These are the four steps that have became routine after COVID-19 entered our premises. Since we’re spending most of our time at home, it’s as if the whole world is asleep and nothing is happening enough to catch our attention.

But we may be wrong. While we’re lulling away, new eateries and activities have been quietly popping up in the corners of Singapore.

New places & things to do in Singapore 

Life in Edo — Kyoto-styled exhibition

Photo: @nuno_keitaf_2.0/instagram

There is an abundance of pop-up exhibitions in Singapore, but it’s rare to find one that whisks you away to ancient Japan. Unlike the usual hipster-style cafes or exhibitions that attempt to mimic the modern urban life of Tokyo or Fukuoka, Life in Edo is a traditional showcase of ancient Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

Located at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM),  Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto is split into two parts. Russel Wong in Kyoto focuses on the beauty of nature and architecture in present-day Kyoto, the old imperial capital, and geisha traditions through the lens of a local photographer.

Photo: @ev.hon/instagram

To bring you back to the past, Life In Edo focuses on the lifestyles and trends of the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, through a display of Japanese woodblock prints. More installations can be found at Shaw Foyer, where you’ll be able to complete your trip by taking some photos for keepsake.

The tickets are priced at S$12 for Singaporeans/Permanent Residents, but they’re also SingapoRediscover Voucher eligible. 

Purchase your tickets here.

Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto
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???? 1 Empress Pl, Singapore 179555
????️ First rotation: 16 April–11 July 2021, Second rotation: 12 July–19 September 2021

Lumina Rainforest — Multi-sensory luminous night trail

Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Launched in 2018, the multimedia night walk has captured the hearts of Singaporeans with their magical universe; a place where only humans and virtual animals roam. To reignite the nocturnal souls in you, multi-sensory night trail Rainforest Lumina will be returning to Singapore from 8 July 2021 to 13 February 2022 — for one, final time. 

Photo: @shuutravels/instagram

Your journey through the enchanted rainforest begins when you enter the luminous arch. Led by the Creature Crew, you’ll go through beautiful installations such as a dazzling walkway engulfed in fireflies, a digital thunderstorm in a symphonic forest and an exciting trail of light huts.

If your senses are already tingling, admission tickets to Rainforest Lumina can be purchased online from 1 July. The tickets are priced at S$18 for adult/youth and S$14 for child/senior. The tickets are also SingapoRediscover Vouchers redeemable, so it’s a good opportunity to use up the ones you’ve left.

To get your tickets or find out more, visit their website here.

Rainforest Lumina
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???? Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826
????️ 7.15pm–12am (Thurs–Sun, PH & Eve of PH)

Alpaca-themed staycation at Sofitel Sentosa — Free USS tickets, breakfast & $120 Dining Credits

Photo: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa

Since we’re stuck in Singapore, staycations have become the norm to escape reality and destress. But an alpaca-themed staycation? That’s something you don’t see every day.

If you’ve ever seen an alpaca in real life, you’d understand how notoriously cute these creatures can be — and Sofitel Singapore definitely got the memo.

Photo: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa

Their new glamping staycation package comes with a hotel room filled with alpaca-themed decor, a whimsical in-room tent setup, free Universal Studios tickets, complimentary breakfast, and S$120 of dining credit to eat to your heart’s content.

These alpaca-themed staycations are part of Sofitel Sentosa’s Family Fun Glampcation package. Each selection can accommodate up to 2 adults and 1 child, and a minimum of two nights is required. Prices start from S$1096 in total for 2 nights, which works out to around S$274 per night for a couple.

Granted that it may be a tad bit expensive, it’s still worth the splurge given the premium hotel location. Plus, you’re surrounded by alpacas and there are freebies thrown in.

To make your bookings, click here.

Heaven Spot — Unleash your inner rebel with grafitti

Photo: @heavenspotsg/instagram

Whether you’re looking for an out-of-this-world experience or a new Insta-worthy location, Heaven Spot is the very first graffiti workshop in Singapore that transforms you into an underground rebel without getting into trouble with the authorities.

Photo: @heavenspotsg/instagram

Located in a dull and run-down industrial building near Potong Pasir, you’ll be wowed by its contrasting space. Walls are covered in abstract graffiti of all forms and colours, and you’ll get to create your very own masterpiece with spray paints of your choice. 

As graffiti art does not require precision in details, Heaven Spot’s workshop is great even for beginners. 

To reserve your sessions or find out more, click here.

Heaven Spot
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???? 3 Lorong Bakar Batu, #03-01, Singapore 348741
????️ 5pm–10pm (Tue-Thur), 10am–9pm (Fri-Sun)

Cow Play Cow Moo — New massive outlet at Jurong Point

Photo: Cow Play Cow Moo

Some of our best secondary school times were probably at arcades. Rushing to the shopping mall after school is one thing, but thrashing it out with our friends on Wangan/Jubeat/DDR? That was an adrenaline rush that nothing else could beat. 

If reading that has unlocked your after-school memories, here’s a piece of good news — Cow Play Cow Moo just opened a new outlet at Jurong Point, so Westies rejoice.

Photo: Cow Play Cow Moo

Home to a fun and diverse range of arcade machines, the place provides plenty of fun and entertainment. One of their main attractions is the claw machines galore, where patrons can try their hands at winning a plushie or figurine.

Cow Play Cow Moo (Jurong Point)
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???? 1 Jurong West Central 2, Jurong Point 1 #03-15/16/17, Singapore 648886
????️ 12:30pm–10:30pm (Daily)

Cafe hopping guide

Tearuk Dessert Bar — Fluffy Thai toast with overflowing fillings

Photo: @yongweikai/instagram

While flying to Bangkok for a leisurely weekend still seems so far away, one of the things we miss the most is the street food. It’s cheap, fuss-free, and so, so delicious. It’s a street food haven like none other.

But if there’s one snack I miss more than the others, it’s fluffy Yaowarat Buns, filled to the brim with luscious fillings. Thankfully, you can find it at the new Grandstand opening, Tearuk Dessert Bar.

Photo: @fattyandfattie/instagram

At S$2.50 each, these thicc babies are loaded with a glut of creamy filling. They are so stuffed, it looks like they can overflow at any moment!

The best thing about Tearuk Dessert Bar’s 8 flavours is the fact they aren’t limited to the usual suspects like condensed milk. Besides Milk, there’s also a Thai Tea Kaya, Taro, and Chocolate.

Besides their overflowing buns, Tearuk Dessert bar also sells Milk Tea. Hence the wordplay on “Teeruk” in their name, which means sweetie in Thai.

Flavours include Thai Milk Tea (S$3.50/4.50), Thai Green Milk Tea (S$3.50/4.50), Milk Tea Brown Sugar (S$3.80/4.80) and Taro Latte (S$3.80/4.80). They come in bottles of either 300ml or 500ml.

Tearuk Dessert Bar
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???? 200 Turf Club Road, The Grandstand #01-10b, Singapore 287994
????️ 11am–10pm (Tue–Sun)

Around cafe at Tampines — Lofty Melbourne-like glasshouse cafe

Photo: @saltyaaron/instagram

Located in The Alps Residence, Around looks like a glasshouse cafe straight out of a travel magazine. Although its location states that it’s in a condo, it’s accessible to the public without going through any security. Plus, but it’s also open until 2am!

Inside, the space is clean and tastefully decorated in white with understated green accents. The tall ceilings and lofty windows make it look spacious and comfy.

Photo: @saltyaaron/instagram

Other than just being extremely gorgeous, Around operates as an ice cream cafe, though you can also find items like Acai Bowls (S$9.90) on their menu.

They charge S$4.20 per single scoop or S$8 for a double scoop. Some interesting flavours you can find include Cereal Milk, Peanut Butter and Blueberries, 100% Arabica coffee, and Blueberry Yoghurt.

If you’re looking for an exciting new cafe spot that can momentarily whisk you away from Singapore, this place might just placate those wanderlust pangs you’re nursing.

Around Cafe (Tampines)
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???? The Alps Residences, Tampines Street 86, Singapore 528538
????️ 12pm–2am (Mon–Sun)

Yakiniku Warrior (Bukit Merah Kopitiam) — Yakiniku experience in a coffee shop

Photo: @yakinikuwarrior/instagram

Mildly smoky Kopitiams are a common sight nowadays with how popular Mookatas are in Singapore. But if you’re a bit bored of Thai-style BBQs, what if we told you that you could grill meat in a coffee shop, Yakiniku style instead?

For denizens of the Southern parts of Singapore, Yakiniku Warrior will be offering Japanese grilled meat platters in a coffee shop at Bukit Merah, so you’ll be able to indulge in an affordable Yakiniku experience.

Photo: @yakinikuwarrior/instagram

If you’re game for chicken, their Chicken Set gives you the best bang for your back at S$6 for 100g. Another choice that’s a good bargain is their Karubi Set which sets you back just S$8 for 100g of beef short plate.

Yakiniku Warrior also has a Beatbox Set ($12 for 250g) that includes 250g of chicken, beef, and pork for those that want bigger portions and more variety. Each set at Yakiniku Warrior also comes with a bowl of rice and a side of vegetables, so you have something to pair with the meat.

Yakiniku Warrior Bukit Merah
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???? 164 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150164
????️ 6pm–11:30pm (Fri–Wed)

New Gram Cafe — Jiggly soufflé pancakes with 4 new flavours

Photo: @feedmethatnow/instagram

Originating from Osaka, Gram Cafe has opened its second outlet at Punggol, Waterway Point. The cafe is already known for its soft and jiggly soufflé pancakes, but this time, the second outlet dons a zen Japanese ambience, a one-up from their first store.

Upon entering the cafe, you’ll be greeted by a giant soufflé pancake plushie and a swing. Since the area is decked in neon lights, it’s the perfect photo ops moment. The cafe’s interior doesn’t fall short — hand-drawn murals line up the wall, and a warm ambience fills the place. 

Photo: @allineats/instagram

To fill up your tummies, opt for the Hersey’s Premium Chocolate Lava Pancakes (S$20.90). New and exclusive only to this outlet, it comes with 3 stacks of air pancakes, along with homemade whipped cream, Hershey’s chocolate sauce and Hershey’s Kisses chocolate.

Other exciting flavours include Lotus Biscoff Premium Pancakes (S$18.90), Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Premium Pancakes (S$18.90) and Mango Premium Pancakes (S$18.90). Since the pancakes are quite filling, we recommend sharing them with your friends.

Gram Cafe (Waterway Point outlet)
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???? 83 Punggol Central, Waterway Point, West Wing, #01-64, Singapore 828761
????️ 11am–10pm (Daily)

Coexist Coffee Co. — Hidden rooftop cafe in an industrial building

Photo: @saltyaaron/instagram

Sure, dine-ins are allowed again, but many of us do not see the point of eating out when only two people can eat together. Besides, places are overcrowded, and having to fight for seats just casts a wet blanket over any sort of plan. 

But if you’re seriously craving a cafe outing or a brunch date, we have a solution for you. Hidden on the rooftop of an industrial building is Coexist Coffee Co., a new cafe in Hillview to avoid crowds.

Photo: @venus_leigh/instagram

Most cafes that choose red and white for their interior design scream “Majulah Singapura”, even if unintentionally. But if anything, this dual-toned cafe looks chic and rustic — the stuff of Instagram dreams. 

They have a variety of fusion dishes, including Rendang Wagyu Beef Burger (S$22), Sambal Fish & Chips (S$20), and the Middle Eastern Chili Crab Shakshuka (S$16).

All-day breakfasts exist for the souls who can’t seem to catch the day’s break, and Coexist Coffee offers that novelty on their menu. Besides the Coexist Breakfast (S$22) and Breakfast Burrito (S$18), there’s also their signature Kaya French Toast (S$16), a local twist on the Singaporean staple. 

Coexist Coffee Co.
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???? 48 Hillview Terrace, #08-00, Singapore 669269
????️ 9am–7pm (Daily)

Eatbox — Instagrammable mega food hall

Photo: Eatbox Singapore

This new attraction isn’t opened yet, but we reckon that you should get a heads up as it will get pretty crowded. Eatbox, a boutique version of Artbox, will be opening a permanent location in September 2021

Spanning 9,000 square feet, this mega food hall promises over 20 food booths with crowd favourites from Artbox Singapore and new food stalls. Some of these fares include live seafood, grilled steak, burgers, takoyaki and of course, Thai milk tea. 

Photo: Eatbox Singapore

Vibrant, Instagrammable corners will be peppered all over the place, and these creative murals are created in collaboration with a group of local artists and will be refreshed every six to eight months.

Similar to Artbox, there will also be retail stores. Be it shopping for clothes, getting cute crafts or slapping on adorable wrist tattoos, there’s something for everyone.

Eatbox Singapore
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???? Tekka Place, Annex Building, 2 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218227
????️ September 2021 (Free admission)

To check out more new places and things to do, visit our lifestyle page here. Or, for more lifestyle updates like this, subscribe to our Telegram channel at @confirmgood.

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I leave the office at 6PM on the . to rush home and play games. My boss has no control over me!!

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