Author: Amelia Ang

4 Hidden Ice Cream Spots You Should Totally Check Out At Toa Payoh!

Some days you feel like having the nostalgic one-dollar ice cream from the neighbourhood ice cream cart, other days you feel a tad more fancy and want to splurge on atas ice cream. Well, this list is perfect for those “splurge-days” when you want to give yourself a treat.

1. Creamier

First up is a well-known favourite. This ice cream and coffee cafe is constantly packed with people (yes, even on weekdays) looking to get a premium ice cream fix, with signature flavours like their Sea Salt Gula Melaka and Mango Passion Sorbet drawing in legions of fans.

If anything, you should probably try out their seasonal and limited edition flavours before they’re gone. These flavours include Black Sesame, Chocolate Banana, and White Peach Chardonnay.

Creamier
Blk 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-835
+65 6250 1476
12:00pm – 10:00pm, closed on Mondays

2. The Dream Cafe

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAY-O3zKxwh/?tagged=thedreamcafe

Just down the road from Creamier, The Dream Cafe is more popular among the student crowd, with student prices for some of their desserts.

Regular flavours like Vanilla, and Hazelnut are a given, but Salted Caramel Almond gelato is becoming a fast favourite. Pair the ice cream with their premium gelato and belgian waffles for that indulgent treat. If you need a meal before savouring some dessert, they serve mains like fish and chips too.

The Dream Cafe
Blk 163 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 #01-1016
+65 6258 3120
1:00pm – 10:30pm, daily

For more cafe-hopping ideas, here are some of the best cafes for coffee in Singapore.

3. The Little Prince Cafe

This themed cafe considers itself “a refuge and a haven for those who wish to escape the realities of adulthood”. We heartily agree. Its cute interior, complete with whimsical wall sketches, is inspired by the classic tale of Le Petit Prince.

Of course, you’ll find the books of its namesake there as well. This makes it a great spot to savour their ice-cream, along with the tale that inspired this cafe. Try some fun flavours like Cotton Candy, or enjoy quality classics like Mint and Chocolate.

The Little Prince Cafe
Blk 47 Lor 6 Toa Payoh #01-134
+65 8684 8218
Tue – Thu: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Fri, Sat: 12:00pm – 10:30pm

4. Shrove Tuesday

This last pick is another gelato spot. The menu offers tasty pastries including macarons and rainbow cakes, but we reckon it’s the gelato that takes the front seat. Their range of flavours include Raspberry Lychee Rose, Tiramisu, Madagascar Vanilla, and local-inspired favourites like Durian and Nyonya Chendol.

Shrove Tuesday
Blk 94 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh #01-32
+65 6258 2254
Tue – Thu: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Fri, Sat: 12:00pm – 11:00pm

With such ice cream choices, it’s no wonder Singaporeans love to chill and have their dessert. Let us know if there’s a cool ice cream place we should know about!

Looking for more dessert options? Read about the 6 Best Churros Places in Singapore.

The Most Singaporean Gifts You Could Get For Your Foreign Friends!

What gift to buy for my foreign friends ah?

Thinking of a gift to get is hard work. What more a meaningful gift that exudes Singaporean charm. Fret not, we’ve compiled a list of The Most Singaporean Gifts You Could Get For Your Foreign Friends. Don’t forget to watch their reaction when they receive it!

1. $INGLI$H Notebook

Singlish is undoubtedly one of the most uniquely Singaporean things that fascinate foreigners. Give your foreign friends an opportunity to learn a new (Singlish) word a day with this $INGLI$H notebook. It’s such a practical, fun, and extremely Singaporean gift. Plus, the black and gold hardcover makes it look so atas, they’ll probably take to Instagram to show it off in a #flatlay. 

S$22, from BooksActually

2. Ang Ku Kueh Cushions

A traditional Chinese delicacy, get your foreign friends a squishy cushion shaped like an Ang Ku Kueh for their home. Better yet, gift this auspicious glutinous rice cake plushie during the Chinese New Year season to wish them good luck.

S$29.90, from Naiise

3. Iced Gems Salt & Pepper Shakers

Recognise this old-school Singaporean favourite biscuit? Love SG has recreated them in the form of this classy gold salt & pepper shaker, with separable icing and biscuit portions to hold salt/ pepper. This makes a great present for Masterchef wannabes and lovers of whimsical gifts alike. While you’re at it, get your friends the original iced gems snack too!

S$29.90, from LoveSG

4. Nasi Lemak Tea

Chances are, you’ve taken your foreign friends out for the well-loved Nasi Lemak before. And now they can take the aromatic local favourite back home (well, kind of) with this creative tea made by the local company ETTE TEA. It may not recreate the exact taste, but for a tea, it comes in pretty close, with ingredients including dried pandan, coconut flakes, and even dried chili.

S$26, from Naiise

Get some ideas on where to take your visiting foreign friends here: Only have 1 day in Singapore? Here are the some must visit food places- for all budgets!

5. Singapore Sling Marmalade

Here’s another uniquely Singaporean taste that you can gift your foreign friends, and it’s the first of its kind. Straits Preserves has bottled up the flavour of Singapore’s famous cocktail into a citrusy marmalade with a hint of cherry. This would be perfect for those who have fallen in love with the Singapore Sling.

S$15.50, from Naiise

6. Singapore Streets Luggage Tag

What better way to tempt your foreign friends to come back to Singapore than with a tag that’ll remind them of Singapore whenever they travel? Extra street cred for them if they have actually visited all the places on the tag!

S$9.90, from LoveSG

Which is your favourite Singaporean gift? And let us know if we missed out any distinctly Singaporean gift ideas too!

https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1962280107331015

Food, Booze, and Chill Vibes: 4 Can’t-Miss Parties This March

March is set to be an awesome month with hipster street parties, great food, and plenty of booze (read on for how to score some free beer). Grab your best buds, here are the parties that you shouldn’t miss!

1. Juan Night in Bangkok (2 March)

A collaboration between the chicken-centric Thai eatery Bird Bird, and the casual Mexican snack bar, Hombre Catina, this Thai-Maxican mashup will be happening at Boat Quay for one night only on 2nd March.

Look forward to mouth-watering treats like the Tarmarind Chili Margaritas, Som Tum Carnitas Tacos, and Duck Grapow Nacho Supreme that’ll only be available during that night!

@Hombre Catina, from 7pm till sold out (no reservations). 

2. The Great Singapore Jerk Off Part 2 (19 March)

Vote for your favourite Jamaican-style BBQ chicken sauce at the second jerk off event happening this March. Hosted by the Singapore Dub Club, the BBQ pits will be out, and so will the sound system- expect ska, reggae, and dancehall beats livening up the street as the chicken marinade experts battle it out.

@Red Baron, from 2pm onwards. Tickets here.

3. Rail Collidoscope (19 March)

Brought to you by Noise Singapore and LushLovesLocal, don’t miss the Rail Corridor Art Space‘s last fiesta before it temporarily closes for piping works.

Food, drinks, DJs, and live street art, what’s not to like about this party? Details are scant at the moment, but keep an eye out for more updates on their Facebook events page.

@Rail Corridor Art Space, free admission.

Also read: The Music Run That Lets You Party, Run, And Choose The Soundtrack At The Same Time

4. St. Patrick’s Day Parade (19-20 March)

Grab a pint of Guinness and dress in something green. This year’s street festival will feature a parade by the Singapore River, and live music till late for you and your crew to party on!

More importantly, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: free booze. Send an SMS with your Name<SPACE>NRIC to 8151-5555, and successful applications will receive an SMS notification to redeem your free pint of Guinness Draught. You can redeem your beer from this list of participating bars, from 1-20 March.

@Singapore River, Circular Road, free admission.

Which party will you be attending? Let us know in the comments below!

Also Read: 

Groove Your Way To The Coolest Festival Coming To You This March!

Eat, drink, play, and dance at Singapore’s coolest laid-back festival, the Garden Beats Festival. Look forward to hours of dancing to adrenaline-pumping beats delivered by a sick DJ line-up. Relax on the grass when you want, or participate in exciting fringe activities on the side. This much-anticipated outdoor affair is back for its second year running, and here’s a rundown of the juicy highlights.

There are 4 fields – Play Fields, Social Fields, Culinary Fields, Electronic Picnic Fields, and the Garden Beats & Strongbow stage. Each field and area represents an opportunity to mingle and have fun with strangers and friends alike.

https://vimeo.com/153095494

A dose of child-like fun

The latest hits are great, but so is some old-school fun. You’ve probably envied the free-spiritedness of a child at some point in your adult life. Play Fields lets you uncover your inner child with nostalgic garden games from your childhood.

So relish in the chance to play fight with your friends on the grass and reminisce those memories with your best pals.

Artistic inspiration with new-found friends

Social Fields will feature social art installations that are said to enable you to “chat, flirt, and relax with fellow Gardeners”. Go ahead and test out this claim- you might gain a new best friend while admiring artworks on the fields of Fort Canning Park!

An eclectic DJ lineup & a breezy dance floor

Anticipate a varied lineup and exciting music that will get you grooving on the dance floor, from the deep bass beats by Berlin’s Alle Farben, to the house jams of France’s DJ and producer duo FAUL&WAD, not forgetting groovy tunes by homegrown DJs like Brendon P and Zig Zach, and many more.

The best part? You’ll get to feel the night breeze while dancing all night long at this outdoor affair.

A feast on the grass

Of course, being able to enjoy a delicious meal while playing and partying is one of the perks of this al-fresco music and picnic event. Bring your own food or enjoy the gastronomic delights from Marco Marco, Meat Liquor, Lime House and Selva Foods at the Culinary Fields.

Grab a bite and some ice-cold beer, and you’ll be all set for the party!

Garden Beats Festival 2016 will be held at Fortgate, Fort Canning Park on March 19,  from 1pm to 10.30pm. Book your tickets from the Garden Beats Festival website.

5 Reasons Why You Should Absolutely Not Miss The Singapore Pet Expo 2016!

Singapore’s largest pet-ducational fair is back from 25 to 27 March, great news for pet lovers and owners alike in Singapore! If you are unfamiliar with the Pet Expo, its third edition this year, it is an exhibition that showcases a myriad of businesses, educational and social activities focused on pets. The two day event promises a series of informative seminars, educational workshops and entertaining contests and competitions organised to bring the pet community together on a fun-filled learning journey towards pet ownership.

If you need more convincing, here are 5 reasons why you should visit the pet expo this year!

1. The adorable animal shows and contests.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBgkBowJPdC/

Watch as our furry friends take to the stage, and while you’re at it, why not sign your pet up for a contest too? Who knows, your pet might have the potential to be the next social media star!

2. You can get a furry or feathered friend of your own.

Instead of buying, adopt a pet at the adoption drive. You’ll save a pet from an overcrowded centre, and gain a new animal friend of your own at the same time.

3. It’s discounts galore for your pets’ necessities.

If you’re a pet owner, you wouldn’t want to miss this event. Think about all the discounts and money you can save on pet food and the like. Pampering our adorable animal friends never was cheap, was it?

4. It only comes around once-a-year.

So don’t miss it this March, or you’ll have to wait another 12 months! Plus, this event is great for everyone, whether as a family outing to get your children to be acquainted with our animal friends, or as an educational experience for those contemplating getting a pet of their own.

5. It’ll cost you less than 5 dollars.

At just five dollars for a one-day pass, there’s no reason to hesitate. It’s free entry for children too. Book your tickets

10 Out Of The World Budget Hostels in Singapore For Under S$50 A Night!

Looking for comfortable budget accommodations for less than S$50 a night? We’re sold. P.S. we know how important free wifi is in today’s world, so yes, all these picks come with free wifi too!

1. Traveller’s Loft @ Jalan Besar

This simple loft is clean and comfy, providing all the necessary amenities for an unbelievably low price. The rooms feature white bunk beds and clean, pastel walls. You’ll also be pleased to know that it’s just a few minutes away from Mustafa Centre, a 24 hour shopping mall and a budget shopping attraction.

Address: 290 Jln Besar, 208953
Phone: 6291 5238

Price starts from S$14 per night.

2. Shophouse, The Social Hostel

Whether you’re flying solo or travelling with friends, Shophouse is an excellent choice if you want to meet new people during your stay. True to its tagline of being ‘The Social Hostel’, you’ll be able to hang out with your new-found friends playing board games at the social lounge, swapping stories at the terrace under the moonlight, having coffee and brunch at the in-house cafe, or go on tours together with the discounted tickets from the reception.

Address: 48 Arab St, 199745
Phone: 6298 8721

Price starts from S$16 per night.

3. Gap Year Hostel

Of course, this isn’t only for students on gap year vacations, although it is especially suited for your first solo trip as it is extremely safe, being equipped with a 24 hour CCTV system, so you know you’re in good hands. Apart from that, the hostel also boasts all-day complimentary tea and coffee, a convenient location (a quick walk to Lavender MRT station), a hipster-ish polaroid photo wall, along with discounted tickets for some of the popular attractions in Singapore.

Address: 322 Lavender St, 338821
Phone: 6297 1055

Price starts from S$20 per night.

4. Pillow Talk Backpacker’s Hostel

No, this has nothing to do with Zayn Malik’s latest single. Pillow Talk Backpacker’s Hostel features cosy, capsule-style dormitories and casual lounge areas. As with the previous pick, this hostel is also just a few minutes walk away from Lavender MRT station, from which you can take the train to various city areas and tourist attractions. The hostel has won an award on Trip Advisor for their excellent hospitality as well.

Address: 5 Hamilton Rd, 209177
Phone: 6292 5611

Price starts from S$20 per night.

5. Five Stones Hostel

This cheery hostel has its rooms decorated with brightly coloured walls and vivid murals, along with windows that allow for lots of sunlight. The lounge area is equally well-designed, with plush sofas and a beautiful feature wall that illustrates the sights of Singapore, a number of which are just a stone’s throw away.

Address: 285 Beach Rd, 199550
Phone: 6535 5607

Price starts from S$28 per night.

6. Beary Best Hostel

Another colourful pick, this hostel has a cute name and an equally cute interior- complete with a stuffed toy bears at the lounge. Well-lit rooms and vibrant decor aside, this merry hostel has also been recommended on a number of big names including Time Out Singapore, Lonely Planet, and CNN Travel.

Address: 16 Upper Cross St, 058331
Phone: 6222 4957

Price starts from S$28 per night.

7. Mitraa Inn

With its name (Mitraa) meaning friend in Sanskrit, it’s no wonder why this inn brands itself as one of the friendliest backpackers hostel in Singapore. Roomy dorms, comfy beds, and well-equipped recreational areas complete this cosy inn.

Address: 531 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218163
Phone:6396 3317

Price starts from S$28 per night.

Also Read: Changi Recommend’s Overseas Wifi Router And Why You Should Book It For Your Next Trip

8. Footprints Hostel

Offering an affordable “home away from home” while you leave your footprints around the island of Singapore (their website even has an informative page on where to go), you can look forward to relaxing in front of the television with some ice cold beer after a day of exploring.

Address: 25A Perak Rd, 208136
Phone: 6295 5134

Price starts from S$31 per night.

9. Mercury Backpackers Hostel

A homely option, this hostel evokes a warm and cosy vibe from the rooms to the snug lounge areas. Plus, they have a rooftop garden where you can have a barbeque, chill in the jacuzzi, spend an afternoon suntanning, and enjoy your daily breakfast.

Address: 57 Lavender St, Singapore 338714
Phone: 6396 0500

Price starts from S$33 per night.

10. Bunc Boutique Hostel

Bunc features their own custom-made, spacious Bunc beds to provide a comfortable rest for guests. The casual dining and recreational areas are just as roomy, with neutral hues and minimalistic decor. Barbeque, gaming, and movie-watching facilities are a given, but this hostel offers an additional considerate measure by providing wheelchair access too.

Address: 15 Upper Weld Road.
Telephone: +65 6262 2862

Price starts from S$37 per night.

Hope this helps! Know any others we missed? Let us know in the comments below!