Food and Cuisine
Singapore is a veritable gastronomic smorgasbord with foods from different cultures currying favour with the locals and the tourists.

Besides the usual places to dine at various restaurants dotting the length and breadth of Singapore, go all out to enjoy food at the various food courts or hawker centers. Self-service is usually the norm, but ultimately take a moment to relish every bite of either Chinese, Malay or Indian foods and come away enriched by the pleasant attack on your taste buds. Hawker Centers
Hawker centers are where you will find a veritable feast of Chinese, Malay and Indian treats. It is best to find yourself a seat before you order. Placing a packet of tissue on the table will signal to others that the table has been reserved. Sharing a table with strangers is fine if you cannot find a vacant one.

Place your orders at each stall, state your table number and your selections. Most hawker centers have numbers on each table, however self-service is practiced in some hawker centers and food courts. It is also a good way to ask Singaporeans about their favorite food or stall. Chinese dishes come with chopsticks, though a fork and spoon will be made readily available upon request.

Do not hesitate to ask for the exact price for every dish that you are ordering to avoid misunderstanding. Some favorite hawker centers in the city area include Bugis Street, Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Road Market. For an in-depth taste of Singapore's hawker centers, visit the Makansutra website.

Food Courts
Food courts are basically air-conditioned, indoor hawker centers. They are popular because they offer diversity of choice in a clean, modern and sometimes even up market setting. Popular as they are, it is best to find a seat before you order your food.

Some favorite food courts in the city areas include Bugis Junction, Clarke Quay, Picnic Food Court, Takashimaya Food Village, Market Square at Centro point, China Square Food Center and Kopitiam.