East Coast Road – Landmark Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What's this place all about? There's perhaps no better place to get a taste of Singapore—literally and figuratively—than by strolling through the East Coast Road enclave. Along this lively two mile stretch (one of Singapore's earliest delineated roads), colorful heritage shophouses sit shoulder to shoulder, forming a personality-packed backdrop for photos. Even better: They house some of the island's best eateries plus a handful of museums and stores showcasing the Peranakan—or Straits Chinese—culture that forms a large part of the local identity. The area is also a stone's throw from East Coast Park, where you can have a seaside stroll to counter the calories you'll inevitably consume along the way. What’s it like being there? You have a feel-good buzz. Will we need a guide to orient ourselves? No guides—just walk down the road, sample everything you see and explore the smaller perpendicular streets that could take you to hidden (and usually edible) treasures. Who comes here? This is a residential area that also attracts a lot of visitors thanks to its cultural heritage and the sheer number of famous cafés, hawker stalls and restaurants that line the road. To sift out the regulars from the transient chaff, look out for those who are more casually dressed—then trail them to their favorite haunt. Is it worth the trip? As the local saying goes, once an Eastsider, always an Eastsider. The sheer range of fabulous food along East Coast Road—must-tries are laksa from 328 Katong Laksa and the rice dumplings from Kim Choo Kueh Chang—and its energetic vibe will keep you coming back. And who would you recommend it for? If your way of getting to know a city is through your stomach, this is for you." - Audrey Phoon
