One of the best things about being in Singapore is undoubtedly the food. It is no secret that Singaporeans eat and drink with a passion. Volumes of eating guides have been published about the thousands of eating and watering spots on the island, all in the hope of making some sense of the madness.For the newcomer, deciding where and what to eat can be an intimidating,yet at the same time, exciting experience. Here, we provide a gastronomic guide to Singapore, what we think you should know about the tastes and the smells of the island's food and drink. And don't say we didn't warn you about that chilli…

Where you can eat your food

Coffeeshops

These can be found in most housing estates outside the city and are usually located on the ground floor of apartment blocks or in 2-storey shophouses.Even till today, Singaporeans gather at coffeeshops not just to eat and drink, but also to chat or even play a game of checkers. Although the older coffeshops are slowly being phased out, they are still the place to go if you want to get cheap and good food served with a slice of true Singapore life, not forgetting the thick, black local coffee that comes in a porcelain cup.

Opening hours: Early morning to about 10pm, though some may be open 24 hours.

Hawker Centres

Probably the most distinctive eating places in Singapore, hawker centres house dozens of food and drink stalls under one roof. The best advice is, walk around the whole place and take in everything before ordering. Prices are cheap and comparable to those in coffeeshops,although tourist favorites like Newton Hawker Centre and Lau Pa Sat are more expensive. When ordering, tell the hawker your table number and you should get your food within 10-15 minutes.
Opening hours:10am to about 10pm, though the bigger ones like Newton open till about 4am.

Foodcourts

Together with hawker centres, food courts are the people's main eating choice when dining out. They are usually found in shopping malls, and are air-conditioned and thus more expensive. For example,a plate of noodles that cost $3 in a hawker centre may cost $4 in a foodcourt. The choice of food is also more cosmopolitan, with some food courts even offering Italian, Korean, Japanese and Greek cuisine all in the same place. Be warned: at the more popular food courts, you could find people waiting behind you for your seat, so if you like to take your time, go during off-peak hours. Unlike hawker centres, you have to carry your own food to your table.

Opening hours:11am to about 10pm