Sometimes a solo exploration around the city can refresh your love for the places you’ve been to countless times before. Whether you’re out to tick off some must-dos on your bucket list or up to experience something new, here’s how to discover a different side to the city on your own.

Morning

1. Begin with a local breakfast at YY Kafei Dian

Photograph: Cheryl SekkappanYY Kafei Dian storefront

There’s no better way to start the day than with a quintessentially Singaporean breakfast – kaya toast and eggs. At YY Kafei Dian, fluffy house-made bread is cut into thick slices and toasted, before being covered with kaya and a slab of slightly salted butter. Don’t forget to order a side of soft boiled eggs and a hot kopi or teh; without them, the meal is incomplete.

Wander the aisles of the National Gallery, which is a short walk away from YY Kafei Dian, and discover more about Singaporean and Southeast Asian art and history. The National Gallery is housed in the former City Hall and Supreme Court buildings, which were restored and sleekly refurbished to accommodate Singapore’s largest visual arts gallery. Numerous works of art line the walls, including Cultural Medallion-winning artist Chua Mia Tee’s paintings National Language Class and Epic Poem of Malaya. Even if you’re not an art aficionado, the Gallery’s beautiful architecture and interiors warrant a visit on their own.

Afternoon

1. Indulge in Peranakan food at National Kitchen by Violet Oon

The National Gallery is also home to acclaimed Peranakan restaurant National Kitchen by Violet Oon. Sample local favourites like kueh pie tee ($19), dry laksa ($29), and beef rendang ($28). Be warned, however, that the spice levels of dishes here do pack a punch. Finish the meal with a classic local dessert such as pulut hitam with coconut ice cream ($14). If you’d like, stay for a delightful local-inspired afternoon tea ($59 for two).

From the National Gallery, it’s a short MRT ride to the Duxton area, where you can spend the afternoon meandering along lanes and alleys flanked by heritage shophouses. For $150, design your own perfume at Maison 21G’s flagship boutique in Duxton. If you’d rather leave such a decision to the experts, the Singapore-based luxury perfume brand also offers a range of their signature scents, such as La Poudre Aux Yeux ($150 for 30ml), which has woody and floral notes.

After all that walking, rest your feet and recharge with a coffee amidst the earth-toned, minimalist interiors of Homeground Coffee Roasters. The artisanal coffee shop serves great coffee and rotates the beans they use seasonally, so you’ll be able to try something different every time you visit. On offer at Homeground are drip coffee, espressos, lattes, and black coffee, as are tea cakes and pastries, if you’re feeling hungry.

At the final stop for the afternoon, pop by Littered with Books, a charming independent bookstore carrying a curated selection of titles across many genres ranging from local literature and classics to travel, cookbooks, and children’s books. Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the selection, leafing through books, and soaking in the atmosphere.

1. Have dinner at Firangi Superstar

For dinner, head to Firangi Superstar, an Indian-fusion restaurant that reinterprets Indian cuisine to reflect the perspective of a foreigner. The restaurant’s interior, dimly lit in the evening, is dramatic and theatrical; it’s divided into four intricately designed sections – the Officer’s Club, the Old Railway Room, the Elephant Palace, and the Jungle Lodge. The dishes are an irreverent take on Indian cuisine, but whatever the dishes lack in tradition, they make up for in flavour and creativity. Choose from small plates like This Is Also Not Aloo Gobi (smoked cauliflower, $18), and large sharing plates such as Back in the Saddle (tandoori spiced lamb saddle, $21/100g).

There’s nothing like taking a refreshing post-dinner walk through these majestic gardens, surrounded by exotic foliage and attention-grabbing sculptures at Gardens by the Bay. But take it from us – it gets even more magical at sunset when the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show comes on at 7.45pm and 8.45pm.

3. Unwind with a tipple or two at Atlas

Rebalance and call it a day with a cold tipple at the grand art deco-inspired bar Atlas. Said to house over 1,000 bottles of gin, it has the most diverse collection of the spirit in the world. With so much to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed so let the bartenders help – simply tell them the types of gin you enjoy (or the flavour profile of drinks you prefer) and they’ll make a suitable recommendation.