6 Marina Bay Sands Food Spots That Are Not Tourist Traps

Marina Bay Sands food near Bayfront MRT Station

To me, Marina Bay Sands is synonymous to Michelin-starred restaurants, casino, luxury goods and fancy musicals. However, after playing tourist for a day and visiting Gardens by the Bay, I realised there are plenty of good eats around the area. While some are not the cheapest, they are definitely worth visiting on special occasions. Here are six Marina Bay Sands food places to check out the next time you’re in the area!

1. Marina Bay BBQ Steamboat Buffet

Image credit: @marinabaybbqsteamboat

Eons ago when I was in secondary school, Marina Bay was just a vast piece of land, peppered with outdoor steamboat eateries. I remember having to take a bus just to get there! And while these steamboat joints have closed down, you can still get an affordable steamboat buffet fix at Marina Bay BBQ Steamboat Buffet ($27 for Mon-Thur, $29 for Fri-Sun, $30 for PH and eve of PH). Located at Satay By The Bay, this halal-certified steamboat buffet features plenty of seafood, from prawns to scallops and clams.

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, #11/12/13/14/15/16, Satay by the Bay, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 12am
Tel: 8180 8112
Website

2. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Image credit: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Hailing from Miami, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar pushes out Southern American classics that excite. Fried chicken lovers, get your hands dirty and order the Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken ($34++), which follows a 100-year-old family recipe and is served with honey hot sauce.

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-07, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 11pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 11pm
Tel: 6688 9959
Website

3. Pollen

Image credit: Pollen Singapore’s Facebook page

Dining at Pollen never fails to make me feel like a princess. For starters, I love how I get whisked away to the restaurant on a limousine buggy, which is stationed at Gardens by the Bay’s arrival plaza. And at the end of your meal, you can explore the gorgeous Flower Dome for free! Experience the ultimate tai tai life and swing by for their Afternoon Tea (from $38++ with coffee or tea). The set comes with trays of savoury and sweet treats, including beef croquette, beetroot hummus and Earl Grey lemon cake.

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, #01-09, Flower Dome, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: Mon 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm, Tue 9:30am to 9pm, Wed-Sun 12pm to 2:30pm, 3pm to 5pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6604 9988
Website

4. Kuro-Obi

If you are having a staycation at Marina Bay Sands, be sure to dapao some ramen from Kuro-Obi. Opened by Ippudo, the takeaway kiosk is known for their paitan (milky) chicken soup. If you’re on a budget, savour their Shiro-Obi ($8), which comes with one slice of chicken chashu, ajitama (marinated soft-boiled egg), and crisp seaweed sheet. Those with a penchant for spicy food should order the Aka-Obi ($10), which boasts a spicy shrimp flavour that reminded us of hae bee hiam.

Check out our full review of Kuro-Obi!

Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B2-54/55, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 11pm
Tel: 6688 7064

5. Black Knight Hotpot

Image credit: @i_live_to_eat

Black Knight Hotpot is a stalwart steamboat restaurant in Taiwan that has been around since the 1980s. All their hot pots come served in a stunning floral cloisonne, making it totes Instagram-worthy. For a healthy dose of collagen, order their Beauty Pot ($38++), which comes with pig trotters and slices of tripe swimming in the rich broth. If you’re dining alone, their Taiwan Beef Noodle ($18++) and its robust broth will satiate any cravings.

Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-01B, Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 6688 7138
Website

6. Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer

Owned by Michelin-starred chef Joe Isidori, the famous Black Tap Craft Burgers And Beer from New York serves up huge portions of their CrazyShake milkshakes and cheeseburgers. A favourite milkshake of mine was the Sweet ‘N’ Salty ($22++), a peanut butter shake comprising pretzels, peanut butter cups, whipped cream, and a chocolate-frosted rim topped with M&M’s. Just imagine it as a milkier, smoother, and less sweet version of Reese’s – but in liquid form.

Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, #L1-80, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018956
Website

Where to eat in Marina Bay Sands

Whether you’re raving it out at Ultra Music Festival or simply visiting the ArtScience Museum, this list will def’ come in handy the next time you’re at Marina Bay Sands! Let us know in the comments if we missed out any value-for-money eats in the area.

Featured image adapted from Instagram user @i_live_to_eat‘s post.