11 best restaurants and bars to watch NDP 2019 fireworks from

The highlight of the annual National Day Parade (NDP) is always the spectacular fireworks display at the end of the celebrations, but for most of us who are never lucky enough to ballot for tickets to the actual parade or the rehearsal sessions, we can only make do with watching from afar.

This year, the fireworks display is slated to go off between 8 and 8.20pm above the City Hall area, as NDP 2019 will be held at its old location, the Padang, instead of the Marina Bay floating platform. The Merlion Park at Fullerton Road has the best view, which also means that it will be the most crowded area to be at. If you want a good view, you’d probably have to go there and chope a good spot in the early afternoon.

For the rest of us who prefer a more relaxing atmosphere instead of jostling with the crowd, but didn’t manage to book a hotel room in time, your next best alternative is to get a good seat at a restaurant or bar located around the Esplanade and One Fullerton.

You still have some time, so place a reservation at one of these 11 restaurants where you can see the NDP fireworks, pronto! (Pro tip: if you can’t get a table at these restaurants on National Day, try making a reservation on a day when the NDP rehearsals take place instead. The dates are: 13 July, 20 July, 27 July, and 3 August).

1. National Kitchen by Violet Oon

Located at the iconic National Gallery, which is right opposite the Padang, National Kitchen by Violet Oon serves authentic Peranakan dishes AND an unrivaled view of the celebrations.

Be sure to request for a seat at the airy veranda, order the customer favourites (Beef Rendang and Dry Laksa are not to be missed), sit back, and wait for the dazzling fireworks show!

Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #02-01 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
Reservation contact:  [email protected] | +65 9834 9935
Website: https://violetoon.com/

2. Forlino

Fortino offers classic contemporary Italian cuisine with a fantastic view of the Marina Bay area – far enough from the main crowd at the Esplanade, yet strategically located such that diners can get a glimpse of the NDP fireworks.

Guancette di maiale, a slow-braised Iberico pork cheek, and Branzino e finocchioan immaculately pan-seared seabass, are main dishes that you can’t go wrong with. Don’t forget to order from their world-class wine list as well, so you can wind down and chill after the hearty meal.

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #02-06 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Reservation contact: [email protected] | +65 6690 7564
Website: http://www.dhm.com.sg/forlino

3. OverEasy

Source: City Nomads

If you want to keep things casual, we recommend that you stop by American diner OverEasy.

You can indulge in diner classics, nostalgic favourites, decadent milkshakes and American-inspired cocktails as you watch the night sky light up in an array of colours – what’s there not to love?

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #01-06, Singapore 049213
Reservation contact: [email protected] | +65 6684 1453
Website: https://www.overeasy.com.sg/

4. Odette Singapore

What could possibly be more Singaporean than celebrating National Day with good food? We love trying food from Michelin-starred food establishments, and there’s no better place to do this than at French contemporary restaurant Odette Singapore. It is also strategically located opposite the Padang, and boasts not just one, but TWO Michelin stars.

For a taste of local flavours, get the Chili Crab Kueh Pie Tee as starters, then followed up with the highly-recommended 55 degrees Pine-Smoked Organic Egg and Bread-Crusted Arctic Char.

Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01-04 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
Reservation contact: http://www.odetterestaurant.com/reservations/chope/
Website: http://www.odetterestaurant.com/

5. The Pelican Seafood Bar & Grill

Source: Seth Lui
Source: Seth Lui

At The Pelican, you get to soak in the Marina Bay Waterfront view (an amazing spot for watching the fireworks) while feasting on exquisite seafood dishes and sipping cocktails. While the scampis and brown crabs are a must-order, it is also recommended that you leave some space for the delectable Banana Bread and Butter Pudding.

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #01-01 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Reservation contact: https://www.thepelican.com.sg/en/reservations
Website: https://www.thepelican.com.sg/

6. 1-Altitude

Source: Pinterest

For the highest, and possibly the best, views in Singapore, you’d have to go all the way up to 1-Altitude. Located on the 63rd floor of One Raffles Place, this al fresco bar offers 360-degree panoramas of the city (and the fireworks!).

There is also only a thin, shoulder-height glass panel separating you and the view, so you truly feel like you are the top of the world as you sip on their signature cocktail, a combination of vodka, green tea, lemongrass, and mint.

Address: 1 Raffles Place, Singapore 048616
Reservation contact: [email protected] | +65 6438 0410
Website: https://www.1-altitude.com/

7. LeVel33

If you are a fan of craft beers, here’s your chance to try some delightful ale options. Situated in a penthouse level on the 33rd floor of Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, LeVeL33 is touted as the world’s highest urban craft-brewery that has views you can’t get enough of.

Get their sample set if you can’t decide which craft ale to choose – it consists of five large test tubes of their finest ale. If you are feeling hungry, you can also order some pub grub for a hearty evening out with the fireworks in your background.

Address: 8 Marina Blvd, #33 – 01, Singapore 018981
Reservation contact: [email protected] | +65 6834 3133
Website: https://level33.com.sg/

8. 1919 Waterboat House

1919 Waterboat House offers contemporary European dishes, along with an unobstructed view of the Marina Bay skyline from a colonial heritage building – the perfect way to celebrate Singapore’s birthday.

The extensive menu will certainly appeal to all palates as well, be it the signature Hokkaido scallops with braised leek, sugar peas, buttered lentils with rich scallop emulsion, or blue lobster tail poached in paella butter.

Address: 3 Fullerton Rd, #03-01 The Waterboathouse, Singapore 049215
Reservation contact: [email protected] | +65 6538 9038
Website: https://www.1919.com.sg/

9. Singapore Flyer Sky Dining

Source: Daniel Food Diary

For a 360-degree view of the fireworks set upon the cityscape, we suggest heading up – on the Singapore Flyer!

Unlike other dining establishments that could possibly be overcrowded with diners and customers, the number of people in your spacious capsule is limited to a maximum of 10 people. And if you really want privacy with your loved ones to enjoy the fireworks, you can even request for a private capsule!

Each dining experience up in the air includes a four-course menu, in-flight host, and of course, a magnificent scenery that you have to see for yourself.

Address: 30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803
Reservation contact: https://etickets.singaporeflyer.com/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=B2CEN&c=SKYD
Website: https://www.singaporeflyer.com/

10. Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant

Palm Beach Seafood is a bustling restaurant, partly because it is so well-placed in the city area – you can head down right after work in the CBD area and get unbeatable views, and partly because they serve a variety of appetising seafood dishes that are worth the price tag.

Chili crab is a dish that sometimes appeal more to tourists than locals, but that is certainly not the case here at Palm Beach Seafood – both tourists and locals enjoy their version just as much! Both the interior and the open terrace are always bustling with customers, so be sure to book a table in advance if you want to catch the fireworks here!

Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #01-09 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Reservation contact: +65 6336 8118
Website: https://www.palmbeachseafood.com/

11. Bar Rouge

Want to enjoy an exciting nightlife and catch the fireworks show in one night? You can get the best of both worlds at highest dusk to dawn nightclub, Bar Rouge, which is perch atop the 71st floor of Swissôtel the Stamford.

Between 4pm to 10pm on National Day, Bar Rouge will be presenting their annual Disco Lah!, where you get to watch a live screening of the nation’s celebratory parade, enjoy unparalleled views of the flypast, as well as take photographs of the unobstructed fireworks spectacle. After the show is over, you can even stay on and dance to the beats until 6AM in the morning!

Of course, no National Day party is complete without uniquely local snacks and cocktails/mocktails, so you can indulge in your favourite kacang puteh and try a Milo Dinosaur cocktail(!) against the historical Padang backdrop.

Address: 2 Stamford Road, Swissôtel the Stamford, Floor 71, 178882
Reservation contact: https://tableplus.accorplus.com/?vc=BarRougeAccorSE1199&date=tomorrow
Website: https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/singapore-stamford/bars/bar-rouge-singapore/


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