Expat tips: What to see and do in Singapore

WHO Cat Williams-Treloar, 36, founder & CEO of a marketing company, humanisation.com

FROM Sydney, in Singapore for seven and a half years.

SEE Tiong Bahru is the Hollywood of Singapore because of its art deco-style apartments built in the 1920s. Now, the alleyways have been gentrified with coffee, pastries and boutique stores: start on Yong Siak St and grab a hot tar sau pau (steamed red bean bun) from Forty Hands, freshest on Fridays. At the nearby Tiong Bahru wet markets, enjoy a chat with the uncles selling flowers. 40handscoffee.com

DO The botanic gardens are lush and charming. We like to walk around first thing in the morning before the sun gets too hot. Take the outside path to circle the entire gardens. On the weekends, you'll be mesmerised by groups doing tai chi.

EAT Burnt Ends is a must stop: order the pulled-pork bun and a shot of whisky chased with jalapeño pickle juice. Incredible! Nylon Coffee Roasters is a small, stand-up bar sourcing its beans from emerging markets, and for dim sum, you must not miss Taste Paradise in Ion Orchard mall: book a table for the first Saturday sitting and order the xiao long bao (steamed dumplings). burntends.com.sg, nyloncoffee.sg, paradisegp.com

DRINK Head to Gibson for quiet, understated cocktails: I love their Chestnut Blazers (cognac, cinnamon tincture, peach, apricot liqueur and chestnut syrup). Then walk 100 metres down the road to Crystabelle's, an original karaoke (KTV) bar (3 Teo Hong Rd). The owner passes around the microphone so you can sing your heart out and warm up the crowd. gibsonbar.sg

AVOID Going for a long walk at peak sun as you'll get cooked.