The Best Secret Dating Spots in Singapore

True to its name, Little Guilin bears an uncanny resemblance to Guilin in Southern China. Its picturesque landscape of towering rocks within a serene lake is so unreal, your other half will be squealing with delight. Fortunately, you don’t have to take a plane from Singapore to China just to visit this beauty. The abandoned granite quarry is located in Bukit Batok Town Park and only a short five-minute walk from Bukit Gombak MRT Station.

Nobody thinks about visiting a dam for a date. But Marina Barrage – which serves primarily as a dam – has defied tradition by building a multi-purpose rooftop park above its barriers. The elevated field boasts gorgeous views of Singapore’s skyline and entrance is free for all. Thankfully, the public areas of Marina Barrage are open 24 hours daily. Culture Trip recommends visiting Marina Barrage at night to avoid Singapore’s unbearable heat. Go on a spontaneous late-night picnic or fly a kite in this breezy green space.

Swanky fine-dining restaurants are plentiful in Singapore, but authentic kampong-style eateries are almost unheard of these days. Enter Colbar: A hidden old-school café reminiscent of Singapore’s colonial era. Keep in mind this is no pretentious hipster café. Colbar was formerly a canteen for the old British Army Barracks that had to make way for road developments in 2003. Following a successful petition, Colbar’s owners have painstakingly restored the beloved institution – piece by piece – on its current location. Over at Colbar, diners can look forward to a plethora of Hainanese-style western food such as Pork Chop Chips & Mushroom. Despite its seemingly obscure location, Colbar is actually accessible by foot – take the train to One North Station and embark on a 16-minute stroll.

Standing at 36 metres above ground, Henderson Waves is Singapore’s tallest pedestrian bridge. However, the 247-metre long structure – connecting Mount Faber Park and Telok Blangah Hill – is most known for its striking undulating wooden architecture. There are sheltered seats within its wave-like façade, making it a great hangout spot. For the best visual experience, bring your significant other to Henderson Waves at dusk, where light-emitting diodes light up the bridge daily from 7pm to 2am.

Family-owned Jurong Frog Farm is one of Singapore’s last surviving local farms. While the frog farm – situated in the remote Lim Chua Kang area – has been overlooked by the media for decades, it actually plays an important role in supplying American Bullfrogs to restaurants and markets, free from antibiotics, hormones and steroids. For the uninitiated, frog’s legs are a Singaporean delicacy. Hop over here with your beloved to visit these free-range amphibians and catch one if you can!

Senotsa Cove might be the exclusive playground of Singapore’s ultra rich and famous, but ordinary citizens can catch a glimpse of the high life at Quayside Isle. Head over to this little islet – located in the enclave of Sentosa Cove – and unwind over drinks in one of the marina-front restaurants. Marvel at the scintillating views of the sea and the impressive fleet of yachts as you sashay along Quayside Isle’s boardwalk with your loved one, hand in hand.

Due to Singapore’s rapid urbanisation, kelongs are almost a thing of the past. A kelong is basically an offshore wooden platform. There are a few of these kelongs left in Singapore, and Smith Marine Floating Restaurant is one of the rare establishments home to one. Smack dab in the middle of the sea between Pulau Ubin Island and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, diners will have to take a boat to arrive at the eatery. The kelong also allows you to fish for your own meal at their “sure-catch” pond. This unconventional experience certainly makes for a brilliant date.

Tucked away in a heritage-listed 19th-century building on Sentosa Island and nestled by lush greenery, SO Spa is one of Singapore’s most luxurious hidden gems. Treat your spouse to an unforgettable So In Love 150-minute pampering spa package (S$600+ for a couple). The four-course spa commences with a scrub, followed by a therapeutic massage and a romantic private bath in a sumptuous couple’s suite. Complete your spa experience with a glass of bubbly champagne and indulgent canapés in the beautiful spa garden. Cheers!

Escape Singapore’s bustling city life and make a trip to the underrated Gillman Barracks. Home to 12 local and international galleries, the former military camp has a diverse range of beautiful artworks to impress a potential lover. This place surprisingly remains largely unknown among locals and foreigners, despite its launch in 2012 after a £5-million restoration. In fact, the attraction is shockingly ranked number #247 in things to do in Singapore on TripAdvisor. How to get there: Take the train to Labrador Park MRT Station and walk for a kilometre.

Upper Peirce Reservoir is an exclusively under-the-radar destination in Singapore. This scenic secret spot is so well-loved by the locals that many have actually chosen it as their pre-wedding photo shoot location. The tranquil paradise is located in the city’s outskirts and the only way to get there is via a bicycle or car. Along the way to Upper Peirce Reservoir Park, you will encounter many wild free-roaming monkeys. Visit the park in the early morning and take a leisure walk, or sit by the reflective waters for a heart-to-heart talk.