Chef Violet Oon is a national treasure, much loved for her faithful Peranakan dishes – so much so that she was chosen to open a restaurant inside Singapore's showcase National Gallery. Feast on made-from-scratch beauties like sweet, spicy kueh pie ti (pastry cups stuffed with prawns and turnip), dry laksa and beef rendang. Bookings two weeks in advance essential.
True to its name, the restaurant also touches on Singapore's other culinary traditions, from Indian and Eurasian to Hainanese. The high tea (3pm to 4.30pm) offers a wonderful sampling of Violet's signature flavours – the perfect afternoon break. There are several other branches in town, including one at Clarke Quay – the National Gallery outlet is the best, though.