Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay: Which Quay?

Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay are three stretches of the Singapore River that look alike on a map and behave very differently after dark, so pick the quay before you pick the restaurant. Boat Quay is 610 metres from the Singapore River Cruise jetty at Clarke Quay, and Super Loco at Robertson Quay is 770 metres upriver of that jetty, both in a straight line.

From Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Boat Quay is 1.1 km north-east in a straight line, and Chinatown lies between the two. The temples and hawker centres of Chinatown fit the same day.

Boat Quay: riverside dining and a rooftop

Harry's Boat Quay at 28 Boat Quay is a Western restaurant and riverside bar, and has been the flagship outlet since 1992. George Town Tze Char and Craft Beer at 81 Boat Quay is a riverfront seafood restaurant founded in 1986, serving tze char specialities.

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at 11 New Bridge Road serves pork ribs in broth and braised meats, and crowds line up at its cosy eatery. Willow on Hongkong Street runs seasonal course menus led by Executive Chef Nicolas Tam.

North Canal Road: music and Champagne

Offtrack at 34 North Canal Road is a cocktail bar and music-centred restaurant with an acoustically treated listening room. Convivial Champagne Bar at 11 North Canal Road focuses on Champagne with French-style food.

Clarke Quay: cruises, seafood and nightlife

JUMBO at Riverside Point serves classic local seafood daily from morning through late evening. Brewerkz in the same complex brews its own beer, from Golden Ale to Oatmeal Stout.

Fu Yuan Teochew Dining on River Valley Road serves Teochew and Cantonese dishes, with dim sum at lunch. Liora pairs Korean fermentation methods with European technique and woodfire cooking.

Home Dusk Live House hosts live Mandopop bands every evening. Zouk Singapore opens on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM for electronic dance music.

Robertson Quay: the quieter, riverside end

Robertson Quay trades the crowds for terraces beside the water. CHUAN Seafood has an outdoor riverside terrace, and Merci Marcel serves French food indoors or beside the water.

Decker Barbecue smokes Texas-style meats in a wood-fired smoker imported from Texas. Super Loco is a riverside Mexican cantina at The Quayside. Restaurant JAG is a fine-dining room serving seasonal French dishes with custom wine pairings.

Which quay?

Choose Boat Quay for a riverside dinner and a rooftop drink, Clarke Quay for a cruise or a late night, and Robertson Quay for a slower meal by the water.

The Marina Bay waterfront is the next stop downriver, mapped in a Marina Bay walking guide. For the whole island, start with a map of the districts.