Horses have had a long association with Bukit Timah. What is believed to be the first ever horseback ride in Singapore took place here in 1840. Punters once gathered at the Bukit Timah Race Course to try their luck but after nearly 70 years of thrills, the Turf Club relocated to Kranji in 1999. Today, the race course area is replete with some of the city’s classiest haunts.

Dining

1. Mimo kitchen & Bar
55 Fairways Dr., 6467-7748
Enjoy a taste of the countryside with all the modern trappings at this intimate restaurant.

2. Picotin Bistro & Bar
100 Turf Club Rd., 6877-1191 Co-owned by celebrity chef Emmanuel Stroobant, Picotin serves up excellent European fare and they even do home deliveries.

3. Rider’s Cafe
51 Fairways Dr., 6466-9819

Hearty breakfasts like Eggs Benedict are the specialty here. Stop in for a bite before a ride at the adjacent Bukit Timah Saddle Club.

4. Unique Seafood Market
#03-01/02/03 Turf City, 200 Turf Club Rd., 6883-2112
The former grandstand building of the race course is now famous for the two Unique Seafood Market restaurants (Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant and Owen Seafood) on its third-floor terraces. With over 100 types of seafood in 60 tanks, a culinary adventure awaits.

Bars

5. La Maison
55 Fairways Dr., 6467-7748
An old race course is the last place you’d expect to find a swanky nightspot. This self-described “concept club” created with the help of French hipster Andre Saraiva a.k.a Andre (graffiti artist and man behind the Le Baron chain of clubs), fills its floors on Fridays and Saturdays.

Shops

6. The French Bookstore
#01-36 Turf City Shopping mall, 200 Turf Club Rd., 6423-1279
Exclusively stocking titles in the language of love, this is a great place to immerse yourself in a different culture.

7. Turf City Superstore
Turf City, 200 Turf Club Rd.
Brimming with a seemingly random collection of cheap clothes, footwear, toys and household products, shopping at the Turf City Superstore is a modern-day treasure hunt.

Others

8. Asoka Muay Thai Gym
#01-02B Horsecity, 100 Turf Club Rd., 6466-2257
With the popularity of martial arts on the rise in Singapore, Asoka offers something a little different; Muay Thai classes in the tranquil surrounds of a former horse stable.

9. Bukit Timah Saddle Club
51 Fairways Dr., 6466-2264
With a focus on show jumping and dressage, this equestrian center has produced riders that have competed for Singapore in major regional competitions. Classes and leisure riding are also available for riders of all experience levels.

10. Horsecity
100 Turf Club Rd., 6463-6012
Horsecity is Singapore’s largest riding center and caters to every imaginable equine need. Riding lessons are available for all ages, saddles and other gear can be purchased at the Horseshop, and you can even take steps towards owning your own horse.

11. Om Shiva Yoga
#01-02B Horsecity, 100 Turf Club Rd., 6466-2257
Choose from their long list of yoga variants and salute the sun while you breathe in the fresh air of Bukit Timah.

12. Rider’s Lodge
100 Turf Club Rd., 6465-4828
Rider’s Lodge is a one-of-a-kind hotel with rodeo-inspired colonial style rooms. It’s the only hotel in Singapore that caters specifically to riders.

13. Sylvia’s Secrets
#01-02C Horsecity, 100 Turf Club Rd., 6465-5338
A comprehensive beauty and wellness oasis for waxing, manicures and pedicures, spray tans, massages, aromatherapy sessions and hot stone treatments.

 

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