MacRitchie is one of those rare places where Singapore seems to slow down. The water is perfectly still, monitor lizards wander along the banks, and colourful canoes glide silently across the reservoir. We even discovered that you can rent one yourself, which has immediately gone onto my list for our next visit.

One of the highlights of the morning, however, wasn’t the reservoir at all. It was the lovely gentleman at the canoe rental kiosk. We started chatting, and before long he was telling us about a tiny footpath that doesn’t appear on most maps. “Take that path,” he said, “and you’ll find a whole different neighbourhood.”

That’s one of the things I love most about Singapore. Strike up a conversation with almost anyone and they’ll have a recommendation, a story or a favourite place they’re excited to share. There’s a genuine openness and generosity here that makes exploring the city feel wonderfully personal.

So we followed his advice.

The little path led us through a quiet residential neighbourhood before opening onto a charming row of shophouses that honestly felt more like a coastal town in Australia than the middle of Singapore. It had that relaxed, neighbourhood atmosphere where independent cafés sit alongside local shops, and everyone seems to know one another. And that’s where we found our breakfast. 

Plain Vanilla was everything I love in a neighbourhood bakery. Beautifully designed without trying too hard, warm and genuinely friendly service, and the sort of place that immediately makes you feel at home.

I chose the lemon polenta cake, while Arnaud couldn’t resist the chocolate cake with its wonderfully gooey salted caramel centre. We shared both, and I’m very glad we did. They were every bit as delicious as they looked.

Sometimes the best travel experiences aren’t the famous attractions. They’re the unexpected conversations, the hidden footpaths and the local recommendations that never make it into the guidebooks.

MacRitchie gave us beautiful nature. A friendly conversation gave us a hidden route.