It wasn't long ago that Singapore was the subject of withering descriptions like the 'world's only shopping mall with a seat in the United Nations.'

Now, however, you can enjoy the city-state with no retail therapy required. Two casino complexes draw top celebrity chefs, while locals returning from stints abroad are busilysetting up hip new bars and lounges. Singapore is swinging like never before.

Long known for its street-food scene, Singapore has only recently made its name on the global restaurant circuit, but it has done it quickly. Urban-studies author Richard Florida recently broke down the numbers behind S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list and pointed out that Singapore came out on top in terms of world-class restaurants per resident