Throw on your beachwear and sunnies, and make haste to Sentosa where flame-kissed grills, family-friendly fun and laid-back vibes await!
Psst… do you hear that sizzle? Hot and fresh off the grill, Sentosa GrillFest 2024 (aka Singapore’s largest beach grill festival) is back for the seventh edition! From now till 8 December 2024, Sentosa Beachfront will be transformed into a sizzling gastronomic haven on Fridays and weekends, from 5pm to 10pm.
As the sun slowly inches downwards, lay back with your toes in the sand, feast on perfectly charred grills and chill out with your crew while live music reverberates in the background. Ready to make the most of this ultimate beachfront fest? Here’s our insider guide on the best things to eat and do, along with sweet tips you’d want in on!
Make a beeline for tantalising grills
It’s a beach grill fest. Of course, the grilled delicacies are in the limelight. With more than 30 vendors across four zones at Sentosa GrillFest 2024, you’ll be thoroughly spoiled for choice among the smoked meats, flame-kissed vegetables and grilled desserts. Before you hatch your feasting gameplan, it’s time to get acquainted with the four distinct zones first.
Avid fans, we see you – and Fan Favourites is where you’d want to start. It’s all about nostalgia, with beloved classics from crowd-favourite brands taking centrestage. Look out for exciting new creations that are sure to surprise your palate.
Take a stroll through memory lane at DAMN Meats SG, as this People’s Choice Awards 2023 winner returns with premium cuts, gourmet burgers and artisanally crafted dry-aged meats. We gave the dry-aged beef burger a try and was not disappointed. Think a juicy and perfectly charred meat patty sandwiched between two buttery buns. Pair it with the subak hwachae (Korean watermelon punch) for a refreshing way to beat the heat.
Known for Texas-style barbecue, Jett Barbecue is another hot favourite. We got the smoked duo beef platter ($49). That’s 150g of beef ribs and 150g of the new, festival-exclusive smoked beef cheeks, served with the signature mashed potatoes.
Smoked to perfection, the beef ribs and cheeks were melt-in-the-mouth tender; while the mashed potatoes were well-seasoned and had a velvety smooth and almost airy texture. Owner Jett shared that the meats have only been seasoned with salt and pepper, but don’t be fooled as every bite packs a flavour punch. If you still have room, get the smoked beef loaded tater tots ($17) to munch on as you continue exploring.
For a halal-friendly alternative, check out Smok Hous x Asap & Co. Think fork-tender wagyu brisket ($18 for 100g) that has been meticulously smoked for a whopping 12 hours. It’s an equally indulgent and satisfying choice for meat lovers.
Don’t miss Monger, too. The first-time vendor brings bold flavours, featuring dishes like its festival-exclusive grilled Boston lobster in garlic butter or a rich glaze ($16 for half, $25 for full). While the lobster flesh was sweet and succulent, we felt the garlic butter sauce could use more depth and flavour. Oh, and be prepared for a longer waiting time. We waited for almost 45 minutes so we’d recommend placing an order before heading to other vendors.
Next, head to International Village to take your taste buds on a culinary adventure to Thailand, India, Mexico, America and beyond. Cast your eyes on the angus beef brisket mac and cheese from Dickey’s Barbeque, or indulge in Southeast Asian specialties like Royal Taj’s Indian dishes and Thai-Western fusion creations from BreadFast Everyday.
Another People’s Choice Awards 2023 winner returns to impress in this zone. Get your dose of Korean flavours at Hanok Kimchi. We gave the store’s signature KBBQ platter ($60) a miss and went for the grilled pork belly ($20) instead. The thick pork belly slices were on the tougher end, but was a stellar combination with the fresh cabbage kimchi. If we had to choose to bag any dish home, best believe this signature kimchi will come up top.
As self-certified sweet tooths, we welcome this third zone (and new festival addition) with open arms: Dessert Hut. Plus, it’s set at the pavilion area which we found to be the most cooling spot across the festival ground. It’s no surprise we spent most of our time here!
Our first stop was Botsi for a classic Hungarian delicacy, kurtosh (from $13). Picture a cylindrical, golden brown pastry that’s generously dusted in caramelised sugar and toppings like pistachio nuts and cinnamon powder. The sweet-savoury combination was a hit for us and we love how the dough was slightly chewy while retaining a crisp crust. Trust us, you won’t regret getting a scoop of ice cream to go with it.
Another inventive vendor on our list was White Rabbit. Yes, that classic milk candy that stirs up nostalgia for almost any Singaporean. Choose to have your White Rabbit ice cream with piping hot fries, marshmallows, or soda and boba. We went with the milk float with boba burst ($9). You’ll get a mix of everything (ice cream, soda and boba), but it was slightly steep for the portion size and the combination of flavours wasn’t out of this world.
To boost the celebratory spirit, don’t forget to knock back a tipple (or two). Imbibers will be pleased to know there’s an all-new boozy zone, Brew Island, located in the same area as the dessert vendors. Quench your thirst at Chang Beer’s pop-up or grab a spirit-forward bevvy from Invaders Bar.
The booth by Clumzy Plumzy x Sigcoco was where we found ourselves taking swigs of craft cocktails created by the world’s best 50 bartenders. Go for the alcoholic slushies ($15 each) in flavours like lychee martini and sour plum vodka. Tried-and-tested by us, they are foolproof ways to cool off in this humidity.
Our top tips to get the most of your feasting experience? Come on an empty stomach ‘cos there’ll be plenty of food options to fill you up. And two, take your time to explore and scout the stores first so you’ll have enough space to try everything you want to.
Psst: to make Sentosa GrillFest 2024 an inclusive festival for all, selected tables and seats along Siloso Beach Walk have been designated as priority seating for guests with mobility impairments. Take a short stroll to other seats that are a stone’s throw away to make it an inviting experience for all!
Your ticket to a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience
We love savouring these grilled delicacies under starry skies, but what if there was a way to dial up the ambience? Enter the new Teepee Dining Experience, a unique romantic three-course beach dinner specially curated by three GrillFest vendors. You’ll be seated under a charming teepee illuminated by a cosy, warm glow, while indulging on exquisite delicacies that look as good as they taste.
Priced at $88 per pax, whet your appetite with a starter of smoked Scottish sardines with caviar, or Korean smoked gochujang wagyu beef cheek from The Social Outcast. Next, tuck into a hearty Texas barbecue trio of smoked beef ribs, beef cheeks and lamb chops from Jett Barbecue.
Rounding off on a sweet note, savour a torched passionfruit meringue tart by Sohtt Collective. Tip: make it a boozy feast by going for the course menu with Chang Beer pairing at $100 per pax!
Get your groove on under the starry sky
What’s a beach festival without some show-stopping live acts? With three entertainment areas, count on Sentosa GrillFest 2024 to bring the rockin’ beats, non-stop fun and immaculate vibes.
Over at the Main Stage, a line-up of local musicians will take the stage daily at 5.15pm and 7pm. Keep your eyes peeled for funk road band Reverie, cover band Too Much Drama and the pioneers of Singapore’s bilingual music scene, Rush Hour. Meanwhile, dancing kings and queens can flock to the Groove Hub from 8pm to 10pm. Bust out your best dance moves as talented local DJs XG, Zai and Shane helm the decks and bring energetic beats.
Tired of all that grooving? Gather around the Show Arena and brace yourself for a mesmerising spectacle as fire artistes from Starlight Alchemy steal the spotlight. Three 10-minute showtimes are available from 8pm to 8.50pm so you’d wanna have an eye on the clock. While you’re marvelling in awe, have a go at the jumbo sized single-player beer pong station to score free Chang beer or discounted drinks from the Invaders Bar.
Say hello to exclusive perks and surprises
While you’re having your fill of delectable nosh, there’s more to be excited about. For starters, the People’s Choice Award is back for a second run! Now’s your chance to vote for your favourite GrillFest stall ‘cos the top three voted stores will get to return to GrillFest next year. And if you’re a Sentosa Islander member, you’ll score a bonus of 50 Islander Points once you’ve cast your vote.
Islander members can also hop onto the MySentosa app to find a complimentary $10 GrillFest voucher (with no minimum spend) that’s usable throughout the festival. Plus, earn Islander points with your purchases at GrillFest (with a minimum $20 spend on up to two receipts) and use these points to redeem an exclusive GrillFest apron.
Mastercard cardholders are in luck, too. Spend $50 and above in a single receipt to score a chance in the sure-win gachapon machine, with Sentosa Islander members enjoying double the chances. Three lucky winners will walk away with the grand prize of a 2D1N suite voucher at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove (worth $2,500++), with other attractive prizes like GrillFest aprons and oat milk sachets. As an extra perk, those who spend a minimum of $20 using Mastercard can redeem a Magnum ice cream. T&Cs apply for all promotions.
To score more sweet perks, it’s time to channel your inner eco-conscious warrior. Bring along your reusable utensils, containers and cups, snap a photo of them, and post it on Instagram while using the hashtag #SentosaGrillFest. Simply flash this post to the staff at Invaders Bar to enjoy a 5% discount on any drink (limited to 1 redemption per guest each day). A heads up that glassware isn’t allowed on the beach and washing points will be available across the festival ground.
It’s time to turn up the heat at Sentosa GrillFest 2024
All fired up for the return of Singapore’s largest beach grill festival? We know we are. From now till 8 December, make your way to Siloso Beachfront and watch Sentosa GrillFest 2024 come to life every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The party kicks off at 5pm just before sunset and it’ll be a sizzling affair of delectable grills, show-stopping live acts and fun for the entire family till 10pm. Entry is free for all, so grab your crew in tow and head down for a gastronomic evening under the stars!
This post is in partnership with Sentosa.
