Ash Barty has returned to Singapore often enough to build a personal list of favorite experiences in the Lion City, and the former professional tennis player says her recommendations range from iconic landmarks to a small coffee stop in a side street.
Barty first visited Singapore in 2017 for the WTA finals, when she stayed at Marina Bay Sands. She said the experience was “incredible and spectacular,” particularly at night, and described the stay as “pretty iconic.” Since then, she has continued to visit and has become an ambassador for Singapore Tourism.
Gardens by the Bay
One of Barty’s favorite spots remains Gardens by the Bay. She said she had never seen “a structure that attracts so many people in one place in a really beautiful organic sort of way.”
That mix of scale and atmosphere appears to be part of the appeal for Barty, who has repeatedly highlighted Singapore as a place worth revisiting rather than just checking off once.
Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Zookeeper for a Day
Another standout on Barty’s list is Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where she took part in Zookeeper for a Day. Her praise was emphatic: “It’s the most incredible zoo - you can spend a week here.”
For Barty, the appeal seems to be more than just seeing wildlife. The experience gave her time to engage with the place in a more hands-on way, which helps explain why it made her personal top five.
Kopi Khoo in Katong-Joo Chiat
Barty also singled out Kopi Khoo in Katong-Joo Chiat, calling it a hole-in-the-wall coffee place on a side street with colourful murals. She said it is run by “a beautiful older lady” who gives customers her blessings along with the coffee.
She added that it is “one of the best coffees I have had in Singapore” and said that if she lived in the area, “it would be my local.” For readers looking for the exact coffee stop Barty recommended, this is the one that stood out most clearly.
Cat Socrates and the Peranakan neighbourhood
Cat Socrates is another of Barty’s favorite Singapore shops, and she said it is “one of my favourite shops in Singapore.” She also said, “I love this Peranakan neighbourhood,” underscoring how much she enjoys that part of the city.
That makes this stop less about a single purchase and more about the broader atmosphere. The neighbourhood itself is part of the draw, along with the shop she chose to highlight.
Sentosa Golf Club
Barty’s final pick was Sentosa Golf Club, which she described as “one of the most iconic golf courses in the world.”
That choice fits naturally with her background as a former professional tennis player and longtime sports figure. It also rounds out a list that mixes tourism, food, shopping and sport — a simple snapshot of what Barty enjoys most in Singapore.
For fans planning a visit, her five favourites offer a useful starting point: Gardens by the Bay, Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Zookeeper for a Day, Kopi Khoo in Katong-Joo Chiat, Cat Socrates, and Sentosa Golf Club.
