2 Best Restaurants in Orchard Road, Singapore

There is always a very long line at this do-it-yourself Chinese hotpot restaurant, but in Hai Di Lao's case, that's not such a bad thing—while you wait, you can enjoy quirky (and free) services, treats, and swag like gel manicures, popcorn, ice cream, and iPhone screen-protector replacements. It can sometimes take several hours to reach the front of the line, but when you do, you'll realize what the wait was for: the dining experience is highly theatrical. Waiters do extravagant "noodle dances" as they spin dough around their heads, and they offer you free dishes in exchange for solving puzzles, like completing Rubik's cubes or origami challenges. No wonder people don't want to give up their seats.

Don't be fooled: soup is hardly the only thing on the menu at this popular Cantonese chain. It's an excellent spot to taste a variety of Chinese-style food, from double-boiled pork ribs and dried scallops to tofu prawns and chicken rice, perhaps the most popular dish in Singapore. There are now 15 Soup branches across the island–even at the airport–and all of them tend to be very busy.