T3 DEPARTURE TRANSIT MALL, CHANGI AIRPORT

This chich 24 hour watering hole is an outpost of the original bar at Singapore's luxurious The Fullerton Hotel. It sports a honey-colored onyx counter and plush sofas, where you can lounge around sipping on signature cocktails such as the Mojito ($19). High fliers can splurge on a bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal Rose Vintage champagne ($1018). The snack menu includes oak-smoked salmon croissants ($25) and roasted pumpkin soup ($12). The first Tiger Beer branded bar in an airport. Half a pint of the draft beer costs just $7 here, almost 20 percent cheaper than in town. There are also eight other types of beers available in bottles or cans, including Heineken and Stella Artois. Finish off you cold beer with some deep-fried spring rolls ($7) or calamari ($12).

The jewel-toned ice cream filled mochi, or sweetened rice balls, ($2 a piece) sold at this new store in Changi Airport are imported from Japan and come in 20 different flavours. Classics include green tea and red bean, while the more adventurous can opt for chocolate espresso and tiramisu. Perfect for a quick, controlled dose of sugar rush.

Soothe frazzled nerves by visiting the first Guylian chcolate cafe outside Belgium and drinking a cup of ginger-infused hot chocolate ($7), or opt for a pick-me-up in the form of a praline cream liqueur special in which house blended coffee is served with a shot glass of liqueur ($14). There's also a selection of chcolates for sale, with flavours such as butterscotch and dark chocolate brownie ($1.60 a piece).

Expect nothing less than finely executed tapas (small, savoury Medeterranean dishes) from this outlet run by local Italian fine-dining restaurant Il Lido. Besides tapas offerings such as foie gras terrine with apples and parmigiano cheese ($12), sandwiches like Parma ham with mozzarella cheese ($10) are available. Wash them down with a glass of wine ($9 to $30) from a selection of 48 types.

Still hankering for local favourites such as Hainanese chicken rice ($6) and Teochew fish porridge ($6)? Appease your craving here at the first Prima Taste outlet at Changi Airport. Meal kits, which come with all the necessary condiments for whipping up dishes such as mee siam ($4.30) and Singapore curry ($4.90), are also available and will make a perfect gift to take to homesick Singaporeans overseas.

Public Areas

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Tuck into homely traditional Chinese Fare at the restaurant's first outlet at Changi Airport. Specialties include herbal roast duck ($10.80), silver cod fish in soy sauce ($23.80) and poached spinach with century and salted eggs ($9.80).

The smorgasbord of offerings ranging from Irish lamb stew ($15.90) to Thai tom yam kung ($12.50) promise to placate the fussiest of tastebuds at the chain restaurant's first airport outlet. End your meal with a chocolate banana or slice of marble cheesecake ($4.90). You don't have to fly to Shanghai to try its delicacies when popular favourites are available here. This outlet boasts exclusive dishes not available at other branches, such as stewed pork with black vinegar ($12) and steamed beancurd with prawn and shrimp roe ($16.80)

If you didn't have time to stop for breakfast before rushing to the airport, you can fill up here on feel-good kaya toast ($1.70) and soft-boiled eggs ($1.30 for two). This is the coffee shop's first outlet at Changi Airport.

Inside the Departure-Transit Mall, Singapore Terminal 3 Airport (restricted area after Immigration)

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i-Studio is an authorised Apple Computer reseller, and the first store at Changi Airport to sell a full range of Apple products, from desktop computers to iPods. Just across the walkway, as part of the electronics cluster, sits the Sony Style store. Want a videocamera to go with your new iPhone? No problem, just grab one a few steps away.

Singapore's Terminal 3 houses the first and only Ferrari retail store in South East Asia. Formula 1 fans and other automobile buffs can find Ferrari memorabilia and merchandise, such as a paperweight fashioned from a disused Gran Turismo brake pedal for $599 and model cars for $1,129 each. There is also Ferrari-branded apparel for kids and adults.

Home-grown bookshop Harris, which is owned by Popular Holdings, has just the fare for travelling bookworms hungering for a good read. The first time operator at Changi Airport - bookstores at Terminals 1 and 2 are operated by Times Publishing Group - has much more than magazines. Rows of tomes will ensure you're kept busy on flights and beyond.

As far as airport shops go, Mulberry has the most impressive one in terms of interior design. The store is cosy and doesn't feel like an airport outlet. It also sells a wide range of the British band's signature leather handbags and accessories - without the 7 percent GST, of course.

You may not have heard of this Swedish brand yet, but you will recognise its aesthetic anywhere. The 40 year old marque sells stylish basics not unlike those you will find at Gap or Giordano Concepts. Marc O'Polo marks its entry into the Singapore market with its first store at Changi's Terminal 3, where apparel for both men and women is priced from $100 to $900. Speaking of Giordano Concepts, the Hong Kong brand has a store in T3, too.

Public areas in departure hall

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This is a brand of Cambodian handicrafts making its foray outside of Siem Reap. Silk scarves, skirts and cushion covers, as well as silver trinket boxes, are all handmade by Cambodian artisans and sold here. Prices are reasonable, averaging $40 for a silk cushion cover. You can also buy little bags of spices for about $7 each - they come in mini woven baskets and make great last minute gifts.

If you are looking for an oasis of calm before you fly, this is it. Here, you can find organic skincare products from brands like Jails, U Skincare, Oliv' and auorganic, as well as specialty teas from home-grown company The Wellness Group. To further banish white knuckle syndrome, pick up one of the "relaxing music" CDs the store sells.

Airports don't usually pay attention to children's retail needs, but Terminal 3 has two childrenwear and toy clusters - one inside the transit lounge and one outside. In the publicly accessible area, you can find apparel for boys and girls aged one to 12 at Periwinkle, a childrenswear brand from the Philippines. Prices are good, from $30 to $55. Next door is KidzTime, which sells toys to keep the little ones occupied - not to mention, quiet - in mid-air.

Say hello to Blush!, the first multi-brand lingerie concept store at Changi Airportr. Because you can never have too much lingerie, especially when you are travelling. Expect to find the same brands here as its Paragon outlet, like Princesse Tam Tam and Maidenform.

Going on a hike in Lombok and - gasp - forgot your hiking boots? Pop into Outdoor Lifestyle to grab a pair . The store sells other sporting goods, footwear and accessories - and yes, stuff for beach bums headed to places like Phuket and Bali, too.