-
$ | Sentosa Island |
This kitsch concept of combi vans and food trucks offers everything from lobster rolls to fish and chips and yakitori sticks for east grab and go eating. Located next to the Wings of Time show, spend a minimum of S$5 to enjoy the best views of Sentosa SkyJet and the Sentosa Musical Fountain performance.
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
-
$ | Little India |
In operation since 1947, this is one of Little India's best-known stops for northern and southern Indian vegetarian cuisine. Most plates come with curries, rice, dhal, condiments, Indian breads, or special sauces; for dessert there's a well-stocked counter of sweets. Busy days tend to be very busy, so plan on sharing a table in the downstairs dining room; upstairs it's slightly quieter and more spacious.
76–78 Serangoon Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 217981, Singapore
Known For
- Paper thin dosais (lentil and rice flour pancakes)
- Indian sweets
- Busy downstairs, quieter upstairs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$ | Kampong Glam |
This cute Swedish cafe's halal bakes are slightly pricey, but they're favored by local café aficionados. Stick to signature items like the strawberry cream cheese Danish and traditional semla bun, available year round. Other winning menu items include flaky croissants (in flavors like red-velvet cream cheese), kouign amann, and savory quiches for a heartier bite.
33 Bussorah St., Singapore, Singapore, 199451, Singapore
Known For
- Creative baked goods
- Traditional semla bun
- Halal-certified pastries and breads
-
$ | Little India |
This no-frills vegetarian restaurant is a long-running local favorite and one of the better south Indian restaurants in vibrant Little India. Opt for the thali if you're hungry: it's a large platter of dosai (pancakes) with three spiced vegetables, curd, dhal, rasam (hot and sour soup), papadam, and Indian-style condiments. Also recommended are the paper dosai, a thin, crispy rice flour crepe in an enormous roll served with two spicy coconut chutneys and rasam. Make sure you order a cup of their freshly brewed masala tea with hand pulled froth.
12–14 Upper Dickson Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 207474, Singapore
Known For
- South Indian cuisine
- Paper dosai
- Masala tea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$ | Marina Bay |
Located just off the boardwalk by the Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay, this outdoor, hawker-style cluster of food stands offers a delicious (albeit slightly expensive) variety of local and regional specialties. Here you'll find chili crab, grilled prawns, chicken rice, fried carrot cake, meat satay, and much more served into the wee hours of the morning.
8 Raffles Ave., Singapore, Singapore, 039802, Singapore
Known For
- Authentic hawker fare
- Wide variety of food in one spot
- Local vibes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | Chinatown |
This small, blue-decked café on the side of Ann Siang Hill serves some of the best coffee on the island. Grab an iced latte and perch on one of the outside tables for a quick break from the Chinatown sightseeing and shopping. The café often works with local bakers, so make sure to try their pastry and sandwich selections.
6 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore, Singapore, 069787, Singapore
Known For
- Seasonal coffee selections
- Friendly staff
- Outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | Little India |
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Indian food on Race Course Road, but this restaurant established in 1969), along with the similarly popular Banana Leaf Apolo a few blocks down, is widely considered the best of the lot. There's a full range of North and South Indian options here, but the fish-head curry with okra and pineapple, the milagu kozhi varuval (chicken with pepper and coriander seeds), and the masala prawns are some of the standouts. The contemporary space is decorated with mosaic tiles, polished black flooring, and tables that surround a central open kitchen. The chef uses no food coloring and practices eco-friendly dining policies.
138 Race Course Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 218591, Singapore
Known For
- Wide variety of Indian dishes
- Fish-head curry
- Contemporary space
-
$ | Orchard |
The enormous bowls of pho at this casual quick-serve noodle bar are excellent. At lunch time, you can get a bowl of chicken or beef pho, a green papaya salad, and a tea or coffee for under S$14. Though designed more as a fast-food concept (you order at the bar and wait for your number to be called before collecting), the quick stop has decor and tableware that feel very authentic, with pretty hanging lights and long wooden benches. Food is always speedy, always fresh, and always delicious.
501 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 238880, Singapore
Known For
- Huge bowls of pho
- Great side dishes
- Beautiful tablewear
-
$ | Chinatown |
“Bringing back the good old taste of Singapore traditional coffee” is the motto here, and you definitely won't be disappointed in the way that's done. Try the strong, sweet kopi ubiquitous in Singapore’s history, in an old-fashioned, bright red coffee house. Brush up on your kopi terms before visiting.
268 South Bridge Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 058817, Singapore
Known For
- Supports historic Singaporean coffee culture
- Strong coffee and milk tea
- Kaya toast sets
-
$ | Kampong Glam |
Blink and you might miss this nondescript, old-school bakery famous for its pillow-soft Swiss rolls. Every morning sees eight freshly baked varieties, including mango, strawberry, and pandan cheese, but distinctive local flavors like durian and kaya (coconut jam) are the true standouts. Come early; only a limited number of rolls are baked each day.
24 Kandahar St., Singapore, Singapore, 198887, Singapore
Known For
- Fresh Swiss rolls
- Old-school vibes
- Unusual local flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
-
$ | Pulau Ubin |
This restaurant is located close to the jetty and has a laid-back island vibe, like all the other places. It's a good place to grab a fresh, cold coconut drink, but if you're hungry, the dishes to try include the not-too-spicy sambal kangkong (stir-fried water spinach with chili) and the black-pepper crab.
59E Pulau Ubin, Singapore, Singapore, 508309, Singapore
Known For
- Black-pepper crab
- Simple home-cooked food
- Cash only
-
$ | Orchard |
If tea is your thing, be sure to visit Signature Koi—pioneers of the bubble tea culture in Singapore. Try the Earl Grey milk tea with signature pearls (tapioca balls) for the original experience. You’ll find lots of bubble tea stalls are takeaway-only in Singapore, so this well-designed (if small) sit-in space is a real boon.
2 Orchard Turn, Singapore, Singapore, 238801, Singapore
Known For
- Bubble tea pioneers
- Flavored green teas
- Cozy seating space
-
$ | Orchard | Chinese
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 cuisine, from double-boiled pork ribs and dried scallops to tofu prawns and chicken rice, perhaps the most popular dish in Singapore. There are now more than ten Soup branches across the island—and all of them tend to be packed, particularly on Sundays.
#B1-07, Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., Singapore, Central Singapore, 238859, Singapore
-
$ | Little India |
A local favorite for late night dim sum, this low-frills supper spot has been known to have a line well into the wee hours of the morning. Order the usual suspects—siew mai, bean-curd prawn roll, or pork congee with century egg—but save space for signature dishes like the mee sua kueh, a deep-fried vermicelli cake, and Shanghainese favorites like the Sichuan chilli wantons and juicy xiao long bao.
183–193 Jalan Besar, Singapore, Singapore, 208882, Singapore
Known For
- Affordable dim sum
- Deep-fried vermicelli cake
- Mouthwatering chilli wantons
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
-
$ | CBD |
Among the heaving mass of eateries in Lau Pa Sat food center, this locally-renowned stall serves an exemplary version of thunder tea rice, a rice dish topped with peanuts, chilli, and anchovies and served alongside herby, green tea soup. The dish is a specialty of the Hakka people—one of Singapore’s largest Chinese dialect groups—and is apparently named after the sound the ingredients make when being pounded to make the soup. Unlike many other specialties found in hawker centers, thunder tea rice is high in fiber, low in fat, and low in cholesterol, making it a popular choice for those looking for a healthier lunchtime option.
18 Raffles Quay, Singapore, Singapore, 048582, Singapore
Known For
- Limited menu
- Healthy food center option
- Busy at lunchtime with work crowds
-
-
$ | Chinatown |
This humble store on the edge of Chinatown, with its metal chairs and bright strip lights, doesn't look very inviting—until you see the hoards of people waiting to get inside. Congee, or savory porridge, is a popular local dish, and nowhere does it better than Tiong Shian, where thick, hot white rice is served with everything from meatballs to frogs legs. Service is brisk and comfort is minimal but you can be guaranteed a good meal.
265 New Bridge Rd., Singapore, Singapore, 088745, Singapore
Known For
- Cheap prices
- Delicious congee
- Quick service
