78 Best Shopping in Singapore

One of Orchard Road's best-loved megamalls contains eight levels of shopping and dining distractions. Key fashion tenants include UNIQLO, Zara, and Love, Bonito, though there are plenty of tech, jewelery, and homeware stores, too. Along the mall's open-air Discovery Walk is a clutch of buzzing bars and restaurants, including JiBiru Yakitori & Craft Beer, which deals in local and imported microbrews. Refuel with a caffeine hit at uber-cool spots % Arabica or Flash Coffee, or join the long lines for bubble tea at Gong Cha.

Haji Lane is known for turning up some of the island's more unusual fashion finds so it’s no surprise that founder Astou Montfort decided to set up shop there. In particular, AS’FALL’s seasonal collection of made-in-Singapore clothing sports intricate embroidery specially crafted by Senegalese artisans for the brand. With limited runs and monthly rotating cultural patterns and motifs, each season sees different ethnic fabrics (batik, wax African fabric) being used, turning out truly unique luxe-yet-ethical clothing. 

A team of craftsmen and designers makes the unique handmade products, including jewelry, accessories, leather goods, and woodwork that are sold in this boutique. You’re bound to find something unique here.

This is one of the most popular spots in the city to souvenir shop. The stalls sprawl across Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street, and Temple Street, so you just need to pick a starting point and get walking. You can buy everything from lacquerware and handmade fans to paintings and T-shirts. Prices are usually fixed.

Need a break from Singapore's fun but sometimes suffocating mall culture? Head to the open air and this strip of restored shophouses, which stretches from Beach Road to North Bridge Road in Kampong Glam. Among the numerous indie fashion and lifestyle shops like Flame Vintage Store (genuine branded vintage finds), Crafune (DIY leather goods), Hygge (imported bags, handcrafted accessories), and The Nail Social (which uses nontoxic, eco-friendly, fair-trade, and cruelty-free nail products). The best way to tackle Haji Lane is to simply give yourself a few hours to wander and window-shop at random.

With a bold, sci-fi-inspired facade and a 56th-floor viewing deck replete with high-powered telescopes, this is not your everyday megamall, even by Singapore's lofty standards. In addition to local boutiques and more than 300 luxury shops, you'll find a cavernous food hall and a gourmet supermarket. But that's still not all: the fourth floor has the 3,640-square-foot ION Art Gallery, which regularly exhibits works by local and international artists.

Locals flock to Jamal Kazura Aromatics for high-quality perfumes and essential oils. Allow about 30 minutes for a consultation with one of the shop's staff members, who'll ask you a few questions about your lifestyle and favorite smells before concocting your personalized take-home fragrance. Call ahead to make an appointment. There are two other nearby outlets: one at 21 Bussorah Street and another at 39 Bussorah Street.

This used to be a humble store frequented only by local shoppers—until word spread about its low prices and mind-boggling variety of goods. A visit to this sprawling, 24/7 complex just might be your most memorable Singapore shopping experience, provided you don't mind patiently navigating the sometimes overwhelming crowds. Surrounded by scores of Indian restaurants, some of which are similarly open all day and night, Mustafa Centre carries just about any manufactured product you can imagine—and they're often sold at cut-rate prices. It's great fun to wander and see what kind of treasures you can turn up. Be sure to check out the massive supermarket, and, if you have spare money to change, do it here as the foreign-exchange rates (available online) are competitive.

The Japanese department store Takashimaya dominates this gigantic shopping mall, but there are also more than 130 other shops and dining outlets packed into the first few floors of the Ngee Ann towers. The basement food center is fun for snacking on everything from Hokkaido-style ice cream to bubble tea, and there's also, of course, a large food court if you're craving something more substantial. Books Kinokuniya—a must-visit—is one of the biggest bookstores in Southeast Asia, and special sales on clothing, housewares, and other goods are regularly held in the basement-level square.

This Chinatown gallery houses a collection of over 30,000 Peranakan tiles—colorful ceramics based on designs created by descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Singapore as early as the 15th century. A blend of Malaysian, Indonesian, and Singaporean influences, the intricate tiles can be seen adorning shophouses and residential properties across the island. Peranakan tiles make a distinctive (if fragile) souvenir of your time in Singapore, so Victor Lim’s gallery is well worth a visit if you still have room in the suitcase.

A unique concept in Singapore allows you to trade in your unwanted clothing and "swap" for pieces you do fancy. The store, with a goal to “make fashion a force for good,” has saved over 200,000 fashion items since inception, reducing the energy and resources needed to create new items. It’s great fun to search through the racks for a new look, especially with a clear conscience.

Head to this long-established store inside the Tanglin Shopping Centre for an interesting selection of vintage Southeast Asian artifacts and collectibles, including original books, photos, maps, and prints.

Owned by the Shanghai-born art dealer and author Marjorie Chu, Art Forum is a beautiful contemporary art gallery with a focus on Southeast Asia. Paintings and sculptures from more than 150 local and international artists are on display within this restored, whitewashed terrace house, and Chu herself is a wonderful resource for learning about the region's evolving arts scene.

This unique shopping complex is worth visiting just to see its shophouse facades, all enclosed under glass domes and cooled with arctic-strength air-conditioning. While you're here, look for affordable streetwear boutiques, a movie theater, cafés and restaurants, and the Kinokuniya bookstore. The center of Bugis Junction connects to the InterContinental Singapore hotel and Bugis MRT station.

Given its somewhat hidden location on the second level of the aging and nondescript Bras Basah Complex, there's a good chance you'd miss this indie-minded boutique if you didn't know it was there; it's well worth seeking out. Low-res Lomography and 35mm cameras, stylish camera bags, vintage postcards and stationery, handbags from thhe Singaporean designers Uyii, and a small-but-thoughtful selection of books, music, and journals highlight the mix of goods here.

One of the rare outlet malls in Singapore, Changi City Point houses more than 140 shops, including the factory stores of big-name sports and fashion brands like Nike, Adidas, Clarks, and Esprit. The landscaped rooftop garden of the three-story mall is a great place to take a breather in between shopping, and the top floor also houses a free playground and tree-house trail for kids.

One of the more modern shopping malls in the Chinatown area, this mall is a great place to grab a cool drink in the crisp air-conditioning—a welcome break from the busy market streets nearby. You'll also find a range of chain restaurants if you are looking for a quick lunch, as well as such expected amenities as drugstores in the basement. There are regular promotions and events held in the main area on the first floor, near the Cross Street entrance.

The trendy fashion retailer Club 21 offers sharp men's and women's clothing lines from such well-known designers as Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen. Naturally, the price tags match the big-brand names. There are several other branches around Singapore.

This well-respected Singaporean tailor has stood the test of time by creating quality suits and custom-made dresses using the finest fabrics from Europe and Japan. Book an appointment for bespoke tailoring, or check out their mail order service online.

Rather than buy a ready-made memento, why not spend a few hours learning the art of leathercraft and personalizing your own souvenir? At local leather brand Crafune, the 3 Small Accessories workshop ($65) teaches one how to craft and personalize a key holder, coin pouch, and card sleeve. If you’re short on time, the retail store has a variety of leather goods to choose from.