94 Best Places to Shop in Singapore

Expect works from some of the world's most-renowned contemporary artists at Opera Gallery, one of a dozen global branches of this elite Parisian art dealer.

Largely a mix of high-end fashion boutiques and beauty salons, this extravagantly marbled shopping emporium next to the unmissable Royal Thai Embassy also features a handful of Orchard's better eateries, including Sushi Kimura and P.S. Cafe.

This quirky, alternative-style vintage barbershop (S$40 cut, S$25 ear cleaning) tucked on the first floor of an unassuming shophouse is a treasure trove of weird memorabilia and vintage stuff to watch and buy. Besides hair pomade and beard care products, there are clippers, used vinyl (rock, alt-punk, and Singaporean sounds), mint instant flex cameras, vintage toys, and all sort of pop culture collectibles—think Lemmy Kilmister, X-Files, and Freddy Krueger toys. Occasional live shows and DJ sets also make the Panic Room an ideal place to connect with Singapore’s real underground.

The glossy Paragon is worth a stroll, whether you're just window shopping or on the hunt for high-end fashions, jewelry, and accessories at boutiques such as Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Salvatore Ferragamo, or Prada. Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, and Muji all have outlets here, plus there are branches of popular chain restaurants like Din Tai Fung, Crystal Jade, and Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

If the myriad megamalls of central Singapore just aren't enough, head east to wander through this multilevel shopping center, with more than 250 stores and restaurants. You can shop in relative peace and quiet during the week, but it tends to get uncomfortably crowded on weekends.

People’s Park Centre—not to be confused with the distinctive yellow People’s Park Complex—is an older mall often frequented by local Chinese residents. The mall is mixed-use, so you’ll find everything from cheap grocery stores and massage and beauty services, to traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The mall is a good place to pick up a bargain or peruse interesting Chinese collectibles, and is very handily connected to Chinatown MRT.

Upgrade your banged-up bags at The Planet Traveller, which carries backpacks, full-sized suitcases, and carry-on bags from Eagle Creek, Victorinox, and other high-quality labels. Additional outlets are at Marina Square and Changi International Airport Terminal 3.

Need an air-conditioned escape from the afternoon heat? Daiso, Muji, Marks & Spencer and Uniqlo stores, a Golden Village movie theater, a supermarket, and more than 50 food outlets are just some of the tenants of this enormous nine-level building at the bottom of Orchard Road.

Get everything you need at this mega mall, which has more than 200 tenants within its walls, including Robinsons Department Store and Ode to Art, a contemporary art gallery. Both traveling to and spending time in the mall is a breeze—it is easily accessed from the City Hall and Esplanade train stations. It also offers services like the loan of portable chargers and umbrellas.

Contemporary works from more than 40 international artists are displayed in this gallery housed in a former army barracks. All pieces are handpicked by the gallery's owner, Chris Churcher, who meets with each artist before showcasing his or her work.

Retrocrates specializes in jazz, blues, and world music, and it's a trusted spot to look for professional turntables, stereo amplifiers, speakers, and the like. They also grade and buy second-hand vinyl, the preferred format they stock and specialize in. 

Now a household name, this enormous department store first opened in Singapore in 1858. It spans six floors and 150,000 square feet and sells some of the most sought-after brands and labels in Singapore. On Black Friday, thousands of Singaporeans camp outside the night before ito get to Robinson's bargains first, whether fashion, furniture, or kitchenware. Outside of the sales, prices can be a little steep, but the quality is always good.

This is the place to drop off teens for a few hours while you shop your way through Orchard Road's manifold megamalls. Clothes and accessories from up-and-coming designers can be found in the Scape Underground basement space, while upstairs legions of cool kids browse streetwear and guitar shops, hang out in gaming centers and karaoke rooms, or snack at fast-food chains. The main attraction, though, is the 32,000-square-foot outdoor Somerset Skate Park, where kids whiz around on skateboards and scooters. There's also a movie theater next door, at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard.

One of Singapore's best places for close-to-haute couture at affordable prices is Scotts Square. The mall has a basement food court, plus a changing roster of farmer's markets, craft fairs, and other offerings to keep shoppers entertained. Check the website for the latest events.

High-end fashion from some of the world's most recognized designers is the focus at the Hilton's triple-level shopping center. The latest collections from Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, and Alexander Wang are all here; take the underground passage to the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore for more options.

The hip offshoot of local perfumer Jamal Kazura Aromatics offers a more bespoke experience than its parent store. Drop in to custom blend a scent (reservations required; put aside at least 90 minutes) at the elaborate perfume organ. Aside from the sweet, woody base note of oud, unusual ingredients like ambergris, agarwood chips, and white amber can be incorporated. There are also pre-made scents, soy-based candles, and vials of essential oil for sale, as well as perfume workshops for enthusiasts. 

This sprawling complex has over 600 stores, including local designer boutiques and the funky Pasarbella food court featuring stalls by some of Singapore’s most creative culinary entrepreneurs. In the middle is the photo-worthy Fountain of Wealth, which was listed in the 1998 Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest fountain. There are nightly laser shows, and walking around the fountain supposedly brings good luck.

Not to be confused with Tanglin Shopping Centre or Tangs, this aging four-level mall tends to get lost in the Orchard Road shuffle, given that it's tucked away at the far west end of Orchard Road. It nevertheless remains popular with local expats thanks to its Tasty Food Court, as well as the somewhat upscale Tanglin Market Place, which sells a fine selection of international foods.

This is a recommended first stop if you're in the market for Asian antiques or Persian carpets. Antiques of the Orient, which deals in vintage charts, maps, and other antiquities, provides a unique shopping experience, plus there are more than 10 tailors here specializing in custom-made suits and alterations.

The Orchard Road location of this jeweler is the most convenient of the four branches it has in Singapore. Here, you can access the new collections that are released every few months. TianPo is also the island's exclusive provider of such international labels as Yvel and Hearts on Fire.

Since 1940, this heritage business has sold authentic batik (traditional hand-dyed textiles originating from Java, Indonesia) either by the meter or as pre-made pieces to bring home. They also sell small gifts, tablecloths, and napkins. Store assistants can help with sizing and pairing matching accessories.

Step aside ION Orchard and Marina Square—this is the largest shopping mall in Singapore, at least for now. Located on the southwestern tip of the island—about 10 minutes by taxi from Orchard Road—and doubling as a de facto gateway to Sentosa, this monolithic complex has, as expected, hundreds of retailers and restaurants and a 15-screen movie theater. But it also has art installations, an outdoor playground for kids, and a rooftop amphitheater near huge pools of water in which you can splash about. Expect a full house during the weekend.

On the second floor of a shophouse, Singapore's first retail store dedicated solely to natural wine—biodynamic farmed, organic, with minimal intervention in the wine-making process—is a spot to get the makings for a natural, healthy hangover. You'll find reds, whites, oranges, rosé, sparkling, and spirits, though closing time is a fairly early 9 pm.

It's a shame that no photography is allowed at this dusty old antiques shop. Its remarkable groupings of vintage goods, arranged in what you might call haphazard symmetry, make for one of the more photogenic mishmashes of random items in Singapore. Then again, photos might sully the surprises an hour of treasure hunting might yield. It's a great shop if you like thrifting.

The Japanese department store Isetan anchors five floors of dining and retail revelry that includes multiple International fashion and jewelry stores. There's also a fourth-floor Food Republic, which offers more than 20 hawker-style food stalls with kitschy, retro design highlighted by mosaic tile floors and vintage bric-a-brac along the walls and the dining area.

Inside this aging, five-level, Chinese department store you'll find plenty of unique (and often pricey) products, including medicinal herbs, tea, silks, fashion, and home furnishings. Many of the items are from mainland China.