Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru's old town hall, now its breakfast: chwee kueh since 1958 and three Bib Gourmand stalls. Come early and order across stalls; many are done by early afternoon.
- Where: Tiong Bahru
- Price: Under S$30
Tiong Bahru cafés and market
The small plan suits Tiong Bahru best: lunch at the market or a bakery stop, then a slow wander. Check which bakery branch you mean before you set off.
A deliberately small plan: a good table, something to eat and no urgent reason to move on.
Read the full guide: An unhurried Tiong Bahru pause.
Plain Vanilla Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru's linger-friendly bakery café, with a skylight, its own grocery label and cupcakes still the headline. Hot food stops at 3.50pm, and nobody takes bookings.
- Where: Tiong Bahru
- Price: Under S$30
Tiong Bahru Bakery
The croissant that started Singapore's bakery boom, now in 18 places. The Eng Hoon Street original is still the one worth getting up for; the mall branches are for emergencies.
- Where: Across Singapore
- Price: Under S$30
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Restaurants worth planning around
Meals worth putting in the calendar, from Peranakan cooking to French dining and Singapore-led tasting menus. Settle the occasion first; the right table follows from it.
- 6 picks
Food centres
The answer when nobody agrees on lunch. Everyone browses, everyone orders their own, everyone meets back at one table; keep a second choice in case your stall is shut.
- 4 picks
Singapore flavours
Singapore food in three registers: a hawker meal, a heritage-led restaurant or a tasting menu. If you only do one, start at the hawker centre; the others are riffing on it.
- 5 picks
Eating in Dempsey
Dempsey is best done as one booked meal with time either side. Peranakan, French or an open kitchen, chosen for the company; don't rush the wander around it.
- 3 picks
Eating at New Bahru
New Bahru works best if you decide what you're eating before you arrive: breakfast, Sri Lankan cooking or pizza. Book the table, then wander afterwards.
- 3 picks