Guides to visit Tiong Bahru in Singapore

Tiong Bahru Singapore.

Tiong Bahru is a charming neighborhood in the heart of Singapore, known for its historic architecture, trendy cafes and boutiques, and bustling food scene. The area is home to a mix of old and new, with traditional shophouses and pre-war buildings alongside modern condominiums and hipster hangouts.

Visitors can explore the neighborhood’s rich heritage by taking a walk along its winding streets, admiring the Art Deco facades and colorful murals, or visiting the local museum. Foodies will love Tiong Bahru’s hawker center, which serves up a wide range of local and international cuisine, from classic chicken rice and laksa to innovative fusion dishes.

The neighborhood is also a hotspot for indie shops and boutiques, offering everything from artisanal baked goods to locally made fashion and home goods. With its unique blend of old-world charm and modern flair, Tiong Bahru is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Singapore’s culture and cuisine.

Best cafes in Tiong Bahru.

1. Forty Hands (@fortyhands) – This cafe is known for its artisanal coffee and delicious brunch menu. They also have a cozy outdoor seating area. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am-7pm.
2. Tiong Bahru Bakery (@tiongbahrubakery) – This bakery cafe serves up some of the best croissants and pastries in the area. They also offer a selection of sandwiches and salads. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8am-8pm.
3. Flock Cafe (@flockcafesg) – A popular brunch spot, Flock Cafe serves up a variety of dishes including pancakes, burgers, and sandwiches. They also have a great selection of coffee and tea. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm.
4. Merci Marcel (@mercimarcel) – This French cafe offers a menu of delicious and Instagram-worthy dishes, including avocado toast, croque monsieur, and eggs benedict. They also have a great selection of wines. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 8am-10:30pm.
5. The Dispensary Cafe (@thecafedispenary) – Located inside a former Chinese medicinal hall, this cafe offers a unique atmosphere and a menu of Western and Asian fusion dishes. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm.
6. Open Door Policy (@odpsingapore) – This modern European cafe offers a range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients, as well as a selection of cocktails and wine. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10:30pm.
7. Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee (@creamier_sg) – Known for their delicious ice cream and waffles, Creamier also offers a selection of coffee and tea. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm.
8. Drips Bakery Cafe (@dripsbakerycafe) – This cozy cafe offers a range of cakes, pastries, and sandwiches, as well as a selection of coffee and tea. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-9pm.
9. Galicier Pastry (@galicierpastry) – This traditional bakery offers a variety of kueh, pastries, and cakes, as well as coffee and tea. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9am-9pm.
10. The Twisted Trio (@thetwistedtrio) – This ice cream and coffee shop offers a range of unique ice cream flavors, including salted egg yolk and blueberry cheesecake, as well as coffee and tea. Opening hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm.

Best restaurants in Tiong Bahru.

1. Tiong Bahru Bakery – This bakery is known for its excellent pastries, croissants, and bread. They also serve brunch items and coffee. Instagram: @tiongbahrubakery Opening hours: Daily, 8am – 8pm
2. Bincho – This Japanese yakitori restaurant offers a selection of grilled skewers and other dishes using premium ingredients. Instagram: @binchosg Opening hours: Tue – Sun, 5pm – 10pm
3. Open Door Policy – This contemporary bistro serves fusion cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Instagram: @odpsingapore Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm; Sun, 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
4. Flock Cafe – This cozy cafe is a popular spot for brunch, serving dishes like avocado toast, pancakes, and coffee. Instagram: @flocksg Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm; Sat – Sun, 9am – 6pm
5. Merci Marcel – This French bistro offers a range of classic French dishes and brunch options. They also have a retail section selling French products. Instagram: @mercimarcel Opening hours: Daily, 8am – 10:30pm
6. The Butcher’s Wife – This plant-based restaurant offers creative vegetarian and vegan dishes using seasonal produce. Instagram: @thebutcherswifesg Opening hours: Tue – Fri, 11:30am – 10pm; Sat, 10am – 10pm; Sun, 10am – 5pm
7. Whiskit Bakery & Cafe – This bakery and cafe offers a range of sweet and savory baked goods, brunch items, and coffee. Instagram: @whiskitsg Opening hours: Tue – Fri, 9am – 6pm; Sat – Sun, 8am – 6pm
8. Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee – This hawker stall is famous for its Hokkien Prawn Mee, a local noodle dish. Instagram: N/A Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 11am – 7pm; Sat – Sun, 8:30am – 2:30pm
9. PS.Cafe Petit – This casual cafe offers brunch, lunch, and dinner options, as well as cocktails and desserts. Instagram: @pscafe Opening hours: Daily, 8am – 10:30pm
10. Bearded Bella – This cafe serves brunch items and coffee, as well as a selection of craft beers and wines. They also have a retail section selling coffee beans and brewing equipment. Instagram: @bearded.bella Opening hours: Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm; Sat – Sun, 9am – 6pm

Best hawker food spots in Tiong Bahru.

1. Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre – One of the most iconic hawker centres in Singapore, Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Centre is home to many famous stalls serving traditional hawker fare, including char kway teow, chicken rice, fishball noodles, and more. Instagram: @tiongbahrufc. Opening hours: 6am-10pm daily.
2. Flock Café – Not a hawker stall per se, but Flock Café serves up delicious brunch fare, including hearty sandwiches, fluffy pancakes, and specialty coffee, in a cozy setting. Instagram: @flockcafesg. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 8am-5pm.
3. Jian Bo Chwee Kueh – This popular stall is famous for its traditional steamed rice cakes (chwee kueh), which are topped with savory preserved radish and served with chili sauce. Instagram: @jianbochweekueh. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6am-12pm.
4. Tiong Bahru Wanton Mee – A long-time favorite among locals, this stall is known for its springy noodles, tender char siu (roasted pork), and flavorful wanton dumplings. Instagram: @tiongbahruwantonmee. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-2pm.
5. Tiong Bahru Pau – If you’re a fan of steamed buns, Tiong Bahru Pau is a must-visit. The stall offers a wide variety of buns, including the classic char siu bao (roasted pork bun) and the popular salted egg yolk bun. Instagram: @tiongbahrupau. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 7am-6pm.
6. Hui Ji Fishball Noodle – This humble stall serves up some of the best fishball noodles in town, with generous portions of fishballs, fish cake, and noodles in a savory broth. Instagram: @huijifishballnoodle. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 6am-2pm.
7. Ah Chiang’s Porridge – Ah Chiang’s Porridge has been a Tiong Bahru institution for over 40 years, serving up comforting bowls of rice porridge with various toppings, such as minced pork, sliced fish, and century egg. Instagram: @ahchiangporridge. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am-2pm, Sun 6am-12pm.
8. Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice – A family-run business for over 70 years, Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice is famous for its curry rice, which comes with a variety of dishes, such as pork chop, cabbage, and curry chicken. Instagram: @looshainanesecurryrice. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 8am-8pm.
9. Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry – This old-school bakery offers a range of nostalgic pastries and cakes, such as kaya (coconut jam) buns, pandan chiffon cake, and ondeh ondeh (glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar). Instagram: @tiongbahrugalacier. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 9am-4pm.

Best shops in Tiong Bahru.

1. BooksActually Description: A quaint bookstore specializing in Singaporean literature, indie titles, and quirky finds. Instagram: @booksactually Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
2. Plain Vanilla Bakery Description: A popular bakery with a cozy atmosphere, serving up delicious cupcakes, cakes, and other baked goods. Instagram: @pvbakery Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
3. Strangelets Description: A boutique lifestyle store with a unique selection of home goods, accessories, and gifts. Instagram: @strangelets.sg Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm, Saturday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
4. Tiong Bahru Market Description: A bustling hawker center with a wide variety of local food stalls, from traditional dishes to modern fusion cuisine. Instagram: @tiongbahrufc Opening Hours: Daily, 24 hours (individual stalls may have different opening hours)
5. Woods in the Books Description: A children’s bookstore with a whimsical interior, offering a wide range of picture books, comics, and graphic novels. Instagram: @woodsinthebooks Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
6. The Dispensary Description: A charming café and bar with vintage decor, serving up coffee, cocktails, and light bites. Instagram: @themedicinaldispensary Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 11:00am – 9:00pm, Thursday and Friday: 11:00am – 10:30pm, Saturday: 9:00am – 10:30pm, Sunday: 9:00am – 9:00pm
7. Forty Hands Description: A trendy coffee shop with a minimalist vibe, offering specialty coffee and light bites. Instagram: @40handscoffee Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 7:30am – 7:00pm
8. Nana & Bird Description: A fashion and lifestyle boutique with a carefully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods. Instagram: @nanaandbird Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm, Closed on Monday
9. Flock Cafe Description: A cozy café with an industrial-chic interior, serving up coffee, brunch, and sandwiches. Instagram: @flockcafesg Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
10. Galicier Pastry Description: A traditional Peranakan bakery with a wide range of delicious treats, including kueh and other local delights. Instagram: @galicierpastry Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am – 7:00pm