Singapore has more than a hundred hawker centres, so choosing where to eat can be hard. Some are famous with visitors, while others are local favourites in the suburbs. This guide picks the best hawker centres in Singapore for tourists: easy to reach, full of choice and home to stalls that are worth the queue.
How we chose these hawker centres
We looked for hawker centres that are easy to get to by MRT, have a wide range of dishes and are rated well by diners. All the places below are on our list of hawker favourites, where you can see ratings and addresses. Before you go, read our hawker centre etiquette guide to learn how to find a seat and order.
Best hawker centres in the city centre
Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre sits on the edge of Chinatown and is the easiest place to start. It is compact, central and home to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, one of the most famous stalls in the city. Go before noon to avoid the lunch rush.
Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is a historic market building in the business district, with an iron frame and a clock tower. By day it is busy with office workers. In the evening, the street beside it closes to traffic and fills with satay grills.
Amoy Street Food Centre
Amoy Street Food Centre is a lunchtime favourite for office workers, with many well-known stalls over two floors. Many stalls close at weekends, so visit on a weekday.
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre is known for its noodle stalls and is a short walk from Chinatown MRT station.
Best hawker centres in heritage neighbourhoods
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Chinatown Complex Food Centre is one of the largest hawker centres in Singapore, with hundreds of stalls on the second floor. It is a great place to wander and try a little of everything.
Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru Market has a wet market downstairs and a food centre upstairs. It is perfect for breakfast before our Tiong Bahru heritage walk.
Tekka Centre
Tekka Centre in Little India is the place for Indian and Muslim food, including biryani, thosai and teh tarik.
Best hawker centres worth the trip
Old Airport Road Food Centre
Old Airport Road Food Centre is one of the biggest and best loved, with a mostly local crowd and many famous stalls.
Newton Food Centre
Newton Food Centre near Orchard is popular in the evening for satay, seafood and barbecued stingray. Check prices before you order seafood.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Chomp Chomp Food Centre in Serangoon Gardens comes alive at night, with smoky grills and a neighbourhood feel.
East Coast Lagoon Food Village
East Coast Lagoon Food Village sits by the sea in East Coast Park, which makes it perfect after a bike ride.
Hawker centres with a view
For dinner with the skyline, try Makansutra Gluttons Bay by the Esplanade or Satay by the Bay in Gardens by the Bay. Both are close to the free evening light shows.
Tips for visiting the best hawker centres in Singapore
- Go early: popular stalls can have long queues from about 11.30am.
- Carry cash in small notes, although more stalls now accept QR payments.
- Share dishes so you can try more in one visit.
- Return your tray and dishes when you finish.
FAQs about hawker centres in Singapore
Which hawker centre is best for first-time visitors?
Maxwell Food Centre is a good first choice. It is central, easy to reach and has many famous stalls in a small space.
What time do hawker centres open?
Many open for breakfast and close in the evening, but each stall sets its own hours. Some hawker centres, like Chomp Chomp, are busiest at night.
Are hawker centres open on weekends?
Most are, but stalls in business districts, such as Amoy Street, often close at weekends.
Do hawker centres have air-conditioning?
Most are open-sided with fans rather than air-conditioning, so go in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
More guides in our hawker centre guides.
