Little India Guides

Little India Singapore at a glance

Little India Singapore is the centre of the city's Indian community and one of its most colourful areas. Serangoon Road, the main street, is lined with shops selling spices, flowers, gold jewellery, saris and sweets. Hindu temples, Indian restaurants and a large hawker centre are all a few minutes' walk apart.

The area has deep roots. In the 1800s it had cattle pens and brick kilns, which is why you will see street names such as Buffalo Road. Read the full story in History of Little India Singapore: Cattle to Culture.

Things to do in Little India

• Visit a temple. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore and welcomes respectful visitors.
• Learn the history. The Indian Heritage Centre is a museum about the story of Indians in Singapore and the wider region.
• Shop at Little India Arcade. This row of restored shophouses sells snacks, souvenirs and henna. See our Little India Arcade Guide: Shops, Snacks and Henna.
• Browse Mustafa Centre. Mustafa Centre is a huge department store selling almost everything, from electronics to groceries. It is known for staying open late.
• Walk the side streets. Look for colourful shophouses, flower garland stalls and street art.

Our Little India page has more ideas for a self-guided visit.

What to eat in Little India

Food is a big reason to come. South Indian cooking is common here, but you will also find North Indian, Indian Muslim and Chinese food. Start with Dishes to Try in Little India: A First-Timer's List.

Banana leaf meals

At a banana leaf restaurant, rice and several vegetable dishes are served on a banana leaf instead of a plate. You can add meat or seafood dishes if you like. Many locals eat with their right hand. When you finish, folding the leaf towards you is a polite way to say you enjoyed the meal.

Banana Leaf Apolo is a South Indian restaurant serving this style of meal. Read Banana Leaf Rice in Little India: How the Meal Works before you go.

Other dishes to try

• Fish head curry: a large fish head cooked in a spicy, slightly sour curry with vegetables. Try Muthu's Curry (Race Course Road).
• Dosa: a thin, crisp pancake made from a fermented rice and lentil batter. South Indian restaurants such as Komala Vilas serve it with chutneys and sambar, a lentil and vegetable stew.
• Biryani: spiced rice layered with meat. Bismillah Biryani focuses on this dish.
• Hawker meals: Tekka Centre has a large food centre, a wet market and clothing shops upstairs. A hawker centre is a food hall of small, low-cost stalls.

Many restaurants here are fully vegetarian, which makes the area easy for plant-based eaters. Some places serve halal food. If this matters to you, look for the MUIS halal certificate. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.

Temples, festivals and etiquette

The temples here are active places of worship. Remove your shoes before entering, dress modestly and keep your voice low. Ask before taking photos of people or ceremonies. Little India Temple Etiquette: What Visitors Should Know explains more.

The area is at its brightest during Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights. In the weeks before, Serangoon Road is decorated with street lights, and festive markets sell sweets, clothes and decorations. Expect large crowds in the evenings, especially at weekends. Pongal and Thaipusam are other festivals celebrated in the area.

Little India is a Liquor Control Zone. This means tighter limits on drinking in public, especially at weekends and on public holidays.

Getting there and where to stay

Little India MRT station, on the North East and Downtown Lines, is at the southern end of Serangoon Road, next to Tekka Centre. Farrer Park MRT station, on the North East Line, serves the northern end near Mustafa Centre.

The area is a good-value base, with many mid-range hotels close to the MRT. Options include Holiday Inn Singapore Little India and Parkroyal on Kitchener Road, both four-star hotels. The Vagabond Club is a boutique choice. Comparing areas? Read Chinatown or Little India: Which Area to Stay In? or browse Hotels in Little India & Jalan Besar.

FAQs about Little India Singapore

Is Little India worth visiting?

Yes. It offers temples, markets, Indian food and colourful streets in a small, walkable area. Most of the sights are free to see.

What is the best time to visit Little India?

Mornings are cooler and good for temples and markets. Evenings are lively and good for dinner. Come in the weeks before Deepavali to see the street lights.

What should I wear to temples in Little India?

Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You will need to remove your shoes, so slip-on footwear helps.

Is Little India safe for tourists?

Yes, it is generally safe, like most of Singapore. It can get very crowded at weekends and during festivals, so keep an eye on your belongings.