Shopping Mall Guides

Which malls are worth your time, what each is best for and the food courts hidden inside.

This page is your starting point for shopping malls in Singapore. It covers which malls are worth your time, what each does best and where to eat inside. Any guides on the topic appear in the list below. Under the list, our full guide compares the main malls by area.

Plan it with EatStays: Hotels in Orchard & River Valley.

New guides are on the way. Browse Shopping →

Shopping malls in Singapore: how they work

Shopping malls in Singapore are more than places to shop. Locals use them to escape the heat and rain, grab a cheap meal and meet friends. Most are linked to an MRT station, and many connect to each other by tunnels or covered walkways. Most open from late morning until late evening, every day of the week. Inside, you will find fashion, beauty, electronics, supermarkets and food courts.

A food court is an air-conditioned food hall with many small stalls. Read Hawker Centre vs Food Court: What's the Difference? to see how it compares with a hawker centre.

The best malls on Orchard Road

Orchard Road has the biggest cluster of malls in Singapore. Several are linked underground around Orchard MRT station.

ION Orchard. It sits above Orchard MRT station and is strong on luxury and global brands. It has a large food hall in the basement. Paradise Dynasty (ION) serves Chinese food.
Ngee Ann City. Home to the Takashimaya department store, many brand boutiques and a large bookshop.
Wisma Atria. Mid-range fashion and a food court, linked to ION and Ngee Ann City. Try Sushiro (Wisma Atria) for sushi.
Paragon. Upmarket fashion, plus Din Tai Fung (Paragon) for Taiwanese food.
Mandarin Gallery. A smaller mall with designer stores and restaurants such as Ippudo (Mandarin Gallery) for ramen.
313@somerset and orchardgateway. High-street fashion near Somerset MRT station. Hotel Jen Orchardgateway is a 4-star hotel in the same area.
Plaza Singapura. A family-friendly mall at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, at the quieter end of Orchard Road.

For budget meals, read Cheap Eats on Orchard Road: Mall Basements and Food Courts.

Malls in Marina Bay and the city centre

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Luxury flagships and an indoor canal, next to Bayfront MRT station. Ippudo (Marina Bay Sands) serves ramen. See our Luxury Shopping topic.
Raffles City. Above City Hall MRT station, with mid-range fashion, beauty and plenty of places to eat.
Suntec City and Marina Square. Two large malls near the convention centre. Suntec City is home to the Fountain of Wealth.
Funan. A mall near City Hall with tech and lifestyle shops.

Other malls worth the trip

VivoCity

VivoCity at HarbourFront is one of Singapore's largest malls. It is also the gateway to Sentosa. You can catch the Sentosa Express train from the mall or walk across the boardwalk. Plan the rest of your day with Sentosa Island Day Out.

Jewel Changi Airport

Jewel Changi Airport mixes shops and restaurants with the Rain Vortex, a huge indoor waterfall. Visit before a flight or make it a day out. See our Jewel Changi Airport topic.

Bugis Junction

Bugis Junction sits beside Bugis MRT station, across the road from the Bugis Street market. Combine the two for a mix of mall and market shopping.

Neighbourhood malls

Most housing estates have their own mall, such as Tampines Mall in the east or Jurong Point in the west. These show how locals shop day to day, with supermarkets, food courts and family shops. Read Staying in the Singapore Heartlands: What to Expect.

Tips for visiting malls

Pick your time. Weekday afternoons are calm. Weekends and public holidays are much busier.
Head downstairs to eat. Food courts and supermarkets are often on the lower floors.
Stay dry. Underground links help on rainy days. See Singapore Areas With Covered Walkways to the MRT and our Rainy Day Activities topic.
Bring a light layer. The air conditioning can feel cold after the heat outside.
Ask about tax refunds. Many larger stores are in the Tourist Refund Scheme. Bring your passport.

FAQs about shopping malls in Singapore

Which mall is best for first-time visitors?

ION Orchard is a good start. It sits above Orchard MRT station and links to other big malls. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is easy to combine with sightseeing.

What time do malls open in Singapore?

Most open in the late morning and close in the late evening, every day. Some supermarkets and restaurants keep longer hours, so check each mall before you go.

Are malls open on public holidays?

Yes, most malls stay open. Some shops close or change their hours over Chinese New Year. Read What's Open During Chinese New Year in Singapore?

Where can I eat cheaply in a Singapore mall?

Head for the food court, which is often in the basement. Dishes there cost much less than in sit-down restaurants.