Singaporean Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to Singaporean restaurants in Singapore

Many of the best Singaporean restaurants in Singapore are not formal restaurants at all. Local food is mostly cooked at hawker stalls, coffee shops and small specialist shops. The food reflects the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian communities that live here. Singapore's hawker culture is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. That makes a hawker meal one of the best ways to understand the country.

Singaporean dishes to try first

• Chicken rice: poached or roasted chicken with rice cooked in chicken stock. See Chicken Rice.
• Laksa: noodles in a spicy coconut curry broth with prawns and fish cake. See Laksa.
• Bak kut teh: pork ribs in a peppery, garlicky soup. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh (New Bridge Road) is in the Marina Bay and CBD area. More are on the Bak Kut Teh page.
• Char kway teow: flat rice noodles fried in a hot wok with dark soy sauce, egg and cockles. See Char Kway Teow.
• Hokkien mee: noodles fried with prawns and squid in a rich seafood stock.
• Satay: grilled skewers of meat with peanut sauce. See Satay.
• Nasi lemak: coconut rice with sambal chilli paste, fried anchovies, peanuts and egg.
• Chilli crab: crab in a thick, sweet and spicy sauce, usually eaten at seafood restaurants.
• Kaya toast: toast with coconut jam and butter, often served with soft-boiled eggs and kopi, the local coffee.

Where to eat Singaporean food by area

Chinatown and the CBD

Maxwell Food Centre, Amoy Street Food Centre, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre and Chinatown Complex Food Centre are close to each other. You can visit two in one day. Amoy Street and Hong Lim get busy with office workers at weekday lunch.

The east

Old Airport Road Food Centre is in Geylang and Paya Lebar. Bedok 85 Fengshan Food Centre and East Coast Lagoon Food Village are in East Coast and Bedok. East Coast Lagoon is by the sea, so pair it with a walk or cycle in East Coast Park.

Central and west

Tiong Bahru Market and ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre are in Tiong Bahru and Alexandra. Combine Tiong Bahru Market with the Tiong Bahru Heritage Walk: A Self-Guided Route. Ghim Moh Market & Food Centre is in the Dempsey, Tanglin and Holland area. Adam Road Food Centre is in Newton and Novena. Whampoa Makan Place is in Balestier and Toa Payoh. 'Makan' is the Malay word for 'eat'.

Little India and Kampong Glam

Tekka Centre in Little India has many Indian food stalls. Golden Mile Food Centre is in the Bugis and Kampong Glam area.

A 'market and food centre' has a wet market next to the food stalls. A wet market sells fresh meat, fish and vegetables, and is busiest in the morning.

Tips for your first hawker meal

• Find a seat first at busy times. Locals 'chope', or reserve, a table by leaving a packet of tissues on it. Do not move it.
• Note your table number. Some stalls bring food to you. Others ask you to wait or give you a buzzer.
• Bring small notes. Many stalls also take QR code payments, but cash is still useful.
• Return your tray and dishes to the tray return point when you finish. This is expected at every hawker centre.
• Order kopi like a local. Kopi comes with condensed milk. Kopi O is black with sugar. Add 'kosong' for no sugar. Read How to Order Kopi in Singapore Without Getting Lost.
• Plan around closing days. Popular stalls may close one day a week or when they sell out.
• Halal food. Look for the MUIS halal certificate at the stall. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
• Know rough costs. Most hawker dishes cost roughly S$4 to S$10. Prices change, so check the stall's menu board.

For more etiquette, see Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore: 9 Simple Rules.

FAQs about Singaporean restaurants in Singapore

What is Singaporean food?

It is a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian cooking. Over time, these styles have shaped dishes such as laksa, chicken rice and satay.

What is the national dish of Singapore?

There is no official one. Many people point to chicken rice, while chilli crab and laksa are also strong favourites.

Is hawker food safe to eat?

Yes. Hawker stalls are licensed by the Singapore Food Agency, and food is cooked fresh. Busy stalls with a steady queue are a good sign.

How much does a hawker meal cost?

A single dish usually costs a few dollars to around S$10. A drink adds a little more. Prices change, so check each stall.

Do I need to tip at a hawker centre?

No. Tipping is not expected at hawker centres or coffee shops. Pay the price shown on the stall.