Thanks to Singapore's incredible selection of hawker centres, we'll always have local food that won't burn a hole in your pocket.
Welcome to the world of hawker centres, where nothing costs over $10, local dishes are aplenty and queuing for more than 10 minutes is justified. We can never get enough of favourites like laksa, chicken rice and nasi lemak! If you’re unsure where to find the best of the best, we’ve put together a list of all the popular hawker centres in Singapore. You’ll never go hungry again…
Best hawker centres in Singapore
1. Maxwell Food Centre
This massive dining enclave is home to over 100 food stalls, all with a focus on different specialities. There’s chicken rice from Tian Tian (the late, great Anthony Bourdain was a fan), wholesome congee from Zhen Zhen Porridge and loads more. Oh, and it stays open really late for times when you get the mee pok munchies after a night out.
Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
2. Golden Mile Food Centre
This food heaven is a little on the ‘hidden’ spectrum. For starters, it’s not located near an MRT station – the nearest two, Nicoll Highway and Lavender, are quite a walk away. Still, that’s no excuse not to check out the selection of amazing food. People have travelled here from afar for the gutsy dish that is sup tulang, a thick fiery red mutton stew served with soft bread. Other hot picks? Beef noodles, Hokkien mee and Teochew braised duck. Walk off the feast by paying a visit to Golden Mile Complex.
Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, Singapore 199583
3. Old Airport Road Food Centre
It’s a little out of the way for those of us who don’t live in the Geylang or Kallang area, but this decades-old food centre is great for barbecued seafood (head straight for Mattar Road Seafood BBQ) and HK-style chee cheong fun (at Freshly Made Chee Cheong Fun stall, no less).
Old Airport Road Food Centre, 19 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390019
4. Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
You’ll be spoilt for choice at this food centre, which happens to be smack bang in the middle of hipster cafes and indie stores in Tiong Bahru. Try Chinese rojak from Tow Kwar Pop, chicken rice from the ever-popular Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, and chwee kueh from the famous Jian Bo.
Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
5. Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
This two-storey hawker centre is known for several things: prawn noodles from The Old Stall Hokkien Street Famous Prawn Mee, fruit juice mee siam from Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa, and curry chicken noodles from Heng Kee Curry Chicken Bee Hoon. Come with an empty stomach, we say.
Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
6. Tekka Centre
For your Indian cuisine fix, this is the perfect place to stop by. The biryani’s practically legendary (choose from either Yakader or Allauddin stalls) and the Indian rojak from Temasek Indian Rojak is to die for. Top it all off with a sweet glass of teh tarik! After breakfast, head to Tekka Market for the best fresh produce you’ll find in town.
Tekka Centre, 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665
7. Whampoa Hawker Centre
Located in a cosy neighbourhood, Whampoa Hawker Centre is huge in its own right. You’ll be spoilt for choice with myriad local food options. Get your taste buds ready for classic crispy carrot cake and nasi lemak. The long queues say it all – it’s a perfect local gem!
Whampoa Hawker Centre, 91 Whampoa Drive, Singapore 320091
8. Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre
Part wet market, part food centre, Geylang Serai is where you need to be for endless options of Malay dishes – especially nasi padang. Hajjah Mona (it’s so heavily-decorated, you just can’t miss this stall and its neon lights) has such an extensive menu. We’re talking about rendang, ayam balado and sayur lodeh to fill you up nicely.
Geylang Serai Market & Food Centre, 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001
9. Yishun Park Hawker Centre
If Timbre+ is too hip for your scene, the folks behind Timbre also happen to manage Yishun Park Hawker Centre. This place is totally high tech. It has a radio frequency identification (RFID) system which returns your $0.50 tray deposit when you place it at a washing station, electronic payment options and, of course, a whole lot of cheap and good food. Seriously, you can get a bowl of ramen for as low as $3.50!
Yishun Park Hawker Centre, 51 Yishun Avenue 11, Singapore 768867
10. East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Seafood by the beach — what could be better? This is the place to hit up if you’re looking for a spot to have a meal with a large group of friends. Plenty of stalls specialise in barbecued seafood, as well as satay, so take your pick. Don’t forget to order a side of rojak for some variety!
East Coast Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 468960
11. Market Street Interim Hawker Centre
If you’ve been getting lunch from Market Street Food Centre, or more fondly known as Golden Shoe, don’t be dismayed by the closure for redevelopment. Most of the stalls have set up shop just down the road from the original spot – at Market Street Interim Hawker Centre. Get your usual cheap fix of nasi lemak, chicken rice, and hor fun from the well-loved stalls.
Market Street Interim Hawker Centre, located next to Telok Ayer MRT
12. Amoy Street Food Centre
If you work in the CBD, you’ll know this is THE place to get an affordable, delish lunch. With two levels filled with diverse hawker stalls, you’ll never run out of solid choices. We’ve had our share of great Thai food, fab pasta, hearty congee, assorted noodle dishes (including the Michelin-approved A Noodle Story) and more – it’s all about discovery!
Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069111
13. Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Located right in the heart of Chinatown, this hawker centre is a great place to familiarise yourself with Singapore’s famous dishes. Because it’s all so affordable, you can totally splurge on a feast while you’re at it. Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of life in one of Singapore’s oldest precincts, this place is the perfect pitstop on a day filled with heritage adventures.
Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335
14. Adam Road Food Centre
It might be smaller compared to its counterparts, but don’t let that fool ya. The famous Adam Road Food Centre boasts Singapore’s national treasures under one roof, including the classic nasi lemak by Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak (expect a long queue during weekend breakfast hours). Also, don’t forget to check out Adam’s Delight, known for glorious mee goreng served alongside cheese fries.
Adam Road Food Centre, 2 Adam Road, Singapore 289877
15. Chomp Chomp Food Centre
What can’t you find in Serangoon Gardens? You’ve got quaint cafe concepts, retro local pubs, mookata and the 24-hour R.K. Eating House for your roti prata supper fix. But there’s one place in this foodie enclave that draws people from all over Singapore – we’re talking about the hawker centre affectionately known as Chomp Chomp. Must-tries include Fu BBQ Seafood, Chomp Chomp Satay and Chong Pang Huat Chicken Wings.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre, 20 Kensington Park Road, Singapore 557269
16. Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre
“Dual dining concept” is fancy code for having the best of traditional hawker fare alongside modern and hip food options. Enjoy your plate of chicken rice from Feng Feng Boneless Chicken Rice while you indulge in succulent prawn mee from Prawnaholic. Who says you can’t feast like a king in a hawker centre?
Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, 110 Pasir Ris Central, Singapore 519641
17. Zion Food Centre
Opposite Great World City, you’ll find an enclave of good, pocket-friendly eats. This popular supper spot might be one of the smaller hawker centres, but it has a loyal following. From fried favourites like char kway teow and black or white carrot cake to wholesome, soupy dishes like prawn mee and wanton noodles, hawker classics are aplenty.
Zion Food Centre, 70 Zion Road, Singapore 247792
18. Timbre+
Timbre+ is a gastropark with good Singapore hawker food, as well as offerings of Spanish, Thai, French, Indian and other cuisines. Also known as the ‘hipster hawker centre’, it features cool graffiti on shipping containers and vintage Airstream travel trailers that are transformed into food trucks. Some nights (pre-Covid), you’ll even find live music brightening up the mood. Ideal for group hangouts!
Timbre+, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, Singapore 139957
19. Satay by the Bay
Choose from the various push carts serving satay, as well as a number of other stalls selling favourites like barbecued chicken wings, popiah and chicken rice. Love seafood? You’ve got plenty of options. It’s also a go-to for a cold beer and local treats after a day at Gardens by the Bay.
Satay by the Bay, #01-19, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
20. Lau Pa Sat
At this former market-turned-hawker centre, you can feast on everything from Thai food to Japanese cuisine. When night falls, Boon Tat Street turns into satay central for the after-work crowds. The stunning colonial structure and rich history behind this popular dining spot make it a must-see.
Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
21. Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre
Craving nostalgic hawker dishes? This food centre is packed with local favourites like economic bee hoon, chicken rice and loads more. You’ll be reminiscing the good ol’ days over a $3 plate piled high with delish fried kway teow.
Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre, 209 Hougang Street 21, Singapore 530209
22. Toa Payoh Block 127 Market and Food Centre
There’s always a long, snaking queue for Hokkien mee at the Come Daily Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee stall. Also, don’t forget to give the signature bowl of noods from 135 Fishball Noodle a go. Want something sweet to finish? The muffins from Uggli Muffins are pure perfection.
Toa Payoh Block 127 Market and Food Centre, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310127
The next time you’re in the mood for local food, you know which hawker centre in Singapore to hit up!
