Here’s where to eat, drink, shop and chill out at this bustling enclave in the Duxton neighbourhood.
Telok Ayer, we’ll be fond of you forever. But if there’s a neighbourhood to give our fave one a serious run for its money, it’s the leafy and lush Duxton Hill. Featuring many, many great eateries representing all sorts of cuisine from Mexican to French, and the independent stores that keep you occupied if you’re in for a spot of shopping, this enclave is one to explore. We let you in on the finest restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in Duxton Hill.
Duxton Hill guide: Best restaurants and cafes
1. Tamba
From the great minds that gave us Kafe Utu, we welcome Tamba to the hip ‘hood of Duxton. Celebrating all things West Africa, the restaurant gives you a multi-sensory experience the moment you step in. This cosy 25-seater nook was a labour of love, taking over two years to curate, research, and develop. We’re mighty impressed with the selection of booze available, too. The bar boasts a unique collection of African spirits, something you’ll rarely find in Singapore.
Tamba, 101 Duxton Road, Singapore 089964
2. Cloud
You know you’ve arrived at this cafe when you notice the white clouds hanging above you when you first enter the space. It softens the industrial theme of the rest of the venue, which is decked out in cement floors, grey ceilings, and furniture in muted colours. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, Cloud serves a mean cup of coffee. So don’t be surprised if you can’t get a seat on the weekends!
Cloud, 1A Duxton Hill, Singapore 089587
3. Marcy’s
Seafood lovers, y’all should make your way to Marcy’s. The bistro takes inspiration from Latin America and coastal Italy, as well as Peruvian, Chinese, and Japanese cooking techniques, resulting in a menu that’s not bound to one cuisine. Plus, you can get craft spirits and cocktails to go with your meal. Overall, we love how intimate the space is.
Marcy’s, 39-40 Duxton Road, Singapore 089503
4. Lucha Loco
With its twinkling fairy lights, garden bar and buzzy vibes, this Mexican taqueria is our go-to place for a tequila party. You can’t leave without ordering yourself a couple of tacos. Not to mention elotes, a Mexican street-style grilled corn rubbed with mayo, chilli, and cotija cheese. Don’t forget a mezcal cocktail to complete the night!
Lucha Loco, 15 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089598
5. Rhubarb
French cuisine runs the gamut from classy to cosy, and this Michelin-starred restaurant is no doubt the latter. The one Michelin-starred name houses just a couple of tables where diners can watch the chef in action preparing contemporary French cuisine. Rhubarb offers a tasting menu featuring exquisite, intricately plated dishes that you can pair with elegant wines for an unforgettable meal.
Rhubarb, 3 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089589
6. L’Entrecôte
Serving just one main dish, L’Entrecôte does a stellar steak and fries meal that comes with a mouth-watering secret butter sauce and leafy greens. Oh, and did we mention the crispy fries are free-flow? Score! Psst: hungry diners can pad their meal with starters like French onion soup and desserts such as salted caramel lava cake.
L’Entrecôte, 36 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089614
7. Etna
Fun fact: Etna is the name of Italy’s most iconic volcano on the east coast of Sicily, and it’s also short for Every Table Needs Attention. The rustic yet elegant restaurant knows how to please the masses. With well-seasoned Sicilian and Mediterranean plates including diverse antipasti, housemade pasta, impeccable meats, fresh pizzas and classic Italian desserts, everything is set at affordable prices. Italian vinos are must-tries on the drinks menu, but there are also whiskies and aperitifs to go with your meal.
Etna, 49/50 Duxton Road, Singapore 089513
8. Latteria Mozzarella Bar
The folks behind this family-owned restaurant have a soft spot for cheese – particularly the mozzarella variety – and this concept is proof. It boasts an assortment of fresh mozzarella in varying shapes and sizes, all flown in directly from Italy’s artisanal producers. But cheese isn’t the only attraction here. The outdoor area, strung with fairy lights in a tranquil setting, beckons romantic dates and intimate gatherings.
Latteria Mozzarella Bar, 40 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089618
9. Xiao Ya Tou
Here’s an edgy, modern Asian restaurant in Duxton Hill that turns local cuisine on its head. Highlights include lobster kueh pie tee, chilli crab omelette, truffle roast duck, wok-fried wagyu hor fun and Hokkien mee loaded with seafood. There’s also a vegetarian menu for plant-based eaters! Think mala bowls, spicy eggplant, fried rice, braised tofu and more.
Xiao Ya Tou, #01-01, 6 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089592
10. Thirty9
Hit up Thirty9 if you’re hankering for a taste of the Mediterranean. Savour dishes that are made with premium ingredients and sip on a curated selection of wines that come from vineyards across Europe, South Africa, Chile, and the US. The restaurant hosts private dining and events as well – you can choose between indoor and outdoor seating, and even request for a special menu.
Thirty9, 39 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089617
11. Flor Patisserie
Its exquisite fruit-focused Japanese- and French-inspired cakes, tarts and pies are purely made without baking powder, artificial rising and softening agents, stabilisers or preservatives. The softness and moisture of the baked goods, according to the team at Flor, come from the natural aeration of eggs as they are whipped to their full peak. Sell-out creations include the strawberry souffle and strawberry shortcake, so be there early if you want a bite.
Flor Patisserie, #01-01, 2 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089588
Duxton Hill guide: Best bars
12. Sago House
Having moved out of its original location at Sago Street, Sago House has found a new home within Duxton Hill. It boasts several accolades, including ranking #10 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2023. For anyone looking to check out the cocktail scene, this is definitely the place to be.
Sago House, 37 Duxton Road, Singapore 089615
13. Cat Bite Club
A specialist in agave and rice spirits, Cat Bite Club prides itself on being the go-to spot for anyone looking to learn about these varieties. Surrounded by playfulness, it’s hidden in the back of a coffee shop for that added mystery. Trying to find the entrance is quite the experience! If you don’t know what to pick, the Cat Bite margarita and Soju Sprint are must-try signature cocktails. Or you can always get a recommendation from the friendly bartenders.
Cat Bite Club, 75 Duxton Road, Singapore 089534
14. RPM by D.Bespoke
Daiki Kanetaka, who gave us D.Bespoke on Bukit Pasoh Road, has a sister bar and listening room in Duxton. This one’s a vinyl-only bar that strongly focuses on shochu, a Japanese distilled spirit. Apart from enjoying shochu cocktails, you’re also treated to jazz, soul, funk and rock music played on a vinyl sound system.
RPM by D.Bespoke, 16 Duxton Road, Singapore 089482
15. Praelum Wine Bistro
Well-crafted European-inspired bites, a 1,000-strong wine collection and a quaint, down-to-earth vibe make this snug spot popular with nibblers and sippers. Wines by the glass are dispensed from the bistro’s wine systems, or you can try wine flights to learn more about the grape stuff. Bottles are stored in the carefully curated walk-in cellar that holds fine wines, and if ever you’re in doubt, just chat up the sommeliers!
Praelum Wine Bistro, 4 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089590
16. SG Taps
Craft beer enthusiasts will love this bar, with its beers on tap and one of the coolest selections of draft beers in Singapore. You can also choose to sip on bottled beers to go with Japanese-style bar bites like gyoza, pork katsu and chicken karaage.
SG Taps, #01-01, 13 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089597
Duxton Hill guide: Shops and more
17. Jupiter 57
For all things Italian, turn to Jupiter 57. It’s the place to be for Italian snacks and sweets. The brand aims to promote traditional methods and recipes of Italian brands like Borsari, Scar Pier, and more. When Christmas rolls around, remember to stop by to pick up a delicious panettone.
Jupiter 57, 34A Duxton Road, Singapore 089498
18. The Co.
Hot desking on your mind? It’s easy to see why The Co. is one of the more popular co-working spaces in Singapore. Its Duxton haunt has beautiful interiors, drenched in natural light and plenty of plants. Besides, it’s a hop, skip and jump away from some of the best cafes, restaurants and bars on this side of town.
The Co., 99 Duxton Road, Singapore 089543
19. CruCycle and CruBox
How about a full-body workout with choreographed, authentic boxing moves to a thumping playlist? This fitness studio is here to get your heart pumping with its energetic indoor cycling and boxing classes that make for a totally satisfying sweat sesh.
CruCycle and CruBox, #01-01 and #04-01, 68 Duxton Road, Singapore 089527
20. Huls Gallery
Amidst all the bustling restaurants and bars, you’ll find a quiet gallery dedicated to fine Japanese craftsmanship. Drop by Huls for a stunning curation of crafts including ceramic, lacquerware, glass, textile, bamboo and woodwork items that walk the line between art and functionality.
Huls Gallery, 24 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089607
21. Retrophonic Records
Vinyl lovers, take note. Head here to pick up everything including the latest radio hits, obscure indie rock, 70s pop songs and vintage Chinese records. Plus, this boutique also has rad turntables, amplifiers and speakers on offer.
Retrophonic Records, 18A Duxton Road, Singapore 089517
22. Littered with Books
This quaint indie shop is one of our favourite bookstores in the city. It’s got fantastic service, competitive prices, and a well-edited selection of reads including non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, crime, and children’s books… what more could you want?
Littered with Books, 20 Duxton Road, Singapore 089486
23. The Pinnacle@Duxton
Venture a little further in this hood and you’ll stumble upon an architectural wonder: The Pinnacle@Duxton. A stone’s throw away from the CBD, this award-winning 50-storey residential development features the world’s two longest sky gardens (500 metres each). While the first sky garden located on the 26th floor is reserved only for residents’ use, visitors can make their way up to the 50th floor – which is open to the public – to enjoy a picturesque bird’s eye view of the quaint neighbourhood.
Pinnacle@Duxton, 1 Cantonment Road, Singapore 080001
Bookmark this handy guide to explore the best restaurants, bars, cafes and shops Duxton Hill has to offer.
[This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024 by Ashe Liao.]
