Look past the restaurants, bars and shops, there are plenty to do at Tanjong Pagar Centre — from outdoor events and sky-high gym to a nearby temple that hosts ghost weddings...
Stuck in the CBD? We can’t complain. Besides its endless options for hawker food, hip bars and its own cool cluster of restaurants, Tanjong Pagar will always have a place in our hearts (and stomachs). And if you can’t get enough, there are always beautiful hotels with rooftop pools dotted in the area for a lush staycay.
Take some time to also check out the neighbourhood’s latest hangout spot: Tanjong Pagar Centre (TPC). The 64-storey building is said to be the tallest in Singapore, comprising of residential apartments, the Sofitel Singapore City Centre hotel, Tanjong Pagar Park, as well as six levels of restos, cafes and retail stores. Does that seem a lot to take in? Here’s our guide to Tanjong Pagar Centre…
Thank goodness for green spaces
Take a breather from the hustle and bustle of the city at Tanjong Pagar Park where the gorgeous green open space is filled with beautifully landscaped gardens. You can either enjoy the urban oasis, or keep active with a stroll, jog or cycle through the islandwide park connectors.
Outdoor appeal
If you’re all about checking out buzzworthy happenings amidst lush greenery, keep your eyes peeled on its open courtyard, aka the City Room. The event space holds special events and outdoor performances such as the recent Togetherly Market, loaded with local makers and their wares, live music and book exchanges. Plus, it’s also fab meeting space for anyone living and working in the vicinity.
Catch up with the crew at these cafes
If you rather meet your mates in the comfort of an air-conditioned space, look no further than TPC’s directory of cafes. Check out the new cafe concepts such as the world’s first Japan Rail Cafe for a one-stop Japanese experience that includes gourmet grub and kawaii nibbles, unique info about under-the-radar travel destinations, and rail ticketing service for Japan rail passes that will have you pack your bags in a jiffy. Other cafes worth chilling at include Dimbulah Coffee’s exclusive boutique for coffee connoisseurs, Joe & The Juice for fresh juices and delicious Danish bites, and Guzman Y Gomez for an authentic taste of all things Mexican.
Save your appetites for the restaurants
We’re always up for exploring new restaurants and have our eye on Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House & Bar for Chinese cuisine with a twist, the award-winning IndoChili for Indonesian delicacies, and The Daily Cut for some solid salads. For an atmospheric wind-down, check out Shard where you can enjoy a glass of house wine and munch on its signature tapas and dishes like the Black Garlic Tuna or the Kilawin and Banana Explosion.
Shop ‘till you drop
Give your wardrobe an update with fashionable, modern threads from local label Dressabelle, timeless styles that won’t have you breaking the bank at Butterflies & Marigolds, and MINISO for lifestyle, home and beauty bits and bobs at affordable prices.
Or break a sweat with a high altitude workout
If fitness is your weakness, sign up to Virgin Active at TPC. It’s one of the city’s first altitude fitness studios which stimulates training conditions of up to 3,000 metres above sea level — impressive! Members are also welcome to de-stress with a swim, or a snooze on its zero-gravity sleep pod. Can it get any better than this?
Bring on the staycay
The swish new Sofitel Singapore City Centre will bring on some serious staycation vibes. We treated ourselves to a stay and loved our view of the Tanjong Pagar rooftops, chilling in the tea lounge and bar, and the amazing menu at its French restaurant Racines (which serves one spectacular breakfast buffet, by the way). Needless to say, we can’t get enough of its amazing rooftop pool for a swim with a view!
Fall in love with the mix of old-meets-new Tanjong Pagar
Tanjong Pagar is known for its mix of heritage and modern architecture. Tucked behind the building that houses Kilo Lounge and Yoga Movement — at 31 Hong Kong Street and 21 Tanjong Pagar Street, to be exact — are playful wall paintings of sepoy (guard), pagar (gate), singa (lion), stamp, and even a nutmeg plant, a nod to the neighbourhood’s former life as a nutmeg plantation. Not too far from TPC is the Oasia Hotel Downtown — it’s hard to miss the towering garnet pillar with green vines dangling across its 27 storeys like a dystopian daydream. And if you’re looking for a great spot for a mid-day meal or a happy-hour booze, these Tanjong Pagar restaurants and bars will fit the bill.
Visit the Seng Wong Beo Temple for a ghostly wedding
This Tanjong Pagar temple runs weddings that are out of this world. You better believe it — wedding bells chime behind the gates of Seng Wong Beo Temple for the dead. Intrigued? Pop by the temple to learn more. This colourful temple is open from 8am to 5.30pm for worshippers and visitors alike.
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