Visiting Telok Ayer? These are the best restaurants, cafes, bars and more.
There’s no denying that we seriously dig Telok Ayer (especially for its food!). A meal here is never dull, thanks to the huge variety of hawker centres and coffee shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Since we love it so much, we thought we’d give you the lowdown on what’s buzzing in the neighbourhood.
Telok Ayer guide: Food and drinks
1. Umami 10
Contemporary Japanese cuisine can be found at Umami 10, a restaurant that embodies umami flavours which is the essence of deliciousness. European influences are woven into dishes, drawing out the savoury flavours of ingredients like mushrooms, shellfish, and cheese. The omakase lunch menu is a fan favourite among patrons, showcasing ingredients like salmon, wagyu, and pork jowl. If you swing by a night, treat yourself to some sake to unwind from the day’s events.
Umami 10, 163 Telok Ayer Road, Singapore 068616
2. Oven & Fried Chicken
Loved by locals and tourists alike, Oven & Fried Chicken is the go-to spot for morsels of chicken fried to crispy perfection. And it might also be one of the healthiest! Prepped with only the freshest ingredients, the chicken is coated in rice flour for that extra crisp touch while the meat remains moist. Trust us, you’ll be coming back for dinner again and again.
Oven & Fried Chicken, 182 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068630
3. French Fold
We love a good crepe, and the ones at French Fold don’t ever disappoint. This charming crepe-centric concept is brought to you by the folks behind Merci Marcel. It dishes out the most Insta-worthy galettes and crepes, and they taste as good as they look. Satisfy your sweet tooth with varieties like chocolate speculoos, salted caramel and brown sugar with butter. You can even top it off with a thick scoop of Birds of Paradise gelato. Perfection!
French Fold, 204 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068640
4. Free the Robot / Bitters & Love
Yes, we come here a lot because we love Free the Robot’s mascot, Baileys. But we’re gonna come out and say it: Free the Robot serves the best coffee on Telok Ayer – and believe us, we’ve rigorously tested every cafe on this strip. Try breakfast classics like waffles and eggs and toast; or if you’re looking for something healthier, the acai bowl won’t disappoint. After hours, the place transforms into Bitters & Love: a buzzy alcove of specialty cocktails and bar snacks.
Free the Robot / Bitters & Love, 118 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068587
5. MeatSmith
We’re kinda obsessed with MeatSmith’s brisket and fried chicken sandwiches, not to mention all the other juicy BBQ meats prepared on-site using smokers specially flown in from the US. Expect all the good stuff with just enough charred and fatty bits, plus comfort food including the best mac and cheese in town. If you’re game for a serious feast, a meat platter for two features the full works. Think buffalo wings, brisket sausages and pork belly burnt ends.
MeatSmith, 167 -169 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068620
6. Plain Vanilla Bakery
Try the cupcakes from Plain Vanilla and you’ll know why we have such high standards. You could probably hear our internal screams when the bakery first opened an outlet here. Too pretty-to-eat tarts and glazed galettes aside, there’s also a deli section with wholesome options like granola bowls, toasties, sammies and pasta if you’re looking for food at Telok Ayer.
Plain Vanilla Bakery, 134 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068600
7. Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen
Who’d ever guess you could fuse hipsters and yong tau foo together? Apart from delicious crispy tofu, served with springy noodles and minced chicken and mushroom broth, you can look forward to comforting Chinese fare like baos, dumplings and fried rice. And guess what? When the sun goes down, this place turns into a stylish tapas bar!
Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen, 127 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068596
8. Napoleon
The impressive range of wine available at this underrated bar and French bistro should very well please vino lovers. Sample south European labels by the glass while noshing on exquisite plates like burrata salad, beef tartare, and duck leg confit.
Napoleon, 206 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068641
9. Sarnies
If you’re yearning for an Australian hipster cafe, head to this place at Telok Ayer. Sarnies was one of the first decent coffee shops to open in the CBD with seating that spills out onto the pavement. It’s a hotspot for meetings over coffee (and after-work drinks).
Sarnies, 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
10. Magal BBQ
It’s safe to say Korean BBQ lovers have plenty of food options at Telok Ayer. A popular hangout spot for big groups, this restaurant serves everything from flavourful beef cuts to dolsot bibimbap (bibimbap served in a hot stone bowl).
Magal BBQ, 123 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068592
11. My Awesome Cafe
With its Chinese medicinal store facade and charming interior made up of random bits and bobs, My Awesome Cafe is absolutely endearing. The great range of salads makes for a satiating, healthy lunch. We can’t go past My Awesome Salad, a generous portion of mesclun with smoked salmon, herbed chicken breast, duck rillettes, avocado and tomatoes.
My Awesome Cafe, 202 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068639
12. Gold Ocean Curry Fish Head
The go-to place in Telok Ayer for those with a hankering for authentic fish head curry, this seafood restaurant has stood the test of time and continues to draw crowds with its winning recipe and quality ingredients. Heads up: the queues can get pretty insane, so go for an early (or late) lunch!
Gold Ocean Curry Fish Head, 181 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068629
13. Boeuf
If you’re looking for delish cuts of steak and glasses of vino, you need to reserve a seat at Boeuf. These folks have a true passion for beef and wine, and the menu doesn’t disappoint. Try signature dishes like wagyu beef tartare or dry-aged prime ribs. Or, choose your preferred cut from the raw, cured, fromage, special or natural selections for your beefy fix.
Boeuf, 159 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068614
14. Royz Et Vous
Once located in Bali Lane, this cafe is now thriving in Telok Ayer. The team is all about creating Western fare that’s both delicious an accessible for those with halal diets. Mains are nothing short of spectacular, with classic dishes like pan seared salmon, steak, and smoked duck pasta. Grab a mocktail to wash it all down, btw!
Royz Et Vous, #01-01, 137 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068602
Telok Ayer guide: Shop
15. Perk by Kate
Take a respite from the food (and heat) and enter Perk by Kate’s intimate boutique just above Plain Vanilla Bakery. Expect to find a great selection of lingerie styles here. We’re talking t-shirt bras, bodysuits, boudoir sets, and more. Oh, and we gotta talk about that lovely space! It’s filled with blush and deep blue hues alongside rose gold accents that scream French chic. You’ll never want to leave.
Perk by Kate, 134A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068600
16. Q Menswear
Want to dress to impress? Q Menswear is the way the go. The label, which was founded in 2011, offers ready-to-wear casual apparel, accessories and grooming tools. But if you’re looking for something more unique, it does bespoke too.
Q Menswear, 116A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068585
Telok Ayer guide: Explore
17. Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre
So you thought Telok Ayer is all about food? Think again! This culturally-rich enclave also has a plethora of historic landmarks that’ll excite any culture vulture. Take a peek inside Nagore Dargah – arguably one of the more prominent landmarks in the area – and you’ll find a gallery that showcases Singapore’s Indian Muslim culture and heritage.
Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, 140 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068604
18. Ying Fo Fui Kun
Another historic landmark to check off the list is Ying Fo Fui Kun. It’s home to Singapore’s Hakka clan association (a smaller Chinese dialect group). While centuries have passed since its construction, its heyday is far from over, with meetings and events still held there to this day.
Ying Fo Fui Kun, 98 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048474
19. Masjid Al-Abrar
Sandwiched between shophouses, this low-key mosque was one of the first few mosques to be built in Singapore. A place of worship among Tamil Muslims back in the 1850s, this mosque was later refurbished to accommodate 900 people, a whopping five times its original capacity.
Masjid Al-Abrar, 192 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068635
20. Thian Hock Keng Temple
A visit to Telok Ayer is never complete without checking out this marvel of ancient southern Chinese architecture! Singapore’s oldest Hokkien temple has been a familiar sight in this area since 1839. And it’s now a must-visit for tourists looking to explore Singapore’s rich and diverse history.
Thian Hock Keng Temple, 158 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068613
21. Beng Kong Ee Seah
Curious about acupuncture? Steel your nerves and book an appointment at this acupuncture centre. The resident acupuncturist will insert needles in specific chi paths, practising a healing art that’s widely believed to have many health benefits.
Bee Kong Ee Seah, 210 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068643
22. Singapore Musical Box Museum
Situated next to the majestic Thian Hock Keng Temple, this secret museum houses an extensive collection of musical boxes that date back centuries. Fun fact: European settlers left these artefacts behind back in the day.
Singapore Musical Box Museum, 168 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068619
23. Telok Ayer Green
On cooler days, have your lunch at Telok Ayer Green and watch the world go by. Located behind Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre and Thian Hock Keng Temple, this secret park gives you a quick history lesson on Telok Ayer’s origins and the Malay fishing community (who were also the first residents of the hood). The sculptures around the area paint quite a picture and depict the simple life in the past.
Telok Ayer Green, Telok Ayer Street
Telok Ayer guide: Fitness and wellness
24. Ministry of Fitness
Push your limit and get into shape! Participate in boot camps formulated using military influence. Individuals of all fitness levels are welcome, so there’s no need to be afraid if you’re just starting out. Sign up for Spartan boot camps or trampoline fitness programmes to burn off those extra calories. Its workouts are designed to sharpen your agility, endurance, strength and coordination – you’ll walk out feeling stronger.
Ministry of Fitness, #06-01, Annex B above Amoy Food Centre, MND Building, Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 069111
25. Ancient Therapy
Okay, we admit it. A reflexology sesh can sometimes be a little torturous, but there’s nothing like a good kneading from a relentless reflexologist to get us back on track. Ancient Therapy is a traditional Chinese massage studio – we’re talking multiple massages going on in a room. But for us, it absolutely hits the spot when we need to turn the lunch break into an emergency therapy session. We’ve popped in for a 15-minute massage, and this is one of the most affordable places in town, so no excuses. Squeeze in a treat!
Ancient Therapy, 184 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068631
26. Level
Aside from its convenient location, this boutique gym with two outlets in the CBD takes a holistic approach to fitness. Here, you’ll find personal training and physical rehabilitation sessions, as well as small group classes (think strength, calisthenics and even Spartan bootcamps).
Level, #01-03, 137 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068602
27. Beaute Hub
Beaute Hub is an award-winning spa and skincare specialist that caters to both sexes. It provides an array of services such as body contouring and slimming, skincare and spa treatments. For the lads, highlights of its face and body slimming services include microdermabrasion and meso body slim therapy. Don’t worry, the friendly staff will walk you through the treatments to find one that best matches your needs.
Beaute Hub, 124 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068593
28. The Yoga Mandala
Relax, recharge and rejuvenate. All it takes is a short climb up the stairs to find this hidden sanctuary of stress-free vibes in the midst of the buzzing street. Classes are available for drop-ins, beginners and advanced yogis. Remember to bring a mat!
The Yoga Mandala, 134B Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068600
There you have it – everything you need to know about exploring Telok Ayer’s food, shops and sights.
