Discover a corner of Singapore where history and heritage mingle with the modern world. Tiong Bahru has some of the best cafes, hawker food and hangouts!
Truth: we can’t get enough of Tiong Bahru. Exuding old school charm and home to one of the oldest housing estates, time stands still in the quiet streets of this hip heritage neighbourhood. Don’t be mistaken by its quaint demeanour though – you’ll find some of the island’s best cafes, restaurants, stores and pretty street art right here. We point you in the right direction with our guide to Tiong Bahru.
Tiong Bahru guide: Best cafes, restaurants and hawker food
1. Dirty Supper
Embracing the art of whole animal cooking is Dirty Supper. You’ll get to see chef-owner Peter Smit’s love for grilling and signature style of ingredient pairing come into play on these plates. It’s taken over the old Bincho space, retaining the grungy and cosy interior while blending in modern elements like modified marble tables and stainless steel accents. Menu options rotate frequently depending on what’s available for the day, so walk in with an open mind and appetite for a great meal.
Dirty Supper, #01-19, 78 Moh Guan Terrace, Singapore 162078
2. House of Peranakan Petit
Peranakan cuisine doesn’t get more authentic than this! Helmed by chef Bob Seah who’s a Baba himself, the restaurant serves up homely Nyonya dishes such as ayam buah keluak, chilli pomfret and curry fish head. We’re also huge fans of the pulot hitam – the coconut milk on the black dessert looks too beautiful to eat.
House of Peranakan Petit, 42 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169785
3. Micro Bakery
If you haven’t had the bakes at Micro Bakery, you’re missing out. Besides its east-side outlet at Joo Chiat, you can now visit the team at the newest Tiong Bahru outlet. You’ll be welcomed to a display of pastries and bread, along with the aroma of coffee and a courtyard full of natural light. Score yourself a wholesome lunch with your cuppa for a midday pick-me-up. Pastries vary day to day, so visit the shop to grab a treat for yourself.
Micro Bakery, #01-12, 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078
4. Foodie Market Place
Once you’ve had your fill of cafe grub and gallivanted around the neighbourhood, shop groceries at Foodie Market Place. Fill up your bags with ready-to-cook frozen products, gourmet meats, cheeses, yogurt, canned goods, condiments, snacks, and more. We love this place for its affordable prices!
Foodie Market Place, 225 Outram Road, Singapore 169038
5. Caffe Pralet
Started by baking academy Creative Culinaire, the cosy cafe is accented in pastels that add to the charming facade. You’ll find bakes served up every day. A must-try? The sourdough sandwiches that come with fillings like smoked salmon, tuna, avocado, and mushrooms. And we need to take a moment to appreciate the donuts. These beauties come with toppings like burnt butter honey glaze, cinnamon sugar, or stuffed with lemon curd.
Caffe Pralet, #01-04, Eng Hoon Mansions, 17 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169767
6. Ah Chiang’s Porridge
Admit it, there’s nothing like a bowl of comforting porridge to set your day right. Ah Chiang’s traditional charcoal porridge is that perfect hearty breakfast that does the job. It gets pretty crowded during peak hours but it’s worth the wait. Try the century egg, pork or fish porridge along with a side of fried pork liver.
Ah Chiang’s Porridge, #01-38, 65 Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160065
7. Plain Vanilla
The cupcake craze may be well over but big players like Plain Vanilla ain’t going anywhere. One of the OGs on the scene, the secret to its success is its emphasis on quality – only the finest of ingredients like French butter, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, and bittersweet Belgian chocolate are used. No shortcuts, no preservatives. Pick from bestsellers like salted caramel, chocolate hazelnut and strawberry white chocolate. We not-so-secretly come here for the fantastic collection of homewares and kitchenalia too.
Plain Vanilla, 1D Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168641
8. Drips Bakery
If you’re all about the sweet life, you need to check out Drips Bakery. The patisserie has everything from cakes and scrummy tarts to cookies and scones served with homemade jam. Pair it with the cafe’s signature cold drip coffee to ease the sweetness.
Drips Bakery, #01-05, 82 Tiong Poh Road, Singapore 160082
9. Tiong Bahru Market
Eggs benny, French pastries and speciality coffees not doing it for you? Keep it local with a hearty meal at Tiong Bahru Market instead. This hawker institution is home to some of Singapore’s best local food including chwee kueh, prawn noodles, roast meat and even a Michelin Bib Gourmand chicken rice stall.
Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Road, Singapore 168898
10. Prive
Prive seems to be popping up at every corner! The menu is filled with ample vegan options – including vegan chicken rice and Impossible meatball spaghetti. Watch the world go by in the alfresco area or get comfy with the cool air indoors. Btw, it’s where The Singapura Club used to be, just opposite Tiong Bahru Market.
Prive, #01-88, 57 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 160057
11. Merci Marcel
You can’t miss this lovely little spot just next to Tiong Bahru Cafe. Light and bright, there’s plenty of greenery with a trendy mix of rattan, gold and pastel interiors. Bring your gal pals here for a photo-worthy brunch, or make it a date night at dinnertime. What’s truly addictive? The signature dish of Ravioles de Royans with Tête de Moine cheese. Trust us. And this may be just as dangerous: Merci Marcel sells artisanal French cheese and wine to take home, and has its own little lifestyle store. Check out the super chic collection of Parisian sunglasses, chocolates and enamelware.
Merci Marcel, #01-68, 56 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 160056
12. Sin Hoi Sai Seafood Restaurant
Sin Hoi Sai got the thumbs up from the Michelin Guide Singapore in 2016 and rightfully so. This seafood resto serves up a plethora of delicious delicacies such as crabs and abalone. Or, go straight for the signature salted egg yolk and white pepper crabs. But don’t forget to order other tasty bites such as deep-fried prawns and chicken with shrimp sauce!
Sin Hoi Sai Seafood Restaurant, #01-59, 55 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 160055
13. The Butcher’s Wife
Love your pasta, bread and pizza but gluten isn’t vibing with your gut? The Butcher’s Wife hits it out of the park with *applause* – an entire gluten-free menu of European comfort food. If your idea of gluten-free bread is less than stellar, the fluffy baked focaccia will change your mind. Other highlights include the chargrilled Spanish octopus and the marinated chicken thigh dosa.
The Butcher’s Wife, 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168650
14. Flock Cafe
This Tiong Bahru old timer wins hearts with its classic all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, salads, and gourmet coffee and teas. If you’re looking for vegetarian options, it has just what you need too. Start your day right with the Big Breakfast, or stuff yourself silly with hearty pasta – just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the post-lunch coma.
Flock Cafe, #01-25, 78 Moh Guan Terrace, Singapore 162078
15. Tiong Bahru Bakery
You simply can’t think of Tiong Bahru without Tiong Bahru Bakery coming to mind – the two are iconic. A top spot for French pastries, its staple is the wonderfully flaky and light butter croissant, but we never leave without the pain au chocolat either. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, you have to give the kouign amann a go. We’ll take two of each, please!
Tiong Bahru Bakery, #01-70, 56 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 160056
16. Creamier
These handcrafted ice cream flavours are a dream with unique creations such as sea salt gula melaka, Earl Grey lavender and blue pea vanilla. Pile on more than one scoop on your cup, waffle cone or handmade golden waffles ‘cos it’s absolutely necessary.
Creamier, #01-18, 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078.
Tiong Bahru guide: Shop and get pampered
17. Heveya
Need something for a better night’s sleep? Hop on over to Heveya, a cosy bedding store with homely and functional items. We love its Heveya bamboo duvet sheets (made sustainably from bamboo lyocell), which are silky soft, breathable and cool in the heat, plus antibacterial at the same time. Alternatively, the flexible ergonomic slatted bed base offers contoured comfort for your hips, allowing you to have the best possible rest. And the star of this showroom? The brand’s signature Heveya natural organic latex mattresses, which provide the perfect support for your spine.
Heveya, 32 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169780
18. Yoga Movement
Finally, an om-chic yoga studio in a cafe-saturated Tiong Bahru. Book a mat with hot and non-hot options. Classes can get a bit crowded but the clean, tranquil environment and focused lessons make up for that.
Yoga Movement, 11 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168646
19. Cat Socrates
Fair warning: Once you step inside, it’ll be tough to leave the store without purchasing an item or two. Filled to the brim with books, paper paraphernalia, quirky home decor, trinkets, fashion accessories and even plants, Cat Socrates is one of our favourite gift shops in the city. It also spotlights local and indie brands. Makes for great souvenirs too!
Cat Socrates, #01-14, 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078
20. OliveAnkara
If you’re thinking of adding some spunk and colour to your wardrobe, you’ve come to the right place. With vibrant wax-print fabrics from Africa and fun resortwear-esque silhouettes, it’s hard to leave empty-handed (trust us, we know). If you’re planning to start things slow, start with a headband or a printed tank top.
OliveAnkara, #01-02, 79 Chay Yan Street, Singapore 160079
21. Nimble and Knead
At first sight, you’d hardly believe this is a spa as its industrial interiors place it right at home with the nearby cafes. It’s built from shipping containers and even features chairs made out of wooden crates (don’t worry – you’re not being massaged on them). Pop by for an hour’s worth of foot massage after brunch.
Nimble/Knead, #01-28, 66 Eng Watt Street, Singapore 160066
Tiong Bahru guide: Explore architecture, art and nature
22. Beautiful buildings
We simply can’t stop ourselves from admiring Tiong Bahru’s stunning architecture. Pictured above is the distinctive ‘horse-shoe’ shaped flat at Moh Guan Terrace and Guan Chuan Street. It’s also home to the first air raid shelter to be built in a public housing project.
All around Tiong Bahru, you’ll see these pre-war apartments. These are designed in a late Art Deco movement called Streamline Moderne – it explains the clean curves, rounded shapes and simple, long lines.
Built after World War II, these four-storey flats (pictured above) steer clear of boxy designs, with curved landing and rounded portholes. This spot is an Instagrammer’s dream, with its wonderful symmetry and mix of curves and lines.
23. Gorgeous wall murals
A district so colourful isn’t complete without its murals. The ones you see below are painted by Yip Yew Chong: one of Singapore’s most popular street artists known for his nostalgic designs.
The “Pasar Tiong Bahru” features a stall named ‘Seng Kee’, poignantly named in memory of the artist’s father. The details you see are reminiscent of Singapore’s thriving past hawker culture as well as the artist’s own preferences: the chwee kueh and laksa on the table on the right are his and his wife’s favourites; the putu mayam sold by the Indian stall owner on the left is loved by the artist’s father and daughter.
“Home” is a reflection of the estate’s history and ambience. Painted on the TV screen is Wangsa Yefung, a famed comedic duo from the 70s. If you look closer at the newspaper, you’ll see late former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew promoting the Speak Mandarin campaign in 1979. On the table and the wall, you’ll spot objects familiar to local culture like Axe oil and a traditional calendar.
24. Qi Tian Gong Temple
Curious about the popular legend of the Monkey God? The deity Sun Wukong, protagonist of the iconic classic novel Journey to the West, has a temple dedicated to him in this neighbourhood. You’ll find the shrine at the corner of Tiong Poh Road and Eng Hoon Street.
Qi Tian Gong Temple, 44 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169786
25. Kim Pong Park
The park may be small in size but it’s a beauty. Designed to reflect the art-deco style of the old Tiong Bahru estate, it forms three circular motifs with wide pathways that are stroller and wheelchair-friendly. Hop on one of the garden swings or sit on a terrazzo bench and watch the world go by. We visited the spot on a weekday afternoon and it was packed with families.
Kim Pong Park, along Kim Pong Road and Kim Tian Road
26. Tiong Bahru Park
This park may be a bit of a walk from Tiong Bahru’s hotspots but there are plenty of activities for both young and old. Put Netflix on hold and clock in a quick workout at various fitness corners. The recently renovated playground with the iconic tiling train will keep the kids occupied for hours.
Tiong Bahru Park, along Tiong Bahru Road and Lower Delta Road
Keep this guide handy the next time you visit Tiong Bahru!
