Bugis And Kampong Glam

Eat and meet

Bugis and Kampong Glam

Hajah Maimunah Restaurant

Meal of a lifetime for a song

11 & 15 Jalan Pisang
T: 6291 3132

Don't expect ambience or air-con at this nasi padang joint, just the meal of a lifetime for a few dollars. The food may be pre-cooked but it's mouth-wateringly delicious and most days there are more than 40 lovingly home-style curries, seafood, and veggies to choose from. Just point at whatever ... read more
Golden Mile Food Centre

Follow in the footsteps of Anthony Bourdain

505 Beach Rd

Many foodies make a pilgrimage to this Beach Road hawker centre to slurp up sup tulang — mutton bones cooked in spicy tomato sauce. Anthony Bourdain gave it a go when he visited Singapore, but the other offerings are equally good. Try the char kway teow (fried noodles), fish head curry, roti ... read more
Lavender Food Square

Cheap meals and beer

Corner Jalan Besar and Foch Rds

If you're staying at one of the Bugis hostels you may find yourself coming to Lavender Food Square again and again for cheap meals and beer. Despite the central location, very few tourists find their way here and just $3-5 gets you an endless variety of dishes like wonton soup, roasted duck rice, ... read more
Fortune Centre

Who says fast food can't be healthy?

190 Middle Rd

Who says fast food can't be healthy? Fortune Centre is more of a collection of quaint cafés than a food court, but everything is 100% vegetarian and affordable on the tightest of budgets. Most of the offerings are Chinese-Singaporean and the complexity of what they can do with bean curd will ... read more
Blu Jaz Cafe

Eclectic with varied performances

11 Bali Lane
T: 6292 3800

Eclectic is the word to describe this Kampong Glam café and lounge. The performance space seems equally suited for jazz ensembles or rap battles — they've hosted both — and once a month is the "Stand Up for Singapore" open mike comedy night. Food and drink prices are very reasonable (S$11 ... read more
dbl O

Cheap drinks, close to backpacker cribs

222 Queen St
T: 6735 2008

If your backpacker wardrobe won't make the cut at Singapore's top nightclubs, head to dbl O for an unpretentious night on the town. The music is eclectic with hip hop, R&B, house, and retro-throwback and ladies get free entry and drinks every Wednesday. Other nights there's a cover of S$15-25 ... read more
Koh Nangkam

The real south Thai and Malaysian deal

743 North Bridge Rd
T: 6392 2172

Don't expect any Singha at this Halal restaurant opposite the Sultan Mosque, just home-style southern Thai cooking. Favourites like tom yam goong, fried noodles and green curry come in individual or sharing-sized portions and taste authentic, but it's the unique massaman briyani that keeps us ... read more
Nong Khai Beer House

The real Isaan deal

5001 Beach Road, #01-73/74 Golden Mile Complex
T: 9188 7221

Join Singapore's Thai community for spicy salads and big bottles of Chang with ice cubes. The menu is limited but the Thai cooks turn out the most authentic Isaan food this side of the Lao border with every part of animal from the skin to the feet getting grilled then gobbled up with sticky rice ... read more
Diandin Leluk

The real Thai deal

5001 Beach Road, #01-67 Golden Mile Complex
T: 6293 5101

From the Thai-speaking staff to the portraits of King Bhumibol on the wall, this is as authentic as it gets without hopping on a plane to Bangkok. The menu is extensive and covers everything from stand-bys like tom yam goong and green curry to northern Thai specialties like larb and chicken feet. ... read more
Famous Islamic Restaurant

Try the mutton briyani

745 North Bridge Rd
T: 6298 7563

This restaurant near Sultan Mosque claims to be the first to serve briyani in Singapore and, considering it's more than 90 years old, it just might be true. Regulars swear by the mutton briyani which is so tender it melts in your mouth, but chicken, fish and vegetarian versions are also available. ... read more
Singapore Zam Zam Restaurant,

Since 1908 - need we say more?

697 North Bridge Rd
T: 6298 7011

This legendary Kampong Glam restaurant has been serving tasty Malay food since 1908 — well before Singapore was an independent country! Though they make a mean briyani, Zam Zam's signature dish is murtabak, an artery-clogging concoction of fried dough stuffed with mutton, diced onion and egg ... read more
Tepak Sireh Restaurant

Malay elegance, amazing value

73 Sultan Gate
T: 6396 4373

On the grounds of the Istana Kampong Glam, this yellow mansion has been converted into the most elegant Malay restaurant in Singapore. Meals are served buffet-style and are amazing value for the setting at $17 for lunch and $20 for dinner. The spread isn't quite fit for a sultan — expect about ... read more
Xing Hua Vegetarian Restaurant

Hand-made noodle heaven

190 Middle Rd
T: 9732 2733

Xing Hua does such amazing things with mushrooms and tofu you won't miss the meat in their South Chinese dishes. The handmade xinghua noodles are the signature dish and, even without the generous portion of stir-fried veggies and mock seafood, make a filling meal for just S$3.50. Attempts at ... read more
Mapo Doufu Eating House

Lunch set bargains

345 Beach Rd
T: 6396 3132

The name of this North Chinese restaurant is also its best dish — a sizzling plate of tofu and minced meat in chilli sauce. Sichuan cuisine is known for its bold flavours and other dishes like hot and sour soup, fried green beans with chili, and hotpot (a do-it-yourself meal of meat and veggies ... read more
Han's Cafe & Bakery

Calories across cultures

#01-01 National Library, 100 Victoria St

We love that this home-grown chain serves both Singaporean and European cafe favourites. Whether you're in the mood for a kopi and curry puff or espresso and cake, you can get it here. The baked goods are great value but the taste can be hit or miss — try the Western carrot cake with cream cheese ... read more
Sakae Sushi

Mmmm, Japanese high tea

230 Victoria Street, 02-54 Bugis Junction
T: 6334 9015

Forget scones — during "high tea" from 15:00—18:00 all Sakae Sushi outlets in Singapore offer an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet. For about S$20 per person you get a good variety of rolls, udon and Japanese-style dessert. Of course, the best sushi and sashimi, like dragon rolls and fresh hamachi, ... read more
Ya Kun Kaya Toast

A long-time favourite

Bugis Junction, 230 Victoria Street #B1-11.
T: 6238 8904

Since 1944 Ya Kun has been a favourite for the classic Singapore breakfast of kopi and kaya toast — sweet coconut-egg jam and thick slabs of margarine sandwiched between toasted bread. The drinks aren't for calorie-counters either and, by default, coffee and tea are served with sweetened ... read more