Often referred to as the “Garden City,” Singapore is renowned for its clean and ultra-modern cityscape. It’s also no secret that it is home to a vast array of food options. From bustling hawker centres to traditional wet markets, you’ll surely have your cravings satisfied in this vibrant, bustling city-state.
It’s a given that Singapore is a beautiful, technologically advanced city-state. However, it can also be really expensive. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or have explored Singapore a few times already, knowing your way around some budget-friendly finds is always a must, especially when it comes to food.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the best food markets in Singapore, where quality and affordability meet.
Maxwell Food Centre
You know the area serves good dishes when it frequently has long queues — so let the heavy crowd speak for itself. Maxwell Food Centre is a go-to spot for authentic Singaporean flavor, often considered a favorite place for tourists and locals alike, with Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice standing out as a crowd favorite.
One downside about Maxwell Food Centre, however, is that you’ll often find the spot packed with massive crowds. But sometimes, a quality, well-priced meal requires a little bit of waiting (sometimes even a long wait). Despite that, you’re always guaranteed a “worth the wait” moment. And if you really want to try the food but don’t want the hassle of a long queue, it’s best to visit the area outside of peak hours.
Location: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, 069184
Old Airport Road
One of the beloved hawker centers in Singapore, Old Airport Road takes pride not only in its longevity but also in some of the best stalls you can only find in the area. After all, in a space with over 100 stalls, it’s nearly impossible not to find a spot that will best match your cravings. And it’s considerably away from heavy crowds, so if you want a more subdued dining experience, this spot might be the best option for you.
Having been around since the 1970s, Old Airport Road wasn’t only a place with many food stalls — it’s also one that carries deep, cultural significance. Some of the most-recommended stalls include Western Barbeque, Cho Kee Noodle, Whitley Road Big Prawn Noodles, Xin Mei Xiang Lor Mee, Xiang Ji Lor Mee, Qiu Rong Ban Mian, and more.
Location: Old Airport Road, 51 Old Airport Road, 390051
Tiong Bahru Food Centre
Tiong Bahru Food Centre has established a reputation as one of the cleanest food markets in Singapore, and it serves some of the best dishes too, especially its breakfast offerings. Similar to the first two entries, the food market is also known for serving authentic Singaporean food.
A visit to Tiong Bahru could evoke a nostalgic feeling, as it is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Singapore. Of course, you may also want to try the food market while you’re at it. Some of its famous hawker delights include Lor Mee 178, Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice, and Jian Bo Shui Kueh.
Location: Tiong Bahru Food Centre, 30 Seng Poh Road, 168898
Golden Mile Food Centre
Golden Mile Food Centre, also known as Beach Road Army Market, has been around since the 1970s and has continued to serve great dishes — for both locals and tourists — to this day. Located on the opposite side of the Golden Mile Complex (which most tourists often confuse with the actual hawker centre), it is also known for its variety of stalls that offer a wide range of affordable and authentic local cuisine.
With food options ranging from Indian, Indonesian, Malay, and Chinese delicacies, some of the must-try stalls in the area include Fried Kway Teow Mee, Keng Heng Whampoa Teochew Lor Mee, Flourful Delight, and Zhao An Granny Grass Jelly, among a handful of others.
Location: Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, 199583
Lau Pa Sat
Hailed as one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore, Lau Pa Sat is perfect for food crawlers coming in late at night, as some stalls operate 24 hours a day. An award-winning hawker market, Lau Pa Sat also offers a wide range of food options, from The Viet Kitchen and Briyani Point Indian Food to Chan Ke Mei Shi and so much more.
While most stalls in the area are definitely must-tries, one of the main reasons why people flock to Lau Pa Sat is Satay Street, Singapore’s largest open-air street catered for satay lovers. The place is a great spot for someone wanting to immerse themselves in Singapore’s rich culinary heritage, all while enjoying grilled satay skewers sizzling over the lively, busy street.
Location: Lau Pa Sat, 18 Raffles Quay, 048582
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
As one of the largest food markets in Singapore, Chinatown Complex Food Centre pretty much has to be on every food lover’s itinerary. With over 200 stalls available, the only downside is that it could be overwhelming, and finding the absolute best might be a challenge, considering the area also boasts some of the best food stalls in Singapore. If you’re already in Chinatown, it’s best to visit its food center, which offers not only great local traditional dishes but affordable ones too.
Options include The 1950s Coffee, Peng Guan, Pan Ji Cooked Food, Chef Leung’s Authentic Hand-milled Rice Noodle Rolls, Claypot and Cooked Food Kitchen, Bedok Chwee Kueh, Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao, and many more.
Location: Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith Street, 050335
