If you’re looking for some of the cheapest and most delicious local foods in the city, here’s a guide to the best hawker centres in Singapore.
1. Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre
Opening Times: 24 hours
Location: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
What To Expect: One of the best Hawker Centres in Singapore, Lau Pa Sat is conveniently located just around the corner from the bay front.
In the heart of the Central Business District, it’s just walking distance from Marina Bay and Chinatown.
A tourists favourite, both for its location near the attractions in the downtown area, and its unique octagonal shaped seating area.
This Hawker Centre is not only the perfect spot to try out all kinds of cuisine, but it also makes for a perfect place to hang out with friends.
Locals may not agree that Lau Pa Sat is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore. They’ll probably say it’s too crowded and not what is used to be.
However it’s certainly the most popular and you have to squeeze at least one of the hawker centres into your Singapore itinerary.
This huge complex, seating up to 2,500 people, is home to a vast range of food from all over the world. Therefore, it may take you a while to choose your favourite dish.
Due to a recent renovation and its close proximity to the Central Business District, the prices have risen. However, you can find basic rice and noodle dishes for around 5-7 Singapore Dollars.
If you prefer to book a tour, Singapore: Local Food Tasting Tour is a good option that includes Hawker Centres.
2. Maxwell Road Hawker Centre
Opening Times: 8am – 2am daily
Location: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
What To Expect: Another centre filled with all types of foods.
Catering for meat lovers, vegetarians and especially juice drinkers, Maxwell Road Hawker Centre is situated just a short walk from Chinatown.
For a tour that visits Hawker Centres and also Chinatown, Singapore: Chinatown Street Food Walking Tour with Tastings is perfect.
This is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore for cheap Chinese food. However, there are also plenty of other stalls where you can try Singaporean delicacies and local favourites such as Zhen Zhen porridge and Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake.
There are over 100 stalls with lots of seating through the middle. Due to its popularity it may be tricky to grab a seat a peak times (lunch times on weekdays) straightaway.
However, the turnover is fast as locals pop in and out on their lunch break and tourists want to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat, so they can get off exploring again.
You probably won’t pay much more than 4 Singapore Dollars for a plate of rice and chicken or a bowl of noodles.
The Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall in Maxwell Road Hawker Centre is one of Singapore’s most famous stalls after visits from celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsey.
3. Little India Tekka Centre
Opening Times: 6.30am – 9pm daily
Location: Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore
What To Expect: How could we not stop by Little India, Indian food being our favourite cuisine of them all.
Just a short walk from Little India MRT, you’ll find samosas and masala dosas at every corner. If you’re a curry lover then this place will definitely not disappoint.
This 3-storey complex lies at the gateway to Little India on Serangoon Road and is one of the best hawker centres in Singapore to find cheap and generously portioned curries.
The bustling atmosphere will make you feel like you’re ordering the tasty delicacies from a buzzing food court in the centre of Delhi, especially at lunch hour.
The local Indian crowds flock here to fill up on the quality Indian food. Regular dishes, with rice, sauces and a poppadom typically cost around 6 – 8 Singaporean Dollars.
The smell and aromas in the air around Little India are amazing and cant be described in text. It will be a shock to your senses, in all the right ways!
If you really want to blend in with the locals, you can ditch your cutlery and use your hands to scoop up the curry. (Make sure to use your right hand only!)
4. Michelin Star Singapore Hawker – Hawker Chan
Opening Times: 10.30am – 9pm daily
Location: 78 Smith St, Singapore 058972
What To Expect: Hawker Chan was famed for being the cheapest Michelin-starred eatery in the world. It is owned and run by Chan Hon Meng and was first noticed as the tastiest slow cooked chicken in Singapore.
In 2016, it became one of the first two street food locations in the world to be awarded a star in the Michelin Guide. It has since become internationally franchised under the English name Hawker Chan.
From starting as a small stall at his local market, to now having branched into an indoor restaurant, his current plans involve opening another chain in Melbourne, Australia.
People are queuing out of the door to get their hands on his famous Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle. The queue moves at a reasonable speed, so hold tight for your chicken fix.
Just a pointer too, while the place is open until 7 pm, they sell out much earlier. They can actually sell out of the ‘good stuff’ as early as 2pm, so perhaps it’s best to head there for an early lunch!
Where To Stay In Singapore
Luxury – Marina Bay Sands
Towering over the bay, this iconic hotel offers the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, 20 dining options and a world-class casino.
It has direct access to Singapore’s premier shopping mall and the ArtScience Museum, which features the permanent exhibition, Future World.
All rooms at Marina Bay Sands come with a flat-screen cable TV. Furnished with contemporary-style dark wood decor and carpeted floors, free WiFi is also available.
Floor-to-ceiling windows open up to panoramic views of the Singapore skyline.
Mid-Budget – Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is centrally located in Singapore. It’s located just 750 yards from the Clarke Quay MRT Station and 0.6 miles from Chinatown.
It offers a 24-hour rooftop fitness centre, 2 whirlpools and a 40 yards swimming pool overlooking Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay.
Each air-conditioned hotel room comes with a 32-inch LED TV, an iPod dock and free Wi-Fi access.
Backpacker – Blue Jazz Hostel
Strategically located in Jalan Besar, Blue Jazz Hostel offers budget accommodation in Singapore.
Just 450 yards from City Square Mall, Blue Jazz Hostel is a 5-minute walk from Farrer Park MRT Station.
Guests can also take a stroll through the interlocking streets to cultural heritage sites such as Little India and Arab Street.
Blue Jazz provides air-conditioned dormitories with a personal reading light, power socket and personal locker. Shared bathrooms include hot/cold shower facilities.
Guests can also enjoy meals at the in-house cafe or have a drink at the bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
For more places to stay in Singapore you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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