Discover the best hawker centres in Singapore, including where to go, what to eat, and which are best for first-time visitors. Affordable, local, and unforgettable.
Trying a hawker centre is one of the best things to do in Singapore, but with more than 100 to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best hawker centres in Singapore for first-time visitors, including where to go, what to eat, and which ones are easiest to fit into your itinerary.
Never visited a hawker centre? Read our First Timer’s Guide to Hawker Centres.
As a food lover, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice, with a wide array of flavours and cuisines that showcase the multicultural nature of Singapore. Hawker centres are teeming with stalls that serve a variety of dishes such as Char Kway Teow, Laksa, and Hainanese Chicken Rice, all at affordable prices.
As you explore the Lion City, these culinary gems will provide a fantastic experience that is both budget-friendly and authentically local. You’ll not only satisfy your appetite, but also gain a deeper understanding of Singapore’s diverse heritage and culinary traditions.
But with more than 100 hawker centres to choose from at these open-air food courts, how do you know which one to go to? Here, we help you narrow it down to help you find the best Singapore hawker centres that are also easy to get to for visitors to Singapore.
So bring your appetite and an adventurous spirit and enjoy your culinary journey.
Happy feasting!
Not sure what to order? Check out our guide to what to eat in Singapore before you go.
What is a hawker centre?
A hawker centre is an (often open-air) food complex featuring a multitude of food stalls, serving up affordable food in a variety of local dishes.
Originally hawkers would walk the streets pushing their carts and setting up shop in temporary surroundings. As time evolved, these ‘villages’ of food stalls became permanent.
They are now carefully regulated by the Singapore government to ensure strict health and safety compliance.
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Why visit a hawker centre?
Visiting a hawker centre is one of the best authentic cultural experiences you can have in Singapore. You’ll get to eat as the locals do, try delicious local dishes and, best of all, it won’t cost you very much at all!
Here’s why else we recommend visiting a hawker centre.
- You’ll find a range of different cuisines: Savour dishes from various Chinese, Indian, and Malay culinary traditions, reflecting Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
- There’s something for everyone: With over 50 stalls in some centres, you’re bound to find something to suit your taste buds.
- It’s affordable: Enjoy delicious dishes for around $4-10, making it easy to sample a variety of dishes without breaking the bank.
- It’s a great atmosphere: You’ll get to experience the bustling buzzing atmosphere as locals and tourists alike gather to bond over their love for good food.
A Melting Pot of Cultures
Singapore’s hawker centres are more than just convenient dining options – they represent the very essence of what makes the nation unique, vibrant, and unforgettable.
The food stalls here epitomise the diverse cultural influences that have shaped Singaporean cuisine.
You’ll find an incredible array of dishes from the nation’s main ethnic groups: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Indonesian, as well as some Western, Japanese and Korean options. You’ll even find stalls selling the local Tiger Beer to wash it all down with.
Don’t be shy to ask the friendly stallholders for recommendations or tips on how to best enjoy their dishes. They’ll be more than happy to share their passion for food with you.
Which Hawker Centre Should You Choose?
If it’s your first time, here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- Short on time? → Head to Lau Pa Sat or Maxwell Food Centre
- Want something central with great views? → Makansutra Gluttons’ Bay
- Looking for a more local experience? → Tiong Bahru or Old Airport Road
- Near Orchard Road? → Newton Food Centre
- Exploring Chinatown? → Maxwell or Chinatown Complex
- Want a beachside setting? → East Coast Lagoon
You really can’t go wrong, but choosing one near your itinerary will make things much easier.
Iconic Hawker Centres and Their Star Dishes
Singapore is home to more than 100 hawker centres. We’ve narrowed it down to some of our favourites that a) have fantastic food options and b) are easy for tourists to get to, especially if you are short on time while visiting the city.
1. Lau Pa Sat
Best for: First-time visitors, central location, and a lively evening atmosphere (especially for satay).
Lau Pa Sat is probably the most famous hawker centre in Singapore. It is handily located in the heart of the CBD, making it a popular choice for office workers, who flock here at lunchtime.
The cast-iron Victorian structure was built in 1894 and shipped from Glasgow and the hawker centre here boasts over 80 stalls.
Boon Tat Street to the side of Lau Pa Sat is locally known as ‘Satay Street’, and really comes to life after dark when hundreds of satay lovers flock to the area and the stalls start churning out clouds of smoke and vying for business. It’s a great atmosphere.
The Best food at Lau Pa Sat:
- Satay on Satay Street (after dark only) – we like stalls 7 & 8 for the best satay
- Sambal Stingray from Ming Yen Seafood
- Chicken Rice at Ipoh Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Hokkien Mee at Golden Shoe Hokkien Mee
- Char Kway Teow at Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow
- Nasi Lemak at Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang
How to Get to Lau Pa Sat: MRT to Raffles Place EW14/NS26
2. Makansutra Gluttons’ Bay
Best for: Marina Bay views, a more relaxed setting, and an easy evening dining spot near major attractions.
Makansutra Gluttons’ Bay offers a bit more of an upmarket and tranquil experience, compared to most other hawker centres.
Located next to the Esplanade Theatre on Marina Bay, Glutton’s Bay is one of the smaller hawker centres, with a select few stalls serving up good quality versions of all the favourites.
The open-air umbrella-ed seating means breezy alfresco dining with a view of the skyline across the bay, making this one of the more pleasant hawker centres to spend an evening at. (Not open for lunch)
The Best Dishes at Makansutra Gluttons’ Bay:
- BBQ Chicken Wings from Huat Huat Chicken Wings
- Mee Goreng from Old Satay Club
- Satay from Alhambra Padang Satay
- Sambal Stingray at Redhill Rong Guang B.B.Q Seafood
How to get to Makansutra Gluttons Bay: MRT to City Hall EW13/NS25
3. Maxwell Food Centre
Best for: Chinatown sightseeing, famous chicken rice, and a classic first hawker centre experience.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Maxwell Hawker Centre has over 100 food stalls. Its proximity to Chinatown and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple make this a great option for lunch if you are in the area sightseeing.
The most famous stall here is Tian Tian Chicken Rice, widely regarded as one of the best chicken rice stalls in Singapore. They have been serving up their famous version of one of Singapore’s best loved dishes since 1987.
If you come here for the Chicken Rice, be prepared to queue! It’s one of the most popular hawker stalls in Singapore.
Insider Tip: For great chicken rice without the queues, check out Ah Tai Chicken Rice, just two stalls down from Tian Tian. It is run by a former Tian Tian employee.
The Best food at Maxwell Food Centre:
- Hainanese Chicken Rice from Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or Ah Tai Chicken Rice.
- Congee from Zhen Zhen Porridge
- Fuzhou oyster cake from Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake
- Rojak and Popiah from Rojak Popiah and Cockle
How to get to Maxwell Food Centre: MRT to Maxwell TE18
4. Newton Food Centre
Best for: Easy access near Orchard Road, first-timers, and a well-known (but slightly more touristy) experience.
You may recognise Newton Food Centre as it famously appeared in the movie Crazy Rich Asians. Or maybe you saw news coverage of Bill Gates eating here when he was in town?
Even before the movie was released, this was always a popular food centre with tourists and with the expats who live in the Orchard Road area, leading many locals to complain that it is an expensive tourist trap.
It’s true it does feature on some bus tours, but it is easy to get to, airy and offers a staggering variety of stalls, so we still think it is worth a visit.
Best food at Newton Food Centre:
- Carrot Cake from Heng Carrot Cake
- BBQ Stingray from Guan Lee Seafood
- Oyster Omelette from Hup Kee Fried Oyster Omelette
- Chilli Crab or Black Pepper Crab at Alliance Seafood
- Chicken Wings from R&B Express
- Boneless Braised Duck or Chicken Rice from Kwee Heng
How to get to Newton Food Centre: MRT to Newton DT11/NS21
5. Chinatown Complex Food Centre
Best for: Huge variety, Michelin-recognised stalls, and a more local, no-frills experience.
Singapore’s largest hawker centre, the Chinatown Complex Food Centre is handily located in the heart of Chinatown very close to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Chinatown markets.
With over 250 stalls, there is something for everyone at this popular hawker centre. This food centre features several Michelin Bib Gourmand awardees and famous stalls.
However the most famous of all is Hawker Chan Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle. This was the first hawker stall to be awarded a Michelin Star in 2016.
Chef Chan now has 12 outlets in six countries, but you can still visit the humble hawker stall where it all began right here.
The best food at the Chinatown Complex Food Centre:
- Soya Sauce Chicken Rice at Hawker Chan
- Char Kway Teow at Hill Street Fried Kway Teow
- Popiah at Ann Chin Popiah
- Claypot at Lian He Ben Ji Claypot
- Satay at C.M.Y Satay
How to get to Chinatown Complex Food Centre: MRT to Chinatown DT19/NE4
6. East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Best for: Beachside dining, a relaxed local vibe, and combining food with outdoor activities.
The East Coast Lagoon Food Village offers a breezy alfresco atmosphere in which to indulge in some delicious hawker food. It’s Singapore’s only beachside hawker centre, making for a relaxed holiday vibe.
It’s a popular dining spot for local East Coast families and a frequent stop-off point for cyclists to refuel at lunchtime.
Best food at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village:
- Satay at Haron Satay
- Char Kway Teow at Choon Hiang
- Sambal Stingray at Stingray Forever BBQ Seafood
- Bak Kut Teh at Han Jia Bak Kut Teh
- Hokkien Mee at Geylang 29 Charcoal Fried Hokkien Mee
- Chicken Wings at Ah Hwee BBQ Chicken Wings & Spring Chicken
- Carrot Cake at Lagoon Famous Carrot Cake
How to get to East Coast Lagoon Food Village: Bus 401 from Bedok MRT station EW5
7. Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre
Best for: A more local experience, food lovers, and trying some of Singapore’s best hawker dishes.
Located above the wet market, the Tiong Bahru food centre is very popular with local Singaporeans who will travel across town to come here.
Tiong Bahru market is known for its exceptional Chwee Kueh and Lor Mee, so don’t miss out on a chance to try these local dishes.
You’ll also find five hawker stalls recommended in the Michelin guide, so you can be confident that the standard is high here.
Best food at Tiong Bahru Market:
- Chwee Kueh at Jian Bo Shui Kueh
- Lor Mee at Lor Mee 178
- Chicken Rice at Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
- Prawn Mee at Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee
How to get to Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre: MRT to Tiong Bahru EW17
8. Amoy Street Food Centre
Best for: CBD location, lunchtime visits, and high-quality stalls popular with local office workers.
Handily located close to the Central Business District, Amoy Street Food Centre is another popular hawker centre with office workers at lunchtime.
There are a lot of good stalls here, spread out over the two levels, so take your time to wander around and take them all in before deciding what to order.
We highly recommend the Curry Puffs at J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff, they are some of the best in Singapore. Fish Soup is another popular dish here.
Best Food at Amoy Street Food Centre:
- Curry Puffs at J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff
- Bak Zhang (Rice dumplings) at Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling
- Fish Soup at Han Kee
- Singapore-style Ramen at A Noodle Story
How to get to Amoy Street Food Centre: MRT to Telok Ayer DT18 or Tanjong Pagar EW15 or Shenton Way TE19
9. Tekka Centre
Best for: Indian and South Asian cuisine, cultural immersion, and exploring Little India.
Located in the heart of Little India, the Tekka Centre is a haven for those who enjoy Indian and South Asian cuisine. But there are plenty of other hawker dishes on offer here too.
Breakfast is one of the busiest times of day here, with everyone heading here for their Indian-style local breakfast.
The Tekka Centre also houses one of the best wet markets in Singapore, so take your time to look around while you are here.
Best Food at the Tekka Centre:
- Mee Siam at Grandma Mee Siam
- Rojak at Temasek Indian Rojak
- Briyani at Allauddin’s Briyani
- Prawn Noodles at 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles
- Roti Prata at AR Rahman Cafe & Royal Prata
- Soya Sauce Duck at Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice
- Naan and Butter Chicken at Delhi Lahori
How to get to the Tekka Centre: MRT to Little India DT12/NE7
10. Old Airport Road Food Centre
Best for: Authentic local experience, serious food lovers, and one of the best all-round hawker centres in Singapore.
Old Airport Road Food Centre is widely regarded as one of the best hawker centres in Singapore, especially among locals. Opened in 1973, it’s one of the oldest in the city and has built a reputation for consistently excellent food.
Unlike some of the more tourist-focused hawker centres, this is very much a local spot, which means you’ll find fewer crowds of visitors and more Singaporeans lining up for their favourite dishes.
And when you see a long queue here, you know it’s worth joining!
The food centre is also home to several Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised stalls, including Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow, Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee and To-Ricos Kway Chap, further cementing its reputation as one of Singapore’s top hawker destinations for food lovers.
With over 150 stalls, there’s an incredible variety of food on offer, from classic noodle dishes to local favourites and snacks.
The atmosphere is no-frills and all about the food, but that’s exactly what makes it such a great place to experience authentic Singaporean dining.
Best food at Old Airport Road Food Centre:
- Char Kway Teow at Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow
- Hokkien Mee at Nam Sing Hokkien Fried Mee
- Curry Puffs at Wang Wang Crispy Curry Puff
- Oyster Omelette at Famous Old Airport Fried Oyster
- Lor Mee at Xiang Ji
- Chicken Rice at Weng Hua Yuan
How to get to Old Airport Road Food Centre: MRT to Dakota (CC8), then a short 5-minute walk.
How to Order Food at a Hawker Centre
New to eating in a hawker centre? Here are a few tips around Singapore’s hawker culture to make sure you blend in with the locals!
Read more tips in our Guide to Hawker Centres for First-Timers.
Picking the Perfect Meal
With a plethora of food stalls to choose from, selecting the perfect meal may seem daunting. However, a few simple strategies can help you navigate the options:
- Take your time to walk around the centre and explore your options before deciding.
- Look for long queues, as this often indicates how good and well-known the stall is.
- Don’t be afraid to ask locals for recommendations.
- Keep an eye out for any awards or accolades displayed at the food stalls, which suggest a higher level of quality.
- Hawker centre seating is first-come, first-served. During busy times, it’s best to secure a seat before ordering your food.
- If you see a packet of tissues on a table, this means the seat is reserved. Feel free to do the same to reserve your own seat.
- Don’t be shy and ask to share tables with other diners.
- Although some stalls will accept cashless payment, usually Cash is King at hawker stalls.
Lunchtime Peak Hours
Visiting a hawker centre during lunchtime peak hours can be a bustling experience. Be prepared for the rush, as both office workers and tourists flock to these culinary havens during this time.
The key to success is patience and good manners, as you will likely find longer queues at popular food stalls.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Plan ahead by arriving slightly earlier or later than the peak rush, since finding a seat and ordering food can be challenging during these times.
- Be prepared for queues at popular food stalls.
- Finally, remember to be patient and polite with the stall owners and other customers, as everyone is here to enjoy their shared love of delicious food!
FAQs
Yes it is safe to eat hawker food in Singapore. Hawker stalls are carefully regulated by the Singapore government to ensure strict health and safety compliance. Licenses are subject to regular inspections.
Singaporeans like to eat at hawker centres because they offer a wide variety of food choices at affordable prices. They are also quick and convenient and offer a community atmosphere for dining.
Some hawker stalls do accept card or mobile payments, but many still prefer cash.
You may see options like PayNow, NETS, GrabPay
However, these are not available at every stall, so it’s best not to rely on them.
Yes, it’s a good idea to carry cash when visiting hawker centres.
While cashless payments are becoming more common, many smaller or traditional stalls still only accept cash. Most meals are inexpensive (around SGD $5–10), so having small notes on hand makes things much easier.
It depends on the experience you’re after:
Lunchtime (12–2pm): Busy and lively, but expect queues and limited seating
Early evening (5–7pm): A great balance of atmosphere and availability
Late evening (after 7pm): Perfect for places like Lau Pa Sat when Satay Street comes alive
If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting slightly before or after peak meal times.