Singapore Changi Airport is more than just an ordinary airport, it is a delectable gourmet world with many restaurants, eateries and cafes serving cuisines from all over the world. And we swear this feature will have you develop a newfound love for dining at an airport.
Whether you are in transit, need to fill your tummy before a flight, or just simply want a good family dinner, our airport can be your answer for any occasion and with this post, we will prove the typical perception of airports having the worst food options wrong. Yes, you’ve got that right – you do not have to settle for horrible food with ridiculous price tags. Whatever your craving is, however much your budget is, even if you are on a mission to catch your plane and running out of time, there will always be food. You just have to decide what cuisine you like.
Changi Airport is kindly giving away 3 X S$50 Changi Dollar Vouchers which you can use at your favourite shops or restaurants at the airport. To win the vouchers, leave a comment in this post to tell us your favourite dining option in Changi Airport. For more details of the giveaway, please read more at the end of this post.
Welcome to a gastronomical experience at our lovely world class airport. Here is a guide to dining at Changi Airport, featuring 20 restaurants, eateries and quickbites in the public and transit areas.
QUICKBITES AT CHANGI AIRPORT
Spent too much time shopping at the duty-free shops that you do not have much time left to have a proper meal before catching your flight? Or just feeling peckish and want a snack? There are many food and beverage outlets at Changi Airport that offer ready-to-eat items and simple snacks that you can just grab and go. There will not be anymore reasons to go hungry when you are at the airport – even if you are running late.
Gong Cha (T2 Public Area)
For as far as we are concerned, bubble tea makes one happy. And it is definitely a good idea to grab a cup of your favourite sweet drink before your flight. Pudding Milk Tea for us, please!
Terminal 2 Arrival Hall (South)
Daily: 24 hours
Killiney Kopitiam (T2 Transit Area)
We miss local food the most whenever we travel overseas, so we always make sure to satisfy our craving for our favourite kaya toast. Killiney Kopitiam, one of the most established names for kaya toast and local coffee, is the place to head to. Fuss-free and comforting!
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge (South)
Daily: 24 Hours
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge (Central)
Daily: 6am – 1am
Paris Baguette (T2 Public Area)
Fans of Paris Baguette will be delighted to know that the famous Korean bakery chain is now open at the airport. Besides their signature pastries, cakes and breads, sandwiches and salads, the branch at Changi Airport is also serving an exclusive brunch menu.
Terminal 2 Arrival Hall
Daily: 24 Hours
Toast Box (T3 Public Area)
Another place that we always frequent is Toast Box because it not only has popular local classic dishes – like kaya toast, laksa, curry chicken, and peanut butter thick toast – but it also opens for 24 hours, making it the perfect place to have a quick bite.
Terminal 3 Departure Check-In Hall, Level 2
Daily: 24 Hours
Tip Top (T2 Transit Area)
Pick up a piece of Curry Puff – the locals’ favourite snack – and enjoy the fragrance of the curry and diced potatoes from Tip Top, an established brand since 1979.
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge (Central)
Daily: 6am – 1am
DINING AT CHANGI AIRPORT PUBLIC AREA
The best thing about Changi Airport is the mind-boggling selection of F&B outlets; even when you are not hungry, you feel compelled to dine there. Whether you are going for a holiday, sending your loved ones off, or to simply hangout and have a meal – there is always something to eat at Changi Airport. Here are some of the restaurants and eateries in Changi Airport’s public area that you should include in your list:
Central Thai (T2 Public Area)
From tom yum to Thai mango salad, green curry seafood and phad thai, Central Thai serves a great variety of classic Thai dishes prepared by native Thai chefs at pocket-friendly prices.
Terminal 2 Viewing Mall, Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Itacho Sushi (T3 Public Area)
Salmon skin sushi for S$0.40 – everyone will know Itacho Sushi because of this. But more than that, they offer a wide variety of sushi creations at very pocket friendly prices. When dining at Itacho, treat yourself to a selection of makis, rolls and nigiris made with fresh ingredients.
Our picks have got to be the wagyu nigiri – quality beef that is so rich in flavour and well-marbled, the salmon aburi that is torched to perfection, and sweet makis with creamy avocado and soft-shelled crab. Itacho Sushi always satisfies.
Terminal 3 Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Gurney Drive (T3 Public Area)
Gurney Drive presents the best of Penang hawker food like Penang laksa, prawn noodles, and char koay teow – which was, in particular, quite a plate of heaven with a generous serving of juicy prawns and sausages atop rice noodles. The food is pretty authentic and pleasantly affordable.
Terminal 3 Viewing Mall, Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Dian Xiao Er (T3 Public Area)
This traditional Chinese restaurant is another popular haunt for families to have a simple and casual meal. Its renowned herbal roast duck is always immensely satisfying.
Terminal 3 Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
O’Coffee Club (T3 Public Area)
Need some sugar rush? Go for O’Coffee Club’s signature Mudpies. The picture speaks for itself.
Terminal 3 Departure Check-in Hall
Daily: 24 Hours
Ramen Champion (T3 Public Area)
Pork base, chicken base, miso base… whatever you are feeling, Ramen Champion has a bowl to feed that craving. Our favourite has got to be Keishoken by Chef Kazuo Sukuraoka, who exhibited his concept of colors via the toppings – black, red, orange and yellow. The red topping deserves a special mention for its sizzling spiciness atop rich pork broth.
Terminal 3 Basement 2
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Saboten (T1 Public Area)
Tonkatsu is ever popular, and Saboten does theirs well. Which explains why they are always packed, but we really would not mind the wait just to have a serving of the gorgeously-fried hire Katsu (pork tenderloin cutlet); we never leave Saobten without a serving of that. And the cheese katsu is a fabulous alternative that we always add-on, too! The various sets is another reason why Saboten is an ideal option for families.
Terminal 1 Viewing Mall, Level 3
Daily: 8am – 11pm
Seafood Paradise (T2 Public Area)
If you need your crab fix before your holiday, or if you are returning from a holiday with a major craving for our local crabs, head to Seafood Paradise and indulge in a luxurious seafood spread. Crabs aside, we really love their cheese lobsters – fresh, chunky crustaceans lavishly soaked in a bed of cheese. Eat it with deep-fried mantou! Also, the cuttlefish with kangkong is a favourite among locals, too!
Terminal 2 Viewing Mall
Departure Check-in Hall, Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Soup Restaurant (T2 Public Area)
Serving an unparalleled menu of daily brewed soups, families can always count on Soup Restaurant for a good meal. Its quality comfort Chinese food with reasonable price tags includes the all-time favourite Samsui Ginger Chicken.
Terminal 2 Viewing Mall
Departure Check-in Hall, Level 3
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm
Swensen’s (T2 Public Area)
We always end up at Swensen’s when we are back in Singapore on a midnight flight because it opens for 24 hours, and also because of the variety of dishes on the menu – there is something for everyone to choose from.
Terminal 2 Arrival Hall
Daily: 24 Hours
DINING AT CHANGI AIRPORT TRANSIT AREA
We are huge advocators of arriving and checking in early at the airport so as to enjoy the facilities and amenities. Treat yourself to a good meal before your flight! With so many restaurants and eateries in the transit areas, you will be spoiled for choices on what to eat. Here are some places that you can go.
Cedele (T2 Transit Area)
The ladies’ favourite, Cedele, offers a delicious and healthy menu of sandwiches, soups and desserts that are prepared using the freshest ingredients.
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge
Daily: 24 Hours
La Cave Wine Bar (T1 Transit Area)
Head to the rooftop Cactus Garden to enjoy fresh air and a pint of beer or glass of wine at La Cave Wine Bar.
Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge
Daily: 7am – 2am
Peach Garden Noodle House (T1 Transit Area)
Signatures like the wasabi salad cream prawn, golden salted yolk prawn, braised ee fu noodle with baby lobster, and to-die-for custard buns is why this casual dining eatery has our loyalty. Peach Garden always dishes out consistently good Chinese food that is hard to not love.
Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge
Mezzanine Level 3
Daily: 6am – 12am
Tai Hing (T2 Transit Area)
Tai Hing is one of the most well-known roast meat restaurants in Hong Kong, with more than 30 branches dishing out its much-lauded roast goose and other cooked dishes. If you are not heading to Hong Kong anytime soon, we would definitely recommend coming here for a meal before going off for your holiday.
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge
Daily: 24 Hours
The Green Market (T1 & 2 Transit)
For the health conscious, head over to The Green Market, a modern casual Japanese Restaurant that offers a salad and appetiser buffet (11am – 1am) for S$20.
Terminal 1 Departure Transit Lounge
Daily: 6am – 1am
Terminal 2 Departure Transit Lounge
Daily: 6am – 1am
Changi Airport x ladyironchef Giveaway
1. 3 X S$50 Changi Dollar Vouchers
2. Leave a comment in this post to tell us which is your favourite dining option in Changi Airport and why?
3. Closing Date of Contest: 17 March 2013 2359 Hours
4. Winners will be notified by email
// Updated on 18 March: The three winners are Chan Jian Da, Theresa, and Sean.
We can stay at the airport for a week and not run out of ideas on where to eat! Have you shortlisted your favourites, and mapped out an eating plan for your next trip to the airport? And if you have time after your meal, remember to check out the other wonders. Read our previous guide on 12 Things You Never Knew about Changi Airport.
For more information, go to www.changiairport.com. Follow Fans of Changi on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates.
This post is brought to you by Singapore Changi Airport.
Nothing perks and wakes me up better than an aromatic cup of Kopi-O GAO from Ya kun, especially during those early morning flights. Perfect for a Singaporean lady like me! Changi Airport will always be the best airport in the world, my one and only fave!
Itacho Sushi, nothing beats a fresh slice of sashimi and the sweetness of scallops!
That’s Swensen’s! Located at Terminal 2 arrival hall. Have celebrated my birthday not long before. From their iconic ice-cream cake which is a popular cake to have during my teenage days to various type of burgers, sandwich, western food even rice to cater for different food bud of my family members. Not forgetting their sundaes for the little ones! *Drooling… *
Saboten! Give me the katsudon anytime.
Prime ribeye x’tra cut @ Astons.
Swensens. It’s been an all time family favourite ever since I was little.
Saboten!! Nothing beats those juicy, yummylicious tonkatsu.. Mmm..
Toast box. Just simply loves the kopi amd toast kaya bread.
Soup Restaurant and Saboten. I absolutely love the Samsui Ginger Chicken and their Fried Fish Belly with Chilli. I would always go to the outlet at Changi Airport even if I am not travelling overseas because the food at that particular outlet somehow always taste better! And also Saboten, from the reviews that I saw on your website, my friends and I decided to give it a try and we totally love it!
Definitely It’s got to be Killiney Kopitiam at T2 transit area. They serve my comfort food – bread with kaya & butter plus 2 eggs with kopi O. Love it!
Haven’t been much to Changi Airport, dine there for 3 times, two at Itachio and one at Gurney drive. Totally speechless when I ate the char koay teow at Gurney drive, it was divine.
I stayed in Penang for two full years when I am pursuing my diploma. Not only that I lived nearby Gurney drive, I had eaten uncountable plates of char koay teow in Penang. When I finished the char koay teow at Gurney Drive Changi, the only things I can say is ‘I miss this’. This plate of few dollar fried noodles brings back memories, back when I am in college, studying. These are the food where you can afford to eat with limited pocket money and a big appetite.Those times I definitely have no idea how precious it is, only until I am hundred miles away from it.
I just want to say thank you,
for a plate that says a thousand words.
I love saboten!
I cannot believe my favorite dining place isn’t even stated in your dining guide, how could you?!?
My favorite place to eat is the kopitiam called KOPI at Changi Airport!
As you know, Kopitiam serves almost everything Singaporeans love, there’s bound to be something, a particular cuisine you’ll like, and that is why I LOVE going there. But that’s not all, what I go there to eat everytime is the mini steamboat filled with seafood in tom yam soup with rice! It’s SUPER SUPER GOOD. REALLY!!! I only go there to eat that everytime because it’s really really delicious, and I can’t seem to find any place else selling that anywhere nearby!
This place has SAVED MY LIFE many times, there was one time I was super famished my whole body was shivering, I walked into KOPI and queueing took barely 5minutes before it was my turn and food’s served in such a quick pace!
As I said, food’s served in a very quick pace, so I’ve seen many foreigners dining with huge luggages beside them. They were also eating some singaporean favorites like chicken rice and laksa.
It’s basically a really fast eat-and-go place and people that come from foreign places can also experience the food paradise of Singapore right at the airport, which I think makes it the best place to dine in Changi Airport.
delightful in every way, SWENSEN’S is definitely my favourite! It provides a gallimaufry of local delicacies that other outlet simply does not provide. It allows the foreigners to have a taste of what Singapore food is like. It provides a complete meal (main course and dessert etc) which will satisfy your cravings/stomach! The place itself is also a plus point as it is extremely comfy. Both the array of food choices and seats provide comfort which I think is the most important thing that you should feel while dining in
SABOTEN! Tonkatsu + cheese = match made in heaven! ???? my family loves Japanese food; Saboten has always been one of our go to restaurants every time we cannot decide on where to eat.
Whenever I dine out with my grandparents, we are bound to have Chinese food. We have recently discovered Soup Restuarant and my grandma immediately fell in love with their Samsui chicken. In her own words, ‘Very nice! Let’s come back next Saturday.’ As I’m still schooling, these vouchers would give me the chance to ‘treat’ my family to a good meal at Soup Restaurant
Itacho sushi! All-time favourite sushi restaurant of my gf and I. Can never get enough of their fresh salmon sashimi and unagi. These vouchers would allow us to indulge in the more pricey sushis at Itacho that we have yet to try and just in time for her birthday in April too!
My favourite dining option is actually a well-kept secret – Changi Airport’s Staff Canteen! Plenty of choices, and the stalls are all cheap & good!
Toast box, for its convenience and authentic local taste, I like their curry chicken, kaya toast and can’t go wrong with a cup of teh:)
Its really tough to choose, but I would say Soup Restaurant!! Love the samsui chicken and tofu!!!
My favourite dining option at Changi Airport will certainly be Itacho Sushi because their sushi are super awesome and the sashimi is a dish that is a must to order whenever i go there. Hope to win the Treat with my bf because we are a favourite fan of food lovers ! Changi airport can give me an abundance of joy by ending my day with a good meal as it will somehow brighten my spirit on the following working day because eating nice and awesome food makes a glutton like me happy. Food is my motivation for everything which cheers me up. Hope to win it for my date because my bf and i love eating and our dates are always ended up on food hunt !
<3
Macdonalds at Changi Airport, brings back childhood memories.
My dad who is a frequent flyer will call home to ask what to bring home.
My sisters & I will asked for ‘Macdonalds’….:)
Saboten! Because their katsu and free flow salad option is just too irresistable
My fav restaurant in Changi Airport is TCC.. they introduces new drinks / food almost every mth.. never got tiring with the surprises.. indeed.. my Tender Comfort Corner (TCC) ^_^
My family love Pasta de Waraku at T3, which is not in your list. My 2 young kids love the kids meal which at $9.90 per set, is value for money. My wife love the pasta with tomato soup base which does not make her feel guilty after the dinner and I love their pizza with the crust so crispy and fragrant. My kids love the food so much so that even though my wife and me are busy with our work, we will still try to go to Pasta de Waraku at the airport on a monthly basis. It is one of the most enjoyable times for us as we enjoy both the food and the bonding time for the whole family.
Sorry, one correction. Pasta de Waraku is at T2
Gurney Drive Restaurant. Authentic Penang hawker fare at affordable prices right at our doorstep! Especially love the char koay teow ????
Swensen’s brings back all the good old memories of dining or gatherings in Changi Airport…
Paris Baguette!
Nothing beats wonderful brunch before flying off to the next destination. What is better than starting your journey with wonderful bread from the famous korean bakery shop. After the brunch, we can enjoy the superb royal pudding and can buy some sandwich to eat on the plane too. <3
Diao Xiao er.. Give me their herbal duck anytime & i can finish 2 bowls of rice with it..
I love Diao Xiao Er….
My favourite dining option is Tip Top’s curry puff. Nothing beats a truly local delight upon returning home from other countries. Just one bite of the curry puff and I know I’m back home
Ramen Champion has been unforgettable for us. It is family friendly, offers a different concept in terms of dining and the ultimate selection of ramen with different soup bases. It is bringing Japan to the diners, as the ramen stalls offer variety coming from different parts of Japan. We throughout enjoyed the garlic soup base as well as spicy and miso soup for the kids. It also helps that it is conveniently located almost in the middle of the terminal so accessing it from either end is easy. Love the secured area that they allocated just for customers to park their luggage and trolleys. True-blue Japanese service and hospitality!
Ramen Champion! All the best Ramen in one single location. This is like Changi Airport – all the best lobang in a single venue
Definitely Swensens! Mealtimes at Swensens (Changi Airport) always evokes special childhood memories, especially when it was located right next to the viewing gallery, with an unforgettable play area just outside the restaurant. Enjoying a family ‘earthquake’ ice cream right next to the arriving and departing flights cannot be a more unique experience. Although it is no longer located next to the viewing gallery, it remains as the dining option that bonds my family whenever we head to the airport or return from our holidays.
I love ASTON’S Specialties at Changi because it’s one of the cheapest western food at Changi! The food is great, and there’s no service charge!
Definitely Paris Baguette cos it being located in the airport, away from the hustle and bustle in the town area, allowing me to take my time to enjoy the exclusive brunch menu, or just chill to enjoy some me time over some cakes and desserts
definitely don’t have to worry about the crowd (like in the town area) and I can also spend some quiet time with loved ones 
Definitely Swensen’s at Changi Airport! I remembered eating with my beloved best friend + sister, delectable foods like tuna tortilla and butterscotch ice cream waffle, quite some time ago but still imprinted in my memory. <3
Killiney Kopitiam (T2 Transit Area) — The last chance to eat the local food before we departs for our holiday!
Toast box! For sure. Always hits the spot and u just can’t get breakfast foods like that at any other destination that your’re flying to!
It will be my first time on the 27 of the month in Singapore. I am planning to take a quick bite at authentic Toast Box,theres a franchise here but i want to taste the real one.
And on my depature on the 30th going back in the Phils. I will try the Ramen Champion. Your site is very infomative.i
Definitely, Swensens for some hearty meals with my family, and Paris Baguette for a cup of joe and yummy snacks before flying off!
There’s no way I would give Killiney Kopitiam a miss when I’m at the transit area. two soft boiled eggs, kaya butter toast and teh is the way to savour the truly Singapore taste before I leave my home country for gourmet elsewhere. I have, without fail, patronised them for the past years before I fly!
Saboten would be my favourite!! They never fail with their free flow of cabbage salad and rice to down their wonderfully fried katsu…great for a preflight meal or just a nice gathering for great food..
Central Thai is my favorite because I love Thai food and as spicy as possible!
Soup Restaurant for the food and service. It makes a great pre and post getaway meal!
Paris Baguette. I love sitting down for a quick dessert and their puddings are simply delicious!
Kids n I love Paris Baguette! Great sandwiches n cakes…love their puddings too!
TCC
Because it is tranquil to enjoy a good full hour of their tea set in Changi.
Itacho Itacho!!! i love their variety of sushi and at the airport just feel so comfortable in the vast space to walk after that.
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