Joo Chiat is undeniably the most charming neighbourhood in Singapore. With an eclectic mix of new and old, it exudes a charm like no other.

Take a walk down those lines of heritage buildings and shophouses in Joo Chiat and you’ll be greeted by a juxtapose of old-school merchants and new-age cafes. It’s like a mystery and a discovery with every step you take.

Needless to say, this is every food lover’s haven. The sheer number of options is exhilarating, and if you don’t know where to start, here’s our Joo Chiat food guide featuring 22 restaurants, cafes & eateries in the neighbourhood.

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE BAKERY & CAFE

Formerly known as Ninethirty by Awfully Chocolate, this is the famous local chocolate brand’s flagship store which offers a decadent selection of well-loved comfort food and of course, the famed chocolatier’s desserts.

131 East Coast Road
Singapore 428816
Tel: +65 6345 2190

BRITISH HAINAN

British Hainan is a quaint family-run restaurant tucked away along Carpmael Road in the estates of Joo Chiat. They serve a myriad of classic British dishes with a Hainanese twist, but the dishes to die for include their signature oxtail stew and their braised lamb shank.

75 Carpmael Road
Tel: +65 6336 8122

BURGER FRITES

It’s not like we would complain about having another burger joint. Burger Frites may look like your typical American burger house, but its burgers are pretty awesome. We love the flame-grilled burger patties and how you can customize your burgers with the numerous add-ons.

340 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427592
Tel: +65 8894 7709

CAFÉ NATSU

Opened by Ebb & Flow Group which is the same group behind other popular dining concepts such as Sommer, Tigerlily Patisserie, & Chin Mee Chin, Café Natsu is the braindchild of Chef Lewis Barker of One Michelin Star-restaurant Sommer and it serves Western brunch classics with a Japanese twist. Highlights include Wagyu Hamburg, as well as their signature Sandos.

283 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427537
Tel: +65 8886 4497

COMMON MAN COFFEE ROASTERS

Established in 2013 by the Spa Esprit Group (the same folks behind other popular concepts such as Tiong Bahru Bakery & Open Farm Community), Common Man Coffee Roasters has long known to be one of the best places to have a cup of aromatic coffee and brunch. There are currently four Common Man Coffee Roasters outlets, including the one along Joo Chiat Road.

185 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427456
Tel: +65 6877 4863

DA DONG PRAWN NOODLES

Da Dong Prawn Noodles is quite arguably one of the most popular Prawn Noodles Stalls in Singapore. Located at Joo Chiat, a heritage-rich part of Singapore, Da Dong Prawn Noodles may seem like any other stall in a coffee shop, but it sees long queues daily.

Its popularity has seen people from all over Singapore flocking over for a comforting bowl of prawn noodles, and even though parking is scarce in the area, it does not deter diners.

354 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427600

DICKSON NASI LEMAK

Opened by the same people behind the extremely popular Champion Bolo Buns, Dickson Nasi Lemak specialises in Malaysian-style Nasi Lemak and long queues are often formed here. Do note that this is just a takeaway kiosk; there is no dine-in area!

320 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427571

GUAN HOE SOON RESTAURANT

Quite possibly Singapore’s oldest Nyonya restaurant, Guan Hoe Soon has been serving authentic Peranakan fare to its loyal customers since 1953.

Now run by the founder’s granddaughter and her husband, you can count on Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant to bring you a scrumptious Peranakan feast as they pride themselves in using only the freshest ingredients and a selective choice of spices without skimping on the quality of their food.

40 Joo Chiat Place
Singapore 427764
Tel: +65 6344 2761

HELLO ARRIGATO

Hello Arigato is a lifestyle cafe which is known for its Japanese-style Sando, and it first gained popularity with its first outlet at Upper Thomson. We prefer the one at Joo Chiat, because Joo Chiat.

Step into Hello Arigato Joo Chiat and be greeted by a minimalistic white space. The cafe isn’t big – probably 30-seater – and you can see from front to end. Whilst it can get a tad cramped, it is still a cosy space for a meal and a drink.

314 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427565
Tel: +65 8889 5657

JINJI TEOCHEW TRADITIONAL STEAMBOAT RESTAURANT

Jinji Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant is a no-frills and utterly unpretentious steamboat restaurant along Joo Chiat Road which local stars have been frequenting this traditional restaurant over the past decade.

The star and centrepiece of this restaurant is definitely their steamboat. Every table should order a steamboat for sharing, on top of all the a la carte dishes that you may wish to add on.

From their fragrant steamboat broth to the fish paste noodles and bouncy fish balls, the folks behind the restaurant pride themselves on having almost everything handmade, bringing you only the freshest and nothing less.

176-178 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427447
Tel: +65 6348 8924

JOO CHIAT CAPHE

Craving for Vietnamese Bánh Mì? Joo Chiat Caphe is a Muslim-friendly eatery which offers Vietnamese Bánh Mì, Vietnamese coffee as well as Mackerel Otah and Kuning Nasi Lemak. Prices start from S$5.80 for a classic Chicken Bánh Mì.

263 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427517
Tel: +65 6988 1900

KOHI ROASTERY & COFFEE BAR

Speciality coffee shop from Bangkok, Kohi Roastery & Coffee Bar has opened a coffee takeaway kiosk in Joo Chiat. It shares the space with Crane Joo Chiat and you can grab a cup of coffee while exploring the beautiful Joo Chiat neighbourhood.

283 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427535

KINGS CART COFFEE FACTORY

Opened by local wholesaler Kings Cart Coffee, this is a popular coffee shop in Joo Chiat which serves solid coffee using beans that are roasted by their own coffee roaster. They have a small and concise food menu offering brunch, pasta and salad items. End off your meal with their beautiful soufflé pancakes.

328 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-05
Singapore 427585
Tel: +65 8814 8445

LONG PHUNG

Located just across the street from Jinji Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant and Enjoué Bakery, Long Phung is a restaurant whose menu focuses primarily on Vietnamese cuisine.

Once a hidden gem in Joo Chiat, Long Phung is now a place where many flock to for authentic Vietnamese fare in Singapore without breaking the bank.

159 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427436
Tel: +65 6440 6959

LUNA PATISSERIE

Popular local patisserie, LUNA Patisserie has opened a second outlet in the Joo Chiat Enclave in end 2022. Highlights include Oolong Almond Florentine, Lychee Rose as well as their signature Orh Nee Cake.

121 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427410

MR & MRS MOHGAN’S SUPER CRISPY ROTI PRATA

Remarked as one of the best roti prata stalls in Singapore, Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata has relocated to another old-school coffee shop at 300 Joo Chiat Road.

Here, they serve real-deal, crispy prata flipped to perfection to give the right amount of crispiness on the edges and a fairly fluffy interior. Their curries—not that you need it—are extremely fragrant and pair well with their doughy goodness.

300 Joo Chiat Rd
Tin Yeang restaurant, Singapore 427551

OLSEN BAKE HOUSE

Probably one of the prettiest bakeries in Joo Chiat, Olsen Bake House first gained popularity on Instagram with their rustic, wholesome bakes in an array of interesting flavours – from the classics to the ones with a local twist, nothing is mainstream here. Be it cakes or loaves or kombucha, Olsen Bake House got you covered for your home parties.

301 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427552
Tel: +65 8891 5819

PETIT PAIN

Established in August 2019, Petit Pain specialises in bread and pastries such as croissants, danishes and escargot rolls. Stepping into the space, the immediate smell of butter and bread tantalized our tastebuds, enticing us toward the golden-brown goodies.

There is a long queue outside the shop every day and it is, without a doubt, one of the most popular bakeries for croissants in Singapore.

Petit Pain
315 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427566

TIGERLILY PATISSERIE

Helmed by Executive Pastry Chef Maxine Ngooi who used to work at Les Amis Restaurant, Joël Robuchon Restaurant and the now-defunct Vianney Massot Restaurant. Tigerlily Patisserie has pretty intricate bakes in exciting flavours and it has amassed quite a following with their pretty desserts. Do pop by and give it a try!

350 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427598

Photo credit: TBB

TIONG BAHRU BAKERY

Established in May 2012 on Eng Hoon Street in the Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru Bakery has just opened a new outlet in the charming Joo Chiat enclave along Crane Road.

The new cafe has a seating capacity of 58 seats and it will surely be a welcome addition to the Joo Chiat neighbourhood. It is located at 7 Crane Road, just around the corner from British Hainan.

Tiong Bahru Bakery Crane Road
7 Crane Road, Singapore 429356
Daily from 7.30am to 8pm

WINDOWSILL PIE

Popular pie shop, Windowsill Pie needs no introduction. From bright fruity delights to intense chocolatey decadence, they have a selection of pies that will impress all pie lovers. Windowsill Pie currently has three takeaway outlets in Singapore including Great World City, Jem and Joo Chiat.

290d Joo Chiat Rd
Tel: +65 9772 5629
Singapore 427542

WUNDERFOLKS

We always love a good tart and Wunderfolks nailed it with their menu. We were wowed by their tarts for its solid tart base and stellar fillings. You’d be spoilt for choice with the different flavours and we particularly loved the Lemon Meringue Tart and Dark Chocolate Tart.

201 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-03
Singapore 427472
Tel: +65 9749 7940

Da Dong Prawn Noodles is quite arguably one of the most popular Prawn Noodles Stalls in Singapore. Located at Joo Chiat, a heritage-rich part of Singapore, Da Dong Prawn Noodles may seem like any other stall in a coffee shop, but it sees long queues daily.

Its popularity has seen people from all over Singapore flocking over for a comforting bowl of prawn noodles, and even though parking is scarce in the area, it does not deter diners.

Is it that great, you’d wonder?

Be early or be disappointed. Da Dong Prawn Noodles typically sells out by lunch time, sometimes closing as early as 1pm. We were disappointed a few times because we aren’t early birds, so we’d say go earlier – shortly before the lunch crowd hits at 12pm.

Their famous big prawn noodles are available three sizes: S$13, S$15 and S$20. All three sizes come in either dry or soup.

Alternatively, you can also go for the regular Prawn Noodles, Pork Rib Prawn Noodles, or Pork Tail Soup. Prices range from S$5 to S$10 for the regular bowls.

The main difference lies in the prawn size and amount of pork ribs, so if it’s within your comfort zone, just go for the middle or the most expensive, because the prawns for the smallest size are really very small and not ‘shiok’.

We ordered both dry and soup versions. Well, both were pretty good, but we thought the dry version was slightly better. The big prawns for both versions were super fresh and juicy; totally worth the splurge!

The dry version was flavourful, with a well-mixed sauce that coated every strand of noodle well, making every mouthful gratifying.

The soup version, on the other hand, lacked something. The broth wasn’t as full-bodied as we had hoped it would be, and after a few sips, came across as bland in fact.

One gripe we had was the amount of soup. The portion was pretty little, and there was not enough soup to last us until the last bite of noodle. While we acknowledge the rising food costs and challenges faced by hawkers, we understand the lessened portions (everywhere, for the matter) but wish there was an option for diners to top up for more soup. We would be more than happy to pay for another bowl or two, to make our meal more gratifying.

That said, Da Dong Prawn Noodles is still worth trying for sure. It is definitely one of the better prawn noodles in Singapore, and a comforting bowl that we’d gladly have any time of the day.

Da Dong Prawn Noodles
354 Joo Chiat Rd
Singapore 427600
Wed to Mon: 7.30am – 2pm