Tiong Bahru is every cafe hopper’s dream and also every foodie’s heaven. With the wide range of cuisine types and choices this trendy neighbourhood offers, Tiong Bahru has slowly and successfully become one of the most iconic food destinations in Singapore.

The formula is no rocket science – Tiong Bahru offers us a rustic charm like no other. With a neighbourhood as full of life as Tiong Bahru, it is no surprise that more and more people choose to open their cafes, restaurants or bakeries here.

If you are unfamiliar with the area or thinking about making a trip down to sample some delicious food, here is our Guide to Tiong Bahru’s Restaurants, Cafes & Eateries to assist you in picking the best place in the neighbourhood to dine in.

#1 AH BONG’S ITALIAN

Located in the Day & Night coffee shop along Eng Hoon Street, Ah Bong’s Italian occupies just a small corner of the entire space. Don’t be fooled by its size, the chef cooks up a hearty plate of pasta a la minute when ordered and the menu changes everyday.

If you’re in luck and Basil Pesto Pasta (S$7), or a close variation of it is on the menu that day, order it! Each strand of pasta is coated evenly with the sauce and the plate is just bursting with flavour, without being overly rich.

56 Eng Hoon Street
#01-46
Tel: +65 9650 6194
Daily: 10am – 2pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#2 BIG MAMA KOREAN RESTAURANT

This casual Korean eatery transports you to the streets of Korea with their homely fare at reasonable prices. The overall ambience of the place screams comforting so bring your friends here to enjoy a satisfying meal. If you come in a bigger group, you will be able to taste a range of their signature dishes such as Dakgalbi (S$15 per pax) or Pan-Fried Bulgogi (S$50, large sharing portion).

2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#3 BLUE GARDEN KOREAN BBQ

If you’re a fan of Korean BBQ buffets, why not try Blue Garden Korean BBQ Restaurant located at the trendy Link Hotel in Tiong Bahru? For lunch, pay only S$19.90 per pax and dinner goes for S$26.90 per pax.

Besides the usual barbecue meats, Blue Garden also offers classic Korean dishes such as Ginseng Chicken and a large range of kimchi choices that will make any kimchi lover contented.

50 Tiong Bahru Road
#01-07 Link Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6224 0700
Daily: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30 – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#4 DRIPS BAKERY

Specialising in desserts, make your way down to Drips Bakery and try their mouth-watering signature tarts. Each tart is not only affordable, but each and every one of them tastes freshly baked and oh-so-good! Drips Bakery also has a very welcoming and pleasant interior for you to hang out in.

82 Tiong Poh Road #01-05
Tel: +65 6222 0400
Mon, Wed & Thu: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 10.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#5 FLOCK CAFE

A family business, Flock Cafe brands itself as a hip and unpretentious cafe, serving some of the best coffee around. Try unique flavours such as the Orange Cinnamon Mocha (S$6.50), which you can’t find anywhere else! Flock Cafe also serves a range of all-day-breakfast staples such as Eggs Ben for you to have while you sip on some delicious coffee.

78 Moh Guan Terrace
#01-25
Tel: +65 6536 3938
Daily (except Tue): 9am – 5pm
Nearest Staion: Tiong Bahru

#6 FORTY HANDS

Using blends from Common Man Coffee Roasters, the aromatic coffee at Forty Hands is one to travel for. Not only are they serving up great coffee, they serve a menu of fusion all-day-breakfast items, putting their own spin to it. Get hungry for their Eggs Ben on Steak with Spicy Roasted Potatoes, all the good thing in one dish.

78 Yong Siak St
#01-12
Tel: +65 6225 8545
Tue to Wed, Sun: 8am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#7 GALICIER PASTRY

Galicier Pastry is an old school bakery located facing the main Tiong Bahru Road. Get transported back to your childhood with familiar cakes and pastries such as freshly baked Pandan Chiffon Cake (S$5) or even Nyonya Kuehs such as Kueh Dar dar ($4 for 5). Galicier is always packed with a steady crowd so be sure to get there early to get the freshest batch.

55 Tiong Bahru Rd
#01-39
Tel +65 6324 1686
Daily (Except Tue): 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#8 OPEN DOOR POLICY

We love the fact that Open Door Policy serves hearty dishes that tastes as good as they look. They serve more premium items such as Wagyu Rump, Beef Cheeks and Truffle Scrambled Eggs among their recommended menu items. If you’re looking for restaurant quality food at reasonable prices, Open Door Policy is one to check out.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6221 9307
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Weekend brunch: 11am – 4pm
(Closed on Tuedays)
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#9 PLAIN VANILLA

As one of the undisputed best cupcake bakeries in Singapore, what we also love about Plain Vanilla is their rustic and warm interior of their bakery on Yong Saik Street, Tiong Bahru. Drawing us in with the rich aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, their addictively good range of pastries and cakes makes us come back for more, every time.

1D Yong Siak Street
Tiong Bahru Estate
Tel: +65 6465 5942
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#10 HOUSE OF PERANAKAN PETIT

Nyonya food always tastes like home and House of Peranakan Petit reminds us of home-cooked dishes made with love. Have their Babi Ponteh (S$16) with rice, together with some Chap Chye (mixed vegetables) and you’re set for a substantial meal of authentic Nyonya cuisine.

42 Eng Hoon Street
Tiong Bahru Estate
Tel: +65 6222 1719
Daily: 12 pm -3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest: Tiong Bahru

#11 POTEATO

As the cafe’s name suggests, they do specialise in both tea and potato-centric dishes. You can expect premium tea selection for S$7.50 a pot, to have with mains such as the Creamy Seafood Pasta (S$16.80). If you come with a bigger group, be sure to try their Sweet Potato Fries (S$5) too!

78 Yong Siak Street
#01-18
Tel: +65 62212 488
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#12 PS CAFE PETIT

Fans of the PS Cafe chain of restaurants will love the cosy and beautiful interior of this smaller branch at Tiong Bahru. Although full main dishes are not aplenty here, they still serve their usual decadent range of desserts such as their mouth-watering Sticky Date Pudding (S$16). Alcoholic drinks are also served here and a range of ice cream too.

78 Guan Chuan Street
#01-41
Tel: +65 9226 7088
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#13 SIN HOI SAI

As the most popular Chinese Zhi Char restaurant in Tiong Bahru, Sin Hoi Sai has expanded their space over the years to cater to an ever-increasing amount of customers. Some must try dishes here include their Har Jeong Kai (Prawn Paste Chicken), which is probably one of the best you can find in Singapore.

55 Tiong Bahru Road (Opposite Link Hotel)
#01-59
Tel: +65 6223 0810
Daily: 5pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

#14 WHISK CAFE

Located just at the corner of the cross junction, Whisk Cafe occupies a very coveted space in the Tiong Bahru District. Instagrammers will fall in love with the full white interior and colourful range of desserts. They offer tarts, macarons and cakes together with coffee and tea.

58 Seng Poh Road
Tue to Thu: 9am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru is one of the oldest residential estates in Singapore. But in recent times, it has undergone a renaissance; the area is probably the hippest neighbourhood in Singapore right now. It all started with the opening of a coffee joint and an indie book store along Yong Siak Street. The rest, as they say, is history.

Here is a guide to Tiong Bahru’s restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.

40 Hands Coffee

This coffee house focuses on sustainably produced speciality coffee, stocking Fair Trade and Direct Trade coffee beans. Besides coffee, they also have a range of cakes, pastries and sandwiches on the menu. For those who are looking for a place to have brunch, 40 Hands Coffee has a brunch menu available all day from Friday to Sunday.

Spa Esprit Group should be credited with the revival of the Tiong Bahru area. They are the ones who started 40 Hands, and subsequently added Open Door Policy and the extremely popular Tiong Bahru Bakery.

Blk 78 Yong Siak Street
#01-12 Singapore
Tel: +65 6225 8545
Tue: 8:30am – 6:30pm
Wed & Thu: 8:30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8:30am – 11pm
Sun: 8:30am – 6:30pm

Books Actually

Books Actually is an independent bookstore specializing in fiction and literature which includes poetry, essays, literary journals.

The owners curate a great selection of books that you cannot find elsewhere. Besides stocking titles from various subjects – such as biography, current affairs, history, human sciences, music and film and travel narrative, Books Actually also distribute books under the imprint Math Paper Press and also hand-stitches notebooks and produces stationery under Birds & Co.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6222 9195
Mon: 11am – 6pm, Tue to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 9pm, Sun: 10am – 6pm

Big Mama

Big Mama is a hole-in-the-wall eatery that has been gaining a strong following for its Korean home-style cooking. While some of the signature dishes are slightly more expensive, it has a ‘Big Mama’s Simple Menu’ with sets like Kimchi Fried Rice ($12), Pork Bulgogi with rice ($13) and Soyabean Soup with rice ($13).

2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm

Coq and Balls

Every trendy neighbourhood needs a cool bar, and at Tiong Bahru, you have Coq and Balls. This watering hole is a causal and chillout place where you can enjoy delicious bar food and a beer or two.

6 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6276 6609
Daily: 5pm – 12am

Drips Bakery Cafe

If you are planning a cafe hopping adventure in Tiong Bahru, you should start from Drips Bakery Cafe. It is a charming place that offers cakes, tarts, savouries like quiches, salads and sandwiches.

82 Tiong Poh Road #01-05
Tel: +65 6222 0400
Mon, Wed & Thu: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 10.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm

Flock Cafe

One of the newest cafes in Tiong Bahru, this coffee spot serves sandwiches such as Bacon & Egg ($10.90), Pork Cheek and Gruyere ($11.90), as well as breakfast food like Scrambled Eggs and Toast ($6.90) and French Toast Pancakes ($8.90).

78 Moh Guan Terrace #01-25
Daily (except Tue): 9am – 5pm

IKYU

Helmed by executive chef Takuma Seki (formerly of Hide Yamamoto), IKYU prides itself as a “daringly different” Japanese restaurant that offers an unique dining experience. Definitely a great addition to the Tiong Bahru dining scene.

5 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6223 9003
Tue to Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm

Nana & Bird

What started off as a pop-up concept store became a multi-label boutique that stocks fashion and lifestyle products. If you are looking for a gift, drop by Nana & bird and you might find something that you need.

79 Chay Yan Street #01-02
entrance along Yong Siak Street

Open Door Policy

Being under the Spa Esprit group, Open Door Policy – with the perfect Manhatten-chic vibe – certainly delivers as far as ambience is concerned. But it is more than that – it is a bistro with a difference. Everything is prepared with the freshest ingredients and when you get to dine in such a buzzy yet intimate atmosphere, I promise you will fall in love with the place.

9 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6221 9307
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Weekend brunch: 11am – 4pm

Plain Vanilla

My favourite cupcake bakery, Plain Vanilla has opened a second store in Tiong Bahru. They have by far one of the best cupcakes in town. Do visit them and grab a cupcake when you are visiting the area.

1D Yong Siak Street
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 6pm

PoTeaTo

As the name suggests, this cosy eatery specialises in potato-based dishes and tea. The best thing is most of the dishes at PoTeaTo are reasonably-priced. Main courses such as Fish & Chips and Louisiana Pork Ribs range from $13.80 to $17.80, while you can get a Pulled Chicken Sandwich for $9.80.

78 Yong Siak Street #01-18
Tel: +65 62212 488
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm

PS Cafe Petit

PS Cafe Petit at Tiong Bahru is a new takeaway concept for freshly made pizzas and wine. It has a very cool vibe, and I love the design of the shopfront and interior. On the menu, you can find pizzas (prices range from $21-28) such as PS Original Smokey Marherita, Bolognese, and Four Cheese Porcini.

78 Guan Chuan Street #01-41
Tel: +65 9226 7088
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

SocialHaus

Right next to Books Actually is SocialHaus, a casual little bar where you can enjoy western food – such as fish & chips, and pastas – with cold beers. If you are searching out a great after work spot for drinks with friends, check out SocialHaus. On ladies night every Wednesday, SocialHaus offers prosecco and Haus wines at $5/glass.

11 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6557 0286
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 11.30pm
Fri: 4pm – 12 midnight
Sat: 11am – 12 midnight
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

Strangelets

Just a few stores away from Books Actually is Strangelets, a little design shop that sells bags, interior furnishings and all kinds of quirky stuff.

7 Yong Siak Street
Tel: +65 6222 1456
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm

Two Face Pizza and Taproom

This place has a similar concept as Bar Bar Black Sheep and Fat Cat Bistro. It is a coffee shop in the day, and when the sun sets, the space transforms into a cool spot where you can pizzas and beers.

56 Eng Hoon Street #01-48
Tel: +65 6536 0024
Tue to Fri: 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 12 midnight
Sun: 10am – 10pm

PS Cafe Petit at Tiong Bahru is a new takeaway concept for freshly made pizzas and wine. It has a very cool vibe, and I love the design of the shopfront and interior. It is a shame that there is no dine-in area, though.

That said, it is a good option if you want to get pizzas for occasions like a house party, or picnic. On the menu, you can find pizzas (prices range from $21-28) such as PS Original Smokey Marherita, Bolognese, and Four Cheese Porcini.

PS Cafe Petit

78 Guan Chuan Street #01-41

Tel: +65 9226 7088

Tue to Sun: 11am – 10.30pm