For those who have always had the notion that Punggol is nothing but an ‘ulu’ place, here is when you might be wrong. Alongside the multitudinous activities that you can indulge in, Punggol is also home to many restaurants, cafés, local food stalls as well as bars and bistros you never knew about.

Yes, it is a misconception that Punggol is just a neighbourhood that is far away from civilisation and nothing else.

Here, we share with you a comprehensive guide to the best places to go to in Punggol that will prove that even ulu places can be food heaven.

CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS IN PUNGGOL

Today, Punggol is a bustling neighbourhood that is great for cafe hopping or family meals. You would be surprised to know that Waterway Point, as well as The Punggol Settlement area, has an extensive list of F& B establishments that is worth the long drive to Punggol.

SHITAMACHI TENDON AKIMITSU

Award-winning tempura and tendon eatery from Asakusa, Tokyo has opened recently in Punggol Waterway Point, gathering snaking queues during dinner time. If you are craving some deep-fried goodness, be sure to head over to Waterway Point for a bowl of Akitmitsu Don’s tendon!

83 Punggol Central, #01-65
West Wing, Waterway Point
Singapore 828761
Daily: 12pm – 9.30pm
Tel: +65 63858795
Nearest Station: Punggol

BIG FISH SMALL FISH

As their name suggests, Big Fish Small Fish specialises in everything, well, fish. If you are a seafood lover, you ought to give this place a shot. Their variety of battered fishes may be somewhat limited but they certainly do not compromise on quality. Oh, and did we mention that prices are rather affordable too?

50 Punggol East, #01-K35,
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9438 7623
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

GEORGES BY THE BAY

This Balinese-themed bar in The Punggol Settlement, Georges by The Bay offers a spectacular array of grilled meats and bar bites. What you can expect are dishes such as Fish and Chips for a substantial meal and Golden Buffalo Wings if you are looking for something lighter.

3 Punggol Point Road
#02-12, The Punggol Settlement
Mon to Thu: 4pm – 1am
Fri: 3pm – 1am
Sat: 3pm – 2am
Sun: 3pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Sam Kee (Punggol LRT)

WHITE RESTAURANT

White Restaurant is renowned for their Signature White Beehoon which will change your impression of the otherwise, plain bee hoon and they also delectable serve side dishes perfect for sharing amongst a group.

Should you wish to give White Restaurant a visit, be sure to call up to make a reservation or head there early because the queues are crazy long!

3 Punggol Point Road
#01-10, The Punggol Settlement
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Riviera (Punggol LRT)

WHISK & PADDLE

Whisk & Paddle has got to be one of the most popular cafés around the area. They serve a variety of items on their menu—from breakfast dishes such as the classic Eggs Benedict to heartier and sharing mains including the likes of Ham & Pineapple Pizza and their renowned Mac and Cheese.

10 Tebing Lane #01-01
Tue to Fri: 3.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Riviera (Punggol LRT)

COMFORT FOOD IN PUNGGOL

While Singapore’s culinary scene has no lack of posh restaurants, nothing can beat local fare and cheap eats in our hearts. Punggol is where you can find a wide range of comforting local grub worth returning for.

Photo Credit: xuyuanfa

BOON CHIANG HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE

Although Boon Chiang Hainanese Chicken Rice may not take the cake as the most outstanding chicken rice in Singapore, they definitely serve a decent plate of chicken rice that will satiate your cravings for this iconic local dish.

Blk 303B Punggol Central
Singapore 822303
Nearest Station: Punggol/ Damai (Punggol LRT)

Photo Credit: triggerfish73

HUANG HONG JI PORRIDGE

Only Punggol residences will know of this small eatery that is situated on the first floor of an HDB.

Huang Hong Ji Porridge serves authentic Cantonese-style porridge with over 40 years of experience. They open at 7am and close just after lunch hours so you have to be an early bird to catch this worm!

Blk 269A Punggol Field, #01-197
Singapore 822269
Daily: 7am – 2pm
Tel: +65 9006 1071
Nearest Station: Punggol/ Damai (Punggol LRT)

BANGKOK STREET MOOKATA

Bangkok Street Mookata has got several outlets islandwide and they are best known for the authenticity of their Mookata and it certainly doesn’t hurt that prices are kept low too. This place may just be your new hangout spot if you are looking for a place to feast like a king with your mates without burning a hole in your wallet.

Blk 312A Sumang Link #01-05
Singapore 821312
Daily: 5pm – 11pm
Tel: +65 9222 8837
Nearest Station: Soo Teck (Punggol LRT)

WHERE TO DRINK IN PUNGGOL

Night life is not completely non-existent in Punggol even though it is a peripheral area. If you live in the neighbourhood, here are 3 bars and bistros for your next drinking session that will save you a trip to Clarke Quay and Prinsep Street. You are very welcome.

L’CHAIM BISTRO

Featuring a rather impressive range of craft beers on tap in the likes of Bohemian Lager, Summer IPA and more, L’chaim Bistro is one of the best places along the area to have a beer to cool off the heat.

Have some bar bites such as buffalo wings and thai fish cake to go along with the refreshing brews

50 Punggol East #01-K37
Singapore 828826
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Riviera (Punggol LRT)

Photo Credit: OBAR

OBAR PUNGGOL

OBAR is undoubtedly one of Punggol’s best-kept secrets. Offering a variety of entertainment from live music to karaoke, OBAR is THE place to go to if you happen to be in Punggol and the night is still young.

Booze, live music, dart stations and karaoke—OBAR checks off everything you would expect of a good place to chill and have fun.

11 Northshore drive
Singapore 828670
Mon, Wed: 12pm – 12.30am
Tue, Thu & Sun: 5pm – 12.30am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 1.30am
Tel: +65 9797 1799
Nearest Station: Nibong LRT/ Punggol Point LRT

Located in far-flung Punggol East lies a hip foodie enclave formed entirely out of containers that are used to house interesting bars and bistros. Each of the seven container-restaurants you can find there boasts its own type of speciality cuisine.

Whether its crispy fish and crisps you are craving for, a good ol’ BBQ stingray or even Korean fried chicken, there is bound to be something that will tempt your taste buds over at the Punggol East Container Park.

For all of you BTO-dwellers living at the far end of Punggol, here is a list of what you can expect at Punggol East Container Park.

#1 BIG FISH SMALL FISH

Big Fish Small Fish is a humble eatery that serves up a tantalising array of fish and crisps—that’s right, crisps, not chips—that come with free-flow sauces such as cheese, curry mayo, XO mayo, tartar and more!

Choose from five different types of fish such as Dory, Tilapia, Sea Bass, Salmon and Arrow Tooth Flounder—all of which are reasonably priced.

50 Punggol East, #01-K35,
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9438 7623
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#2 BOOST @ BANKS

After a meal at either one of the container-restaurants nearby pop over to Boost @ Banks, a watering hole that doubles up as an electronic darts joint as well. Have yourself a good time with your pals as you sip on a pint of beer and possibly score some bullseyes while you’re at it.

Some of the beer choices you can get at Boost @ Banks include popular favourites such as Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Heineken.

50 Punggol East #01-K33
Singapore 828826
Sun to Thu: 3pm – 1am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#3 D’GRILL

At first glance, the name might make you think of a meat-driven grill house but contrary to our initial assumption, D’Grill actually specialises in zi char fare—with a twist of course. Expect a variety of hotplate dishes from stingray to squid—all slathered in piping hot sambal sauce—and even some never-before-seen innovations such as their Hot Plate Pasta.

They also whip up a pretty satisfying chendol dessert that we assume would be perfect for rounding off the fiery meal.

50 Punggol East #01-K38
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9670 9279
Sun to Thu: 4.30pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 4.30pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#4 L’CHAIM BISTRO

If you are desperately in need of a substantial meal, then perhaps L’Chaim Bistro is not the ideal place to go to given that they only have a limited range of finger foods available.

If, however, all you want is a beer to cool off from the sweltering heat, then you will be happy to know that they carry a pretty impressive range of craft beers on tap in the likes of Bohemian Lager, Summer IPA and more.

50 Punggol East #01-K37
Singapore 828826
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#5 MIAMI BISTRO

The one thing that makes Miami Bistro stand out (apart from its Miami-themed interior) is its excellent service.

Besides serving up an array of delicious food—ranging from grilled dishes to bentos—and affordable tipples, you would be most impressed by how attentive the wait staff are and the conscious effort made by the owners to check up on customers from time to time.

50 Punggol East #01-K34,
Singapore 828824
Tel: +65 9005 9381
Nearest Station: Punggol

#6 PUMP STATION 1965 BAR & BISTRO

The second F&B venture for Macs Fong, an ex-convict-turned-restaurateur, Pump Station 1965 Bar & Bistro is a bar-restaurant modelled to look like a gas station.

This retro joint dishes out an eclectic menu of mains and tapas with a hodgepodge of local, Thai, Chinese and Japanese influences. Savour their best-sellers such as their Pump Grilled Chicken or their Smoked Duck Aglio Olio.

50 Punggol East #01-K32
Singapore 828826
Tel: +65 9459 7703
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 1am
Sun: 3pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol

#7 SEOUL GOOD

Specialising in all things Korean, this humble establishment takes pride in keeping things a hundred percent authentic—all their ingredients and products are shipped directly from Korea.

If you are yearning for something sweet, sticky and fried, we suggest going for their Korean fried chicken. Boasting sweet-savoury qualities, this bar snack is best washed down with an ice-cold beer— or even a bingsu for those of you who are not so keen on alcohol.

50 Punggol East #01-K36
Singapore 828826
Sun – Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Punggol