Singapore Hawker Centres You Should Try

The Singapore hawker centres are one of the unique and iconic parts of this Southeast Asian country, and if you are visiting, you absolutely should experience at least one of them.

But where do you start? With over 100 hawker centres spread far and wide there is no shortage of choice.

So, what exactly is a hawker centre?

It’s a large open-air food court filled with dozens of individual stalls, each specialising in one or two dishes that they’ve usually been perfecting for years – sometimes even generations.

You’ll find everything from Hainanese chicken rice and laksa to satay, roti prata, nasi lemak and so much more. It’s where locals eat daily, and where you’ll find some of the best (and cheapest!) food in Singapore.

Hawker centres are casual, communal, and full of atmosphere.

They’re often located near MRT stations, in residential neighbourhoods, or attached to markets, and they often reflect the multicultural blend of Singapore – Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other cuisines all under one roof.

You can grab a full meal for just a few dollars, eat shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, and discover flavours you might never have tried before.

In this post, I’m sharing some of my favourite hawker centres around Singapore – places I’ve personally enjoyed, and ones I think are well worth seeking out and adding to your Singapore itinerary.

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Lau Pa Sat

This is my recommendation for your first hawker centre if you’ve not been to one before. 

It can be found right in the centre, so it’s easy to get to, even if you only have a short time in the city.

Lau Pa Sat is easy to navigate and has been recently upgraded so will feel more familiar to a western visitor as it is almost like a shopping centre food court – just missing a few walls.

Having said that, it’s still fun for a seasoned visitor too, we visited here again this trip, meeting my husband’s cousin who is a Singapore resident and enjoys the atmosphere too.

Lau Pa Sat is best known for it’s “satay street” that opens up outside in the evenings. Wander out there and you will find the street hazy with smoke and teeming with people.

While one satay stall seems to always have a big like, I have found the prices the same and the quality just as good at the others, so don’t feel like you need to join the long line.

Inside you are spoilt for choice, there is everything you can imagine here.

Best for: Satay Street – grab skewers at one of the evening stalls for the full experience
Address: 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582

Maxwell Centre

This was the first hawker centre I ever visited and it is best known for chicken rice at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice.

There is always a long line here (sometimes around the corner and out the door) but it does move quickly.

While many people say this is no longer the best chicken rice in Singapore, I’ve always found it pretty decent, so if you’re looking for a place to give it a go, this is it.

We tried various things from other stalls too – Simon always has char kway teow – and not been disappointed.

We always seem to end up back here at Maxwell and have visited most times we have been to Singapore. It has become a staple of our trips.

Best for: Hainanese chicken rice is a must – World-famous Tian Tian is a reliable choice.
Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184

Tekka Centre

This was a new one for me on my latest trip. Located in Little India, it will be no surprise to find that here at Tekka Centre the food is predominantly Indian.

We tried the chicken biryani from Allauddin’s Briyani – who happen to have a Michelin Plate distinction.

Now I love biryani, and while my husband likes it, it would not normally be his first choice (“What do you mean I can’t have char kway teow??”). 

I did convince him to share a single chicken biryani set with me and thank goodness I did because it was plenty for us both.

The set came with an egg and pappadoms and after buying a sugar cane drink too, we both had a delicious lunch for $9.50SGD.

Best for: Indian-Muslim biryani and roti prata – go sample a plate of delicious biryani or flaky prata from any of the Indian-Muslim food stalls.
Address: 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665

Satay By the Bay

Another new hawker centre for us this trip, and one that is relatively new to Singapore. Opening in 2013, it doesn’t have that “been here forever” feel some of the others do.

This is on the other side of Gardens by the Bay from Marina Bay Sands, near the Gardens by the Bay MRT station, and is a great option for a cheaper lunch if you’re in the area.

We had some satays and carrot cake (which is nothing like the carrot cake we get here in Australia) and some icy cold drinks – perfect for the heat.

It’s new, clean, spacious and has the best ceiling fans, such a relief on a hot day – like they all are in Singapore.

Best for: A fantastic lakeside vibe with smoky satay – you can’t go wrong with the classic mixed meat platter.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, #01-19, Singapore 018953

Newton Food Centre

Newton Food Centre has become even more popular in recent years after its appearance in the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians gave it global fame, making it a must-visit location for many international travellers.

It’s best known for its seafood, with dishes like chilli crab, oyster omelette and sambal stingray on the many menus.

I’ve only visited once, and I tried the oyster omelette, which I was a little dubious about but found it delicious.

I also tried carrot cake for the first time here.

I just have to explain this, it’s not cake as we think of it, but a savoury stir-fried dish made from steamed white radish cake, eggs, and preserved radish, served in either a white (crispy) or black (sweet soy sauce) version.

I can’t remember if we had the black or white version that first time, but I loved it and have had it many time since.

Best for: Michelin Bib Gourmand satay and seafood—try Chong Pang Huat (#01‑60) or Alliance Seafood (#01‑27) for grilled stingray, satay, chilli crab and more .
Address: 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Singapore 229495

Chinatown Complex

We people talk about the Chinatown Complex it’s often in conjunction with Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken – the recipient of the first Michelin star given for street food.

But I have a confession – I haven’t yet tried it.

When I’ve visited Chinatown Complex we have opted for – you guessed it – char kway teow and other favourites, like chicken rice.

I keep saying I am going to try the famous dish – maybe next trip I will get to it.

Best for: Try Michelin-starred Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken – or you can just have the kway teow like we did
Address: 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335

Old Airport Road Food Centre

We visited Old Airport Road Food Centre on a brief 24-hour Singapore stopover in early 2024. Later in the year it was closed for three months for a makeover, which I am yet to get back and see.

By all reports it’s just been cosmetic changes and all the old favourite stalls are still there.

We came here just to try what is often said to be the best char kway teow in Singapore. I’ve mentioned it already above and it’s absolutely my husband’s favourite food, so we’re always on the lookout for a good one.

The haste in which the char kway teow was consumed told me that it was good, and I did manage to have a little taste to confirm it.

We also had some other local favourites (we met up with my husband’s cousin who lives in Singapore) of popiah, kueh pie and rojak.

I hope to come back here again on my next visit to test out that char kway teow for myself.

Best for: Lao Fu Zi Fried Kway Teow (#74‑75) – crispy char kway teow with wok hei that locals rave about .
Address: 51 Old Airport Road, Singapore 390051

Hong Lim Market & Food Centre

When in Chinatown, it’s easy to drift towards the better-known Maxwell Centre or Chinatown Complex, but on our hunt for great char kway teow we came here.

Specifically to Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee, another place that often finds itself near the top of those “Best dishes in Singapore lists” (which is actually where I found it 🙂)

Things feel more local here at Hong Lim Market, exactly how I like to enjoy hawker centres – and the food was worth the visit too.

Best for: Award-winning char kway teow – try Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee (#02‑17) for smoky, wok hei‑rich noodles with Chinese sausage, egg, and cockles.
Address: 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531

Staff Canteens @ Changi

I’m throwing this one in there as something most people don’t think about – the staff canteens at Changi airport.

Yes, the public can also eat at them, but we do pay slightly more than staff do. 

So far I have found them landside at terminals 1 & 2, but there could be one in the other terminals too – that is going to be my quest next time I am there.

If you are looking for a local, cheap food option before your flight, check in and drop your bags then find the staff canteens (look for the signs right behind the check-in counters, at Changi Airport), eat to your heart’s content, then go through immigration into the rest of the airport.

Best for: Whatever you have not yet had a chance to try in Singapore
Address: Found landside in T1& T2

Hawker Centre Etiquette

Anything new can be daunting, and like other local places, hawker centres have their own rules, which everyone seems to know – except visitors.

Here are a few things to know about hawker centres to make your visit easier.

• Look for a clean table before ordering
• “Chope” your seat with tissues, water bottle, or umbrella
• Queue at the stall – don’t cut in
• Be ready to order when it’s your turn
• Pay with cash (some stalls take cards, but many don’t)
• Don’t take too long to eat during busy times
• Return your tray and dishes to the return station
• Keep noise to a minimum – everyone’s there to eat
• Clean up spills or rubbish from your table
• Don’t sit at stalls’ reserved tables unless you’re buying from them

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