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Calling all foodies and shopaholics!
If I have to think about all of the Southeast Asian countries that I’ve visited, I would say that Singaporeans are the real foodies! (A close second are Bangkokians.) If you consider yourself one too, you’re in great hands when it comes to the eating culture in Singapore–a city super famous for hawker centres. Which, in my opinion, can very much be considered a market, anyway.
One of the most Singapore experiences you can have is a food tour in Singapore, which includes visits to the city’s top food markets with a local guide leading the route.
Are you a traveler without food as a priority on your agenda? Instead, you’re here to shop? There are also Singaporean markets to find clothing, trinkets, souvenirs, toys, and a whole bunch more. These work out a lot cheaper than the shop-shops and malls. And as we all know, Singapore is an expensive city; there’s no way around it.
So, here is my ultimate guide to the top markets in Singapore, split into day and night markets, wet markets, and my must-visit hawker centres for Michelin-worthy dishes!
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Most popular all-day and night markets for everything
Many of Singapore’s iconic night markets also operate during the daytime. At these day and night markets, shop for anything and everything from trinkets to street food.
1. Chinatown Street Market: From food to souvenirs
Operating from morning until evening, the Chinatown Street Market has everything that I love about market-going in Southeast Asia!
Amazing street food – yes! Cutesy trinkets that I don’t actually need but really do. Some of my favorite Chinese medicine products, like Tiger Balm, and streets lined with cool buildings, temples, lanterns, and even street artworks to photograph. There’s even a stall that does temporary henna tattoos, as well as a few with vintage pieces or Jade jewellery for sale.
It definitely takes on a different feel as it transforms into a night market. It’s considered one of the best night markets in Singapore, even though, yes, it does run all day long. My top tip is to arrive hungry, no matter the time of day! But evenings are especially great for eating, with a mixture of street food stalls as well as local Chinese restaurants. It reminds me of Chinatown in and around Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: Daily from 9AM to 10PM
2. Bugis Street Market: The classic Southeast Asia spot
The Bugis Street Market is one of the city’s most popular and well known of all the markets in Singapore. Similar to the Chinatown Street Market, it opens from morning until late at night. But I would say that it gets most foot traffic during the evening. If you don’t enjoy crowds, then arrive around lunchtime when all of the stalls have properly opened up.
Most of the market is covered, but some of the fresh produce vendors set up under umbrellas and makeshift tables on the outskirts toward the outside.
One of my favorite things to grab is a fresh juice from Bugis! Think all sorts of uniquely Southeast Asian flavors to try, like Malaysian rock melon (really yum), sour plum (interesting), and blueberry juice!
But hey, this market doesn’t just sell food (both fresh and already cooked street-food style). You will find everything under the sun here…Clothing, bags, toys, socks, caps, stuffed anime characters…EVERYTHING.
Opening hours: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM
3. Little India Arcade: Spices, sweet meats, and prints
I’m probably (definitely) being biased when I say this, but Little India Arcade is my personal favourite Singaporean market. I’m not sure if you believe in past lives, but I certainly do, and I know for certain that I was Indian in a past life. I’m obsessed with everything about its culture, and the city I grew up in (Durban, South Africa) is home to some of the world’s highest populations of Indians outside of India. I’m a HARDCORE judge of Indian food, too.
Anyway, this market makes my heart extremely happy, with its plethora of colors, patterns, scents, and smells. Whenever I am in KL, I always make sure to head to Little India, and it’s no different in Singapore!
I also love the colorful shopfronts around here!
Shop for saris, golden statues, sweet meats, samosas, garlands, Ganesha figurines (one of my spirit guides), the most beautiful embroidered souvenirs, from fabrics to umbrellas to bags, spices, Ayurvedic products, lucky beads, and more!
P.S. The absolute best way to get to know the whole of vibrant Little India is with a guided tour of the area, including a stop at Little India Arcade and important temples. Also, within Little India, you will find Tekka Centre, which is amazing for street food, including some Michelin Guide winners!
Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM to 10 PM
Best wet markets in Singapore
By definition, a wet market is a market that sells fresh produce, whether it’s in the form of protein, from seafood to meat, or fruits and vegetables. There are dozens in Singapore, ranging from big wet markets to super small local ones. Here are some of the most famous wet markets in Singapore.
4. Tiong Bahru Market: Not just Singaporean produce
Freshness is the keyword when you think of the Tiong Bahru Market, where you’ll stumble upon a world of fresh goods! Flowers, imported beef from Australia, Singaporean fruits…
I love renting an apartment with a kitchen over hotels when I travel, and cooking at least one meal whenever I am in a new country. This is why I especially love visiting wet markets!
Like most wet markets on the island, you will ALWAYS find hawker stalls (as they’re called here) selling cooked foods. This market is awesome for lunch! Buy your fresh goods and then enjoy a typical Singaporean lunch – which is also super cheap at the market. Locals love this market for its food stalls, reminding them very much of home-cooked style foods that Singaporeans eat growing up.
Insighter tip: The market opens from Monday to Sunday, but the optimal time to visit is between Wednesday and Sunday. On Mondays and Tuesdays, not all of the stalls open up shop. Some stalls already start closing down at 1 PM, so don’t leave it too late!
Opening hours: Daily from 6 AM to 1/2 PM
5. Ghim Moh Road Market: Organic
Walking around Ghim Moh Road Market, you’ll notice it’s popular with expats and international tourists, and I think that’s due to its cleanliness. Some of the fresh produce spots aren’t set up on tables or in boxes, but rather within little housed “shops.”
You’ll also spot dedicated florists around, and if you’re in search of organic produce, like chicken, this is the place to come hunt that down! Shop for a wonderful variety of fruit and vegetables, too, including both local and international varieties.
The food stalls here are also incredible, and it’s another one of the markets in Singapore that has many Michelin-listed vendors. Enjoy braised duck rice, fried carrot cake, Singaporean Hokkien fried prawn mee, fishball noodle soup, and so much more!
Opening hours: Daily from 6 AM to 10:30 PM
Best Hawker Centres
I have loads of Singaporean friends and know for a fact that most eat out at the hawker centres (whether for lunch or dinner) as opposed to cooking. It’s not only more convenient–Singaporeans are workaholics–but also works out cheaper than cooking at home. They are extremely popular in SG, so much so that plenty of the food vendors at these hawker centres have received the prized Michelin Guide accolade!
6. Maxwell Food Centre: Arrive hungry
In the heart of the city lies the Maxwell Food Centre, where you’d best arrive hungry!!! This is an amazing opportunity to try as many of Singapore’s most iconic dishes that the locals love, as well as other cuisines from neighboring countries that are also a hit in this city.
One of the nicest parts is that there are many tables and chairs set up in the middle lanes (so between the rows of vendors on either side), so you can really take your time to enjoy your meal. BUT word of warning: it is always, and I mean, ALWAYS jam-packed, bustling with locals and tourists alike.
Most people–well, if you consider yourself a foodie, anyway–know that this market is famous for its Hainanese chicken rice (specifically from Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Michelin Bib Gourmand winner). But there is soooo much more to feast on! I recommend trying dishes like congee (try it at Zhen Zhen Porridge), oyster cakes, peanut soup, banana fritters drizzled in chocolate, vegetable herbal soups, dimsum…Need I go on?
Opening hours: Daily from 8 AM to 10 PM
7. Lau Pa Sat: Cuisine from around Asia
If you were strolling through Lau Pa Sat on a random weekday circa February 2024, you might have bumped into Ed Sheeran!!! Yup, that’s right…That’s how mentally iconic this hawker centre is. Arguably, it’s the best in the city!
This is also where the famous Satay Street is located, dedicated solely to (the art of) satay! It’s located just outside the main market building, on Boon Tat Street, which is then closed off to cars. Things kick off from around 7PM.
If you don’t arrive starving, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. And good luck trying to decide just what to eat. Some must-try dishes are char kway teo, biryani, wonton noodles (my go-to), nasi lemak, kaya toast, salted egg chicken, and laksa. I could go on and on, but we’d be here all day!
Opening hours: Daily, 24/7
8. Golden Mile Food Centre: For foodies
For anyone in the Kampong Glam area (or, if you’re like me and don’t mind traveling to an area/neighborhood simply for an excellent market), the Golden Mile Food Centre is amazing.
Some of the other markets in Singapore and hawker centres sell well-known dishes, but here, you’ll find some unusual, hyper-local, and fun options! For example, nasi ambeng daging (a classic Malaysian dish featuring beef redang), grass jelly, Japanese spicy mentaiko pasta, oolong financier, and claypot gongbao.
It’s got more of a food court vibe, and some of the stalls are self-service.
Opening hours: Daily from 8 AM to 8 PM
For all of our vegetarian and vegan eaters that have landed here, we’ve hunted down some of the yummiest places for vegetarian food in Singapore. Exploring the iconic Clarke Quay riverside? Tuck into these 7 best restaurants around the waterfront.
Are you more interested in getting cultured and learning a bit of history than eating during your SG trip? Explore the 9 Best Museums in Singapore for Art, Culture, History, and more!
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