Singaporeans love to eat! As a food-obssessed nation, we are always on the hunt for the best local food in Singapore hawker centres.
Influenced by the city's rich multiculturalism, you'll find Malay, Indian, Chinese, Peranakan foods across the island. Here is our guide to some of the best local food in Singapore hawker centres and restaurants.
Eat like a local while immersing in Singapore’s culture and history! If you prefer a guided food tour, our expert guides will take you to popular hawker centres and local eateries and taste a selection of street food delights.
Explore our Small Group Food Tours:
Guide to the Best Local Food in Singapore Hawker Centres
1) AFANDI HAWA & FAMILY MEE REBUS
Address: Haig Market & Food Centre, 14 Haig Rd, #01-21, Singapore 430014
Mee Rebus is served with yellow noodles, taukwa (bean curd with a firm texture), boiled egg, and beansprouts. At Afandi Hawa & Family Mee Rebus, the viscosity of the gravy elevates the dish, thanks to second-generation owner, Ahmad, whose labor of love has drawn Singaporeans from all walks of life to enjoy this hearty delight.
2) DUO JI CHEE CHEONG FUN
Address: 335 Smith St, #02-216, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre Singapore 050335
The folks behind Duo Ji Chee Cheong Fun are known for Chee Cheong Fun, a humble plate of rice rolls served with a fragrant sweet brown sauce and chili. A staple among Southern Chinese immigrants, this dish has stood the test of time and makes for a light breakfast, best enjoyed with local kopi, a Malay term that typically refers to traditional local coffee.
3) No 18 ZION ROAD CHAR KWAY TEOW
Address: 70 Zion Rd, #01-17 Zion Riverside Food Centre, Singapore 247792
Char Kway Teow is a heritage dish and this stall at Zion Hawker Centre flash fries the dish on the spot. It carries a tinge of spiciness (you can opt out of chilli) and features robust flavors with ingredients such as cockles, fish cake, and sausage tossed with yellow noodles.
4) CHARLIE'S PERANAKAN
Address: 505 Beach Rd, #B1-30, Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583
If you enjoy homestyle cooking, consider Charlie’s Peranakan in a hawker centre. Their standout dishes—Ayam Buah Keluak and Beef Rendang—are both flavorful and complex. The former is a heritage dish made with chicken (ayam), tamarind gravy, and buah keluak nuts. Fun fact: buah keluak is the seed of the pangium edule tree, a species native to Malaysia and Indonesia, often nicknamed the "truffle of the East." Meanwhile, beef rendang features meat cooked in a spiced coconut stew, with variations unique to different regions and communities.
5) SRI AACHI AAPPAKADAI
Address: 45 Chander Rd, #01-219, Tekka Centre, Singapore 219545
The Appam specialist uses fermented rice batter as the base for the pancake. Many have likened it to a crepe due to its crispy texture and similar presentation. It is best enjoyed on its own or as a savory accompaniment with chocolate, egg, and more.
6) SIN MING ROTI PRATA FAISAL & AZIZ CURRY MUSLIM FOOD
Address: Gim Huat Coffeeshop, 24 Sin Ming Rd, #01-51, Singapore 570024
Roti Prata (also known as roti canai) is a delicious Indian flatbread and a popular dish in Singapore. Typically eaten with fish or mutton curry, a well-made prata is chewy and crispy all at once. At Sing Ming Roti Prata, their fish curry is as famous as their signature coin prata. The common way to eat a prata is to use your right hand, tear off a slice, and dip it into the curry. Be prepared for a wait, as the queue can be long during peak hours, but it moves reasonably fast.
7) BOON TONG KEE RESTAURANT
Address: Balestier Rd, #399 401 & 403, Singapore 329801
Boon Tong Kee Restaurant is best known for its Hainanese Chicken Rice, although their assortment of a la carte dishes is just as delicious. Characterized by glossy chicken skin and tender chicken served with fragrant rice and a comforting chicken broth, Hainanese Chicken Rice has its origins in Southern China and has evolved into one of the most popular local food in Singapore.
8) JUMBO SEAFOOD - THE RIVERWALK
Address: 20 Upper Circular Rd, #B1-48 The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416
Easily a top favourite among locals and visitors alike, you must try Singapore Chilli Crab at least once. Preparing the dish involves a rigorous cooking process of cooking the crabs (mud crabs are usually preferred for its succulent flavour) and perfecting the sauce to yield a balance of sweetness and spiciness - which is then tossed in with stir fry crabs. Insider’s tip: we recommend ordering a side of mantou (mini buns) to slurp up the delicious gravy. The Riverwalk branch is located along the SIngapore River, offering scenic views of the city along with impeccable service.
9) KOMALA VILAS RESTAURANT, SINGAPORE
Address: 76-78 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217981
Komala Villa is a household name that has welcomed many, including foreign dignitaries like Narendra Modi and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. As one of Singapore’s oldest Indian vegetarian restaurants, we recommend ordering their Thosai, which is served with a side of sambar and chutney.
10) WAH LOK CANTONESE RESTAURANT
Address: 76 Bras Basah Rd, Singapore 189558
If you are craving quality dim sum in Singapore in a classy setting, Carlton Hotel is a popular spot for Dim Sum favorites such as baked barbecue pork buns, siew mai (a Chinese dumpling made from ground pork), and bolo buns (a sweet bun that is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside). Located in the Civic District, the nearest train stations are City Hall MRT Station and Bras Basah MRT Station.
12) SATAY STREET @ LAU PA SAT
Address: Lau Pa Sat @ Boon Tat Street
Looking to explore a Singapore hawker centre at night? At Lau Pa Sat, you can watch street food vendors grill satay over an open charcoal fire. Satay is essentially spice-marinated meat skewered on a thin stick, grilled, and then served with savory peanut sauce. Choose between beef, mutton, lamb, and chicken—some stalls even sell prawn skewers too. A tip from our travelers: enjoy a piping hot plate of satay with Tiger Beer, a cool and refreshing Singapore lager.