Tiong Bahru, Singapore Overview

Tiong Bahru is Singapore's hippest neighbourhood with some of the city's most popular food and lifestyle establishments. Built between the 1930s and 50s, comprising grid-like streets of whitewashed, three-storey, spiral-staircase apartments, this was the country's first public housing project. A few buildings are architecturally unique for looking like aeroplane wings. The area doesn't only have cafes and restaurants, but also amazing bookshops, patisseries, spas, and art galleries! Enjoy some amazing food, offbeat shopping, a yoga session, or even a grooming session, while having a taste of the culturally rich, traditional Singapore. Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore's most characterful neighbourhoods, a favourite amongst locals and tourists, alike.

Tiong Bahru Market

Tiong Bahru Market lies at the heart of the neighbourhood, in an elegant Art Deco building. The market constitutes a wet market selling the freshest products and a food centre selling delicious local food. You'll find famous local fare like chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes topped with preserved radish) and lor mee (braised noodles), as well as fresh groceries. The hawker centre is on the upper floor, and the fruit and produce sellers on the lower floor of the building. You'll find meat, fish and poultry, spices, and Asian greens in abundance here. There are plenty of well known wet markets in Singapore, but Tiong Bahru is a bona fide destination.

Timings: Daily, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Tiong Bahru Restaurants

Bincho
Bincho is one of the hidden gems in Singapore, transformed from a 70-year old traditional kopitiam or coffee shop. It serves minced pork mee pok (flat yellow egg noodles) by day, and turns into an Osakan-style izakaya, serving delectable yakitori at night. With its marble tables, rickety wooden chairs and cosy atmosphere, Bincho is an experience like no other. There is also a bar serving Japanese-inspired cocktails as well as Japanese whiskey, sake and shochu.
Timings:
Lunch: Tuesday to Sundays: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Last order at 2:30 PM
Dinner: Tuesdays to Sundays: 6:00 PM onwards
Bincho remains closed on Mondays.

Tiong Bahru Bakery
Tiong Bahru Bakery is synonymous with a visit to Tiong Bahru itself! With its collection of fresh French pastries, it is best known for its wonderfully flaky and light butter croissant. If you have a sweet tooth, do try the notorious kouign amann, a layered, heavily caramelised and buttery pastry. Besides the quite yummy traditional pastries, pizzette, and quiches they sell at the counter on which employees of the various small creative businesses in the area now graze at lunchtime—they turn out some excellent bread, baked twice daily.
Timings: Daily: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Plain Vanilla
Relish the cupcake scene here at Plain Vanilla. With only the finest of ingredients like French butter, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla and bittersweet Belgian chocolate, Plain Vanilla guarantee to deliver! Bestsellers include peanut butter fudge, chocolate and strawberry lychee.
Timings:
Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Open Door Policy
One may think healthy food is not delicious unless one tastes their delectable 100% gluten free and dairy food. Also, a hundred points for their spot-on presentation.
Timings:
Saturdays and Sundays: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Mondays to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM

P.S Cafe Petit
This beautiful little cafe has risen to popularity recently due to its amazing interiors, great food and overall ambience. Do try their truffle fries and sinful blackout cake. They have limited seats, so arrive early!
Timings:
Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM

Things To Do at Tiong Bahru

BooksActually
BooksActually is a little indie bookstore whose shelves are well stocked with a wide range of literature, including classics and those by blooming local authors. The bookstore also houses contemporary Asian authors, illustrated books, children's books, both fiction and nonfiction international bestsellers, and tons more, including the shop's own line of handmade writing papers and utensils, called Birds & Co, which you won’t find anywhere else. They even have an in-house independent publisher, Math Press. A visit to this bookstore is a mandatory part of visiting Tiong Bahru. The store also houses a mix of antique and quirky souvenirs in the back. Once here, say hi to the cutest in-house kitten, and pick up a good read from the book vending machine at its doorstep.

Just next to BooksActually is Woods in the Books, which specialises in picture books for all ages. Take a trip through memory lane, with books like Tintin, and enjoy an afternoon reading away to sweet nostalgia.
Timings: Sunday & Monday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Curated Records
Music lovers rejoice! Curated Records is home to over 1000 records, from popular and mainstream picks to oldies and classics. Stop by this little shop to buy yourself some records, or just to explore their collection.
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday: 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Closed on Mondays

We Need A Hero
This great grooming salon is just for men. We Need a Hero takes care of everything from haircuts to wet shaves, and brow grooming to waxing.
Timings: Weekdays: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Nimble and Knead
Remove all the baggage that comes from a fatigued body, here at this quirky spa, which doesn't even look like a spa the first time you see it. Nimble and Knead has an interesting design, built from shipping containers and even features chairs made out of wooden crates!
Timings: Daily, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Yoga Movement
Yoga Movement is a chic yoga studio in Tiong Bahru. Offering a fitness break from the cafes and restaurants, Yoga Movement is as affordable as it gets! Book a mat at SGD 25 per class. The environment is great- tranquil and clean.
Timings: Daily, 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Sightseeing at Tiong Bahru

Qi Tian Gong Temple
Qi Tian Gong Temple is dedicated to the Monkey God and was founded in 1920 in a small attap hut located within a taro garden just across Eng Hoon Street. It moved to its current location in 1938. This temple is in its most splendour on the first and eighth lunar months bustling with festivities in celebration of the Deity's birthday.
Timings: Daily, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Yip Yew Chong Murals
If you are a fan of murals and art, do check out these life-like murals spread across Tiong Bahru. Made my a Singaporean artist, Yip Yew Chong, these were inspired by the downtown area of the city and its vibrant multicultural heritage.

Degios Art
With an eclectic mix of furniture, carpets, sculptures, paintings, lighting and textiles, Degios Art is a paradise for lovers of antiques, vintage and contemporary fine objects. Objects from Japan, Tibet, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and of course Europe are exhibited to furnish and decorate homes. If you're having difficulty choosing, feel free to ask Mr. de Giosa himself. With his experience helping friends and colleagues, he can surely give you a piece which would be a great fit in your house!
Timings: Daily, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Grey Projects
GreyProjects is a multi-conceptional space which acts as an art gallery, a creative workspace, a library, studio, and a residency aiding the intermixing of innovative ideas amongst art-lovers. Local Singaporeans often spend their time here curating art, making new design projects, and art propositions. Their ongoing exhibitions can be found out on their official website, or on their facebook site.
Timings: Wednesday - Friday: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Adventure Park
Bring your kids to the Tiong Bahru Playground for a rejoiceful evening! The centrepiece of this outdoor playground is a huge tilted train structure meant for kids that are 5 and older.

Tiong Bahru Air Raid Shelter
This air raid shelter is the last remaining pre-war civilian air raid shelter still in existence today. Once the air raid siren sounded, the entrance to the shelter would open for the residents. It could accommodate up to an estimated 1,600 persons. Today, the air raid shelter is full of educational panels for visitors, as well as occasional free exhibitions.

How To Reach Tiong Bahru

The nearest MRT station is Tiong Bahru MRT Station from where the entire street is accessible. The nearest bus stop is Tiong Bahru Road. The bus numbers which arrive here are 5, 16, 33, 63, 122, 123, 195, 851, 195A, 195B, 123M, NR5.