Little India, Singapore - Eating Out in Little India

For a good Indian meal, then head to Little India. There are plenty of Indian restaurants here and some of the best Indian meals I have had in Singapore are right here in Little India. Many Hindus are vegetarians and therefore there are several options for a vegetarian restaurant. Non-vegetarian restaurants usually have options for vegetarian-only dishes on their menus. Eating out in Little India range from cheap eats at the food stalls to the mid-priced restaurants. I have yet to see any fine dining Indian restaurants in this part of Singapore.

Gokul Vegetarian Restaurant

Chellas Restaurant

Komala's (Indian fast food) Restaurant

A fast food  meal at Komala's

Cheap eats from the food stalls

Orchard Road, Singapore - Eating Out in Orchard Road

Eating out in Orchard Road is a completely different experience than eating out in Singapore's Chinatown. Chinatown has an 'old world' atmosphere with a Chinese character, while Orchard Road is 'new world' with a Western character. Chinese dishes (Singapore-style) are the main fare in Chinatown, while Orchard Road offers regional diversity. Eating here includes the food courts, street kiosks, fast food chains, cafes and restaurants.

The diversity in Orchard Road includes Western, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Middle Eastern. For Malay and Indian foods, they are mostly found in the food courts. The cafes and restaurants are not for the budget conscious and usually patronised by expats and tourists with fat wallets. Besides fast foods, the food courts are popular with the locals, offering cheaper meals and greater variety under one roof. As for me, I go to where the locals eat.

Outdoor food court in Orchard Road

Starbucks Coffee is also here

Singapore's own snack chain Old Chang Kee

The Coffee Club

Cafe besides the Peranakan Shopping Mall

Central Business District, Singapore - Eating Out at Lau Pa Sat

Lau Pa Sat is well-known hawker or food centre located at Robinson Road and nearby Shenton Way. The history of Lau Pa Sat's began in 1825 when it was a market. Several buildings have been constructed over the centuries and the current Lau Pa Sat is a reconstruction of the building that opened in 1894 with its octagonal shape and original cast iron supports.

Today Lau Pa Sat is a food centre popular with white-collar workers in the Central Business District heading for lunch. It's practically a one-stop food centre with plenty of options but stalls here serve mainly Chinese dishes Singapore-style. Alternatives beyond Chinese include a couple of stalls specialising in Western, Indian and Malay dishes.

Lau Pa Sat in the Central Business District

Inside Lau Pa Sat

Stall serving Indian food

Mafia Porridge?

Central Business District, Singapore - Eating Out in the Central Business District

The best thing about Southeast Asia is the food and Singapore is no exception. Even in the Central Business District, office workers not only take their work seriously but also their lunch break. Discussing where and what to eat among office workers is serious business here, even if it is 45 minutes for lunch.

The Central Business District may not be a prime destination for dining but if you happen to be in the area (the only reason I can think of is business related rather than leisure), there are reasonably good choices. There is at least a hawker centre or restaurant within walking distance from the office block.

The New Moon in the Central Business District

Eating outdoor at an Indian eatery

Hawker centre at Lau Pau Sat

Fast food

Chinatown, Singapore - Eating Out in Chinatown

Chinatown offers both dining at the restaurants and street food. Though a touristy part of Singapore, the restaurants here are reasonably priced and street food is cheap - probably because there are so many of them and competition prevents them from overcharging. A simple meal from the street stalls can cost as little as SGD5 (USD4) and with non-alcoholic drink, add an extra SGD2 (USD1.60).

Eating out here is more than just sampling the local foods (beware some are hot and spicy) but also to enjoy the lively evening atmosphere. Tourists searching for alternatives beyond the western restaurants and numerous American fast food joints, then Chinatown is the place to be. Head to the tables placed along the road in the evenings for the ultimate Singapore dining experience.

Outdoor dining in Chinatown

Street stalls

Enjoying a meal

More outdoor dining