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Top 12 Must-Try Food + Drink Picks in Singapore That Are Worth the Hype

June 14, 2025

Ever landed in a new city and thought…where do I even start eating? Well, that was me in Singapore, completely jetlagged but still ready to devour my way through every bookmarked Instagram and Reddit post in my phone. Notice how I didn’t say TikTok because I think we can all agree viral posts on TikTok rarely live up to the hype. As soon as I landed, I knew I was ready to indulge in all the hawker stalls, iconic cocktails, and local flavor I could get my hands on.

Much like all of Asia, Singapore is known for being a food powerhouse and I made it my mission to try as many native dishes and drinks I could find. I definitely tried some pretty average food along the way so don’t worry. I left those out of the list. But there were a fair share of unforgettable meals and drinks from Singapore that you absolutely need to try.

So, whether it’s your first visit or you already have a favorite hawker stall, these are my top 12 must try food + drink picks in Singapore are more than worth the hype 👇

Must-Try Food & Dishes in Singapore

Before we jump into the list of must try food in Singapore, I want to give some context on the Singapore food scene. Hawker stalls and food centers are the beating heart of Singapore’s culinary scene. Think of them as massive open-air food courts where dozens of individual vendors each serve up their specialty…from silky Hainanese chicken rice to fiery laksa and frothy teh tarik. With over 110+ hawker centers across the island and thousands of stalls, they offer a delicious, affordable way to experience Singapore’s multicultural food heritage in one sitting.

Some of the picks below can be found at bustling hawker stalls, while others come from more traditional sit-down spots. I made sure to include a solid mix of both. So keep reading for my personal list of must try food in Singapore!

#1: Traditional Kaya Toast

Rise and shine! I’m starting off the list with a traditional Singaporean breakfast. Buttery, crustless toast filled with coconut jam and cold butter? It’s a classic breakfast of champions. Pair it with soft-boiled eggs and kopi (coffee) for the full local experience. I basically had Kaya toast from Toast Box everyday during my trip because it was a perfectly balanced meal of protein, fats, and carbs 💪

Address: 📍Toast Box (multiple locations)
Hours of Operation: Varies by location
Approximate Prices: SGD $4–6 (≈ USD $3–4.50)

#2: LiXin Teochew Fish Ball Noodles

Don’t let the name scare you away. Fish ball noodles are a hawker staple, and LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles nails it with their springy handmade noodles, perfectly bouncy fish balls, and that clean, umami-packed broth you’ll definitely want to slurp till the last drop. It’s a family-owned restaurant and it’s almost always an old Singaporean man making your noodles. Talk about authentic. This is 100% a must try food in Singapore.

Pro tip: Add a bit of chili for a subtle kick 🌶

Address: 📍LiXin Teochew Fishball Noodles (Lau Pa Sat)
18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582
Hours of Operation: 10:30am – 10:30pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $5–8 (≈ USD $3.70–6)

#3: Hainanese Chicken Rice

You can’t talk about must try food in Singapore without including the national dish. Everyone and their mother will tell you to go to Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice just because it’s in the Michelin Guide, but I think it’s overrated. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’s delicious but there are so many other places to try Hainanese chicken. I just don’t think it’s worth spending 2 hours in line while I’m on vacation when places like this hawker stall in Chinatown exist.

At this Chinatown hawker stall (#02-041), the poached chicken is juicy and tender, the rice is rich with chicken fat and garlic, and the trio of sauces ties everything together.

Address: 📍Chinatown Complex — Hainanese Chicken Rice Stall #02-041
Hours of Operation: 11:00am – 8:00pm (closed Wednesdays)
Approximate Prices: SGD $4–6 (≈ USD $3–4.50)

4. Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh, which literally translates to “meat bone tea,” is a flavorful pork rib soup that holds a special place in Singapore’s food culture. Despite the name, there’s no actual tea in the broth, although it’s often served alongside a strong Chinese tea to help cut through the richness of the dish. It’s hearty, aromatic, and definitely counts as must try food in Singapore.

There are a few different styles, but Singapore’s version is typically the Teochew style: clear, peppery, and loaded with garlic. The story goes that it was originally a humble breakfast for laborers, providing a hearty, protein-rich start to long days of work at the docks. Over time, bak kut teh evolved from a working-class staple into a beloved comfort food, often enjoyed with rice, youtiao (fried dough sticks), and pickled vegetables. Today, it’s a must-try dish for Singapore locals and travelers alike. I actually tried Bak Kut Teh during my really fun Singapore food tour (more on this below) so instead of eating this at a hawker stall, we got to try this in a restaurant setting at NG AH SIO Bak Kut Teh.

Address: 📍Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
208 Rangoon Rd, Singapore 218453
Hours of Operation: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $8–15 (≈ USD $6–11)

5. Katong Laksa

Laksa is one of the must try foods in Singapore that perfectly captures the city’s rich mix of cultures. This spicy, coconut-based noodle soup is a flavor bomb and typically comes loaded with thick rice noodles, prawns, tofu puffs, and fishcake, all soaked in a creamy broth with just the right amount of heat 🔥

Singapore’s version, known as Katong laksa, stands out for its short noodles (no chopsticks needed) and deeply fragrant soup. Whether you’re grabbing it at a hawker stall or a casual eatery, laksa is one of those must try dishes in Singapore that locals swear by. There’s a lot of famous places to try Laksa but I’m super happy that I stumbled upon 裕廊东18年传统味鱼圆面 inside Maxwell Food Center.

I’m convinced that the only reason this place hasn’t gone viral is because it’s name is mostly in Chinese. So it’s hard for westerners to find it. But it’s sooo underrated and so so good. Especially when people are queuing up for 30min+ around the corner for the famous Old Nyonya…you’ll be happy I told you about 裕廊东18年传统味鱼圆面.

Address: 📍裕廊东18年传统味鱼圆面, Maxwell Food Centre
1 Kadayanallur St, #01-59, Singapore 069184
Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $5–7 (≈ USD $3.70–5.20)

6. Curry Fish Balls

More fish balls? I know. But please don’t knock ’em until you try them. There’s a reason fish balls are a must try food in Singapore! Especially the curry ones.

Curry fish balls are a fun and fiery snack that’s gained a loyal following in Singapore. These bouncy, bite-sized fish balls are simmered in a rich, spicy curry sauce and usually served on skewers for easy, on-the-go eating. Although they’re technically a Hong Kong dish, they’ve become a must try food in Singapore for anyone who loves bold, savory flavors.

I stumbled upon a delicious bowl of curry fish balls from Oriental Kopi. I was technically there for the kopi but couldn’t resist ordering a huge bowl of fish balls.

🥚 If you have the time and/or stomach, make sure to order yourself a traditional egg tart. Rumor has it that their egg tarts are so popular, that they’ve even been awarded ‘Thickest Egg Tart’ & ‘Most Number of Egg Tart Sold’ in The Malaysia Book of Records.

Address: 📍Oriental Kopi @ Bugis Junction
200 Victoria St, #02-50, Singapore 188021
Hours of Operation: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $3–5 (≈ USD $2.25–3.70)

7. Roasted Duck Noodles

I can’t believe I stumbled upon Dung Gui Herbal Roasted Duck one night when looking for something to eat close to the Mondrian Singapore Duxton which is where I was staying. What should you order? Definitely the roasted duck noodles. This dish is everything you want in a comforting, no-frills meal — tender, smoky duck with crispy skin, tossed over bouncy egg noodles and slicked in a savory soy-based sauce.

Dung Gui Herbal Roasted Duck is suuuuch a hidden gem I swear and my entire bowl of noodles was UNDER $4 USD. At this price point, it’s seriously a must try food in Singapore

Ps. Want the full scoop? Click here for my review of the Mondrian Singapore Duxton.

Address: 📍Dung Gui Herbal Roasted Duck
120 Neil Rd, Singapore 088855
Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $4–8 (≈ USD $3–6)

Must-Try Drinks in Singapore

8. Singapore Sling

I tried to keep this list balanced with a little bit of local flavor, a little bit of tourist fun…but I had to include a stop at Raffles Hotel. I mean, come on. You have to sip a classic Singapore Sling in the place it was invented. It’s practically a rite of passage. The drink dates back to the early 1900s, created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon as a “ladylike” cocktail that packed a hidden punch. It’s one of the most iconic and popular drinks in Singapore.

And yes, you’ll be snacking on peanuts and tossing the shells on the floor like it’s no big deal. I personally couldn’t bring myself to just toss them on the floor so I politely put my shells on the counter haha.

Address: 📍Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673
Hours of Operation: 11:00am – 10:30pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $39 (≈ USD $29)

9. Teh Tarik

“Teh tarik” is Singapore’s unofficial national drink, a frothy, sweet milk tea that’s as fun to watch being made as it is to drink. The name literally means “pulled tea” and it gets that signature creamy top from being poured back and forth between two cups to cool it down and mix it up.

It’s bold, milky, and just the right amount of sweet. You’ll find it at hawker centers and kopitiams (coffee shops) all over the city, and it’s definitely one of the most popular drinks in Singapore. My favorite spot for teh tarik is Tarik near Haji Lane. It’s the perfect place to grab a cold frothy cup while you’re exploring the colorful street art, indie boutiques, and café culture in that area.

Address: 📍Tarik Tea
92 Arab St, #01-02, Singapore 199788
Hours of Operation: 8:00am – 9:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $2 (≈ USD $1.50)

10. Lychee Cocktail

You know I love my bars from the World’s 50 Best Bars list and there is no shortage of them in Singapore. For such a tiny island, there’s a shit ton of creative and inventive bars. One of those spots is Night Hawk, a super sleek, 25-seat speakeasy tucked away in the vibey Tanjong Pagar area. Bonus: it was just a few blocks from the Mondrian Singapore, where I stayed for three nights, so naturally I had to check it out. I ordered the “sleepy saunter” which was made with lychee smoked coconut gin, orange, cherry, grappa, citrus, and more lychee syrup. 10/10!

Ps. On the hunt for a stylish stay in Singapore? Don’t miss my review of the Mondrian Singapore Duxton.

Address: 📍Night Hawk
43 Tg Pagar Rd, #01-02, Singapore 088464
Hours of Operation: 6:00pm – 1:00am
Approximate Prices: SGD $28 (≈ USD $21)

11. Kopi Coffee

Kopi isn’t just coffee in Singapore… it’s literally a whole culture. Like…think Euro summer patio vibes but in Asia. Rooted in the country’s kopitiam (coffee shop) tradition, kopi dates back to the early 20th century when Hainanese immigrants adapted coffee to local tastes. Instead of fancy espresso machines, kopi is made from robusta beans that are roasted with sugar and margarine, then brewed in a sock-like filter.

You’ll find a whole lingo around how to order it: kopi means coffee with condensed milk, kopi o is black with sugar, kopi c is with evaporated milk, and siew dai means less sugar. You can get kopi pretty much anywhere but I stumbled upon Nanyang Old Coffee in Chinatown and found it to be really good.

There’s also a free museum upstairs, which I actually really liked since you know I’m a sucker for anything history-related. The service could’ve been better, but overall I still had a good time.

Address: 📍Nanyang Old Coffee
268 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058817
Hours of Operation: 8:00am – 9:00pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $2–3 (≈ USD $1.50–2.25)

12. Iced Coffee

Last but not least is…Cafe Monochrome! Singapore’s first 2D café and it’s basically an Instagram dream. The entire place is decked out in black and white hand-drawn decor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a comic book. I’ve seen these places online before and thought is it a total gimmick? The answer is yes BUT their iced kopi was surprisingly really good!

With locations in Jalan Besar, Bugis, and Chinatown, it’s more than just a photo op. Cafe Monochrome serves all-day brunch like tonkatsu sandos, crayfish pasta, and smoked salmon rosti, plus fun drinks like matcha lattes and Biscoff frappes. The vibe is laid-back, the coffee’s solid, and it’s a fun stop if you happen to be in the area!

Address: 📍Cafe Monochrome (Chinatown)
Along Smith Street Side, 25 Trengganu St, #01-12, Singapore 058476
Hours of Operation: 11:00am – 9:30pm
Approximate Prices: SGD $6.50 (≈ USD $4.75)

Recommended Food Tours in Singapore

If you’re overwhelmed by all the food options in Singapore (same), a food tour is the way to go. You get to sample a little bit of everything, from hawker stall classics to local hidden gems without having to make any tough choices.

Plus, you’ll usually get some fun history and cultural context along the way, which makes everything taste even better. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few of my favorite and top-rated food tours in Singapore including the one I went on solo during my recent visit:

Singapore: Guided Street Food Tour at Night (this is the one I went on and absolutely LOVED it. There were a few other folks traveling solo so I got to meet some really cool people. It was a great blend of food + history which I loved because we got to learn more about the city’s past while eating our way through the area. The tour ended with some DELICIOUS chicken satay at Satay street. It was easily the best part of the tour).
Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings
UNESCO Hawker Culture: Chinatown Food Tasting Tour
Little India Hawker Street Food Tour
Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals

Top Foods + Drinks in Singapore: Final Thoughts

So, whether you’re in Singapore for 24 hours or eating your way through every hawker center on the island, these dishes and drinks are the kind of must-try food in Singapore that absolutely live up to the hype. From humble bowls of noodles to swanky rooftop cocktails, the city’s food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. My only regret? Not having a second stomach. But hey, there’s always next time.

Did you get a chance to check out any of these must try food + drink spots in Singapore? Let me know in the comments below!

Visiting other places in Singapore?

Check out my other travel guides on Singapore here.

Visiting other parts of Asia?

Check out my other travel guides on Asia here.

Looking for travel inspiration to somewhere else?

Check out all my international travel guides here!

June 14, 2025

Ever landed in a new city and thought…where do I even start eating? Well, that was me in Singapore, completely jetlagged but still ready to devour my way through every bookmarked Instagram and Reddit post in my phone. Notice how I didn’t say TikTok because I think we can all agree viral posts on TikTok rarely live up to the hype. As soon as I landed, I knew I was ready to indulge in all the hawker stalls, iconic cocktails, and local flavor I could get my hands on.

Much like all of Asia, Singapore is known for being a food powerhouse and I made it my mission to try as many native dishes and drinks I could find. I definitely tried some pretty average food along the way so don’t worry. I left those out of the list. But there were a fair share of unforgettable meals and drinks from Singapore that you absolutely need to try.

So, whether it’s your first visit or you already have a favorite hawker stall, these are my top 12 must try food + drink picks in Singapore are more than worth the hype 👇

Must-Try Food & Dishes in Singapore

Before we jump into the list of must try food in Singapore, I want to give some context on the Singapore food scene. Hawker stalls and food centers are the beating heart of Singapore’s culinary scene. Think of them as massive open-air food courts where dozens of individual vendors each serve up their specialty…from silky Hainanese chicken rice to fiery laksa and frothy teh tarik. With over 110+ hawker centers across the island and thousands of stalls, they offer a delicious, affordable way to experience Singapore’s multicultural food heritage in one sitting.

Some of the picks below can be found at bustling hawker stalls, while others come from more traditional sit-down spots. I made sure to include a solid mix of both. So keep reading for my personal list of must try food in Singapore!