Guide To Chinatown In Singapore

Are you prepared to visit Singapore’s Chinatown? Color, history, and delicious delicacies abound in this vibrant neighborhood! The streets come alive with festive lanterns and thrilling events during Chinese New Year. Make the most of your trip with our 2025 Chinatown guide. explore tasty food at Chinatown Food Street, find kid-friendly activities, and explore the history of kopi (local coffee). Don’t pass on Chinatown’s distinctive shopping experience. Chinatown is a great place for a family outing whether you’re looking for entertainment, food, or culture! See BusyKidd‘s guide for additional information about Chinatown.

Related Reading: Check out our guides to Best Dim Sum Restaurants, Best Chinese New Year Takeaways 2025.

Kids Attractions in Chinatown in Singapore

Chinatown Guided Tour

Image Credit: Kiddotrip.com

If you want to make exploring Chinatown fun for kids, try the KiddoTrip Explore&Play tour! This family bonding activity comes with an audio guide and a kid’s activity book to help children learn about Chinatown’s traditions and spark their curiosity. The tour includes fun activities like a treasure hunt at Thian Hock Temple to discover its hidden gems. While kids are busy with their activity books, parents can enjoy interesting stories about the history of the Chinese community in Singapore. Did you know that many Chinese temples were built without using a single nail? Find out more about these Chinatown audio tours here.

Nanyang Old Coffee

At the end of Chinatown Food Street and South Bridge Road, you’ll find Nanyang Old Coffee. You can relax outside and enjoy a cup of local coffee while people-watching, or head upstairs to explore the collection of fun coffee antiques. On the first and third Sundays of each month, Nanyang Old Coffee hosts a hands-on workshop about Singapore’s traditional kopi. It’s held in a nostalgic “Museum in a Café” space. Don’t forget to sign up if you’d like to join in!

• Where: 268 South Bridge Road

Singapore City Gallery URA Exhibit

Image Credit: Ura.gov.sg

Take the kids to learn how Singapore grew from a small port to a modern city in just 50 years! The Singapore City Gallery is free and has 40 fun, interactive exhibits. These show the challenges of city planning and the smart solutions used to solve them. Kids will love the huge models of the city. They can even try spotting their condo or home in the displays! Find more details here.

• Where: 45 Maxwell Road

Spot a Mosque and Hindu Temple in Chinatown

Chinatown never fails to amaze us with its incredible diversity. It’s a true melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and religions. In this lively neighborhood, you’ll find both a mosque and a Hindu temple, showcasing the harmony and rich mix of traditions that thrive together in Singapore.

Masjid Jamae (Chulia)

Masjid Jamae (Chulia) is a lovely mosque with a gorgeous pastel green facade. This mosque, erected in 1827 by the Chulia people from Southern India’s Coromandel Coast, is historically significant. It is a wakaf mosque, preserving its legacy for future generations, because it was built on land donated and permanently handed to the Muslim community.

• Where: 218 South Bridge Road

Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple

Image Credit: Chinatown.sg

Initially called Mariamman Kovil or Kling Chapel, the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple was also founded in 1827. Spend some time admiring the temple’s exterior’s ornate and complex elements when you visit. The temple’s rich cultural and religious legacy is magnificently displayed by the sculptures of numerous deities and mythological characters that adorn its six storeys.

• Where: 244 South Bridge Road

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum (BTRTM) opened on 31 May 2007, on Vesak Day. The temple was built to hold the sacred Buddha Tooth Relic. The design mixes Buddhist Mandala style and Tang Dynasty architecture. The Tang Dynasty was a time of great art and culture in China. The temple’s design is a blend of both traditions. It was built with help from generous donors, both local and from other countries. Visitors can explore the temple and learn its history. The temple’s website has useful information. It’s a peaceful place to visit.

• Where: 288 South Bridge Road

Tour of Chinatown’s Best Murals

Image Credit: Chinatown.sg

There’s plenty of street art to discover in Singapore, especially in Chinatown! Start your tour at Keong Saik Road, where you’ll find a vibrant, eye-catching piece. Next, head to Duxton Road for a fun photo opportunity by the colorful dots painted on a building. As you make your way towards Thian Hock Keng Temple, take in an impressive artwork along the 44-meter rear wall, depicting the hopes and struggles of early Chinese immigrants. Finally, stop by Gemmill Lane, a short walk from Telok Ayer MRT station, to admire a stunning black-and-white patterned mural. You can even find the Chinatown Singapore Dragon Mural here!

Chinatown’s Food

Read our list of what and where to eat in Chinatown in Singapore below.

Chinatown Food Street

Chinatown Food Street has a variety of delicious foods to choose from! Some stalls are open daily from 11 am to 11 pm. However, the place becomes extra lively in the evenings, especially from 5 pm onwards, with hotpot and grilling options.

• Where: Chinatown Food Street, 41 Smith Street

Chinatown Hawker Centres

Chinatown is a food lover’s dream with three popular hawker centres nearby. At Chinatown Complex Food Centre on Smith Street, try the famous chicken rice from Liao Fan Hawker Chan. You can also enjoy delicious dim sum at Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao. Just a short walk away, Amoy Street Food Centre offers tasty local-style ramen from A Noodle Story. Don’t miss the crispy curry puffs from J2 Famous Crispy Curry Puff, both of which earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. Over at Maxwell Food Centre, you’ll find Old Nonya serving up hearty Peranakan dishes. Also, try Zhen Zhen Porridge for a warm, comforting meal. With so many great and affordable Chinatown food choices, you’ll be spoilt for options in Chinatown!

There are three locations:

• Chinatown Complex Food Centre, 335 Smith Street
• Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Road
• Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street

Best Restaurants in Chinatown

Esquina

Esquina is a small, modern Spanish restaurant located in a shophouse off Keong Saik. Sit at the kitchen counter to watch the chefs work their magic. The lunch set menus are fantastic, with past dishes including beetroot pickled and roasted with stracciatella, smoked walnuts, and horseradish to start. For the main, enjoy braised beef and pork cannelloni with crepes béchamel and foie gras.

• Where: 16 Jiak Chuan Road

Kafe Utu

Kafe UTU, the first African cafe in Singapore, is hard to miss. As you walk past, the soft sound of African music draws you in, and the scent of Swahili curry from Kenya fills the air. Inside, the Chinatown cafe is beautifully decorated with large black-and-white African portraits and stunning wooden doors crafted in Lamu, East Africa. It’s a unique cultural experience right in the heart of Singapore!

• Where: 12 Jiak Chuan Road

Eclipse by BDC

Chef Samuel Quan developed Eclipse, a fine-dining European restaurant with Asian elements that is situated in the center of Chinatown on the rooftop of the famous Yue Hwa Building. Hoisin-glazed short ribs, pumpkin laksa with seared scallops and puff rice, and slow-cooked chicken breast with lemongrass farce and green curry espuma are among the dishes.

• Where: 70 Eu Tong Sen Street, #06-01 Yue Hwa Building, Singapore 059805

Tippling Club

Tippling Club, managed by Chef-Owner Ryan Clift, is one of the greatest restaurants in Singapore’s Chinatown. It serves award-winning modern European cuisine and world-class beverages, making it a must-visit for fine dining connoisseurs.

• Where: 38 Tanjong Pagar Road

Dim Sum Spots in Chinatown

Red Star

Red Star is one of the original dim sum spots in Singapore, known for its traditional pushcarts that bring dim sum straight to your table. This place is full of old-school charm. Be sure to book ahead if you’re planning to visit this Chinatown gem.

• Where: #07-23 54 Chin Swee Road

Mouth Restaurant

Mouth Restaurant offers affordable dim sum, including the colorful Prawn Har Gao. These dumplings come in a variety of flavours like Squid Ink, Spinach, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Carrot, and the classic Original.

• Where: 38 Maxwell Rd, #01-01/02 Airview Building

Yum Cha Chinatown Restaurant

Image Credit: Yum Cha Chinatown Restaurant via Facebook

Yum Cha Chinatown offers casual dim sum with the added fun of traditional dim sum pushcarts (call ahead to confirm). The restaurant also has a weekday dim sum high tea buffet, perfect for both adults and kids. With over 60 items to choose from, you can enjoy treats like Squid Ink Dumplings, Scallop Pea-Shoot Dumplings, and more.

• Where: 20 Trengganu Street, #02-01

Halal Chinatown Food

There are several halal restaurants in Chinatown where you can enjoy delicious meals. Check out the spots below to satisfy your hunger with tasty, halal-friendly options!

Tiffany Cafe & Restaurant

Tiffany Cafe & Restaurant, located in Furama City Centre hotel, offers a halal buffet with lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea menus.

• Where: 60 Eu Tong Sen Street, Furama City Centre, Singapore 059804

Poke Theory

If you’re in the mood for healthy halal Chinatown food, Poke Theory is a must-visit! They offer delicious poke bowls packed with fresh ingredients, plus yummy acai bowls for a sweet treat.

• Where: 179 Telok Ayer St

Royz Et Vous

Royz Et Vous is a great spot for celebrations in Chinatown. This restaurant serves fusion Malay-Western dishes and offers a range of alcohol-free drinks, perfect for a festive outing!

• Where: 137 Telok Ayer Street #01-01, Singapore 068602

Segar Restaurant

Visit Segar Restaurant for tasty local dishes like Asam Pedas, Chinese-style sautéed vegetables, whole fish dishes, and more! The portions are ideal for sharing, making it a great choice for families or larger groups. This Chinatown Point Food spot is worth visiting!

• Where: 133 New Bridge Road, #B2-39/40/41 Chinatown Point

Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles

Craving some authentic hand-pulled noodles in spicy mala soup? Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles is the place to go! Enjoy their freshly made noodles in a flavorful broth, topped with fragrant chili oil for that perfect kick.

• Where: 133 New Bridge Road, #01-43 Chinatown Point

Shopping in Chinatown

Besides the charming TCM shophouses and hidden stores scattered around Chinatown, there are also a number of shopping malls and department stores offering everything from Chinese New Year decorations to essentials, souvenirs, and even fabric and sewing supplies.

Chinatown Point

Image Credit: Kim Wee Soh via Google reviews

Chinatown Point is home to more than 220 specialty stores and food and beverage outlets. There is a grocery, lifestyle boutiques, and a library dedicated to Chinese arts and culture. Foodies may choose from a variety of selections, including classic bakeries, family-friendly restaurants, low-cost eateries, and grab-and-go options.

• Where: 133 New Bridge Road

Yue Hwa

For authentic Chinese products, head to Yue Hwa. From clothing to beauty products, food, snacks, and medicine, this store has a wide selection of traditional Chinese goods.

• Where: 70 Eu Tong Sen Street

People’s Park Chinatown Complex

People’s Park Chinatown Complex is a popular destination for fabric enthusiasts, particularly on the second and third levels. If you’re going to make a cheongsam for Chinese New Year or need supplies for your next craft project, look here for low-cost fabrics and thread.

• Where: 1 Park Road

Chinese New Year Activities in Chinatown

Chinatown 2025 CNY Street Lantern Light Up

Image Credit: Chinatown Festivals via Facebook

One of the highlights will undoubtedly be Chinatown’s 2025 Chinese New Year street light show. New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, and Eu Tong Sen Street will all have gorgeous lanterns and decorations with a Year of the Snake theme. A mystical ambiance will be created by the exquisite illumination of the streets. For families, it’s the ideal outing. For more information and updates on this amazing celebration, be sure to return! Additional information is available here.

• When: 8 January – 27 February 2025
• Where: Kreta Ayer Square

Chinatown’s Festive Fair & Weekly Shows

There’s no better way to get into the festive Lunar New Year spirit than by feasting on delicious food. You can also enjoy exciting performances! We can’t wait to celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 in Chinatown. Expect lively events like lion dances. There will also be a wide variety of scrumptious Chinese food at the Chinatown festive fair. Be sure to check back for more details on all the fun activities. More info here.

Here’s a list of the upcoming events for Chinese New Year 2025 in Chinatown:

• Festive Fair @ People’s Park
  
  • When: 30 December – 28 January 2025, 10 am – 10 pm
  • Where: Open space in front of People’s Park Chinatown Complex
• Festive Fair
  
  • When: 8 – 28 January 2025
    • Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 10:30 pm
    • Friday – Sunday: 11 am – 11:30 pm
    • Eve of Chinese New Year: 11 am – 1 am
  • Where: Sago Street, Smith Street, Temple Street, Trengganu Street, and Pagoda Street
• Weekend Stage Shows
  
  • When: 11 – 12 January & 18 – 19 January 2025, 7 pm – 9 pm
  • Where: Kreta Ayer Square
• Countdown Party
  
  • When: 28 January 2025, 10 pm
  • Where: Kreta Ayer Square

After exploring all that Chinatown has to offer, don’t forget to snap some memorable Chinatown Point photos to capture the vibrant energy of the area!

FAQ

Is Chinatown in Singapore worth visiting? Yes, definitely! Chinatown is packed with culture, history, amazing food, and fun activities for the whole family.

What’s special about Chinatown in Singapore? Chinatown is a vibrant mix of colorful streets, delicious food, unique shops, and historic temples. It’s the perfect blend of the old and new.

What time does Chinatown open today? Most shops in Chinatown open around 10 AM and close by 10 PM. But be sure to check individual places for their specific hours.How do I get to Chinatown via MRT? Just hop on the North-East Line (Purple) or the Downtown Line (Blue) to Chinatown MRT Station. Super easy and quick!

Featured Image Credit: Chinatown Festivals via Facebook