The best hawker centres in Singapore

What is it? This hawker centre from the yesteryears has countless snaking lines at many of its acclaimed stalls to this day. Old Airport Road is possibly the most renowned hawker centre on the island. 

Why we love it: There are simply too many crowd-favourite stalls to count on one hand, but we'll try anyway. Start with a comforting bowl of silky kway and braised pork offal from To-Ricos Kway Chap, also known as Blanco Court Food Court. Next, slurp up hearty, traditional lor mee from Xin Mei Xiang Zheng Zong Lor Mee, or for something lighter, a bowl of prawn noodles from Whitley Road Big Prawn Noodles. You also can't miss Roast Paradise for its tender, glistening char siew and crunchy roast pork. And if you have space to stomach more, order a plate of Nam Sing's Hokkien fried mee just for good measure.

Time Out tip: You might not be able to tick off all the good eats at once, so prepare for a return visit, or two. Due to the layout of the stalls, heat tends to get trapped in the middle of the building – we recommend sitting as close to the main road as possible for a breezier and more comfortable meal. 

Address: 51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051

What is it? Originally known as Seng Poh Market, a one-storey refuge built by the government to house the street hawkers eking out a living in Singapore’s oldest public housing estate, Tiong Bahru Market is now a sprawling two-storey complex that retains much of its timeless appeal despite the surrounding landscape’s burgeoning ‘hip factor’.

Why we love it: There are a whopping 342 food and drink stalls at Tiong Bahru Market, including Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee Jian Bo Tiong Bahru Shui Kueh, which sells fluffy steamed rice cakes doused with homemade chilli and chye poh (pickled radish). There's also Loo’s Hainanese Curry Rice, Hui Ji Fishball Noodles, Tiong Bahru Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Koh Brother Pig’s Organ Soup. And of course, not forgetting the longstanding rivalry between Lor Mee 178 and Tiong Bahru Lor Mee. Meanwhile, those craving a light snack can visit Grandpa Homemade Cheung Fun; Tiong Bahru Teochew Kueh for traditional peng kueh and soon kueh; dim sum stall Tiong Bahry Pau & Snack; or Tow Kwar Pop for charcoal-grilled beancurd puffs.

Time Out tip: The ground floor is a hubbub of frenetic bargaining activity on most mornings, with over 250 wet market and retail stalls selling everything from dried goods to cheap clothes, and even this record store selling rare Southeast Asian vinyls.

Address: 30 Seng Poh Rd, Singapore 168898

What is it? Just one of the busiest yet most affordable food centres in Singapore, spanning two storeys of stalls selling everything from heritage eats to trendy pastries and specialty coffee and matcha. 

Why we love it: Just about every lunch craving can be satisfied at Amoy Street Food Centre. Be prepared for long queues at Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee Han Kee for its fish soup. Other cult-favourite stalls include Spicy Wife Nasi Lemak, Rayyan's Waroeng Upnormal for moreish, food coma-inducing ayam penyet, and Quan Ji for its fail-proof zi char specialties. The Time Out team's picks? Pho Hanoi, for slurp-worthy pho and seriously underrated bun cha. Also try Grandma Ban Mee's extra spicy chilli dry ban mee, Hong Kong Style Stewed Soup and Steamed Rice for a comforting, healthy lunch, and AMS Steam Seafood Bee Hoon for fresh seafood and springy noodles best enjoyed with sambal and heaps of ginger. Get your snack and coffee fix at one of the new-gen stalls like Petite Crumbs, Daylight Coffee, Mad Roaster or Coffee Break.

Time Out tip: The lunch crowd craze is real, but you can beat it by arriving around 11am. Most of the stalls should be ready for business by then and you won't have to fight for a table. 

Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, Singapore 069111

What is it? Also known as Beach Road Army Market, this iconic hawker centre houses some of the tastiest plates on the island.

Why we love it: There's a good mix of the tried-and-tested as well as lesser-known rising stars here, so you can choose to wait out the long queues or savour alternatives that are just as good. We like Chef Choo Signature for its hotplates of restaurant-quality pasta at affordable prices – the chef's previous stint was at the iconic Pete’s Place at Grand Hyatt. There's also modern fusion stall Braise, where you can get value-for-money bowls of braised pork rice. Go traditional with the steamed sea bass set with rice at Chi Le Mah, or try something out of your comfort zone at Latin American stall Tee Kitchen. Don't leave without trying the piping hot, generously stuffed oyster cakes at Oyster Boy, as well as homely bakes by a mother and daughter duo at Cat In The Hat Bakery.

Time Out tip: Make space for a plate of chicken rice from Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice. Yes, its name is relatively unassuming, but diehard fans swear by the tender, juicy roast chicken here, coupled with excellently done rice, soup, and a punchy chilli sauce. 

Address: 505 Beach Rd, Singapore 199583 

What is it? Located in Redhill, ABC Brickworks opened in 1974 and currently houses a whopping 96 food stalls. It’s a popular supper spot, with several stalls opening past 11pm, but also does brisk service during weekday lunchtimes – though it’s not as densely packed as central hawker centres like Maxwell (which is roughly the same size).

Why we love it: With nearly a hundred stalls to choose from, all your basic hawker staples are covered, from hokkien mee to oyster omelettes. Must try highlights include Bao Zai’s bite-sized char siew bao with their juicy pork insides – best eaten while hot – as well as Fatty Cheong, which offers the bu jian tian (literally ‘doesn’t meet light’) cut of meat – a sinful, fatty treat that almost dissolves in your mouth. Wow Wow West is notable for giving ex-convicts a second chance as employees; its crispy chicken chop with black pepper gravy also reflects their generosity. There’s also a nice variety of halal food stalls and a few vegetarian stalls, which makes ABC Brickworks a good destination for those with dietary restrictions. 

Time Out tip: A special shoutout goes to the claypot pig's liver from Nan Zhen Seafood, which arrives sizzling and fragrant from fresh ginger, scallions and a good douse of rice wine. End the meal with a bowl of gula melaka-laden chendol or durian ice kachang from Jin Jin Hot and Cold Dessert.

Address: 6 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006

What is it? Home to a plethora of food stalls that champion different local fare – from flavourful Hainanese chicken rice and nasi lemak to wholesome porridge and mee pok – Maxwell Food Centre is among the favourites for lunchtime nosh in the CBD. It's also no stranger to celebrity sightings, from various Korean stars to the likes of Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa.

Why we love it: If it's your first time here, it'd be amiss to skip Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – praised by world-famous chefs Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain. But if it's your second, there's much, much more to discover at this bustling food centre. Check out Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake for crispy, deep-fried snacks stuffed with minced meat, diced oysters, coriander and peanuts. For something hearty and filling, Danlao's silky, scrambled egg rice bowls never fail. We also love Alimama's punchy green chilli chicken rice with heaps of green chilli smothered over fried chicken. For something less intense, visit Zhen Zhen Porridge – its steaming hot bowls of chicken and fish porridge topped with ginger shreds will leave you satisfied for cheap.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of breakfast and lunch options here but avoid coming by in the evening as most stalls close by 4pm.

Address: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184

What is it? This massive hawker centre is also home to over 200 stalls, including local craft beer bar Smith Street Taps and the Michelin-starred Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle.

Why we love it: What better way to try local food than in the heart of Chinatown? The Chinatown Complex Food Centre is fully loaded with all your favourite Singapore dishes at reasonable prices. Make a beeline for Liao Fan Hawker Chan's signatures like soya sauce chicken rice or noodle, char siew rice or noodles, as well as roasted pork rice – one of the cheapest Michelin-approved meals you'll ever get. Or hit up Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao for more Michelin-recommended eats. This stall doles out baskets of freshly made xiao long bao and slurp-worthy hand-pulled noodles, as well as Szechuan spicy wontons. One of Singaporeans' all-time favourite popiah stalls, Ann Chin Popiah, is located here as well. Craft beer lovers, don't leave without checking out Smith Street Taps for a crispy, cold pint as well.

Time Out tip: Chinatown Complex is a great all-day dining option. Pop by during lunch for yong tau fu and chicken rice or come during dinner for claypot rice and beer. You won't be out of options here.

Address: 335 Smith St, Singapore 050335

What is it? Built in 1978, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre was one of the first proper hawker centres in the Chinatown area (both the more well-known Amoy Street and Maxwell Food Centres nearby came later). It now hosts over 100 cooked food stalls across its two floors and mostly serves the ravenous CBD crowd with its host of award-winning stalls.

Why we love it: A good number of the hawker stalls here have been in the business for several decades, the most prominent among these being the Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa, known for its fruit juice mee siam, and Ji Ji Wanton Noodle Specialist, which serves delicious fresh prawn dumpling noodles. Time Out's top pick, however, is Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee, with succulent, tender chicken chunks and springy fish cakes and tofu puffs that soak up all that delicious, rich broth. Ask for an extra dollop of chilli – you won't regret it. 

Time Out tip: Come slightly after lunch – 1pm to 2pm – to beat the horde and secure a table before the food sells out. And, get involved in the biggest curry puff debate in this country between the feuding Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff and Tanglin Crispy Curry Puff Original. The former is our pick for its flakier outer shell and punchier filling.

Address: 531A Upper Cross St, Singapore 051531

What is it? Yeah, it may be a little walk outside of Clementi's central area, but a trip to Ayer Rajah Food Centre is well worth the effort, whether by foot or by bus. There are tons of halal options at this hawker centre, including ayam penyet, Indian rojak, mutton soup and mee goreng.

Why we love it: It's off the beaten path and seriously underrated. It's rare to find a place in Singapore that serves up a more-than-decent bowl of mutton soup, or tripe and offal satay that hits the spot. We like Habib's Rojak, a second-generation Indian rojak store. Pick as many ingredients from the display case as you can manage, and the stall owner will lightly fry them in a wok before serving them with a fab sweet dipping sauce. There's also Hong Kong Soy Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodles for succulent dumplings and roast meats. And for a taste of something new, check out El Hassan's vibrant plates of Moroccan food, which include everything from chicken kebabs to creamy mushroom noodles. 

Time Out tip: Due to its location, this food centre isn't as packed as others, making it a safe bet to visit during lunch.

Address: 503 West Coast Drive, Singapore 120503

What is it? Originally an abattoir in the early 1900s at its initial site closer to Sungei Road, Tekka Centre in its present incarnation at the corner of Buffalo, Race Course and Serangoon Roads presents a far more appetising prospect. Now home to one of the best wet markets in town with a greater offering of halal-slaughtered meats than most, the pasar’s adjoining food centre has become a hawker institution offering great grub from a range of cuisines.

Why we love it: Great things are always said about the biryani at Tekka Centre, and tangled in vicious rivalry are the plates offered by Yakader and Allauddin – the latter entered the Michelin Selected list in 2023. Other good Indian cuisine options include the mixed plates of shrimp fritters, fishballs and potatoes drenched in a spicy thick orange sauce at Temasek Indian Rojak. We'd also pay a visit to Delhi Lahori for North Indian and Pakistani nosh, as well as Heng Gi Goose and Duck Rice for its authentic Teochew braise. 

Time Out tip: Also check out 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles, run by a young hawker who made the switch from finance to the F&B industry. The dry version is a pleasant toss-up of chilli, ketchup, and fried shallots together with slippery yellow noodles. 

Address: 665 Buffalo Rd, Singapore 210665