8 Best Local Restaurants in Singapore

Singapore’s best local restaurants are all about fantastic flavors, low prices and authentic culinary experiences. As Singapore is made up of a large percentage of expats, trying to pick out where locals go is more complex than in most other places in Southeast Asia. One thing is for sure: local Chinese-influenced (Peranakan) restaurants have stood the test of time, despite the influx of Japanese ramen restaurants and American burger joints.

In Singapore, everyday local food is anything but ordinary. With restaurants often run by the same family for generations, the recipes have been honed over decades into their most delicious forms. These are the restaurants, hawker centers and food stalls where Singaporeans go to get their fix.

1. Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh

Classic stewed pork

Good for: Food

Bak kut teh or pork bone tea is a classic local dish in Singapore, and there are plenty of restaurants specializing in this stewed pork rib dish. Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, an iconic restaurant that has been around since the 1970s, is one of the most successful due to the peppery yet balanced broth and succulent meat.

Ya Hua has been so successful, in fact, that they now have several branches spread throughout Singapore. The best branch to try the Teochew-style dish is on Havelock Road, which you can easily get to from Tiong Bahru or Clarke Quay.

Location: 593 Havelock Rd, #01-01/02, Singapore 169641

Open: 11 am to 9:30 pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday, 11 am to 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday (closed Monday)

Phone: +65 6235 7716

2. Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant

Chinese-style small plates

Good for: Food, Nightlife

Swee Choon is a longstanding dim sum joint that stays open into the wee small hours, so it’s the perfect post-clubbing snack stop. The unusual opening hours for serving dim sum, traditionally a breakfast and brunch food, attracts a lot of end-of-the-night groups coming in to feast on the tasty bite-size dishes to try and ward off the impending hangover.

A full range of dumplings, bao, soups, and desserts is on offer and most cost only a few Singaporean dollars for a delicious and affordable meal. After midnight, the varied clientele offers some excellent people watching, too.

Location: 183/185/187/189, Jln Besar, 191/193, Singapore 208882

Open: 7 am to 4 am Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesday)

Phone: +65 6225 7788

3. Khansama @ Little India

An authentic taste of North India

Good for: Families, Food

Positioned on Serangoon Road at the center of Little India, Khansama has an easy-to-find corner location and outdoor seating under a row of arches. However, it makes our list for its utterly delicious Tandoor oven delights and authentic North Indian flavors.

Since 1999, it’s been delighting diners with rich, flavorful dishes like butter chicken, mutton rogan josh, and freshly baked naan. A standout feature is its extensive vegetarian menu, offering everything from creamy paneer curries to hearty lentil dals. With generous portions, customizable spice levels, and no MSG, Khansama is a delicious, cultural experience for all ages and dietary preferences.

Location: 166 Serangoon Road Junction of, Norris Rd, Singapore 218050

Open: Daily from 10 am to 1 am

Phone: +65 6299 0300

4. Chinatown Food Street

A hawker market full of choice

Good for: Budget, Families, Food

Closed to traffic at dusk, Smith Street takes on a gregarious personality after dark. Traditional Chinese lanterns light the streets, and the busy area has a genuine buzz. Chinatown Food Street, located on Smith Street, is a lively, open-air dining destination that blends rich heritage with irresistible street food. Set beneath a glass canopy and cooled by fans, it’s a comfortable spot to indulge in some delicious treats.

Families can sample iconic local dishes like satay, Hainanese chicken rice, and char kway teow from over 20 hawker stalls and eateries. The pedestrian-only street is safe for kids to roam, and the decor, murals, and historic shophouses add a cultural flair. Read more

Location: 41 Smith St, Singapore 058953

Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm

5. Long Beach UDMC

Juicy crab served by the sea

Good for: Food, Group, Luxury

Located on Singapore’s scenic East Coast Parkway, Long Beach UDMC is a beloved seafood institution known for its fresh, live seafood and iconic crab dishes. With both alfresco and air-conditioned seating, it offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere perfect for seaside dining.

Enjoy watching ships cruise by while savoring dishes like chilli crab, butter prawns, and sashimi oysters. The spacious layout, pet-friendly outdoor area, and VIP private rooms make it ideal for all occasions but especially parties. With its relaxed, seafront setting and legendary flavors, Long Beach UDMC delivers a memorable dining experience that locals come back to again and again.

Location: 1202 ECP, #01-04 East Coast Seafood Centre, Singapore 449881

Open: Daily from 11 am to 11 pm, closed between 3 pm and 5 pm on weekdays

Phone: +65 6448 3636

6. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Center

A crowd-pleasing classic with global pedigree

Good for: Budget, Food

Once just another food stall, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre became a Singapore icon after earning a spot in the Michelin Guide in 2016 and 2017. It made headlines around the world and gained a reputation as a must-see stop for visitors in addition to being a local favorite.

Try the signature dish: tender steamed chicken served over fragrant, flavor-packed rice with a light, comforting broth on the side. Beloved for its simplicity and balance, it’s a dish that appeals to all ages for being wholesome and satisfying. It’s the culinary equivalent of a family classic, a timeless recipe that’s worth the wait. Read more

Location: 1 Kadayanallur St, #01-10/11 Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore 069184

Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm (closed Monday)

Phone: +65 9691 4852

7. Ya Kun Kaya Toast

A breakfast staple

Good for: Families, Food

Kaya Toast cafés are a mainstay of the Singapore local dining scene and serve one of the most popular breakfasts in this thriving city-state. A typical serving consists of thick toast with kaya jam, a mix of sugar, coconut milk and butter, liberally applied, with some soft-boiled eggs on the side which you are expected to crack into a bowl and then dunk the toast into.

Ya Kun Kaya Toast is a popular franchise in Singapore, but at this China Street branch you’ll most likely be surrounded by local aunties and uncles getting their morning fix of kaya toast and strong tea or coffee.

Location: 18 China St, #01-01, Singapore 049560, Singapore

Open: Monday–Friday from 7.30 am to 7.00 pm, Saturdays from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm, Sundays from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm

Phone: +65 6438 3638

8. The Coconut Club

Malay-inspired restaurant where coconuts are harvested daily

Good for: Couples, Food

Housed in a beautifully restored shophouse with tropical-chic interiors, The Coconut Club is a modern yet nostalgic dining experience and one of the best places to try nasi lemak. This spicy Malay dish is served with a choice of meats over coconut rice, anchovies and peanuts, and is topped with a fried egg.

Their signature coconut rice is rich, fragrant, and cooked with freshly squeezed coconut milk. It provides the foundation of every plate, paired with standout dishes like ayam goreng berempah, lamb percik, and beef rendang. Awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, it’s a delicious celebration of culinary heritage.

Location: 269 Beach Rd, Singapore 199546

Open: Daily from 11 am to 10:30 pm, closed between 3 pm and 5 pm on weekdays, closed Monday

Phone: +65 8725 3315

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