Bugis is home to some of the best restaurants and eateries in Singapore, which is why sieving out the true Bugis food gems in the area that are worth the stomach space can be a real headache.
Instead of always heading to Bugis Junction or Bugis+ to look at the food directory, you can now look at this list instead to identify what to eat in the Bugis area that’ll fit your palate and budget! We have included everything from the best restaurants in Bugis to the best cafes in Bugis you should try.
Best restaurants in Bugis
Madame Fan
Looking for a luxurious dining experience in the Bugis area? Indulge in the most sumptuous Chinese fine-dining at Madam Fan, where traditional Chinese dishes are given a facelift with premium ingredients cooked to bring out their best flavours.
Must-try dishes here include the Wok-Fried Crispy Duck (tender duck meat fried to perfection), White Pepper Crab (less spicy than the iconic Singapore dish), Claypot Japanese Rice With Japanese Sweet Potato (perfect for carb lovers!), and the customer-favourite Lobster Cantonese with Wanton Noodle with the juiciest lobster meat.
Address: 32 Beach Road, South Beach Tower, Singapore 189764
To make a reservation: Website | Telephone | Email
Xiao Long Kan Hotpot
When all else fails, tuck into fiery-hot mala soup at Xiao Long Kan Hotpot, a brand from Chengdu that is the brainchild of F&B veteran Lao Wu.
Besides the array of top-quality ingredients such as tender beef slices, ladyfinger wrapped with pork, and freshly-made tofu, the warm and attentive customer service is also what keeps customers coming back for more addictive mala sessions.
Address: 200 Victoria Street, #02-54, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Folklore
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Serving up nostalgic flavours, Folklore seeks to bring back fond memories for the older generation and remind the young of Singapore’s colourful food heritage. Here, you’ll find a menu of dishes that reflect the culinary traditions from all five of Singapore’s major ethnic groups: Chinese, Indian, Malay, Peranakan, and Eurasian.
If you can’t decide on what to order, you won’t go wrong with the Sambal Buah Keluak Fried Rice, a fragrant and savoury dish that will leave you craving for more. Remember to end off your meal with the Kueh Kosui, a sweet steamed tapioca kueh sprinkled with freshly grated coconut flakes.
Address: 700 Beach Road, Level 2, Destination Singapore, Singapore 199598
To make a reservation: Chope
The Ramen Stall
Located just on the fringe of Bugis, The Ramen Stall is a halal Japanese restaurant serving delicious, hearty bowls of ramen noodles.
Every bowl of ramen soup, brewed with meat and bones for over 30 hours, has a rich, creamy umami taste.
Besides hearty ramen, the restaurant also offers a wide spread of other Japanese dishes like sushi rolls, chilled soba, and sashimi, with a handful of them taking on a unique Singaporean twist.
There’s the Chicken Floss Cutlet Roll, which is a sushi roll with chunky chicken cutlet wrapped inside and a sprinkling of chicken floss over the top; for an ultra mouth-numbing kick, you can even order the Mala Ramen, a favourite amongst customers.
Address: 787 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755
To make a reservation: Chope
The Dim Sum Place
Even those well-acquainted with authentic Cantonese cuisine sing high praise to this halal dim sum restaurant, The Dim Sum Place.
The menu includes regular all-time dim sum favourites like the Crystal Shrimp Dumpling (otherwise known as har gow) and Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice with Chicken, as well as side dishes including the Prawn Paste Chicken, a fried finger-food must-have.
You’ll also find more clever twists on traditional dim sum, as featured in the Deep Fried Chives & Beef Dumpling, Vermicelli Roll with Lamb Rendang, and Duck Charsiew Bun.
Located a short distance from Bugis MRT and along North Bridge Road, the restaurant turns chowing down dim sum dishes with your loved ones into a casual affair, with both roadside and indoor seating available.
Address: 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
To make a reservation: Chope
Man Fu Yuan
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Man Fu Yuan offers some of the finest Cantonese food in Bugis – and in Singapore – with an extensive menu covering a la carte, buffet, and dim sum options.
The Deep-Fried Scallops with Sugar Cane is the restaurant’s speciality – the cubed scallops mixed with minced prawns coated with golden breadcrumbs are a sinful delight to indulge in. For dim sum, diners highly recommend the Wok-fried Radish Cake, Prawn Dumplings, and Minced Pork Dumplings.
Address: 80 Middle Road, InterContinental Singapore, Singapore 188966
To make a reservation: Chope | Website | Telephone | Email
Honguo
There’s one worthy reason to visit this Chinese restaurant at Bugis Junction, and that’s Honguo’s star dish: the Cross Bridge Vermicelli.
Something like a hot pot, but not quite, the Cross Bridge Vermicelli features a large bowl of boiling-hot soup served alongside smaller plates of fresh vegetables, eggs, meat, seafood, and vermicelli.
Although there’s no fire to heat the soup, how you eat this dish is not that different from how you would eat a hot pot meal: you toss in the ingredients and finish off by lifting the vermicelli into the soup.
The story behind it goes, that a scholar in the province of Yunnan China isolated himself on an island as he prepared for the imperial examinations. Needing to make long journeys over a bridge to the island, his wife soon discovered that she could deliver still-hot soup to the scholar, thanks to a layer of oil that kept it warm.
She topped the soup up with other ingredients, and voilà – her husband enjoyed many nourishing meals, piping hot!
Just note that some reviewers say the soup has too mild a taste for their palate, so, if you’re into strong flavours, then you might give the other dishes a go instead.
Address: 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
To make a reservation: Chope
Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King Four Seasons
This famous ramen chain is most well-known for its award-winning pork broth, where preparation of the broth starts a day prior by simmering the pork bones on high heat for 11 hours to extract all of its flavour, fats and collagen, resulting in a strong full-bodied creamy tastiness.
What makes the branch at Bugis special is the fact that it is actually inspired by the four seasons, so you can get ramen made with different seasonal ingredients. The most popular is the Autumn Ramen, made with three assorted mushrooms to reflect the abundance of mushrooms during the season.
The restaurant has received a 4.4-star rating from more than 1,100 reviews on Google, so you can be sure that this is among the best restaurants in Bugis that you can visit.
Address: 158 Rochor Road, Bugis Village, Singapore 188433
To make a reservation: Telephone
One Bowl Restaurant & Bar
Instead of fancy fare, One Bowl focuses on serving food that feels like a home-cooked meal consisting of your favourite local delights – great for those looking for delicious and reasonably-priced cuisine in the comfort of an air-conditioned restaurant in Bugis.
Here, you’ll get to try twists on Singaporean favourites such as the aromatic Nasi Lemak with Chicken Wing & Special Otah, the hearty Claypot Rice, and the comfy Braised E-Fu Noodles. The Chendol here is also highly-raved about for striking the right balance between gooey sweetness, fragrant beans, and smooth coconut milk.
Address: 101 Jalan Sultan, #01-01, Singapore 199002
To make a reservation: Quandoo
Flying Monkey
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If you are looking for a place to chill on Friday nights and lazy weekends, Flying Monkey will do just the trick.
This Indian tapas restaurant and bar serves mouthwatering pan-Indian cuisine served tapas style, as well as classic cocktails with an Indian twist on flavours.
Their best-selling small plate dish is the Galouti Kebab, made with meat minced no less than 13 times and marinated with certain spices and unripe papaya. You can also order hearty bites such as the Tandoori Chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, Tulsi Cod, Calamari, and Truffle Naan, all of which go down well with their bespoke cocktail concoctions.
Address: 67 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199480
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone | Email
HolyCrab
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HolyCrab used to be a private dining concept but has since been converted into a restaurant after a collaboration with the owners of Joo Bar.
Bugis food at its finest, its speciality is in the different types of Singapore-style crabs – the signature Holy Crab with thick vermicelli in rich crab broth, Succumb Crabs cooked with fine vermicelli, Devil’s Crab in butter sauce, Balsamic Crabs; Singapore Chilli Crabs, and of course the Orgasmic Crabs (salted egg yolk).
Address: 2 Tan Quee Lan Street, #01-03, Singapore 188091
To make a reservation: Chope | Website | Telephone
Taliwang Restaurant
For delicious Indonesian fare in Bugis, consider Taliwang Restaurant. Serving a mixture of Indonesian and Western dishes, Taliwang Restaurant strives to provide variety to the diners with different preferences. Popular dishes are the Ayam Bakar Taliwang, Ikan Bakar Taliwang, steaks and Satay Rembiga.
Address: 26 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198888
To make a reservation: Telephone | Email
Sing Ho Hainan Chicken Rice [permanently closed]
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Thinking of what to eat in Bugis? Why not try the home to an award-winning, authentic Hainanese chicken rice specialist called Sing Ho, which has been around since the 1980s?
The succulent chicken, flavourful rice, and addictive chilli are such an amazing combination that it has even won the Top 100 Singapore Special Commendation back in 2013!
Address: 1A Short Street, #01-04, Singapore 188210
To make a reservation: Telephone
Xian De Lai
Family dinners and gatherings are best done over hotpot, and one of the best places in Bugis to have authentic Chinese steamboats is Xian De Lai.
You get to pick from nine different soup bases and over 80 different ingredients, so you can really customise and create your ideal hotpot meal. All the bases are brewed daily to guarantee freshness and the best possible flavours, which is why this restaurant has been so well-loved since its opening in 2013!
Address: 18 Liang Seah Street, Singapore 189039
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Tanuki Raw
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Tanuki Raw combines the best of Japanese cuisine and American street food to create flavourful dishes that you won’t be able to resist.
Its most popular offering is probably the Truffle Yakiniku Donburi, a heady bowl of sushi rice topped with strips of seared Angus short rib, doused in truffle sauce, and crowned with an Insta-worthy onsen egg and shavings of fresh truffle.
Their signature daily raw bar is also a hit with diners – the brand’s initial claim to fame is a super-affordable selection of raw oysters that are freshly shucked for you to indulge in without hurting your wallet.
Address: 111 Middle Road, #01-05, National Design Centre, Singapore 188969
To make a reservation: Website
Akira Back
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Named after the Michelin-starred celebrity chef who helms the kitchen, this is where you will get fine Japanese cuisine with Korean accents.
Aside from the splendid interior, Akira Back is well-loved among foodies for their Tuna Pizza, where the luscious tuna is arranged delicately in the shape of a wheel.
If you are more of a meat person, you can also try their 48 Hours Sanchoku Short Ribs, which is made with premium Wagyu short ribs that are slow cooked to tender perfection.
Address: 30 Beach Road, Level B1M, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore, Singapore 189763
To make a reservation: Telephone
Una Una
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Narrowing down the best Bugis food to eat? Why not indulge in unagi?
This Japanese restaurant encourages you to dig into your favourite unagi cuisines, slathered with the in-house sweet & savory tare and grilled over hot charcoal to create the most decadent unagi you’ve ever eaten: think a crispy exterior, tender interior, and a fragrant smokey aroma, all paired with your favourite sake!
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-10, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
To make a reservation: Telephone
Rocku Yakiniku
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This traditional Japanese grilled meat experience, coupled with live Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin pop-rock music every Thursday to Saturday, definitely beats out any other KBBQ joint that you frequent. Definitely a winning Bugis food experience!
If it’s meat that you want, there’s wagyu beef, Iberico pork, Nagano pork biblets, Kurobuta short ribs, Australian boneless short ribs and pork jowl. Sizzling meat is best complemented with refreshing alcohol – take your pick from an Asahi Beer Tower, a classy glass of Nikka Black Special, or some Gekkeikan Josen.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-06, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Teppan Chef’s Table
Get up close and personal with the chef over a teppanyaki communal table. With a menu that changes according to seasonality, you’re always guaranteed the freshest produce and diverse offerings.
If you think that dining experiences like these are bound to be expensive, Teppan Chef’s Table is happy to prove you wrong: their ‘Weekday Donburi Lunches’ start from just S$22++ for a hearty Japanese donburi (rice bowl) that comes complete with a salad, miso soup and fresh fruits.
Address: 5 Fraser Street, Level 25, Andaz Singapore, Singapore 189354
To make a reservation: Chope
Sawadee Thai Cuisine
One of the pioneers of Thai cuisine in Singapore since more than two decades ago, Sawadee Thai Cuisine serves both traditional Thai cuisine as well as Thai food with a playful and modern spin.
Look out for the Thai Style Otah, made with blended mackerel fish with spices, and accompanied with homemade chilli sauce. The hallmark of a good Thai restaurant is definitely the soups, and you’ll surely be delighted by their Thai Coconut Chicken Soup – served in a coconut, no less!
Address: 9 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188098
To make a reservation: Chope
Saveur (Purvis)
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French cuisine was synonymous with fine dining – that is until Saveur entered the scene.
This restaurant chain is popular for serving tasty French cuisine at wallet-friendly prices – you’ll be really surprised at the quality of French fare you can get without breaking the bank.
Begin with a starter of Saveur’s Pasta before moving on to main plates like Beef Bourguignon, Chicken Roulade, and the signature Duck Confit. Those with a sweet tooth should also check out the Panna Cotta to end the meal on a sweet note.
Address: 5 Purvis Street, #01-04, Singapore 188584
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Salted & Hung
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Salted & Hung is a contemporary Australian restaurant with a menu that has a strong focus on in-house curing and grilling.
Their ‘minimal-waste’ menu revolves around creative usage of the ‘whole hog’ — be it pig, cow, bird or fish — from protein to innards, skin to bone, coupled with elements of smoking, curing, pickling and grilling in every dish. You’ll marvel at the ingenuity employed in creating such mind-blowing dishes!
Address: 12 Purvis Street, Singapore 188591
To make a reservation: Website
Xin Yuan Ji
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Those working in the vicinity would surely have heard about this famous fish soup in Bugis, in particular about how it’s extremely difficult to get seats here during lunchtime despite the decently big seating area. The 4.2-star rating and over 900 reviews on Google are also a clear nod to this shop’s popularity with Singaporeans.
If you are in a rush or looking for simple comfort Bugis food, order Xin Yuan Ji’s fish soup with bee hoon or rice. For the ones gathering here on weekday nights with colleagues or friends, we highly recommend the Assam Fish Head curry that comes with a flavourful kick.
Address: 31 Tan Quee Lan Street, #01-01, Singapore 188117
Bonchon
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Korean fried chicken places are aplenty in Singapore, and if you are craving for the crispy and spicy snack in Bugis, Bonchon is where you should go to satisfy your cravings.
Bonchon’s chicken is cooked-to-order, made using zero trans-fat meat alongside savoury sauces that come only from South Korea. While their chicken is pretty amazing, there are also other authentic Korean food options on the menu, including rice meals, seafood, bulgogi, and noodles.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #01-11, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Best cafes in Bugis
Clinton Street Baking Company
Chicken and waffles that hail all the way from New York City? Yes, please!
On top of its award-winning blueberry pancakes, the menu at Clinton Street Baking Company features the best New York staples, ranging from crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken to hearty Huevos Rancheros.
Remember to save room in your tummy for decadent milkshakes, rich layer cakes, seasonal fruit pies, and old-school hot fudge sundaes!
Address: 31 Purvis Street, Singapore 188608
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
The Malayan Council (Bussorah Street)
Can’t decide between Western and Malay food? At the Malayan Council, you don’t even have to choose!
Here, you can dig into a variety of Malay dishes bearing Western influences such as Lemak Chili Padi, Asam Pedas, Soup Tulang, and Masak Merah. They also make sure that they use only premium ingredients such as King Prawns, Scallops, Soft Shell Crabs and Angus Rib-eye in their traditional recipes.
Another reason why customers keep coming back for more? Compared to restaurants who charge you for a glass of water, The Malayan Council is well-loved for being a breath of fresh air with its generous complimentary starters and cake!
Address: 71 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199484
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
Symmetry
Situated in the heart of Kampong Glam, Symmetry brings a slice of the Australian cafe scene with its comforting cafe food.
It offers delectable brunch delights such as eggs benedict, crisp waffles and pancakes piled with various toppings, but you can also hop in during dinner for premium cuts of meat such as the Five-Spiced Duck and Lamb Shank.
Address: 9 Jalan Kubor, #01-01, Singapore 199206
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
(working title)
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Forget fast food chains – (working title) is where you should go to in Bugis for delectable burgers that you can really sink your teeth into.
They have burgers with a regional touch: the Dengerous is a combination of grilled beef patty, beef dendeng, gouda, sunny side up, and satay sauce, all served in toasted brioche with crispy fries on the side. Other burgers (with fancy names to boot!) worth ordering include the Killing Me Softly, Mighty Mozza, and Fish Of Fury.
Even if you are not a fan of burgers, you will still love (working space)’s brunch options, pizzas, snacks, and desserts.
P.S. The Masala Fries and the Smoked Duck Pizza are customer favourites!
Address: 783 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198751
To make a reservation: Website | Telephone
The Mad Sailors
Muslim-owned The Mad Sailors serves halal British food that tastes as amazing as it looks.
The extensive menu features classics like the Fish and Chips and the Good Ol’ English Fry Up which has the works – sausages, baked beans, and eggs.
We know you can’t order everything on the menu even though it looks good, but here’s a recommendation from the regulars: have a go at their House Butter Beer, a novel beverage that tastes like an ice cream soda but looks like it came straight out of Harry Potter!
Address: 24 Haji Lane, Singapore 189217
To make a reservation: Email
Afterwit – Mexican Taqueria
The guys behind (working title) also opened a cafe selling gourmet tacos with artisanal coffee.
Born from their love for halal Mexican food with an indie cafe setting, Afterwit sets itself apart from other Mexican restaurants by marrying Mexican classics with flavours from all over the world.
Their Cajun Chicken Nachos, Beef Brisket Biryani Burritos, and Mud Crab & Avocado Quesadillas are a must-try, but don’t forget to order the classic margaritas, Mexican sodas and other mocktails to wash down all that spice!
They don’t accept reservations at the moment. But walk-ins are most welcome!
Address: 778 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198746
Crossings Cafe
Give back to society while indulging in comfort Bugis food at Crossings Cafe, an establishment that gives back to charity and provides employment opportunities for the disadvantaged.
The Crossings Laksa is a top favourite for its thick rice noodles in a rich coconut curry gravy, packed with plump fishcakes, springy taupok, prawns, and crunchy bean sprouts.
They also feature other classic and unique fare like the Miso Pork Burger, Fish & Chips, and Truffled Mac & Cheese – all guaranteed to leave you feeling full and happy!
Address: 55 Waterloo Street, #01-01, Singapore187954
To make a reservation: Chope | Telephone
The Glass Onion
The Glass Onion has different facades to it, much like an onion: it works as a bistro in the day, and transforms into a bar at night.
The menu here revolves around Western and Japanese flavours, which is why you’ll find mouthwatering options such as F1 Wagyu Ribeye, The “Glass Onion” Rings, and Molten Lava Chocolate Cake.
You are also encouraged to bring your family and friends down to make the most out of the space’s offerings – think Live Football Screening, Happy Hour, free Wifi, and plugs available for use!
Address: 41 Bencoolen Street, #01-03, Hotel Mi, Singapore 189623
To make a reservation: Quandoo | Telephone
Hashtag Cafe [Permanently closed]
At Hashtag Cafe, fusion food is their forte: the Kesom Olio is a local take on the classic aglio olio, with Laksa leaf pesto, chilli flakes, mushrooms, and a generous helping of parmesan cheese.
Seafood enthusiasts are bound to enjoy the Boston Lobster (buttery fresh lobster baked with cheese), and meat lovers the Korma Beef Steak, made with premium beef steak and korma aioli.
No meal is quite complete without dessert, and the indulgent D24 Durian Molten Lava Cake is the perfect way to end off your satisfying meal here.
Address: 743 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198711
Cranky Cats [Permanently closed]
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Cranky Cats is sure to put even the crankiest of diners in a delightful mood!
The Cranky Cats waffles are crisp on the outside yet fluffy on the inside – top with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and a slight drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and you have the star of the show. If it sounds too vanilla for you, check out the aptly named Whoa-ffles, where a scoop of fragrant pandan ice cream and gooey gula melaka sauce replaces the vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce.
Other magical desserts on the menu include the Guinness tiramisu, To Arthur with Love, as well as the Kick Lai Liao, a chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake that is every dessert connoisseur’s dream.
Address: 462 Crawford Lane, #01-59, Singapore 190462
To make a reservation: Email | Telephone
Best hawkers in Bugis
Guan Kee Carrot Cake
Every hawker centre and food court has its own carrot cake stall, but if you’re on the hunt for the best carrot cake in Singapore, it lies in a humble stall located within Albert Centre.
The snaking long queues are a dead give-away – you have to be prepared to queue for at least half an hour, no matter which time of the day you visit. Many people are in love with the carrot cake for its soft and smooth textures, crispy edges, intense wok hei, and of course the friendly uncle who serves with smiles despite always being busy.
Can’t decide between the white (salty) or black (sweet) carrot cake? Go ahead and have half portions of each to enjoy the best of both worlds! This is definitely one of the best hawker stalls to visit in Bugis.
Address: 270 Queen Street, #01-59, Albert Centre Market & Food Centre, Singapore 180270
Eleven Finger (Eu Kee) Scissors Curry Rice
Nothing about the food here screams Insta-worthy, but the foodies will have you know that it’s the taste that counts when it comes to this simple and messy scissors curry rice.
A few of their must-have orders are their stewed cabbage, breaded fried pork chop, curry chicken wings, all generously doused with the signature curry and braised gravy over the entire plate.
Address: 269B Queen Street, #01-235, Singapore 180269
New Rong Liang Ge Cantonese Roast Duck
This stall was actually a “Michelin Plate” recommendation in 2019, so you know there must be something truly amazing about this.
They have a pretty extensive menu with all items priced very affordably. You get to choose from classic favourites such as Char Siew Rice (SGD2.50), Roasted Duck Rice (SGD3), Char Siew and Roasted Pork Rice (SGD3), Pork Ribs Rice (SGD3), and Roasted Pork Rice (SGD2.50).
What keeps customers coming back (and likely their secret to the international accolade!) is the special braising sauce – it is mildly thick and sticky, and matches very well with the meats and noodles.
Address: 269B Queen Street, Singapore 182269
Seng Huat Bak Chor Mee
How good can bak chor mee be? Well, you need to try this one in Bugis to find out!
Springy egg noodles, fresh fish balls, fragrant mushroom sauce, coupled with a good splash of quality black vinegar, this bak chor mee is best described as a perfect symphony of flavours that will leave you wondering how a simple hawker dish can taste so good.
Address: 492 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188737
Bai Nian Niang Dou Fu
The Bugis area is home to a lot of fantastic hawker food, and Albert Centre is where you’ll find most of them.
Many people are willing to queue for a humble bowl of yong tau foo, but it isn’t just any bowl of yong tau foo – these are freshly handmade at the stall, and have no MSG added to their sweet soup made from dried anchovies and soybeans.
Although their yong tau foo is sold in a fixed set, they actually use different fish pastes to make each item in it so that you get a harmonious set of flavours that you’ll love.
Address: 3270 Queen Street, #01-106, Albert Centre Market & Food Centre, Singapore 180270
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