Like Chinatown and Kampong Glam, the buzzing ethnic enclave of Little India toes the line between old world and new pretty damn well. In fact, it is quickly earning a rep as one of the hip and happening neighbourhoods in Singapore – no doubt thanks to the vibrant mix of heritage sites, hipster cafes, watering holes, boutique hotels, and of course, the best Indian food around town. There are no two ways about it: these neighbourhood gems will keep you coming back for more.
Eat & Drink
Komala Vilas
Komala Vilas
What’s a trip to Little India without sampling some good ol’ fashioned and authentic Indian grub? First stop: Komala Vilas. This 67 year-old establishment is the closest you’ll get to true-blue South Indian vegetarian cuisine. Sure, it’s always packed but that’s because the diners can’t get enough of its signature masala dosai served with free-flow sambar.
Komala Vilas, 76-7878 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981, p. 6293 6980.
Muthu’s Curry and Sakunthala’s Food Palace
Race Course Road has plenty of eye-watering, lip-tingling spicy fare to take your taste buds to the extreme. Our top picks are Muthu’s Curry and Sakunthala’s Food Palace. These fierce rivals both claim to serve up the best fish head curry – we couldn’t possibly choose between the two so we’ll let you decide for yourself!
Muthu’s Curry, 138 Race Course Road, Singapore 218591, p. 6392 1722.
Sakunthala’s Food Palace, 66 Race Course Road, Singapore 218570, p. 6293 6649.
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant
For unbelievably tasty North Indian cuisine, Khansama does it best: we’re talking piping hot servings of palak panner, aloo ghobi, chicken tikka masala, and spicy curries washed down with a cold bottle of Kingfisher beer. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the cheese naan is a definite can’t-miss. Just think of it as a slice of cheesy heaven on a plate.
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant, 166-Serangoon Road (junction of Norris Road), Singapore 218050, p. 6299 0300.
Jewel Cafe + Bar
Jewel Café + Bar
The guys from Jewel Coffee are keeping up with the coffee craze with their second outlet, Jewel Café + Bar on Rangoon Road. Gotta love their intriguing java menu: you can take a milky trip to San Francisco or go back to black with a Portland cuppa. Don’t be surprised if someone yells OMG! – that’s just the name of one of their burgers. But what really had us at hello is their homemade bacon jam.
Jewel Cafe and Bar, 129 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218407, p. 6298 9216, Tue-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-10pm.
Rouse
Try to contain your disbelief – Little India is actually home to so-hip-it-hurts establishments like Rouse. Complete with raw brick floors, naked light fixtures, and mismatched chairs, the industrial-chic café is the very definition of hipster. But unlike usual café staples like eggs benedict and waffles, Rouse’s fusion offerings, such as beef wrapped asparagus with pumpkin mash and quinoa patties are a refreshing change.
Rouse, 36 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209364, p. 62922642, Closed on Tuesdays, 12nn to 10pm (Mondays to Thursdays), 12nn to 11pm (Fridays), 11am to 11pm (Saturdays), 11am to 7pm (Sundays).
Old Hen Coffee Bar
Old Hen Coffee Bar
If there were anything that can make us stray from our usual order of lattes, it’d be Old Hen Coffee Bar’s ingenious bottled cold brews. Just pop them open (like you would a bottle of Heineken) and savour the chilled caffeinated goodness of Oriole’s smooth Raven blend – in either smooth black or creamy white. Feeling a little er…peckish (pun intended)? Then Old Hen’s decadent buttermilk waffles served with blueberry compote, strawberries, and honey-infused Greek yogurt should satiate you quite nicely.
Old Hen Coffee Bar, 88 Rangoon Road, #01-03, Singapore 218374, p. 63415458. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
Zsofi
In the midst of Little India’s frenetic buzz, it’s possible to kick back and enjoy some downtime at Spanish-themed bar Zsofi. This offbeat chill-out spot offers a true-blue tapas experience by serving complimentary plates of tasty nibbles with every drink ordered – can’t say no to that. We recommend heading up to the breezy rooftop bar and getting well acquainted with their drinks menu. First on our order: the potent sangrias.
Zsofi, 68 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209396, p. 6297 5875. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am, Sun 4pm-12am.
Prince of Wales
You may know it as a no-frills hostel but the adjoining alfresco bar is really where the party’s at. Sticking true to its Aussie roots, Prince of Wales ticks all the right boxes: cheap craft beers, live indie music, weekly quiz nights, and a laid-back clientele of backpackers and locals alike.
Prince of Wales, 101 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209420, p. 6299 0130.
Shop
24-hour shopping at Mustafa
Mustafa Centre
Think shopping in Little India and only one name springs to mind: Mustafa. Really, there’s no place quite like it: a 24-hour shopping behemoth with just about anything housed under one roof, this is paradise for bargain-hunters and hardened shopaholics alike. Check out our comprehensive guide to Mustafa before entering it at your own (and your credit card’s) risk.
Mustafa Centre, 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207704, p. 62955855.
Stay
Wanderlust Hotel
Wanderlust Hotel
Staycation in Little India? Sure, but only if it’s at Wanderlust Hotel. This funky boutique hotel houses 29 totally different and uniquely decorated rooms with themes like Spaceman, Pop Art, and Pantone – a clear indication that it ain’t your average Holiday Inn. But Wanderlust isn’t just a pretty face – her rooms offer fab extras like Kiehl’s toiletries, monsoon showers, and a rooftop Jacuzzi – and let’s not forget about Cocotte, the casual French bistro serving up hearty servings of rustic fare.
Wanderlust Hotel, 2 Dickson Road, Singapore 209494, p. 6396 3322, e. WLH-Res@unlistedcollection.com.
Bunc
Hostels may get a bad rep for being dodgy fleapits – too many bad memories from our backpacking days – but oh no, not this one. Easy on the eyes and on the wallet, Bunc is a 233-bed boutique hostel (emphasis on boutique) with all the fixings of a swish establishment: a sleek Scandi décor, custom-made beds, free WiFi, recreation rooms, an outdoor tanning deck, and a ladies-only floor. Room rates start from just $37 a night.
Bunc, 15-18 Upper Weld Road, Singapore 207372, p. 6262 2862.
Work
Workhouse, Little India’s first co-working space
Workhouse
Bid adieu to the days of working from Starbucks or your kitchen table. The newest tenant on the bustling Veerasamy stretch is Little India’s first co-working space, Workhouse. It’s no surprise that converted 3-storey shophouse was conceptualised by award-winning local design studio FARM – the industrial-chic décor is pure design heaven. With both open-plan and semi-private workspaces, Workhouse ‘citizens’ can also enjoy rad features like a zen courtyard, outdoor terrace, central pantry, shower facilities, and weekly social events.
Workhouse, 2 Veerasamy Road, Singapore 207305, p. 6291 2650.
A Dose of Culture
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
There’s plenty to learn about the customs and practices of the Indian culture. Stop by the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (397 Serangoon Rd) or Sri Veerama Kaliamma Temple (141 Serangoon Rd) for a tour around the awe-inspiring architecture – just remember to take off your shoes before entering the prayer hall.
For just $5, get a glimpse into your future, courtesy of an adorable little critter with clairvoyant powers. Parrot astrology fortune tellers (you can find them along Serangoon Road) is a fun way to get the kids involved and introduce them to this ancient South Indian practice.
For a lovely memento of your trip to Little India, how about getting a temporary henna tattoo? Some stores within the shopping arcade offer beautiful and intricate designs worthy of any blushing Indian bride. It won’t last long, but it sure is pretty.