Tiong Bahru – our food, drink and fashion guide

PUBLISHED May 16th, 2014 02:00 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:57 pm

Tiong Bahru. Hipster. Gentrification. The three go hand in hand whether you love or hate the fact. It seems like every month within the beating heart of the estate, somewhere new is jostling for attention and quite frankly, it’s hard to keep up!

Though the initial flurry of new openings has slowed, there are still plenty of new places to check out which means this neighbourhood is still an awesome spot for some weekend chilling and mooching, much to the dismay of the old aunties and uncles who have called it home since the time that land forgot. So if you find yourself at a loose end and seeking some inspiration for your downtime, then get lost within the seemingly endless white embrace of the estate, which also happens to be home to some of Singapore’s best gems.

YONG SIAK STREET

Plain Vanilla Bakery

If you have a weakness for cupcakes, Plain Vanilla Bakery is the place for you! This rustic Holland Village cupcakery has expanded to Tiong Bahru bringing unique flavour combinations like Strawberry White Chocolate and Cinnamon Brown Sugar – yum! The atmosphere is homely and the décor reminiscent of a grandma’s country kitchen – think long wooden tables, fresh flowerpots, warm lighting and Tiffany blue antique bicycles lining the storefront.

Plain Vanilla Bakery is located at 1D Yong Siak Street, 168641. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 12pm to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.

Woods in the Books

Woods in the Books is an independent bookstore run by husband and wife team Mike Foo and Shannon Ong. Their store specialises solely in illustrated books and novels, but before you assume you’re ‘too old for picture books’, guess again. Woods in the Books handpicks its collection to cater to all ages – think illustrated stories and learning books for kids, and comics and graphic novels for grown ups. Woods in the Books is also the place to find nostalgic children’s classics like The Little Prince, Where The Wild Things Are and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Woods in the Books is located at No.3 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru, 168642. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11am to 8pm. Closed on Mondays.

Ikyu

There is something undeniably sensual about the dining experience at Ikyu. From the minute you walk in, you’re welcomed by a sleek, softly-lit interior, sultry music playing in the background and rolling images on plasma screens of the food that awaits, visually seducing you as true food porn should do. It’s like the whole place is whispering ‘come hither’ sensually in your ear. Miles away from a traditional Japanese restaurant, more like sex on legs (or chopsticks). Read our review here.

Ikyu is located at 5 Yong Siak St, 168643. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10.30pm. Closed on Mondays.

Strangelets

A hard to resist shop which feels more like a gallery, where designers, objects, projects and philosophy come together. Almost everything here will pique your curiosity and interest for one reason or another as they whisper ‘buy me, buy me’. Read our feature here.

Strangelets is located at 7 Yong Siak St, 168644. Opening Hours: Open Daily – 11am to 8pm.

Books Actually

Chock full of amazing literary gems, this indie book shop will have you wanting to pick up and thumb almost everything, as you get lost in a literary love affair. Once you make your way through the critical and obscure, peppered with literary trinkets like hard to resist postcards and stationery, the joy starts all over again as you discover their backroom full of amazing vintage odds and ends, where you can pick up everything from old Pepsi glasses to Pez shades.

Books Actually is located at 9 Yong Siak St, 168645. Opening Hours: Monday – 11am to 6pm. Tuesday to Friday – 11am to 9pm. Saturday – 10am to 9pm. Sunday – 10am to 6pm.

Open Door Policy

For a slice of NYC vibe, this bistro couples rather tasty East meets West cuisine dreamt up by the Tippling Club’s Exec Chef, with a buzzy yet intimate backdrop. Check out their brunch menu, making it the perfect spot to power up before you slide into weekend mooching mode.

Open Door Policy is located at 19 Yong Siak Street, 168650. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

40 Hands

One of the trailblazers on the speciality coffee scene and a major ambassador for coffee the sustainable way, this is pretty much where the neighbourhood scene all started. Coffee lovers know they won’t be let down here. Sit back and cosy out.

40 Hands is located at Blk 78 Yong Siak Street, 163078. Opening Hours: Tuesday – 8am to 6.30pm. Wednesday & Thursday – 8.30am to 10pm. Friday & Saturday – 8.30am to Midnight. Sunday – 8am to 6.30pm. Closed on Mondays.

PoTeaTo

Yes, you read right – tea and potatoes. While it may sound a little unorthodox, this little café in the heart of Tiong Bahru makes it work, with an assortment of wonderful teas, accompanied by a small but thoughtful menu with a spotlight on the humble potato. Read our review here.

PoTeaTo is located at 78 Yong Siak Street, 163078. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 12pm to 10.30pm. Saturday – 10am to 10.30pm. Sunday -10am to 9pm. Closed on Mondays.

Nana & Bird

A shop where you can discover unique and bold products from both local and international labels in an intimate setting, feeling like you’re hanging out over a cup of coffee rather than spending your hard-earned cash…sounds dangerous? Yes but we love it anyway. Find out why else they make our list of 10 coolest shops here. Note that the physical address is 79 Chay Yan Street, #01-02, but the entrance is along Yong Siak Street.

Nana & Bird is located at Blk 79 Chay Yan Street #01-02, 160079. Entrance is located at 59 Eng Hoon Street #01-65, 160059. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 12pm to 7pm. Saturday & Sunday – 11am to 7pm. Closed on Mondays.

ENG HOON STREET

Tiong Bahru Bakery

A trip to the area is probably not complete without a pit stop in the much hyped, always bustling and totally noisy Tiong Bahru Bakery for a worthy munch or two – especially the croissants which are top notch – and an excellent latte. Read our review here.

Tiong Bahru Bakery is located at 56 Eng Hoon Street, 160056. Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday – 8am to 8pm. Friday & Saturday – 8am to 10pm. Sunday – 8am to 8pm.

The Orange Thimble

The sister café to the White Canvas Gallery, if you like your coffee time served up with a dose of creativity and art, this is the place to come to soak in exhibitions which adorn the walls featuring young and emerging artists – where art meets café.

The Orange Thimble is located at 56 Eng Hoon Street, #01-68, 160056. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 9am to 9.30pm. Friday & Saturday – 9am to 11pm. Sunday – 9am to 9.30pm. Closed on Mondays.

Foodie Market Place

A cheese selection in Singapore that won’t break the bank? Can! Foodie Market Place is a hidden gem in Tiong Bahru – a speciality grocery store stocking all your delicious and hard-to-find meats, cheeses, seafood, dairy products and condiments. The small store is a home-cook’s wonderland – the quality is consistently high and the prices far cheaper that the likely suspects. Highly popular, be sure to make your trip early in the day, be prepared for lining up, and remember its cash/NETS only. Note that entry is via Eng Hoon Street even though the address is 225 Outram Road.

Foodie Market Place is located at 225 Outram Rd, 169038. (Entry via Eng Hoon Street) Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 11am to 8pm. Saturday & Sunday – 9am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays.

TIONG POH ROAD

Drips Bakery Café

Not that you are exactly short of places for a coffee and sweet treat stop in the area, but Drips is another worthy spot to get your java fix and feed yourself with some yummy goodies thanks to the gourmet pastry chef of the Heartlands.

Drips Bakery Café is located at 82 Tiong Poh Rd, 160082. Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday – 11am to 9.30pm. Friday & Saturday – 11am to 11pm. Sunday – 11am to 9.30pm.

SENG POH ROAD

Tiong Bahru Bar

TBB is a laid-back neighbourhood bar with a sprawling seating area – choose from lounging on the balcony outside, cuddling up on a comphy sofa, or perching on a high stool near the bar. TBB often features live music, which is a welcome deviation from pop-happy DJs and provides some much-needed intimacy to the bar’s huge seating space. The drinks list prominently features mojitos and whiskeys, and they offer S$4 champagnes for ladies on Wednesdays – bargain! Read our review here.

Tiong Bahru Bar is located at 3 Seng Poh Road, 168891. Opening Hours: Open Daily – 12pm to 1am.

Dough & Grains Café

Dough & Grains is Singapore’s first bakery that specialises in Traditional Chinese Medicine breads. The Dough & Grains founders believe good bread is the key to good health and all their baked goods follow traditional Chinese recipes. The café has a small seated area for walk-ins and also provides takeaway, delivery and group catering.

Dough & Grains Café is located at 71 Seng Poh Rd, 160071. Opening Hours: Open Daily – 7.30am to 8.30pm.

Flea & Trees

Ahh Fleas & Trees (68 Seng Poh Lane) how we love thee – from awesome jewellery, vintage finds, health conscious snacks, quirky little plants and our favourite lollies Popaganda, this place is nostalgia on a stick and a treasure trove of all sorts of eclectic delights. Find out why else they make our list of 10 coolest shops here.

Flea & Trees is located at 68 Seng Poh Lane, 160068. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 6pm to 10pm. Friday to Sunday – 10am to 10pm. Closed on Mondays.

GUAN CHUAN TERRACE

PS. Café Petit

PS. Café Petit is a new-ish addition to Tiong Bahru, bringing the popular chain’s artisanal pizzas, paninis and gourmet salads to TB estate. The new menu also offers a wide array of cakes, slices and delicious ice cream flavours for a sugary after-dinner treat. PS. Café Petit is smaller than the other PS. locations but still offers takeaway and dine-in service. Their newly designed space features monochrome finishes, dim lighting and a sense of old worldly French ambience.

PS. Café Petit is located at 78 Guan Chuan Street, 160078. Opening Hours: Open Daily – 11am to 10.30pm.

MOH GUAN TERRACE

Flock Café

Flock is a family-run café and a firm favourite with TB locals. It has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and a modern industrial decor featuring wooden stools, marble tabletops and designer exposed lighting. Flock consistently delivers great coffee and offers a range of all-day breakfasts and gourmet sandwiches – try the popular prawn and avocado panini for a light and tasty lunch.

Flock Café is located at 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-25. Tiong Bahru Estate, 162078. Opening Hours: Open Daily – 8am to 6pm.

Bincho

Bincho is a new-ish multi-cuisine, multi-personality dining concept brought to TB by Unlisted Collection. This unique restaurant and bar aims to showcase distinctive elements of Singapore’s past, present and future. Chef Asai Masashi has transformed the 70-year-old location (which used to be an old kopitiam) into a fusion restaurant featuring old school mee pok and fishball noodles, modern Japanese yakitori and a contemporary cocktail bar.

Bincho is located at 78 Moh Guan Terrace, 162078. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday – 6pm to Midnight. Saturday & Sunday – 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to Midnight. Closed on Mondays.

KIM TIAN RD

Coq and Balls

Coq and Balls was named after a neighbourhood rooster that used to roam Tiong Bahru during the infamous bird flu epidemic (and has become the stuff of legend!). This hipster bar – which still features roosters prominently in its décor – offers a bistro style menu featuring a fusion of tapas and hearty mains. The drinks list focuses on premium and craft beers and an extensive list of cider brands that can be tricky to find elsewhere. Find out more in our review here.

Coq and Balls is located at 6 Kim Tian Road, 169246. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday – 4pm to Midnight. Saturday & Sunday – 12pm to Midnight.

TIONG BAHRU ROAD

The Dispensary

Taking up residence in none other than an old abandoned Chinese Medical Hall, this cafe touts house blend coffee, signature cupcakes and other homemade fare in nostalgic surrounds. Keeping with tradition, the baristas here even measure up coffee beans using a traditional Chinese weighing scale – nice touch.

The Dispensary is located at 69 Tiong Bahru Rd, 168723. Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday – 9am to 9pm. Friday & Saturday – 9am to 10pm. Sunday – 9am to 9pm.

So where are your favourite haunts in Tiong Bahru? Let us know in the comments.

Check out our other area guides 10 lesser-known gems of Holland Village: Where to eat, drink & play and The best 5 dining spots around Arab Street: From Malay makanan to European gourmet