A Guide To Cafes, Restaurants, Shops, And More In Jalan Besar
A directory of cool spots for dining, shopping, and more in the eclectic neighbourhood of Jalan Besar.
What your photo album of a day in Jalan Besar might look like
Like Joo Chiat and Geylang, Jalan Besar has already sealed its rep for boasting good grub, with culinary gems often nestled among shophouses. Centrally located near the Jalan Besar, Rochor, and Little India MRT stations, the area has become livelier with new dining spots, dessert shops, and indie fashion stores moving in. Here, we highlight some of the best shops in the neighbourhood for you to explore. Watch this space as we continue to update the list.
AVERAGE SERVICE
What: You might have heard of Average Service, but they’re nothing like your run-of-the-mill cafe. Although they only opened their doors in January of this year, the new cafe on the block has quickly become a favourite in the neighborhood. They’re on a mission to redefine “average times”, elevating everyday moments with their selection of hearty dishes served from day to night. Start your day right with their crowd favourite kaya truffle butter toast and a cup of coffee or matcha for only $9.90. For those craving something savoury, their maple-glazed Thick Slab Bacon ($26.00) paired with Australian spiral folded eggs and sourdough bread is worth a try. Another crowd-pleaser is the Mentai Handkerchief Pasta ($24.00) made with in-house mentaiko sauce and sprinkled with bits of bacon. In need of a pick-me-up? The Average Maple Toast ($16.00) whipped up with caramelised thick brioche toast, maple syrup and in-house whipped cream might just hit the spot. Top it off with their popular strawberry cold foam matcha latte ($7.50) for a little extra sweetness.
Why we love it: True to their mission of creating a space for community and connection, Average Service offers deals like after-hours one-for-one cocktails and wines on Fridays and Saturdays from 6PM-11PM paired with groovy tunes to wind down to. The retro-chic space is complete with a conversation pit, ambient lighting that transform the space into a vibey bar at dusk, and even the occasional DJ set. The cafe also hosts creative workshops, with past editions including hands-on DIY sessions to make your own woven tote bag or floral arrangements.
Address: 315 Jalan Besar
Contact: singapore@averageservice.com
ROMME
What: Tucked away in Flanders Square just a few minutes away from Farrer Park MRT is one of the newest cafes on this list, Romme. This charming hole-in-the-wall lights offers an impressive range of drinks, dishes and desserts. Customers keep coming back for their matcha, with rave reviews for their earl grey matcha latte ($8) and their strawberry matcha latte ($8). Other crowd-pleasers include their signature Sunrise Platter ($20) topped with all you need for a satisfying breakfast, their ribeye Steak and Rosé pasta ($24) and their must-try tiramisu ($10).
Why we love it: Beyond your typical cafe menu, they also have homemade focaccia sandwiches including their Pork You sandwich, made with Italian pork sausage in tomato cream sauce and housemade pistachio cream for that extra burst of flavour ($15).
Address: 16 Flanders Square
SPACE23
What: A cafe opened by a former fine dining chef? Sign us up. Space 23 is a newly-opened cafe with comfort food and an even cosier atmosphere, perfect for those looking for some respite from the heat or a quiet bubble away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, you’ll find in-house bakes including their Lemon Drizzle Cake ($6.50) and Banana Bread ($6.00), fluffy pastries like their croissants, brunch plates including their Crab Scrambled ($22) served on top of shokupan bread baked in-store with scrambled eggs and crab claw meat, and your usual coffee fix. Their signature? The Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes ($19) served with fresh blueberries, perfect for sweet treat lovers.
Why we love it: With floor-to-ceiling glass windows letting in soft natural light and a minimalistic yet spacious interior, this aesthetic and ambient spot is great for catching up with friends, family brunches or even a solo self-care date.
Address: 393 Jalan Besar
Contact: 9478 2478
MOONCHILD
What: Run by the Atlas Coffeehouse group, Moonchild is a pet-friendly cafe with an expansive space and laid-back, relaxed vibes. Picture a modern yet eclectic aesthetic, complemented by numerous wooden accents. The menu is divided into morning (9am to 3pm) and afternoon offerings (12pm onwards). In the morning, signature dishes include truffle grilled cheese sandwiches and smoked salmon potato stacks with poached eggs. The afternoon menu features heartier lunch options such as pasta and rice bowls.
Why we love it: Moonchild is the kind of café you’ll want to linger at – whether it’s for a lazy brunch or a late lunch with your pup in tow.
Address: 351 Jalan Besar, #01-01
Contact: 6592-4755
HEY SLOW JOE
What: A small, intimate cafe situated on the ground floor of 1953, a brand-new mixed-use development with art-deco vibes. Here, patrons can enjoy artisanal coffees and freshly baked goods, including coffee made from single-origin beans. Highlights include iced hojicha lattes and Shu’s Brew, an in-house cold brew tea. Bites consist of scones, brownies, muffins, and tarts.
Why we love it: This cosy cafE is perfect for a slow morning with a stellar lineup of fresh bakes that hit the sweet spot.
Address: 1 Tessensohn Road, #01-10
Contact: heyslowjoe@gmail.com
KAEDAN
What: A Danish-influenced cafe, Kaedan focuses on a communal dining experience, which is reflected in its name – meaning ‘chain’ or ‘the centre of connection’. This communal philosophy is also evident in the space, which can accommodate 100 people and features a design combining wooden and industrial elements. The menu offers a blend of Western and Asian influences, with dishes such as kurobuta pork chop, kam heong shrimp pasta with soft shell crab, and ayam goreng fried chicken burger.
Why we love it: Rooted in Danish ideals of connection, Kaedan brings people together over generous plates that blend East and West
Address: #01-25 Aperia Mall
Contact: 6993-9137
COLD BREAK ICE CREAM
What: This ice cream parlour stands out for its unique ice cream flavours, paired with signature chewy pandan nian gao waffles. The ice cream is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. The menu features flavours such as oolong hojicha, osmanthus mango, passion fruit, truffle chocolate, and even sour plum with prune. The unique waffles offer a soft, chewy texture with a light infusion of pandan.
Why we love it: This spot is a dream for dessert adventurers – vegan-friendly, full of flavour, and anything but ordinary.
Address: 369 Jalan Besar
Contact: 8042-1347
MUTED GELATO
What: An ice cream shop specialising in freshly made gelato, with ingredients sourced directly from the brand’s green grocer to ensure quality and freshness. Featuring a minimalist interior, the gelato here is crafted without overpowering sweetness or artificial enhancements. You’ll find refreshing options like roasted hojicha, strawberry cacao nibs, lychee sorbet, and coco mango. A must-try is the evergreen sorbet, inspired by a virgin mojito and made from mint, lime, and cucumber.
Why we love it: Fresh from farm to scoop, this minimalist gelato spot champions clean flavours and natural ingredients.
Address: 221 Lavender Street
Contact: 9229-3887
SIYUAN DESSERTS
What: Located on King George’s Avenue, Siyuan Desserts is a Chinese dessert cafe that blends tradition with modernity. The cafe shares its space with a cheongsam shop and offers both warm and chilled dessert options. For warm options, try the signature almond cream, sesame paste, and walnut cream. There is also the "3 Mini Bowls" option, where you can sample the almond, sesame, and walnut pastes in mini portions. For a refreshing chilled option, the mango sago is a great choice.
Why we love it: A serene spot where tradition meets trend, Siyuan Desserts offers a refined take on Chinese classics.
Address: 111D King George's Avenue
Contact: 9229-3887
MASBIE CHOCOLATE
What: Situated along the shophouses of Race Course Road, MasBie Chocolate is the brainchild of C. K. Tan, a retiree who previously owned a freight forwarding company and now pursues his passion for chocolate. MasBie offers a vast variety of artisanal chocolates, made with natural ingredients sourced from Belgium and France. The selection includes dark, milk, and white chocolates, as well as gelato, with some treats incorporating local flavours like ondeh ondeh and jackfruit.
Why we love it: MasBie Chocolate is a hidden gem for artisanal treats, all crafted with heart.
Address: 425 Race Course Road
Contact: 6292-5903
BAB & BINGSOO CAFE
What: This new cafe embraces the trendy all-white, minimalist aesthetic found in many Korean cafes. Korean street food and desserts take centre stage here. Street food options include gimbap, original tteokbokki, rose tteokbokki, cheese ramyeon, and fish cake sticks. The refreshing bingsus are also a highlight, with flavours such as watermelon, mango, and red bean – perfect for those humid afternoon days. Additionally, there are house-made drinks like sikhye, a traditional Korean sweet rice drink.
Why we love it: This minimalist all-white cafe is ideal for cooling off with rose tteokbokki in one hand and a watermelon bingsu in the other.
Address: 204 Jalan Besar
Contact: 9755-6433
ABUNDANCE
What: Abundance has opened its second outlet at Jalan Besar, where patrons can enjoy the signature Gua Bao – steamed ‘lotus leaf bread’ sandwiches filled with stewed pork belly. A new addition to this outlet’s menu is the braised beef rice, which differs from the typical Lu Rou Fan, which usually features braised pork belly. The sides are also tempting, including mala popcorn chicken, red hot chilli dumplings, and golden egg (fried century egg).
Why we love it: Abundance’s Jalan Besar outpost brings the bold, the braised, and the downright addictive. Comfort food we can say yes to.
Address: 399 Jalan Besar
Contact: 8032-1880
CHAAR CHAAN TENG
What: A modern fusion bar where Cantonese renditions of classic songs play over neon-lit, old-school coffee shop furniture. The cocktail menu is both extensive and creative, featuring highlights such as the spiced rum and custard cocktail called the Daahn Tāat (egg tart). Savoury lovers should try the Zyu Yuhk (Pork Old-Fashioned), a pork fat-washed Armagnac with a kick of maltose and five-spice bitters. The bar also offers unique Tapas-style dishes. For a bold choice, consider the Har Cheong Tin Gai (crispy prawn paste frog legs) or the Wu Tao Gou (yam fries) with Hae Bee Hiam salt.
Why we love it: Where retro Cantonese cool meets cocktail creativity, this neon-lit bar shakes up classics with a twist.
Address: 284 Lavender Street
Contact: 6292-5903
HUE RESTAURANT
What: This restaurant offers a sleek dining space and modern Thai dishes that are both savoury and thoughtfully curated. For example, the Mama Mia is a unique take on tom yum noodles, featuring a milder, more refreshing flavour rather than the typical spiciness. Another must-try is the grilled Char Moo, a tender and juicy rendition of the Thai street food moo ping. If you're in the mood for a Thai-influenced cocktail, try the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, made with coriander-infused Botanist gin and sweetened with Cocchi Americano Bianco.
Why we love it: With a chic setting and thoughtfully crafted dishes, this spot reimagines well-loved Thai classics.
Address: 123 Tyrwhitt Road
Contact: 9018-0992
HONG KONG STARS CAFE
What: Having taken over the space of the now-closed Hai Wang Seafood, this cafe is a quintessential Hong Kong eatery. It features staples such as a wall adorned with pictures of Hong Kong celebrities from the golden era and old Cantonese hits playing in the background, complemented by nostalgic décor like red cushioned seats. For food, diners can enjoy dim sum, wok-fried dishes, soup, and desserts, with main course highlights including BBQ honey pork noodles and fragrant butter pork chop rice.
Why we love it: Because stepping into this cafe is like a warm trip back to Hong Kong’s golden era
Address: 369 Jalan Besar
Contact: 8042-1347
DAMN MEATS
What: A butcher and dry ageing meat specialist, Damn Meats prides itself on offering premium quality beef and charcuterie. Carefully sourced from selected farms, the beef is chilled and air-flown directly to Singapore. It is meticulously matured in a precisely controlled environment for several weeks to months. The butchery also hosts private dining sessions in the evenings, featuring an eight-course tasting menu centred around fermented, aged, and cured ingredients. These are carefully prepared in-house by chefs using techniques and ingredients from both Asian and European cuisines.
Why we love it: Damn Meats elevates premium beef with expertly dry-aged cuts flown in fresh and matured to perfection.
Address: 261 Lavender Street
Contact: info@damnmeats.com
ANNA’S GOURMET
What: A deli offering an extensive selection of food and drink specialties sourced from Central and Eastern Europe. Items are available both online and at the brand’s physical shop on Sam Leong Road. The curated collection features delicacies such as unique pantry goods, fresh dairy products, succulent meats, artisanal chocolates, and a diverse range of wines and spirits. There is also an extensive assortment of fish and caviar, including herrings available in various flavours and sizes, including lightly smoked varieties.
Why we love it: A treasure trove of Central and Eastern European delights that will have you returning.
Address: 11 Sam Leong Road, #01-01
Contact: 8184-1575
THE FASHION PULPIT
What: A clothing store that allows customers to swap old garments for new ones, aiming to close the loop on textile waste. Various membership options are available, from one-time swaps to a year of unlimited swapping. Customers can also purchase clothes at the store without swapping. The brand additionally hosts events focused on sustainability and style, empowering consumers to take control of their consumption habits.
Why we love it: A stylish swap shop that helps you refresh your wardrobe sustainably with flexible memberships and inspiring events.
Address: #04-00 Allenby House
Contact: 8399 -5343
LOOP GARMS
What: Founded by entrepreneurs Fengjia Sai (also known as FJ) and Isaac Ang in 2018, Loop Garms is a vintage store featuring a handpicked collection of unique and authentic pieces. The store focuses on 80s to 00s pop culture, and the brand is dedicated to telling the stories and history behind each item. This is reflected on their Instagram page, where they provide descriptions of many of their shirt designs and the origin stories behind each carefully curated piece.
Why we love it: Popular with vintage lovers, Loop Garms curates 80s–00s pop culture pieces full of rich stories – and the owners are just as welcoming.
Address: 635 Veerasamy Road, #01-148
Contact: hey@loopgarms.sg
STAKEOUT
What: Founded by the same team behind Loop Garms in 2021, Stakeout shares the same retail space as Loop Garms. At Stakeout, style experimentation takes centre stage, and customers are encouraged to have fun mixing and matching clothes. For style inspiration on putting together an ensemble, take a look at their Instagram page. You’ll find cool indie fashion labels such as Lad Musician, whose founder, Yuichi Kuroda, honed his design skills in New York and has since expanded the brand as both a fashion designer and art director. Another featured brand is Needles, a Japanese fashion label renowned for its distinctive fusion of vintage Americana and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship.
Why we love it: Sharing space with Loop Garms, Stakeout invites style play with indie labels like Lad Musician and Needles – perfect for mixing, matching, and mastering cool, eclectic looks.
Address: 635 Veerasamy Road, #01-148
Contact: hey@loopgarms.sg
ANERDSTORE
What: A Singapore-based slow fashion brand, aNERDstore incorporates the work of Indonesian batik and tenun (a weaving technique) artisans. The brand aims to preserve the cultural textile heritage of rural Indonesia and provide artisans across the country with a sustainable source of income. In contrast to the fast fashion industry, where classical batik patterns like parang and kawung are often mass-produced in cheap fabric, aNERDstore champions the reinvention and evolution of Batik for modern everyday wear. Expect small-batch, exclusive prêt-à-porter sustainable collections, using fabrics that are original creations of traditional methods: hand-stamped (batik cap) or hand-drawn (batik tulis).
Why we love it: This business champions slow fashion by reimagining traditional Indonesian batik and tenun into exclusive, sustainable collections that support rural artisans.
Address: 29 Perak Road
Contact: 9084-6333
MIDNIGHT DIBS VARIETY STORE
What: In a cafe-centric neighbourhood, the Midnight Dibs Variety Store serves up a visual feast, stocking creative products and designs from curated indie makers and small brands. If you collect stickers, love to decorate your journals or cover your walls in bold prints and eye-catching illustrations, this store’s perfect for you. Think cute and kitschy jewellery and quirky gifts like fanmade merchandise. Whether you’re in need of a unique gift for a friend or stocking up your stationery, this store’s got the coolest catalogue of under-the-radar brands and makers.
Why we love it: With over 50 brands from around the world, this shop is a portal to exploring new artists and creatives right at your doorstep.
Address: #01-13, 161 Lavender Street.
Contact: info@midnightdibs.com
FAMILIA MUAY THAI
What: Familia Muay Thai is a boutique martial arts gym with programmes suited to all types of gym-goers, from complete beginners with little to no fitness background to advanced competitors looking to elevate their skills. All age groups, genders, fitness levels, and skill levels are welcome, with each training session carefully tailored to enhance learning and development in Muay Thai.
Why we love it: It's a welcoming boutique gym offering tailored training for all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced fighters.
Address: 123 Jalan Besar, #03-01
Contact: 8917-9825