Cool Spots To Eat, Drink, And Shop In Chinatown

JUNGLE BALLROOM
What: Housed within Mondrian Duxton, Jungle Ballroom is a tropical cocktail bar that celebrates the vibrant flavours of Southeast Asia and the region’s rich bounty. Helmed by head bartender Adrian Besa and his team, the bar will unveil a new cocktail menu featuring 16 creations in October 2024. This menu is the result of the team’s 16 expeditions across Asia, during which it documented its experiences while holding temporary residencies in each location. Expect tantalising flavours, from tropical sours and sweet popcorn to a household staple: Indomie (served with actual Indomie bites), as well as a twist on the classic espresso martini.
Address: #03-03 Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 16A Duxton Hill
Contact: 6019-6005

THE NEE VINTAGE STORE
What: With an interior reminiscent of Victorian-style homes in Europe, this store specialises in pre-loved vintage luxury items, including bags, jewellery, shoes, and home goods from brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior. Exquisite vintage homeware, such as dinner plates and tea sets, is also available. Additionally, you can sign up for their bag consignment service, where your pre-loved pieces can be conveniently appraised and sold on your behalf.
Address: 230B South Bridge Road
Contact: 8883-4230 and neevintage@yanghuat.com

HAYOP
What: HAYOP is the fine-casual offshoot of the popular Philippine eatery Manam. This restaurant marks the first overseas venture for the Manam brand, in collaboration with Singaporean partners Russell Yu of Iki Concepts and Gwen Lim of Patisserie G. Expect a delightful array of Filipino cuisine, featuring both classic and inventive takes on comfort food from the country. We recommend Manam’s House Crispy Sisig, a dish made from pork jowl and cheek. Another highlight is the kinilaw, specially created for the Singapore outlet, showcasing raw hamachi slices and made with Hayop’s local vinegars and spices.
Address: 104 Amoy Street
Contact: 8028-9012

CANYON CLUB
What: Canyon Club is a poolside club and bar that brings 1970s Hollywood glamour to Singapore. Serving Californian staples in a laid-back setting, the venue is under the culinary direction of executive chef Kenny Huang. The menu draws inspiration from both Californian and Singaporean favourites, featuring dishes such as spicy miso calamari, truffle aioli pomme frites, and Canyon-style local ice cream sandwiches. Guests can enjoy classic cocktails with a twist or explore a monthly rotation of signature slushies crafted by globetrotting bartenders, each concoction celebrating the vibrant spirit of the 80s.
Address: #13-01 Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 16A Duxton Hill
Contact: 6019-6020

SILK TEA BAR
What: Located on the second floor of a shophouse along Sago Street, Silk Tea Bar is a quaint and cosy haven for sipping tea on a lazy afternoon. The venue boasts a minimalist design with plenty of wooden accents and offers two different ways to enjoy tea. Session Brews feature various progressive brews of your choice, from Silk Signatures to house standards. Single brews are also available, served in a mug with the option of hot or cold brew.
Address: 26A Sago Street
Contact: DM through @silk.teabar on Instagram

JUNGLE
What: Situated at Ann Siang Hill, Jungle is a 50-seater Thai grill and bar featuring an open-fire kitchen. The menu offers flame-kissed meats, salads, and flavour-packed curries, showcasing regional dishes from Thailand's rich culinary culture. Highlights include the Southern-style charcoal-grilled chicken, the restaurant’s take on the traditional gai golae (coconut milk BBQ chicken), as well as the southern crab yellow curry with wild rice shoots and sugarcane-smoked pork jowl.
Address: 10 Ann Siang Hill
Contact: 8389-2258

PILATES SMITH
What: Located on Smith Street, Pilates Smith draws its name from the term "smith," referring to a craftsperson who skillfully dedicates their time and attention to a detailed piece of work – in this case, your body. Classes utilise the reformer, mat, or chair, incorporating various Pilates tools in each repertoire. They are also personalised, with a maximum of two people per class, allowing instructors to fully focus on your individual needs and capabilities.
Address: 70A Smith St, Level 1
Contact: 8892-2600

LATE MORNING
What: Previously an online lifestyle store, Late Morning has opened a physical location in Chinatown to showcase its products. Expect boutique tableware, cutlery, and home décor from designer brands around the world. Craftsmanship, striking colours and patterns, and durability are the hallmarks here. You'll find items such as handmade terrazzo plates, scented candles, and wood-fired mugs, many of which are sourced from far-flung countries like France, China, and Japan.
Address: 230 South Bridge Road
Contact: 9016-9274

CHRISTINA'S
What: A laid-back coffee spot by day, Christina's transforms into a vibrant restaurant and cocktail space at night. For breakfast, guests can enjoy spiced-up eggs and speciality coffee from Christina’s partners at Tiong Hoe. In the evenings, the menu shifts to sharing plates and a Josper grill-inspired feast, curated by Mondrian’s chef, Kenny Huang. Dishes feature a blend of Asian and Mediterranean influences, all cooked over fire.
Address: #03-01 Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 16A Duxton Hill
Contact: 6019-6000

CLUB RANGOON
What: Co-founded by Nelson Htoo and chef “Noom” Charrinn Singdaechakarn, Club Rangoon offers a contemporary take on Yangon classics. The concise menu, inspired by Nelson’s family recipes, utilises authentic Burmese ingredients while highlighting the key flavour pillars of Burmese cuisine – chin (sour), ngan (salty), and sat (spicy). Guests can enjoy familiar dishes such as mohinga, the iconic Burmese noodle soup, and laphet-thoke, the ubiquitous Burmese tea leaf salad. This restaurant marks the first venture in Singapore for the Hong Kong hospitality group Common Abode.
Address: 76 Duxton Road
Contact: 8190-8827

THE SHELTER
What: The Shelter is a sleek, industrial-style cafe offering affordable local cuisine such as curry chicken, mee rebus, and pork and century egg porridge. Patrons can also purchase streetwear t-shirts by local designers from the cafe’s affiliated store, The Shelter Global. Additionally, the café boasts an extensive selection of homemade gelato, featuring no fewer than seventeen flavours.
Address: #01-11  Fook Hai Building, 150 South Bridge Road
Contact: 9672-5434

DARKNESS DESSERT
What: A dessert shop specialising in traditional Chinese desserts with a modern twist. Expect classics like sesame paste, almond paste, and red bean soup, alongside cold and refreshing options such as mango pomelo sago and grass jelly. Patrons can also mix and match various toppings for their desserts, including ginkgo nuts, glutinous rice balls, fresh fruits, and ice cream.
Address: 36 Temple Street
Contact: 8842-1263

DUSTBUNNY VINTAGE
What: Dustbunny Vintage aims to provide shoppers with the best-curated vintage products, sourcing genuine items ranging from vintage bags and jewellery to shoes and dresses from around the world. Expect rare luxury pieces from Chanel, Hermes, and many other renowned brands. The brand also features its own Dustbunny Label, offering retro-inspired pieces that are custom-made.
Address: 2A Keong Saik Road
Contact: 6222-0116

TRIBAL
What: Inspired by the primordial relationship between food, fire, and people, Tribal focuses on communal dining. The menu, crafted by executive chef Keith Wan – who has held head chef roles at Panamericana, Kilo Kitchen, and Quay House – features dishes primarily guided by wood-fire cooking with Far Eastern influences. Seasonal specials and beef cuts are sourced from ethical farms around the world. The interior is just as striking as the dishes, showcasing a blend of concrete, earth-toned accents, and traditional rattan weaving.
Address: 83 Neil Road, #01-07
Contact: 9789-4699

BULLOCK CART COFFEE
What: This cafe’s name pays homage to Chinatown’s past, where bullock and ox carts were used to transport goods in the area. Located at Hong Lim Complex, patrons can expect a simple, minimalist setup, with a concise menu that includes plain almond and chocolate croissants, kouign-amann, danishes, and cruffins. The beverage selection features espresso, black and white coffee, and teas like lychee oolong and Earl Grey lemonade.
Address: #02-57A Hong Lim Complex 531 Upper Cross Street
Contact: 8869-4267

BOTTEGA DI CARNA
What: Bottega di Carna is a modern Italian eatery with a Tuscan influence, led by eighth-generation Italian butcher Dario Cecchini. Diners can expect a gastronomic experience that honours the tradition of butchery, featuring cold-cut meats, homemade pastas, and Josper-grilled meats on the à la carte menu. All cuts, including the Australian black Angus and grain-fed bone-in strip loin, are dry-rubbed with Dario's signature salt, the 'profumo del Chianti.'
Address: #03-01 Mondrian Singapore Duxton, 16A Duxton Hill
Contact: 6019-6000

COI JE CAFE
What: A cha chaan teng-style Hong Kong café, whose name translates to “God of Wealth” in Cantonese. The cafe’s interior is drenched in red, adorned with auspicious sayings hanging on its walls. Chef-owner Fan Tat Ki has spent 18 years working in cha chaan tengs and aims to bring authentic Hong Kong flavours to the local dining scene. You’ll find a wide variety of rice dishes, snacks, and desserts, such as curry omelette with pork tenderloin rice, sweet and sour pork rice, and butter buns.
Address: 6 Upper Cross Street
Contact: 8783-1482

LEE MART
What: A Korean grocer that imports authentic Korean products, including noodles, snacks, confectionery, condiments, beverages, alcohol, frozen food, and even everyday essentials. The mini-mart also offers a variety of authentic Korean side dishes and street food, such as kimchi, seasoned anchovies, octopus, and squid – perfect for those craving a taste of Korea or looking to prepare delicious dishes at home.
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #01-37
Contact: 9662-2565

SPRING COFFEE
What: A quaint, low-key cafe at Hong Lim Complex serving brews and bakes. The cafe’s signature drink is its strawberry matcha latte, which features a layer of house-made strawberry puree, strawberry milk, and matcha. We also recommend the Spring Coffee, a slightly sweet coconut coffee. The selection of rotating bakes includes plain, kaya and butter, and peanut butter and jam croissants.
Address: #02-60 Hong Lim Complex, 531 Upper Cross Street
Contact: 8949-9480

LITTLE MATCH GIRL
What: This socially conscious fashion brand embraces the philosophy that everyone should have the right to own apparel without worrying about the ethics of its production. The designs are made to last, featuring timeless cuts and ethically sourced fabrics. The brand purchases over-ordered fabric from luxury brand warehouses and uses natural materials such as Tencel, linen, modal, and recycled cotton to create its clothing. It also ensure that tailors earn fair wages for its work, prioritising fair labour practices and humane work ethics.
Address: 55 Amoy Street
Contact: 8666-8811

VAN LEE FITNESS
What: An all-women's muay Thai gym, Van Lee Fitness offers a dynamic fitness programme designed for stress relief and building cardiovascular endurance. Founded by seasoned muay Thai professional Vanessa Lee and operated by women, the gym aims to create an environment where girls and women can build confidence and train within a like-minded community. The fitness programme utilises classic muay Thai techniques, including punches, kicks, and knees, incorporating bag work, pad work, and friendly sparring.
Address: 60B Pagoda Street
Contact: 9227-5426

MOBILUS CHINATOWN
What: Located near Chinatown MRT, Mobilus' second branch covers approximately 4,800 sq ft. The gym features structured fitness zones, including a multi-functional training rig for bodyweight and weightlifting exercises, a main training area for classes and open gym sessions, and a mobility/social zone where you can catch your breath before or after your workout. All Mobilus facilities are equipped with showers, lockers, and stocked snack bars.
Address: 90 Block C, Eu Tong Sen Street, #01-11
Contact: 9171-3792

KING HUAT MEAT
What: Boasting a long history, King Huat Meat is run by Sandy Loh, whose great-great-grandfather founded this butcher shop on Smith Street. It started in the 1930s as a roadside stall selling beef in the Chinatown area. Today, it offers an extensive variety of beef and other meat products, featuring beef from countries such as Australia, the US, and Brazil. The shop also has an online catalogue where customers can browse and purchase meats.
Address: B1-122/125 Chinatown Complexl, 335 Smith Street
Contact: 9457-4269

ARAYA
What: Araya has gained recognition as the first fine-dining South American restaurant in Singapore and the world to be awarded one Michelin star in the 2024 Michelin Guide. The menu focuses on Pacific coastal cuisine, featuring a popular eight-course degustation menu called the Costa. Star dishes include Chilean giant mussel, curanto (an assortment of meat and seafood wrapped in leaves and cooked in an earth oven), and aged Ecuadorian cacao with pigeon supreme.
Address: 83 Neil Road, #01-08
Contact: 8870-0871

UFIT CLUB STREET HUB
What: UFit Club Street is a 16,000 sq ft integrated health and fitness hub located on Club Street. Members have access to rehabilitation treatment rooms, a 2,500 sq ft gym floor, two class studios, an outdoor training yard, and state-of-the-art changing rooms. The Clinic features nine dedicated rehabilitation treatment rooms and a large rehab space to assist you on your road to recovery, staffed by qualified clinicians specialising in physiotherapy, osteopathy, screening, and nutrition.
Address: 21 Club Street, #01-01
Contact: 6225-5059