11 Best Things To Do In Tiong Bahru (Singapore Hidden Gems)
At first glance, it seems like there aren’t many things to do in Tiong Bahru and kind of meh.
Well, hold that thought! We’re going to change your mind on that.
In this post, we’re going to show you the abundance this tiny neighbourhood has to offer.
If you’re looking for things to do that are:
- All accessible from Tiong Bahru Station
- Easy breezy to get around on foot
- Uniquely and undeniably Singapore city
You’re in the right place!
Keep on reading because there are tons of hidden gems we’re going to uncover in this post!
1. Feast On Local Food At Tiong Bahru Market
2. Have A Lovely Brunch At Tiong Bahru Bakery
3. Get In Touch With Nature At Tiong Bahru Park
4. Rummage Through Your Fave Jams At Curated Records
5. Spend Your Hours At Degiosart Gallery
6. Dine Your Heart Out At Bincho
7. Shop Like A Local At Nana & Bird
8. Unleash Your Inner Bibliophilia At Books Actually
9. Admire The Murals At Seng Poh Tea Garden
10. Chill At Flock Cafe
11. Grey Projects
11 Best Things To Do In Tiong Bahru
1. Feast On Local Food At Tiong Bahru Market
This two-storey complex is a wet market and food haven in one — teeming with hawker stalls serving delicious local eats you don’t want to miss out on!
With so many choices — it’s arguably one of the most happening things to do in Tiong Bahru!
Highlights:
- Try the famous chwee kueh, roast meat, lor mee, prawn noodles and lots more
- The ground floor is a havoc of bargaining activity for cheap clothes, trinkets, dried goods and more
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Daily: 6:00am — 2:00pm
2. Have A Lovely Brunch At Tiong Bahru Bakery
Serving French artisanal breads, savoury pastries, confectionaries and coffee, this boulangerie is well-known and loved in its namesake neighbourhood.
Whether for hearty brunch or if you’re just feeling peckish — It’s the perfect place to get your coffee and pastry fix under one roof.
Highlights:
- A must-try is what’s dubbed as the number one Croissoint in town — a cloud of buttery and flakey goodness
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Daily: 8:00am — 6:00pm
3. Get In Touch With Nature At Tiong Bahru Park
This park has a delightful centerpiece playground and is well-loved by the locals, eagerly frequented by nearby residents and especially the kids!
Highlights:
- The Tilting Train Playground is definitely the park’s wow-factor — kids will have a blast trying to stay walking upright from one end to the other
- The Therapeutic Garden is filled with horticulture wonder, implemented to restore and improve the well-being of users.
- Be sure to stroll through all themed zones: Fragrance Zone, Biodiversity Zone, Edibles and Medicinals Zone, Colours and Textures Zone
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Lighting Hours: 7:00pm — 7:00am
4. Rummage Through Your Fave Jams At Curated Records
You might not believe it but this tiny vinyl shop manages to squeeze in over a thousand records on its shelves — a haven for music enthusiasts and collectors!
Even if you’re not much of a music buff, the store is worth visiting for its impressive collection alone.
Highlights:
- You’ll find mainstream hits to underrated indie, hipstery releases in a wide a range of genres from pop, rock n’ roll, electronic, jazz and much more
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Tuesday — Sunday: 1:00pm — 8:00pm
5. Spend Your Hours At Degiosart Gallery
With antiques and works of art from all over the globe, Degiosart Gallery is a gorgeous melting pot of art and decor, showcasing vintage in a modern interior space.
Highlights:
- You’ll find everything from classic European paintings, Tibetan manuscript covers, to Australian aboriginal art
- The art pieces are regularly rotated to redecorate the space and feature new works of art, so you’ll have a unique experience every time you visit
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Daily: 10:00am — 7:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free
6. Dine Your Heart Out At Bincho
This restaurant leads a double life — it’s a Kopitiam serving mee pok by day and a glitzed up Japanese eatery come nightfall.
The hawker-like yakitori bar is the brainchild of Loh Lik Peng and is a literal hidden gem — the main entrance is a narrow metal door in the back lane.
Grungy hipster enough for you?
Highlights:
- The Yakitori is grilled to perfection — juicy, tender, and authentic goodness
- Free flow of green tea
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Daily: 11:30am — 9:30pm
7. Shop Like A Local At Nana & Bird
Shopaholics, rejoice!
Nana & Bird is a boutique with local roots, aiming to style the modern Singaporean woman with a timeless, functional wardrobe — and who doesn’t want that?
Highlights:
- You’ll find the coolest clothes, accessories and footwear that will stand the test of time
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Monday — Friday: 12:00am — 7:00pm
8. Unleash Your Inner Bibliophilia At Books Actually
Books Actually is a quirky independent bookstore that stocks a treasure trove of fiction, literature and even collectable titles no longer in print — a goldmine for book collectors.
Highlights:
- A warm and cosy ambience you’ll melt into as you peruse the shelves for your latest book find
- If you’re lucky you may find some obscure, antique and very rare editions you’ve been dying to get your hands on
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours:
Tuesday — Saturday: 10:00am — 8:00pm
Sunday & Monday: 10:00am — 6:00pm
9. Admire The Murals At Seng Poh Tea Garden
Your fix of art doesn’t have to be limited to art galleries only, the streets of Seng Poh Tea Garden are dotted with murals and paintings bedazzled with Singapore’s unique charm.
Highlights:
- Gorgeous works of art are scattered everywhere, but you’ll want to begin your search at 69 Seng Poh Road and 73 Eng Watt Street first
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: 24/7
10. Chill At Flock Cafe
Reliable and family-run, Flock Cafe is quaint, warm and cosy, and the also perfect place for brunch, coffee or just a snack.
It’s understated, but still makes the list of best things to do in Tiong Bahru.
Highlights:
- They serve hearty, English-style meals like fish & chips, scrambled eggs and sourdough, and plenty of cake and coffee to wash it all down
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours: Daily: 8:00am — 9:30pm
11. Grey Projects
Grey Projects is a uniquely versatile space wholly dedicated to the arts — it’s two galleries, a studio, residency apartment and library all under one roof.
Highlights:
- The books in GP Library mostly revolve around philosophy and poetry in Southeast Asia and has desk spaces available to book by-the-hour to study or read
- The galleries are always showcasing something new, drop by to see what it is
Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru MRT Station
Opening Hours:
Wednesday — Friday: 1:00pm — 7:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm — 6:00pm
Closed On: Sunday, Monday & Tuesday