Best Hawker Centers in Singapore
BEST HAWKER CENTERS IN SINGAPORE — QUICK GUIDE
Best Time to Visit: Year-round (lunch & dinner peak hours)
Recommended Stay: 3–5 days in Singapore
Getting Around: MRT + walking (fast, cheap, efficient)
Average Meal Cost: $3–$7 USD per dish
Perfect For: Food lovers, budget travelers, culture seekers
Why Visit: Singapore’s hawker culture is UNESCO-recognized and offers world-class street food
Must-Visit Hawker Centers: Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Chinatown Complex, Amoy Street Food Centre
The Hawker Centers promised to be the ultimate culinary experience in Singapore . We had many choices from classic street food to dishes inspired by flavors from around the world. Every visit felt like a feast for the senses.
The long communal tables created a friendly atmosphere that made it easy to meet locals and travelers. We even formed friendships over shared meals and still keep in touch with some of the people we met.
If you want an authentic taste of Singapore and love discovering new food, visiting the Hawker Centers is something you should not miss.
Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell Food Centre was the first hawker center we visited, and it was close to our accommodation. Staying near good food and top attractions always makes a trip easier, which is why we love choosing hotels in convenient areas. We even wrote a guide on Where to Stay for the Best of Singapore to help you find the right place.
Maxwell Food Centre is at 1 Kadayanallur Street and is open daily from 8 AM to 2 AM. It is only a 2 minute walk from the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, which makes it an easy stop if you are visiting the temple.
Mapping the Best Singapore Hawker Centers
This map features a collection of our favorite Hawker Centers and food spots across Singapore. For a larger version, click here .
Maxwell Food Centre Experience
Upon arrival at Maxwell Food Centre, we were impressed by how clean and organized it was. As we walked past the food stalls, each one tempted us with something different; however, our goal was to try the famous Hainanese chicken and rice. We found the stall and placed our order. When the steaming plate arrived, the tender chicken and fragrant rice exceeded our expectations. Finally, the Hainanese chicken and rice at Maxwell Food Centre ranges from $2 to $3.
Short on time?
Trying Something New at Maxwell Food Centre
As we enjoyed our Hainanese chicken and rice at Maxwell Food Centre, a friendly lady approached us and encouraged us to try her dish of the day, chicken feet and rice. We were unsure at first, but her explanation about its benefits as an anti aging food rich in collagen made us curious. To our surprise, it tasted like regular chicken. It was a reminder that trying new foods can be a fun way to expand your palate.
Fun Fact
Singapore Hawker Centers became popular in the 1970s when the government moved street food vendors into clean, organized food courts. This helped protect food safety while keeping Singapore’s food culture alive.
Today, Hawker Centers are such an important part of daily life that Singapore’s hawker culture is recognized by UNESCO. Many locals eat at Hawker Centers every day because they offer affordable meals and a strong sense of community.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre
Chomp Chomp Food Centre is known for its BBQ wings, and one of the most popular stalls is Chong Pang Huat. The line moves fast because the wings are grilled fresh, then packed in heat retaining paper bags to keep them crispy while staying eco friendly. Their chili sauce is a must try.
Chomp Chomp Food Centre is located at 20 Kensington Road in Singapore and is open from 4 PM to 12:30 AM.
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Exploring More Hawker Centres in Singapore
Our food adventure in Singapore continued as we visited even more hawker centres. Old Airport Road Food Centre, Golden Mile Food Centre, and Geylang Serai Market were just a few of the places we explored. Each centre had its own atmosphere, with vendors serving a wide range of local dishes and drinks
Lau Pa Sat Location and Hours
Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre is located at 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582 and is open 24 hours a day. You can visit at any time and enjoy its wide variety of food. During our stay, we stopped here several times and were amazed that it was always busy no matter when we arrived.
Desserts at Lau Pa Sat
We also decided to treat ourselves to a sweet dessert, and it did not disappoint. We tried a few different sweets, each one tastier than the last. Our visit to Lau Pa Sat was a memorable experience filled with great flavors, cultural variety, and pure enjoyment.
Exploring More Hawker Centres in Singapore
Our food adventure in Singapore continued as we visited even more hawker centres. Old Airport Road Food Centre, Golden Mile Food Centre, and Geylang Serai Market were just a few of the places we explored. Each centre had its own atmosphere, with vendors serving a wide range of local dishes and drinks.
Old Airport Road and Golden Mile Food Centres
At Old Airport Road Food Centre, we were welcomed by the lively buzz of vendors and the aroma of sizzling street food, and we loved the strong flavors of the dishes we tried. Later, at Golden Mile Food Centre, we also found an even wider mix of cuisine, and the fresh seafood stood out with juicy flavors, making this stop another highlight of our food journey as well.
Find the Best Flights for Your Singapore Trip
The Hawker Centers promised to be the ultimate culinary experience in Singapore . We had many choices from classic street food to dishes inspired by flavors from around the world. Every visit felt like a feast for the senses.
The long communal tables created a friendly atmosphere that made it easy to meet locals and travelers. We even formed friendships over shared meals and still keep in touch with some of the people we met.
If you want an authentic taste of Singapore and love discovering new food, visiting the Hawker Centers is something you should not miss.
Geylang Serai Market
At Geylang Serai Market, we experienced a more traditional side of Singapore’s food culture. Vendors filled the market with local sweets and snacks, from coconut covered sticky rice to colorful ice kachang.
Final Thoughts on Singapore Hawker Centres
Our visits to these hawker centres were a true highlight of our trip to Singapore. We recommend exploring as many as you can to fully experience the city’s authentic food culture. Each centre has its own atmosphere and offers a mix of rich flavors, cultural experiences, and pure enjoyment.
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