Since its opening in 2022, Margaret Drive Hawker Centre has made a name for itself. With 38 food stalls spread across two floors, it’s no wonder this Queenstown spot has become a favourite among foodies. From nostalgic eats to trendy concepts, our Margaret Drive Hawker Centre food guide will help you navigate the best picks.
Judging by their long queue, Hakka Thunder Tea is one of the hawker centre’s most popular stalls. They have house-made yong tau foo at $1.30 per item, but they’re most known for their Hakka Thunder Tea ($5.50), AKA lei cha with stir-fried cabbage, spinach, tofu, anchovies, and peanuts. On our visit, the lei cha had a distinct herbaceous taste without being too bitter, while their yong tau foo went well with the chilli dip and black sweet sauce.
Unit number: #02-34
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 10am to 3pm
Hakka Thunder Tea Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Established in 1964, Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts serves up traditional Chinese desserts made using recipes older than Singapore! You can find a bunch of unique treats here, including their crowd-favourite Lotus Seed Thick Soup ($2.50). This is a rare find in Singapore, so we recommend trying this to savour its cooked–down lotus seeds, resulting in a heavenly, soft texture. Otherwise, try their famed Tau San ($1.50), and enjoy a satisfying contrast between its gooey soup and crispy youtiao pieces.
Unit number: #02-24
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 6am to 8pm
Soon Heng Hot & Cold Desserts is not a halal-certified eatery.
No.1 Western Food is an old-school Western food stall dishing out well-grilled, meaty delights in generous portions. While their prices have increased since we last dropped by, most of their menu remains unchanged, with nothing above $10. The tender Chicken Cutlet ($7.50) and crispy Fish & Chips ($7.50) continue to be customer favourites, as well as the peppery Lamb Chop ($9), which is well-marinated and grilled to order.
Unit number: #02-30
Opening hours: Fri-Tue 11am to 7pm
No.1 Western Food is not a halal-certified eatery.
At Wok A.I., robots whip up plates of Hokkien Mee, available in Regular ($5.50) or Large ($7), and Fried Kway Teow ($4.50). This classic dish is cooked by a rotating robot arm with a touch of a key! Don’t forget to stop by their self-service counter, where you can load up on as much crispy pork lard and house-made chilli sauce.
To make your meal more decadent, toss in their add-ons: Pork Belly ($1), Whole Scramble Egg ($1), Prawn ($2 for two pieces), and Squid ($2 for five pieces).
Read our Wok A.I. feature.
Unit number: #01-34
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9pm
Website
Wok A.I. is not a halal-certified eatery.
Another popular stall is Queenstown Lontong, which has been serving up halal-certified lontong since the 1960s. Priced at $4, their acclaimed Longtong comes with soft, chunky rice cakes bathed in a creamy broth that tastes somewhat like curry and laksa. Don’t forget to mix in some of their house-made shrimp-infused sambal chilli, which goes well with the sweet and creamy broth.
Besides lontong, they sell other affordable dishes such as Mee Soto and Nasi Lemak at $4 a plate.
Unit number: #01-27
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am to 2pm, Sat-Sun 6:30am to 12pm
Queenstown Lontong is a halal-certified eatery.
At Tanglin Halt Ru Yi Yuan Vegetarian, vegetarian food doesn’t mean munching on grass, as evidenced by their rich and peppery Bee Hoon Noodles. Choose either a Small ($4) or Large ($5); each plate comes with a medley of fried ingredients, including stir-fried vegetables and beancurd skin. And if you still crave meat, opt for their crispy and fragrant Mock Duck ($3) that’s made with beancurd skin. For a snack to have on the go, their popular veggie-stuffed Popiah is also available at just $1!
Unit number: #02-36
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 6am to 10:30am
Website
Tanglin Halt Ru Yi Yuan Vegetarian is not a halal-certified eatery.
To cool yourself down from the heat, head over to Ah Luck Dessert for some affordable Chinese desserts such as Mango Pomelo Sago ($4.70) and Peach Gum Collagen Dessert ($3.70). They also have a range of milk tea beverages starting from $2.50 for a regular cup. Our favourite was the Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Pearl ($4 for a large cup), which had a rich caramel sweetness and a smooth, silky texture.
Unit number: #01-22
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 10pm
Ah Luck Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.
For savoury Muslim-friendly fare in huge portions, check out Farokh & Nisa Family Food. Whet your appetite with their Nasi Goreng Ayam ($5.50) or Kway Teow Goreng ($5), both of which were fragrant with a smoky wok hei when we visited the stall. They also serve classic Roti John ($5) stuffed with mutton or chicken bits, green chilli, and omelette. Cheese lovers can opt for the Roti John w/Cheese ($6), which comes with pleasantly charred bread and a generous amount of melty cheese.
Unit number: #02-25
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am to 12pm, 2pm to 9pm
Farokh & Nisa Family Food is a halal-certified eatery.
If you need your daily carb intake, Indulgence @ Queenstown is the place for you! Choose between their selection of Italian pastas: Aglio Olio ($3), Chicken Bolognaise ($4.50), Carbonara ($8), Alfredo ($4.50), and Pomodoro ($3). Thereafter, top your pasta with one of their seven proteins, including Pork Chop, Grilled Fish, and the indulgent NZ Ribeye Steak (Airflown). Prices vary depending on your combo, so refer to their menu displayed on their storefront.
It doesn’t end there as sweet and savoury waffles sets are also available such as the Ice Cream Waffle ($4.50), Double Sausage Waffle ($3), and Ham & Egg Waffle ($3.50).
Unit number: #02-38
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 1:30pm, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Indulgence @ Queensway is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you find yourself in the Queenstown area, do drop by Margaret Drive Hawker Centre to explore the wide variety of food options that are available!
For other affordable hawker gems in Queenstown, check out Lye Bo Toss Noodle for their handmade la mian with onsen egg at Alexandra Village Food Centre. Otherwise, read our Hong Kong Lung Hwa review for delicious roast meat at Mei Ling Food Centre.