16 Oldest Restaurants In Singapore Still Open Today, Including A Teochew Eatery From 1845

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Oldest restaurants that are still around in Singapore

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I’m always up for checking out new cafes, but sometimes, it’s cool to visit a restaurant older than me too. These are the oldest restaurants in Singapore, each of them the epitome of old but gold, some dating back to over 100 years! Take your parents or grandparents to any of these restaurants, and get swept away by the flashbacks.

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1. Colbar

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Dubbed the oldest Western eatery in Singapore, Colbar has been around since 1953, boasting a huge dining space that used to be a canteen for the British military. There are over 100 items on the menu, spanning Western and Hainanese fare. If you can’t decide what to get, we recommend the old-school Hainanese Pork Chop ($16), which comes with a plate of rice, bite-sized crispy pork chop, potato wedges, tomatoes, peas, onions, and greens in a tomatoey sauce. For those who don’t mind spending a little more, consider the Sirloin Steak Egg Chips & Beans ($30), comprising a thick slab of sirloin steak, a sunny-side-up egg, baked beans, and unevenly cut potato wedges. 

Read our Colbar feature.

Address: 9A Whitchurch Road, Singapore 138839
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6779 4859
Colbar is not a halal-certified eatery.

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2. Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine

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Image credit: @cuisinewineasia

Housed in the original Teochew Club building that dates back to 1845 is Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine. Your parents and grandparents will surely enjoy the Teochew Steamed Pomfret ($13.80++ for 100g) at your next family gathering! Pair this with the popular Deep Fried Prawn Balls ($26++) or Deep Fried Ngoh Hiang ($18++), which are part of the restaurant’s signature dishes. 

Address: 190 Keng Lee Road, #01-02, Chui Huay Lim Club, Singapore 308409
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 6732 3637
Website
Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine is not a halal-certified eatery.

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3. Beach Road Prawn Noodle House

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Around since the 1970s, Beach Road Prawn Noodle House is famed for their incredibly delicious prawn mee. They have lesser-seen options such as Prawn with Pig Tail Mee ($9.50/$15)—their signature hae mee zhnged up with pig tail. Otherwise, their signature Jumbo Prawn Mee ($15) is a must-try if you’re a diehard fan of prawns. This bowl gives you fresh prawns that are significantly larger than the ones found in other prawn mee dishes, along with a heady broth that strikes a perfect balance of briny and prawny. 

Read our Beach Road Prawn Noodle House review.

Address: 370/372 East Coast Road, Singapore 428981
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am to 4pm
Tel: 6345 7196
Website
Beach Road Prawn Noodle House is not a halal-certified eatery.

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4. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak

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Back in 1961, Balestier Road Hoover Rojak found a place to call home at Whampoa Makan Place. There’s only one single item on the menu: rojak. The smaller portion costs $4, while the slightly larger one is priced at $5. You get a beautiful medley of fresh ingredients, including an assortment of fruits, cucumber, tau pok, you tiao, and our favourite—springy jellyfish. If you’re planning to get chilli in it, do note that it’s sweeter than it is spicy. 

Read our Balestier Road Hoover Rojak review.

Address: 90 Whampoa Drive, #01-06, Whampoa Makan Place, Singapore 320090
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 10am to 4pm
Balestier Road Hoover Rojak is not a halal-certified eatery.

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5. Tong Ah Eating House

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Around the hood since 1939, Tong Ah Eating House needs no introduction. While it used to be housed in their iconic red-and-white building at Keong Saik, this kopitiam can now be found at a spot further down the same road. Be sure to get their set meal that comes in four different types, with Combo A ($6.50) known as the crowd favourite: it comes with traditional kaya toast, soft-boiled eggs, and a coffee or tea of your choice.

Read our Tong Ah Eating House review. 

Address: 35 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089142
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 7am to 10pm, Wed 7am to 2pm
Tel: 6223 5083
Website
Tong Ah Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.

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6. Seow Choon Hua Restaurant

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Seow Choon Hua is the oldest restaurant in Singapore for Fuzhou cuisine. They have been open for over seven decades, and still make their famous Fuzhou dumplings from scratch to this day. For a comforting dish on a rainy day, we recommend the Pork Ribs Ramen (from $6.50), featuring tender pork ribs submerged in a rich, robust broth with springy noodles. Pair this with some Fried Chicken Wings (from $8) or Fried Fish Fillet (from $8), depending on your preferred choice of protein. 

Read our Seow Choon Hua Restaurant review.

Address: 327 Beach Road, Singapore 199560
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 8:30pm
Tel: 6298 2720
Seow Choon Hua Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.

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7. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery

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Singapore has plenty of old-school breakfast spots, and Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is arguably one of the most popular ones around. The East Coast hawker has been around since the 30s, but closed for a lengthy renovation before making their comeback. Get traditional breakfast sets and bakes, such as Kaya French Toast ($6) or Nutella French Toast ($8).

Read our Chin Mee Chin Confectionery review.

Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 4pm
Website
Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is not a halal-certified eatery. 

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8. Ka-Soh

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Originally named Swee Kee Eating House, Ka-Soh is the OG restaurant that brought Cantonese-style fish soup to Singapore, where the broth is made milky through long hours of boiling the stock at high heat, rather than adding milk on the side. Their history spans from the 1930s, and Ka-Soh restaurant has since expanded around Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian region. Some crowd favourites include Stewed Chicken & Yam (from $16++), Prawn Paste Chicken (from $16), and Kai Lan with Fish Slices (from $18++). 

Read our Ka-Soh review.

Address: 22 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289218
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Tel: 8754 7481
Website
Ka-Soh is not a halal-certified eatery. 

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9. Killiney Kopitiam

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As the oldest surviving Hainanese coffeeshop, Killiney Kopitiam is one of the places your ah gong brought your ah ma to for kopi c kosong while they were still paktor-ing. Come early to try their housemade kaya toast and rich Colombian Arabica kopi, or swap the toast for a slice of French toast—the famous dish that first made them popular. A classic Butter Kaya Toast here is priced at $3.60, while a set with two soft-boiled eggs and a choice of kopi or teh costs $7.50. 

Address: 67 Killiney Road, Singapore 239525
Opening hours: Daily 6am to 6pm
Tel: 6734 3910
Website
Killiney Kopitiam is not a halal-certified eatery.

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10. Tiffin Room

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Curry has been a mainstay at Raffles Hotel since 1899, even before its main dining hall was officially named Tiffin Room many decades later. Come dressed in casual chic and indulge in their premium North Indian meals, starting with appetisers such as Malai Mushroom Broccoli Kebab ($28++), featuring white button mushroom, broccoli, and cheddar cheese kebab with mango salsa, followed by the Murgh Tikka Masala ($45++), a hearty tandoori-grilled chicken breast with browned onions, spices, and cherry tomato salad. There are non-vegetarian dishes available too! 

Address: 1 Beach Road, Raffles Singapore, Singapore 189673
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 10:30am, 12pm to 2pm, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6412 1816
Website
Tiffin Room is not a halal-certified eatery.

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11. Ananda Bhavan Restaurant

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Image credit: @3asy.eaters

You’ve probably come across Ananda Bhavan Restaurant at least once. But bet you didn’t know this Indian vegetarian chain has been around since 1924! This is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in our country, and they serve up quality, plant-based dishes at affordable prices. Their menu is extensive, spanning Paper Thosai Set Meal ($9.60) and Biryani Set Meal ($12.50).

Address: 95 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207671
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6398 0837
Website
Ananda Bhavan Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.

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12. Zam Zam

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Image credit: @junefy55

You should be no stranger to Zam Zam—operating since 1908, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Singapore that also doubles up as a popular supper spot. Their signature murtabak (from $7) is made in an open-air kitchen facing the sidewalk, from sizes small to super extra huge. There are seven variations here, including beef, chicken, sardine, and tuna! Highly raved about in the food community, this century-old eatery is the perfect place to camp at with a cup of teh tarik.

Address: 697-699 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198675
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 11pm
Tel: 6298 6320
Website
Zam Zam is not a halal-certified eatery.

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13. Islamic Restaurant

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Image credit: @saranghae_couture

Close to 100 years old, it is highly possible that your grandparents know of Islamic Restaurant in Bugis. They are best known for the Beryani Set ($20.90++), which you can choose from chicken, mutton, and fish. Food aside, soak in the antiquated vibe of the restaurant, adorned with old pictures and memorabilia. 

Address: 735 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198713
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6298 7563
Islamic Restaurant is a halal-certified eatery.

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14. Guan Hoe Soon

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Image credit: @whatscooking_sg

Guan Hoe Soon is a Peranakan restaurant nestled in Joo Chiat since 1953. In fact, they are the oldest restaurant in Singapore serving Peranakan fare, and their menu still retains the heritage through recipes that have been passed down through three generations. Expect familiar Nyonya dishes such as Ayam Buah Keluak (from $18.80++), Sayor Lodeh (from $15.80++), and Beef Rendang (from $18.80++).

Address: 200 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427471
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 6344 2761
Website
Guan Hoe Soon is not a halal-certified eatery.

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15. Thien Kee

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Image credit: @krunchykrazies

Golden Mile is a haven for Thai food, but nestled within the complex is one of Singapore’s oldest Hainanese restaurants, Thien Kee. The eatery specialises in steamboat, and has been around since 1952. The chicken broth used in their steamboat is cooked for up to eight hours to tease out all the richness and flavour from the bird. It comes served with Chinese cabbage, fishball, sliced beef or pork, and fish maw. Prices range from $38++ to $52++, depending on the ingredients you get! Aside from steamboat, the eatery also has Hainanese zi char dishes, chicken rice, and satay.

Address: 6001 Beach Road, #B1-20, Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6298 5891
Website
Thien Kee is not a halal-certified eatery.

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16. Nasi Padang Sabar Menati

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Image credit: @sabarmenantisg

Nasi Padang Sabar Menati is a nasi padang eatery that has been around since the 1920s, serving up a variety of spicy, rich dishes all prepared with family recipes. Their Beef Rendang ($6) is a must, with a really coconutty, fragrant rempah, but don’t miss out on their Green Chilli Fish (from $7) as well, where fish is served with tangy, spicy green chilli. 

Address: 719 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198705
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 7am to 5pm
Website
Sabar Menati is not a halal-certified eatery.

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Guide to the oldest restaurants in Singapore

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No restaurant can survive decades without good food, and the same goes for these restaurants. From nasi biryani to kaya toast, these iconic restaurants have been sharing not just food, but also a little bit of Singapore’s history.

Aside from these historic dining locations, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Singapore. We also have a guide to the best cheap restaurants in Singapore, including those with mains under $10. 

60 Best Restaurants In Singapore For All Budgets And Occasions

 This article was originally written on 19 September 2016.