One of the most populated neighbourhoods in the East, Tampines is home to a slew of stellar restaurants, cafes and hawker stalls. They even have three shopping malls surrounding the train station! Previously only connected by the East-West Line, Tampines MRT station can now be accessed via the Downtown Line too. Take a trip on the Downtown Line and fill your belly up at these Tampines Central food spots.
Everyone’s raving about Thailand export, April’s Bakery Singapore. And now you can take the blue line to their East-side outlet. Boasting a flaky pastry similar to Hong Kong’s wife biscuit, the tea-time treat comes in a myriad of flavours like Thai Milk Tea ($2) and Custard ($2). They just recently launched more savoury delights too, including a scrummy Shitake Mushroom Pie ($3).
Address: 20 Tampines Central 1, #01-31, Tampines MRT Station, Singapore 529538
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Tel: 8122 7604
Website
At Playmade, pearls are more than just a bubble tea topping. Uniquely flavoured, the pearls are meant to complement and even elevate the flavours of the drinks. We highly recommend their Orange Pulp Green Tea ($4.60/$6.20) with Pink Cactus Pearls ($0.80/$1.20), where the latter is made from actual Taiwanese pink cactus, boasting a mildly floral taste.
See what else we drank at Playmade!
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #01-59, Tampines 1, Singapore 529536
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 9767 6099
Website
Image credit: @berrynaiadnotatwork
As the name suggests, Al Mahboob Rojak is best known for their Indian rojak. What makes their rojak worth a 20-minute wait is the addictive, bright red peanut sauce that carries a slight heat. The ingredients are impressive too, with over 30 yummy morsels waiting to be fried up.
Address: 300 Tampines Avenue 5, #01-02, NTUC Income Tampines Junction, Singapore 529653
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 9pm
Tel: 6788 2257
Website
Fans of ayam penyet will adore halal-certified Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut. A Balinese favourite, the smashed, fried duck is unctuous and absolutely delicious. I also love that the accompanying chilli varies according to the type of duck ordered. Must-tries include the Sangan Crispy Fried Duck Rice ($10.50) that’s pan-fried without oil and served with sambal matah (raw sambal).
Check out our full review of Bebek Goreng Pak Ndut!
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #01-58, Tampines 1, Singapore 529536
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6634 1242
Website
Image credit: @artofcakesg
Standing out from the rows of food stalls at the hawker centre at Our Tampines Hub is ArtOfCake. Instead of the usual hawker fare, you will find a selection of exquisite pastries, from rainbow cakes ($5.80) to a pistachio white couverture ganache macaron ($1.80). The quality of cakes exceed expectations too, and this is definitely not your usual run-of-the-mill neighbourhood bakery.
Address: 1 Tampines Avenue, #01-62, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 9pm
Tel: 9696 0097
Website
Image credit: @bunniebeanies
Popiah goes Japanese at Ofanz Rojak Popiah. Wrapping a nori sheet around popiah skin, the Popiah Sushi ($2.80) is stuffed with carrot, turnip and cucumber, peanut and pork floss. Mayonnaise is also smeared on the skin to give the dish a creamy texture. But if you’re more of a traditionalist, you will be pleased to know they do roll out regular popiah at $3.60 for two rolls.
Address: 1 Tampines Avenue, #01-39, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Image credit: I Am…’s Facebook page
Yes, this is the same I Am… as the one located along Haji Lane. Located on the third floor of Our Tampines Hub, this Muslim-owned cafe serves up classic Western dishes. Sink your teeth into their juicy charcoal-grilled burgers such as The Boss Burger ($18.90++), boasting a beef patty that’s marinated with seven different herbs, before being topped with sauteed mushrooms, turkey bacon, and a special truffle and chive mayo sauce.
Address: 1 Tampines Walk, #03-04, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: 6295 5509
Website | Full list of outlets
Menu
Griddy‘s name derived from grid cake, which in some countries means waffle. Throw your diet aside and treat yourself to their decadent waffles such as this Salted Egg Yolk and Caramel ($8.50++) featuring a scoop of vanilla gelato drizzled with savoury salted egg yolk sauce and caramel sauce. Or if you prefer a wholly savoury meal, then order their signature Griddy Burger ($9.90++), where two hamburger patties, lettuce, tomato slices, half a slice of cheese and mushrooms are sandwiched in a fluffy, round waffle.
Check out our full review of Griddy!
Address: 51 Tampines Avenue 4, #01-86, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Website
Specialising in porridge and braised pork rice, Botak Delicacy is opened by an ex-cai png owner, Mr Ngoh Jook Guan, who used to operate out of Golden Mile Food Centre. Everything is handmade from scratch daily, so you can expect quality in every bowl. Highly recommended is their Sliced Fish Porridge ($3.80), Handmade Meatball Porridge ($2.80), and Seafood Porridge ($5).
Find out more about Mr Ngoh’s story!
Address: 1 Tampines Avenue, #01-65, The Hawker Centre @ Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Thur-Tue 6am to 4pm
Image credit: @swfoodwonder
Formerly known as Commonground, Commons is famed for their delectable brunch goodies. Come in a group of four and share the Jumbo Platter ($20++), which consists of chicken cutlet, cheddar cheese sticks, fish fillets, ravioli nachos, potato wedges and Cesar salad. Perfect for brunch and for the ‘gram is their French Toast with Fresh Fruits ($9++) that’s topped with slices of kiwi, strawberries, pineapple and blueberries.
Address: 51 Tampines Ave 4, #01-103, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Mon-Thur 10am to 10pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 8am to 12am, Sun 8am to 10pm
Tel: 6386 6917
Website
Continue your journey on the Downtown Line for more sumptuous nosh. Next stop: Tampines East and Tampines West!
Featured image taken from Instagram user @bunniebeanies‘ post.