Telok Ayer is packed with cafes known for their chic interiors and chill brunches. Amoy Street Food Centre is nearby too. But if you think that is all to Telok Ayer, you are missing out. Here are some underrated Telok Ayer food places that we like.
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Popular Korean fried chicken chain Daily Beer opened its first outlet in Singapore sometime in May 2024, making it one of the most vibey chimaek spots in the CBD. We recommend getting the crowd-favourite Angry Bird, which is essentially tender, deep-fried chicken priced at $32++ for eight pieces. Pair this with their toasty Cheese Balls ($12++ for five), featuring mozzarella cheese packed in a mochi-like fried ball. Your experience isn’t complete without having their craft beers, where there are seven flavours to choose from. Prices range from $13++ to $17++.
Read our Daily Beer feature.
Address: 212 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068645
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, Sat 11:30am to 11pm, Fri 11:30am to 12:30am, Sun 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6669 8090
Website
Daily Beer is not halal-certified.
Toku Nori is a Japanese restaurant serving up handrolls, appetisers, and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The restaurant is a quick three-minute walk from Telok Ayer MRT Station! During our visit, we enjoyed the Wagyu & Uni ($16++) handroll, starring Wagyu karubi, Hokkaido uni, and caviar. An equally delicious alternative is the Foie Gras ($16++) handroll, featuring aburi foie gras topped with a spicy leek and garlic soy glaze. Substantiate your meal with the sweet-salty Chicken Ribs ($14++): crispy, fried chicken ribs covered in yakisoba sauce.
Read our Toku Nori feature.
Address: 200A Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068638
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 11pm
Tel: 8082 6536
Website
Toku Nori is not halal-certified.
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele is one of Naples’ oldest pizzerias and has been around since 1870. Good news: their Club Street outlet marks the restaurant’s first outlet in Southeast Asia! If you don’t know what to get, start with the classic Margherita ($28++), featuring tomato sauce, Pecorino Romano DOP, Agerola fior di latte (fresh mozzarella), and some basil. For those who prefer punchy flavours, get the Cetara ($36++) instead. You get the same toppings in the Margherita, as well as Cetara anchovies, Leccino olives, and capers.
Read our L’antica Pizzeria da Michele review.
Address: 8 Club Street, #01-08, Mercure ICON, Singapore 069472
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Sun 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 9823 1174
Website
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele is not halal-certified.
https://eatbook.sg/lantica-pizzeria-da-michele-singapore/
Moss Cross Tokyo has opened their first overseas outlet in Singapore. This is an omakase restaurant that fuses both French and Japanese cuisine, creating new and interesting dishes you can look forward to. Last time we went, we tried their Wakon-Yosai ($150++ per person), which came in a beautiful platter with nine mini plates of assorted starters.
Check out our Moss Cross Tokyo review.
Address: 181 South Bridge Road, #02-01, Capri by Fraser China Square, Singapore 058743
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm
Tel: 6437 0824
Website
Moss Cross Tokyo is not halal-certified.
For legit Busan-style pork rice and soup, head to Um Yong Baek, a popular Korean restaurant in Telok Ayer. Visit during lunch for their signature Dwaeji Gukbap, a traditional dish that originated during the Korean War. The UYB Clear Daejigukbab ($22++) is a must-try; you get a clear broth that’s uber flavourful yet light, boiled for at least eight hours to fully extract the rich essence of the pork. It’s also packed with a generous mix of pork collar, tender pork cheek, and pork stomach, atop a bed of short-grain rice. If you’re here for dinner, the restaurant offers Korean BBQ instead!
Read our Um Yong Baek review.
Address: 80/82 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 048466
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 3:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 8479 1360
Website
Um Yong Baek is not halal-certified.
https://eatbook.sg/um-yong-baek/
ICYMI, Thachang has moved to Telok Ayer after the closing of Golden Mile Complex. This restaurant is known for their Special Pork Boat Noodle ($10.90++). We loved the robust flavour and the wide variety of meats consisting of pork balls, tender pork slices, and liver. Our favourite was the Special Beef Boat Noodle Soup ($11.90++) for its rich and robust beef broth.
Read our Thachang review.
Address: 171 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068621
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 8057 1717
Website
Thachang is not halal-certified.
A Telok Ayer food guide is incomplete without mentioning Amoy Street Food Centre. Spicy Wife offers affordable, large portions of nasi lemak in the hawker centre! The last time we went, we found their Mutton Rendang ($9.50) to be the unexpected MVP, as the meat did not have any hint of gaminess, and instead was well-marinated with the aromatic flavours of rendang.
Read our Spicy Wife review.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-119, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:45am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8089 2119
Website
Spicy Wife is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
If you are craving some mamak stall goodness, head to Kamal’s Restaurant! This restaurant touts themselves as the specialist in chicken briyani, so we got a plate to try. Their Fried Chicken Briyani ($8) was served with basmati rice and a large piece of deep-fried chicken thigh. We liked the crispy batter that was well-seasoned with turmeric and masala. The rice in the briyani was super fluffy and flavourful too!
Read our Kamal’s Restaurant review.
Address: 7 Stanley Street, Singapore 068726
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 6pm, Sat 7am to 3pm
Tel: 6221 7677
Website
Kamal’s Restaurant is Muslim-owned.
https://eatbook.sg/kamals-restaurant/
For a sweet snack, head to The Fat Kid Bakery for sourdough bombolone! Bomboloni is an Italian stuffed doughnut that is known for its light fluffiness, but what’s special about the bakery is that they use sourdough instead of a regular doughnut. The last time we tried these, our three favourite flavours were Blueberry Cheesecake ($5.30), Citrus Bomb ($5.30) and Sea Salt Maple ($5.50). For folks who prefer savoury foods, the bakery also has flavours such as the Spicy Egg Mayo ($6.50) and Garlic Mascarpone ($6.50).
Read our The Fat Kid Bakery review.
Address: 39 Amoy Street, Singapore 069865
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9am to 5pm, Fri 9am to 6:30pm, Sat 10:30am to 4:30pm
Tel: 8836 4833
Website
The Fat Kid Bakery is not halal-certified.
https://eatbook.sg/fat-kid-bakery-telok-ayer/
Here’s another recco from Amoy Street Food Centre: Lian Hup Heng, a hawker bakery serving affordable bakes. Our favourite was their Orh Nee Tart ($3.80) for its rich filling and silky texture. We also liked the subtle tanginess of their Yoghurt Cranberry ($3.80) cake. They also have a Today’s Special ($3.80) that changes daily, so there is a new pastry to look forward to on each visit.
Read our Lian Hup Heng review.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-128, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 3pm
Tel: 9338 8114
Website
Lian Hup Heng is not halal-certified.
Pair your bakes with drinks from Daylight Coffee. This hawker stall near Lian Hup Heng offers cafe-style coffee at great prices. We tried their Iced Oat White ($5.40) and loved how well the roasted coffee paired with the smooth oat milk. The stall is also famous for its Spanish Latte (from $4.50), which is your regular espresso-based coffee with condensed milk, giving it a milky sweetness.
Read our Daylight Coffee feature.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #02-126, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am to 2:30pm
Website
Daylight Coffee is not halal-certified.
Zi char from Quan Ji at Amoy Street Food Centre had us completely impressed. Dubbed by my colleague as “the king of noodles” was the Wong Po Lou Meen ($20) AKA yellow cloth noodles. This decadent dish comprised egg noodles seasoned in lard and oyster sauce, and then tucked in a prawn omelette blanket. The lard added tons of flavour to the noodles and gave them a glowing sheen.
Read our Quan Ji review.
Address: 7 Maxwell Road, #01-56/57, Amoy Street Food Centre, Singapore 069111
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 1:30pm, Tue-Fri 11am to 9:30pm, Sat 3pm to 9:30pm
Tel: 9746 1926
Quan Ji is not halal-certified.
Tucked in the corner of Telok Ayer Street is French Fold. This cafe was the talk of the town for a brief period for its delicately presented dishes. This restaurant makes their crepes and galettes Breton-style, which means that the batter is made with specially imported buckwheat flour, giving them a unique nutty flavour. We loved the No.4 ($18++), a pretty package of ham, mushrooms, sunny-side-up egg, and Comte cheese, perfect as a breakfast platter.
Read our French Fold review.
Address: 204 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068640
Opening hours: Sun-Wed 8am to 10:30pm, Thurs-Sat 8am to 11pm
Tel: 6223 1670
Website
French Fold is not halal-certified.
If you are looking to do some cafe-hopping, Plain Vanilla is a great place to start! This long-standing coffee place does its basics well. Try their “PBJ” ($10++) sandwich, which has a twist of house-made sea salt almond butter and raspberry rose jam. Or pair your coffee with their Earl Grey Lavender Cupcake ($4.80++), our favourite out of their mainstays for its rich tea flavour.
Read our best Plain Vanilla cupcakes feature!
Address: 134 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068600
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am to 7pm, Sun 7:30am to 5pm
Tel: 8299 0674
Website
Plain Vanilla is not halal-certified.
If you’re in the CBD and craving legit tori paitan AKA chicken ramen, head to Tori San. Order their Signature Toripaitan Chicken Broth Ramen ($12.90), which is surprisingly affordable given the eatery’s prime location! This dish features chicken breast, grilled chicken meatballs, and springy noodles, served with Tori San’s specialty chicken broth. Fans rave about the soup being light yet flavourful—perfect for those who want something light between work. Other highlights include Truffle Umami Toripaitan Chicken Broth Ramen and Truffle and Porcini Broth Ramen, priced at just $13.90 each.
Read our Tori San feature.
Address: 116 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068585
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 8966 0116
Website
Tori San is not halal-certified.
Hellu Coffee at Far East Square is where you get delicious croffles! On our visit, their Maple Bacon ($7.90+) croffle was a delicious, chunky mix of savoury and sweet in each bite. Hellu Coffee is also known for its Creamu drinks, which feature a generous amount of whipped cream on top. We got their Iced Matcha Creamu ($8.90+) and really liked the balance of earthy matcha and sweet cream. Do note that there’s a minimum order of one item per diner.
Read our Hellu Coffee review.
Address: 137 Amoy Street, #01-05, Far East Square, Singapore 049965
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8am to 5pm, Fri 8am to 4pm, Sat 10am to 4pm
Website
Hellu Coffee is not halal-certified.
To experience eating yong tau foo (YTF) in a bar setting, try out Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen. The restaurant offers Ampang-style YTF, where the toppings you pick will be deep-fried, drenched in meat gravy, and served with thick bee hoon or rice. The last time we went there, we loved that the deep-fried ingredients stayed crunchy even after being covered in gravy. Their menu is extensive too, with other items ranging from skewers to dumplings.
Read our Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen review.
Address: 127 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068596
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am to 11:30pm, Thurs 11am to 12am, Fri 11am to 1am, Sat 4pm to 11pm
Tel: 9011 5810
Website
Fu Lin Bar & Kitchen is not halal-certified.
Leshan Cafe is located inside Thian Hock Keng Temple, next to the Musical Box Museum. This is where you can eat Peranakan food while soaking in the peace of the temple. The cafe is known for the Sing Laksa (from $13.60), as their customers love the large prawns and rich broth. Else, you can also try their Laksa Ramen ($16.60) with the same noodles found at Ippudo Ramen!
BTW, the Kueh Kueh ($1.60 per piece) in this cafe is also approved by Malaysian comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Ronny Chieng, as he once featured their kueh on his IG story.
Address: 168 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068619
Tel: 9864 6021
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am to 4:30pm
Website
Leshan Cafe is not halal-certified.
Beppu Menkan has been serving up ramen in Singapore for more than 20 years. Their affordable yet special noods come with a variety of toppings. A popular pick is the Beef Char Siew Ramen ($14.80++), featuring sliced beef char siew, corn, and fried garlic, served in Kyushu soup. Other delicious options include Tori Curry Ramen ($15.80++) and Hiyashi Ramen ($12.80++): cold ramen with char siew, crab stick, shredded carrot, and bamboo shoot.
Address: 3 Pickering Street, #01-32/33, China Square Central, Singapore 048660
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm, Sat 11:30am to 10pm
Tel: 6438 0328
Website
Beppu Menkan is not halal-certified.
AiFOKATO first made its debut as a takeaway kiosk along Telok Ayer, and has since expanded to a sit-down cafe at Amoy Street. Fans can look forward to a new menu item: Gelato Shakerato ($9). You get espresso, shaken with ice till light and frothy, topped with a scoop of gelato. First-timers here must try their viral DIY Affogato ($10), where the staff pours your drink of choice into an IG-worthy well. Guests can choose between four gelato flavours: Korean Matcha, Madagascar Vanilla, Premium Pistachio, and Dark Chocolate, as well as three hot pours: Espresso, Chocolate, and Matcha.
Read our AiFOKATO Amoy Street feature.
Address: 97 Amoy Street, Singapore 069916
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 10:30am to 9pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am to 10:30pm
Website
AiFOKATO is not halal-certified.
Located at Far East Square, ROSTii blew up earlier this year for their oven-baked rosti bowls and premium toppings. The crowd favourite has got to be the Smoked Wagyu Brisket ROSTii ($15), featuring thick slices of smoky Wagyu brisket, smothered in house-made hickory BBQ sauce, served with rosti and topped with sour cream. On our visit, we enjoyed the Chicken Herb Sausage ROSTii ($12), starring two snappy and juicy chicken sausages. The Smoked Salmon ROSTii ($12) is great for something lighter. What’s more, prices here are nett, so you can enjoy a rosti feast without breaking the bank.
Read our ROSTii feature.
Address: 135 Amoy Street, #01-02, Far East Square, Singapore 049964
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 3pm
Website
ROSTii is a Muslim-owned eatery.
If you need a quiet place for a corporate meal or family gathering, Kulto is a great pick. There’s a great mix of tapas, seafood, meats, and paella dishes to choose from, great for sharing with the table. Must-tries include the Jamon Iberico Croquettes ($16++), Seafood Paella (from $58++), and Suckling Pig with Quince Paste & Padron Peppers ($95++), which feeds up to four diners. We recommend ending your meal with their famous Kulto Cheese Cake ($16++), made with Manchego cheese and white chocolate.
Address: 87 Amoy Street, Singapore 069906
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 9620 5626
Website
Kulto is not halal-certified.
Take note, chicken rice fans: Katong Mei Wei Chicken Rice has opened an express outlet in the CBD! Located at ICON Link@ClubStreet, an underground mall connected to Telok Ayer MRT Station, this opening marks the brand’s third location, following its original stall at Katong Shopping Centre and a second outlet in Bedok. At Katong Mei Wei Express, prices start at $8.80 for a Regular Chicken Rice, which comes with a serving of chicken, rice, achar, a bowl of soup, and condiments. If you’re sharing with your colleagues, go for the Quarter Chicken ($16.80), Half Chicken ($22), or Whole Chicken ($42).
Check out our Katong Mei Wei Express feature.
Address: 8 Club Street, #B2-19, ICON Link@ClubStreet, Singapore 069472
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 7pm
Tel: 9789 6886
Website
Katong Mei Wei Express is not halal-certified.
Fans of Japanese nightlife will instantly recognise Torikizoku by its iconic yellow signage. After their VivoCity debut was a hit, they’ve opened another outlet at 18 Cross, offering the same casual and affordable izakaya experience. Torikizoku is known for its standardised pricing, with all skewers and small plates priced at $3.90++ each, making it a wallet-friendly option for casual nights out or after-work gatherings. At the VivoCity outlet, we enjoyed Signature Kizokuyaki skewers, available in both breast and thigh cuts, alongside chunks of leek. Pair the skewers with your choice of three seasonings: Rock Salt, Sauce, and Spice.
Read our Torkizoku feature.
Address: 181 South Bridge Road, #01-02/01-K1, 18 Cross, Singapore 058743
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm, Fri 11am to 3pm, Sat, 12pm to 8pm
Website
Torikizoku is not halal-certified.
Japanese handrolls are not exactly cheap, so when we found Onori, a two-minute walk from Telok Ayer MRT Station, we knew we had to feature them. Here, handrolls are sold in sets of three, four, and five for $11.90+, $14.90+, and $17.90+, respectively. This works out to around $3.50+ per piece—not bad at all, especially in this economy. Combinations include Hotate w Uni Paste, where premium scallops are paired with creamy uni, and Unagi Kabayaki, featuring grilled unagi in a sweet-savoury glaze. Each roll is made fresh to order with Akitakomachi rice, which is steeped in red vinegar and kombu for an added depth of flavour.
Read our Onori review.
Address: 135 Amoy Street, #01-03, Far East Square, Singapore 049964
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 8pm, Sat 11am to 3pm
Tel: 6298 2236
Website
Onori is not halal-certified.
SODENG Korean Restaurant in Telok Ayer claims to be the first and possibly only K-BBQ restaurant in Singapore to serve duck, cooked at the table on a sodaeng (소댕), or the pot lid of an ancient Korean cooking vessel called the gamasot (가마솥). We started our meal with the Fresh Plain Duck ($34++), which sees boneless pieces of young duck meat seared on the sodaeng. Besides duck, they also offer Woo-Dae Galbi ($45++ per person), AKA whole prime ribs marinated in a house-made sauce, as well as side dishes such as Pumpkin Pancake ($14++), Truffle Steamed Eggs ($10++), and Ddang-cho Stir-fried Cuttlefish ($27++).
Read our SODENG Korean Restaurant review.
Address: 175 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068623
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 10:30pm
Tel: 9787 4542
Website
SODENG Korean Restaurant is not halal-certified.
Test Kitchen is my go-to cafe if I’m ever in the area. Helmed by Mediacorp actress Rebecca Lim and her brother, Daniel, they’re best known for their pastries and bakes made fresh daily. Situated right at the entrance of 18 Cross, it’s perfect for busy office-goers or those looking for a wholesome meal. The cafe started as a bakery and has since expanded its menu with a variety of lunch bowls. Must-tries include the Salmon & Cauliflower Mezze Bowl ($17), featuring flaky salmon atop a plethora of vegetables and generous chunks of cauliflower, as well as the Torataku Spinach Salad ($15) for a lighter, low-carb option featuring tuna chunks and shirataki noodles.
Read our Test Kitchen feature.
Address: 18 Cross Street, #01-13, Cross Street Exchange, Singapore 048423
Opening hours: Mon-Tue 8:30am to 4pm, Wed, Fri 8:30am to 4pm, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat 8:30am to 2pm
Tel: 8803 5876
Website
The Test Kitchen is not halal-certified.
Ask your nearest “ABG” about their favourite Telok Ayer cafes, and Sarnies will invariably enter the conversation. This Australian-inspired cafe has become a cult classic among Singapore’s cafe scene, attracting a loyal fanbase over the years. “Sarnie” is British-Australian slang for sandwiches, so you won’t go wrong ordering any of their eponymous items. Chicken Schnitzel ($24++) adds German influence to your lunchtime routine, featuring thick and juicy fried chicken cutlets between white bread. Steak Wrap ($17.60++) also makes for a substantial meal—it’s packed with grass-fed steak, mixed cheese, mixed mushrooms, scrambled eggs, and tomato relish.
Address: 136 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068601
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 5:30pm
Tel: 9810 9608
Website
Sarnies is not halal-certified.
For many Singaporeans, familiarity with Korean food tends to start and end with K-BBQ, kimchi stew, and seafood pancake. GAMJA aims to change that by introducing diners to gamjatang, a traditional Korean pork bone soup. At GAMJA, a bowl starts affordably at just $15.80++. The restaurant offers five variations, each served with rice: Traditional ($15.80++), White ($15.80++), Aged Kimchi ($17.80++), Boneless ($17.80++), and Perilla Seed ($18.80++), which features a nutty, non-spicy broth. Sides are also available, including Kimchi Jeon Pancake ($12.80++), Rolled Omelette ($14.80++), Perilla Oil Fried Eggs ($8.80++), and Signature Potato Salad ($10++).
Check out our GAMJA coverage.
Address: 21 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069620
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am to 3pm, 5pm to 12am
Tel: 6222 1206
Website
GAMJA is not halal-certified.
If you think CheongDamChae is just another K-BBQ restaurant, think again. Here, rolling metal rods are used to grill your meats instead of the typical stationary grill, offering an automated and hassle-free experience. Put the grill to the test with their assortment of meats available, ranging from Prime Rib ($52.80++) to Duloc Pork Belly ($32.80++) and Marinated Pork Collar ($28.80++). Wash all the grease down with the Spicy Soft Bean Curd Stew ($17.80++), with a choice of seafood or beef brisket for protein. They also offer sotbap, AKA Korean pot rice, topped with a variety of ingredients.
Read our CheongDamChae review.
Address: 123 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068592
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: 8080 5181
Website
CheongDamChae is not halal-certified.
Now you know that cheap food in Telok Ayer is not just food from Amoy Street Food Centre. With these places, you can hide from the lunch crowd and still be able to enjoy tasty food!
For more goodies in the area, check out our Chinatown food guide for an affordable hotpot buffet and Michelin-approved curry mee. Alternatively, check out the best Korean restaurants in the CBD for legit jjajangmyeon, K-BBQ and more.
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