The East side of Singapore has always been known as a food lover’s paradise. Joo Chiat, in particular, has been a food haven for me since my childhood. The eclectic mix of old-world coffee shops and modern gastronomic concepts gives Joo Chiat an alluring vibe that sets it apart from other districts. Here are 22 of our favourite Joo Chiat and Katong food places that we think the rest of Singapore should know about too!
Update: Supperman is now permanently closed.
Table of Contents
Image credit: @noodlelog
Unlike the typical char kway teow and Hokkien mee, it is way more difficult to find wok-fried mee sua in Singapore. Located in a hip hawker bar, Yong Huat is the main reason why I keep coming back to the East. The subtly charred, lard-coated, silky Mee Sua (from $7) will instantly win you over with its nostalgic sinfulness. The portions are generous, with an abundance of vegetables, prawns, pork belly, and a heap of glorious, crispy lard.
Address: 125 East Coast Road, Singapore 428810
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 9816 9066
Yong Huat is not a halal-certified eatery.
It’s possible to dine well without breaking the bank, especially with Awfully Chocolate Bakery & Cafe’s dinner set that costs just $25++ per person. Available daily from 6pm to 9pm, the value-for-money set comes with a starter—we recommend the Grilled Cauliflower Salad—and a main dish of your choice.
Highlights also include the Ribeye Steak, flame-grilled to the doneness of your choice, Pan-Roasted Chicken, and Miso Aged Cod & Spaghettini (top up $3++).
If you’re visiting for lunch instead, definitely go for their weekday lunch set that’s also well-priced at $22++ for two courses. A must-try main is the Seabass Fish & Chips, featuring lightly battered sea bass, served alongside crispy shoestring fries and a creamy French pea pureeé.
Address: 131 East Coast Road, Singapore 428816
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 1pm, Fri 11am to 11pm, Sat 10am to 11pm, Sun 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6345 2190
Website
Awfully Chocolate Bakery & Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Easties, bookmark Supperman Speakeasy & Grill for your next dinner catchup or drinking sesh. This fresh new addition to the Joo Chiat ‘hood offers top quality, flame-grilled Angus steaks, craft cocktails, and a curated selection of wines to boot. Kick things off with the Supperman’s Great Start ($15++), starring charcoal-grilled focaccia with beef-love butter, made from rendering beef fat. It’s also served with a tasting portion of house wine. If you’re in the mood for more booze, top up $5++ to get a full glass of wine!
Then, move onto the star of the show: the Black Angus Ribeye Steak ($38++). This features a 300g slab of Argentinian Black Angus beef, seared and flamed to perfection, accompanied by anchovy butter for an umami hit.
Wash everything down with a glass of Kopi Peng ($23++), a locally inspired cocktail made with whiskey and espresso, and topped with a toasted marshmallow for extra sweetness. Don’t forget to check out Supperman’s weekday drinking deals, where Gin & Tonics and house wines go at $10++ per glass on Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively!
Address: 458 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427671
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 5pm to 12am
Tel: 6345 5034
Website
Supperman Speakeasy & Grill is not a halal-certified eatery.
For Japanese-inspired brunch in Katong, look no further than Cafe Natsu. The beautiful cafe offers mains under $30++, including a hearty Sliced Wagyu Beef Sando ($28++): toasted shokupan slices with sliced Wagyu and mayo, served with togarashi (Japanese spice mix) fries. They also have fusion pastas such as the Arabiki Carbonara ($18++), where spaghettini and Japanese sausage are tossed in creamy sauce, then topped with a runny poached egg.
Don’t miss out on the desserts, too. A popular pick is the Matcha Chocolate Tart ($10++), a decadent combination of dark chocolate mousse, berry coulis, and matcha powder.
Read our Cafe Natsu feature.
Address: 283 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427537
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30am to 5:30pm
Tel: 9827 7860
Website
Cafe Natsu is not a halal-certified eatery.
Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice has made a name for itself as one of the best chicken rice stalls in Singapore. Their Chicken Rice (from $7.70) comes with a generous portion of rice and tender, succulent chicken. The rice is extremely flavourful, and it’s cooked in yellow ginger, which explains its pretty yellow hue. If you choose to dine-in, the stall offers free-flow cabbage soup, achar, and deep-fried garlic bits that are sprinkled over the chicken.
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Tue 10:45am to 7:15pm, Wed-Sun 11am to 7pm
Tel: 9789 6073
Website
Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @quilpopeye
Gone are the days of sweating it out over Indian food at the local coffee shops. Zaffron Kitchen brings us wholesome Indian cuisine in a comfortable, classy setting. My tried-and-tested favourites would be their Butter Chicken ($19.90++) and Tandoori Chicken ($17++ for half chicken). Despite the swanky interior, Zaffron Kitchen still manages to retain the hearty and authentic nature of their dishes.
Address: 137 East Coast Road, Singapore 428822
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 3pm, 5pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am to 10.30pm
Tel: 6440 6786
Website
Zaffron Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @misslovesdoof
If you’re a fan of smoky, char-grilled American pub grub, Smokey’s BBQ is the real deal. The best part is their prices aren’t outrageous, and portion sizes remain reasonable. Their meats are barbecued with hickory wood chips, giving them a distinct smokiness and tenderness. The signature Baby Back Pork Ribs (from $33++) is a must-have.
Address: 73 Joo Chiat Place, Singapore 427790
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 3pm to 11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 12am, Sun 12pm to 11pm
Tel: 6345 6914
Website
Smokey’s BBQ is not a halal-certified eatery
Image credit: @thienjames
Guan Hoe Soon, a family-run Peranakan eatery, is one of the time-honoured Katong food places in Singapore. Their decor is simple, classic and frills-free, much like the food that they serve. Specialties include Ngoh Hiang (from $15.80+), Nonya Chap Chye (from $14.80+), and of course, the Ayam Buah Keluak (from $18.80+).
Address: 200 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01, Singapore 427471
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 9pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm
Tel: 6344 2761
Website
Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @stirlingsteaks
Stirling Steaks is a modern steak restaurant at Katong with a chill setting for tasty food. All their steaks are charcoal-grilled, and the quality of their steaks are not compromised. They offer a value-for-money steak buffet, great if you’re a huge meat lover! Visit for lunch from 12pm to 3pm to enjoy unlimited servings of steak for just $40++ per person. If you’re here for dinner, come by between 6pm to 9pm to enjoy the buffet at $45++. Do note that there’s a one-hour dining limit, though you can top up $5++ to extend it for 30 minutes, or $8++ to dine for the whole three hours of the buffet!
Read our Stirling Steaks feature.
Address: 115 East Coast Road, Singapore 428764
Opening Hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 8940 4245
Website
Stirling Steaks is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @_mikeymoo
Besides the other culinary delights on this stretch, East Coast Road is also home to the famous 328 Katong Laksa. They have a limited menu, only serving dim sum and of course, their famous Laksa (from $7), which is simple yet delicious. Each bowl is filled with thick rice vermicelli noodles, plump shrimps, smooth fish cakes, and fresh cockles, all simmered in a warm bed of their flavourful, coconut-prominent gravy. Many Singaporeans have raved about how they serve up the best laksa in Singapore, so why not come down to try one of the best Katong food places!
Read our 328 Katong Laksa hotpot feature if you’re craving steamboat with laksa soup!
Address: 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am to 9:30pm
Website
328 Katong Laksa is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you love scones as much as we do, make sure to drop by Li’l Chef, an under-the-radar bakery hidden at Parkway Parade‘s CS Fresh. Here you’ll find a fab assortment of freshly baked scones in six sweet and six savoury flavours. Expect innovative flavours such as Maple Walnut, Orange White Chocolate, Truffle, and French Shallot. These scones are priced at $9 for six pieces, which works out to just $1.50 each!
Besides scones, the bakery also offers a small range of pastries including Pain Au Chocolate ($4.50) and Kouign Amann ($4.50 for two).
Read our Li’l Chef feature!
Address: 80 Marine Parade Road, #B1-84, Parkway Parade, Singapore 44926
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8pm
Tel: 6909 3732
Website
Li’l Chef is not a halal-certified eatery.
For icy desserts on a hot day, check out Wan Mei Dessert, located along East Coast Road. They offer traditional Chinese desserts here, alongside customisable snow ice in the form of the Wan Mei Snow Ice Set ($10.90)—the latter lets you choose from seven flavours, 10 syrups, and three out of 24 toppings. During our visit, we also enjoyed the Yuzu Ice Dessert ($5.90), a refreshing treat with yuzu-flavoured ice, mango boba, and lychee jelly. Otherwise, those who want something more old-school can opt for the Cheng Tng ($4.90) instead!
Read our Wan Mei Dessert review.
Address: 11 East Coast Road, #01-14 The Odeon, Singapore 428722
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 8884 9248
Website
Wan Mei Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.
Geylang Lor 29 Hokkien Mee is a famous hawker stall that’s been dishing out fried hokkien mee across generations. You can get it in four sizes: $6, $10, $15, and $20. It’s full of heady prawn flavours, and comes loaded with crispy pork lard for added richness. Here, you can also get the lesser-seen Pork Belly Satay ($1.60 each), which boasts a generous amount of char and a good fat-to-meat ratio.
Read our Geylang Lor 29 Hokkien Mee review.
Address: 936 East Coast Road, Singapore 459129
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 8pm
Tel: 9733 1388
Geylang Lor 29 Hokkien Mee is not a halal-certified eatery.
June Coffee is a fairly new Katong cafe by the founders of September Coffee, another popular cafe in Chinatown. Expect Instagrammable brunch fare such as Honey, Lemon, and Ricotta French Toast ($17++), which comprises a thick slice of brioche toast, topped with ricotta cheese and crunchy pecans. Then there’s also the Truffle Mushroom Pappardelle ($19++), which stars shiitake, king oyster, and shimeiji mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce with fresh pappardelle pasta. While you’re here, try the popular Black Sesame Latte ($8++) and Iced Kinako Matcha ($8++), topped with sea salt soy foam and kinako powder!
Read our June Coffee review.
Address: 49 East Coast Road, Singapore 428768
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 10:30am to 6:30pm, Fri-Sat 10am to 7pm, Sun 10am to 6pm
Website
June Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @j_essfood
Brawn & Brains Coffee is another brunch-food haven along East Coast Road. Try their Fiery Meatball Spaghetti ($24++), which consists of meaty beef meatballs and spaghetti that is coated in a rich tomato-based sauce. Their Flat White (price TBD) is an example of a solid brew. It’s well-balanced in terms of acidity and flavour profile, and does not have an overpowering bitter taste.
Address: 218 East Coast Road, Singapore 428916
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue, Thurs-Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm, Sat-Sun 7:30am to 5:30pm
Website
Brawn & Brains Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice is another delicious food stall around the Joo Chiat and Katong area. Among one of the best chicken rice stalls in Singapore, they only serve kampung chickens, which are supposedly more flavourful, and have a lower fat content. Their chicken rice plates start from $7, and come with tasty rice and juicy strips of chicken. In addition, their chilli is solid, and goes really well with the tender chicken. It tastes garlicky, and possesses an intense kick of spiciness.
Address: 191 East Coast Road, Singapore 428897
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 2am
Tel: 6344 5911
Website
Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @xingafood
Situated on East Coast Road for more than 20 years, Al Forno is a posh Italian restaurant that dishes out tasty Italian favourites. With king prawn, fish fillet, and a dash of chilli in light pink sauce, it’s no surprise that the Spaghetti Al Forno ($29++) is a favourite among many customers. Meat lovers would relish the Costolette D’Agnello Alla Griglia ($37++), which features a juicy grilled rack of lamb, served with creamy mashed potatoes and refreshing mixed vegetables.
Address: 400 East Coast Road, Singapore 428996
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 2pm, 6pm to 10pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6348 8781
Website
Al Forno is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @minegishiakira
Open until 3am, Sin Hoi Sai Eating House is a popular supper spot in the East. If you and your buddies have a ravenous appetite, do get their Chilli Crab (market price), which can feed three to four people. The crab is filled with luscious and juicy crab meat. When paired with the aromatic sweet and spicy sauce, they form a tasty dynamic duo. If you’re feeling the hunger pangs late at night, grab your supper buddies and head down!
Address: 187 East Coast Road, Singapore 428893
Opening Hours: Daily 4pm to 3am
Tel: 6440 6956
Sin Hoi Sai Eating House is not a halal-certified eatery.
A collaboration between The Cicheti Group and Ben Fatto 95, Forma spotlights pasta found in lesser-known regions of Italy. The Linguine al Limone ($29++) is a popular option to order. The Southern Italian classic features a bright lemon sauce prepared with Amalfi lemons and DOP provolone. Bronze-cut linguine is then perfectly coated with the zesty sauce, to serve. Don’t miss out on their new lunch menu too, with classic options such as Spaghetti Alla Carbonara ($28++) with guanciale, Pecorino, and egg.
Check out our full Forma review!
Address: 128 Tembeling Road, Singapore 423638
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6513 2286
Website
Forma is not a halal-certified eatery.
Joo Chiat Banh Mi Caphe specialises in affordable banh mi. Their Mackerel Otah ($6.50) is said to be the only store in Singapore selling otah banh mi, so give that a shot if you only have room for one. Other great picks include the tender and flavourful Honey-Glazed Grilled Chicken Thigh ($8) and the fragrant Grilled Lemongrass Beef Patty with Hoisin Sauce ($8.50).
Check out our full Joo Chiat Banh Mi Caphe review!
Address: 263 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427517
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am to 7pm
Tel: 6988 1900
Website
Joo Chiat Caphe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Image credit: @memantos
Famed for their particularly piquant sambal belacan, Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant is a favourite among fans of Peranakan cuisine. Dishes such as Ayam Buah Keluak (from $17++) and Curry Assam Ikan ($19++) are fantastic picks for your Peranakan feast, as they are said to pack a spicy punch, and are delicious to boot.
Address: 11 Joo Chiat Place, #01-03, Singapore 427744
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 6275 1002
Website
Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: @macadish
Ponggol Nasi Lemak’s various outlets seem to perpetually draw queues, and their Tanjong Katong branch is no exception. You can pick and choose your toppings, with popular options such as luncheon meat ($1), otah ($1.70), fish fillet ($1.70), and chicken wing ($2). Their aromatic coconut rice costs $1.50 for a small serving. The Tanjong Katong eatery closes at 11:30pm on most days, making it a great late-dinner spot!
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437026
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 4:30pm to 11:30pm
Tel: 6287 0020
Website
Ponggol Nasi Lemak Centre is not a halal-certified eatery.
With the variety of delectable food stalls, cafes, and casual restaurants, you and your fambam would be spoilt for choice. There’s always something for everyone, so grab your loved ones and bring them for a feast with this handy Joo Chiat and Katong food guide! For more area-specific food guides, check out our Bedok Food Guide and Raffles Place Food Guide.
This post was brought to you by Awfully Chocolate Bakery & Cafe and Supperman Speakeasy & Grill.
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