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You probably know Dhoby Ghaut best for 2 things: Plaza Singapura and a convoluted MRT interchange that people still get lost in. But if you thought that’s all there is to this neighbourhood’s game, think again. Beyond the malls and insane crowds, there are plenty of solid eats worth slowing down for.
Whether you’re rushing between errands or settling in for a good meal on a night out, we’ve done you a solid by rounding up the 11 best food spots in Dhoby Ghaut. From charming hole-in-the-wall joints and cafes to lively restaurants, these are a real ghaut-send to your cravings.
1. Mama Diam
And the award for the most adorable storefront goes to… Mama Diam! This iconic speakeasy along Prinsep Street pays a charming homage to old-school Singapore, with a void deck-inspired al fresco area and an entryway styled like a colourful mama shop stand, complete with vintage snacks and knick-knacks. Push open the magazine stand on the left, though, and you’ll step straight into a modern restaurant-bar.
Of course, their menu leans into that nostalgia too, with fun twists on local favourites. How about some Singapore Chilli Soft Shell Crab Bao (S$20.90, 2 pieces) and Salted Egg Yolk Chips (S$11.90) for a start?
A must-try is the Chicken Curry Kueh Pie Tee (S$17.90), featuring 6 crunchy pie tees filled with creamy, aromatic chicken curry and a crowning swirl of coconut foam. Don’t forget to indulge in some mains as well, including the pao fan-inspired Chicken Poached Rice with Superior Broth (S$30.90) and the Bak Chor ‘Mee Pok’ (S$20.90), which swaps mee pok for linguine pasta topped with minced meat and mushroom.
Drinks are no afterthought here either. Mama Diam has an extensive variety of cocktails inspired by local beverages, with crowd favourites like the Chai Tarik Brew (S$22), a house-pulled chai laced with brown sugar, whisky and bitters. And if you’re feeling playful, order up a tray of Milo Gao Shots (from S$20 for 3) for a boozy bottoms-up of everyone’s favourite childhood drink.
38 Prinsep Street, Prinsep Place, #01-01, Singapore 188665
+65 8533 0792
Sun to Thu: 4pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 4pm – 12am
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2. Jiang’s Noodle House
Some of the best gems are hidden in plain sight, and Jiang’s Noodle House proves just that. This cosy joint at Parklane Mall dishes up a variety of native Chinese delights, including more than 20 types of noodle dishes in flavours like mala, braised beef and golden soup. They’re open till 6am daily too, so you’re covered for lunch, dinner and even voracious suppers after a long night out.
Now that the weather’s getting a little chillier, there’s no dish we recommend more than the Crispy Chicken Chop Golden Soup Noodles (S$9.70). These noodles are bathed in a creamy yellow broth of pumpkin and collagen chicken — a perfectly slurpable way to warm up, if you ask us.
For something on the opposite end of the spectrum but satisfying all the same, try the Mouth-Watering Seasoned Chicken Cold Noodles (S$9.70). Chewy la mian is tossed in a numbing, tangy mix of chilli oil and vinegar, then topped with century egg wedges, cucumber slices, scallions, coriander and tender marinated chicken that really does live up to its name.
35 Selegie Road, Parklane Shopping Mall, #01-10, Singapore 188307
+65 6530 3100
Daily: 11am – 6am
3. Kuro Kare
Who says school food can’t be good food? Kuro Kare begs to differ. Nestled in the basement of the School of Information Systems at Singapore Management University (SMU), this eatery is helmed by ex-fine dining chefs and specialises in Japanese curry and other restaurant-quality dishes at wallet-friendly prices. And yes, members of the public are very much welcome.
It goes without saying that the star of the show here is their curry, which is painstakingly prepared over no less than 36 hours.
The result? A rich, moreish gravy that pairs well with any of the protein across their 5 set meals. We personally love the K.F.C.: Kuro Fried Chicken (S$9.90+ for SMU students, S$11.90+ for Public) and the Melty Beef (S$14.90+/S$16.90+), which feature thick, crispy chicken katsu and 48-hour black Angus short ribs that practically melt in your mouth, respectively.
Beyond curry, you can also find cheekily named rice bowls like the Apple Of My Ribeye (S$8.90+/S$10.90+), a ribeye-starring take on gyudon, and the colourful 2-Na 2 Furious (S$10.90+/S$12.90+), which comes loaded with cubes of fresh tuna.
80 Stamford Road, SMU School of Information Systems, #B1-65, Singapore 178902
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
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4. ONALU Bagel Haús
You best believe one of the best spots to grab a bagel in Singapore is, once again, at SMU. Onalu Bagel Haús is a popular cafe in the heart of this city campus, baking up these warm, yeasty delights and serving a line-up of loaded bagelwiches plus coffee to pair.
A stone’s throw from the National Museum of Singapore and Fort Canning Park, it’s as convenient a hangout as it gets, too.
Their menu spans 12 bagelwiches, from simple creations like the cream cheese-smeared Say Cheese (S$5) and the PB&J-inspired Jam & Nutty (S$6.50), to hearty picks like Bulgogi Beef (S$14), the lox-style Somethin’ Fishy (S$16.50) and The Big Breakfast (S$18.50), stacked with bacon, honey baked ham, hashbrown, scrambled eggs, cheese and a secret sauce.
I went for the simple yet satisfying Deviled Spam (S$10.50) on a plain bagel, and I don’t see why you shouldn’t as well. The combo of creamy devilled eggs, savoury spam and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese works like a charm — though fair warning, the generous filling tends to spill out, so you might end up eating bits straight off the wrapper (like I shamelessly did). Next on my list: the uniquely local Kaya Thyme (S$10).
60 Stamford Road, Singapore Management University, #01-11, Singapore 178900
+65 8268 5900
Daily: 9.30am – 5.45pm
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5. Ah Nam Kopi
Sorry, we haven’t left the SMU campus just yet — but if a school has a whole Nanyang kopitiam on its grounds, I’m inclined to give it a shout. Ah Nam Kopi resides in the Lee Kong Chian School of Business, and offers solid kopi and nostalgic local favourites priced under S$10.
Kaya Butter Toast (S$3) is never not great, but have you met Ah Nam’s Yam Butter Toast (S$3.50)? Crispy toast is slathered with velvety orh nee paste and sandwiched with slabs of cold butter in this glorious creation. Have it a la carte or in a Set (S$6.60) with jammy Soft Boiled Eggs (S$2.20 a la carte) and a Hot Kopi or Teh.
Where mains are concerned, you’ll find kopitiam classics like Curry Chicken Noodles (S$6.90) and their signature Fried Chicken Nasi Lemak (S$6.90), featuring blue pea coconut rice paired with fragrant fried chicken perfumed with turmeric, cumin and citrus. There’s also Ban Mian (S$5.90) and Char Kway Teow (S$6.90) for noodle fans like yours truly.
50 Stamford Road, SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, #01-01, Singapore 178890
Mon to Sat: 8am – 5pm
Closed on Sun
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6. Freshio Gelato
Few things go better with Singapore’s tropical climate than ice cream, and Freshio Gelato’s sure to make your day with that. This little gelato parlour at Sunshine Plaza has a stellar rating of 4.9 stars across more than 1.3K Google reviews (at the time of writing) — thanks to its cheerful owners’ warm service and, of course, top-notch gelato to match.
No stress about being spoilt for choice, as the owners happily let you sample the flavours you’ve got your eye on before you commit to one (or two, or five…). The line-up spans classics like Salted Caramel (S$5), Belgian Chocolate (S$5.50) and vanilla bean-laced French Vanilla (S$4.70), alongside premium picks like Sicilian Pistachio (S$6.50) and maple-flavoured Mr Pancake (S$5).
Enjoy your scoops in a cup, or pair them with a Waffle Cone (S$1), some Waffles (S$6) or even a Croffle (S$3.50), Crepe (S$3.50) or Lava Cake (S$6.50). If you could try just one, let it be the Panini (S$3.50). Your gelato is sandwiched in a brioche bun and then toasted in a press, giving you a warm, crispy treat with a sweet icy core.
91 Bencoolen Street, Sunshine Plaza, #01-60, Singapore 189652
+65 6970 0358
Thu to Tue: 12pm – 10pm
Closed on Wed
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7. Ichi Tei Japanese Dining
It’s always a win when hole-in-the-wall joints dish up fare that rivals restaurants, and Ichi Tei Japanese Dining makes it seem like no sweat. This humble Sunshine Plaza shop specialises in Japanese rice bowls, udon and sets that could easily pass off as restaurant signatures, all cooked to order for maximum freshness.
Their top-selling Salmon Mentaiko Aburi Don (S$14.50) more than earns its keep. Tender salmon slices are dressed with smoky torched mentaiko, furikake and briny tobiko, then draped over rice drizzled with a refreshing ponzu sauce. The portion runs a little small, but otherwise it was hard to believe I wasn’t paying double at a fancier spot. Even the accompanying miso soup wowed me, steeped in the savoury-sweetness of daikon against the tangy miso.
If that’s not tempting enough, you can also find Sashimi Sets (from S$13.50) starring fresh seafood over rice or udon. Other highlights include Chicken Katsu Curry (S$13 for Rice, S$14 for Udon), Saba Teriyaki (S$12.50/S$13.50) and the indulgent Emperor Unagi Tamagoyaki Kani Don (S$22).
91 Bencoolen Street, Sunshine Plaza, #01-51, Singapore 189652
+65 9139 1746
Mon to Sat: 11.45am – 7.45pm
Closed on Sun
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8. I’m Kim Korean BBQ
The only thing better than Korean BBQ is a Korean BBQ buffet, and I’m Kim Korean BBQ pulls out all the stops with theirs. All-day crowds don’t lie; this popular spot at SOTA (School of the Arts) draws diners for a reason. Their Buffet Lunch and Buffet Dinner are some of the most affordable around, starting from just S$18.90++ and S$29.80++ respectively — with even wallet-friendlier prices for children, students and senior citizens.
Treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat spread of over 50 items, including fresh cuts, salad, side dishes and dessert. Fire up that grill with high-quality meats such as Volcano Chicken, Spicy Pork Belly, Beef Bulgogi and many more, which you can enjoy the Korean way in a Lettuce wrap with some Sliced Garlic and a side of crunchy Kimchi.
That aside, tuck into some ready-to-eat Korean favourites such as Tteokbokki, Korean Pancake, Japchae and Korean Chicken Wings, plus a wide range of freshly prepared appetisers like Assorted Sushi, Fries and even Carbonara.
1 Zubir Said Drive, School of the Arts, #01-04, Singapore 227968
+65 6238 7218
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 4pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 4.30pm & 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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9. Cajun On Wheels
Ever found yourself salivating over one too many seafood boil mukbangs at 2am in bed? Cajun On Wheels at Plaza Singapura will satisfy those cravings in a pinch. Inspired by the soulful flavours of Louisiana and New Orleans, this halal-certified restaurant serves up hearty buckets and platters of seafood perfect for feasting to your heart’s content.
Grab your seafood-loving friends and dig into the Poseidon Bucket (S$113, 2-3 pax), starring a medley of Sri Lankan Crabs, Prawns, White Clams, Blue Mussels, Sweet Corn and Baby Potatoes, all slathered in your choice of sauce — think Cajun Cheese, Sambal Chilli Egg and more.
Bigger group? You’re going to need a bigger bucket. Enter the Olympian Bucket (S$254, 5-6 pax), which piles on even more of each Poseidon Bucket item, plus some glorious buttery Boston Lobster to savour.
Fret not if you’re dining solo or would prefer not to commit to a full bucket, there are plenty of options that’ll leave you just as satisfied. Among many, the Mixed Seafood Platter (S$22) is served with a side, carb and drink of your choice, while The Naughty Platter (S$42, 1-2 pax) features deep-fried squid, charcoal grilled seabass with kicap manis sauce, tiger prawns and your pick of pilaf rice or aglio olio pasta.
68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura, #03-92, Singapore 238839
+65 6341 9665
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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10. Paper Rice
Vietnamese food is, dare I say, some of the best in Southeast Asia, and Paper Rice is where you can secure a solid fix. This huge restaurant greets you the moment you step into Plaza Singapura, and it’s a real challenge not to be reeled in by their pho, spring rolls, coffee and many other authentic Vietnamese specialities.
Where to begin? You won’t go wrong with their Top 12 Recommendations, such as the Beef Combination Pho (S$17.90), packed with beef slices, meatballs, tendon, tripe and more in a robust slow-cooked beef bone broth, or the stunning Wagyu Waterfall Beef Pho (S$35.90), where those slurpable silky noodles meet slices of delectable fire-torched Wagyu beef topside.
Their pork dishes are equally worth seeking out, with must-tries like the Fresh Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Pork (S$12.90), Grilled Pork Chop Rice (S$14.90) and Minced Pork Roll Banh Mi with Spicy Sauce (S$10.90 a la carte, S$15.90 set), which tucks tender marinated minced pork into a crispy baguette. Round it off with a Spring Roll Platter (S$23.90) for sharing, and a creamy Egg Milk Coffee (S$4.80 Hot, S$4.90 Cold) to wash it all down.
68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura, #01-55, Singapore 238839
+65 9017 3147
Daily: 11am – 10pm
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11. BIZEN Wagyu & Salad Bar
Finally, some days call for indulgence in the form of steak, which BIZEN Wagyu & Salad Bar duly delivers. Think tender, juicy steaks… except that’s not all. This outlet at Plaza Singapura also offers a Super Salad Buffet that lets you pad your main course with various salads, sushi, hot sides and desserts.
BIZEN serves Okayama A3 Wagyu in 20 different cuts, from Chuck (S$37.90, 150g) and Hanger (S$37.90, 150g) to Sirloin (S$61.90, 220g) and Ribeye (S$73.90, 220g), each charcoal-grilled to tender perfection and plated with an artsy smear of mashed potato. My pick, the Plate (S$37.90, 150g) was exactly that — succulent and toothsome.
Not a steak person? The Charcoal Grilled Chicken (S$27.90) is a worthy alternative, with tender grilled chicken seasoned in an aromatic blend of herbs and spices, and a sweet-savoury tamari dark shoyu glaze. And if it’s bang for buck you’re after, the Chicken Katsu (S$25.90) serves up a hefty panko-breaded chicken thigh with fries, mesclun salad and yuzu mayo.
68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura, #03-65, Singapore 238839
+65 6219 3463
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
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