Information
Landmark: Tiong BahruCity: Southern Region
Country: Singapore
Continent: Asia
Tiong Bahru, Southern Region, Singapore, Asia
Overview
Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore’s oldest quarters, mixes pre-war shophouses with trendy cafés where the smell of fresh coffee drifts into the street.In the heart of Singapore, Tiong Bahru blends art deco curves with hip cafés, quirky boutiques, and a vibe that’s both relaxed and buzzing.Once a quiet neighborhood of worn brick homes and shady porches, it’s now a lively hotspot where vintage storefronts stand beside sleek cafés, drawing both locals and visitors alike.First.Tiong Bahru first took shape in the 1920s and ’30s, built as one of Singapore’s early public housing estates, with neat rows of low-rise flats lining its quiet streets.Among Singapore’s earliest planned housing estates, it rose during the British colonial era to house a swelling population, with neat rows of shophouses lining its narrow streets.The area was first meant for the Chinese community, and many buildings still show the bold lines and geometric patterns of the art deco style that was in vogue back then.Tiong Bahru Market: In Hokkien, “Tiong Bahru” translates to “new cemetery,” a nod to the neighborhood’s history as a burial site for early Chinese settlers, where weathered headstones once stood among tall grass.Over the years, the old cemetery gave way to rows of houses, with children’s laughter ringing where headstones once stood.Tiong Bahru Market has long been the heart of the neighborhood, where the scent of freshly steamed dumplings mingles with the buzz of conversation over morning coffee.Number two.Architectural Heritage Tiong Bahru is best known for its striking art deco buildings, their curved balconies and clean lines giving the neighborhood its unmistakable charm.Low-rise, whitewashed apartment blocks line the streets, their rounded corners and curved windows catching the light, with crisp geometric patterns that felt revolutionary back then.Pre-War Architecture: In Tiong Bahru, rows of curved balconies and pastel walls stand as some of Singapore’s finest, best-kept examples of 1930s design.Some HDB flats, still home to families, curve around spiral staircases and open into wide courtyards where the breeze lingers.The buildings have been carefully cared for, keeping the neighborhood’s old brick charm intact while still making room for modern upgrades.In this neighborhood, you’ll find some of Singapore’s finest Art Deco buildings, their clean lines and curved balconies still standing just as they were decades ago.The design blends stepped facades, detailed tile work, and wide windows that flood the rooms with sunlight, making each home feel open and full of air.Three.Tiong Bahru Market, with its rows of sizzling woks and the smell of freshly steamed dumplings, is one of Singapore’s oldest and most beloved hawker centres.Right in the neighborhood’s heart, this lively market buzzes with food stalls dishing out some of Singapore’s best flavors, from sizzling satay to fragrant laksa.They rebuilt it and opened the doors again in 2006, blending sleek new facilities with the warm, familiar charm of worn oak beams.Hawker food here is a feast-don’t miss chwee kueh, soft rice cakes crowned with savory preserved radish; lor mee, noodles swimming in thick, rich gravy; smoky satay; and char kway teow, flat rice noodles tossed in a sizzling wok.The market’s known for its real taste of local cooking, from sizzling noodles to fragrant spice stalls, and for the lively bustle of a true hawker scene.Fresh Produce: Alongside the food stalls, the market bustles with vendors offering crisp apples, leafy greens, glistening fish, and cuts of meat, drawing in both locals and curious travelers.It’s the perfect spot to dive into Singapore’s lively food scene, from sizzling satay skewers to steaming bowls of laksa.Number four.Over the years, Tiong Bahru has blossomed into a go‑to spot for hip cafés, flaky‑croissant bakeries, and quirky little boutiques.The neighborhood buzzes with youthful energy and creativity, drawing young professionals, artists, and food lovers to its lively cafés and colorful murals.Cafes and Eateries: In Tiong Bahru, you’ll find everything from a quiet corner serving rich, nutty espresso with warm croissants to sleek spots reimagining classic Singaporean dishes with a modern touch.You’ll find favorites like Tiong Bahru Bakery, famous for buttery, flaky croissants, and BooksActually, a cozy bookstore that also serves coffee.In Tiong Bahru, you’ll find independent boutiques tucked along quiet streets, selling everything from soft linen dresses and handmade ceramics to quirky antiques and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.The shops here have a boutique, artsy vibe, like hand-painted signs in the windows, and it gives the whole neighborhood a spark of creativity.Five.Tiong Bahru Plaza sits in the heart of the neighborhood, a bright, modern mall where glass panels catch the afternoon sun.You’ll find everything from sleek fashion boutiques to buzzing electronics stores, along with cozy cafés and lively spots for an evening out.The mall brings a sleek, modern buzz to the neighborhood, yet you can still spot Tiong Bahru’s old shophouses with their peeling pastel paint.Number six.Today, Tiong Bahru blends the charm of art deco blocks with sleek new apartments, where residents sip coffee under leafy sidewalks and call both eras home.People love this neighborhood for its mix of charm, easy access to shops and transit, and a calm, tree-lined vibe-yet it’s only minutes from the heart of the city.HDB Flats: Many of the iconic art deco blocks still house families, their curved balconies catching the late afternoon sun.Over the years, a few have been updated with fresh paint and new fixtures, yet they still hold onto the warm, timeworn beauty of their past.In recent years, the neighborhood’s seen a wave of gentrification, as younger professionals move in, drawn by its old brick storefronts and the quick hop to downtown.As a result, more cafés, shops, and lifestyle spaces have popped up-bright doorways spilling warm light onto the street.Seven.While Tiong Bahru is famous for its urban vibe, you can still find pockets of green-like a shaded bench under a rain tree-that offer a calm pause from the city’s noise.Tiong Bahru Park is a quiet stretch of greenery where you can hear the rustle of palm fronds and slip away from the city’s buzz, whether you live nearby or are just passing through.There’s a playground with bright swings, an open-air spot for workouts, and winding paths shaded by thick, green trees.It’s perfect for an early run when the air’s still cool, or for spreading a blanket under the shade and sharing lunch with the family.Roof gardens crown many Tiong Bahru apartment blocks, offering leafy corners and sunny terraces where residents can sit outside, keeping the neighborhood closely tied to nature.The number eight sat on the page like a small, round loop that never quite closed.Tiong Bahru is easy to reach, with buses and MRT lines whisking you to the rest of Singapore-just a quick ride away from Orchard Road or the waterfront.The Tiong Bahru MRT Station, on the East–West Line, sits right in the heart of the city, making it a quick ride to Orchard Road’s boutiques, the offices at Raffles Place, or even Changi Airport.Several bus lines run through Tiong Bahru, making it easy to reach key spots across Singapore-whether it’s a quick ride to Orchard Road or a trip to the waterfront.Cycling: The neighborhood’s becoming more welcoming to riders, with bright blue bike-share racks on street corners and smooth lanes that make it easy to pedal around and see the sights.Number nine, written in a quick dark stroke, sat alone on the page.Even with sleek new cafés and fresh paint on the walls, Tiong Bahru still hums with the history and culture that shaped it.It’s one of the few places left in Singapore where you can still sip kopi at a corner shop while, just next door, a sleek café serves cold brew to a line of students.Cultural Diversity: The neighborhood blends many communities, including families of Chinese descent who’ve called these streets home for generations, their red lanterns still swaying outside familiar doorways.The area’s cultural heritage still lingers in its cobblestone streets and the smell of bread drifting from old brick bakeries.
