Uncover Chinatown Singapore: Hidden Gems & Must-Visit Spots With Kids!

FOOD & DRINKS

MAXWELL FOOD CENTRE: Kadayanallur Street *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Maxwell Food Centre is one of the most popular hawker centers in Singapore and it’s not hard to see why. From fish soup to tasty BBQed meats, oyster cakes, dumplings, curry, and award-winning Hainanese Chicken Rice, there are some seriously cheap and tasty meals here, making it the perfect place to try a bit of everything. Note, lunchtime gets very busy, so it is best to visit outside the hours of 12pm to 2pm to secure a table.

Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184, maxwellfoodcentre.com

CHINATOWN FOOD STREET: Smith Street *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Chinatown Food Street is a great place to try a range of local foods. Showcasing specialty Chinese dishes in a collection of hawker stalls, restaurants, and kiosk-style shops. You will find tasty BBQ meats, noodles, dumplings and even some delicacies like stingray. What’s great about Food Street is that all the shops are in one spot and it doesn’t matter if it is rain or shine, you will be protected from the elements by the roof.

Chinatown Food Street, Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore 058953, www.chinatownfoodstreet.sg

FOOD PLAYGROUND: Sago Street *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Food Playground is a hands-on cooking school where you learn about Singaporean food, culture, and heritage. Learn how to make some tasty local dishes like laksa, satay, roti prata or curry and once you’re done, sit down and enjoy your meal. Suitable for adults and children aged 7 and above, this is a fun way to spend the day with the family. What’s also great is that Food Playground is a socially conscious organization, as it helps stay at home mums and seniors with employment opportunities.

Food Playground, 24A Sago St, Singapore 059020, +65 9452 3669, www.foodplayground.com.sg/index

SHOPPING & FITNESS

TRAPEZE REC CLUB: Tanjong Pagar Road *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Just a short walking distance from Chinatown lies Trapez Rec Club, a wellness club that welcomes both locals and tourists. Whether you’re looking for a good sweat session with a martial arts class, or seeking some zen with yoga, you’ll find all that here. Chill after your workout at their sauna or ice bath, before relaxing with a cuppa at their in-house cafe that serves food too!

Trapeze Rec Club, 27 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088450, +65 9296 4927, trapezerec.club

LITTERED WITH BOOKS: Duxton Road *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Littered with Books, is aptly named, as it is literally littered with books. Spanning across two levels, you will be hard-pressed not to find what you are looking for. They stock a great range of books of all genres for kids, through to young and older adults. Younger kids will enjoy the picture books, and coloring books, while the adults will appreciate the funky vibe of the shop, the friendly staff, and the regular rotation of recommended reads.

Littered With Books, 20 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089486, +65 6220 6824, www.facebook.com/lwbsg

CHINATOWN POINT *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

When you want to hide away from the scorching heat or pouring rain, there’s no better shelter than the mall. Chinatown Point is the perfect escape for both locals and tourists, since it offers tons of food and shopping options, such as Daiso, Kra Pow and Refash. Kids will also love the claw machine spaces, as well as seeing animals at Pets Lover Centre!

Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059413, +65 6702 0114, chinatownpoint.com.sg 

PAGODA STREET MARKET: Pagoda Street *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

If you are looking for inexpensive Singaporean souvenirs, then Pagoda Street Market is the place to visit! From keyrings to magnets, chocolates, bags, pens, notebooks, and clothing, there is everything you could ever want, if you are looking for Singapore emblazoned items. Since it is a street market setting, you can try your hand at bargaining here to get the best bang for your buck.

Pagoda Street Market, Chinatown, Singapore 059188

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

BUDDHA TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE: South Bridge Road *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an impressive Buddhist temple in the middle of Chinatown. The temple is adorned in gold and the first floor has 100 buddhas lining the wall each with a different pose. The fourth floor is the most sacred place and holds what is said to be Buddha’s tooth. Admission to the temple is free, but don’t forget to dress respectfully when entering. The entrance is also a pretty backdrop for visitors to snap some IG-worthy photos at!

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058840, +65 6220 0220, www.btrts.org.sg

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE: South Bridge Road *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple and is dedicated to the goddess of the same name, which is definitely worth a visit. The temple is filled with beautiful bright colors and intricate sculpting. Admission is free, but a donation is requested if you take photos. If you visit in October or November you may be lucky enough to see Theemithi which is the fire walking ceremony, where believers test their faith by walking on hot coals. Remember as this is a temple, be sure to dress respectfully.

Sri Mariamman Temple, 244 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058793, +65 6223 4064, www.smt.org.sg

CHINATOWN HERITAGE CENTRE: Pagoda Street *Top Places To Visit In Chinatown Singapore

If you want to step back in time, the Chinatown Heritage Centre is a great place for the whole family to gain some insight as to how Chinatown has changed since the 1950s. Recreations of shop fronts, personal accounts, and a multimedia guide included in the price of admission, help tell Chinatown’s history. While there, be sure to capture those selfies in the insta photo booth, and also visit the onsite shop to pick up some charming Singaporean memorabilia.

Chinatown Heritage Centre, 48 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059207, +65 6224 3928, www.chinatownheritagecentre.com.sg