Hawker Centres (Maxwell Food Centre)

Overview

Maxwell Food Centre is one of Singapore's most celebrated hawker centres, with over 100 stalls near Chinatown including the world-famous Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice — the dish Anthony Bourdain called the best in the world.

Highlights

• Tian Tian Chicken Rice: Singapore's most famous hawker stall, with queues stretching through the centre.
• Hawker Culture: UNESCO-recognized hawker culture at its finest — affordable, authentic, diverse.
• Range of Cuisines: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and fusion dishes all under one roof.

History

Maxwell Food Centre opened in 1986 in a renovated colonial-era building. It has become the most internationally recognized of Singapore's 114 hawker centres.

Visitor Tips

• Arrive by 11 AM: Tian Tian's queue grows long quickly — arrive before the lunch rush.
• Shared Seating: Claim a seat first, then order — it's accepted etiquette to share tables.
• Duration: 1 hour.