Tiong Bahru

Overview

Tiong Bahru is Singapore's hippest heritage neighborhood — a charming area of 1930s Art Deco apartments, specialty coffee roasters, independent bookshops, and excellent hawker food.

Highlights

• Art Deco Architecture: Some of Singapore's finest 1930s residential architecture.
• Specialty Coffee: Landmark cafés like Forty Hands and Tiong Bahru Bakery.
• BooksActually: Singapore's beloved independent bookshop specializing in local literature.

History

Built in the 1930s as Singapore's first public housing estate, Tiong Bahru's Art Deco buildings attracted an artistic community starting in the 2000s, creating a café and gallery culture.

Visitor Tips

• Morning Coffee: Start with a specialty coffee and pastry from the excellent bakeries.
• Tiong Bahru Market: The hawker centre has outstanding chwee kueh (steamed rice cakes).
• Duration: 1.5 hours.