Hawker classics, restaurant hidden gems and café recommendations — all in one place.
Cuisine
Budget
Little India
A Singapore institution since 1947. Pure vegetarian South Indian cuisine served on banana leaves. Unbeatable value.
Must try
💡 Order the thali — refills of rice and sambar are free.
Get DirectionsLittle India / Race Course Rd
The birthplace of Singapore's iconic fish head curry — invented here in 1969. Spicy, fragrant, and falling-off-the-bone tender.
Must try
💡 Minimum 2 heads for fish head curry. Call ahead on weekends.
Get DirectionsLittle India
Famous for North and South Indian classics on literal banana leaves. The experience of eating from a leaf is part of the appeal.
Must try
💡 Tap on the leaf with your fingers to signal you want more.
Get DirectionsLittle India / Islandwide
A chain of vegetarian South Indian restaurants. Consistently good for a quick, filling and cheap Indian meal.
Must try
💡 Great for solo dining — plates are generous.
Get DirectionsTekka Centre / Little India
Home to what many call the best biryani in Singapore — fragrant saffron-laced rice with perfectly spiced meat.
Must try
💡 Get there by 11:30 am — often sold out before 1 pm.
Get DirectionsSerangoon / Little India
A no-frills vegetarian South Indian restaurant loved by locals. The thali changes daily and everything is freshly cooked.
Must try
💡 Cash only. Set lunch under S$8.
Get DirectionsDempsey Hill
A legend in the Dempsey Hill area since 1963 — South Indian curry served on banana leaves in a heritage army mess hall with fans instead of air-conditioning.
Must try
💡 The fans, the leaf, the curry — it's a full experience. Weekend lunch queues are long.
Get DirectionsLittle India
Outstanding North Indian curries, tandoor breads and kebabs in a simple but beloved Little India spot.
Must try
💡 The naan here is exceptional — order extra. Reasonably priced and very filling.
Get DirectionsLittle India / Islandwide
Crispy, flavourful dosas cooked fresh to order — the masala dosa and paper dosa are exceptional value for a filling South Indian meal.
Must try
💡 Order extra sambar — it's free and delicious with dosa.
Get Directions