Closed McDonald’s outlets in Singapore
McDonald’s was undoubtedly a “third space” for many of us – a spot to hang out after school during our teenage years or grab a late-night supper, often for just around $5 or less. Many outlets, from those in town to the heartlands, quietly became a part of our routines and memories.
Sadly, some of these familiar McDonald’s locations have disappeared over the years. So here’s a look back at some iconic McDonald’s outlets in Singapore that have closed down, but still live on in our memories.
Table of Contents
1. McDonald’s Tampines Mall
Longstanding neighbourhood fast food option
Image credit: Mervyn Phea via Google Maps
McDonald’s Tampines Mall first opened in November 1995, and would have run for over 30 years by the time it closed on 8th March 2026 – making it one of the longest surviving fast food chain outlets in the area.
Screenshot from: Google Maps
This outlet joined the other 3 McDonald’s outlets around Tampines: Tampines Bus Interchange for takeaways, Our Tampines Hub, and another within the neighbourhood. So if you ever ran out of things to do in the area, ending up at McDonald’s was almost inevitable; the Golden Arches were everywhere you turned.
Screenshot from: Reddit
Even so, the Tampines Mall branch remained especially popular among students and families. Many remember it as a regular post-school hangout or casual meeting point before heading home.
2. McDonald’s Raffles City
Quick lunch spot for office workers
Image credit: hytam2 via Flickr
Waking up early in the morning is one thing, but dragging yourself to town for work is another – unless you live nearby. That’s when McDonald’s Raffles City came in clutch, especially with their $5 breakfast McSaver meals to ease the morning crankiness.
Located in Raffles City above City Hall MRT, the outlet first opened in September 2009 and closed in February 2024. Often packed during lunch hours and weekends, it was known as a reliable, no-frills lunch spot for busy office workers in the heart of the city.
3. McDonald’s *SCAPE
Nostalgic youth hangout place
Image credit: Scape
Opened in 2010, McDonald’s *SCAPE quickly became a familiar hangout, especially since the area was known as a youth enclave – it drew in students, skateboarders, dance crews, and anyone looking for a late-night supper spot in town.
Screenshot from: Reddit
For many, this McDonald’s outlet was tied to after-school meetups and spontaneous gatherings that stretched into the night. It closed on 22nd February 2023, marking the end of an era for those who grew up frequenting the space.
Image credit: The Red Marker via Google Maps
The outlet later moved to Cineleisure just a few steps away, taking over the former KFC unit. Although the new space has been renovated to offer more open seating, longtime patrons still reminisce about the *SCAPE location.
4. McDonald’s Lucky Plaza
Convenient supper spot in the heart of Orchard Road
Image credit: James Haung via Google Maps
McDonald’s Lucky Plaza opened for business in the 1970s and operated for a whopping 34 years before closing on 14th January 2023. The outlet was stationed in the basement and also the entrance of the mall, so it was hard to miss, making it the go-to option for casual lunches or dinners for most who passed by.
McDonald’s Lucky Plaza celebrated 34 years of business before closing down.
Image credit: u/verylittlegravyagain via Reddit
Its long run also meant that generations passed through its doors, and its closure left an emptiness in many hearts – even along Orchard Road, where new F&B spots seem to pop up every other week.
5. McDonald’s Science Centre
Post-secondary school learning journey reward
Image adapted from: Bryan Tan & Emerine Loh via Facebook
For many of us, McDonald’s Science Centre is tied to some of our earliest childhood memories, right alongside the iconic Albert Einstein figure on the ropes. The outlet was a familiar routine of the typical “Science Centre trip”. After spending hours exploring exhibits, stopping by McDonald’s felt like a well-earned treat.
Alas, all good things come to an end – it opened in the 2000s and operated for about 20 years before closing on 22nd March 2020.
6. McDonald’s K.H. Kea Building
Hangout spot for the artsy kids
Image credit: Arcadia Dizon via Facebook
McDonald’s K.H. Kea Building opened in 1985 and closed in 2019 – it was nestled in the Bras Basah area near schools and arts institutions, so it was exactly where you’d expect students, creatives, and night owls to congregate.
Screenshot from: Reddit
This outlet was known for its central location and laid-back vibe, often a place to sit, chat, and pass the time between classes or rehearsals.
7. McDonald’s King Albert Park
Featured Hamburglar & Ronald McDonald
Image adapted from: The Long and Winding Road via Facebook
Opened in 1991 and closed in March 2014, McDonald’s King Albert Park was especially well-loved by residents in the west. It even had the OG Hamburglar statue outside, which became an icon in its own right, and Ronald McDonald flanking the McD’s logo.
Screenshot from: Reddit
A Redditor recalled that the King Albert Park outlet was extra special, calling it “homeground” for Robert Kwan, who was McDonald’s managing director back then – perhaps because he moved into a bungalow nearby.
There was a unique charm to the space that made it stand out from standard branches – something the newer Dunearn Road outlet couldn’t quite match.
8. McDonald’s Centrepoint
One of the OG outlets
Image credit: NAS Archives Online
If you’re a millennial or boomer reading this, the sight of McDonald’s Centrepoint might’ve tugged on your heartstrings a little. Although it’s considered one of the OGs, it unfortunately didn’t even make it past the 2000s.
Tucked within The Centrepoint along Orchard Road, this outlet was a hot spot for students and town-goers. At the time, it was just another familiar spot, but its disappearance later served as a reminder of how Orchard Road’s landscape is always changing.
9. McDonald’s Liat Towers
Singapore’s 1st McDonald’s outlet
Image adapted from: u/bryan6363 via Reddit
Most of us might not know this, but Singapore’s first-ever McDonald’s outlet opened at Liat Towers on Orchard Road in October 1979. The franchise was brought here by Robert Kwan, a former national water polo player who was inspired after visiting a McDonald’s in Las Vegas in 1975.
Screenshot from: u/bryan6363 via Reddit
Back then, even though a Hamburger only cost $0.95, a visit to McDonald’s felt like a special treat rather than an everyday meal. For many who grew up in that era, Liat Towers marked the beginning of fast food culture in Singapore, though it later closed in 1989.
Here’s a fun fact: on its opening day, the outlet set a world record for the highest volume of hamburgers served in a single day.
Bonus: McDonald’s Shaw Lido
Known for its unique outdoor seating
Image credit: Eleanor De Ocampo via Facebook
McDonald’s Shaw Lido was famous for its spacious layout and iconic outdoor seating area. With a more polished, cafe-like look compared to other outlets, it didn’t quite feel like your usual fast food joint, which was relatively rare among McD’s outlets here. It was especially popular with movie-goers grabbing a bite before or after a show.
Image credit: Joshua Tsu via Google Maps
Although it did not close entirely, the outlet underwent a major renovation in 2013 and lost its unique outdoor seating layout. While it still exists in a different form, many remember the original layout and atmosphere fondly.
These McDonald’s outlets were more than just a place to fill our tummies
As Singapore continues to redevelop and refresh its spaces, older McDonald’s outlets inevitably make way for new concepts and layouts. Even so, these former locations remain tied to personal milestones – from school excursions to late-night heart-to-heart conversations.
They may no longer be around, but for many, these McDonald’s outlets were part of growing up in Singapore, and will probably stay rent-free in our memories for a long, long time.
Take a walk down memory lane:
Cover image adapted from: The Long and Winding Road & Eleanor De Ocampo via Facebook