When you’re in Batam, malls are a must-visit because you get to shop and eat for a fraction of the usual prices in Singapore. If you haven’t been since pre-Covid days, Grand Batam Mall is the newest entrant you should check out.
The mall has a ton of affordable activities for you and the fam to enjoy – from family-friendly arcades and kiddy amusement parks to a free-flow Japanese buffet. Here’s a guide of things to do in Grand Batam Mall.
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For the most part, the cost of living is cheaper in Batam than in Singapore. Entertainment and food are generally cheaper. Shopping international brands in Indonesia may cost about the same but buying from local brands can be a lot more affordable.
With a ton of games to explore, arcade lovers can spend all their time at Fun World. Expect to find classic arcade games like car racing and basketball, along with more unique ones like a piano key game.
If you want a physical keepsake to take home, try winning cute plushies from their row of claw machines, or redeem your game tickets for prizes at the counter before you go. For some major 2000s nostalgia, be sure to stop by the neoprint photo booths at the centre of the arcade.
Location: Level 3 – A4
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
While arcades are fun for older kids and adults, those travelling with young ones can hop over to Kidzilla instead.
The kiddy amusement park has obstacle courses and interactive games for young’uns to explore, and parents can hand-hold their kids through the play zones. The sensory play will help with your child’s psycho-motor development too, so it’s really a win-win situation for all.
Location: Level 3 – A1 to A2
Rates: From $14.70/pax
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: Kidzilla tickets
Chill at CGV’s aesthetic waiting area before your movie.
If Singapore’s weekend movie ticket prices have deterred you from catching new flicks before, get this – tickets at CGV cost less than student ticket prices here.
A regular weekday ticket only costs RP35,000 (~S$2.99), while weekend ticket prices remain affordable at RP50,000 (~S$4.28). Spend a little more and you’ll be able to opt for luxurious cinema seats, including the Satin Suite (RP65,000, ~S$5.56), which features reclining chairs and USB charging ports. Talk about being bougie on a budget.
Location: Level 3 – A3
Rates: From RP35,000 (~S$2.99)/ general ticket
Contact: CGV website
Besides brands like H&M and Uniqlo that we’re already familiar with, Grand Batam Mall also has home-grown Indonesian brands that are worth checking out.
Whether you’re a girly girl or into the edgy Y2K aesthetic, you’ll be able to snag some cute fits from Colorbox. The shop pretty much carries everything that’s in trend, from cargo pants to baby tees and pretty florals. Clothes are also pretty affordable, with some tops costing below S$10.
Meanwhile, those looking for slightly more formal apparel can check out This Is April. At first glance, it may remind you of The Editors Market with its wide selection of neutrals and semi-formal clothing. The pieces here are reasonably priced, ranging from S$15-S$30 on average.
Et Cetera also sells a good range of semi-formal clothes that make for good office fits. Expect to find maxi dresses, blouses, and knitwear. Items here average on around S$20-S$30, but keep an eye out for sale racks to bag even better deals.
Colorbox
Location: Level 1 – 08
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 0778 488 9435 | Colorbox website
This Is April
Location: Level 1 – 28
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 887 0833 2295 | This Is April website
Et Cetera
Location: Ground Floor – 16
Contact: +62 812 7061 7636 | Et Cetera website
Skincare and makeup buffs, here’s your chance to stock up on your products. Grand Batam Mall houses beauty shops that aren’t available in Singapore, many of which carry a mix of Western, Indonesian, and K-beauty brands.
Make Over’s physical store in Grand Batam Mall.
We recommend looking out for brands that aren’t easy to find in Singapore. For instance, head to cosmetics store Sociolla to find rare K-Beauty brands like Holika Holika, or shop local Indonesian brands like Make Over.
Sociolla
Location: Ground Floor – 20
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +62 081 198 7881 | Sociolla website
C&F
Location: Ground Floor – 28 to 29
Contact: +62 077 8488 8441 | C&F website
Make Over
Location: Ground Floor – 28A
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 778 488 8800 | Make Over website
Athleisure is all the rage these days. Whether you hit the gym on the daily or just love lounging around in comfy activewear, Grand Batam Mall has most of the major sports brands we love.
If you’re looking for new kicks or sportswear, browse the shelves of Adidas, Fila, and Skechers stores. While prices aren’t significantly cheaper than in Singapore, you’ll be able to save a little because of the conversion rates.
Adidas
Location: Ground Floor – 23
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +62 778 749 3675 | Adidas Indonesia website
Fila
Location: Ground Floor – 05
Contact: Fila Indonesia website
Skechers
Location: Ground Floor – 24 to 25
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Skechers Indonesia website
Singaporeans can’t say no to Japanese food, but there’s no denying that it can be pretty costly. Thankfully, there are plenty of options here – all at a fraction of the prices at home.
Say goodbye to S$30 buffets – at Shaburi & Kintan Buffet, you’ll get your buffet fill starting at just RP295,000 (~S$25.21). Feast on tender cuts of beef and chicken, alongside a generous selection of sides such as sushi, fried chicken, and soft-serve ice cream.
If a buffet sounds a little too heavy for you, another popular Japanese chain to try out is Marugame Udon. Udon fanatics may remember an outlet in ION a couple years ago that has since closed down. If you were a fan, you’ll be able to enjoy the tasty noodles again at Grand Batam Mall.
The famous restaurant sells specialty handcrafted udon, dubbed the “number 1 udon in the world”, at affordable prices of less than S$10 per bowl.
Shaburi & Kintan Buffet
Location: Ground Floor – 27A
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +62 778 488 8966 | Shaburi & Kintan Buffet website
Marugame Udon
Location: Ground Floor – 36A
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +62 811 3112 3497 | Marugame Udon website
Whether you’re overseas or in Singapore, we won’t blame you for needing your daily boba fix. Grand Batam Mall has multiple options for bubble tea addicts – all at super affordable prices.
The milk tea had a smooth and creamy texture paired with a sweet sakura taste, while the smoothie was thick and flavourful with bits of oreo inside.
We decided to try Man Man Tang, a tea and soft serve chain we can’t find in Singapore. The cute shop sells a range of teas and shakes, with brewed teas starting at only RP18,700 (~S$1.60), and milk teas starting at RP30,800 (~S$2.63).
We opted for their pink-coloured seasonal special, the Sakura Bobo Milk (RP33,000, ~S$2.82), along with a good ol’ Oreo Smoothie (RP30,000, ~S$2.56). Our order even came with 3 free mini cookies, the perfect little snack to go along with our drinks!
Location: Level 3 – 29
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Man Man Tang Facebook
Image credit: @citrapempek via Instagram
There’s no way a trip to Batam is complete without getting one’s fill of Indonesian food. At Grand Batam Mall, there are multiple options for local cuisine, such as Citra Pempek.
The popular store has multiple branches city-wide and serves up dishes like Ayam Penyet, and Nasi Goreng with kerupok on the side.
Prices are super reasonable too – a savoury plate of Ayam Penyet costs only RP27,000 (~S$2.31), while fan-favourite dish Nasi Goreng costs just RP31,500 (~S$2.69).
Location: Level 3 – 23 to 24
Opening hours: 10am-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: +62 778 749 3763 | Citra Pempek Instagram
If you’ve been on the cafe-hopping circuit in Singapore for a while, you would have heard of Toby’s Estate. The Australian-owned cafe is one of the OGs that still serves aromatic cuppas and brunch classics like eggs benedict and roast beef sandwiches.
Image adapted from: Toby’s Estate
Getting a seat at the Singapore outlet usually involves long waits so here’s an alternative – Toby’s Estate right at Grand Batam Mall. There are crowd pleasers like the House Special Ribeye Steak (RP655,000, ~S$56.82) that comes with salad,fries, and a side of mac and cheese.
Image credit: @tobysestateid via Instagram
You’ll want to check out the Indo-Aussie fusion dishes that are only available at the Indonesian outlets. There’s the Signature Oxtail Fried Rice (RP185,000, S$15.81) that comes with grilled oxtail and is served with a soup made from oxtail bones.
Location: Ground Floor – 35
Opening hours: 8.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 812 5887 8801 | Toby’s Estate Instagram
The next time you head to Batam, be sure to add Grand Batam Mall to your itinerary – whether you’re planning to shop till you drop, feast on good food, or play arcade games, the mall has a ton of food and leisure options to satisfy every type of shopper.
The official currency of Batam is the Indonesian Rupiah. Some of the more touristy places do accept Singapore Dollars instead but it can be a bit of a gamble. You’re better off getting some Indonesian Rupiah from a money changer in Singapore before your trip, just in case. Most places in the city will accept card payment.
Take a ferry from either Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal or HarbourFront Passenger Terminal. The ferry takes 45-70 minutes per way, depending on which terminal you depart from.
Book round trip ferry tickets to Batam from Singapore
Address: Jalan Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +62 778 488 8800
More things to consider for your Batam trip:
Photography by Tasha Sun.
Cover image adapted from: @citrapempek via Instagram
Originally published on 7th September 2022. Last updated by Raewyn Kohh on 29th February 2024.
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