Things to do in Little India
Step out of Little India MRT and you’ll wonder if you’ve been transported to a city in India. In every sense of the word, the neighbourhood is a true representation of the Indian community in Singapore. You’ll find beautiful temples, restaurants serving authentic Indian food, and shops selling colourful Indian garb as well as jewellery. Here are some things to do in Little India.
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Little India
- – Activities & attractions –
- 1. Indian Heritage Centre
- 2. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
- 3. Little India Arcade
- 4. Mustafa Centre
- 5. Tekka Place
- 6. New World’s End
- 7. Tan Teng Niah House
- 8. Tekka Centre
- 9. Alleys with aesthetic street art
- – Restaurants, cafes & bars –
- 10. The Banana Leaf Apolo
- 11. Komala Vilas
- 12. Three’s A Crowd
- 13. The Wired Monkey Singapore
– Activities & attractions –
1. Indian Heritage Centre
Learn more about the Indian community through free events & exhibitions
If you’ve always been intrigued by the sight of kavadi-bearers having multiple piercings during Thaipusam or the ritual of Theemithi AKA firewalking, here’s your chance to find out more. The Indian Heritage Centre offers a glimpse into the history of the Indian community in Singapore.
Permanent galleries at the centre feature ancient sculptures, ceremonial artefacts, and plenty of stories of early migrants. One of the highlights is a wooden frame of a Chettinad residence with intricate carvings of figures and motifs. There are also free guided tours daily from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Image credit: @hazel_magahis via Instagram
Occasionally, the centre holds various workshops ($10-$25) such as miniature painting, jewellery making, and saree tying. There are also free live cooking demonstrations and cultural performances during festivals such as Deepavali and Pongal.
Head to their website to find out when such workshops and open houses take place. You won’t want to miss the food tasting session of special snacks and sweets or the festive decor.
Admission: Free for Singaporeans & PRs | $8/pax for foreigners
Address: 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: Indian Heritage Centre website
2. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Admire the detailed architecture of one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples
Image credit: @ellama_5168 via Instagram
As you walk along Serangoon Road, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple with its colourful tower structure is hard to miss. Built in 1881, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful Hindu temples in Singapore. Spend a few minutes at the entrance to take a good look at the detailed carvings on the tower – it is truly a work of art.
Here’s a fun fact: the temple was a refuge for people trying to stay safe from air raids during WW2. What’s more remarkable is that the temple survived the bombings without any harm.
Image credit: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore via Facebook
Prayers are conducted in the mornings and evenings, so if you want to observe the ceremony, go around 7am or 7pm. Make sure to dress modestly with bottoms covering your knees.
Admission: Free
Address: 141 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218042
Opening hours: 5.30am-12pm & 5pm-9pm, Daily
Contact: Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple website
3. Little India Arcade
Get henna, try Indian sweets & buy costume jewellery
Preserved in a building known as Little India Arcade is a cluster of shophouses selling handicrafts, jewellery, and Indian sweets amongst other things. You’ll find a number of beauty salons where you can get henna (from $6/hand) as well as services such as eyebrow threading.
Image adapted from: @tamkokseng, @herroyaldukeness via Instagram
For Indian sweets and snacks, make a beeline for Moghul Sweet Shop or Ganesan Villas Sweets & Savouries. The former is well-known for their gulab jamun dessert and savoury samosas with potato fillings. If you’re looking for accessories like bangles and dangling earrings to complete an Indian outfit, you can find them here for an affordable price too.
While you’re there, check out neighbouring Campbell Lane which is lined with stores that are seemingly an extension of the arcade. In particular, Jothi Flower Store is the go-to for flowers and garlands.
Address: 48 Serangoon Road, #02-07, Singapore 217959
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Little India Arcade website
4. Mustafa Centre
Buy anything & everything for cheap at this 6-storey shopping centre
Everyone knows Mustafa Centre, but that won’t stop us from talking about it once again. After all, the 6 floors hold over 300,000 items and most things are on a budget too. The stuff here spans multiple categories including groceries, luggage, household items, tech gadgets, clothes, jewellery, and we could go on.
In the food and groceries section especially, you will notice a lot of brands from India. Here’s where you can find unique snacks and flavoured items like Maggi Masala. If you need anything before a trip, it’s worth checking out the shopping haven for last-minute travel items.
Address: 145 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207704
Opening hours: 9.30am-2am, Daily
Contact: Mustafa website
5. Tekka Place
Go bouldering & shop for Indian handicrafts
Formerly known as The Verge, Tekka Place is the mall at the start of Serangoon Road. Its directory list mainly features restaurants, fashion retailers, and enrichment centres. At Bacos, one can try Indian fusion food with dishes such as Tandoori Chicken Pizza and Lamb Shank Biryani. There’s also a Starbucks for your coffee fix and a spot to work or study from.
Arts & Culture is the store to check out for home decor such as statues and traditional standing lamps. They also have handcrafted jewellery boxes and Indian musical instruments. DALANIE Traditional Massage is where you can get a massage, mani-pedi, facial, and eyelash extensions.
Image credit: Boulder Movement via Facebook
Climbing enthusiasts looking for bouldering gyms in Singapore will be pleased to know that level 2 of Tekka Place houses Boulder Movement. This outlet specialises in bouldering walls only and is a cosy little space with fewer crowds on weekdays.
Address: 2 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218227
Opening hours: 8am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Tekka Place website
6. New World’s End
Audio tour about the former New World Amusement Park
Image credit: @newworlds.end via Instagram
With Singapore’s rapidly changing landscape, iconic landmarks have come and gone. And while you can’t see the New World Amusement Park anymore, you can go on a self-guided walking tour by OH! Stories through the back alleys of Little India to find out more.
New World’s End is an audio tour based on the old theme park that follows the story of fictional characters Kiran and Rosa. The latter is loosely based on the striptease dancer Rose Chan who was considered a celebrity during the glory days of the amusement park.
Image credit: @chunkiefilmhouse via Instagram
You learn more about the history of the park as you follow the lives of the 2 characters. The tour then ends in a hidden bar – Exit Stage Left – where you can get hyper-local cocktails from $22. The menu features drinks made from Singaporean spirits such as Tanglin Singapore Gin and Compendium Dark Rum.
Admission: $35/pax
Address: 85 Desker Road, Singapore 209646
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5.30pm-9.30pm (Closed from Sundays to Tuesdays)
Contact: OH! Stories website
7. Tan Teng Niah House
Snap photos for the ‘Gram at the iconic Chinese villa
Image credit: @meg_in_sg via Instagram
Think of Little India and the image that is most likely to come up is that of the colourful facade of Tan Teng Niah House. This is the last Chinese villa of its kind in the neighbourhood and its rainbow-coloured exterior in saturated hues makes it one of the most Instagrammable spots in Singapore.
The story goes that the house was the residence of the Chinese businessman Tan Teng Niah who owned sweet shops along Serangoon Road. Eventually, when the area was being redeveloped they moved out. In the 19080s, the house was then restored and conserved as a reminder of its heritage.
Address: 37 Kerbau Road, Singapore 219168
8. Tekka Centre
Dig into local food like biryani & shop for Indian traditional clothes
For most older folks, a trip to Little India most likely means a visit to Tekka Centre. Whether to buy fresh groceries from the wet market or to enjoy a meal at the hawker centre, do drop by this gem.
Some of the more famous Tekka Centre food stalls include 545 Whampoa Prawn Noodles, Temasek Indian Rojak, and Allauddin’s Briyani. Yes, there are numerous halal options too.
Head to the upper floor for fashion retailers that sell Indian clothes, jewellery, and accessories. This is the go-to for locals to get their snazzy new outfits for Deepavali. Nestled within the rows of stores are a few tailors and seamstresses too that can help with alterations from just $5.
Address: 665 Buffalo Road, Singapore 210665
Opening hours: 6.30am-5pm, Daily
9. Alleys with aesthetic street art
Go on a walking tour to see numerous colourful murals
Image credit: @instawasabisabi via Instagram
While walking about the neighbourhood, you might spot several murals. Most of these are on the side of buildings located in the inner streets. The best way to spot all of them is to embark on this Little India art trail. Just follow the map and you’ll be able to see 9 of the artworks, mostly created by local artists.
Image credit: @debbieannebayliss via Instagram
The street art is a tribute to the vibrant Indian community, in particular the migrant workers, and traders and merchants of yesteryear. Don’t miss the whimsical painting of cows along Kerbau Road and the beautiful painting of traditional Indian dancers near Little India MRT.
– Restaurants, cafes & bars –
10. The Banana Leaf Apolo
Taste their famous fish head curry
Image credit: @birdbrainfarter via Instagram
Much like is the tradition in South India, meals at The Banana Leaf Apolo are served on a banana leaf. A typical meal here consists of biryani, cabbage, eggplant, and papadum. To add on, the Signature Fish Head Curry (from $33) is a must-try. If you aren’t able to take a lot of spice, order a side of cooling yoghurt and lime juice to appease your palate.
While they are more well-known for their South Indian food, the menu also features North Indian dishes such as Tandoori Chicken ($36.72) and Butter Naan ($5.94). And if you’re wondering whether the name was inspired by Apollo 11, yes, it was. The founder was spurred on by the mission to start his very own business.
Address: 54 Race Course Road, Singapore 218564
Opening hours: 10.30am-10.30pm, Daily
Contact: The Banana Leaf Apolo website
11. Komala Vilas
Chow down on authentic vegetarian South Indian food
Image credit: @chowingchandra via Instagram
Having been around since 1947, Komala Vilas is an institution. OGs will know that for the best dosai in town, it is the place to go. Despite its fully vegetarian menu, the place is always packed with locals and tourists. There are a couple of outlets in Little India but for the authentic experience, head straight to the original outlet along Serangoon Road.
Image credit: Komala Vilas Vegetarian Restaurant via Facebook
They only accept walk-ins, so expect to queue for around 20 minutes during lunch and dinner hours. Choose from 15 varieties of dosai ($2.90-$6.50) including masala with potato filling, cheese, and onion. Also popular are their thali or set meals (from $10) for those who want to try a little bit of everything.
Address: 76-78 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981
Opening hours: 7am-10.30pm, Daily
Contact: Komala Vilas website
12. Three’s A Crowd
Cool down with ice cream & waffles
The cafe also serves brownies ($8.30), choco lava cake ($8.30), and banana bread ($8.80).
Image credit: @threesacrowdcafe via Instagram
Given the sheer amount of things to do in Little India, it’s easy to plan a day out hopping around the neighbourhood. And if you’re looking to make it a place for date night, make your way to Three’s A Crowd for desserts after a meal.
This cosy little halal ice cream cafe offers interesting flavours like masala chai, salted yolk lotus, and Kaya n Speculoos. Each scoop of ice cream (from $4.30) can be had on its own or paired with a waffle of your choice – classic ($6), ondeh ($9), or f’rrero ($9.80).
Address: 50 Race Course Road, Singapore 218562
Opening hours: Mon-Tue & Sat 11am-10.30pm | Sun 11am-4.30pm (Closed from Wednesdays to Fridays)
Contact: Three’s A Crowd website
13. The Wired Monkey Singapore
Grab a cuppa joe & work from this hole-in-the-wall cafe with power plugs
There are also a number of power plugs to charge your laptop or phone.
Image credit: @galkasss via Instagram
Looking for a quiet working spot in town? The Wired Monkey Singapore is a cute little cafe in Little India perfect for a solo work or study sesh. Although the space is relatively small, there are steps with movable individual tables, enough to fit your laptop or a book, plus a drink.
7 spiced chai ($6) and iced latte ($6).
Image adapted from: @thewiredmonkeysg via Instagram
The baristas brew the coffee fresh daily and offer the standard – long black ($4.50), latte ($5), flat white ($5), and cappuccino ($5). Non-coffee drinkers, there are options for you too including hot chocolate ($6) and matcha ($6). Aside from the drinks, check out their small section of fresh bakes to accompany your drink.
Address: 5 Dunlop Street, #01-00, Singapore 209335
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm | Sat-Sun 8.30am-5pm
Contact: The Wired Monkey SG website
Plan a day out in Little India with meals, shopping & sightseeing
Drop by during the festive season to check out the pop-up bazaars and light-ups.
Image adapted from: @call_me_king_ram_46 via Instagram
Now you know; Little India isn’t just a place to buy Deepavali snacks, there’s so much more to explore. Plus, the street art and exhibitions at Indian Heritage Centre are absolutely free. So, plan a day out to shop, eat, and walk the lanes of Little India.
More neighbourhood guides:
Cover image adapted from: @chowingchandra, @instawasabisabi & @chunkiefilmhouse via Instagram
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