Siglap was once known as a fishing village with coconut plantations, and today it has become a residential area with bustling cafes and lifestyle shops. Often overshadowed by the popular East Coast Park and the Bedok area, many of us may not know what Siglap has to offer.
From cocktail mixing workshops to cable skiing and artisan cafes, here is a list of the best things to do in Siglap.
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Back then, Siglap was only accessible by bus or by car as its location was not well connected to other MRT stations. However, that has changed since the opening of Siglap MRT station on 23rd June 2024 as part of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) development, and today it connects the schools and residential areas around Marine Parade.
Many of the shops on this list are within 5-10 minutes of walking distance from Siglap MRT, and you also have the option of taking the bus from the nearby bus stops at Siglap Station or Laguna Park.
Image adapted from: @studio_marbleous, @thenomadstent via Instagram
The Sundowner is a social space in a shophouse with a rooftop farm, craft workshops, and movie screenings. For those who love abstract art, consider going for a Paper Marbling class ($65/child, $95/adult). You’ll be crafting marble-like patterns using paint, water, and paper while soaking in the zen ambience of their rooftop garden. You’ll also be able to bring home your finished papercraft in the form of coasters and framed works.
Nomad’s Tent inside The Sundowner.
Image credit: @thesundownersg via Instagram
If arts and craft isn’t your thing, the centre also offers Cocktail Mixing workshops ($95). In a 1.5-hour session, you’ll learn about mixology and bar equipment, and then create 3 cocktails of your own. The classes are held at Nomad’s Tent, a desert-themed bar with a Dune aesthetic. They also have mocktail sessions which use fizzy drinks instead, so don’t worry if you’re bringing your kids or just want to stay sober.
Image credit: Singapore Wake Park
Visit Singapore Wake Park, our country’s one and only cable ski park located at a lagoon in East Coast Park. This park that is accessible within a 15-minute walk from Siglap MRT, has 3 cable systems catered for experienced, novice, and amateur riders. If you haven’t tried cable skiing before, don’t worry as there will be an instructor for beginner sessions.
Each session ($50/person) runs for an hour and allows a maximum of 4 riders at one time. You can also purchase their Share-The-Fun pass (from $350) which can be used among family members, and you can choose either 10, 25, or 50 hours at cheaper prices.
When you’re feeling hungry, head to the nearby East Coast Lagoon Food Village or Coastal Rhythm, a bar serving seafood and Western cuisine like their Avocado Creamy Scrambled Egg Bagel ($14) and Half Dozen Fresh Oysters ($25).
Image credit: Nparks
For those looking for a more budget-friendly activity, take a stroll at the Siglap Park Connector. The connector is 7.6km long and runs along the Siglap Canal, linking Bedok Town Park, East Coast Park and Tampines Park.
If you want to burn some extra calories, you can also rent a bicycle or a pair of rollerblades at rental shops found in East Coast or Telok Kurau Park. As you cycle around the Eastern Coastal Loop, you will be sightseeing the many neighbourhoods and greenery found around Siglap.
Situated at the Mandarin Gardens, Little Artists Art Studio offers art classes for kids aged 2.5 to 17 years old. With over 25 years of experience in helping students win art awards, their courses cover canvas painting, oil pastel techniques, and even making clay sculptures.
Image adapted from: @littleartists_sg via Instagram
Other than classes for kids, the studio also has programs for adults involving portrait sketching, oil painting, and group art jams. Each art jam session runs for 2 hours and will set you back $50/person, so you can bring your family for a fun bonding experience.
Image credit: The Red Marker via Google Maps
Every once a while we all need a spa day for our tired bodies, and there is no better place to go than Natureland Springvale East Coast. This parlour with zen interiors offers the traditional foot and body massages that run anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and you can also go for a 5-in-1 Therapy ($63.22/hour) that targets your foot, head, neck, shoulder, and back.
Image credit: The Red Marker via Google Maps
What makes them stand apart from regular spas are their unique services, such as their Body Scrub ($43.60/30 minutes), Slimming Massage ($81.75/hour), and Guasha for the back ($32.70/20 minutes).
If you want to get a 10% discount on all massages, consider signing up for their membership like their $500 or $1,000 packages, which come with 2 complimentary gifts each like essential oils, shampoo, and vouchers.
Image credit: Little Splashes Aquatics
For parents whose children are still not old enough to understand how fun Sentosa is, Little Splashes Aquatics is giving swimming lessons directed at infant development. Their classes are held in an indoor heated swimming pool, and you’ll be accompanying your child under the guidance of a trained instructor.
Each class is 30 minutes long and will have a ratio of 1 teacher to 5 infants, and is meant for infants aged 3 to 36 months old. Swim diapers ($3) or reusable diapers ($15) are compulsory and are sold at the school. There are also independent classes for kids aged 3 years old and above, where you can comfortably watch them swim from the poolside.
Image credit: The Coconut Club
Known for their coconut milk recipes, The Coconut Club serves familiar hawker favourites in a presentation similar to fine dining. The best-selling dish here is their Nasi Lemak ($22.80), using organic chicken that is marinated in their rempah sauce for 12 hours. Other crowd favourites are their Soto Ayam ($18) and Singaporean Seafood Laksa ($26), with specialty drinks like Coconut Cold Brew ($9) and Coconut Shake ($10) also available.
Image credit: @thecoconutclubsg via Instagram
To complete your experience at this restaurant, check out their recent capsule collection in collaboration with OM by Ong Shunmugan, which has kampung-style inspired shirts.
Image credit: @craftsmenspecialtycoffee via Instagram
At Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, you’ll be immersed in a cosy dim-lit environment as you sip down their drip coffee. You’ll have a wide range of coffee to choose from such as their Espresso ($4) and Macchiato ($4) made from arabica beans.
Image credit: @craftsmenspecialtycoffee via Instagram
For lunch options, they have waffles, pasta and brunch items like Truffle Egg Sourdough ($22). The prices for their mains range from $11 to $32, with must-try items including their Wurst Waffle ($20) made with pork bratwurst and caramelised banana.
Image credit: Lionel Low via Google Maps
Prata is a staple breakfast for many Singaporeans, and Springleaf Prata Place brings something new to the table with over 20 variations of prata. Their menu has unique renditions of their own like 2017 Prata Alfredo ($14.80), 2016 Salted Egg Prawn Prata ($16.20), and 2014 Plaster Baster ($8.60), a prata with poached eggs similar to eggs benedict.
Other than prata, you’ll also find briyani, nasi goreng, and murtabak here. They frequently have monthly promotions with discounted prices and set meals including free drinks, so check out their Instagram page for updates.
Image credit: S “iLovecheRRies” via Google Maps
If we’re talking cheap options, there’s no other place that has more affordable options than Siglap 936 Food House. It’s a food court that sells Beef Kway Teow, Duck Rice, and go-to Economic Rice, and it runs 24-hours so you can come here for your late night suppers. The stall selling Mala Xiang Guo is pretty popular too.
Image credit: Royal Cakes
The Royals Cafe is a halal concept cafe that specialises in handmade cakes and pastries. This is the place to get your Western comfort food like Crab Cake Burgers and Shepherd’s Pie, with the Hazelnut Crunch Cake ($55) being their best-seller.
Image adapted from: @melindakato, @theroyalssg via Instagram
The local cuisine scene here is strong as well, with them vouching for their Mee Siam as the “best in Singapore” made with homemade sambal and more than 12 ingredients for a rich broth.
Image credit: @focr.sg via Instagram
With a similar artisan vibe to the cafes you’ll find at Tanjong Katong, Five Oars Coffee Roasters is a cafe that serves drinks like kombucha and mains as well. They have 2 menus, catering to both the morning and evening crowds with brunch items like Avocado Toast With Sourdough Poached Eggs ($19) and Acai Bowl ($16). Their night menu will give you options like Wagyu Cheese Burger ($28) and a wide variety of pasta.
Image credit: @focr.sg via Instagram
For those looking to complement their meal with a tipple, the cafe also offers craft beer with a price range of $11-$20, ranging from brands such as Hefeweizen and Passing Thoughts that are made from traditional ingredients like malted barley.
Image credit: @jagsbar via Instagram
Jag’s @ Siglap is the ideal cafe for all the sports fans out there, offering live broadcast matches and beer nosh to accompany your beers. It’s an English style bar which serves Western Cuisine like Grilled Pork Chop ($16) and finger food like Duck Fat Fries ($13). Their liquor ranges from beer to red wine, cocktails and sake and if you can make it, their happy hour is from 3-8pm daily.
Image credit: Takafumi Kuramoto via Google Maps
For the live sports matches, they often release game schedules for soccer, rugby, and F1 on their Instagram page, so do check it out before heading down. They have seasonal promotions like Wednesday Curry Nights where you can top up $5 for a curry bowl on top of a pint of beer, so be on the lookout for promotions like these.
Image credit: Francis D via Google Maps
Last but not least, visit Mikawa Yakitori Bar, a Japanese izakaya that specialises in kushiyaki skewers. Ranging from $2 to $3.90, they have over a 1,000 assorted skewer choices like bonjiri (chicken tail), hatsu (chicken heart), buta bara (pork belly with onion), and gindara (cod fish).
Image credit: Mikawa Yakitori Bar via Google Maps
Alcohol-wise, they mainly serve Asahi Super Dry Beer and Asahi Super Dry Black in 0.5 litre pints ($9.90) and 3 litre towers ($49.90). You can browse the yakitori options in their menu before making a trip down.
Covering everything from outdoor activities to eating spots, there’s no reason for you to say there’s nothing to do in Siglap now. Whether indulging in arts and crafts or going cafe hopping interests you more, give this neighbourhood a chance and explore it the next time you’re in the East.
For more neighbourhood guides:
Cover image adapted from: @thesundownersg, @theroyalssg, @bella.mytoypoodle via Instagram
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