Serangoon Road, the main thoroughfare of the area known as Little India, during the annual Hindu Deepavali festival. (Photo: Getty Images)
Cover Serangoon Road, the main thoroughfare of the area known as Little India, during the annual Hindu Deepavali festival. (Photo: Getty Images)

Fancy a trip to one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world? You will find everything from workout studios to well-loved homegrown restaurants here

Hindus in Singapore will celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights this weekend and as a result, the spotlight is on Little India, which is currently teeming with food, cultural activities and more. 

As a local treasure, Little India is well-known for being a hotspot for some of the best food, beauty salons, local shops and even gyms in Singapore. You can find everything from the richest meals that include spicy curries and mouth-watering biryanis to the most proficient eyebrow-threading services and much more.

No matter if you live in Singapore or are here on vacation, there is always something new that you can discover. To explore the neighbourhood yourself, keep reading for our guide to Little India.

Don’t miss: The Best Ways to Celebrate Deepavali 2022 in Singapore

Eat & Drink

Lagnaa Barefoot Dining

This intimate three-storey bistro may look unassuming from the outside but did you know that Lagnaa Barefoot Dining won a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2019?

Chef and owner Kaesavan, who heads the restaurant, is known for experimenting with different flavour profiles and his dishes feature seasonal ingredients and unique combinations.

Lagnaa is also well known for its spice challenges whereby diners compete to prove their tolerances in a spice competition held on full moon nights.

Sakunthala’s Restaurant

Sakunthala’s Restaurant needs no introduction. Located along Race Course road, this local Indian restaurant has been a staple and well-loved favourite for many in Singapore.

The restaurant offers an extensive menu of North Indian and South Indian cuisine and even Chinese-fusion dishes but its crowd favourites are definitely its signature fish head curry, creamy butter chicken and crisp garlic naan. 

Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice

Little India may primarily play host to many Indian restaurants and cafes but Singapore is an amalgamation of cultures and cuisines. 

Located in Tekka Centre is Heng Gi Goose And Duck Rice, a stall that serves up tender and flavourful Teochew-style braised duck.

Awarded the Michelin plate in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2019, the stall sees many fans daily who enjoy its tender duck paired with its tangy vinegar-based chilli.

Bismillah Biryani

Briyani is a staple food for many who live in Singapore but ask anyone what their favourites are and you will get a multitude of different responses. 

However, you can’t go wrong with a place that has received six consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand rewards, which is why Bismillah Biryani is a must-try when you are in Little India. 

The restaurant cooks up basmati rice with spices, meat and more over a charcoal fire which gives it a deeper and richer flavour profile. It is absolutely addictive so you'll certainly want to pay this spot a visit 

Muthu’s Curry

No trip to Little India is complete without a trip to Muthu’s Curry which won a Bib Gourmand in the  Michelin Guide Singapore 2019.

The restaurant, which has been around since many of us were children, serves up traditional dishes from both North and South India. Some of their signature dishes include fish head curry, masala prawns and tandoori chicken.

Allauddin’s Biryani

If you are looking for a biryani spot with more options, you’ll want to try this spot that was awarded a Michelin Plate in 2019. Here, you can opt for more than just your typical mutton or chicken biryani. Rather, you can get options such as fried fish, eggs, fried chicken and more with your biryani.

You can find this stall in Tekka Market and they are open from 8 am to 10 pm daily. 

Wellness

Yoga In Common

Did you know that yoga is an ancient Indian spiritual practice typically practised by Hindus (as well as Buddhists and Jains)? As you can expect, there are numerous yoga studios scattered around Little India. For a studio with yoga teachers specialising in a variety of yoga types and a variety of different classes, you’ll want to check out Yoga in Common. 

Yoga in Common provides classic yoga classes as well as creative free-flow practice classes and calming sessions to help you slow down. They have a wide variety of dedicated teachers who specialise in different yoga such as Hatha, Myring and Yin.

Boulder Movement 

Want to work out more but hate traditional gyms? Why not try bouldering? Bouldering is, in essence, a free form of rock climbing. Without ropes and harnesses, you can focus on climbing, getting into the flow and figuring out your climbing routes. 

The best part? You don’t even need any experience to get started because the area is perfectly safe and staffed with experienced and friendly climbers who will take you through the basics. 

Vincy’s Beauty Services

Little India is pretty well known for having a multitude of beauty salons where you can go to get your hair done, waxing, eyebrow threading and more. 

Vincy’s Beauty Services is one of the most popular and highly-raved spots in Little India that specialises in body, hair and face care. This is a superb place to visit if you need to do eyebrow threading because the owner and her team are very experienced.

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