Little India Singapore

Little India is known for its traditional Indian restaurants, especially along Serangoon Road and Race Course Road. The busy streets are filled with malls, jewellery stores and tailor shops. The landmark Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is embellished with colourful statues of Hindu deities. Jalan Besar is a small hip area with quirky cafes serving specialty coffee and inventive modern cuisine.

It's An experience for all five senses. Start at the Tekka Centre, a traditional wet market and food court where fresh meat, seafood, vegetables, fruits and dry goods are sold. Cruise down Serangoon Road to find more groceries, restaurants, teahouses, tailors and Mustafa Centre, a massive department store selling anything and everything. Visit during Deepavali, the Hindu festival of light, held in October or November.

Located east of the Singapore River, Little India is one of the most visited districts in Singapore. The place is famous for its religious sites which include Hindu and Buddhist temples along with a 19th-century Mosque. In the early 19th century, it was an important spot for Europeans because of the presence of a racecourse in the area. As the cattle trading business took over, the place started getting an Indian makeover because of the large number of migrant workers from India settling in.

Later on, the goods & services business flourished, and a lot of Hindu temples and Mosques were built. Today, Little India is one among the most vibrant cities of Singapore because of its Indian and mixed cultured flavours. Along Serangoon road, there are multiple Indian eateries and restaurants where you can try traditional South Indian food, Northern tandoori recipes and some local cuisines like Roti-Prata and Teh-Tarik (pulled hot tea).

You can also visit the brewers who pull hot milk in a unique way, which is a delight to watch. Another famous spot in Little India is the Mustafa Center shopping mall which is open for 24 hours. Just like a festive Indian market, Little India has roofless Tekka Center, goldsmiths, and Saree stores. Little India attracts most visitors during the Indian festive seasons, i.e. near October and November for Deepavali and during mid-January for Pongal.

Buzzing culture

Little India today is one of Singapore’s most vibrant districts. As you walk down Serangoon Road and neighbouring streets, explore their mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches.

Fill your tummy with South Indian vegetarian food, North Indian tandoori dishes and local fare like roti prata (round pancakes) and teh tarik (pulled tea in Malay). Try to spot the brewers ‘pull’ the hot milk tea—it’s amazing showmanship.

Don’t forget to shop. The 24-hour shopping mall Mustafa Centre offers everything from electronics to groceries, or take your pick from open-air Tekka Centre, goldsmith shops and sari stores.

With its close proximity to the city and a bohemian vibe, many artists also call Little India home.

Do visit during Deepavali (usually October or November) and Pongal (mid-January)—the joyous celebrations are wonderful to observe.

Things to do in Little India Singapore

Little India is an ethnic city in the heart of Singapore. Here, you can get in the proximity of cultural and festive joy by visiting the following places;

Photo by Charles Postiaux on Unsplash

1. Visit the majestic Sri Veeramakaliamman temple: 

The Hindu temple dates back to the early 19th century. A huge crowd of devotees comes to pay their respects on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Location: 141 Serangoon Road

Timings: Wednesday–Monday from 5.30am to 12.15pm and from 4 PM to 9 PM and Tuesday from 5.30am to 12.15pm and from 2.30pm to 9 PM

2. Get a glimpse of Chinese culture at the house of Tan Teng Niah:

It's a colourful two-storied villa built-in 1900. Click some selfies near the villa and head to grab a plate of biryani at the nearby courtyard.

Location: 37 Kerbau Road

Timings: No specific timing 

3. Visit the abode of Krishna at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple: 

The external features of the temple may look similar to the Sri Veeramakaliamman, but there are idols of other deities too in the main worship area.

Location: 397 Serangoon Road

Timings: Daily from 6.15am to noon and from 6 PM to 9 PM

4. Mandatory shopping at the Mustafa Center: 

Mustafa Center is the 24-hour shopping area in the Little India locality where you can buy almost anything. Though it's a little packed during peak hours if you are looking for a wide range of items, this is the place to come.

Location: 145 Syed Alwi Road

Timings: 24/7

5. Get enlightened at the Temple of Thousand Lights: 

The temple is named so because of the chain of lamps surrounding the Buddha statue, which is 15-meters tall and weighs 300 tonnes. This early 20th-century temple is a must-visit for those who seek a peaceful and enlightening atmosphere.

Location: 366 Race Course Road

Timings: Daily from 8 AM to 4.30pm

Best time to visit Little India, Singapore

Like the rest of Singapore, Little India also has the same weather throughout the year. Most of the temples and other places of worship are open for visitors in the early morning itself while the shops and the restaurants are open by 10 AM.

Places to visit near Little India Singapore

Apart from the enchanting religious sites and popular shopping centres, the Little India neighbourhood has a lot more to offer. Major tourist attractions near Little India are:

1. Little India Arcade: 

Just the place to visit for ethnic Indian food, fashion, and music. It's a 20th-century building housing a range of small traders selling a variety of products.

2. Campbell Lane:

A pedestrian walkway, surrounded by street shops which are certain to give you an old school feeling from the 90s. Several large kitchen shops are selling Indian ingredients along with fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. Petain Road: 

If you wish to behold the exquisite 'Chinese-Baroque' architecture from the 1930s and beautiful shophouses that are set behind a broad grass verge, then Petain Road is a must-visit. Also, there is a large grass park which has play equipment for children.

4. Tekka Temporary Market: 

Best advice in this market is to look for a place where locals are eating. Also, if you want to buy some raw fish and prawns, then this is the place to go. This place is one stop for buying souvenirs, spices, sweets, vegetables, traditional Indian attire, and inexpensive, casual clothes.

5. Abdul Gaffoor Mosque: 

An epitome of Islamic architecture right in the heart of Little India. The main attraction of the majestic mosque is the sundial decorating the main entrance; it has 25 rays decorated with Arabic calligraphy displaying the names of 25 chosen prophets of Islam.

Indian restaurants at Little India, Singapore

1. Banana Leaf Apolo: 

The restaurant mainly focuses on pleasing the tourists. There are recommended delicacies like fish-head spicy curry and masala-chicken. As their name suggests, they serve most of their dishes on a banana leaf.

Location: 48 Serangoon Road

Timings: Daily from 10.30am to 10.30pm

2. Tekka Food Center: 

Tekka is the most economical place to eat in the city. It's a food court which has tempting curry-canteens, Tibetan hawker stalls, indigenous Malay snack-stalls, and affordable Singapore noodles.

Location: 665 Buffalo Road

Timings: Daily from 6.30am to 9 PM

3. Ananda Bhavan Restaurant: 

The original restaurant was founded in 1924 and now has 6 outlets in the city. Mainly known for Biryani, Rasam, and Dosas, the place provides an authentic taste of South Indian food.

Location: 448 Serangoon Road

Timings: Daily from 8 AM to 10 PM

4. Khansama Tandoori Restaurant: 

This place is famous for vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian food. Most sought after dishes are Indian tandoori chicken, mutton kebabs, as well as fish-prawn curries, which can be paired with rice or roti-naan.

Location: 166 Serangoon Road

Timings: Sunday–Thursday from 11 AM to 1 AM

5. Allaudin's Briyani: 

Located on the 2nd floor of Tekka Food Centre, the place serves authentic Biryani made with Basmati rice and infused with herbs along with chunks of mutton and chicken and a boiled egg.

Location: #01-229, Tekka Food Centre, 665 Buffalo Road

Timings: Daily from 9 AM to 8 PM

Best Places to Shop at Little India Singapore

Little India is a lot different from the rest of Singapore when it comes to shopping. You will find yourself strolling around the street markets and open-air shopping centres. Also, if you are up for a budget shopping then you must visit the Mustafa Centre which is a 24-hour shopping mall in Little India. Best places for shopping in Little India are:

1. Mustafa Center: 

The 24-hour shopping place offers designer products at relatively low prices. Though it's a bit messy and packed at peak hours but again who doesn't want to save some money while buying the best quality products.

Location: 145 Syed Alwi Road

Timings: 24/7

2. Sim Lim Square: 

Located 500 meters west of the Little India MRT station, the Sim Lim Square is one of the largest electronics malls in Singapore. The 6-storeyed mall has around 200 stores selling laptops, cameras, smartphones, and other gadgets.

Location: 1 Rochor Canal Road

Timings: 9.30am to 8 PM daily

3. Tekka Food Center: 

It is mainly known for a meat market on the ground floor and many cheap garments shops. After shopping, you can head to the food court area to relish on some Chinese and Malay delicacies.

Location: 665 Buffalo Road

Timings: Daily from 6.30am to 9 PM (hours may vary from shop to shop)

4. City Square Mall: 

An eco-mall integrated with a luxury urban park, City Square has 9 levels of shopping and entertainment spaces. Visit here for cinema, games, and also a wide range of restaurants and cafes.

Location 180 Kitchener Road

Timings: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM

5. Little India Arcade: 

Vibrant small shops housed in the 1920s building give you a nostalgic shopping experience. They sell Indian dresses, dried herbs, artwork, aromatic incense sticks, and electrical items.

Location: 48 Serangoon Road

Timings: Daily from 10 AM to 10 PM

6. Chandna Market: 

Chandana Mart is the oldest Alcohol and medicine shop situated about 250 meters northwest of Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. If you are looking for some exotic wine, liquor, and spirit, imported from various parts of the world, then this is the place to go.

Location:  230 Serangoon Road

Timings: 9 AM TO 7:30 PM

Best Hotels to Stay in Little India Singapore

1. Arianna Hotel: 

Arianna hotel is particularly famous for its peculiar location which is just across the Mustafa Centre Shopping Mall. They have 50 luxurious rooms to offer and are a popular host for vacationers and business travelers.

Average price/day: INR 2434

Rating: 7.2

2. Hotel 81 Rochor: 

Generally preferred by tourists for its pocket friendly room prices. Rochor is a part of the Hotel 81 chain of Singapore. Apart from regular services of laundry, WiFi and gym, there’s also an ATM within 50 meters of the hotel.

Average price/day: INR 3832

Rating: 7.0

3. Hotel 81 Dickson: 

They are another lodging option from the Hotel 81 chain. It shares similar facilities with its elder sibling but has bigger rooms and a large conference area. They also have a gym and aerobics room.

Average price/day: INR 3832

Rating: 7.0

4. The Great Madras: 

This hotel offers a continental breakfast for the guests and have great support staff. Popular points of interest in the proximity are Mustafa Center, Bugis Street, and the Singapore Art Museum.

Average price/day: INR 5321

Rating: 7.3

5. Mayo Inn: 

The trilingual staff present in this hotel take outstanding care of their guests. They have unique facilities which include a Jacuzzi bath for the suite. It's just 901 m from the Singapore Art Museum.

Average price/day: INR 6587

Rating: 7.0

6. Golden Royal Hotel: 

Golden Royal is a common choice for tourists because it offers decent accommodation at a budget price. They have different segments of rooms which include single occupancy, dual and triple bed options.

Average price/day: INR 3014

Rating: 7.0

7. Marrison @ Desker: 

All the rooms are equipped with a flat screen TV, an electric kettle and a desk and is located around 14 kilometres from the Changi Airport. 

Average price/day: INR 3530

Rating: 6

Temples at Little India, Singapore:

Little India is the most vibrant city in Singapore, and that is mainly because of the cultural blend that is visible in the architecture of the city. While talking of Architecture, magnificent temples of Little India are a must on every visitor's list:

1. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple: 

Among the oldest temples in Singapore, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, the destroyer of evil. The temple was built by the Indian migrants in the early 19th century and has survived the aerial attacks of world wars and natural disasters.

Location: 141 Serangoon Road, Rochor

2. Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple: 

The temple was earlier known as Narasinga Perumal Kovil. Its five-tiered gopuram tower is sculpted with the avatars of Lord Vishnu and other Hindu deities which add to the beauty of this architectural marvel.

Location: 397 Serangoon Road, Kallang

3. Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple: 

Also known as the temple of 1000 lights because of the 1000 lamps that surround the majestic statue of Gautam Buddha, which is 15 feet tall and weighs around 300 tonnes. The temple was initially built in 1927, and its current form was given through donations by Aw Boon Har and Aw Boon Par two brothers who made the medicinal ointment Tiger Balm.

Location: 366 Race Course Road, Kallang

Essential Information:

Location: Little India is located across the Chinatown, to the west of the river, along the eastern side of the Singapore River and north of Kampong Glam. The whole area is a part of the urban planning area of Rochor. Little India is affectionately referred to as Tekka in the Indo-Singaporean community.

Timings: The general market in Little India locality is open on all days of the week, and the average timing of the opening of shops is 10:00 AM while they are open midnight. Nevertheless, there are some exceptions like the Mustafa centre, which is a 24 hours shopping centre.

Price: The prices in the Little India market are at par with the other shopping centres in Singapore, but you can still expect to get a bargain on some popular stuff in the small shops. The shopkeepers may raise prices for foreigner tourists. As for the food expenses, if you don't mind eating at the smaller joints, then your food expense will hardly go above S$ 20 per day for a person.

Tips for visiting Little India

• Little India is vibrant and worth visiting during all the hours of the day, you should consider the following tips for a fulfilling excursion experience:

• If you want to dedicate a whole day to explore Little India, then it is advisable to begin early in the morning and start by visiting the Temples, Churches and the Mosque.

• If it's already late and you are not done with the shopping part then head towards the Mustafa Center which is open 24 hours, and there you can find everything, from electronics to groceries.