Holland Village & Tiong Bahru
Holland Village
Holland Village (short: Holland V) is Singapore's expat district — an oasis of relaxation away from the sterile malls and office towers. Here, expats and locals sit together in cozy cafés, craft beer bars, and international restaurants. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a tropical European village. Highlights:
- Holland Village Market & Food Centre: A hawker center with an international touch — alongside the usual hawker stalls, there is also Western street food, smoothie bars, and vegetarian options.
- Lorong Mambong: The main alley with bars, restaurants, and shops. On Friday evenings, the street fills with after-work crowds.
- Chip Bee Gardens: A hidden gem — former military quarters, now full of boutiques, galleries, and the legendary Da Paolo (Italian, since 1989).
Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is Singapore's hippest district — Art Deco apartment blocks from the 1930s (Singapore's oldest public housing estate), transformed into cafés, bookstores, and bakeries. The streets are quiet, the architecture is photogenic, and the food scene is top-notch:
- Tiong Bahru Bakery: French croissants and coffee in a bright, minimalist café — the place that helped shape Singapore's café culture.
- Plain Vanilla Bakery: Cupcakes and coffee in an Instagram-worthy setting.
- Tiong Bahru Market: Hawker center on the ground floor with Chwee Kueh (steamed rice cakes with pickled radish, 1.50 SGD) and the best Char Kway Teow in the area.
- Books Actually: Singapore's most famous independent bookstore — small, crammed, and full of local literature and zines.
Tiong Bahru is the counterpoint to the glittering Marina Bay — here you find an authentic, livable Singapore that is neither touristy nor sterile.
