The 12 Best Food in Tampines We’ve Tried So Far!
Tampines, a bustling neighbourhood in the heart of Singapore’s East, is a food lover’s paradise. It’s a fave haunt for foodies on the prowl for the next big taste sensation or a local looking for a satisfying meal close to home.
From bustling hawker centres brimming with local delights to trendy cafes and exquisite restaurants in Tampines Mall, this guide will take you through the best food spots in the area. Get ready to eat your way through seriously yummy Tampines food!
BBQ Fish at Labula Mala Xiang Guo
— Media from woomamitaste
Address: 822 Tampines Street 81
Contact: +6591230088
Hours: Daily, 10.30 AM–4.30 AM
Price: $
Chongqing BBQ Fish is our family favourite at Labula Mala Xiang Guo. In case you aren’t familiar, mala, a Sichuan dry hotpot, is known for its spicy and numbing flavours, though there are non-spicy options here.
The place allows us to customise our meals by ticking off ingredients on an order chit. With all ingredients priced under S$4 (vegetables, pork, chicken, and even premium beef and fish) and no service charge, Labula Mala Xiang Guo offers great value.
Plus, the air-conditioned branch ensures a comfortable dining experience at any time.
Pro-tip: For convenience, you can place orders online for easy pick-up at the store.
“The Leegacy” at Three’s A Crowd
Address: 802 Tampines Ave 4, #01-11
Contact: +6567020700
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM–10.30 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11 AM–11 PM
Price: $
Three’s A Crowd is famous for its unique Singaporean-inspired flavoured ice cream. This is reflected in its signature offering, The Leegacy, which pays tribute to Singapore’s founding prime minister (dark chocolate with a smooth texture).
And if you’re curious, yes, there’s durian-flavoured ice cream here and it’s yummy!
The waffle, served with marshmallows, is soft rather than crispy. If you’re hungry, try the place’s beef or chicken lasagna, or the fried chicken waffles done ayam penyet (Indonesian smashed chicken) style.
Pro-tip: There are interesting limited-edition flavours like salted Horlicks, so hurry and get some while stocks last.
Butter Chicken at Al-Azhar
Address: 201D Tampines St. 21, #01-1155
Contact: +6590151040
Hours: 24/7
Price: $$
We frequent Al-Azhar for two main reasons: its delicious naan (oven-baked flatbread) and butter chicken, despite it being a mixed-cuisine restaurant (Indian, Indonesian, and Thai). When we’re feeling extra indulgent, we make sure to order the cheese naan.
Another flatbread we like here comes in the form of dessert. Three flavours of ice cream are rolled inside salty prata and topped with warm, colourful cream, creating a delightful burst of flavours and temperatures in our mouths.
Pro-tip: It’s open 24 hours a day, so feel free to indulge anytime.
Oysters at Tipsy Penguin
Address: 300 Tampines Ave 5, #01-02A
Contact: +6582232983
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday, 5 PM–1 AM
Friday to Saturday, 5 PM–2 AM
Price: $$
The oysters at Tipsy Penguin are consistently fresh and plump, making it my go-to indulgence spot. Despite the price point (S$24 for half a dozen pieces), the oysters are smooth and creamy on the tongue.
Don’t miss the delicious mala chicken karaage if you want something more substantial. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the seasoning packs a flavorful punch.
Pro-tip: For a quieter dining experience, consider sitting outside if there’s a live band playing.
Fish and Chips at Big Fish Small Fish
Address: 4 Tampines Central 5, B1-K3 Tampines Mall
Contact: +6562600215
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–9 PM
Price: $$
Whenever I feel like having fish and chips, I head over to Big Fish Small Fish. The fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, tastes fresh, and comes in generous portions.
I find its cheese sauce delectable and not cloying, and the spicy option adds extra flavour. But there are other sauce options if you don’t feel like having cheese with your fish.
As a value-added service, the friendly Uncle Johnson checked on other tables to offer assistance, like extra sauces or ensuring satisfaction with the food. His attentive service left a great impression on us.
Pro-tip: Don’t miss the delicious mushroom soup with garlic bread for extra carbs.
Wings at Nando’s
Address: 4 Tampines Central 5, #01-46 Tampines Mall
Contact: +6567895052
Hours: Daily, 10 AM–10 PM
Price: $$
I’ve always found the grilled chicken at Nando’s to be nearly flawless. The skin is smoky and crispy, yet the flesh remains tender.
I usually go for the thighs but was intrigued by the new wings menu. Not to worry: the flame-grilled flavour is still there even with the peri-peri sauce waiting in the, er, wings.
I particularly liked the lemon and herb sauce. It wasn’t overly spicy and had a slightly sour kick I found delightful. I also enjoyed the variety of sauces available for dipping the wedges.
Pro-tip: There’s bottomless coffee, tea, and chocolate beverages here!
Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung
Address: 4 Tampines Central 5, #02-01 Tampines Mall
Contact: +6567870998
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11 AM–9 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11 AM–9.15 PM
Price: $$
My family arrived at Din Tai Fung in Tampines Mall for dinner and received an electronic queue number. It displayed our position and the number of people ahead, streamlining the process and avoiding congestion.
As usual, the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) was juicy and bursting with flavour. Aside from dim sum, don’t miss out on the pork chop fried rice, spicy hot and sour soup, and sliced duck in its crunchy spring onion pastry.
Pro-tip: Around 6.30 PM, I noticed there were plenty of available seats, as it didn’t have the usual lunch or dinner crowds yet.
Chicken Chop at Tokyo Western Food
— Media from peanutloti
Address: 823A Tampines Street 81
Contact: +6580320887
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), noon–9 PM
Price: $
At Tokyo Western Food, the chicken is succulent and perfectly grilled, but it’s the seasoning that steals the show. Unlike the typical brown-black pepper sauce found at local “Western” food stalls, this seasoning is exceptional and pairs well with white rice.
When I want to get a full Western dinner, I pair the chops with the classic baked beans, crinkle fries, and buttered white bread.
The other menu items are equally delicious; the pork chop is my go-to second choice, and I opt for the mixed grill when feeling indulgent.
Pro-tip: The menu also has fish and chips for just S$6 if you’re a pescatarian.
Seafood Marinara at PastaMania
Address: 4 Tampines Central 5, #04 – 21 / 22
Contact: +6567841625
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–9.30 PM
Price: $$
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of PastaMania’s seafood marinara pasta. It’s one of the better ones I’ve tried by far. The portion of prawns, squid, and clams was just right, and I especially appreciated the option of having wholemeal spaghetti with the dish.
We capped off the meal with the apple crumble pizza, which is a steal at under S$5 for a whole pizza. It’s cut into approximately six slices, each topped with apple slices and delicious crumbs for a burp-worthy dessert.
Pro-tip: The restaurant is consistently busy during both lunch and dinner hours, so a bit of patience is necessary.
Bak Chor Mee at Tampines Round Market and Food Centre
— Media from sir.fried.chicken
Address: 137 Tampines St. 11
Contact: +6562255632
Hours: Daily, 6.30 AM–3 PM
Price: $
Since its establishment in 1983, the Tampines Round Market & Food Centre, along with its neighbouring shophouses, has been a prominent landmark and a bustling hub for socialising and commerce in Tampines.
Today, it’s where I get my bak chor mee fix (egg noodles with minced pork). Ju Ming Xiang’s bak chor mee has abundant ingredients, and the noodles have a satisfying al dente texture. Perfect as a rainy day meal!
Pro-tip: It’s a generally relaxed and laid-back hawker centre, making it easy to find tables without any stress.
Tom Yum Soup at Soi Thai Kitchen
— Media from edowin__
Address: 824 Tampines Street 81, #01-28
Contact: +6567842421
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–2.15 PM and 5.30 PM–1.30 AM
Price: $$
Soi Thai offers a menu rich in spices for those who enjoy it, featuring authentic Thai cuisine with complex flavours. I particularly enjoy its clear tom yum soup, which has a mild level of spiciness.
If you need to load up on protein, don’t miss the cashew nut chicken, followed by the egg omelette. Also, try the pork cheek meat which is tender with minimal fat (indulgent yet guilt-free, as we kept telling ourselves!).
Pro-tip: Serving portions are not large, so it’s recommended to order at least three dishes when sharing with friends.
Doughnuts at Puffs and Peaks Bakery
Address: 866A Tampines Street 83, #03-03 Central Community Complex
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10.30 AM–5 PM
Price: $$
I’m a huge fan of bomboloni doughnuts, especially those from Puffs and Peaks Bakery in Tampines. While the dough isn’t pillowy soft, it’s still soft with some chewiness, which I prefer.
The fillings are well done, filling the doughnuts, which have a classic, old-school texture.
Every doughnut is generously filled with flavours that rotate regularly, announced on their Instagram page. I’ve tried exotic flavours like taro coconut and pulut hitam (sweet black glutinous rice), among others.
Pro-tip: You can request to forgo the sugar dusting if you’re watching your sweets intake.