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We went on a food tour to discover the best food in Woodlands

Located all the way in the north, Woodlands is far from the city center. But sometimes, I am tempted to go there just to treat myself to great food. 

Woodlands may seem quiet and not as touristy as the main city, but it is home to many amazing dining spots—both popular and underrated. My friends and I found these on spontaneous food tours, and now we’re sharing them with you!

Citrus by the Pool

Address: 3 Woodlands Street 13, Woodlands Swimming Complex

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 5 am

Contact Number: +6563666581

Website

Citrus by the Pool is one of the most popular restaurants in Woodlands, making it a great place to start your very own food tour around the neighborhood. It’s also a halal restaurant, so if you’re Muslim, you should check out this spot. 

The menu here is filled with dishes from different cuisines. My favorite is the tom yum seafood pasta because it’s a fusion of Singaporean and Italian cuisines (my favorite cuisines). 

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be delighted to know that there’s a milkshake menu here. My go-to flavors are double chocolate and caramel popcorn because they give me such a sugar rush.

Pro Tip:

  • If you’re on a budget, try any of the bundle deals. These deals are already good for two (two main dishes, two drinks, and one dessert) but at a discounted price. 

Rasa Istimewa Waterfront Restaurant

Address: 6A Admiralty Rd W

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 11:30 pm

Contact Number: +6563669339

Website

Rasa Istimewa Restaurant is a well-known F&B franchise in Singapore, and fortunately, there’s one in Woodlands. The restaurant on Woodlands is also located by the waterfront, so you can enjoy a great view while dining. 

The dishes are mostly from Chinese cuisines. Take your pick among the seafood options (I recommend the chili crab because the sweet-spicy flavors are so addicting), or indulge in a golden garlic whole chicken. Order a platter of fried rice as well. 

If you want more options, the menu has Western dishes as well. My friends and I enjoyed the fish and chips and fried popcorn chicken. They didn’t blow us away, but they’re such comforting meals.

Pro Tip:

Ivan’s Carbina

Address: 354A Woodlands Ave 5

Operating Hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 8:45 pm
  • Closed on Monday

Contact Number: +6582928599

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Ivan’s Caribina serves Swiss delights but with a Singaporean twist. That description was more than enough to hook me and my friends in, and now, we always try to come back when we’re visiting Woodlands. 

The bestselling dish is the rosti, a Swiss breakfast dish that’s commonly eaten by farmers. This dish is potatoes sautéed or shallow-fried on a pan. The restaurant’s version is served with an egg and a cheese sausage, making it a filling meal.

Aside from this dish, the fried chicken cutlet is a must-try. The butter rice is perfectly fluffy, and of course, the chicken is crispy and juicy. It comes with either garden salad or fries, so you’ll really be full afterward. 

Pro Tip:

  • This spot is hard to find because it’s situated in the middle of a block of flats. 

If you’re taking the MRT, alight at the Woodlands station, make your way to the bus interchange, and ride a bus that passes by the Rosewood Condominium bus stop. From the bus stop, it’s just a short walk to Ivan’s Carbina.

Yes! Nasi Kukus

— From: misstamchiak

Address: 573 Woodlands Drive 16, #01-01

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9 pm

Contact Number: +6591015711

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Nasi kukus (steamed rice served with flavorful curries and side dishes) is a staple in Singaporean cuisine, and if you’re a tourist curious to taste it, you should head to Yes! Nasi Kukus. 

My go-to order (and recommendation) is the signature fried chicken with nasi dagang trader rice. 

The rice has a slight sweetness because it’s steamed with coconut milk. That sweetness pairs really well with the savory and spicy flavors of the chicken and gravy.

Aside from the signature fried chicken, you might also like the curry fish and sambal sotong (squid). 

Pro Tip:

  • This spot gets packed during lunchtime, so I recommend coming here earlier or in the afternoon.

Cantine by Kopitiam

Address: 1 Woodlands Square, #07-03 Causeway Point

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6568940919

Looking for budget-friendly meals in Woodlands? You can’t go wrong with Cantine by Kopitiam. 

This food spot is actually located inside a shopping mall (Causeway Point), so you can do your shopping first before eating something here. I like to order the ramen options, especially the kimchi ramen. It’s a hearty meal with a nice kick of spice. 

Of course, your meal isn’t complete without a drink. Try any of the teh or kopi options. I’m partial to the iced kopi because of Singapore’s relentless heat.

Pro Tip:

  • Since this is a stall in a food court, there might be a long queue during peak hours (especially lunchtime). If you want to avoid the crowd, try coming here earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop

Address: Woodlands Cl, #01-68 No.39

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6569796172

Website

What I like most about Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop is its ambiance. It feels so chill and carefree, making it a great place to hang out with your friends or if you need a laid-back space to work or study for a little while.

I like to start with smoked duck salad because of the succulent duck chunks (I also need to eat some leafy greens to be healthy. Then for my main dish, I indulge in a honey-glazed roasted spring chicken. I really like the slight sweetness the glaze gives.

When the day is especially hot, I order cendol (an iced sweet dessert with pandan-flavored green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup).

Pro Tip:

  • If you’re on a date, choose the patio seating. At night, the strands of fairy lights illuminate the whole place, giving off romantic vibes. 

Hot Tomato

Address: 1 Woodlands Square, #02-11

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6568942685

Website

At Hot Tomato, you can enjoy a wide array of Western dishes. In particular, steaks are the main highlights here. 

My go-to order is the New Zealand grass-fed striploin. It’s served with a black pepper sauce, salad, and a side of pasta, making for a filling experience. 

If you’re looking for a healthier option, I recommend the grilled halibut steak with tomato salsa.

End your meal with something sweet. You can’t go wrong with the classic tiramisu. The chocolate lava cake, with its oozing chocolate center, is also ridiculously decadent. 

Pro Tip:

  • During peak hours, this restaurant can get really crowded and noisy. That’s why I recommend coming here during off-peak hours, preferably in the afternoon. 

Burgs (Causeway Point)

Address: 1 Woodlands Square, #04-01/02/03/04 Food Republic

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 8:45 pm

Contact Number: +6589528997

Burgs is well-known all over Singapore for serving gourmet burgers at an affordable price. There are multiple Burgs locations in the country, and fortunately, there’s one in Woodlands. 

What I like to order at Burgs is the black pepper beef burger. The black peppery sauce has a nice savory flavor with a hint of earthiness and even a slight kick of spice. Meanwhile, the patty is juicy (and doubly so when I order a double patty). 

Aside from a burger, I like to order a side of fries, and my favorite here is the Cuban fries, which are topped with light mayo and succulent pulled beef. This dish pairs well with my go-to burger. 

Pro Tip:

  • Sometimes, this spot hosts promotions like special discounts and “buy one, get one free” deals.

Poulet (Causeway Point)

Address: 1 Woodlands Square, #B1 – 25 Causeway Point

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6562195122

Website

Another great spot within Causeway Point is Poulet, a contemporary bistro that specializes in French cuisine.

The signature dish here is the roast chicken, and it’s also my favorite. The meat is incredibly tender and bursting with savoriness. Pair that with any of the sauces (I personally prefer the mushroom cream sauce), and I’m in heaven.

To accompany my roast chicken, I like to get French onion soup (especially if it’s raining outside), salad de Paris (to balance out my heavy meal), and a clam crostini (a toasted garlic baguette topped with baby clam and buttery garlic).  

Pro Tip:

  • Poulet often has special promotions like a dish being available for a limited time or a prix fixe meal with multiple courses. 

ANDES by Astons @Woodsquare 

Address: #01-13/16 Woods Square, 6 Woodlands Square

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6569086512

Website

ANDES by Astons is where my friends and I go when we’re craving steaks. This steakhouse has a lot of options. My favorite is the Wagyu steak, but sometimes, I like to order the prime sirloin or the porterhouse. 

Steak isn’t the only thing offered here. There are also chicken dishes (I love the lemon-lime chicken because of how zesty it tastes) and pasta options (I recommend the seafood marinara. The shrimp and mussels are the stars of the show). 

If you want healthy options, you might like the grilled fish with herbs, chargrilled salmon fillet, or the classic Caesar salad. 

Pro Tip:

  • The restaurant hosts weekday lunch specials, which include dishes available at affordable prices, free-flow soft drinks, and access to a salad buffet. 

If you want to take advantage of these specials, come to the restaurant sometime between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm on a weekday. 

Tipsy Panda

Address: 6 Woodlands Square, #01-01 Woods Square

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 pm to 1 am

Contact Number: +6580289780

Website

If you’re in the mood to get tipsy up north, Tipsy Panda is where you should go. It’s a lively bar serving a wide variety of drinks, Asian-fusion cuisine, and live music, so you’re in for a fun time.

My friends and I like to order the Chinese beef crêpe sliders because we can share the dish amongst ourselves. 

When we want something more filling, we order Szechuan panda noodles. The noodles are perfectly chewy, and the sauce packs a lot of heat. 

For our drinks, we usually go for shots (Diablo Fire is our preference), but sometimes, we try the other options, especially the soju and cocktails (I really like Kiss From Bandung, which is gin, rose syrup, and evaporated milk). 

Pro Tip:

Warung Hajjah Anis

Address: Woodlands North Plaza, Wet Market, 883 Woodlands Street 82, #01-20 

Operating Hours: Open 24 hours

Contact Number: +6583533984

Are you going on a late night out with friends in Woodlands? You might want to hit up Warung Hajjah Anis since it’s open for 24 hours. 

This spot is well-known for its hearty local delights that are sold at an affordable price. My favorite thing to order is the nasi lemak ayam, which has coconut rice, fried egg, fried chicken, and sambal. It’s a complete meal that satisfies my late-night cravings.

If I want something sweet, I always go for lopes. It’s a kind of kueh (rice cake) that’s drizzled with brown-sugar syrup. It’s simple yet so indulgent!

Pro Tips:

  • Complete your meal with any of the brightly colored drinks. The Thai milk tea is the bestseller, but I recommend trying the Bandung drink. It’s in eye-catching bright pink.
  • This spot also sells snacks that you can take home. Purchase a bag of keropok bebola ikan (fish balls), and simply cook a portion when you’re hungry at home.  

MOS Burger

Address: 1 Woodlands Square, #01 – 13 Causeway Point

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6568910588

What’s so great about MOS Burger is that the burgers are absolutely massive, so one order is enough to fill a stomach. (Though, if I have to be honest, my friends and I tend to get multiple burgers because our gossiping makes us hungry faster.)

So far, my favorite is the Klasik Sambal Burger. It’s got an egg and a thick patty drizzled in a savory and slightly spicy sambal sauce. 

I also enjoy the XL Wagyu Menchikatsu. The patty is much bigger than the buns, and I always found that very funny. 

For dessert, I like to get the burnt cheesecake. It’s creamy, silky, and sweet—such an addictive treat! 

Pro Tip:

  • This spot has limited seats, so, during rush hour (especially lunch and dinner), it can get packed. 

The best time to come here is during off-peak hours. I recommend as soon as the restaurant opens or sometime in the afternoon.

Ashes Burnnit

Address: 883 Woodlands Street 82

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 3:15 pm, 4:15 to 8:30 pm

Website 

Another wonderful burger joint in Woodlands that you should check out is Ashes Burnnit. This spot specializes in charcoal bun burgers, hence why the buns are colored black.

The bacon cheeseburger and the Mexican pulled beef burger are my go-to options when I’m really hungry because they’re absolutely loaded. The grilled teriyaki chicken burger is also one that I come back to often.

This spot also serves dishes other than burgers. There are grilled meat options chicken chop and lamb chop (they’re served with fries and your preferred sauce). There are even pasta dishes as well (I recommend the aglio olio pasta with chicken chop).

Pro Tip:

  • Since this is a stall in a hawker center, expect long queues. Don’t worry, the line moves up relatively fast, so you don’t have to wait a long time. 

Takagi Ramen @Woodlands 

Address: 6 Woodlands Square, #01-04

Operating Hours: Open 24 hours

Contact Number: +6591707870

Website

When it’s late at night and raining, nothing is more comforting than a bowl of ramen. If you agree with me, then you should hit up Takagi Ramen. It’s one of my favorite ramen shops in Woodlands!

I like the ochazuke (a dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice. In particular, I like the one with chicken floss toppings. The chicken floss adds an interesting texture to this simple porridge, which is why I come back to it every time. 

Aside from porridge, you can enjoy onigiri. My favorite option is the one with fried chicken (simply because I really like fried chicken). 

Pro Tip:

  • This restaurant often hosts special promotions like breakfast set meals for an affordable price and limited-edition products.

Sanook Kitchen (Woods Square)

— From: spoonfulofjing

Address: 6 Woodlands Square, #B2-08 Woods Square

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11 am to 10 pm

Contact Number: +6567198026

Website

Sanook Kitchen is a great place to go when you’re craving Thai cuisine. It’s located inside Woods Square Mall, so come here when you’re done shopping. 

The pineapple fried rice with prawn is one of the most ordered dishes, and I highly recommend it as well. It’s sweet and savory at the same time!

Aside from this, I recommend getting the tom yum soup (such a comforting soup. Plus, it adds a nice kick of spice) and stir-fried minced beef with Thai basil (tender and savory, the chunks pair well with the sweet rice).  

Pro Tip:

  • This restaurant can get fully booked in no time, especially during lunch, so I recommend coming earlier or later in the afternoon. You can also book your reservation on this page beforehand.