Everything You Need to Know about Serangoon Gardens
Tucked away in the heart of Serangoon, Serangoon Gardens—also known as Serangoon Garden Estate—is one of the oldest residential estates in the country. It’s also an affluent one, with countless private properties and prestigious schools.
But more than that, it’s a great place for recreation. In particular, it’s perfect for foodies because this lush neighborhood boasts a great deal of quirky restaurants, lively bars, and charming hawker centers.
If you’re thinking about exploring this neighborhood, let this article be your guide!
Where is Serangoon Gardens in Singapore?
Serangoon Gardens is nestled in the center of Serangoon, a district located in the North-East Region of Singapore.
What is the main street of Serangoon Gardens?
The main street of Serangoon Gardens is Serangoon Garden Way. This road is lined with commercial buildings like shops and restaurants, and it leads to the Serangoon Garden Circus, a small, circular park.
Another major street in the area is Maju Avenue. This is where the trendy restaurants and shops can be found.
How to Get to Serangoon Gardens
By Bus: Riding the bus is the best way to get around Serangoon Gardens because this neighborhood is served by public bus services. On weekday mornings, from 7:30 to 9 am, licensed private bus operators are also available.
By Bus: If you prefer riding the MRT, the nearest MRT station is the Serangoon MRT Station at Upper Serangoon Road. This station services both North East and Circle Lines.
What to Do
Attend an art class at Artfully Yours
— From: artfullyyourssg
Address: 10A Maju Ave, Serangoon Garden Estate, Level 2
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday—11 am to 7 pm
- Friday—1 to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 6:30 pm
Contact Number: +6597501985
If you have a child who’s interested in art, then you should book them a class at Artfully Yours. This art school offers fun classes for young people, and the best part is that they cover all difficulty levels—from beginner to advanced!
I have a younger cousin, who’s around 15, who loves coming here to attend the advanced classes on acrylic painting. There are also other classes that she’s interested in attending in the future, namely watercolor, clay, and charcoal drawing.
Get a body scrub or a massage at The Tamarind Spa
— From: tamarindspa3
Address: 8A Kensington Park Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +6562852696
I’m usually the one to escort my cousin to her class, and while she’s there, I go to The Tamarind Spa to get a massage. I’m already in my late 20s, so I’m prone to tense muscles and aching joints, so a massage is now a need for me.
And wow, the massage here is a game-changer for me. I love the oils they use—sweet almond or grapeseed oil—because they smell pleasant without being overbearing. I actually feel so relaxed here that I always end up sleeping like a baby!
Aside from massages, you can also book a facial scrub, revitalizing baths, and slimming treatments.
Enjoy a fun day at Serangoon Gardens Country Club
— From: sgcc1955
Address: 22 Kensington Park Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +6562868888
Serangoon Gardens Country Club is undoubtedly the place to be if you’re looking for a day of fun with the family. Since my parents live here now, they’ve become members, so I’m able to take advantage of the various perks.
The swimming pool is my favorite facility. It’s massive—basically Olympic-sized—so I feel like a professional athlete when I’m swimming here. For my baby relatives, a wading pool is available instead.
I also enjoy playing bowling, darts, and squash here. Truly, this place has so many offerings, so you won’t get bored!
Where to Eat
Kelim Dakdoritang
— From: kelim_sg
Address: 14B Kensington Park Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12:30 to 2 am, 11:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +6562414241
Pricing: $
Are you a big fan of spicy food and hot pot? Then, you should check out Kelim Dakdoritang because it specializes in spicy hot pot!
The hot pot here is so hearty because it’s filled with so many items—chicken pieces, chunky potatoes, and rice cakes. They also absorb the spicy-savory broth, so every bite is an explosion of flavors.
Once you’ve already eaten all the toppings, the staff will then cook rice on the remaining broth. The end result is scorched fried rice, which, in my opinion, is the best way to end a meal like this.
Dan’s Steaks Bar and Grill
— From: danssteaks
Address: 12 Maju Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11:30 am to 2 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6598388147
Pricing: $$
Looking for a good steak house? Dan’s Steaks Bar and Grill is the best place to go in Serangoon Gardens.
My favorite thing to get here is the Australian Wagyu Picanha, which is absolutely tender and fatty (in the best way). It’s also massive enough to feed two people even though it’s technically only for one.
I also recommend trying the pasta dishes here. For now, my favorite is the Copa Porcini Mushroom Aglio Olio because it marries the earthy and garlicky flavors well. Plus, it has a nice kick of spice that lingers.
Apollo Coffee
— From: apollocoffeebar
Address: 65 Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—9 am to 10 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +6562463875
Pricing: $$
Apollo Coffee Bar is such an underrated gem. It boasts a simple yet pretty interior, and the atmosphere is laid-back and soothing. Because of this, it’s a great place to hang out or even do some work on your laptop.
I love coming here for brunch, and my go-to order is the breakfast burger because it’s convenient and filling. It’s also delicious; it tastes a combination of savory (from the scrambled eggs), spicy (from the aioli), and even sweet (from the caramelized onions).
For drinks, I usually go for a slow-pressed juice because it’s sweet and refreshing!
Pow Sing Kitchen
— From: shermainexk and powsing.sg
Address: 59 Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562840800
Pricing: $$
Pow Sing Kitchen is a celebration of Hainanese cuisine. That’s why the specialty here is the Hainanese chicken rice, which looks simple at first glance but is bursting with herby, garlicky, and savory flavors.
Aside from the chicken rice, I recommend getting any of the specialty dishes. In particular, I love the nasi lemak with prawn paste fried chicken wings. The broth is salty and spicy, and the chicken is perfectly tender.
Sri Sun Express
— From: srisunexpress
Address: 56 Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +6562822325
Pricing: $$
I first tried Sri Sun Express in its outlet in Yishun, and I loved it so much. So you can imagine my delight when I learned that there’s also an outlet in Serangoon Gardens!
This restaurant specializes in Indian cuisine, but over time, it has featured other cuisines as well, such as Malaysian, Western, and local.
You can’t go wrong with the chicken biryani. It’s so aromatic that even without eating the dish yet, you’re already salivating. Then, when you bite into the meat and shove a spoonful of rice, you’ll taste rich, savory flavors with a hint of spice.
Soi Thai Kitchen
— From: qingxiangsqx
Address: 58 Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 5:30 to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562823788
Pricing: $$
Soi Thai Kitchen is where I like to go when I’m craving Thai street food. It has several locations in Singapore, so I’m happy to know that there’s one in Serangoon Gardens.
I love to start my meal with prawn cakes, which are crispy and slightly sweet. Then, for the main course, I order the fried chicken, which has a strong garlicky flavor. The yellow ginger chicken is also a great choice, especially if you love spicy food.
To wash everything down, don’t forget to order a Thai milk tea. It’s such a refreshing drink!
Hajime Tonkatsu and Ramen
— From: hajime_tonkatsu_ramen
Address: 1 Maju Avenue, myVillage @ Serangoon Garden, #02-07/8/9
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 2:45 pm, 5 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6565099952
Pricing: $$
I love coming to Hajime because it has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Plus, the tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) and ramen here are affordably priced, which is always a win in my book!
My go-to order here is the Nagoya miso filet because the miso sauce has a nice kick of umami. For the ramen, I recommend the Kurobuta shabu ramen. The noodles are perfectly chewy while the broth is creamy and spicy.
Little Farms Bar + Grill
— From: littlefarms and grobrix
Address: 1 Maju Avenue, Serangoon Garden Way, #01-09/10/11 MyVillage
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—8:30 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—8:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +6531587041
Pricing: $$
Little Farms is best known as an organic grocery where you can shop for high-quality organic food items. But it also has an on-site restaurant that serves delicious and healthy meals.
My favorite dish to order so far is the pan-seared salmon, which is so soft and buttery. The corn salsa and mandarin orange gel also add a zesty sweetness that I quite like.
Sometimes, I come here for breakfast, and I usually order the eggs benedict on a toasted croissant. The richness of the runny yolk pairs really well with the smoky sweetness of the salmon.
Waa Cow! Yakiniku
— From: waacowsg
Address: 1 Maju Ave, #02-10/11 myVillage
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 3 pm, 4:30 to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6598360693
Pricing: $$
Whenever I’m in a rush, Waa Cow! Yakiniku is one of my go-to restaurants. The rice bowls here are quickly served here; plus, they’re delicious and filling!
I love getting the truffle Wagyu beef rice bowl. The Wagyu beef pieces are so juicy, and the sauce adds an earthy savory flavor to every piece. The runny egg also makes the dish extra rich.
If you prefer seafood, you might like the salmon bowl. The salmon is served medium rare, so it melts like butter on your tongue.
PLONK
— From: plonk.sg
Address: 7 Maju Ave
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 11:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Boasting laid-back Australian vibes, PLONK is a great place for hanging out with loved ones or unwinding after a long day.
The prawn and scallop risotto is my favorite dish served here. The prawn bisque is sharp and sweet, and I love how the risotto soaks up all the flavors. The scallop is also cooked perfectly, so it’s tender to bite.
As for drinks, I like to complement my dish with a glass of wine. Sometimes when I’m feeling adventurous, I order a cocktail (my go-to is the Long Island iced tea).
Dessert Bowl
— From: dessertbowlsg
Address: 80A Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—3 to 5:30 pm, 6:15 to 11:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—2 to 5:30 pm, 6:15 to 11:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562851278
Pricing: $
If you have a sweet tooth like me, then Dessert Bowl must be on your dining spots to check out in Serangoon Gardens.
The mango sago is the bestseller, and it’s also my go-to order. I love that it tastes both sweet and refreshing. It’s a perfect treat to eat during summer.
Another one that I’ve come to appreciate is the durian mousse. I’m not the biggest fan of durian, but somehow, I’m okay with this dessert. The durian flavor is very subtle, and the mousse itself is rich and creamy.
Oblong
— From: oblongicecream
Address: 10 Maju Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—1 to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—1 pm to 1 am
Pricing: $$
Oblong is another wonderful spot in Serangoon Gardens that will appeal to dessert lovers. This spot is best known for its ice cream and artisanal coffee.
I recommend getting the red velvet waffle with a scoop of ice cream. The waffle is crispy and pillowy, and I love how it actually tastes like red velvet cake. The ice cream also pairs really well; it tastes like a combination of coconut and Earl Grey lavender tea.
Where to Shop
Kim Tee
— From: kimtee.sg
Address: 22 Maju Ave
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—10 am to 8 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6566556665
Bak kwa is one of the most beloved treats in Singapore, and one of the best places to get it is Kim Tee. This place has been around since the 1970s, and the fact that it’s still standing to this day is a testament to its quality.
The signature bak kwa is perfectly crispy and balances the sweet and salty flavors well. I also recommend the chili bak kwa if you like a kick of spice in everything you eat.
In addition to bak kwa, Kim Tee also sells treats that are themed after the Mid-Autumn Festival. I love the mooncakes in particular; they’re so fluffy, and the filling is rich and decadent.
FairPrice Finest
— From: fairpricesg
Address: 1 Maju Avenue, #B1-11/12/13/14/19/K8/K9, myVillage
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 11 pm
Contact Number: +6566342038
FairPrice is one of the most popular groceries in Singapore, and it has several variations. FairPrice Finest is the one that sells premium imported products. It has several outlets, and one is in Serangoon Gardens.
I love browsing this store because there are so many fancy things I want to try. For example, I sometimes splurge on bottles of wine, chocolates from Europe, and coffee beans from Cuba.
The best part is that the prices of these premium items are relatively affordable!