When the late night hunger pangs come calling, don’t ignore ‘em. Instead, head out to the streets to satisfy your cravings in parts of the city that haven’t yet fallen under the sleepy spell of the dark sky.
From local dishes like curry rice and roti prata to dim sum bites and fried chicken to desserts and beyond, here’s a handy list detailing some of Singapore’s more popular joints so you can join the rest of the night owls in your hunt for grub.
25 Degrees Burger
The burger joint at Hotel G is apparently a hit among the Hollywood crowd in its hometown of Los Angeles. Its name alludes to the temperature difference between raw and well-done meat patties, so clearly the place knows its burgs.
Each plump serving comes stacked with beef patties (or alternatives like yellowfin tuna and chicken thigh) and toppings such as caramelized onions, gorgonzola, arugula, burrata, prosciutto, crispy fried onions, and more. But if you’re a bit of a nitpicker, just customize your own burger. Fries, from truffle to curly, make it on the menu along with corn dogs and tater tots, too.
Oh, and you can wash all that grease down with craft beers, wines, milkshakes, or cocktails.
Hotel G Singapore, 200 Middle Rd. Daily 7am-3am.
2am: Dessert Bar
With a name like that, the Holland Village hangout clearly stays awake till 2am on the regular. This is where local dessert maestro Janice Wong plates up her refined, experimental treats, which come and go on the menu whenever it gets a makeover. Don’t expect a cheesecake to be a cheesecake here; not when there’s so much room to play with. Still, it makes for a sweet end to your night (or early start to your day).
21a Lorong Liput. Tues-Fri 3pm-2am, Sat-Sun 2pm-2am.
Al-Alzhar Eating Restaurant
From early birds to night owls, this halal eatery welcomes ‘em all, since its doors never shut. The place serves a bit of everything, encompassing Indian, Malay, Western, and Thai Muslim cuisines, so it’s an ideal spot to settle on when you’ve got picky eaters in the group.
Craving for carbonara? They’ve got it. Can’t stop thinking about kebabs? Get ‘em here. From roti prata and biryani to tandoori meats and Thai seafood dishes, there’s plenty to fill up on.
Two outlets, including 11 Cheong Chin Nam Rd. Daily 24 hours.
Beach Road Scissors Cut Curry Rice
Hainanese curry rice may not be the most picture perfect dish (perhaps “sloppy mess” would be a better description), but it’s delicious at any time of the day. Even more so when you’ve had a couple beers. Just pick the meats and veggies you want to go with your scoop of white rice, watch the plate get flooded with copious amounts of curry gravy, and dig in.
229 Jalan Besar. Daily 11am-3:30am.
Beauty in the Pot
The hotpot brand keeps its outlets across the country open till late (either 3am or 6am), which is great when you’re craving a comforting bowl of warm broth in the wee hours of the morning but can’t bear the thought of settling for instant noodles. Famed for its collagen rich and spicy mala soups, the eatery offers ingredients like wagyu ribeye, kurobuta pork, prawns, dumplings, fried beancurd skin, noodles, quail eggs, and fish tofu for you to toss into the pot.
Five outlets, including #05-15/16 The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Rd. Daily 11:30am-6am.
Chicken Up
One of the more popular Korean fried chicken joints on the island, this place dishes up a mean mix of fried fowl (in original, soy, or spicy flavors), kimchi/bulgogi fries, spam rice balls, kimchi/seafood pancakes, army stews, and miscellaneous rice and noodle offerings. It’s also well known for its refreshing watermelon soju (served in a watermelon husk), which you’ll likely have to order with a couple friends to share the merrymaking.
Two outlets, including #01-01, 48 Tanjong Pagar Rd. Mon-Thurs 5:30pm-2am, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-3am, Sun 5:30pm-midnight.
Haidilao
Steamboat at 4am? Why not. Another hotpot place that opens till late, this popular brand first came to our shores in 2012, bringing with it free services like manicures to keep customers happy while waiting in line. It’s a little on the pricey side, but should you pay it a visit, you’ll be spoilt for choice with soup base options like tomato, mushroom, laksa, Sichuan spice, seafood, and more.
11 outlets, including #02-04 Clarke Quay, 3D River Valley Rd. Daily 10:30am-6am.
Mr Prata
One of those all-in places, Mr Prata will satisfy your appetite for the Indian dish it’s named after, which comes in all sorts of variations. Think toppings like cheese, mushroom, chocolate, honey banana, Maggi, ice cream, and lots more. Murtabak stuffed with mutton and chicken are available as well, along with thosai, roti john, and nasi goreng. Oh, and if you happen to be thinking about pizzas, pastas, or burgers, surprise surprise, they’ve got ‘em too.
Four outlets, including #01-189, Blk 476 Tampines St 44. Daily 24 hours.
Rochor Original Beancurd
The beancurd brand has been around since the ‘60s, but it’s also been steeped in controversy. Originally established by one family, the famous Short Street stall has birthed several other businesses with similar names after experiencing sibling feuds. Each serves tau huay that’s just as good as the other, and you can get your bowl with side snacks like you tiao (fried dough sticks), butterfly dough fritters, Portuguese egg tarts, and soy milk.
2 Short St. Mon-Thurs 11am-1am, Fri 11am-3am, Sat noon-3am, Sun noon-1am.
Salted Caramel
Frosty treats after midnight? Why yes, please. Located along the Upper Thomson stretch that bustles from dawn to dusk, this ice cream parlor makes its pints egg-free and from scratch, churned in-house each day to create flavors like Earl Grey, avocado, Horlicks Tim Tam, Milo crunch, peppermint brownie, chamomile honey, blueberry yogurt, peanut butter s’mores and, of course, salted caramel.
If you’re feeling a little cheeky, go for a splash of booze in your scoop with the likes of stout and chocolate, Baileys, or rum and raisin.
246F Upper Thomson Rd. Sun-Thurs noon-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-2am.
Senor Taco
Senor Taco’s high-spirited atmosphere and vibrant decor make for a lively night out fueled by Mexican grub. You can’t be afraid to get your hands dirty here, especially when you’re chowing down on pork belly carnitas or baja fish tacos, beef tongue quesadillas, chips and salsa, chicken enchiladas, and beef burritos. While you’re at it, throw down an ice-cold margarita or try the brand’s “Corona-rita”, a mix of frozen lime marg slushing around with a bottle of Corona beer.
Three outlets, including #01-07/12 Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd. Sun-Tues & Thurs 5:30pm-2am, Wed & Sat-Sun 5:30pm-3am.
Swee Choon Tim Sum
The decades-old dim sum haunt has always been a favorite of the supper-hopping crowd, even though its popularity has gone through spikes and dips over the years.
Still, when you’ve got midnight dreams of xiao long bao, mee sua kueh (fried vermicelli cake), Portuguese egg tart, salted egg yolk custard bun, fried wanton, spicy noodles, and mango pudding, this eatery will always have its doors open for you. (Well, except on Tuesdays, when they’re closed.)
183-193 Jalan Besar. Mon & Wed-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 6pm-6am; Sun 10am-3pm, 6pm-6am.
The Ramen Stall
Despite its name, the halal-certified Japanese stall doesn’t just specialize in noodles — its menu also features sushi, sashimi, salads, grilled seafood, curry rice, and donburi bowls. The ramen broth is purportedly simmered over a stove for 30 hours, so you get all the umami goodness without the addition of preservatives or MSG.
787 North Bridge Rd. Mon-Fri 5pm-5am, Sat-Sun noon-5am.
Still hungry? Read on for more:
Eat like a local: The A to Z guide of Singapore’s most iconic local, hawker and specialty foods
Cookie craze: Where to find the best cookies in Singapore, from classic to uncommon flavors
Best rooftop bars in Singapore: Where to go for cocktails with a view
Best nightclubs in Singapore: Where to party when you’re feeling fancy
