There are hundreds of restaurants and cafes in Singapore that serve all sorts of food from all sorts of cuisines and cultures. With the many glitzy and new restaurants that open every day, you may be wondering what the older restaurants in Singapore are like. It’s an important part of Singapore’s heritage, after all.
Here’s a list of some of the oldest restaurants in Singapore.
Table of Contents
1. Ananda Bhavan
Established in 1924, this popular Indian vegetarian restaurant has since grown to have five branches around Singapore. Ananda Bhavan was first opened by a Brahmin family on Selegie Road, serving traditional Indian dishes to customers. The original outlet still operates to this day, selling its signature pratas and curries. It’s a great place for casual dining if you’re a vegetarian.
Address:
95 Syed Alwi Rd
Singapore 207671
2. Islamic Restaurant
Nearly a whole century old, this rather plainly-named restaurant was opened in 1921. Islamic Restaurant still operates its original outlet at North Bridge Road. It is famous for its nasi briyani that has fed many generations of Singaporeans, and even the late presidents Yusoff Ishak and SR Nathan. Its patrons have also included the sultans of Brunei, Johor and Perak.
Now, Islamic Restaurant does deliveries right to your doorstep, so you won’t have to worry about going all the way there to get a taste of its famous briyani, especially during this period!
Address:
745 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 198713
3. Zam Zam
One of the oldest, if not the oldest, Indian restaurants in Singapore, Zam Zam was opened in 1908, making it 112 years old. It is renowned for its signature murtabak that it has been making for well over a century, with the recipe largely remaining unchanged. This roadside restaurant is the perfect place to go to to eat a plate of biryani and have a cup of teh tarik to go with it.
Address:
697/699 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 198675
4. Tiffin Room
Visit this restaurant for a callback to Singapore’s colonial past. Located at Raffles Hotel, The Tiffin Room has been a part of it and has been operating since its opening in 1887. Famous for its curry which was much loved by its British visitors in the past and even today, you can sit at one of its tables surrounded by colonial architecture and have some high tea from 3PM to 5PM every day.
Address:
Raffles Singapore
1 Beach Rd
Singapore 189673
5. Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine
The oldest on this list and perhaps the oldest restaurant in Singapore, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine has been operating since 1845, making it a whopping 175 years old! This restaurant has preserved the traditional Teochew cooking for nearly two whole centuries. Today, it is known for its signature dishes which include braised duck with beancurd slices, suckling pig, and steamed pomfret.
Address:
190 Keng Lee Road,
Chui Huay Lim Club
Singapore 308409
