Nestled in the heart of Singapore, Balestier is where you’ll find tantalising local eats, heritage-rich locations and quirky shops. Whether you’re hunting for the city’s best bak kut teh or curious about the history behind its iconic shophouses, this storied neighbourhood is a treasure trove worth exploring.

Things to do at Balestier

1. Scale walls at Ground Up Climbing

Climb to great heights with Ground Up Climbing, home to five top rope lanes, 13 autobelay lanes, and a bouldering gym. Not only does it offer you an ace spot for indoor rock climbing, outdoor lead climbing, and bouldering, but it also shows you the ropes on the proper climbing techniques and body conditioning exercises. Sample the sport with a taster session, or take up the SNCS Rock Climbing Level 1 course to learn how to belay and climb with your friends. And when you’re ready for a challenge, take on the outdoor lead walls which, ranging from 5Cs to 7Bs and feature one of the hardest overhangs in Singapore.

Although small, Zhongshan Park offers a peaceful escape if you’re looking for a spot to chill at. Meandering pathways, a tranquil pond, and lush greenery inspired by traditional Chinese gardens make it an ideal place for a quiet stroll. You can also grab a takeaway from one of the nearby eateries and enjoy a quick picnic here.

Having started in the early 80s, Whampoa Colour Centre has become an essential stop for many first-time film photographers thanks to its affordable prices and quick film processing. The man in charge, Mr. Ong, is also a real pleasure to talk to and he’s always ready to share a quick tip.

Photograph: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial HallSun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

This two-story colonial-style villa in Balestier is a tribute to Dr Sun Yat Sen, a pioneer of China’s revolutionary struggle in the early 20th century. The building was once the Southeast Asian headquarters for his radical activities that led to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. History buffs can visit the memorial hall filled with black and white archival images, videos, artefacts, and waxworks about the history of the Chinese countrymen living in Singapore. The memorial hall is currently closed from now till 2027 for renovation works, and you can stay updated via the website here.

Walk along Balestier Road and you’ll see two-storey shophouses featuring a range of mixed architecture, from early architecture style to Art Deco. At the street corners, there are ornate eclectic ‘Chinese Baroque’ style terraces like those at Kim Keat Road, Martaban Road, Pegu Road and Jalan Kemaman. The Sim Kwong Ho shophouse is probably the most well-recognised here, built in 1926 and adorned with plaster stucco work of flowers, peacocks and other creatures.

Places to eat and drink at Balestier

1. Bao Er Cafe

Known to serve one of the best kaya butter toast in Singapore, Bao Er Cafe is tucked away on the second level of the quiet Balestier Plaza. This eatery also serves other dishes including hokkien mee, fried rice, and pastas. If you’re unsure of what to get, try the seafood fried rice – it’s been cooked with just the right amount of wok hei. For a hearty meal, get the deluxe hokkien mee, served with mini scallops and a thick prawn-broth gravy.

We’re not quoting Apu from The Simpsons. Thank You Come Again is a bistro and co-working space in Balestier, serving yummy mains such as the smoked salmon poke bowl, grilled cajun chicken, and mushroom aglio olio. After you’ve gobbled up your meal, extend your time here and book a privacy pod from $5 per hour. This entitles you to a semi-soundproof room, WiFi and charging ports – a great WFH alternative.

You probably wouldn’t have heard of Pan Fresco if you haven’t stepped into Shaw Plaza at Balestier lately. And why would you? The neighbourhood mall isn’t typically where you’d specially plan an outing to – but this cosy bakery-café might just change your mind. As cafés in Singapore get pricier and pricer, this understated establishment keeps things affordable with $3 kouign amann, $3.80 fruit danishes and almond Hokkaido milk loaves, and a crowd-favourite pistachio croissant for just $5.80.

Croffles, lemon tarts, and cube pastries in flavours like green tea and Biscoff are also on the menu, but those who aren’t after something sweet can go for the selection of sandwiches, savoury buns, and the ham and cheese croissant with salted egg yolk sauce. Beverages are similarly affordable with coffee-based drinks starting from $3.50 and hot or iced chocolate from $4.50. Apart from its artisan tea, pretty much nothing here is priced $6 and above. Find out more about Pan Fresco here.

Feeling moreish? Head down to Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah, where they churn out some of the best tau sar piah on the island. Expect buttery, flaky crust, which encases a generous portion of fragrant bean paste. Choose either the sweet or salty version – or combine both in a box. Aside from its famed tau sar piah, the Chinese bakery also dishes out delicious cakes and pastries like coffee walnut butter cake and swiss rolls. We suggest you preorder on its website and head down for a pick-up – much better than braving the snaking queue.

Home of the famous chicken rice since 1979, Boon Tong Kee is an eatery that needs no introduction. What started as a small stall in Chinatown serving Cantonese chicken rice soon expanded to Balestier Road in 1983, where the restaurant has been operating since. At Boon Tong Kee, the meat, rice and dipping sauce are served separately. The chicken is soft and tender, best soaked in the special sesame and soy sauce. You can also try other best-selling dishes such as the Crispy Cereal Prawns and Crispy Deep Fried Chicken.

You can’t visit Balestier without ordering up a warm bowl of bak kut teh, a herbal soup dish made with pork ribs and Chinese herbs. And one of the most popular bak kut teh joints – Balestier Bak Kut Teh – has been frequented by both locals and tourists for generations. The one served there is known for its peppery broth, perfect for dinner or as comfort food.

Get your Indian food cravings sorted at Tandoori Corner at Balestier Plaza, home to some of the best North Indian cuisine in the ‘hood. Indulge in the fragrant chicken biryani or go crazy with the huge selection of naans and pratas, best eaten with spicy gravies or butter chicken. Those with dietary restrictions aren’t excluded as there’s a wide selection from a vegetarian set served with dhal, rice and naan to a vegetable biryani meal best enjoyed with raita.

There’s a host of solid hawker staples at Whampoa Makan Place, but many head down for Balestier Road Hoover Rojak. What you get here is not the standard offering at most hawker centres. At Balestier Road Hoover Rojak, ingredients like jellyfish and century egg are incorporated within the dish to bring it to the next level. Queues can get pretty long but the dish is well worth the wait.

This spot on the first floor of One Dusun Residences is a butchery, restaurant and bar all wrapped up in one. Start with a cheese platter, Parma ham or shoestring fries before indulging in the meat-centric mains. Happy hour happens from 3pm to 7pm daily, where draft beers go at $10 and there are one-for-one cocktails at $20.

1. Shaw Plaza

Shaw Plaza was once a quiet mall, with most visitors heading only to the movie theaters. This changed in 2023, when the mall underwent a major revamp. Today, the mall features new dining options such as Mui Kee Congee and Two Bakers Studio. Enjoy premium theater features at the newly improved Shaw Theatres, including Dreamers, a kid-friendly theater with beanbags for lounging. For families, Level 3 boasts an outdoor playground equipped with a mini zip line and a trampoline, perfect for little ones to enjoy.

Founded in 1959 by Tan Thian Kang and Lim Chok Tee, Lam Yeo Coffee Powder is one of the last remain coffee businesses which has survived Singapore’s ever-changing landscape. This Singaporean traditional–style coffee roaster specialises in both local kopi and modern gourmet coffee. Choose from a selection of beans and blends to cater to different tastes – from traditionally roasted Singaporean kopi blends to the newer, more exotic ones from Brazil, Ethiopia and Colombia. You can also customise the grind size based on the coffee-making equipment you have at home.

Balestier Road is a hotspot for lighting shops, with highly rated ones such as Azora, Sims Lighting Gallery, and Light Makers Singapore. Those looking to revamp their crib will be spoilt for choice as options range from minimalistic white lamps to glass lighting chandeliers. Plus, with many shops lined up in the same street, prices remain competitive and budget-friendly.