48 best shops in Singapore

If you’re someone who wants to jazz up your computer station with a cool new keyboard, pay a visit to The Laboratory by Reformd. Think of The Laboratory’s ‘build a board’ experience as the tech equivalent of a Build-A-Bear Workshop; You basically get full rein in selecting the various components of your keyboard, starting from the base followed by the switches and keycaps. These parts are from a wide range of established brands including Akko, Gateron, Keychron, Monsgeek, and plenty more – mix and match for a unique creation that’s a reflection of your personality. There are all sorts of bases in different dimensions – from 65 percent to full-sized – made of both plastic and metal for different usage needs. As for switches, pick from a whole double-sided wall of clicky, linear, and tactile types. Expect an extensive collection of keycaps here, with designs ranging from food-centric to retro-inspired and cutesy cat- and hamster-themed ones. There’s even a set of mahjong-themed keycaps for fanatics of the Chinese tile game.

Soilboy puts down roots at New Bahru, in one of the most beautifully designed stores in the cluster. Five times bigger than its former Sin Ming space, the new store provides a calm oasis for shoppers to explore curated low-maintenance houseplants, chic handmade pots from Korea, and merchandise designed in collaboration with local illustrators like Oak & Bindi. Besides a potting station that doubles as a plant clinic anytime you have an ailing plant on your hands, Soilboy at New Bahru also has a dedicated workshop space. Here’s where you can attend plant care workshops, bonsai styling classes, and ikebana activities with the Soilboy crew.

Established in 2013, Colony Clothing seamlessly blends Eastern and Western styles, with a particular emphasis on tailored garments designed for tropical climates. This fashionable boutique showcases various Japanese brands, including the renowned label BEAMS PLUS. Additionally, they offer their own in-house label, featuring exceptionally stylish and well-tailored clothing for both men and women.

You will no longer need to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun to shop at Japanese mega fashion mall LUMINE – its newest flagship store at Raffles City is one of only two overseas branches. The boutique’s new 7,000-square-foot space showcases Japan's top fashion and lifestyle brands, along with cultural and lifestyle products. Plus, look forward to the Southeast Asian debut of the specialty coffee chain, Blue Bottle Coffee, which will find a home within its grounds.

The store is divvy up into four zones and stocks a specially curated collection of several iconic Japanese brands that are not commonly found in Singapore. Look forward to shopping from renowned Japanese fashion brands like Beams, United Arrows, Tomorrowland, Fray I.D., Snidel, And Couture, Elendeek, Spick & Span, and Le Talon. Not forgetting its Singapore selection from local brands like You Living, MiMo, Lynk Artisan, and more. Not forgetting its Singapore selection from local brands like You Living, MiMo, Lynk Artisan, and more. 

Buy your coffee and drink it too at Morning’s first physical store. This space is dominated by a curved bar, where the Morning crew stand ready to demonstrate the use of its spectacular Morning machines. See how with the press of the button and the help of some cloud technology, you can easily brew craft coffees from specialty roasters in Singapore and around the world right in your own home. We were impressed to see how seamlessly and precisely you could calibrate your brew with the Morning app too. And since the demos are done right in front of you, the brewed coffee is all yours to drink. Don’t forget to take a look at the shelves, which are stocked with Morning coffee capsules from Kurasu, Allpress Espresso, Colonna Coffee, and more.

You might have seen a mother-and-son duo taking the thrift scene by storm on Instagram – that’s Honsie Ponsie. Tucked away at Queensway Shopping Centre, this humble secondhand store offers a range of interesting finds at a wallet-friendly price, catered to both males and females. Find vintage jackets, knit vests, maxi skirts, and cargo pants of various sizes, patterns, and colours. Make sure to catch their ongoing sale, where any clothing on black hangers costs only $10. To keep updated on their frequent fresh drops and deals, follow them on Instagram here. 

Parents will find homegrown children’s clothing label The Elly Store a one-stop shop for all their children’s needs, offering the cutest outfits for tiny tots and tweens. The store provides festive wear like baby cheongsams for ages three months to four years, and a matching selection of adult casual and festive clothing so the whole family can twin on a day out. Having also collaborated with Disney, the store carries plenty of Mickey- and Winnie the Pooh-themed prints galore. In addition to apparel, shop for shoes from brands like Native, KEEN, Pediped, and Bobux, as well as nursery essentials, gifts, food, and toys for every child. Its first retail location in Cluny Court has been around since 2012, with a flagship store recently opened in Holland Village. Check their site here for the newest drops to look forward to.

Sneakerheads now have another place to check out in town. Japan’s leading customer-to-customer sneaker platform, SNKRDUNK, has opened its flagship store at Mandarin Gallery. 

The retail store will house a wide collection of sneakers, including limited edition collaborations such as Nike’s Jordans with Travis Scott, Yeezys and sold-out New Balance collabs. The physical space will also showcase exclusive collaborative pieces between SNKRDUNK and other brands. The brand aims to offer sneakerheads a seamless shopping experience, allowing customers to touch and feel these kicks before making a purchase.

Customers can find in-depth profile features of several brands and personalities on its app. In addition to purchasing sneakers on the platform, the latest street culture news and updates will also be available here.

The SNKRDUNK flagship store is located at #01-09 and #02-10, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road.

Located within the vibrant lifestyle cluster of New Bahru, Studio Yono is a Singapore-based interior design shop specialising in bringing European art to the local market. Established in 2022 by Kaia Nelk, this boutique interior design studio initially carved its niche with mid-century vintage collectibles. Now, the studio shines a spotlight on new and unique designs from emerging European designers and artists, including Ronan Bouroullec, Susan Bijl, Klaas Kuiken, and Rop van Mierlo, among others. Frame your wall with Bouroullec’s unique Bas Relief 1 ($280) or choose a kitschy bottle vase ($98) from Foekje Fleur, inspired by a collection of plastic trash to address concerns about environmental pollution.

Moving places from Capitol Pizza to Mandarin Gallery on shopping belt Orchard Road, Manifesto was designed with the inspiration of the Sahara desert in mind - with fashion apparal just as hot. The store carries over 30 names across luxe fashion labels, street-style staples and alternative indie brands. Take your pick from avant garde apparel, minimalist accessories and off-kilter footwear from designers such as Axel Arigato, Roberto Collina femme, and Anna Thomas. This one’s aimed at the cool types. 

Imagine being able to acquire new clothing without having to spend a single cent. Well, you can now do that at The Fashion Pulpit, a clothing store that allows you to swap out your old clothing for new ones in an effort to close the loop on textile waste. Shop from dresses to shoes and bags, all priced affordably. There’s also an option to purchase the clothes without swapping. Furthermore, join their membership for additional perks which include unlimited drop-off and swapping for a designated amount of time, along with discount perks at various retailers.

Filled with quirky, eclectic items from labels like Freitag, Stepney Workers Club, Baggu, and Dr Denim, this multi-brand fashion and lifestyle store at 313 Somerset offers everything from apparel and shoes to bags and accessories.

Popular Japanese lifestyle chain Tokyu Hands has undergone a revamp, and they’re now simply known as Hands across Japan and its overseas outposts. But a change in name and logo isn’t all there is to it – they’ve also revamped their selection of products in Singapore with over 1,200 new offerings, including items that are exclusive to our Little Red Dot. Some of these Singapore exclusives include premium stationery, specific ranges of the popular Lululun face masks, HARIO Immersion Dripper Switch coffee dripper, and adorable stickers that feature local motifs like the Merlion. If you’re a fan of personalised stationery, check out the premium Pilot MR3 fountain pens which come with Japanese-inspired designs and complimentary name engraving services. Of course, the usual favourites like Japanese cosmetics, kitchenware, plushies, and adorable collectibles like Sonny Angels blind boxes remain.

Local label Beyond The Vines has now progressed to a design studio located at Ngee Ann City. Started by a husband-wife team in 2015, the brand is known for its ready-to-wear womenswear that in are stylish but practical for Singapore's climate. Since then, the label has expanded to include a permanent menswear line and a diverse range of products that are available to a wider audience.

When you drop by the physical store, you will see its vibrant signature hue of Engineer's Blue all around. This is chosen deliberately to represent the utilitarian nature of the brand. All elements of the store are repurposed to reflect a new perspective on what was previously ‘invisible’. A massive blue, see-through polycarbonate structure, reminiscent of the iconic transparent products that marked the 80s and 90s, doubles up as a visual installation and a retail counter to spark a sense of curiosity and playful nostalgia.  

The new Beyond The Vines still retains its minimalistic aesthetics but with a more refined approach based on its philosophy inspired by the duality that is 'to create boldly, and to design simply'. You will see that reflected in the new offerings from the brand like its XS dumpling bags that are roomy and trendy enough to suit every kind of outfit. Beyond The Vines are also currently working on a lifestyle range – and like its clothing and accessories, you can expect it to be just as well-designed. 

Known for its stylish and sustainable everyday products and apparel, The Paper Bunny is a lifestyle brand that initially started out as an online store. Head down to their physical store at Takashimaya to check out their wide range of lifestyle products in person – that covers roomy convertible strap bags, printed resort wear, functional planners, reusable bags and cutlery, the ever-popular laptop bags, and much more. 

Get your sustainable shopping fix at Our Barehands, a social enterprise selling lifestyle apparel and accessories. Head down to its physical store called Our Barehands Loft at Funan to try on its made-to-order collections in-store and purchase selected designs from its Off the Rack range. Founded by Chanel Go, Germaine Lye, and Mitchell Hong, this homegrown label works with artisan communities in the region, championing traditional crafts and supporting artisans in making a living. Online and at the store, you can pick up handmade apparel by Mr. JS, a talented tailor from the Refugee Sewing Community in Malaysia; handcrafted artisanal jewellery from The Resin Cousins in Indonesia; leather sandals from masters in Karnataka, India; and more.

If you think vintage shopping is about second-hand duds and 80s clothes, A Vintage Tale will prove you wrong. This little gem in Joo Chiat stocks genuine vintage threads, some from way back in the '50s. Dig up brands like Gucci, Valentino, Moschino, pick from accessories and clothes and also bring home your collection of treasures at the end of it all. 

This homegrown jewellery brand is beloved for its timeless and sophisticated pieces, which range from everyday earrings, necklaces, and bracelets to bespoke showstoppers for special occasions. Its jewellery designs are elegant and minimalist, with tasteful placements of freshwater pearls, diamonds, and colourful gems. Curious Creatures is also among the first to offer a permanent jewellery service. Bring your bestie to its mini workstation and get matching bracelets or anklets zapped on – Curious Creatures allows you to personalise your piece with charms, too.

As founder Connor Su intended, this preserved plant store is a true oasis along Joo Chiat Road. This unassuming shophouse houses an airy "greenhouse" – but rather than flourishing shrubs, the bulk of these plants are already preserved, with the occasional landscape feature of live plants. Connor crafts these botanical creations by hand, with a range of stones and plants imported from overseas – think preserved plants from Japan, wood slate stones from Greece, and driftwood from Indonesia and Vietnam. They result in beautiful pieces like the Lone Pine ($1599), made from preserved moss, bonsai wood, serissa roots and baby breath flowers; and the more affordable A Small Tree in the East ($139), featuring preserved moss and dry bush wood imported from Japan, all positioned carefully on a quartz stone base.

Going by the motto “No Play, No Life”, CO PLAY is a newly opened space located in Plaza Singapura for artists and collectors – both aspiring and seasoned – to gather in the name of toys. Yes, you heard that right! Who says toys are just for children? 

Serving also as a community space to encourage creative freedom and expression, you’ll be able to discover toys that are beyond your imagination crafted by local and international artists. Think vintage toys, rare Japanese collectibles and artists’ figurines. Cackle at cute creations, hunt for one-of-a-kind toys to add to your existing collection, or simply enjoy the aesthetically intriguing characters as you get in touch with your inner child all over again.

Open Door Store is an open-air retail art space inviting all to enter and explore artworks by various artists – both local and international – that work mainly in the form of print.

This refreshing warehouse-esque space was founded by Zhong Ming and Debbie, the creative minds behind Konstrukt Labs – a local silkscreen printing house. What once started out as a bedroom project now occupies the first floor of Open Door Store serving as a space to facilitate their silkscreen printing production. 

If you love art with more striking colours and pop-culture references, the collection at Knuckles & Notch is something you would want to check out. The risograph publishing and print studio is known for its prints that utilise fluorescent colours and are affordable – especially when you're thinking of starting a collection. Shop prints and posters that pay homage to the movies of Wong Kar Wai, 80s Indonesian horror films, and fantastical and sultry scenarios involving Disney princesses. 

If you want a piece that is truly yours, get one made at the hip Studio HHFZ. You start with a consultation with the dressmaker and the magic begins to happen. From their portfolio, you'll see traditional designs made fresh and elegant again – sometimes with a modern twist. Details like the mother-of-pearl buttons, and using suede and tweed fabric make the creations stand out from other modern cheongsam. Need a cheongsam jumpsuit? They can make one too. 

Your home should be your palace – to relax and unwind after a long day of work. And luxury sheets and furnishings from Sojao certainly won't hurt to turn your humble abode into a lush sanctuary. Now, the luxury home essentials brand has opened its very first brick-and-mortar store at the electic Joo Chiat. Step into this spacious and calming space to get a feel of organic sheets and silky soft loungwear, and pick up other home essentials from partnering brands such as Carrom, Good Good Ceramics and loom & stone. 

Time travelling may be impossible as of now, but Type8ar gives us a taste of what it would be like. Find this space tucked away on the second floor along the streets of Haji Lane with its impressive collection of over 50 vintage typewriters – a haven for analogue enthusiasts and typewriter lovers. Feast your eyes on a transparent Royal typewriter that was used in the United States prison, or perhaps the MusicWriter that was specifically used to type music scores. 

The best part? It is not just a museum. One can try your hand at typing your very own note, or if you’re looking for something more in-depth, opt for their workshop to learn the basic workings and history behind the classic machine and bring home a personal typewritten memorabilia at $48 per participant. The typewriters are also available for rent on-site at $18 for 30 mins, $28 for 60 mins and $38 for 120 mins, with complimentary beverage and unlimited supply to papers, card stock, stationeries and whatnot. So if you have something to say, why not try typing it out on a click-clack machine for a change? 

Nestled within an industrial building in Commonwealth Drive lies a vintage treasure hunting ground. This warehouse is a collector’s paradise – housing vintage materials, records, luggages, wares, prints, toys, crockeries, and many more nostalgic goodies. Regardless of your age, a visit to this place will take you on a trip down memory lane by giving you something to reminisce about.

Read our interview with Rebecca, the co-founder of By My Old School, here.

Cat Socrates offers a cornucopia of unique home décor, books, trinkets, bicycle accessories, craft and paper paraphernalia. Discover lifestyle goods such as notebooks, bags, pillows and mugs whimsically fashioned by local designers. Bring home the likes of aesthetically pleasing wooden furnishings, magnets or tote bags with Peranakan tiles or cat prints. You’ll also find a range of books and magazines here, published by local writers and illustrators. Keep a look out for the resident cat shopkeeper Zoo-zoo – if he isn’t waiting to greet you by the door, he might be resting in his bed hanging by the window. 

If you're keen to ride the wave of board sports in Singapore, the best place to start is at The Ride Side. The adventure sports company has got snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding prowess under one roof – offering adventure trips and bootcamps to places like Switzerland and Japan, as well as class across skateboarding and surfskating. Visit its retail shop at Kallang Wave Mall to shop for skateboard/surfboard/longboard parts and completes from top international brands, as well as cool merchandise to jazz up your street style. 

Get your vintage film camera kicks at Filem, a shop in Kapo Factory Building that sells a range of 35mm and 120mm film cameras. Whether you want a fuss-free point-and-shoot, or a higher-end SLR camera, Filem has got 'em. The folks at Filem can also answer all your questions about film cameras, help you troubleshoot issues, or even service your cameras. Filem also runs photowalks and film developing workshops. Though its physical store is closed until September 2024, you can still head to its website for all your photography needs.

Founded by Andre Reyes, also know as DJ Drem, this music space is more than meets the eye. Besides offering stacks of records for music aficionados to browse through upstairs, the laidback store also invites customers to enjoy a cuppa specialty joe and craft beers, bagels and New York styled pizza slices downstairs. It's an all-in-one New York inspired record-pizza-coffeeshop that also offers a co-working space (for $5 per hour) if you want to work to some funky grooves. Their Instagram usually shows whenever they have events too such as live DJ vinyl sets ranging from reggae and dub step to hip hop and electronic music.

Chinese bookstores are few and far between in Singapore, but ZALL Bookstore makes up for it. ZALL is a Chinese bookstore, art gallery and café all rolled into one, taking up a full two storeys of space at Wheelock Place. Lovers of Chinese culture and literature have more than 30,000 literary works to browse – have a relaxing read at the multi-functional reading space on the first floor, or head to the café to enjoy a variety of coffee blends, Chinese chu tea and Taiwan tea. 

Grassroots Book Room is an independent Chinese bookstore that dates back to 1995. Starting out across the National Library, it eventually settled at a quaint space on Bukit Pasoh Road. Grassroots Book Room aims to stimulate Chinese reading among Singaporeans, carrying an impressive collection that covers Chinese history, politics, literature, philosophy film and drama. It also offers a wide range of local and international titles across fiction and non-fiction. 

Browsing books promises to be a fun affair in this charming two-storey shophouse-turned-bookshop. The indie bookstore carries titles across all genres that range from specially selected literary, non-fiction, travel narratives, and award-winning children's books. Additionally, the books on sale – ranging from bestsellers and literary classics to children's titles – are actually quite affordable, or at least cheaper than you'd expect from other bookstores.

Aa Furniture encapsulates the essence of Japanese philosophy in both their products and space. Tucked away at Ho Seng Lee Flatted Warehouse, upon entering their showroom, you are greeted by the nostalgic aroma of incense, reminiscent of retail experiences in Japan. Their furniture collection is carefully sourced from different regions of Japan, offering a diverse range of styles. Additionally, they curate a selection of ceramics, showcasing the unique styles from various prefectures in Japan. Aa Furniture also hosts occasional flea markets and workshops, providing further opportunities for engagement. Stay informed about their upcoming events by following them on Instagram.

You’ll hear Musicology Records before you even see it. Walking down Haji Lane, find your way to it by simply following the music. This vinyl record store carries a wide range of genres, from the classics, to rock, city pop, and even one for Santa with a curated selection of Christmas records. Turntables are up for sale as well. And if you’re looking for more than just a shopping experience, be sure to attend their occasional spin sesh where invited DJs take the wheel to guarantee you a good time. 

You can count on uncovering well-crafted pieces at atomi, all made and designed in Japan. The boutique’s well-curated selection of tableware, kitchenware, trinkets and furniture bears a minimalist ethos – and paying testament to that is its Barefoot Collection that features simple and rustic pine wood furniture, perfect for the Japandi home aesthetic. Don’t forget to peruse the rest of the store, which carries brands such as Riposo, maruni and nissin.

Climb up Duxton Hill and look for the heart-shaped tree – in front of it lies HULS Gallery Singapore, a shrine to Japanese fine crafts. Also known as "kogei", these crafts combine function with art and make the perfect gift or addition to any home. Pieces include porcelain ware from Arita, Saga Prefecture with over 400 years of history, and various lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture as well as rare pieces of ceramics and glasses by Japanese artists. The quality and aesthetics of the products make them suitable for professional use too.

As you can tell, HULS has developed a strong connection with various Japanese craft manufacturers, bringing in exclusive pieces to Singapore. The gallery was founded in 2017 by Yusuke Shibata – who is also the CEO of HULS Inc. and HULS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. – and bases its essence on "Roots and Touch". Step into the gallery, and you'll be greeted with heritage pieces that emphasize textural details and how a piece feels in your hand. At the same time, functional items like plates and mugs are also elevated to pieces of art that spark joy and conversation whenever they are used. Pick up a piece to call your own at HULS Gallery Singapore today.

Time Out Singapore in partnership with HULS Gallery Singapore

You’d be hard-pressed to find more good-looking furniture than at Noden. The independent store sources for mid-century and Scandinavian design pieces from the ’40s to ’70s, meaning you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind classic that could, for all you know, become a family heirloom down the line. Expect furniture like a restored Hans J. Wegner GE 236 sofa from 1965 and the Johannes Andersen freestanding bench in Brazilian rosewood from 60s Denmark. Just check their website for available furniture that’s not listed as ‘sold’ or ‘on hold’. Otherwise, head to their physical store to check out all their available pieces. 

With attitudes loosening around lounging around on second-hand furniture, stores like Hock Siong and Co are suddenly top-of-mind to score home goods at a steal. (No one at the sprawling Tai Seng store is actually named Hock Siong – the name was coined by the company’s old-school towkay.) The goods – tightly and neatly packed into three units – cover a wide range of styles, from vintage rosewood to mid-century to the downright opulent. The products are hand-me-downs from hotels and show flats, furniture shops that have closed down, and the occasional beautifully appointed home. Oh, and make sure to bargain – the staff will happily knock down prices. Talk about retail therapy. 

Indulge in some secondhand retro-chic at Lorgan's the Retro Store. The shop is stacked to the ceiling with homeware and knick-knacks from yesteryear, including '40s art-deco ashtrays, '60s remote-control tin toy cars and '70s cantilever dining chairs. Lorgan Wong has been restoring colonial furniture with his father since he was just a child, and now flies in pre-loved possessions from as far as Europe, which he takes pride in restoring to as close to their original state as possible. 

This store on the Duxton block recreates Los Angeles’ beachy vibe in its shop that’s part retail and part café. On its retail front, you'll find brands from local designers that are rotated every quarter. When you’re done browsing, grab a cup of specialty coffee or nosh on artisanal bread at the café.

Peranakan tiles are synonymous with local design and architecture – seen on the facade of shophouses and even in interiors of contemporary homes. For a massive selection of vintage and replica tiles for your home, Peranakan Tiles Gallery Singapore has you covered. Owner Victor Lim will bring you through a wide range of beautiful vintage tiles from England, Belgium and Japan. 

As its name suggests, The Prestigious Bespoke is a well-known bespoke tailor often consulted by the well-heeled and well-dressed community. All commissioned suits are crafted in-house in the atelier by a team of 7 tailors and apprentices, mentored and personally supervised by master tailor Thomas Wong, a veteran who has over five decades of experience in the industry. There's no outsourcing and no secret factory here – The Prestigious Bespoke is one of the only places in Singapore where the pieces don't leave the premises except in the client's hands (or body). To up the Savile Row experience, a personal tailor is assigned to each patron who is tasked to measure, fit, draft, cut, and construct the pieces.