Singapore doesn’t usually do “gritty”, but Bencoolen wears its edges proudly. Wedged between Bugis and Bras Basah, this under-the-radar locale has just been named in our latest list of 39 coolest neighbourhoods in the world. And if you’ve ever ducked into Fortune Centre or stumbled across a risograph print studio here, you’ll understand why.
Every year, Time Out’s local writers and experts scour neighbourhoods worldwide to find out where locals are experiencing the best of their city, the places where food, art, and culture collide in a mix that keeps people coming back. Singapore’s selection this year reflects that: unassuming as it is, Bencoolen is scrappy, surprising, affordable, authentic – a standout in a place that leans more polished and curated.
Bencoolen’s creative energy is undeniable. Walk down the main strip and you’ll mill past hordes of students from nearby art schools like Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Lasalle. You can catch a glimpse at artworks by these brewing young talent in university-run galleries in the area, or nurture your own creativity by enrolling in a public course. Then you have institutions like the National Museum of Singapore anchoring Stamford Road, and not far off, Objectifs, a gem of a photography and film space showcasing some of Southeast Asia’s best shutterbug talent.
It’s also a seriously underrated foodie destination in our books. Fortune Centre alone is proof of this: there’s addictive salted egg yolk chicken rice at New Station Rice Bar, affordable vegetarian and vegan eats at Bodhi Deli and Tracy Juice Culture, and homey, traditional desserts at Yat Ka Yan. The contemporary joints in the ‘hood favour ease and intimacy over fine dining stuffiness – take the 8-seater grill house Paraphrase, the quirky umeshu den Umesan 100, and the laid-back natural wine house Middle Child Bar.
There’s lots more to explore in the neighbourhood, from vibrant risograph prints at Knuckles & Notch to indie and vintage fits at Zabu Boutique. More often than not, these are hidden inside old and unassuming complexes, such as Waterloo Centre and Burlington Square – half the fun is discovering it all. The point is, Bencoolen proves that we don’t need things to be shiny and that the cool is where the DIY, creative, and a little rough-around-the-edges are.
With that said, head to our Bencoolen neighbourhood guide for more ideas about where to go and what to do in the area. Also, don’t forget to check out Time Out’s full ranking of the 39 coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2025.
Top 10 coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2025, according to Time Out:
- Jimbōchō, Tokyo
- Borgerhout, Antwerp
- Barra Funda, São Paulo
- Camberwell, London
- Avondale, Chicago
- Mullae-dong, Seoul
- Ménilmontant, Paris
- Nakatsu, Osaka
- Vallila, Helsinki
- Labone, Accra
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