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Everyday Street Art + Street Food Tour
Photograph: Everyday Tour Company

The best food tours in Singapore

Discover hidden culinary gems in lesser-known neighbourhoods and whip up local favourites on these food tours

Written by
Michelle Yee
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Avoid the tourist traps and discover some of Singapore’s hidden culinary gems that only locals know of through one of these food tours, which will take foodies to lesser-known neighbourhoods like Jalan Besar, Geylang, Little India and more.

From savouring an array of local dishes like Hainanese chicken rice at hawker centres to buying fresh produce at a local wet market, these food tours, led by passionate local guides who know these neighbourhoods inside out, are sure to offer an unforgettable experience. During the tour, your local guide will also share fascinating stories and insights about Singapore’s history, culture and traditions between food stops, adding depth to your culinary adventure.

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The best food tours in Singapore

Hush: Night Food Tour Through Geylang
Photograph: Indie Singapore Tours

1. Hush: Night Food Tour Through Geylang

Commonly known as Singapore’s seedy red light district, Geylang is also renowned for its vibrant food scene which comes alive when night falls. Go on this tantalising night food tour, which will take you through some of Geylang’s alleys where a treasure trove of stalls selling frog porridge, skewers, dim sum, durians and more, await. Apart from indulging in scrumptious local fare, the three-hour tour will also reveal the stories and secrets behind the district’s intriguing history and culture. From colourful conservation shophouses to mosques and temples, there is plenty to see and experience here.

Book here. Prices start from $95 per person. 

Nocturnal Gems
Photograph: Oriental Tours

2. Nocturnal Gems

Gear up for an exclusive bar hopping experience in the city – this three-hour tour will take you through Chinatown where you will get to try authentic local dishes like carrot cake, chicken rice and more. With bellies satiated, your guide will lead you to one of Singapore’s largest nightlife districts, where you’ll get to experience two hidden bars. The first stop of the night is an award-winning underground bar, serving creative and innovative cocktails. The guys here don’t indicate the type of spirits they use on the menu, just the ingredients, so order away and look forward to a pleasant surprise.

Next, the tour will take you to another renowned bar for a gin masterclass, where you will get to learn more about how gin is made and even try your hand at making your own bespoke cocktail.

Book here. Prices start from $160 per person.

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Singapore Street Food and Night Tour
Photograph: Monster Day Tours

3. Singapore Street Food and Night Tour

Experience a different side of Singapore through this after dark tour, which will take to experience the authentic hawker culture that the city is known for. The tour starts at Lau Pa Sat, where you will get to try more than eight local dishes. Thereafter, you’ll be taken on a walk along the Singapore River, where the guide will regale you with tales from yesteryears. Other notable highlights include exploring the nightlife scene around the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay Area. Small group sizes for each tour spells opportunities for meaningful interaction with the guide, who has great insight into Singapore’s history, culture and people. A must-try tour for locals and tourists, you will feel like you’ve learnt so much in just one night.  

Book here. Prices start from $70 per person.

Market to Table Culinary Tour Experience
Photograph: Let's Go Tour

4. Market to Table Culinary Tour Experience

The perfect tour for foodies and budding chefs, this tour will take you to one of Singapore’s bustling wet markets to learn how to bargain and buy ingredients like a local. Pick out fresh produce to use in your hands-on cooking session, where expert chefs will teach you how to whip up delicious Singaporean dishes like laksa, curry chicken, curry fish head, roti jala, and more. The chefs are warm, outgoing and friendly, and ever-ready to dish out culinary tips and stories behind each menu item. It’s a great way to forge a deeper connection to Singapore, its culture and its people. Visit the website to find out what is on the menu. A customised menu can also be arranged.

Book here. Prices start from $129 per person.

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Everyday Street Art + Street Food Tour
Photograph: Everyday Tour Company

5. Everyday Street Art + Street Food Tour

Experience the incredible food diversity of two of Singapore’s main ethnic groups when you go on this tour, which will take you on a journey through Little India and Chinatown. Visit some of the best stalls, where you’ll get to taste up to 10 different local snacks and dishes. Beyond a food tasting, you will also get a full palate education on the herbs and spices that are used in the traditional culinary kitchens of the region. In between eating stops, explore the neighbourhoods – the stunning street art is a highlight. The tour group is capped at just six persons to ensure an intimate experience.

Book here. Prices start from $130 per person.

Tea & Tiffin: Cultural & Food Tour of Little India
Photograph: Culture Curious

6. Tea & Tiffin: Cultural & Food Tour of Little India

A foodie walking tour that combines the best of food, culture and heritage, attendees will be taken on an insightful journey through Little India and Jalan Besar. Nibble your way through two to three delicious snacks as you stroll along old shophouses and learn about an early immigrant’s way of life and common trades of yesteryear. Your guide will also take you to a public housing estate where you will get to learn more about Singapore’s urban development and social housing transformation, as well as visit places of worship including a 19th-century Hindu temple and the grand Abdul Gafoor mosque.

Book here. Prices start from $68 per person.

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Gin, Tonic & The Empire Tour
Photograph: Flickr

7. Gin, Tonic & The Empire Tour

Learn more about the wartime history of Singapore through this insightful tour led by an experienced World War II guide. Starting at Labrador Park, follow your guide to uncover hidden historical sites such as observation towers and a machine gun hideout. As you navigate the trail, you will also hear stories of how the gun emplacements, casemates and machine gun pillboxes once stood to protect the country. Apart from learning about the role Labrador Park played during the war, your guide will also share fun facts – for example, how gin and tonic kept the British Empire in good health back in the day, as quinine in tonic water was vital for stopping the spread of malaria. The tour ends at Brass Lion Distillery,  the country’s first full-fledged distillery, where you will learn all about the gin distilling process, how the distillery’s signature Singapore Dry Gin came about, and even taste some of its gins.

Book via contactus@xperiencedmc.com or +65 6513 4337.

Ugly Food Tour Through Jalan Besar
Photograph: Indie Singapore

8. Ugly Food Tour Through Jalan Besar

Discover a different side of Singapore when you go on this tour through Jalan Besar, a fascinating district steeped in history and culture. Historic cabarets, vibrant nightlife, delicious hawker food, and bustling street markets – there’s bound to be something for everyone here. As you explore the district, you’ll get a chance to witness the resilience and strength of the people who call Jalan Besar home. From the tragic collapse of Hotel New World in 1986 to the closure of the New World Amusement Park, your guide will take you through the stories and unfortunate events that took place over the years. Come hungry, as you will be led through the back streets and side alleys of Jalan Besar where some of the ugliest but tastiest dishes can be found.  

Book here. Prices start from $95 per person.

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