Eat

A Day in Holland Village: 10 Places to Eat, Drink and Shop

Beyond the postcard-ready skyline of Singapore are the various neighbourhoods that make up much of the country, each with its own flavour and character. Holland Village is one of these.

Holland Village was born during the colonial times, when English architect Hugh Holland lent his name to the main road of the area where he lived. Today, it retains its charm, full of great places to eat and cool places to unwind. Here’s a quick guide to making the most of a day in Holland V.

Hunger Is The Best Sauce
Anchoring Holland Village is the Holland Village Market and Food Centre, part-wet market and part-hawker centre. Dishes here, and at the adjacent Holland Village Food Court, are cheap and authentically local. If this is your first time to Singapore, head here to soak in the heady atmosphere and inhale the aromas of Singaporean street food, such as chicken rice, nasi lemak and bak chor mee.

If you have a bit more cash to spare, The Fat Cat Bistro combines Thai, Indian and European flavours to surprisingly delicious effect. One should not leave without sampling the red duck curry, mantra wings and duck confit.

To round your meal off, try 2am: dessertbar which serves up decadent and imaginative desserts such as the deconstructed cheesecake, made from smoked tofu and milk sauce, and the red miso caramel, made from mustard crumble and miso yuzu foam with mustard yuzu meringue.

Drink and Be Merry
Equal to its reputation for eats, Holland Village is also well-known for being a haven of watering holes. The grand old dame of bars here is Wala Wala Café Bar, a double-storied establishment that still attracts a varied crowd of all ages for its live music.

For something more sophisticated, head to Wine Loft. Overlooking Holland V’s heaving Lorong Mambong stretch, this wine bar is a quieter option with a fine ambience. Caffeine heads will not feel left out with D’Good Café. Have your coffee blended and brewed to your liking, or opt for the café’s house blend if you’re feeling indecisive.

Buy The Way
Holland Village isn’t just only about food and drink; there are many charming and quirky shops scattered throughout its streets. Jim Arts and Crafts is an eclectic place to discover trinkets to decorate the home with. From Indian lampshades to Indonesian wood carvings, its items are sourced from all over the Asian continent.

The same complex that houses Jim Arts and Crafts also harbours handicraft stores like Lim’s Arts and Living, along with surprises such as Thirsty The Beer Shop, which stocks a treasure trove of craft beers.

Holland Village is accessible by MRT or by bus. By MRT, get off at the Holland Village station on the yellow Circle Line. By bus, refer to bus timetables at www.sbstransit.com.sg or www.smrt.com.sg