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Lau Pa Sat Overview

Also known as Telok Ayer Market, Lau Pa Sat has been a national monument in Singapore since 1973. It showcases beautiful architecture with delicious local cuisine. Once a bustling market, it has now transformed into a hawker centre. The place offers a variety of affordable food options. You can taste Hainanese chicken rice with a cold drink while soaking in the old-world atmosphere of the place

Lau Pa Sat is a famous hawker centre at 18 Raffles Quay in Singapore. It has been a national monument since 1973. Also known as Telok Ayer Market, it attracts several food lovers from different parts of the world. The building has an octagonal architecture with ornate columns handcrafted by the architect James MacRitchie in 1894. 

This place offers an attractive and friendly atmosphere. Numerous food stalls in the octagonal hall of Lau Pa Sat offer different tasty dishes. If you want to try local and offbeat cuisine, you can go to Noodle Evolution. Ang Hapang Kainan, The Beef House, Indian Classic Cuisine AS, and Thunder Tea Rice are other popular spots.

One of the much-loved food items here is Hainanese chicken rice and the Malaysian roti prata from Stall 61. Some of the other must-try dishes are chilli crab, Laksa, carrot cake, kaya toast, and Kopi-O. If you want an evening snack, you can taste curry puffs from Stall 24. For those booked budget-friendly Singapore tour packages, a visit to Lau Pa Sat offers not only a glimpse into the city's rich history but also a chance to savor its diverse culinary delights.

The market has for some time been changed over into a peddler focus offering the best of neighborhood food. So taste a super cold brew and appreciate a plate of Hainanese chicken rice as you delight in the exquisite old-world appeal of Singapore's loveliest sustenance court.

Highlights

• Explore the historic hawker centre in Singapore named Lau Pa Sat, which dates back to the 19th century.
• Admire the octagonal-shaped architecture of the building with ornate columns created by the architect James MacRitchie in 1894.
• Wander through the different stalls, like Noodle Evolution and Ang Hapang Kainan, to discover their signature dishes.
• Enjoy the friendly atmosphere and taste Hainanese chicken rice and the Malaysian roti prata with a cold drink
• Try the tempting barbecue items, such as chilli crab, Laksa, and curry puffs, outside Lau Pa Sat from 7 p.m.

How To Reach

Lau Pa Sat is located at 18 Raffles Quay in Singapore.

By MRT- The closest MRT Stations to Lau Pa Sat are Downtown, Raffles Place, and Telok Ayer MRT Stations. You can take the Downtown Line, East West Line, North South Line, or Thomson East-Coast Line to reach any of these MRT stations. From these stations, you can take a walk for 3 to 7 minutes to reach Lau Pa Sat. The total distance from each of these MRT Stations to Lau Pa Sat ranges from 171 to 495 metres.

By Bus- Bus numbers 10, 57, 97, 167, 186, and 196 run daily from Singapore city centre to Lau Pa Sat. You can hop on any of these buses and drop off at Hong Leong Building, outside 18 Robinson, Coach Bay, or outside Lau Pa Sat. From there, you can walk for 2 minutes for a distance of 84 metres to reach Lau Pa Sat.

By Taxi- Taxis offer direct transportation to Lau Pa Sat. You can hire a taxi from Raffles Place MRT Station to Lau Pa Sat. It will take you around 12 minutes to reach your final destination, covering a distance of 3 kilometres.

By Foot- If you love walking, you can walk from Downtown MRT Station to Lau Pa Sat. It is a fun 10 to 15-minute walk in the bustling streets of Singapore before you reach Lau Pa Sat.

Best Time To Visit

Lau Pa Sat is a year-round tourist destination in Singapore. You can enjoy the colourful atmosphere of the place in all the months and seasons. Lau Pa Sat can be visited on all seven days of the week. However, it is advisable to visit the place on weekdays rather than on weekends. This way, you can avoid the crowd and enjoy your street food without any rush. The best time of the day to visit Lau Pa Sat is during the evening after 7 p.m. or 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays. During these times, the streets are closed off, and the chairs are laid outside to enjoy the local food at Lau Pa Sat

Other Essential Information

  • Take your time to explore the different and unique offerings at Lau Pa Sat.
  • Do not litter, and clean your table once you are done to maintain cleanliness.
  • Place something on your table to reserve it, note your table number, and order from the stalls you prefer.
  • Dress for the heat as Lau Pa Sat can get warm due to cooking and outdoor seating.
  • Enjoy the benefit of wheelchair ramps and wide aisles at Lau Pa Sat.
  • Carry some cash as some vendors may not accept QR code payments or credit cards.
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