36 Hours In Joo Chiat. I Live In The Most Hipster Neighbourhood In Singapore. These Are My Favourite Places.

I moved to Joo Chiat 3 years ago when Tiong Bahru was in every ‘Coolest Neighbourhood In The World’ guidebook. Tiong Bahru is now a distant #2. Long live Joo Chiat.

Friday

1. Choice Cuts | 3:30 p.m.

Start your weekend browsing the record selection at Choice Cuts. From Asian rare grooves to underground hip hop to Brazilian funk, Choice Cuts has something from every genre. Can’t decide? Tell Andre what sort of music you like and ask him for recommendations. Grab a homemade kombucha while you’re there.

2. Little Farms Bistro | 5:00 p.m.

Head to Little Farms Bistro across the road and get a pre-dinner Negroni. We hear the Old Fashioned’s pretty good too. Stock up for the weekend at Little Farms’ grocery store.

3. Wahiro | 7:00 p.m.

My favourite Japanese restaurant in Joo Chiat. Order from the seasonal menu. Can’t go wrong with the yakitoris either.

4. Birds of Paradise | 9:00 p.m.

Arguably the best gelato in Singapore. Pistachio and dark chocolate are my favourite. Expect to queue for at least 15 minutes on a Friday night.

Saturday

5. Petit Pain | 9:30 a.m.

Some people say this is the best bakery in Singapore. Opens at 10 am, but they sell out early, so the line starts forming outside the shop half an hour before opening. Expect to queue for up to an hour. The croissants are out of this world.

6. Da Dong Prawn Noodles | 10:30 a.m.

Bite into the hot croissant while crossing the road to the coffeeshop diagonally across. There are many famous prawn noodle stalls in Singapore. Da Dong’s one of the best. Dig into a traditional Singaporean breakfast.

7. King Cart Coffee Factory | 11:00 a.m.

Grab a coffee just down the road from Da Dong. Lots of great coffee places in Joo Chiat, so go easy.

8. A Vintage Tale | The Cheese Shop | Windowsill Pies | Oasis: Provision Shop | 12:00 p.m.

Spot of shopping after coffee? Vintage dresses and knick-knacks at A Vintage Tale. Great selection of cheese at The Cheese Shop. Tarts and pies at Windowsill Pies. Gifts for mum and your bestie at health and beauty shop Oasis.

9. The 1925 Brewing Co. | 2:00 p.m.

Late lunch at 1925. Modern Teochew food (think charred Napa cabbage, Chaoshan ceviche, smoked pomfret) with local craft beer.

10. Wine Mouth | 4:00 p.m.

Specialty natural wine retail store with super friendly staff who know their low intervention wines. Ask Joyce or Paulina about pet-nats and orange wines. My personal recommendation — you can’t go wrong with Envinate, Claus Preisinger, Cantina Giardino and Fujimaru.

11. Homeground | 5:00 p.m.

Excellent selection of micro lot coffee beans roasted in-house. Good for espresso-based drinks as well as pour-overs.

12. Asador | 7:00 p.m.

Spanish restaurant that specialises in smoked and oven-baked dishes. Ask for off-menu specials.

Sunday

13. Mr Mrs Moghan Prata | 9:30 a.m.

Have a traditional Singaporean breakfast of Indian roti, served with curry. Expect to wait.

14. Brawn & Brains Coffee | 11:00 a.m.

My favourite cafe in Singapore. Excellent coffee and pastries.

15. Cugini Trattoria | 1:00 p.m.

Lunch at Cugini, a casual trattoria with excellent pizza and pasta. End your stay in Joo Chiat checking out the beautiful shophouses in the neighbourhood. Lots of Instagram-worthy spots.