While Paya Lebar translates into “wide swamp” and Geylang is known for its dingy premises, real foodies know that these vibrant sister neighbourhoods also harbour a treasure trove of culinary delights. Whether you’re in the mood for mouthwatering seafood, tantalising noodles, or fragrant rice dishes — Paya Lebar and Geylang have it all! So grab your appetite and prepare for a tasty trip because you’ll be racing down to join the queues after reading this! 🏃

The best food in Paya Lebar

01 • Coexist Coffee Co.

(Photo adapted from: Coexist Coffee Co.)

Start your day with a cuppa from Coexist Coffee Co. For those searching for good Paya Lebar coffee, this expansive 2-storey cafe serves a great morning brew with the main-character vibes to accompany it. Coexist Coffee Co. even offers tasting sets to work out your taste buds. Try out their Risk Taker set, which includes 3 different blends of Ristretto shots. 

Once your appetite stirs awake, dig into their Chicken French Toast, which blends sweet and savoury flavours perfectly. Fusion food fans should give their Laksa Fish N’ Chips a whirl. This dish combines the best of both worlds — with laksa cream sauce drizzled over a halibut fillet coated with crispy golden batter.

📍 Address: 11 Eunos Road 8, #01-02, Singapore 408601
📞 Email: hello@coexistcoffee.co
⏰ Opening hours: 8.30am – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: coexistcoffee.co
🍴 Halal status: Not halal-certified

02 • Papa Ayam

(Photo adapted from: Papa Ayam)

If you’ve been looking for good halal food in Paya Lebar, your hunt ends here. At Papa Ayam, you can enjoy an authentic Indonesian meal from its halal-certified kitchen.

The restaurant is the first in Singapore dedicated to ayam geprek (crispy fried chicken with sambal). Papa Ayam takes pride in cooking up its tender and flavourful chicken topped with fresh, aromatic sambal prepared using a good old-fashioned mortar and pestle.

You can choose your preferred spiciness from Level 1 to Level 15, so there’s something for everyone — from those who can’t handle spice to those who love setting their tongues on fire. 🔥

📍 Address: Paya Lebar Quarters Mall, #B2-K3, Singapore 409049
📞 Phone: 9726 1300
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 4pm, 5pm – 9pm daily
🌐 Website: papaayam.com
🍴 Halal status: Muslim-owned

03 • Knots Cafe & Living

(Photo adapted from: Knots Cafe & Living)

Give the tai tai lifestyle a whirl and nibble at a camembert cheese board while perusing furniture and flowers at this tranquil cafe.

The cafe’s rustic elegance, wicker furniture, and cascading plants are Instagram-worthy, and the menu is also a delight.

Some of their highlights include the hearty Knots Waffle Brekkie, which comes with a pillowy buttermilk waffle topped with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, and baked tomatoes. They also take the classic French toast further by adding popcorn chicken, fruits, smoked strawberry maple syrup, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

📍 Address: 160 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-07, Singapore 409022
📞 Phone: 6817 0383
⏰ Opening hours: Tues – Sun, 9am – 9pm
🌐 Website: knotscafeandliving.com
🍴 Halal status: Not halal

04 • Tipsy Bird Gastrobar

(Photo adapted from: Tipsy Bird Gastrobar)

After dessert, it’s time to start the party! Head down to Tipsy Bird at Paya Lebar Quarter and treat yourself to one of their signature Ferris Wheel shots while enjoying the live entertainment.

Their refreshing salads are the perfect choice if you’re in the mood for something light yet flavourful. From the classic Caesar salad to the watermelon caprese salad with pesto, each bite is a burst of freshness.

For those who crave a taste of local cuisine, Tipsy Bird has got you covered with its aromatic Moonlight Truffle Beef Hor Fun, a traditional Singaporean dish with an atas twist.

💡 Pro tip: Please skip the wheels if you’ll be consuming alcohol

📍 Address: 1 Paya Lebar Link, #01-08 Paya Lebar Quarters, Singapore 408533
📞 Phone: 8879 6057
⏰ Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 12pm – 1am | Sun, 12pm – 11pm
🌐 Website: tipsycollective.com/tipsybird
🍴 Halal status: Not halal

The best food in Geylang

01 • Mutiara Seafood

(Photo adapted from: Mutiara Seafood)

Everyone knows Jumbo Seafood. Now, this beloved chain can be enjoyed by more people with the opening of Mutiara Seafood, their first halal-certified restaurant.

Their signature chilli crab, which promises meaty claws and robust flavour, is a must-try. The thick, spicy-sweet gravy is perfect for dunking your mantou buns. Their other signature dishes include fragrant fried rice, claypot prawns with vermicelli, and Malay-style fried noodles. 

Don’t worry if you’re that friend who’s squeamish around seafood. Their menu includes dishes like Ayam Panggang Kecap (Indonesian grilled chicken) and Kambing Panggang dengan Lada dan Sos Madu (baby lamb rack grilled with pepper and honey sauce).

📍 Address: 1 Engku Aman Turn, #01-02 & #02-02/03, Wisma Geylang Serai, Singapore 408528
📞 Phone: 6816 3030
⏰ Opening hours: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm daily
🌐 Website: mutiaraseafood.com
🍴 Halal status: Halal-certified

02 • Sia Kee Duck Rice

(Photo adapted from: Sia Kee Duck Rice)

Run by 3 brothers, this no-frills coffeeshop stall serves up delicious and affordable plates of duck rice. The ducks are roasted to perfection, with crisp skin and tender meat. There’s no menu — all you have to do is let one of the brothers know what part of the duck you want, how many people are eating, and whether you’re sharing a platter or prefer individual plates.

The star of the show at Sia Kee Duck Rice is the thick, savoury sauce used in everything they cook. Akin to perpetual stew, their father started this sauce in a clay cauldron over a charcoal fire and has been stewing for 44 years (for real)! The stew’s intense herbal flavours keep people returning to the stall today.

📍 Address: 659-661 Lor 35 Geylang, Singapore 389589
📞 Phone: 9690 6606
⏰ Opening hours: Sun – Fri, 11.30am – 4pm
🌐 Website: instagram.com/siakeeduckrice/
🍴 Halal status: Not halal-certified

03 • G7 Frog Porridge & Live Seafood

(Photo adapted from: G7 Frog Porridge & Live Seafood)

This is the place for frog porridge in Geylang. G7 serves tender frog meat marinated in a blend of spices and seasonings before being cooked in a broth rich with herbs and spices. The frog meat then goes into a comforting porridge that serves as a neutral base to complement the bursting flavours of the frog meat and broth. Finally, a dash of fried garlic, spring onions, and lime are added for that tangy kick!

For those not used to eating frogs, G7 Frog Porridge & Live Seafood also offers the standard zi char fare, with over 200 dishes on the menu. 🤯

What’s more, they’re open until 3am — so you know where to go when looking for supper in Geylang! 🦐

📍 Address: 161, 163 Geylang Road Lorong 3, Singapore 389239
📞 Phone: 6848 4161
⏰ Opening hours: 3pm – 3am daily
🌐 Website: g7liveseafood.com.sg
🍴 Halal status: Not halal

04 • San Shu Gong Private Dining

(Photo adapted from: San Shu Gong Private Dining)

For authentic Chinese food in Geylang, drop by San Shu Gong. This popular private dining restaurant recognised by the Singapore Michelin Guide is known for delicious Teochew and Cantonese dishes.

One of their signature dishes is the wok-fried Cai Pu Kway Teow with XO Sauce. The smoky aroma is strong and enticing — think umami — while the kway teow is soft and chewy. Pair this dish with their crispy and tender Oyster Omelette, which is fried to golden-brown perfection and comes with a generous helping of oysters. 

Don’t forget to try out their highly-rated Deep Fried Sea Cucumber with Superior Abalone Sauce. It’s braised and deep-fried to soak up the savoury abalone.

Go ahead and make your reservation now — we know you want to. 😋

📍 Address: 135 Geylang Rd, #01-01, Singapore 389226
📞 Phone: 6741 0344
⏰ Opening hours: 12pm – 1pm, 6pm – 7:45pm, 8:00pm – 10:30pm, daily
🌐 Website: facebook.com/sanshugong.sg
🍴 Halal status: Not halal

(Featured photo adapted from: Coexist Coffee Co., Tipsy Bird Gastrobar, G7 Frog Porridge & Live Seafood, and Mutiara Seafood)

Feast away!
June 🥘