Indian Restaurants in Singapore: Where to Find the Best Indian Food by Area
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-22
Indian food is one of Singapore’s four main cuisines, and quality, price, and spice level swing hard between Little India proper, Orchard, Boat Quay, and the airport. This guide breaks down Indian restaurants in Singapore by neighborhood, with prices in SGD, what to order, and which spots stretch a backpacker budget versus which ones are for the splurge night. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
If you want the broader street-food and hawker picture, the Singapore food guide for Indian travelers is a good companion. For pure veg-Jain safety, pair this with the vegetarian food in Singapore guide.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Best area for cheap North Indian thalis in Singapore? | Little India (Tekka Centre, Race Course Road) | ~₹448-₹1,119 (~6-15 SGD or ~$4.65-$11.61) per meal (~₹450-1,120) |
| Can I get Indian food at Changi Airport Terminal 2 or 3? | Yes, in the public landside area, options range from fast biryani counters to sit-down North Indian | ~₹746-₹2,238 (~10-30 SGD or ~$7.74-$23.23) per meal (~₹750-2,250) |
| Most affordable Indian restaurant cluster near Orchard? | City Gate / North Bridge Road, just one MRT stop from Orchard | ~₹895-₹1,641 (~12-22 SGD or ~$9.29-$17.03) |
| Average price of a North Indian meal at a mid-range Indian restaurant in Singapore? | Around ₹1,865-₹3,357 (~25-45 SGD or ~$19.36-$34.84) per person without drinks, ₹2,984-₹5,221 (~40-70 SGD or ~$30.97-$54.20) with a drink | ~₹1,875-₹5,250 (~$19.46-$54.50) |
| Where do Singapore’s Indians themselves eat on weekends? | Little India (Race Course Road and Campbell Lane), Tekka Centre, and Mustafa Centre food court | ~₹373-₹895 (~5-12 SGD or ~$3.87-$9.29) |
The Big Picture: Indian Food by Area in Singapore
Singapore’s Indian food scene splits into four practical clusters, and which one you pick depends on what you want and how long you’re staying.
Little India and Race Course Road is where the bulk of Singapore’s South Indian, North Indian, and Indian Muslim food lives. Tekka Centre on the corner of Bukit Timah and Serangoon Road is the hawker-style entry point: under ₹746 (~10 SGD or ~$7.74), banana-leaf meals, dosai, biryani, and teh tarik. Race Course Road a block over is sit-down, still affordable, and open late on weekends.
Orchard Road and City Gate is where tourists, hotel guests, and shoppers land. The Orchard hotels have in-house Indian restaurants that are convenient and pricey (₹2,611-₹4,475 (~35-60 SGD or ~$27.10-$46.45) for a main). One MRT stop north sits City Gate Mall at the PNC roundabout edge, where a few mid-range Indian bistros serve North Indian street food and fusion at ₹1,492-₹2,238 (~20-30 SGD or ~$15.48-$23.23) per head.
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay along the Singapore River is the dinner-and-drinks stretch. Most Indian spots here are Punjabi-tandoori style with a bar, a view, and a ₹2,238-₹4,475 (~30-60 SGD or ~$23.23-$46.45) price tag once you add a drink. A few places run accessible à la carte mains in the ₹1,343-₹2,089 (~18-28 SGD or ~$13.94-$21.68) range.
Changi Airport’s public landside (Terminal 2’s third floor, Terminal 3’s public area near Skytrain) has a handful of Indian counters, ranging from biryani-and-curry takeaway joints to a sit-down North Indian restaurant in T2. Prices sit 20-30% higher than the city, useful for a late arrival or a long layover but not a destination meal.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Indian food in Singapore is one of the few things in this city that hits a similar price band to Bangkok or KL once you’re eating in a sit-down restaurant. The difference is portion size, which is usually smaller than what you’re used to back home.
Where to Eat in Little India (Cheapest, Most Authentic)
Little India is the densest pocket of Indian food in Singapore and the cheapest. Walk from Little India MRT (Exit B or C) and you’ll pass three or four options before you cross the first intersection.
Tekka Centre on the corner of Bukit Timah and Serangoon, an LRT walk from Rochor or Little India MRT, is the workhorse. Inside the wet market and food centre on the first floor, you’ll find banana-leaf rice served on a real leaf, South Indian coffee, and dosai stalls. A full banana-leaf meal with rice, dhal, two veg sides, papad, and pickle runs about ₹448-₹746 (~6-10 SGD or ~$4.65-$7.74). This is the meal you repeat on a long-stay budget.
Race Course Road runs parallel to Serangoon, one block north. This stretch leans North Indian and Mughal with a few pure veg Gujarati places. Sit-down menus typically include butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, naan, and biryani. A full thali (veg) averages ₹895-₹1,343 (~12-18 SGD or ~$9.29-$13.94), while a meat main runs ₹1,193-₹1,790 (~16-24 SGD or ~$12.39-$18.58). Most places open from 11 a.m. To 11 p.m., later on Fridays.
For details on vetting stalls and spotting the safe ones, the Little India Singapore food safety and authenticity guide has the specifics.
If you arrive late or are vegan, see Singapore vegan food tour for Indian travelers, it lists the pure-veg hawker stalls inside Tekka.
Subodh’s Safety Alert: Race Course Road is packed and lit well, but the surrounding back alleys are quiet after 10 p.m. Eat first, then head back. Standard city common sense.
Where to Eat Near Orchard Road (Tourist-Friendly, Mid-Range)
Orchard Road itself has surprisingly few Indian restaurants on the main strip. The two clusters that matter are:
Inside Orchard hotels. Most four- and five-star Orchard hotels have an Indian restaurant as one of their in-house dining options. Expect a ₹2,611-₹4,475 (~35-60 SGD or ~$27.10-$46.45) per person tab on mains, ₹4,475-₹6,713 (~60-90 SGD or ~$46.45-$69.68) with drinks and a starter. The trade-off is air-conditioning, a quiet room, and Indian veg and Jain options explicitly on the menu. If your hotel is on Orchard and you don’t want to leave, this is the answer.
City Gate Mall and North Bridge Road, one MRT stop north at PNC. The cluster around City Gate leans North Indian street-food fusion, with mains at ₹1,343-₹1,865 (~18-25 SGD or ~$13.94-$19.36) and small plates at ₹597-₹1,044 (~8-14 SGD or ~$6.19-$10.84). One spot in this cluster is We Desi - Indian Bistro at City Gate Mall, a casual North Indian street-food bistro where the signature tandoori momos come in around ₹1,492 (~20 SGD or ~$15.48) per person. It’s a useful option when you want a step up from hawker without paying the Orchard hotel rate.
If you want a fuller picture of the vegetarian options in this band, the Singapore vegetarian food guide is worth a read.
Where to Eat at Boat Quay and Clarke Quay (Dinner-and-Drinks)
The riverside stretch between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay has a few Punjabi-tandoori places that double as bars. A weekday dinner special at ₹1,343-₹1,865 (~18-25 SGD or ~$13.94-$19.36) per main is achievable if you skip the drinks. With a drink or starter, ₹2,611-₹3,729 (~35-50 SGD or ~$27.10-$38.71) per person is normal. This is also where most Indian restaurants in Singapore stay open past 11 p.m., useful when Little India is winding down.
Sahebs - The Indian Restaurant on Orchard Road (technically not Boat Quay but the same walkable belt) is a fine-dining Punjabi-North Indian spot, mains in the ₹1,865-₹3,357 (~25-45 SGD or ~$19.36-$34.84) band. Shahi Maharaja, an authentic North Indian restaurant and bar on the Boat Quay stretch, serves up tandoori chicken and biryani at around ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23) per person without drinks. Zaffron Tandoori Restaurant further along Boat Quay leans rich Punjabi tandoori dishes in a lively riverside setting. All three open from late morning to late night.
Two more options in the same cluster: Black Pepper Multicuisine Restaurant in Singapore offers a diverse North and South Indian menu in a modern upscale setting; KUBES Indian Restobar runs contemporary Indian street food with a bar atmosphere for casual catch-ups.
Indian Food at Changi Airport
Changi’s public landside areas (before immigration) hold several Indian options. The cluster is split across Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Jewel.
Terminal 2 landside (third floor, near the Skytrain) has a sit-down North Indian restaurant with a fairly broad menu: tandoori, curries, biryani, and a few South Indian dishes. A main is ₹1,343-₹2,089 (~18-28 SGD or ~$13.94-$21.68), a full meal with a drink around ₹2,238-₹3,357 (~30-45 SGD or ~$23.23-$34.84). The vegetarian options are labelled.
Terminal 3 and Jewel have faster biryani and curry counters with mains at ₹895-₹1,343 (~12-18 SGD or ~$9.29-$13.94), useful for late arrivals or long layovers. Note: airside Indian options past immigration are thin. Plan accordingly if you have a meal-shaped layover.
For Indian sweets, snacks, and Diwali shopping (more relevant Sep-Oct), the Indian sweets, chai, and Diwali in Singapore guide covers that side separately.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you’re arriving on a late flight and the immigration queue at Changi is long, landside Indian food is genuinely faster than walking to a city restaurant. Stay in the public area, eat, then queue.
Price Breakdown by Area
| Area | Typical meal per person (SGD) | Same in INR | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tekka Centre hawker | 6-12 | ~₹450-₹895 (~$4.67-$9.29) | Banana-leaf, dosai, biryani |
| Race Course Road sit-down | 14-25 | ~₹1,045-₹1,870 (~$10.85-$19.41) | North/South Indian, some veg |
| City Gate / North Bridge Road | 18-30 | ~₹1,345-₹2,245 (~$13.96-$23.30) | North Indian bistro, fusion |
| Boat Quay / Clarke Quay | 22-40 | ~₹1,645-₹2,990 (~$17.08-$31.04) | Punjabi-tandoori, bar |
| Orchard hotel Indian restaurant | 35-60 | ~₹2,615-₹4,490 (~$27.14-$46.61) | Fine dining, Jain options |
| Changi Airport landside | 12-30 | ~₹895-₹2,245 (~$9.29-$23.30) | Counter + sit-down mix |
At current rates, 1 INR ≈ 0.0134 SGD, and 1 SGD ≈ ₹74.76, so this city is roughly 2.5-3x the cost of Bangkok or KL for an Indian meal.
Getting Connected
You’ll use Google Maps constantly to find the right neighborhood entrance and to translate any Tamil or Hindi menu cards that pop up. A local SIM or eSIM keeps that running without roaming bills.
If you’d rather not queue at a Singtel or StarHub store on arrival, Get Nomad eSIM gets you data before you board the flight.
Common Mistakes Indians Make with Singapore’s Indian Food Scene
1. Expecting hawker stall prices to match back home. A thali at Tekka runs ₹597-₹895 (~8-12 SGD or ~$6.19-$9.29), not ₹80 (~$0.83). Singapore’s portion-to-price ratio for Indian food is roughly 2-3x what you’re used to in India, similar to a tier-1 city restaurant in Mumbai or Bengaluru.
2. Eating only in Little India. The Orchard hotel Indian restaurants and the Boat Quay restaurants serve identical or better Punjabi food at a higher price. For “anniversary night” or a meal with parents, the sit-down riverside or hotel spots are better-run than Race Course Road and worth the 1.5-2x premium.
3. Confusing North Indian and South Indian menus. South Indian (dosa, idli, banana-leaf rice) and North Indian (butter chicken, naan, biryani) are different cuisines here too. Don’t expect a Tekka Centre South Indian stall to make a great butter chicken, and don’t expect a Race Course Road tandoori place to know what ghee roast is.
4. Assuming all “veg” dishes are veg. Singapore’s Indian restaurants reliably label veg and Jain menus, but biryani at a hawker stall can be cooked in the same pot as meat, and the ghee used for naan may share a brush with meat tandoor items. If strict, ask.
5. Forgetting the airport option. If you’re transiting through Changi on a long layover or arriving late, the T2 landside Indian restaurant is genuinely the right call, even at airport prices.
Best Picks at a Glance
If you want a fast orientation, these are the spots to start with, split by what you want tonight:
- Cheapest, most authentic: Tekka Centre hawker stalls (~6-12 SGD)
- Sit-down mid-range Indian, central: City Gate / North Bridge Road (We Desi, around ₹1,492 (~20 SGD or ~$15.48) per person)
- Loud, fun, dinner with drinks: Boat Quay Punjabi-tandoori (Shahi Maharaja, Zaffron, around ₹2,238 (~30 SGD or ~$23.23))
- Hotel-style, parents-friendly: Orchard Indian restaurants (Sahebs, around ₹2,611-₹3,729 (~35-50 SGD or ~$27.10-$38.71))
- Late arrival or layover: Changi T2 landside Indian restaurant (~25-30 SGD)
For a broader Singapore food-tour option that loops through Little India and the hawker centres, book a Singapore food tour.
FAQ
Is there Indian food in Singapore that’s safe for strict vegetarians and Jains?
Yes. The Race Course Road area has multiple pure-veg Gujarati and Punjabi places, and the Orchard hotel Indian restaurants explicitly mark Jain options. Tekka Centre has veg-only stalls too.
Where is the best Indian thali in Singapore?
Tekka Centre on a banana leaf is the cheapest authentic thali at ₹597-₹895 (~8-12 SGD or ~$6.19-$9.29). For sit-down, Race Course Road thalis run ₹895-₹1,343 (~12-18 SGD or ~$9.29-$13.94) and are more varied. Fine dining thalis in Orchard hotels run ₹3,357-₹4,848 (~45-65 SGD or ~$34.84-$50.33).
What Indian food is available at Changi Airport?
Terminal 2 landside has a sit-down North Indian restaurant. Terminal 3 and Jewel have fast biryani and curry counters. Options past immigration are limited.
How late do Indian restaurants in Singapore stay open?
Most Little India and Race Course Road places close by 11 p.m., the Boat Quay restaurants stay open until midnight or later, the Orchard hotel restaurants follow hotel hours. Race Course Road is the best bet for a late meal.
Are there any famous Indian restaurants at Orchard Road?
Sahebs on Orchard serves traditional Punjabi and North Indian fine dining. Several Orchard hotels also have in-house Indian restaurants, but on-Orchard standalone Indian places are limited.
Can I find Indian street food in Singapore like Mumbai or Delhi?
Yes, inside Tekka Centre and along Race Course Road you’ll find pani puri, vada pav, pav bhaji, kathi rolls, and tandoori snacks. Flavor is generally slightly toned down compared to back home.
Is Indian food in Singapore spicy?
Heat levels at North Indian restaurants sit roughly one notch below what’s standard in India. South Indian restaurants in Little India match Indian levels more closely. Ask for “Indian spicy” if you want it closer to back-home levels.
Subodh’s Take: Singapore’s Indian food scene is bigger, more diverse, and more reliable than most travelers expect. Pick by purpose: hawker for budget, Race Course Road for variety, Boat Quay for a night out, Orchard for parents. Don’t pay for the same meal twice in one trip.
