Kampong Glam or Gelam is one of Singapore’s cultural gems with a rich heritage dating back to as early as the 1800s, where Malay Sultans once ruled the area. Also known as one of the island’s oldest and hippest neighbourhoods, this treasure trove is now home to a mixture of eye-popping street art, quaint restaurants and bars, trendy hole-in-the-wall boutiques and significant historical buildings.
Stretching from Haji Lane and Arab Street to Bussorah Street and Bali Lane, you can easily find instagrammable spots and unique shops at every corner. If you’re heading to this neighbourhood for a day trip, we’ve rounded up the top things to do for a fun-filled day at Kampong Glam!
See
Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)
With its breathtaking design and majestic golden dome, the Sultan Mosque is probably the most prominent landmark in Kampong Glam and one of the attractions that must not be missed when visiting the area! As the largest mosque on the island, its prayer hall can accommodate up to 5000 people in mass prayer and serves as a reminder of the Malay royalty that once resided in Singapore.
Naumi’s pro tip: If you are planning to visit temples and mosques in Singapore, take note that shorts, t-shirts and revealing clothes are prohibited. Cloaks may be provided free-of-charge on site, but we recommend you dress modestly when visiting. All footwear are also expected to be removed when entering the mosques.
Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm daily, closed during Prayer Times
Address: 3 Muscat St, Singapore 198833
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.sultanmosque.sg/
Gelam Gallery
Hidden behind the back lanes of Muscat Street is a little surprise for art lovers—officially the first outdoor art gallery in Singapore, Gelam Gallery features a kaleidoscope of colours and murals along the walls of an inconspicuous back alley. Go deeper and you’ll find beautiful art and framed pieces by over 30 local and international artists reflecting our rich culture and heritage. Completely free to all visitors, this is the perfect place for that Instagram shot! 😉
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
Address: Muscat St, Singapore 198833
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://visitkamponggelam.com.sg/attraction/gelam-gallery/
Aliwal Arts Centre
Aliwal Arts Centre is the local hub for all things art-related. From art programmes, workshops, exhibitions to theatre shows, they host a multitude of activities for aspiring artists and enthusiasts, nurturing a vibrant community and appreciation of the arts in Singapore. They are also hosts of the annual Aliwal Urban Art Festival celebrating urban art and street culture through a series of activities like live graffiti painting, exhibitions and art tours.
Opening hours: 9 am – 11 pm daily
Address: 28 Aliwal St, Singapore 199918
Directions: 20 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://artshouselimited.sg/aac
Vintage Cameras Museum
Quite the unmissable structure, this building shaped like a giant vintage camera is home to the Vintage Cameras Museum. It houses over 1000 vintage cameras from as early as the late 19th century and showcases the evolution of cameras over time.
At this quirky retro museum, you’ll find interesting nuggets from the past, such as the pigeon cameras, spy cameras, pistol cameras and even a walking stick camera. The photography section also displays a collection of photographs from the past, including a replica of the first photograph that was ever taken.
Naumi’s pro-tip: Unlike other museums, the Vintage Cameras Museum allows its visitors to touch and feel the cameras. Just be careful not to break them!
Opening hours: 11 am – 7 pm daily
Address: 8C Jln Kledek, Singapore 199263
Directions: 20 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.vintagecamerasmuseumsg.com/
eat & drink
Hjh Maimunah Restaurant
Frequently seen sporting long queues during lunch peak hours, this MICHELIN Bib gourmand-listed eatery is undoubtedly one of the best nasi padang stalls in the area. Their traditional, kampong-style dishes have won the heart of many Singaporeans, and their popularity have led them to open more outlets across the island. Some of their must-try dishes include the Sundanese Grilled Chicken, Beef Rendang, Lemak Siput and Tahu Telur.
Opening hours: Mon – Sat, 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Address: 11 Jln Pisang, Singapore 199078
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.hjmaimunah.com/en_SG/
Kampong Glam Café
Kampong Glam Café is the perfect eatery for a no-frills dining experience. Located at the junction of Bussorah Street with a view of the Sultan Mosque, this street-side eatery serves a variety of local, Malaysian and Indonesian cuisine and is known for their affordable, authentic food. Some of their popular dishes include Mee Rebus, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng, and not to mention their delicious Teh Tarik (pulled tea)!
Naumi’s pro-tip: Kampong Glam Café is open until 2 am most days and is the perfect place for a quick hunger fix during a late night out!
Opening hours: Tues – Sun, 8 am – 2 am
Address: 17 Bussorah St, Singapore 199438
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: http://kgglamcafe.ec-platform.net/index.html
Mother Dough
Home to the one of the best almond croissants in Singapore, Mother Dough is a Muslim-owned bakery known for its almond croissants, sourdough bread and freshly-made pastries. Having started off as a pop-up stall, word-of-mouth has led the bakery to open a full-fledged stall in Kampong Glam in 2018, where it continues to be a popular café spot among Singaporeans. Apart from their steady bestsellers, be sure to check out their daily special menu for special items!
Naumi’s pro-tip: Pre-book or visit the stall early, as their best-selling items are always sold out fast!
Opening hours: Tues – Sun, 10 am – 5 pm
Address: 3 Jln Kledek, Singapore 199259
Directions: 20 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.motherdough.com.sg/
Rich & Good Cake Shop
Love a good swiss roll? This specialty shop sells incredibly soft and moist swiss rolls for a standard price of $12. To ensure the best quality and taste, their swiss rolls are cooked fresh daily in small batches, with their kaya made in-house using real pandan leaves.
Some bestselling flavours include the Durian and Kaya swiss rolls, but other flavours, including the Red Velvet, Chocolate, and Coffee, are also highly rated among its customers. Since opening in 1997, Rich & Good Cake Shop’s growth and popularity has led them to open new outlets at Jewel and City Square Mall.
Opening hours:
Mon, 10:30 am – 5 pm
Tues – Sat, 9 am – 5 pm
Address: 24 Kandahar St, Singapore 198887
Directions: 20 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://richngood.com/
Good Luck Beerhouse
This gastropub at Haji Lane is the place to go for local craft beers. With a 12-tap selection featuring craft beers from top Singaporean microbreweries, Asia-inspired cocktails and an exclusive sake tasting menu, there are a variety of options for everyone. Don’t miss their delectable spread of tapas-style side dishes that are inspired by Asia’s street-food, such as their dim sum, local stir fry dishes and burgers to pair with the craft beers.
Opening hours:
Mon – Wed, 4 pm – 12 am
Thur – Sun, 12 pm – 12 am
Address: 9 Haji Ln, Singapore 189202
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: http://www.goodluckgoodluck.sg/
Blu Jaz Café
If you’re walking down Bali Lane and hear loud live music, chances are it’s coming from Blu Jaz Café. For over a decade, Blu Jaz Café has been a buzzing hotspot for live entertainment ranging from comedy nights, hip hop nights, jam sessions and even poetry slams. Their affordable beer and cocktail deals and spread of Italian and North Indian cuisines are also not to be missed. Stay at the ground floor for a relaxing alfresco dining experience, or head to the second and third levels for their DJ live sets.
Opening hours: 12 pm – 1:30 am daily
Address: 11 Bali Ln, Singapore 189848
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://blujazlive.net/
shop
Sifr Aromatics
It might not look like much from the outside, but a step through the doors of this perfume shop will transport you to a world of tantalizing scents and aromas. Apart from the rows of perfume bottles on the wooden shelves resembling a real-life laboratory, Sifr Aromatics boasts a cozy interior that exudes a feeling of calmness and relaxation.
They also provide perfume workshops and custom scent consultations, and offer a variety of in-house blended perfume oils, scented candles, essential oil blends and home scents for fragrance enthusiasts. Featured on Lonely Planet and Condé Nast Traveler as “one of the finest custom perfumers in Southeast Asia”, Sifr Aromatics is a must-visit in Kampong Glam!
Opening hours:
Wed – Sat, 11 am – 8pm
Sun – Mon, 11 am – 5 pm
Address: 42 Arab St, Singapore 199741
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.sifr.sg/
Musicology Records
Among the endless number of boutique and concept stalls in Haji Lane, you should definitely not miss checking out one of the vinyl records stores. Musicology Records carries a wide variety of genres, ranging from rock, pop , rock and classics to Japanese records and even Christmas tunes. If you’re looking for a specific LP, chances are, Musicology Records has got you covered!
Opening hours:
Tues – Thur, Sat 12 pm – 8:30 pm
Fri, 12:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sun, 1 pm – 8 pm
Address: 66 Haji Ln, Singapore 189259
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://www.instagram.com/musicology.records/?hl=en
Grand Bazaar Turkish Handicrafts
This Turkish handicraft store is hard to miss with its colourful display of Turkish goods and handicrafts lined around the store entrance. Inside, you’ll find a wide collection of handmade Turkish products from intricately woven textiles to mosaic lights, homeware, lamps, ceramics and tiles at each corner of the store. If you’re looking to spruce up your home interior with something unique, make sure to stop by Grand Bazaar!
Opening hours:
Mon, 11 am – 9 pm
Tues, Thur – Sun, 11 am – 10 pm
Wed, 11 am – 11 pm
Address: 61 Bussorah St, Singapore 199477
Directions: 15 min walk from Naumi Singapore
Link: https://grandbazaarasia.com/
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