Katong is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Singapore. It’s very high SES living.
My aunt used to live in the area and we’d go to I12 Katong often because that’s the closest thing that Katong has to an actual mall.
Don’t get me wrong, I love I12 Katong. But what I wish I knew earlier was that Katong is packed with interesting cafes and places to explore.
So now that I’m older and wiser (that’s debatable), here’s a guide to Katong that I wish I had known about when I was younger.
Katong For First-Timers
1. Dona Manis
My friends claimed that Dona Manis Cake Shop in Katong Shopping Centre, makes the best Banana Pie in Singapore. I knew I had to try this one for myself to believe it.
Upon reaching, I met the owners of Dona Manis, Mdm Soh Tho Lang and Mr Tan Keng Eng, who were busy prepping their bakes for sale.
Their bakes are made and sold in this one unit shop. Must-tries include their incredibly light Cream Puff ($3.50 for 5 pieces) and their famous Banana Pie ($2.50 per slice, $25 per pie).
Dona Manis is Singapore’s hidden gem and is truly worth a visit.. You won’t find bakery shops like Dona Manis in Singapore anymore.
Dona Manis Cake Shop
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Mon: 9am – 5pm, Tue – Sat: 9:30am – 6pm
Contact No.: 6440 7688
Website
2. Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Down the corridor from Dona Manis Cake Shop, is Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.
Every time Katong Shopping Centre is mentioned, I hear about this chicken rice stall. And as someone who shuns chicken rice because bone-in chicken is too much of a hassle for my liking, boneless chicken rice is a God-send.
And that’s not all, their boneless chicken rice comes with complimentary soup and free-flow achar. One thing to note is that the soup they serve is not your generic MSG water – they actually cook proper soups to go with their chicken rice.
After all, good chicken rice should not overlook any aspect of the meal.
If you’re ready to take on long queues and begin the quest of finding a free table, then you’re ready for some Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice.
Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: 865 Mountbatten Road, #B1-85/87 Katong Shopping Centre, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: Tue – Sun: 10.30am – 8pm, Mon: Closed
Contact no.: 9789 6073
Website
3. Birds Of Paradise
Located beside other popular eateries along East Coast Road, Birds of Paradise gelato boutique is completely different from any other local ice cream parlour – they offer up botanical inspired gelato flavours.
Address: 63 East Coast Road, #01-05, S428776
Opening Hours: Tue – Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm, Fri – Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm, Mon: Closed
Contact: 9678 6092
Website
4. An Acai Affair
The latest kid on the block is none other than An Acai Affair!
Located in the east, An Acai Affair is set to revoluntionalise the #eatclean trend with their delectable acai bowls and fruit smoothies.
Unlike the rest of the stores, An Acai Affair focuses SOLELY on using acai in their smoothie bowls.
Their Signature Acai Bowl – Tropical Coconut Bowl no doubt stands out from the other specialty stores with the use of an actual coconut husk as a bowl. Despite the relatively small portion due to the coconut husk, expect generous toppings of fruits the likes of pineapple, kiwi, blueberry as well as granola and even wolfberries.
An Acai Affair
Address: 101 East Coast Road, Singapore 428796
Opening hours: Sun to Thu 12nn – 10pm; Fri to Sat 12nn – 11.30pm
Tel: 9792 0837
Website
5. Ampang Niang Tou Foo
Yong Tau Foo is one of my favourite comfort foods. It’s customisable because you get to choose the ingredients you want, which are then blanched in broth and served with rice or noodles.
At Ampang Niang Tou Foo, they serve Ampang-style Yong Tau Foo.
The difference is that they stuff their usual Yong Tau Foo ingredients such as chillis and fried beancurd with minced meat paste instead of fish paste. It gives the ingredients a lot more bite than fish paste does.
That’s not all, the Yong Tau Foo is served in a light broth with soya beans and dried anchovies.
Don’t forget their chilli sauce to add a little “oomph” to the Yong Tau Foo.
Ampang Niang Tou Foo
Address: 225A East Coast Road, Singapore 428922
Opening Hours: Sat – Tue & Thu: 11am – 8.30pm, Wed & Fri: Closed
Contact no.: 6345 3289
Website
6. Chin Mee Chin Confectionery
This place has been a long-running favourite among the locals. Located along East Coast Road, this nostalgic coffee shop is a nice change to modern joints.
Known for it’s decor typical of 1950s Singapore, with retro marble top tables, floor tiles, and ceiling fans. It’s also known for their traditional kaya toasts.
Instead of the kaya toast bread you’d typically see, their Kaya Toast is served in a hamburger-type bun and slathered with their homemade kaya and a slice of butter.
These buns are made in house and toasted till they are slightly burnt for that nice “char” taste. This place can get pretty busy so try and avoid peak hours if you’re looking at dining in.
Chin Mee Chin Confectionary
Address: 204 East Coast Road, Singapore 428903
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 8.30 am – 4pm, Closed on Mondays
Contact No.: 6345 0419
7. Beriwell
A not-so-little space at Katong, along the dessert-filled East Coast Road that houses An Acai Affair and Birds Of Paradise, Beriwell makes you feel like you’re chilling at a shack on the beach.
Easy to spot with its beachy murals, tropical vibes, flamingo printed seats, and rattan chairs, this casual joint will give you plenty of fodder for the ‘gram.
The brainchild of friends Galissa, Dash, and Anand, this acai joint was born out of a love for healthy living and acai.
The trio created the Superswirl, a soft serve that comes in 2 flavours: acai (‘Acai‘) and coconut (‘Coco Majik‘). You can even have the two flavours swirled into one (‘The Twist‘)!
Dairy free, gluten free, and vegan-friendly, the Superswirl is tagged at $6.90 for a small cup, where you can pick 2 toppings out of the day’s selection of fruits and crunch, and $9.90 for a large serving, where you get to choose 4 toppings.
The acai soft serve is a creamier, smoother version of the refreshing acai bowls we all love – perfect for a warm day in the East.
While the menu is still pretty trim at the moment, the store has plenty more up it’s sleeve. We hear there will be more sauces, more toppings, and another smoothie being added to the mix!
This super cute hangout is Instagrammable, chill, and serves up some healthy AND delicious stuff. If you live in the East, make sure to pop by for a refreshing treat in this little tropical retreat.
Beriwell
Address: 19 East Coast Road #01-01, Singapore 428746
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm
Website
8. Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Make no mistake, Ponggol Nasi Lemak is not in Punggol, nor is it halal. They serve up Chinese-style Nasi Lemak (Yes.)
Established in 1979, this household name is known for their lemak sambal chilli and crispy fried chicken wings and some say the “Best Nasi Lemak in Singapore”.
There are also plenty of dishes for you to choose from.
It’s been a supper spot for many Singaporeans so if you’re coming here for supper, be prepared to queue.
Ponggol Nasi Lemak
Address: 238 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437026
Opening Hours: Fri – Wed: 5.30pm – 2.30am, Thu: Closed
Contact no.: 6287 0020
Website
Also read This Unassuming Old School Bakery In Katong Is Home To S’pore’s Best Banana Pie
