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Katong was not only the first neighborhood we explored in Singapore, but also potentially our favorite. From the moment we sat down for our kaya toast and kopi breakfast, I was totally hooked on Katong.
Katong is one of the best areas to experience local life, culture, and food outside the city center of Singapore. It’s a bit more off the beaten track than the other neighborhoods many tourists might find themselves in… in fact, we were shocked by how local it feels, considering how cute and teeming with activity it is! Our day in Katong absolutely set the tone for us falling in love with this tiny island.
If you’re wanting to explore a unique side to Singapore, Katong is the place to be. Whether it’s the rich Peranakan history, the more laid back local atmosphere, the mouthwatering food scene, the iconic architecture, or the cute independent shops, Katong has a little something for everyone.
- Top Things to Do in Katong, Singapore
- 1. Start Your Day with a Traditional Singaporean Breakfast
- 2. Admire the Iconic Peranakan Shophouses of Katong
- 3. Find Katong’s Coolest Murals and Street Art
- 4. Step Inside Peranakan Life at Katong Antique House
- 5. Tour The Intan for a Deeper Look at Peranakan Culture
- 6. Learn About Singapore’s Eurasian Community at the Heritage Gallery
- 7. Taste the Original Katong Laksa
- 8. Eat Your Way Through Katong: Top Local Spots to Try
- 9. Shop for Local Treasures and Unique Finds
- 10. Browse the Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market
- 11. Spot More Architectural Gems Up & Down Joo Chiat Road
- 12. Unwind by the Sea at East Coast Park
- Where to Stay in Katong
- FAQs about Things to do in Katong, Singapore
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Top Things to Do in Katong, Singapore
If you’re wondering how to structure your time in Katong, I’ve loosely ordered this list to follow the natural flow of a day spent wandering the neighborhood—starting with breakfast and ending by the sea. Of course, feel free to mix things up depending on your mood, the weather, or your laksa cravings.
Real Talk:
Singapore – while less affected than some of its Southeast Asian neighbors – is not immune to overtourism, gentrification, and environmental damage. So please: don’t be an asshole when you travel here (or anywhere).
If you’ve made it to my blog, I’d like to think you too care about preserving the integrity of the places you visit – but I’ve seen enough disrespectful behavior from Western tourists to know it’s worth saying out loud:
If you’re going to make locals’ lives harder, just stay home.
1. Start Your Day with a Traditional Singaporean Breakfast
Before any good neighborhood exploration, you have to make sure you’re well and truly satiated – no one wants to be mid-museum trip or vintage shop excursion and suddenly become a hangry mess.
So, your first stop of things to do in Katong, is to grab a seat at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery. This old-timey kopitiam looks like it’s hardly been touched since it opened nearly 100 years ago.
I highly recommend getting the Kaya Toast – crispy toasted bread with coconut jam (kaya) and a big slab of butter – which is a bit of a Singaporean staple. If you wanna really get traditional you can also order a plate of soft boiled eggs with dark soy sauce to dip the toast in. We didn’t partake in the eggs, but we really enjoyed the toast on its own!
Make sure to also get a cup of “kopi” – traditional Singaporean coffee made with robusta beans, roasted with butter and sugar. We ordered ours with evaporated milk, which leveled things up even more!
2. Admire the Iconic Peranakan Shophouses of Katong
Katong is one of the best places in Singapore to see beautifully preserved Peranakan shophouses, which are some of the most iconic buildings in Singapore and a major reason why so many people visit Joo Chiat Road in Singapore. These houses are known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs, and while I don’t typically like to describe things as “Instagrammable”, it’s impossible to deny that these are, well, incredibly Instagrammable.
Koon Seng Road and Joo Chiat Road are the most well known streets for the traditional shophouses, and apparently can get quite crowded with people taking photos, although we didn’t have that problem when we visited! East Coast Road is another good street to check out that has traditional, conserved terrace houses that are a little bit different from the other, more obvious streets.
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3. Find Katong’s Coolest Murals and Street Art
One of the things I noticed early on in our trip to Singapore was just how much street art there was everywhere, and Katong is no exception. Keep your eyes open for the Peranakan inspired murals at the intersection of Koon Seng Road & Joo Chiat Road, as well as the Katong Laksa & Old-School Kopitiam Murals near Joo Chiat Road.
I also really enjoyed the giant cat mural I’ve included here, which I just thought was cute.
If you want to structure your exploration around seeing the street art you can follow this rough guide:
Otherwise, feel free to just keep your eyes peeled as you explore. I’m confident you’ll see a bunch without even trying!
4. Step Inside Peranakan Life at Katong Antique House
The Katong Antique House is a heritage home and museum that gives you the opportunity to have an intimate look into Peranakan culture, traditions, and what daily life might look like in Singapore for a wealthy Peranakan family. It sits in a well-preserved Peranakan shophouse, that’s filled with antique furniture, intricate porcelain, traditional clothing, and historic photographs.
If you want to visit this museum you’ll have to arrange an appointment, as that’s the only way to get a look. This also means you’ll likely have a more intimate experience!
5. Tour The Intan for a Deeper Look at Peranakan Culture
The Intan is very similar to the Katong Antique house in concept, but is a bit more curated, and offers a bit more for your money. The main bonuses you’ll find in The Intan include a guided tour, as well as the potential to do a tea and snacks experience at the museum.
The Intan is an intimate, private collection housed in a beautifully restored shophouse. Every single item has been personally curated by owner Alvin Yapp, who leads the tours himself.
Visiting here feels less like a traditional museum trip and more like stepping into someone’s home (because, well, it is Alvin’s home). His passion for Peranakan culture is infectious, and his storytelling makes the artifacts come alive in a way that no museum label ever could.
Taste, Walk & Learn: A Full-On Peranakan Experience
If exploring Katong’s heritage has piqued your interest, consider joining a guided tour that delves into the rich tapestry of Peranakan life. This experience offers visits to iconic shophouses along Koon Seng Road, access to a private Peranakan museum, and the chance to savor traditional Nyonya kuehs over tea. It’s an immersive journey that brings the neighborhood’s history and flavors to life.
6. Learn About Singapore’s Eurasian Community at the Heritage Gallery
The Eurasian Heritage Gallery (formerly known as the Eurasian Heritage Centre) is a museum and cultural space dedicated to preserving and highlighting the history, traditions, and contributions of Singapore’s Eurasian community.
Eurasians are a minority ethnic group in Singapore, with ancestry blending European and Asian heritage (mainly Portuguese, Dutch, British, and local Malay/Chinese/Indian influences).
The museum is divided into three themed galleries, each highlighting different aspects of Eurasian life in Singapore. Starting with the origins of early Eurasian settlers, the first gallery explores the history of Eurasians in Southeast Asia, tracing back to colonial periods, including displays of family heirlooms, photographs, and traditional attire.
The second gallery covers WWII, and looks at the ways Eurasians were impacted during the Japanese Occupation.
The final gallery celebrates Eurasian culture, including food, music and language.
The museum is free (though a small donation is appreciated) and is a great way to learn more about the people inhabiting Katong. There’s also a gift shop, and even a Eurasian restaurant on the ground floor!
7. Taste the Original Katong Laksa
Now, you may notice that just below this is a whole section about the food in Katong, but it felt criminal to not give Katong Laksa its own category.
Katong Laksa is one of Singapore’s most famous local dishes, originating from the (duh) Katong area in the 1950s-60s. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve tried a version of laksa before as it’s a nearly ubiquitous dish at Singaporean/Malaysian restaurants around the world.
Laksa is a rich, coconut-based noodle soup known for its fragrant, spicy broth and short-cut noodles, usually with sausage and a variety of seafoods.
Katong Laksa has a distinct Singaporean Peranakan influence, making it a must-try dish when visiting the area. 328 Katong Laksa is the most famous and preferred spot to try Katong Laksa, and is where we indulged in a bowl ourselves. However, it’s said that the original Katong Laksa comes from Janggut Laksa, in the Queensway Shopping Centre. I challenge you to try one of each and decide for yourself which comes out on top.
In any case, Katong Laksa is a must-try when visiting Katong Singapore—eating this dish in the neighborhood it originated from just hits different.
8. Eat Your Way Through Katong: Top Local Spots to Try
I feel like I couldn’t possibly drive it home any clearer: Katong is one of the best food neighborhoods in Singapore, hands down. If you want all my top picks, you’ll have to check out my downloadable Google Maps (coming soon), but for now, here’s a selection of the best of the best.
Cook (and Eat) Like a Local in Singapore
This experience isn’t based in Katong, but if you’re as obsessed with Singaporean food as we are, it’s 100% worth doing. You’ll visit a local market, then dive into a hands-on cooking class where you’ll prepare a Peranakan meal – laksa included!
9. Shop for Local Treasures and Unique Finds
Katong is not just a food paradise—it’s also a bit of a shopping paradise (or nightmare, depending on the state of your bank account). Whether you’re after independent and boutique shopping, or looking for traditional Peranakan heritage stores, Katong likely has what you’re after. Here’s a quick selection of my fave spots, but be sure to check out my maps for all my tips!
10. Browse the Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market
The Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market was one of the highlights of our time in Katong because we not only found some really unique vintage pieces, but also got to chat with a lot of the vendors.
Held on the first weekend of each month (from Friday to Sunday), this is one of Singapore’s largest and best vintage and lifestyle markets. Featuring around 100 vendors, you can expect to find vintage treasures, vinyl records, rare collectibles, retro fashion, and home décor items.
There are a few vendors outside, but the majority are inside the shopping center, which offers a nice temperature controlled experience.
11. Spot More Architectural Gems Up & Down Joo Chiat Road
Peranakan shophouses are not the only noteworthy architecture in Katong. You should be sure to stop at The Red House, which used to be a bakery dating from the 1920s, and is now a cafe that celebrates the original architectural elements.
Another iconic building is the Church of the Holy Family, which is kind of impossible to miss if you’re nearby. This Catholic church is a really big modernist / gothic building from 1902, and it quite interestingly reminded me of something you’d see in America.
The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple has a really intricate and incredible gopuram (entrance tower). There’s another gopuram at the temple in Chinatown that’s (in my opinion) a bit cooler, but this one is still pretty amazing.
The Katong Shopping Centre is a completely different – but still totally distinctive – building to see in Katong. It was built in the early 1970s, and you can definitely tell. Unlike the elegant shophouses and colonial architecture, this is a slightly gaudy, brutalist-style shopping center. It’s a great aesthetic time-capsule and a fun photo-opp.
And last, but not least, is the Joo Chiat Community Club, which has a bit of an art-deco, Wes Anderson feel to it.
12. Unwind by the Sea at East Coast Park
East Coast Park is not only the largest park in Singapore, but also the most popular seaside park in the city. It’s known for its beaches, trails for walking and cycling, and restaurants.
It’s here that you can also visit the East Coast Lagoon Food Village, which is the only beachfront hawker centre in Singapore, making it a pretty attractive spot even before you consider all the stellar hawker stalls to choose from – it’s not everywhere that you can get a cheap, high quality meal and a beachfront view.
If you find yourself at the East Coast Lagoon Food Village you should try the BBQ stingray at Stingray Forever BBQ Seafood (#01-44) and Haron Satay (#01-55, Michelin Bib Gourmand) – especially if you don’t get a chance to make it to Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat.
I recommend trying to get there in the early evening so you can stake out a good waterfront seat to watch the sunset.
Your Ultimate Guide to 8 of Singapore’s Best Hawker Centres
Your Ultimate Guide to 8 of Singapore’s Best Hawker Centres
Where to Stay in Katong
$$ | Katong | 5 Stars
Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong blends rich Peranakan heritage with modern luxury, offering spacious rooms, deep bathtubs, and vibrant décor. The rooftop infinity pool is a highlight, and on-site Baba Chews Eatery serves a solid breakfast inspired by the Straits of Malacca. Guests rave about the warm, attentive service and although it’s not downtown, that’s part of the charm. Katong is packed with amazing local eats and a more laid-back vibe, and the MRT makes it easy to get anywhere. This boutique gem is a winner for just about everyone, from those seeking stylish family hotels in Singapore to couples and business travelers.
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Photo: Booking.com
$ | Katong | 4 Stars
Tucked in Singapore’s vibrant Katong district, Village Hotel Katong is where Peranakan culture meets modern comfort. You’ll love the spacious rooms—some with breezy balconies—just minutes from MRT lines and foodie-favorite hawker stalls. With a warm, attentive staff and charming local touches (like a digital neighborhood guide), it’s an ideal launchpad for both business and leisure. Bonus: it’s closer to the airport, too.
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Photo: Booking.com
$$ | Katong | 4 Stars
Tucked into the colorful, café-lined streets of Katong, Santa Grand Hotel East Coast has that quiet charm that sneaks up on you. Think: rooftop swims at sunset, free minibar surprises, and genuinely kind staff who remember your name. The rooms mix heritage vibes with clean, modern lines, and you’re just a short stroll from the sea. For an easy, unfussy stay with heart—this is your spot.
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Photo: Booking.com
FAQs about Things to do in Katong, Singapore
Is Katong a good area to stay in Singapore?
This will highly depend on your travel style. The only downside that I can see to staying in Katong is that it’s a bit further away than most of the other neighborhoods (and underground stops) you might be considering like Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Tanjong Pagar, or even Tiong Baru. Other than that, and if you can embrace the distance as a sort of immersion into Singaporean life, Katong is an incredible area to stay in Singapore.
You’ll be a stone’s throw from endless cafes, restaurants, and independent shops, not to mention some of the cutest and most iconic architecture in Singapore. When we return to Singapore, Katong will be top of my list of neighborhoods to stay in.
What is Katong famous for?
Katong is famous for its rich Peranakan heritage, vibrant food scene, and iconic (and charming) shophouses. Located in eastern Singapore, it has that old-meets-new charm that I love so much in a neighborhood.
Katong is famous for Peranakan culture and heritage because, historically, it was home to a large Peranakan (a Singapore-born person of local and foreign ancestry) community. This lent itself to Katong having a vibrant and unique culture that is most notable through their architecture and cuisine, most notably Katong Laksa and heritage shophouses.
What to do around Katong?
There is so much to do in and around Katong, the highlights are:
1. Explore the Colorful Peranakan Shophouses along Joo Chiat Road and Koon Seng Road.
2. Visit Rumah Bebe or Katong Antique House to learn about Peranakan culture.
3. Try the Famous Katong Laksa at 328 Katong Laksa
4. Enjoy Local & Peranakan Food
5. Shop for Unique Finds & Local Crafts
6. Explore East Coast Park
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P.S. When you book using my links, you help support Rachel IRL at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Are you ready to explore Katong?
I hope that this post about Katong, Singapore has been helpful in planning your trip to Singapore! As I said above, Katong is literally teeming with fascinating culture, food, and architecture that, in my opinion, goes far too underexplored by most tourists who only hit the central neighborhoods!
If you have any feedback or want to share your experience with Katong, please leave me a comment!
As always you can always find me on Instagram (tag me in your travel content!), Youtube, or Pinterest.
Happy traveling!
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