Singapore is commonly associated with a large variety of excellent food. With many restaurants, food kiosks, bars and cafes peppered around the airport, Changi Airport is a smorgasbord of international and local cuisine. But beyond the global food chains and fancy venues are the most ubiquitous yet fascinating eateries, the food courts. These places offer authentic local fare at affordable prices — all under one roof. Whether you’re an arriving traveller looking to start your gastronomic journey right after touching down, transiting through Changi Airport, or a hawker-fare foodie looking to enjoy a last Singaporean meal before flying off – follow us as we uncover the best of Changi Airport’s food courts.
Get a taste of Singaporean hawker fare within the transit areas
Hark back to the 60s – Singapore Food Street at Changi Airport Terminal 3
Pastel colours and wood panelling lend that iconic shophouse-chic to Singapore Food Street.
Start your food hunt at Terminal 3’s Singapore Food Street, a 60s-themed food court serving all manner of local delights from the different cultures and dialects of Singapore.
You’ll find go-to classics here like char kway teow (flat rice noodles stir-fried in sweet soy sauce) to vegetarian dishes like thosai (a thin crepe served with chutney) at Kaveri Indian. For those of you with a sweet tooth, get a sweet pick-me-up with desserts like ice kacang (shaved ice covered in syrup and fruit).
Location: Terminal 3, Departure Transit Hall Central, Level 3
Opening hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm daily
The United Nations of Dining — International Food Hall at Changi Airport Terminal 4
A one-stop solution to picky diners young and old – the International Food Hall serves a multitude of cuisines in a comfortable setting at Changi Airport.
With travellers from all over the world passing through Changi Airport, there needs to be an option for everyone. Terminal 4’s International Food Hall packs nine mini-restaurants serving cuisine from Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong (there’s a Burger King, if the kids are being picky).
Go local and try the kampung (‘village’ in Malay) chicken — leaner and more flavourful than farm-bred chicken – at Changi Airport Terminal 4 food court.
We recommend diving into a bowl of dumpling noodles in oyster sauce at Cantonese chain restaurant Hong Kong Sheng Kee Noodle House for S$7.50. Those curious about Malaysian cuisine can sample the best of Ipoh at Ipoh Lou Yao. Their signature One Person Set of hor fun noodles and kampung (village or free-range) chicken and bean sprouts is priced at only S$8.50.
Location: Terminal 4, Departure Transit Hall, Level 2M
Opening hours: Open 24h daily
Good food publicly accessible by locals and tourists alike
Where the locals are — Kopitiam at Changi Airport Terminal 3 (public area)
A popular chain of food courts throughout malls in Singapore, Kopitiam Food Hall is a local favourite at the airport with a wide selection of stalls.
High ceilings and natural light are aplenty at Terminal 3, with lush greenery woven into its architecture. Head down to Basement 2 however, and you’ll find another wonder, the Kopitiam food court (a portmanteau of ‘coffee’, kopi in Malay and ‘shop’, tiam in the Hokkien dialect) which houses a range of food stalls. Arriving travellers can enjoy a warm plate of their favourite local delight before making their way to home or to a hotel.
This food court tends to be buzzing with patrons, so if you’re fazed by the many options, a trick that always works anywhere is to go where the queues are. Tuck into savoury Teochew fish cakes and a piping hot bowl of fishball noodles by Bounce Teochew Fishball Noodles for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you’re new to South Indian cuisine, the Local Snacks stall sells a rare treat that’s tough to find in food courts these days, appam for just S$3.50! This thin, rice batter and coconut milk pancake has a spongy centre and is commonly eaten with grated coconut and orange sugar. Those with a sweet tooth will also enjoy toppings like banana and chocolate with chopped nuts.
For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall.
Location: Terminal 3, Basement 2, Public Area
Opening Hours: Open 24h daily
Modern air, retro flair — Food Emporium at Terminal 4
A bright, spacious floor plan meets the old-school trappings of a younger Singapore at Food Emporium, located at Changi Airport.
Opened in 2017, Terminal 4 fits every description of a modern, cutting-edge terminal, from its fully automated check-in, to the hypnotic charm of the PetalClouds kinetic sculpture floating above the Central Galleria.
Enjoy saucy and rich Peranakan dishes by Nyonya Kitchen at Food Emporium, Changi Airport.
The eatery here, Food Emporium, treats diners to a panoramic view of the airport runway while they savour local hawker fare. While Food Emporium keeps to Terminal 4’s clean and airy aesthetic, it hasn’t forgotten its Singaporean roots. Its walls are lined with recreations of famous landmarks with a heritage black-and-white tiled flooring throughout. Our recommendation is just as traditional. Nyonya Kitchen serves a plethora of Peranakan signature dishes like Nyonya Curry Chicken with Rice for S$6.90 and Nyonya Fried Kway Teow for S$5.90.
Bringing the kids along? Check out the Kid’s Dining Area that’s been decked out to resemble the iconic Dragon Playgrounds that have dotted Singapore’s heartlands for many years.
For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall.
Location: Terminal 4, Departure Hall, Level 2, Public Area
Opening hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm daily
Bonus! ‘Secret’ staff food courts to check out
For staff, or sharp eyes only — Orchis Food Court at Changi Airport Terminal 1
Shh! Mum’s the word on cheap, delicious food right? Get your fix at Changi Airport today.
For most, the Changi Airport's Terminal 1 staff canteen is under-the-radar. Getting there requires a little navigation but no surprises on what’s down here though — a food paradise sprinkled with a smattering of Asian and Singaporean delights!
Satiate your cravings for Japanese cuisine by sinking your teeth into a saba bento set (grilled mackerel with rice and side dishes) or slurp up a hearty bowl of mee rebus (egg noodles in a rich, curry-like gravy) from Nur’s Family Nasi Ayam. If you’re in a group, the Mala Hotpot (read: spicy and numbing Szechuan spices) stall offers palate-numbingly good bowls laced with chilli oil and Szechuan peppercorns in portions that’re large enough to share. You’ll also get to choose from a variety of ingredients to be paired with the mala sauce.
For dietary requirements, do look for the Halal Certification displayed at the front of each stall.
Location: Terminal 1, Basement 1, Public Area
How to get there: Head to Check-In Row 13 on Level 2 and keep an eye out for a signboard pointing you towards the Staff Canteen. Follow it and head down to Basement 1 from either lift 8, 9 or 26.
Opening hours: 6:00am – 9:00pm daily
Now, while we love our fancy dining and fast food franchises as much as anyone, our food courts in Singapore are near and dear to our hearts. Filled with mouth-watering comfort food, Changi Airport’s food courts across all terminals and Jewel serve as both a warm welcome or hearty send-off for locals and the best parting gift for any tourist.
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