Commuting is so much faster and easier thanks to the newly opened Thomson-East Coast Line (also commonly known as the “brown line”). This new MRT line means you can travel from the north or east of Singapore, to Orchard, Marina Bay or East Coast in a jiffy! So, if you’re looking for an adventure and are game to soak in new and unique experiences, here are our favourite spots along the Thomson-East Coast Line.
Siglap MRT Station: Where quaint restaurants and cafes await
In the heart of this quiet district, Siglap Centre (55 Siglap Road; 5-minute bus ride from MRT) is a charming mall with small shops, cafes, and eateries. Siglap Centre and the Siglap stretch are great for casual shopping and finding unique local souvenirs. If you’re looking for a caffeine fix, Craftsmen Specialty Coffee (2 First Street, #01-01 Siglap V; 5-minute bus ride from MRT) is known for its smooth brews and trendy brunch dishes, making it popular with the weekend crowd.
One of the area’s most beloved restaurants is Al Forno East Coast (400 East Coast Road; 10-minute bus ride from MRT), a long-standing Italian restaurant that serves wood-fired pizzas and an assortment of pasta dishes in a cosy setting. Speaking of Mediterranean cuisine, if you’re in the mood for authentic Greek food, there’s Blu Kouzina (907 East Coast Road; 5-minute bus ride from MRT), which has been opening new branches across Singapore. You can also admire the beautiful houses of Siglap and East Coast when you amble along Siglap Linear Park (beside MRT), a verdant space where families and nature lovers unwind in playgrounds and along colourful walking paths.
Marine Parade MRT Station: Culture, coastal views and culinary icons
Marine Parade MRT is also within walking distance of Joo Chiat and Katong, which are historic neighbourhoods where you can discover the handicrafts, colourful architecture and rich foods of the Peranakan people. You can learn about the Peranakans, also known as the Straits Chinese, by visiting The Intan (69 Joo Chiat Terrace), which is a private museum; the famous colourful shophouses of Koon Seng Road; and eating in Peranakan restaurants like Guan Hoe Soon (200 Joo Chiat Road) and Baba Chews (86 East Coast Road). Ponggol Nasi Lemak (238 Tanjong Katong Road), which is famed for its rich side dishes and fragrant rice, also has an outlet nearby along Tanjong Katong Road. These eateries are all 5- to 10-minute bus rides from the MRT.
Tanjong Rhu MRT Station: Stroll along an energetic promenade
Stroll along Tanjong Rhu until you reach the Tanjong Rhu Lookout Tower (50 Tanjong Rhu Place; 5-minute walk from MRT), which will treat you to panoramas of the Singapore River. If you’re in the mood for riverside dining, check out Kontiki (11 Rhu Cross #01-02; 10-minute walk from MRT), which is a relatively new American-style diner that is known for its pies and grilled meats.
Take a stroll through this classy neighbourhood to admire its lavish condominiums and picturesque views of the Singapore River and the bay, then head north to the Stadium Riverside Walk, which is a promenade with scenic views of the river and the Singapore Sports Hub (1 Stadium Drive; 10-minute walk from MRT), a popular spot for joggers and photographers alike.
The Singapore Sports Hub is a multifaceted sports and entertainment venue that has hosted musical celebrities like Taylor Swift and Coldplay, along with elite sports teams like Manchester United and Liverpool Football Club. Check its website to see what’s on, or head to Kallang Wave Mall (1 Stadium Place; 10-minute walk from MRT) to learn bouldering or gymnastics. Singapore Sports Hub even has a dedicated library and museum that celebrate Singapore’s rich sporting history.
Great World MRT Station: An eclectic mall surrounded by delicious experiences
Great World (1 Kim Seng Promenade; above MRT) is a recently refurbished mall that offers a wide array of shopping, dining, and entertainment, including a cinema and popular stores like Zara and Uniqlo—perfect for a full day out.
Besides an enticing array of grocery stores, this neighbourhood also has a stellar spread of dining options. You can’t go wrong with Zion Riverside Food Centre (70 Zion Road; opposite the MRT), which is where you can enjoy local hawker fare, including char kway teow (fried noodles) and satay (smoked meat skewers).
The neighbourhood’s best kept secret is An Huat Trading (53 Zion Road; opposite the MRT), which imports beautiful and exotic tiles that will complement any home.
Orchard Boulevard MRT Station: Explore the arts and premium produce
To see a quieter side of Singapore's famed shopping district, alight at Orchard Boulevard station. Head to Tanglin Mall (163 Tanglin Road; 5-minute walk from MRT) for its array of artisanal shops, or explore hidden finds like the Bruno Gallery (91 Tanglin Road; 5-minute walk from MRT), where you can admire intriguing sculptures and vivid paintings.
Tuck into award-winning food and drinks in the Conrad Singapore Orchard’s (1 Cuscaden Road; 5-minute walk from MRT) decorated establishments like Basilico, Manhattan and Summer Palace. However, if you prefer to cook your own meal, check out the fresh produce sold at Tanglin Mall’s three premium grocers: Little Farms, Wholefoods and CS Fresh Gold.
Napier MRT Station: Get up close with nature at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Above Napier MRT, Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, awaits. Explore the National Orchid Garden, which houses over 1,000 orchid species and hybrids, or follow the Healing Garden trail showcasing medicinal plants. For an immersive nature experience, try the Eco-Lake for swan-watching or join a yoga class held in the garden during the weekends.
The Botanic Gardens is home to acclaimed restaurants like The Halia, Roia and Al Balcon, and is also where you can catch live performances and movie screenings. If you’d like to check out the Botanic Gardens’ many tours, workshops, exhibitions and performances, they are listed on the official website.
Stevens MRT Station: Experience diverse flora and local delicacies
A gateway to both nature and food, Stevens station is 5 minutes’ walk from Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, which is a part of the Botanic Gardens designed for children but enjoyable for all ages.
Food lovers should visit The Line at Shangri-La Hotel (22 Orange Grove Road; 5-minute taxi ride from MRT), which offers an impressive international buffet, or Newton Food Centre (500 Clemenceau Ave North; 5-minute bus ride from MRT), where you can sample famous Singaporean dishes like oyster omelette and barbecued sambal stingray. Wash Newton’s litany of local classics down with draft beer, which is sold ice cold at this food centre’s drink stalls.
Caldecott MRT Station: Discover heritage and horticulture
Visit the peaceful Singapore Polo Club (80 Mount Pleasant Road; 10-minute walk from MRT), where you can catch riders training with their horses or grab a bite at the Paddock Bistro. Just across the road from Caldecott station, Far East Flora (565 Thomson Road; 5-minute walk from MRT) is Singapore’s most famous florist and horticulturist. Here, you can pick from a myriad of flowers and arrange an inexpensive bouquet for your loved ones. The helpful staff here can also recommend house plants to you, depending on what you like and how much time you have to care for your plants.
Shunfu Mart Food Centre (320 Shunfu Road; 10-minute bus ride from MRT), offers authentic hawker delights. Don’t miss this old market’s famous carrot cake, a local savoury dish made with radish cake and eggs.
Upper Thomson MRT Station: Embark on outdoor and epicurean adventures
Bastions of tranquillity sit at the doorstep of Upper Thomson station. Explore the MacRitchie Reservoir Park (5-minute bus ride south from MRT), a perfect spot for hiking or kayaking. Adventure seekers can experience the Treetop Walk (5-minute bus ride north from MRT), a 250-metre-long suspension bridge offering canopy-level views of the forest.
Afterwards, grab a meal at Thomson Plaza (301 Upper Thomson Road), or the famous Nam Kee Chicken Rice along Upper Thomson Road for a quintessential Singaporean dish.
Bright Hill MRT Station: Trek through tranquil temples and gardens
Known for the Kong Meng San (88 Bright Hill Road; beside MRT), one of Singapore’s largest Buddhist temples, this station offers a deeply spiritual experience. Walk around its ornate architecture, explore peaceful gardens, and see the giant Buddha statue.
Across from this temple complex, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park comprises sprawling gardens that incorporate sustainable practices, stylish landscaping and showcases a wide array of tropical flora and fauna. This gorgeous park even has its own spa!
Mayflower MRT Station: Enjoy cultural immersion and hawker centre treats
From Mayflower station, take a stroll to Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West (5-minute walk from MRT) for a relaxed afternoon among nature trails. There’s a large pond with fish and turtles, and if you climb the stairs of this park, you’ll be rewarded with an elevated view of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Afterwards, head to the unique Kebun Baru Bird Singing Club (159 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5; 5-minute walk from MRT), where bird enthusiasts gather to display and sing with their songbirds. Morning visits are ideal, as bird lovers bring in their prized singing birds and you’ll hear a delightful medley of chirps and songs.
Eat like a local at Ang Mo Kio 628 Market (628 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4; 5-minute bus ride from MRT), which is a must-visit for its delicious Hokkien mee and wanton noodles. There’s also Sembawang Hills to the west of Mayflower station, which has its own hawker centre (590 Upper Thomson Road; 10-minute walk from MRT), and popular restaurants like Casuarina Curry (136-138 Casuarina Road; 10-minute walk from MRT) and the Frying Fish Club (8 Jalan Gelenggang; 10-minute walk from MRT).
Lentor MRT Station: Savour birdwatching and iconic Indian food
A serene neighbourhood in Northern Singapore, Lentor comprises Springleaf Nature Park (1230 Upper Thomson Road; 5-minute walk from MRT), which is a popular spot for birdwatching, and a wealthy private neighbourhood where you can admire luxurious bungalows.
Don’t leave without visiting Springleaf Prata Place (1 Thong Soon Road; beside MRT). Arguably the crown jewel of Lentor, this renowned establishment is famed for creative prata (South Indian flatbread) options like the “Murtaburger” (a combination of a burger and flatbread with minced meat) and their decadent dessert pratas.
If you’d like to escape into nature, follow the Seletar Simpang Kiri River until you reach Lower Seletar Reservoir, which is a beautiful patch of greenery that will lead you to the iconic Yishun Dam.
Woodlands MRT Station: Indulge in waterfront leisure and a world-class zoo
Take in the scenic views at Woodlands Waterfront Park (10-minute bus ride from the MRT), where you’ll find a long jetty perfect for sunset views and fishing. A rapidly developing neighbourhood, Woodlands has several malls like Causeway Point (1 Woodlands Square), 888 Plaza (888 Woodlands Drive 50), Marsiling Mall (4 Woodlands Street 12) and Woodlands North Plaza (883 Woodlands Street 82), where you can indulge in a wide array of cuisines and shop till you drop. Feeder buses will bring you to these malls within 15 minutes.
From Woodlands, the Singapore Zoo (80 Mandai Lake Road) is a short taxi ride away. The Singapore Zoo is a world-renowned, open-concept zoo set within a lush rainforest environment, where animals roam in spacious, naturalistic habitats. It’s part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which includes other unique parks: The Night Safari for nighttime animal encounters; the River Wonders featuring river ecosystems and iconic animals like pandas; and Bird Paradise, Asia's largest bird park where guests can get up close with birds while walking through several aviaries. Together, these parks offer interactive and intimate wildlife experiences that celebrate biodiversity and conservation.
Each of these Thomson-East Coast Line stops offers its own charm, blending local culture, food, and nature! If you’d like to discover more of Singapore’s hidden gems, here’s a guide to the scenic neighbourhood of Changi Village and heritage trails that will immerse you in Singapore’s history and diversity.
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