Just a few minutes walk from the CBD, Telok Ayer offers itself as an urban respite with plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants. We took a walk around the neighbourhood to talk to the regulars and find out what’s good.
Bennex, 19, student, frequents several times a month
Q: What do you like about Telok Ayer?
There are a couple of nice cafes that are good to relax at. Today, I have come here to meet a friend just around the corner.
Q: What is your favourite place to eat and what do you normally order?
One of my favourites around here is Sprmrkt on McCallum Street. They have really good mash potatoes there. I also really like the atmosphere. There is also Sarnies, but I prefer Sprmrkt.
Q: Do you have any favourite cafes?
I feel that the best coffee is not in this area. My personal favourites are somewhere else. But if I had to choose, I would still go to Sprmrkt as well.
Q: How about going for drinks?
There are some nice bars here too, but my friends and I go mostly to Tanjong Pagar.
Q: Why would you recommend the neighbourhood?
Well, Sprmrkt I would definitely recommend to everyone. But there are many other reasons to come to Telok Ayer.
Hitendra, 35, banking industry, lives nearby
Tracy, 28, works in real estate, lives nearby
Q: What do you like about this area in general?
You can find a lot of different types of food in this neighbourhood. There are also a lot of bars and cafes within a few streets. It is also convenient, as we don’t live too far. We come maybe once or twice a month.
Q: What is your favourite place to eat and what do you normally order?
I really like The Chamber. They have a very good atmosphere and lively music. Most of the Western food is quite good, but the big appeal is the beer and the nice environment.
Q: Do you have any favourite café around here?
On Ann Siang Hill is the PS Café, which has a really nice and cosy atmosphere. I like to go there sometimes.
Q: Why would you recommend this area?
As the area is quite close to all the offices, you can meet a lot of people and network. Having a chat over a beer is always nice.
Jennifer, 38, dance instructor, works in Telok Ayer
Q: What do you like about this area in general?
I like the old buildings and the historical places. There is a small Chinese temple that has a Peranakan restaurant inside. I haven’t tried it, but I will soon. It looks really good. There are all sorts of different cuisines available though.
Q: What is your favourite food in the neighbourhood? What do you normally order?
I quite like the Aloha Poke, which is a Hawaiian restaurant. The food is really fresh and tasty. I usually have a salmon or tuna salad when I go there. They come with a lot of different flavours.
Q: Do you have any favourite bar?
I usually go to Club Street. There is one bar, Drinks and Co., which I really like.
Q: Are there any interesting activities one can do here?
I work at a dance studio, teaching pole dancing. So that is quite fun to do. But there are also a few more gyms around.
Q: What is the best part about the neighbourhood?
The food here is amazing.
Vanessa, 24, product manager, works in Telok Ayer
Q: What do you like about this area in general?
Telok Ayer has an interesting mix of people, culture, and food.
Q: What is your favourite place to eat around here? What do you normally order?
There are many Korean restaurants on Telok Ayer Street. I usually try to go and have some BBQ there. It is really tasty.
Q: Why would you recommend this area?
Besides the food, I guess the cultural side of this area is interesting too. There are some temples that might be interesting to visit.
Sarah, 24, works in HR, comes once a month
Q: What do you like about this area in general?
It is quite a convenient place if you work around here. There are a lot of food options for you.
Q: What is your favourite food around here? What do you normally order?
I normally like to go to the Amoy Food Centre at the end of the street. There is a really good chicken rice stall. I forgot the name, but it is on the second floor.
Q: Why would you recommend this neighbourhood?
For me, it is definitely the food. There is a lot of choice. It doesn’t really matter what budget you have.
Travelling, eating, and drinking his way through life, Peter is continuously hungry for more. Always looking something new and exciting every single day, his day starts before the sunrise and ends longer after the sunset.
