Best Food and Restaurants Near Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Quick Answer
The Best Food and Restaurants Near Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs are a mix of transport, navigation and delivery apps that help you find safe, authentic food near you in minutes: use an MRT app plus Grab for getting around, and food-focused Singapore apps like GrabFood, Foodpanda and Deliveroo to discover nearby hawker centres, cafes and restaurants.[1][2][3]
As a Singapore-focused real estate and travel resource, Homejourney sees daily how the right tourist apps shape where visitors eat, stay and even invest. This cluster guide supports our main pillar on safe, smart travel and accommodation in Singapore by zooming in on the specific travel apps every foodie visitor should install: from MRT route planners to food delivery apps that surface the best dining options around your hotel or serviced apartment.
Essential Info: Must‑Have Singapore Apps for Food & Getting Around
For first-time visitors, install these core Singapore apps before you land. They are safe, widely used by locals and support cashless payments.
1. Grab – Taxi, Ride-Hail & Food in One
Grab is Singapore’s main ride-hailing and everyday app, used by residents for taxis, private hire cars and food delivery via GrabFood.[1][2][3][4] It supports credit cards and GrabPay (in-app wallet), with real-time driver tracking.
- Use case for tourists: Safe late‑night rides back to your hotel after supper at Geylang or Jalan Besar, or quick hops from the CBD to Tiong Bahru for brunch.
- Food nearby: Tap “Food” in the app to see restaurants, cafes and hawker stalls that deliver to your current location.[1][2][3][4]
- Safety: All rides are GPS‑tracked; you can share trip details with family, ideal for solo travellers.
- Insider tip: In downtown areas (Orchard, Bugis, Marina Bay) GrabCar can be cheaper than metered taxis during off‑peak, but surge pricing applies in storms and during large events.
2. MRT Journey Planner Apps – Find Food by Station
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit is the fastest way to reach food hotspots like Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown, Bugis and Tiong Bahru. Use an MRT app (such as the official LTA journey planner or popular third‑party apps) to map routes, fares and walking transfers.[3]
- Use case for tourists: Key in “Maxwell” or “Lau Pa Sat” to see which station (e.g. Maxwell MRT, Exit 3 or Raffles Place, Exit I) gets you closest to famous hawker centres.
- Insider tip: In the CBD, some stations like Raffles Place and City Hall are linked to underground malls (Raffles Xchange, CityLink) with excellent, air‑conditioned food courts – perfect in midday heat.
3. Food Delivery Apps – Best for “Food Near Me”
If you are tired after sightseeing or staying in a residential neighbourhood, the fastest way to discover the best food and restaurants near you is through Singapore’s big three delivery apps: GrabFood, Foodpanda and Deliveroo.[1][2][3][4]
- GrabFood: Part of Grab; covers everything from hawker stalls to Michelin‑listed spots.[1][2][3][4] Great if you already use Grab for rides.
- Foodpanda: Known for frequent discounts and vouchers, attractive for budget travellers.[1][2]
- Deliveroo: Focuses on higher‑end and curated restaurants, ideal if you want premium dining delivered.[1][2]
- Insider tip: Many central hawker centres (Tiong Bahru Market, Amoy Street) now have stalls listed on these apps; search by location name to find local favourites that may not appear on mainstream tourist lists.
For a broader overview of non‑food tourist apps (e.g. attraction tickets, queue times, airport apps), refer to our main guide: Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Tickets, Prices & Hours | Homejourney and Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Homejourney’s Safe & Smart Travel Guide 2025 .
How to Use Apps to Find Great Food Near Where You Stay
From a Homejourney perspective, where you book your hotel, serviced apartment or long‑stay rental determines what you can eat within a 10–15 minute walk. Here is a tactical way to combine travel apps and food apps like a local.
Step 1: Pin Your Accommodation on the Map
When you book a place (or shortlist one on Property Search ), immediately save its location in Google Maps or Apple Maps. Zoom in to identify the nearest MRT station (e.g. Outram Park, Bugis, Novena) and main roads.
- Insider tip: If your building sits above or next to an MRT interchange (Paya Lebar, Dhoby Ghaut, Serangoon), you will usually have at least one good food court and multiple cafes built into the mall below.
Step 2: Use Delivery Apps for “Near Me” Scouting
Even if you plan to dine out, use GrabFood, Foodpanda or Deliveroo as a research tool. Enter your hotel address as the delivery location and filter by distance or rating.[1][2][3]
- Look for: Places with many recent reviews, clear photos and mid‑range delivery distances (1–3 km) – this usually indicates truly nearby eateries.
- Budget check: Expect typical hawker dishes (chicken rice, laksa, nasi lemak) to range from S$4–S$8 per portion, while cafe mains in central areas run S$18–S$28 per person, excluding drinks (based on current market norms and listings on major apps).
- Insider tip: Some stalls turn off delivery during peak lunch (12–1.30 pm) to focus on walk‑in customers, so toggle your time filter to see options available in off‑peak hours too.
Step 3: Cross‑Check with MRT App and Walking Times
Once you spot a promising restaurant, paste its name into your MRT app or map app to see the nearest station and walking route. Many central food gems sit within 5–8 minutes’ walk of a station but may be on quieter side streets.
- Example: If you are staying near Tanjong Pagar MRT (Exit A), a 6–8 minute walk brings you to Keong Saik Road and Duxton Hill, where you will find trendy bistros, Japanese izakayas and modern Singaporean restaurants.
- Safety note: Singapore’s central areas are generally safe for walking at night, but use well‑lit routes, obey traffic signals and avoid crossing busy multi‑lane roads outside designated crossings.
Local Examples: Using Apps in Key Food Neighbourhoods
Here are three popular areas where tourists often stay, along with how locals would use Singapore apps to uncover the best nearby food.
1. Orchard Road: Malls, Food Courts and Late‑Night Suppers
If your hotel or serviced apartment is along Orchard Road, you are surrounded by malls with extensive dining – ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria and Plaza Singapura are all linked by MRT.
- MRT app: Plan routes to Orchard MRT (North-South Line, Thomson–East Coast Line) and Somerset MRT. Many underground links are air‑conditioned – ideal in humid weather.
- What to eat: Food courts like Food Republic (ION, Wisma), Food Opera and basement food halls offer chicken rice, laksa, Hokkien mee and international options in the S$6–S$12 range.
- Apps:
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