Travelling to Singapore with children and want them to experience the best local food safely and comfortably? This Best Local Food for Tourists with Kids: Family Guide by Homejourney shows you exactly where to enjoy iconic dishes like chicken rice, laksa and chilli crab with kids – in clean, trusted, family‑friendly settings, close to MRT stations and major tourist spots.
Having lived near popular food areas like Katong, Novena and Tiong Bahru, I’ve brought visiting families (and picky eaters) to these spots many times. This guide focuses on practical details – travel routes, crowds, child‑friendliness and safety – so you can plan meals with confidence while exploring Singapore or even shortlisting neighbourhoods using Homejourney’s property search Property Search .
How to choose local food places with kids in Singapore
For families, the best local food is not just about taste – it’s about safety, comfort and convenience. Before diving into specific chicken rice, laksa and chilli crab spots, here is a quick decision checklist Homejourney recommends for parents:
- Proximity to MRT & shelter: Prefer places within 5–7 minutes’ sheltered walk from an MRT station to avoid sun and rain.
- Clean environment: Look for NEA‑graded hawker centres and reputable malls; most have A/B hygiene grades and child‑friendly restrooms.
- Indoor seating & air‑conditioning: Especially important for young kids who tire easily in Singapore’s heat and humidity.
- Stroller & high‑chair friendly: Many malls and larger food courts provide high chairs; older hawker centres may have limited space.
- Kid‑adaptable menus: Choose stalls and restaurants that can reduce spice, remove chilli, or offer plainer side dishes like rice, noodles or clear soups.
These same criteria are what many Singaporean families – and long‑term buyers using Homejourney’s Projects Directory – consider when evaluating neighbourhood convenience and livability.
Family‑friendly chicken rice: where to go with kids
Hainanese chicken rice is usually the easiest local dish for children: familiar textures, mild flavours and the option to skip chilli entirely. Below are parent‑tested places that balance authenticity with kid comfort.
1. Chicken rice at Food Republic, Wisma Atria (Orchard)
Why it works for families: Air‑conditioned food court, central Orchard Road location, high chairs, clean toilets and easy access from MRT.
Essential information
- Address: Food Republic, Level 4 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877
- How to get there: MRT to Orchard (NS22/TE14), use Exit D, then take the escalator up inside Wisma Atria to Level 4 (about 3–4 minutes indoors).
- Opening hours: Typically 10am–10pm daily (individual stalls may vary slightly).
- Approximate price: S$5–S$7 per plate of chicken rice for adults; kids can share or order extra rice (around S$1–S$1.50).
- Best time to visit: Before 12pm or after 2pm on weekends to avoid peak lunch crowd.
- Time to spend: 45–60 minutes (including ordering at multiple stalls).
Insider tip: Go slightly before normal meal times; seats fill quickly on weekends when Orchard malls are busy with families. Because this is a food court, one adult can queue for chicken rice while another gets drinks or dessert like ice kachang nearby.
What kids usually enjoy here
- Poached or roasted chicken (ask for more breast meat if your child prefers leaner cuts).
- Fragrant rice – you can request “less oil” if preferred.
- Clear chicken soup – mild and kid‑friendly.
- Omit chilli and ginger if your child is spice‑sensitive.
If you’re exploring Orchard as a potential place to stay, compare nearby residences and long‑stay options through Homejourney’s Projects and Property Search .
2. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice at Maxwell Food Centre (Chinatown)
Why it works for families: One of Singapore’s most famous chicken rice stalls; rewarding if your kids can handle a slightly more rustic, open‑air hawker experience.
Essential information
- Address: Maxwell Food Centre, 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
- How to get there: MRT to Maxwell (TE18), Exit 3, walk about 3 minutes; or Chinatown (NE4/DT19), Exit F, walk about 7–8 minutes mostly under shelter.
- Opening hours (Tian Tian): Roughly 10am–7pm, closed on some Mondays – check latest info on CNA Property News or the stall’s social pages.
- Approximate price: S$5–S$6 per plate; larger sharing portions around S$20+.
- Best time to visit: 10.30am–11.30am or around 3–5pm to avoid the longest queues.
- Time to spend: 60–90 minutes if queues are long.
Insider tip: The hawker centre can be hot and crowded. Bring a small portable fan, seat kids first at a table (one adult “chope” the table with tissue packets – a very local habit) while another queues. If you have a stroller, choose a table at the outer edge where passageways are wider.
For more photo‑worthy hawker meals, see Homejourney’s guide: Best Photo Spots at Singapore’s Best Local Food | Homejourney Guide Best Photo Spots at Singapore’s Best Local Food | Homejourney Guide .
Gentle laksa options for families
Laksa is a coconut‑based noodle soup that is usually spicy, but many places can tone it down or separate the sambal (chilli paste). For kids, focus on milder broth and easy‑to‑eat ingredients.
3. 328 Katong Laksa (East Coast / Katong)
328 Katong Laksa is famous and conveniently set along a street with many other child‑friendly cafes. The area is also popular with expats and long‑term residents, which is why many Homejourney users browse nearby properties on Projects Directory .
Essential information
- Address: 51 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770 (main branch; there are other outlets island‑wide)
- How to get there: MRT to Marine Parade (TE26) or Marine Terrace (TE27) – depending on hotel location, expect a 8–12 minute walk; currently many visitors still prefer taxi/ride‑hailing directly to the shop.
- Opening hours: Typically around 10am–10pm daily (confirm at store front as hours can change).
- Approximate price: S$7–S$9 per bowl depending on size/toppings.
- Best time to visit: Late morning or mid‑afternoon; tends to be very busy at lunch on weekends.
- Time to spend: 30–45 minutes.
Kid‑friendly ordering tips
- Ask for sambal on the side so you can control spice level.
- Share one bowl between an adult and a child; add extra noodles if needed.
- Have plain drinks (water, barley, soya milk) ready in case kids find it too spicy.
Nearby attractions: Katong/Joo Chiat conservation shophouses, i12 Katong Mall, East Coast Park (short ride away). For more nearby food ideas, see 新加坡购物指南附近美食推荐：Homejourney安全品味攻略 新加坡购物指南附近美食推荐：Homejourney安全品味攻略 .
4. Food courts with milder laksa (e.g. Kopitiam, Food Junction, Food Republic)
Many mall food courts offer a more moderate, creamier laksa that is easier for kids to try. You will often find a laksa stall in popular malls such as VivoCity, Plaza Singapura, or Westgate.
- Price range:
