Cosy up at an indie bookshop, binge on bagels, and party the night away with our AM to PM guide to Duxton Hill in Singapore. Read on for all the details.
It’s all about the little things — more so when you’re in Singapore, where quaint little streets and their hidden nooks promise rare local experiences. Case in point, Duxton Hill. This one-way street linking Neil Road and Craig Road is literally located on a hill. During the day, its cobbled lanes and colourful boutiques, bookshops, and ice cream parlours delight. Come evening, the road shuts for vehicles, embodying a free-flowing stream-like aura, swaying with the music, clinking glasses, and glee. Enticed much? Discover Duxton Hill and where to wine, dine, and unwind at Singapore’s best-kept secret.
Things to do in Duxton Hill
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- Sweat it out at CruCycle and CruBox: Surrender to their banger playlists, choreographed full-body workouts, and boxing classes for the perfect burn at a boutique fitness studio.
- Retail meets art: Stop by Huls Gallery to admire delicate Japanese craftsmanship and exhibitions featuring ceramic, lacquerware, glass, textiles, bamboo, and woodwork items. Also, explore our guide to the most inspiring art galleries in Singapore.
- Admire The Pinnacle@Duxton: This award-winning residential building is 50 stories high and has bragging rights to the world’s two longest sky gardens. Nestled on the 26th floor, the first garden is only accessible to residents. The general public, however, can visit the garden on the 50th floor for splendid views of the Lion City!
- Singapore Art Museum: Opened in 1996, this contemporary art museum will captivate your imagination with its boundary-pushing exhibits.
- Cosy up at ‘Littered With Books’: Once a shophouse, this quaint indie bookshop is a reader’s haven! Spread across two floors, expect to find popular (and offbeat) titles across genres like literary, non-fiction, travel narratives, and award-winning children’s books. Their competitive pricing will please the bookworm in you. We also recommend exploring the Grassroots Book Room for the vast array of English and Chinese titles.
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- Celebrate vintage music: Head to Retrophonic Records to discover vinyls covering vintage Chinese records, 70s pop, the latest radio hits, and lesser-known indie rock.
- Explore the nearby attractions: Duxton Hill is a stone’s throw from Chinatown (just 400 m away!), the Nationa Portrait Gallery (2.9 km away), Haji Lane (3.3 km away), and Gardens by the Bay (4 km away).
Where to eat
As hard as it was for us to pick from the sea of crackle-in-the-mouth culinary experiences at Duxton Hill, we’ve jotted down our absolute favourites.
- Tamba: For the unique flavours of West Africa and an exhaustive collection of African spirits.
- Marcy’s: Love seafood? Look no further. Italian and Latin American culinary flair unite with delicate flavours.
- Lucha Loco: No points for guessing — this Mexican diner is perfect for tequila nights, Mezcal cocktails, and loads of taco love.
- L’Entrecôte: Relish a unique fine dining experience with one main dish (read: steak cooked in secret sauce) and unlimited fries! What’s not to like?
- Latteria Mozzarella Bar: Come here for fresh mozzarella flown in from Italy and romantic outdoor seating.
- Flor Patisserie: This bakery bakes melt-in-the-mouth cakes, tarts, and pies without any artificial cooking agents. Their strawberry souffle is highly recommended.
Consider Sago House, Cat Bite Club, The Tippling Club, and RPM by D. Bespoke for the most innovative cocktails. Also, discover our story on the most romantic bars in Singapore for the perfect date!
Hotels in Duxton Hill
Dip your toes in unbridled luxury at The Duxton Reserve Singapore — best known for its top-notch hospitality, theatrical golden interiors, calligraphy wallpapers, and 49 plush rooms (where no two look alike!). Next, consider Mondrian Singapore Duxton for contrasting views of historic shophouses, a modern skyline, and a rooftop infinity pool fringed by chic cabanas. Other noteworthy hotels in Duxton Hill include the PARKROYAL COLLECTION, Amara Singapore, Maxwell Reserve Singapore, and Autograph Collection.
Shopping in Duxton Hill
Indulge in some retail therapy at charming Duxton-esque outlets of brands like Lululeom and Birkenstock. Also, check out 100 AM, a boutique-style mall spread across four floors of pure entertainment, fashion, and flavour! Just 750 m away, pay a visit to the mighty Guoco Tower. At 950 ft, this tower is currently the tallest building in Singapore. Inside, explore 19 luxe retail shops and 45 dining options!
Also read | Thrift Shopping In Singapore: Retail Binge At The Best Thrift Shops In The Lion City
Insider tips for visiting Duxton Hill
- When visiting Duxton Hill, take a slight detour to Chinatown for a sea of souvenirs, coffee shops, and the legendary Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest shrine in Singapore.
- Beyond the boho cafes and well-decked restaurants of Duxton Hill, if you wish to binge like a local, the nearest hawker centre is Maxwell Food Centre (just 280 m away!). Our favourite stalls at this culinary complex include Old Nyonya, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, Tong Xin Ju Special Shanghai Tim Sum, and Ye Lai Xiang Tasty Barbecue, to name a few.
- Since you’ll be walking around while exploring the market, we recommend wearing breathable clothes and your kindest pair of shoes. Also, carry a water bottle, sunglasses, a spare bag for all the knick-knacks you purchase, and an umbrella in case you visit during the monsoon months.
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Best time to visit Duxton Hill
While Duxton Hill delights visitors around the year, we recommend visiting the market area during the early hours of weekdays to avoid crowds. Consider the peak season of July to October for buzzing crowds, retail discounts, and events. Alternatively, to steer clear of crowds, visit from July to November.
How to reach
The nearest MRT stations to Duxton Hill are Chinatown (NE4|DT19), 400 m away; Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15), 750 m away; and Telok Ayer (DT18), 1 km away.
(Feature image credit: Lotta Holmström/Flickr)
This article originally appeared on Travel + Leisure Asia.
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Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
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