East Coast cafes and restaurants – especially in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been a big part of the appeal of this area of Singapore. But it has plenty more to offer, including, of course, East Coast Park. In this round-up, we run through some East Coast food, fashion boutiques, beauty places and health clinics, plus ideas on where to live nearby. And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore, so go and check all of it out anyway – there are even some dinner deals!
# East Coast food
Little Farms Bistro, Katong Point – neighbourhood bistro and grocer in Joo Chiat
This East Coast cafe has a relaxed neighbourhood feel that works just as well for a quick coffee and chat as it does for after-work drinks. Little Farms Bistro at Katong Point is great for lunches and dinners through the week, or a late weekend breakfast or Sunday meal with the family. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the sort of place where you can settle in over small plates, burgers, hearty mains, sides and drinks, plus smoothies, craft beers and cocktails.
There are a few dinner deals too. On Mondays, from 5pm to 7pm, you can get one-for-one small plates, while on Wednesdays there are one-for-one smash burgers from 5pm onwards. There’s a Happy Hour too! It runs from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays, and 5pm to 7pm on weekends, with one free side available with every two mains. Families should note that kids eat free on Sundays after 5pm, a promotion available at all Little Farms restaurants.
It’s also a good daytime stop, especially if you’re in the mood for all-day breakfast, fresh pastries and Allpress coffee. And, if you’re already there, the grocery section makes it very tempting to leave with organic pantry staples, fresh produce, premium meats, sustainable seafood and artisan cheeses too. All part of the broader East Coast food scene!
#01-04 Katong Point, 451 Joo Chiat Road
littlefarmscafe.com
# Living near East Coast Park
East Coast Park with its cycling, running and entertainment options is a great attraction of the area, and it’s often breezier than other parts of Singapore. There’s a mix of houses and condos for various budgets, and many people say that once you’ve lived in this area, it’s hard to move away. The ECP, KPE and PIE motorways provide easy access to the city, the north and the airport. Have a look at the international schools that have campuses near the East Coast, and also good preschools.
Flexible renting at Weave Residences – East Coast
Weave Residences – East Coast offers a range of living spaces, from studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments – and even a penthouse with its own private pool.
As an established pet-friendly residence in Singapore, it caters to singles, couples, and young families and offers both fully furnished units for a move-in-ready experience and unfurnished options for those who prefer to bring their own personal touch. The property features a resort-style swimming pool, barbecue pit, top-spec gym, and playground, with 24/7 security, and on-site maintenance (for furnished units).
Beyond your front door, you’re minutes from East Coast Park, fitness hubs, i12 Katong, local eateries, plus a growing mix of East Coast cafes and casual dining spots in Marine Parade and Katong. The area is also home to some of Singapore’s top international schools. These include the Tanjong Katong Campus of the Canadian International School (CIS) and EtonHouse International School (Broadrick Road). With Marine Parade MRT just steps away, commuting to the CBD or Orchard Road is a super easy.
Prices start from $3,200 per month (unfurnished) and $3,800 per month (furnished), with a minimum six-month stay.
5 Still Road | wvlv.ng/weave-east-coast
# East Coast restaurants
ETNA Italian Restaurant
This restaurant is one of the 20 authentic Italian restaurants in Singapore to be given the Ospitalita Italiana Gold Seal Award, the official quality seal for Italian restaurants around the world. In an elegant and cosy setting in the Upper East Coast, ETNA offers contemporary Italian cuisine with a Sicilian touch. Here you’ll find authentic Italian pizzas, pastas, fresh fish flown in from Italy, traditional desserts, plus an impressive wine list to boot. It’s a great addition to the quality of the East Coast food scene alongside well-known Joo Chiat restaurants that continue to draw regulars from across Singapore.
Start with the Antipasto Etna: Italian cold cuts, marinated veggies and baked ricotta. Another highlight is the burrata cheese with Parma ham, cherry tomatoes and rocket salad. Signature pasta mains include linguine with fresh flower crab in crabmeat sauce, and homemade lobster ravioli with butter pistachio cream and prawns. It’s a seafood lover’s dream come true! There’s also a fab selection of sweets, including classic tiramisu with authentic pistachio paste from Bronte, Sicily.
Top tip: If you’re visiting this East Coast restaurant for weekday lunch, check out the value-for-money lunch set.
110 Upper East Coast Road
6444 9530 | etnaitalianrestaurant.com.sg
# Shops on the East Coast
La Tienda boutique on Joo Chiat Road
La Tienda is the kind of shop you pop into “just for a look” and leave with something you didn’t know you needed. The boutique reflects owner Eva’s Spanish roots and her instinct for creating a relaxed vibe that feels more like a welcoming home than a store.
Inside, it’s a mix of women’s and men’s fashion, accessories and lifestyle pieces with a distinctly Mediterranean mood. But what sets La Tienda apart is its focus on female-founded brands, each bringing a different perspective to the space.
For example, there’s Feith London, where Chrystella and Liane work with traditional European shoemakers to create beautifully made footwear. SOL Y MAR is by best friends Susa and Tanja, with breezy pieces designed for tropical living. And Alexandra Alberta offers bold, sculptural jewellery by a trained gemmologist. You’ll also find Nodums Barcelona for lifestyle accessories and design-led décor, including its signature Singapore skyline pieces.
It all comes together in a way that feels personal – a reflection of Eva’s eye and the stories behind each label. In a neighbourhood known for its mix of heritage shophouses and independent boutiques, La Tienda fits right in, surrounded by Joo Chiat restaurants and East Coast cafes that give the street an extra buzz.
370 Joo Chiat Road
9774 0688 | latiendasingapore.com | IG @latienda_sg
A Raft of Otters ethical shopping on Joo Chiat
The award-winning retail collective A Raft of Otters now has a store on Joo Chiat Road, right next to Expat Hair. This is their second shop in Singapore, and it’s bringing even more style to one of the island’s prettiest streets, close to a growing mix of East Coast cafes and restaurants near Joo Chiat.
Step inside, and you’ll find a beautifully curated mix of gifts, home décor, fashion, art, and jewellery, all carefully chosen from female-led brands and ethically sourced collections.
Looking for souvenirs? A Raft of Otters is the biggest Singapore stockist of Elephant Parade figurines and has an amazing selection of SG-inspired keepsakes – think tea towels, candles, and shophouse-themed glass bead bracelets.
420 Joo Chiat Road, #01-01
8125 5725 | @araftofotters.tm
The Wyld Shop clothing boutique in Joo Chiat
One great stop for clothes shopping on the East Coast is The Wyld Shop, which offers a range of gorgeous dresses, unique accessories and handpicked gifts from Australian fashion brands as well as labels from Singapore and Asia. The brands and apparel are varied so there’s something for everyone at this boutique on Joo Chiat Road, with plenty of East Coast cafes nearby for a post-shopping coffee stop.
412 Joo Chiat Road
WYLDshop.com
# Hair and beauty salons near East Coast Park
Eyelash extensions on East Coast Road
While you may think of manis and pedis as a go-to beauty splurge, have you considered eyelash extensions? The Lash Company is a beauty business that started in Singapore and is conveniently located near food and retail options at i12 Katong.
It has an array of different options from a natural and classic look to creating dramatic and voluminous effects. The best part? You leave looking gorgeous, particularly after the deep-cleansing lash spa and hydrating collagen eye mask. And there’s no mascara to maintain in the humidity! Instead, you’ll have weeks of waking up with perfect eyelashes crafted to suit your eye shape.
101 East Coast Road, #02-00
9113 7675 | thelashco.sg
Skin clinic at Parkway Parade
If you’re after facial and body treatments of all types, try out Zest Clinic. Co-founded by Dr Sankeerth Reddy and Dr Tiffany Yeo-Reddy, this East Coast clinic offers a range of treatments from BBL to laser treatments and botox for anti-ageing and skin lifting. There’s also its signature Firm and Tone, a triple modality treatment with laser tightening, radiofrequency and magnetic pulse therapy to help improve skin laxity on areas like the belly, buttocks, back, neck and chin.
While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to consult with Dr Reddy and Dr Yeo-Reddy about any health concerns that might be bothering you. In addition to aesthetics, this clinic also provides wellness services and treatment plans tailored to both men and women that address concerns such as hair loss, iron deficiency, PCOS, weight management, erectile dysfunction and even snoring!
#05-04/05 Parkway Parade Medical Centre, 80 Marine Parade Road
9176 9378 | zest.clinic
Hair salon on the East Coast of Singapore
Expat Hair Studio is a stalwart of Joo Chiat Road and visited by expats and locals from all around Singapore. Headed up by Kat, the team can help you with hair extensions, styling and great blonde highlights, with plenty of East Coast cafes and shops nearby to make a full morning of it.
422 Joo Chiat Road
6444 7929 | WhatsApp 8028 6588 | expathairstudio.com
Eyebrow embroidery salon
Among the things that make SleekBrow stand out is its highly consultative approach. Founding sisters Estee and Sydney want to make their clients feel beautiful and believe that the way to do that is by listening to them rather than simply suggesting what’s on trend. They want to make having a good set of eyebrows accessible for anyone without the fear of being upsold to or poor-quality workmanship.
#05-06 The Flow, 66 East Coast Road
9727 6276 | sleekbrowsg.as.me | IG sleekbrowsg
# Things to do on the East Coast of Singapore
Art classes and more in Siglap
This art studio is for all ages, offering kids’ classes and help with student portfolios through to adult workshops and camps. Little Artists also hold kids’ camps during school holiday periods and you can book themed birthday party packages all year round.
#02-18 Siglap Centre, 55 Siglap Road
little-artists.com
# Wellness places near East Coast Park
Osteopath in the East Coast of Singapore
Osteopathy is highly rated for getting your life and energy back! The Osteopathic Centre has an experienced team of osteopaths, but also a senior physiotherapist and clinical Pilates instructor who bring experience in women’s health and musculoskeletal conditions to the practice. The Osteopathic Centre has clinics in the CBD, East Coast and Orchard Road.
#01-02 Bowmont Centre, 20 Siglap Drive
6221 4064 | theosteo.com.sg
Counselling on East Coast Road
Alliance Counselling’s team of over 30 multilingual counsellors and psychologists offers marriage counselling, professional support and guidance to teenagers and families. Get the skills and tools to cope with life’s challenges!
121 Upper East Coast Road, #02-01
6466 8120 | alliancecounselling.com.sg
Osteo, physio and sports massage
How about a holistic full body assessment to understand how you move, your posture and your symptoms? Your practitioner at City Osteopathy & Physiotherapy can get to the root of your symptoms, and create a recovery plan. Sounds like a plan!
364 Joo Chiat Road
cityosteophysio.com
# Where to live on the East Coast
Deciding where to live in Singapore needs careful consideration, especially when you’ll most likely be locked into your lease for two years. Below are some of the popular areas on the East Coast that will help you focus your search and allow you to make a more informed decision.
Katong & Joo Chiat
These inland areas are close to town and favoured by expats who are keen to experience local Peranakan culture or live in one of the beautiful shophouses. The colourful neighbourhoods boast several large malls, including Parkway Parade and i12 Katong.
Siglap & Bedok
These areas are further north and have more of a village feel. Housing options vary from apartments and townhouses to spacious, detached bungalows. The purpose-built campus of UWC South East Asia is close by, as is OWIS. There are a couple of MRTs that run through this area, along to EXPO and the airport.
Tips from an East Coast resident
“The East gives us that perfect balance. I like being nearer to the sea, and not as close to the urban and concrete jungle! There are great local schools and international schools also have campuses here. There are plenty of eateries and restaurants with all sorts of multicultural cuisine too. Even better, there’s a new MRT line close by.” – Shivani
Liked this feature on where to live, East Coast food, shops and salons in Joo Chiat? Check out more in our Wine & Dine section!
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