Where East meets West
Visit the bustling borough of Holland Village, where European culture comes to life in a uniquely Singaporean way.
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Visit the bustling borough of Holland Village, where European culture comes to life in a uniquely Singaporean way.
With its bustling streets, hip bars and eateries serving up delectable nosh, Lorong Mambong is a much-beloved stretch for locals and tourists alike.
Formerly a military compound for British soldiers, Chip Bee Garden’s quaint low-rise buildings now house an eclectic range of art galleries, artisanal design outlets and local retail stores.
The Raffles Holland V shopping mall is home to a host of amenities and services. Discerning foodies shopping for fresh produce should pop by Taste, a gourmet grocer in the mall’s basement.
Established in the early 1900s by Singapore’s Dutch community, Holland Village was the former home of British Army personnel and their families. Plantations, colonial estates and nurseries once dotted this neighbourhood, and its European-influenced legacy can still be seen in the architecture of its quaint shophouses and low-rise buildings.
The district was named after the English architect Hugh Holland, but was colloquially known as hue hng au (‘behind the flower garden’ in the Hokkien dialect), in reference to its close proximity to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Over the years, Holland Village has garnered a reputation for being a creative commune and an incubator for local artists, musicians and entrepreneurs. The main stretch of Holland Village along Lorong Mambong exudes a subtle European charm, and is a trove of al fresco cafes, restaurants and popular lifestyle outlets.
Visitors who’d like an insight into traditional Singaporean businesses can pay a visit to Thambi Magazine Store at Holland Road Shopping Centre. Owned by third-generation owner Sam Thambi, this business tracks its lineage back to the 1940s, when Sam’s grandfather and father sold newspapers and magazines to neighbourhood residents and British soldiers.
For a quick reprieve from the bustling activity of Holland Village’s main stretch, take a stroll to Chip Bee Gardens, a five-minute walk from Holland Village’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Exit B. This area was formerly a military estate established in the 1950s to house members of the British Army, and the beautiful architecture on display here makes it ripe for a bout of urban exploration.
Current tenants include modern art galleries, a smattering of local cafes, and homegrown retail outlets offering everything from customized notebooks to statement pieces for your wardrobe. We recommend a visit to TAKSU, a Southeast Asian-themed art gallery that boasts an extensive collection of contemporary paintings from some of the region’s finest painters.
Whether you’re hungry for a hearty dinner or a decadent dessert, Holland Village’s eclectic food offerings are certain to sate your appetite.
Start your morning with breakfast at Baker & Cook. Helmed by New Zealand TV personality and celebrity chef Dean Brettschneider, this bakery is known for its artisanal pastries and home-made jams.
To indulge in a bout of shopping for organic produce, drop by Taste. Located in the cosy Raffles Holland V shopping mall, this 557-square-metre space houses ten different sections, including a cheese room and a charcuterie. Seasonal produce is flown in from France, Japan, Thailand and the United States on a fortnightly basis.
If you’re craving for a taste of local fare, visit Holland Drive Market and Food Centre. Located just along Lorong Mambong, this hawker centre serves up a smorgasbord of local dishes, including nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, served with an array of side dishes), chicken rice and laksa (spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup).
Wala Wala Café Bar
Chug an ice-cold pint and immerse yourself in Singapore’s local music scene, with local bands rocking the stage at Wala Wala Café Bar.
Bynd Artisan
Purveyors of craftsmanship should pay a visit to Bynd Artisan, a craft atelier that offers a range of handmade, customisable stationery and notebooks.
2am:dessertbar
Who says you can’t have dessert for supper? 2am:dessertbar serves up tantalising dessert creations, created by founder and World Gourmet Summit award-winning pastry chef Janice Wong. As the name suggests, they stay open until 2am in the morning!
Sunday Folks
Dessert lovers hoping to indulge in a scoop of handmade ice cream and an aromatic cup of joe can spend the day at Sunday Folks along Jalan Merah Saga.
Ong Shunmugam
Add a dash of Asian-inspired fashion to your wardrobe at Ong Shunmugam, a local womenswear label that innovates and reinterprets traditional Asian fashion.
Park Avenue Hotel
Unwind amidst the tranquility of Rochester Park at Park Avenue Hotel, an elegant accommodation that’s strategically located a short drive away from Orchard Road.
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