Singapore’s reputation for mega-malls is well earned, but the city’s new shopping enclaves are rewriting the formula. No longer just air-conditioned cubes stacked with global chains, these destinations work harder to stand apart – tapping heritage buildings, spotlighting local talent or doubling down on sustainability.
Across the island, these boutique-minded spaces invite visitors to slow down. You’ll find experimental dining, inventive design and a growing sense of place – qualities often lost in the crush of big-box retail.
Weave, Sentosa
A reimagining of the former “forum” space at Resorts World Sentosa, Weave is a fluid, light-filled hub built with sustainability in mind. ETFE roofing cuts solar heat by 80 percent, while an automated cooling system cleverly repurposes energy from nearby hotels.
The dining lineup is eclectic: Pierre Hermé’s first Asian maison, Coach’s permanent café with local-flavoured soft serve (chilli crab is a must-try), Seoul’s Standard Bread and Melbourne import Homm Dessert at Heart serving Thai desserts.
Nearest MRT station: HarbourFront
Geneo Mall, Science Park
Geneo is as much a campus for innovation as it is a mall. Its atrium – framed by 25m timber arches – gives a cathedral-like presence, while swing seats and garden corners keep it playful. The complex stretches across five linked buildings with labs, co-working spaces, apartments and food.
Great Nanyang Heritage Café dishes out nostalgic classics like kaya toast and Penang white curry noodles. Two food courts – Hawkerlab and Makan Street – broaden the local flavour, while Olive & Peach keeps things minimal with coffee and sandwiches. Don’t miss The Seed, a ginger-family garden perfect for a pause.
Nearest MRT station: Kent Ridge
Kada, Tanjong Pagar
Inside a conserved colonial hospital – complete with Singapore’s oldest scissor-gate lift – Kada blends wellness and dining across four floors. Wellness anchors include Shiruki Studio for ice baths, Satori Pilates and Eternami’s AI-driven health assessments.
Food is equally varied: Echo House, Kyuukei Coffee and Pacto by Parchmen for your caffeine fix, alongside Proud Potato Peeler, Lavi Tapas Bar and D’Penyetz Heritage for fuller meals. Habyt co-living, with a minimum seven-day stay, rounds out the lifestyle mix.
Nearest MRT station: Maxwell
The Cathay, Dhoby Ghaut
Once Singapore’s tallest skyscraper, The Cathay has lived many lives – from broadcasting centre to cinema destination. Reopened this year, the Art Deco façade remains, but the interiors now feature a three-storey multimedia tower that plays digital animation throughout the day and a sky garden on the fourth storey.
Dining runs from Ya Kun’s dependable kaya toast to a manicure-and-coffee hybrid at Painted Nail Bar x A Slow Cup. Its location, near the museum district, makes it an easy cultural pit stop.
Nearest MRT station: Dhoby Ghaut
New Bahru, River Valley
A former school reimagined as a creative campus, New Bahru is home to more than 40 independent Singapore brands. Alma House serviced apartments nod to Singapore nostalgia, while shops like Make by GINLEE (customisable bags) and Sojao (homeware) showcase homegrown craft.
The dining pull is strong: Coconut Club’s cult nasi lemak and chef Bjorn Shen’s Artichoke, recently reborn as a pizza spot. With wellness and design studios also in the mix, New Bahru is proof that retail here is evolving – and fast.
Nearest MRT station: Great World or Fort Canning
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