Lau Pa Sat

A gorgeous Victorian cast-iron market in the CBD, best known for Satay Street, when Boon Tat Street closes to traffic each evening for open-air charcoal satay. Touristy but genuinely fun after dark.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What should I order?

Satay, order chicken, mutton and beef by the 10 sticks with ketupat and peanut sauce. Beyond that, the indoor stalls cover the local classics: Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, laksa and fresh sugarcane juice.

Is Lau Pa Sat open 24 hours?

The building is largely open around the clock, but individual stalls keep their own hours. Daytime is standard hawker fare for the office crowd; the real spectacle is the evening satay. Many indoor stalls close by 10pm.

Daytime or evening, which is better?

Evening for atmosphere and satay under the stars. Daytime for a quieter, cheaper hawker lunch among office workers. If you can only go once, go after 7pm for Satay Street.

What is Satay Street and when does it happen?

Each evening, Boon Tat Street beside the market closes to cars and satay hawkers set up charcoal grills and outdoor tables. It runs roughly 7pm-3am on weekdays and from about 3pm on weekends. It's the reason most people come.

How much does the satay cost?

Satay is typically sold in sets of 10 sticks, and vendors are known to push large minimum orders on tourists. Agree on the quantity and price up front to avoid a surprise bill. It's tasty but not the cheapest satay in town.

Is there halal food?

The satay street includes Muslim-run stalls, and there's a mix of halal and non-halal options throughout. Check individual stall signage; the Malay satay vendors are generally halal.

How do I get there?

It's a 3-5 minute walk from Raffles Place, Telok Ayer or Downtown MRT, right in the financial district. Extremely easy to reach, which is part of why it's so popular with visitors.

Is it a tourist trap?

It's the most touristy of Singapore's hawker centres and prices skew a touch higher than neighbourhood spots. That said, the satay is legitimately good and the historic pavilion is stunning. Come for the experience, adjust expectations on price.

Nearby in Ask Singapore

• Ya Kun Kaya Toast (Far East Square)Café0.42 km · 5 min walk
• Maxwell Food CentreMarket0.68 km · 8 min walk
• Asian Civilisations MuseumMuseum0.75 km · 9 min walk
• Chinatown Heritage CentreAttraction0.76 km · 9 min walk
• Merlion ParkAttraction0.82 km · 10 min walk