Maxwell Food Centre is one of the most popular places to eat in Singapore. And with over 100 different delicious stalls at the Maxwell Market, it’s easy to see why! If this is your first visit to the area or simply looking for what to order, we got you covered. We’ve visited Maxwell Hawker Centre many times over the years and are happy to share our tips and favorite foods with you!
Why is Maxwell Food Centre So Famous?
Maxwell has always been one of the most visited Hawker Centers in Singapore. However, it became a must-taste for many international foodies when one of the stalls was visited by Anthony Bourdain. After being featured on his show No Reservations Maxwell Food Centre was launched into a different stratosphere!
You may see it go by a few names such as Maxwell Food Centre, Maxwell Market, or Maxwell Hawker Centre. If this is your first visit to Singapore then you should know Hawker Centers are the best places to eat. These massive food courts feature culinary specialties from around Southeast Asia at a low price.
For a quick overview of Singapores Hawker Centers make sure to check out our post below. Here you’ll find the history of the Hawker Centers and more of our favorites to enjoy.
→ Epic 2 Day Singapore Itinerary (What You Absolutely Can’t Miss!)
How to Get to Maxwell Food Centre
Maxwell is located right in the heart of Chinatown. This is a fun area to stay in and one of our favorites neighborhoods to explore Singapore from.
If you are downtown near the beautiful Merlion Park it’s a very easy walk to Maxwell Market. We typically get around Singapore by walking everywhere. The only time we utilize other forms of transportation is when it’s too hot in the middle of the day!
Not up for walking? Then the most convenient way to get to Maxwell Food Centre is by using the super easy MRT subway. The “Maxwell” MRT stop is literally across the street from the Hawker Center so you’ll have no trouble finding it.
Maxwell Food Centre Location: 1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184
Exploring the Maxwell Food Centre Singapore
The first thing we do when visiting any Hawker Center is grab a juice! For just a couple of Singapore dollars you can pick your own mix of fresh fruits and vegetables. Once we have our drink in hand it’s time to browse the different stalls.
Before ordering we always walk around and look at what stalls are open and decide what we’re in the mood for. Maxwell Food Centre is actually one of the best to experience if it’s your first time at the Hawkers. There are five rows of stalls to weave your way through and take in the smells and sounds!
At Maxwell Market you’ll find everything from the famous chicken rice to duck noodle and spicy laksa soup! Honestly, you could eat here everyday during your trip to Singapore and never run out of new and interesting dishes to try.
Quick Tips For Maxwell Hawker Centre
1. Clean up after yourself and clear your own table. Sometimes you will see staff coming around to collect the trays. If not, simply discard your trash in the appropriate bins. You don’t want to risk getting a fine in Singapore!
2. Not all stalls are open all the time. Depending on the time of day or day of the week, some may be closed. Yet, there’s always enough cooking to where you’ll have plenty of Maxwell food to choose from.
3. Have cash on your visit to Maxwell Hawker Centre. Only a few select stands take credit cards.
4. Try as many dishes as possible! Since the food is so affordable you can hit different spots and fill your table. The Hawker Centers are such a great opportunity to taste food from all around Asia.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Without a doubt, the most well known stand at Maxwell Food Centre is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Serving the popular Singapore dish for over 30 years, it gained international recognition after receiving a Michelin Star.
Tian Tian Hainanese stands out from the other stalls as there is a small roped off section directing the line around the corner. This alone should explain how busy it gets!
On our recent visit we arrived around 6pm and there was only one person waiting in front of us. We ordered a medium chicken rice just to share between us.
It may seem like of a bit boring dish compared to others inside Maxwell Hawker Centre. Yet, the chicken was unlike anything we’ve had outside of Singapore! The meat is extremely soft and the rice is super flavorful.
What to Eat at Maxwell Food Centre
While it’s certainly tasty, chicken and rice still isn’t our go-to meal in Singapore. We much prefer the spicier dishes and meats like duck and pork.
If it’s your first time at Maxwell Market then definitely grab a plate at Tian Tian to see what the hype is about! Nonetheless, don’t fill up and ignore the other amazing things to eat here.
Our absolute favorite dish to eat in Singapore is duck noodle. We’ve gotten it all around Southeast Asia, but it’s always the best here! You should make a point to try some of the city’s specialties as well.
A few of our favorites are kuay teow, laksa, and prawn mee. Also, be sure to taste the famous chili crab if you get a chance!
More Hawker Centers: – Old Airport Road – Tekka Centre – Chinatown Complex – Lau Pa Sat
What’s Around Maxwell Food Centre in Singapore?
As we mentioned before, Maxwell Hawker Centre is located in the bustling Chinatown section of Singapore. This means you can include it on your visit to the area as a stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
We love simply walking around and taking in this part of the city. From the historic temples to the colorful murals and hip nightlife, there’s so much to do in Chinatown!
Additionally, don’t forget to visit the actual Chinatown Hawker Center on your trip! This will be a more chaotic and local experience than Maxwell Market, but with countless different food options.
→ Is Chinatown in Singapore Worth Visiting? 7 Things to Know First
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own favorite dishes at Maxwell Food Centre Singapore? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where to Stay in Singapore
Luxury – Marina Bay Sands – We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands for Jake’s 30th birthday and it blew away our expectations. Aside from the luxury amenities, swimming in the rooftop infinity pool will be the highlight of your visit!
Iconic – Raffles Hotel – As one of the most historic hotels Southeast Asia, staying at the Raffles Hotel will be an experience like no other. Enjoy a Singapore Sling and take in the amazing architecture of this landmark built in 1887.
Fun Vacation– Parkroyal on Pickering– It doesn’t get much more green and lush then Parkroyal on Pickering! This fun vacation spot is literally one of the greenest hotels in the world. Plant life covers the entire property to make for a unique stay in Singapore.
Boutique – KēSa House – Located in Chinatown, this fantastic hotel was built in 1920’s. Enjoy the incredible setting in the heart of the city in a traditional building on Keong Saik Road.
Hostel – Hipstercity hostel – Fun hostel in downtown Singapore with both private and dorm rooms. Great place to meet other travelers to explore the city with.
PIN FOR LATER ↓
Singapore Travel Planning
Activities: 23 Fun Things to Do – Butterfly Garden – Supertree Grove – Gardens by the Bay – Marina Bay Sands – Haji Lane – Merlion Park – Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel – Singapore Jewel – Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool
Light Shows: Gardens by the Bay– Marina Bay – 2 Best in Singapore
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Athens to Singapore for $230 USD, and Singapore to Thailand for less than $50!
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Singapore. You can book everything from a Singapore Highlights Bike Tour to a Gardens by the Bay E-Ticket, and even a private food tour with 10 tastings!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists! Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Hello! Can you please provide your top 3 places and dishes in Maxwell Center (not Tian Tian) and top 3 places/dishes in the Chinatown Hawker Center (not that chicken & rice Hawker Chan) that aren’t crazy spicy? Like where do you get your duck noodle that you love at Maxwell? Thank you!