Accessible Supermarkets & Hawker Centres

Food is more than fuel in Singapore—it’s a shared language, a source of pride, and a deeply social experience. Whether it’s picking up fresh produce at a neighbourhood supermarket or joining locals at a hawker centre for a plate of chicken rice, food brings people together. And increasingly, it’s bringing everyone together, as Singapore takes meaningful steps to make food spaces more inclusive.

In this refreshed guide, we go beyond generic info and into the flavourful heart of Singapore’s food scene—with tips, examples, and real-world stories of accessible food experiences for all.

Image Courtesy of Judy Tudor

Supermarkets: Designed for Ease and Inclusion

Singapore’s supermarkets are among the most accessible places to shop for food. Major chains like FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant, and Sheng Siong are well distributed island-wide. Here’s how they make the grocery run smoother for visitors with mobility or sensory needs:

What Makes Them Accessible:

• Barrier-Free Entry: Wide automatic doors, step-free access, and flat layouts
• Lift Access: For multi-storey stores in malls like Nex (FairPrice Xtra) or Plaza Singapura (Cold Storage)
• Accessible Toilets: Available in most malls housing these supermarkets
• Apps for Independent Shopping: FairPrice’s Scan & Go and other store apps reduce checkout friction

Insider Tip:

Want a quieter experience? Visit during weekday mornings or late evenings. Many stores now offer in-store navigation support, such as enlarged shelf tags with high-contrast colours for low-vision shoppers.

Hawker Centres: Rich in Flavour, Growing in Accessibility

No visit to Singapore is complete without a stop at a hawker centre. These iconic food courts are packed with affordable local dishes and vibrant street-life energy. But how accessible are they?

Standout Accessible Centres:

• Our Tampines Hub Hawker Centre: Tactile flooring, designated wheelchair tables, and wide circulation space
• Kampung Admiralty: Integrated with eldercare and community amenities, with ramps, lifts, and thoughtful layouts
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre: Upgraded under NEA’s Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme with ramps and colour-coded signs
• Maxwell Food Centre: Home to some of Singapore’s best hawker stalls. It’s lauded by both locals and tourists as the hawker centre to go to if you want to savour true-blue Singaporean food. We don’t have to say much, because the queues at some of these stalls speak volumes!
• Tekka Market: A sprawling multi-use complex standing proud in the heart — and heat — of Singapore’s vibrant Little India district. The trade and culture hub has withstood the test of time and undergone numerous major facelifts in both look and name since it was first erected in 1915. It also houses some really authentic South Asian cuisine, some even highlighted within the Singapore Michelin Guide! 

Tips for an Enjoyable Visit:

• Avoid peak hours (12–2 PM, 6–8 PM)
• Bring a friend to help with tray return or seating if needed
• Use the MyTransport.SG app to locate nearby accessible toilets
• Consider noise-cancelling headphones if you are sensitive to sound

Image Courtesy of TheSmartLocal.com

Accessible Food Gems in the City

Looking for places that blend delicious food with thoughtful accessibility? Here are a few accessible dining spots that locals love:

• Violet Oon Singapore at National Gallery: This elegant Peranakan restaurant has step-free access via the museum's lift, accessible toilets nearby, and spacious seating. A great spot to enjoy elevated local cuisine in a heritage setting.

• Timbre+ One North: A modern hawker-style food park with wheelchair-accessible paths, portable ramps at some stalls, and cashless payment options. Known for its vibrant mix of local and fusion eats.

• Social Kitchen at YMCA Orchard: A social enterprise with accessible entry and inclusive hiring practices. The menu features comfort food and drinks, and the space is ideal for meet-ups with friends of all abilities.

• Palm Beach Seafood Singapore: Singapore’s Seafood Connoisseurs since 1956. Credited with inventing and perfecting the ever-popular Chilli Crab, an award-winning signature dish, Palm Beach is held in high regard for upholding a tradition of quality seafood, and is very much a part of Singapore’s richly flavoured history.

• Tong Heng: A homegrown brand trademarked for its diamond-shaped egg tarts, and is one of Singapore’s oldest traditional Chinese pastry shops.

Whether you’re exploring with a mobility aid or simply looking for a smoother dining experience, these venues show how good design and great food can come together.

Image Courtesy of TheSmartLocal.com

A Taste for Everyone

Whether you’re shopping for ingredients or exploring iconic street food, Singapore serves up accessibility alongside flavour. Supermarkets offer consistency and comfort, while hawker centres are becoming living examples of how culture and inclusion can thrive together.

At its best, food brings people together. And now, with more inclusive design and intent, it’s bringing everyone to the table.

If you're visiting Singapore for the first time, don't miss the chance to join an accessible food tour and dive into the rich flavors and stories that make this city unforgettable. 

Hungry yet? Let Singapore show you how good food and accessibility go hand in hand.