What to do and see in Tanglin, Singapore: The Best Gift & Specialty Shops

Reviewed By nicholasw329 - Singapore, Singapore

Love this area! Just gives you a break from modern Singapore. Throw back to our colonial-era. St George’s Church is still there - a red bricked, non-AC church, think it was built in the 1930s? - a rare find in Singapore. However, the old interfaith servicemen’s chapel, that is now White Rabbit restaurant. They’ve kept and restored the mosaic tiled floor, stained-glass windows and wrought-iron ceiling beams. Great night ambience, food and drinks. Also, Junior Flying Club, where as a boy, I was into aero modeling and spent many a Saturday morning - that’s now Au Petit Salut, another wonderful restaurant. Most of these eateries offer al fresco dining with a view of lush greenery, like PS Cafe or The Wine Connection too. Be adventurous. You just have to hunt for them, sprawled across a 5 to 6 SqKm, so be prepared to walk and expect to be hot and sweaty if you’re not driving. Unless you tuck into AC and have a snack / drink between your walkabout here. More like a coffee/ snack-shop about :) Extend your exploration of the area into Tanglin Hill and you’ll see some lovely huge bungalows on sprawling land. Most are private property so don’t wander in, even if their gates are open! Restaurants, many great ones, cafes, high-end grocers, an ice cream shop, kids activity corners, art galleries, kindergartens and the weekend farmers market that pop up. You’d probably find designer soda water and caviar here easily. Try Hubert’s Butchery - great grocery section! Even the fields and pitches are still used and a hive of activity most weekends or evenings, used by soccer, rugby and maybe even cricket clubs. I’ve seen them! Classic and sports car clubs love to gather in the weekend mornings here for their owners to show off their pride and joy. Just come by and see. Want to see 25 Lamborghinis in all colours? You might... or maybe 25 Minis or the HOGs. Harley Davidson Owners club of Singapore. Parking is free and just a walk from Botanic Gardens if you’re in the neighborhood. This place is literally a 10 minute drive from Orchard Rd! I remember this well as Tanglin Barracks, CMPB. When army trucks and land-rovers were a common sight here. What is Como restaurant today was the large assembly hall where we boys took our oath to serve and defend Singapore for our national service enlistment. That was March 1987 for me! Yes, you said your National pledge, then have your heads shaven and finally kitted up with your “Alibaba” duffel bags and off you’re sent to your assigned unit on then 3-tonne Bedford trucks!! Yes Encik!! (‘Endearing’ term for Company Sergeant Majors) Today, this is a very upmarket chic & glamorous enclave. It’s still relaxing, with old haunts like Muthu’s Curry and the furniture shops. Yup they’re still there! What’s gone is the old six-hole golf course. That’s becoming the new MRT station in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office - now that building, that was Army HQ for me and MinDef. The public has no access there today, unless you’re on diplomatic business. Hope the powers-that-be keep this place the same as long as possible. In fast developing and land-hungry Singapore, it’s just a matter of when... so enjoy it while it lasts. If you like it here at Dempsey, try Gillman Barracks too. It’s off Alexandra Rd and the Labrador area. Not as commercial, more galleries and design offices, equally relaxing.