Great Food and Fun Times: The Ultimate Guide to CHIJMES
Looking for a destination to visit in Singapore’s central area that isn’t the typical tourist attractions like Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands? Then, CHIJMES should be on your itinerary!
CHIJMES (pronounced “chimes”) stands for Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Middle School. It started as a Catholic convent in the 1800s, but by the 1990s, it was restored and revamped to become an entertainment center.
Now, CHIJMES is home to lifestyle services and many ethnic restaurants. If you’re planning to visit, read this article for recommendations on what to do and where to eat in the building complex.
Things to Know
Address: 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Website
History and Background
In 1852, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) was a Catholic convent on Victoria Street. When it was still active, the convent acquired Caldwell House, a Gothic-style chapel, an orphanage, and a hotel complex that would become a girls’ school in 1933.
During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, some of the sisters, orphans, and teachers were deported from the convent to a camp in Malaysia, where they reopened the school under Japanese authority.
When the occupation ended, the convent and its school returned, but in 1983, the Singapore government acquired the convent’s land. In 1990, both the convent’s chapel and Caldwell House were gazetted as national monuments.
In 1991, the convent complex underwent restoration, and in 1996, it was reopened to the public as a plaza with retail shops, restaurants, bars, and outdoor spaces.
How to Get There
MRT: Riding the MRT is the best mode of public transportation to get to CHIJMES. Simply take the train to any of these MRT stations: City Hall, Bras Basah, and Esplanade. These are only a few minutes away from CHIJMES.
Bus: For people who prefer riding the bus, your options are bus services 7, 14, 14A, 14E, 16, 36, 36A, 36B, 111, 128, 131, 162, 162M, or 175.
Car: If you have a car, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a car park within CHIJMES. The rates are as follows:
- 8 am to 5:59 pm—S$0.61 per 15 minutes (Monday to Friday), S$0.66 per 15 minutes (Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays)
- 6 pm to 10:59 pm—S$0.66 per 15 minutes (Sunday to Thursday), S$0.71 per 15 minutes (Friday, Saturday, eve of public holidays, and public holidays)
- 11 pm to 7:59 am—S$0.45 per 15 minutes (Sunday to Thursday), S$0.50 per 15 minutes (Friday, Saturday, eve of public holidays, and public holidays)
Best Time to Visit
Since CHIJMES is open 24/7, you can visit whenever you want. If you prefer a peaceful visit, I recommend coming here during the daytime because the place won’t be crowded.
However, if you prefer a more vibrant experience, visiting at night is the better option. During this time, bars will also be open, so you can enjoy drinks with your friends and loved ones.
What to Do
Admire the architecture
The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at CHIJMES is its architecture—or rather, its variety of architectural styles. CHIJMES is made up of several buildings, each having a distinctive style and aesthetic.
For example, Caldwell House is an embodiment of Neoclassical architecture, while the CHIJMES Hall is reminiscent of the early Gothic Revival style. That’s why you can see old-school details like intricately carved columns and spiral staircases.
Walking inside CHIJMES will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Get a massage at Natureland Spa Therapy
Location: B1-01/02
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +6562666780
Website
Feeling tired? Then, you might be interested in revitalizing your mind and body by getting a massage at Natureland Spa Therapy.
The spa has a relaxing atmosphere. The lights are warm and low, and the seats are plush and comfortable; it’s so easy to forget about the outside world once you’re settled inside.
There are also a variety of services offered here; foot massages and body therapy services are the most popular. Other options include body scrub, sports massage, and slimming massage.
Treat your hair at Shun Sakurai Hair & Beauty
Location: B1-08
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday—11 am to 8 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
- Closed on Monday
Contact Number: +6562500353
Website
If it’s your hair that needs relaxing, then you can visit the only hair salon in CHIJMES: Shun Sakurai Hair & Beauty. The owner is an experienced hairdresser from Japan, so you can expect to receive outstanding hairstyling services here.
In addition to hairstyling services, this hair salon offers several haircare products. So, if you want to protect your hair from the elements, you might want to invest in any of the products offered here.
Where to Eat
Whitegrass
Location: 01-26/27
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—12 to 2:30 pm, 6 to 10:30 pm
- Closed on Sunday and Monday
Pricing: $$$
Contact Number: +6568370402
Website
Have you ever wondered what a French-Japanese cuisine fusion would taste like? Well, wonder no more because Whitegrass is here to answer your question.
Opulently decorated, Whitegrass offers a refined dining experience that you won’t forget. The menus change every season, so you’ll have a different experience whenever you visit this place.
It’s pricy to dine here, but it’s worth it because you’ll be served a multi-course meal. Some highlight dishes I’ve tried here are maple leaf duck confit, braised Wagyu with Albert sauce, and fig dessert with rum.
The Winery Tapas
Location: B1-05
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—4:30 pm to 1 am
- Friday and Saturday—4:30 pm to 2 am
- Closed on Sunday
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6583888850
Website
Plan a fancy night out with your friends and loved ones at The Winery Tapas.
This restaurant boasts a chill and almost romantic ambiance, and the menu is loaded with beloved Spanish dishes. Tapas options are the most popular (I recommend the Winery platter and crab croquetas), but there are also paella dishes, steaks, and more.
To complete your meal, order a glass of alcoholic drink. They have an impressive selection of wines, cocktails, spirits, beers, and whiskeys.
The Modern Izakaya
Location: 01-18
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6562552838
There are several amazing Japanese restaurants in CHIJMES, and one that you should check out is The Modern Izakaya.
As the name suggests, this restaurant is styled after the izakaya bars you typically find in Tokyo, so the atmosphere here is very casual and relaxed. There’s also an outdoor al-fresco seating option if you want to enjoy the fresh air while dining.
The menu is mostly filled with Japanese snacks like yakitori skewers (basically chicken skewers), deep-fried tofu, and grilled salmon head. But they also have more filling options like rice bowls and sashimi.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant
Location: 01-01
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 3 pm, 5:30 to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—12 to 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6563334001
Website
Gyu-Kaku is one of the most popular Japanese BBQ restaurants with several locations worldwide—Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA, and Singapore.
In this restaurant, you can order the premium Wagyu beef, which instantly melts in your mouth. You also have several options for pork, chicken, seafood, and specialty fillets.
Aside from platters of meat to be grilled, Gyu-Kaku offers cooked meals like beef stews, gyoza, assorted kimuchi, and salads. These are perfect as side dishes—or even main dishes if you don’t want to wait while waiting for your meat to finish cooking.
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen
Location: 01-07
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—11:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Sunday—11:30 am to 8:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6563388460
Website
During cold weather, there’s nothing more satisfying than devouring a bowl of ramen. So, I recommend going to Hakata Ikkousha Ramen in CHIJMES when it’s raining outside.
What makes the ramen so delicious here is that the broth is made from the essence of pork bone that’s boiled beforehand. Extracting flavor from pork bone takes a lot of time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end.
Tonkotsu standard has the Ikkousha original pork broth, so it’s the perfect order to start. Other options you might like are tonkotsu black (original broth with special fried garlic paste) and God Fire (original broth with a spicy fire topping).
Coriander Leaf
Address: 02-01
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 2:30 pm, 6 to 10:30 pm
- Saturday—6 to 10:30 pm
- Closed on Sunday
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6596180142
Website
Asian cuisine but with a twist—that’s the main goal of Coriander Leaf. So, prepare to taste a modern interpretation of your favorite Asian dish.
Some of my favorite dishes here include the charcoal grilled baby lamb chops with harissa, yogurt, and dried chili paste; crispy whitebait with roasted chili salt and tahini sauce; and braised tiger prawns with pineapple sambal and green onion.
Don’t pass up on their dessert offerings. The spiced Valrhona lava cake with teh tarik ice cream is perfectly sweet and indulgent; I’m also a big fan of the coconut ice cream with almond praline, red rubies, and grilled pineapple.
Harry’s
Location: 01-14
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday—12 pm to 12 am
- Wednesday and Thursday—12 pm to 1 am
- Friday, Saturday, and eve of public holidays—12 to 2 am
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6582688307
Website
Harry’s has been around in Singapore since 1992, and the establishment currently has 19 locations island-wide, so you know that locals really love the food here. People also love the laid-back environment here, perfect for a get-together with family and friends.
I recommend starting your meal with the tandoori chicken bites (they’re so deliciously tangy) or chicken satay (the spicy peanut sauce elevates the meal); then, for your main course, order the steak and egg or beer-battered fish and chips.
Don’t forget to order a bottle of cold beer. That should wash everything down nicely.
Privé
Location: 01-33
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—10:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6567760777
Website
Looking for a brunch spot? Privé is the perfect place for you!
Privé has an alfresco seating arrangement, so you’ll experience a laid-back vibe. As for the dishes, they serve brunch favorites like eggs Benedict and the ultimate big breakfast (two eggs, pork bratwurst, bacon, and more), and fluffy pancakes.
If you want something more filling, you can’t go wrong with any of their Wagyu beef burgers, fish and chips, and stone-baked pizzas. An extensive array of alcoholic beverages is also available if you’re interested.
Honbo
Location: 01-09
Operating Hours: 12 to 9:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Are you a big fan of burgers? If so, then be sure to stop by Honbo in CHIJMES.
There are so many burger options available here. You have the classic beef burger and the cheeseburger, but there are also burgers with other meat types like chicken, soft shell crab, scallops, oysters, and fish.
Aside from burgers, Honbo sells indulgent sides like chili fries, buffalo wings, and cheese tots.
Señor Taco CHIJMES
Location: 01-19
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—12 to 3 pm, 5 to 10:30 pm
- Friday to Sunday—12 to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6582897860
Website
Señor Tacos CHIJMES is where you should go when you’re craving authentic Mexican cuisine. This restaurant has many variations of tacos (char-grilled chicken is my personal favorite), cheesy quesadillas, and fajitas.
For the main course, you can’t go wrong with the burrito bowl or the pork belly in pipian verde (the pork belly is slow-cooked for 14 hours!). Then, indulge in churros for dessert.
Lei Garden Restaurant
Location: 01-24
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 3 pm, 6 to 10 pm
Pricing: $$$
Contact Number: +6563393822
Website
Lei Garden Restaurant is a world-class restaurant group. It has locations in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, and all these restaurants have received a total of 93 Michelin stars, so you can expect nothing but greatness from this restaurant.
The interesting thing about Lei Garden Restaurant is that the menu is always changing, so you never know what you might get when you visit. What you can expect is that the menu features a unique range of Asian (especially Chinese) and international cuisines.
New Ubin Seafood CHIJMES
Location: 02-01B/01C
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 1 am
- Monday—5:30 pm to 1 am
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6597406870
Website
If you’re craving seafood dishes, then you better head straight to New Ubin Seafood in CHIJMES. This seafood restaurant has an impressive list of signature seafood dishes; you’ll be drooling before you even get to order!
The live mud crab is a hit among patrons; it’s pretty expensive too, but since it’s so big, you can share it with your entire family. Another fan favorite is the herbal prawn soup, which is made up of live tiger prawns cooked in a traditional herbs broth.
If you’re not into seafood, there’s no need to worry because you have other meat options. For example, you might like the USDA 100% black Angus rib-eye, crispy pork jowl, or deep-fried chicken mid-wings coated with shrimp paste batter.
Anglo Indian Cafe & Bar
Location: 01-13
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6568732750
Website
Enjoy the very best of British-Indian cuisine fusion at Anglo Indian Cafe & Bar.
This family-friendly restaurant offers classics like tandoori chicken and lamb seekh kebab. If you don’t eat meat, there’s a section dedicated to vegetarian options like Greek salad and paneer tikka (cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and Indian spices).
For dessert, I recommend trying gulab jamun. It’s a spongy, milky fried dumpling drenched in sugary syrup!
Almost Famous Craft Beer Bar
Location: 01-06
Operating Hours:
- Monday—5 to 10 pm
- Tuesday to Thursday—5 to 11 pm
- Friday—5 pm to 12 am
- Saturday—2 pm to 12 am
- Sunday—2 to 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6597721787
Website
As the name suggests, Almost Famous is a craft beer bar, so it’s a great place to go if you want to go out and drink with your friends. Their selection of beers is also unique; you can get flavors like Asian rice, passionfruit wheat, and strawberry sundae.
This bar also has some food options. Tacos are the bestsellers (personally, I’m fond of the tacos de chorizo asado), but there are also nacho fries, fritters, and hot wings.
PEMENCO
Location: 01-15/16
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5:30 pm to 5:30 am
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6568832294
Website
PEMENCO is an underrated spot in CHIJMES, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Families, in particular, will love dining here because of its chill and relaxing environment.
As for the food, I recommend the USDA prime ribeye or the burger and lobster combo, which is comprised of a dry-aged beef patty, serrano ham, and a whole lobster tail that’s poached to perfection. There are also several options for tapas, pasta, and pizza.
Analogue
Location: 01-31
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 12 am
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6585181882
Website
If you just want to enjoy a night of drinking with your friends, Analogue has you covered.
This bar boasts an impressive menu of alcoholic drinks. You can try cool cocktails like Blue Magic (blue spirulina and Jasmine kombucha) and El Mariachi (smoked morita and strawberry), or you can order a classic drink like negroni and whisky sour.
If you can afford it, try any of the premium wines. My favorite is the Unico Zelo Halcyon Days 21, which tastes like plum; it also has some peppery notes, which makes for an interesting flavor combination.
The Single Cask
Location: 01-25
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—5 pm to 12 am
- Closed on Sunday
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6568370953
Website
Another great bar you should visit in CHIJMES is The Single Cask. This bar has a quaint setting where you can sit back and feel relaxed with your companions.
Their selection of whiskeys is spectacular as well. A cask of 27-year-old Glenrothes will cost you around S$600, and if you have a lot of money to burn, you might be interested in the 1965 Macallan, which is priced at a whopping S$12,000 per bottle!
There are also several affordable options for people who don’t want to spend so much money on whiskey. A few examples include the 1997 Deanston, 1991 Blair Athol, and 1995 Linkwood.
Dough
Location: 01-30
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—8:30 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—8:30 am to 6 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
For sweet lovers out there, Dough is a haven. This cafe sells gorgeous-looking pastries that are also perfectly sweet and indulgent; you’ll be tempted to buy as many of them as possible!
My go-to order here is the strawberry brioche; it’s soft and fluffy brioche topped with a crispy layer of meringue and sprinkled with dehydrated strawberries. The texture combination of crispy and fluffy, along with the light sweetness, is so addictive.
Aside from the strawberry brioche, I like the matcha mochi, passionfruit black tea cake, and apple caramel cake. If you prefer something more hearty, Dough also serves Wagyu burgers, ribeye steaks, and pasta dishes.
Hvala
Location: 01-04/05
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 9:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Another great spot to get your dessert fix is Hvala. This cafe offers classic sweet treats like fudgy chocolate brownies, waffles, cakes, and mochis, but there are also tarts, petits (bite-sized sweet treats), and even gelato options.
I’m a big fan of the gelato here because their flavor offerings are pretty unique. For example, there’s a caramelized sobacha flavor, which is made from oat milk and caramelized sobacha (buckwheat tea).
If it’s hot, then feel free to order a steaming cup of tea. Green, oolong, black, and white tea options are available here.
The Glasshouse
Location: 01-03
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—8 am to 6 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of real life by seeking refuge at The Glasshouse.
One thing I like about this cafe is that I can build my breakfast; I just have to choose my bread, protein, spreads, and other toppings. This build-your-own breakfast is also available until 5 pm, so you don’t have to come here early in the morning.
If you don’t want to exert too much effort in building your meal, they have made-to-order options. A few examples include the roast beef sanger, truffle mac and cheese, and breakfast bagel with sunny egg, smashed avocado, and bacon.
Where to Shop
La Mexicana
Location: 01-19
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—12 to 8 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—12 to 9 pm
Contact Number: +6587079010
Website
If you love cooking at home, especially Mexican dishes, La Mexicana is the grocery store for you. This store sells your favorite Mexican ingredients, such as tortillas, guacamole, and salsas.
There’s also a good selection of cerveza (Mexican beer), perfect for your Mexican feast. And if you don’t like to cook, no worries because there are pre-made food options available here!