8 cool and hidden streets in Singapore to explore

This street in Desker Road is infamous for being a former red light district but you'd hardly know it today. Instead, hidden in plain sight is a growing 'hipster' enclave – defined by new restaurants, cafés and artsy studios. Have lunch at Allo French Restaurants, or cool off with some artisanal gelato at Aphrodite Waffles & Gelato. You can pick up pottery at 7879 Gallery and Clayworks or learn method acting at Haque Centre of Acting & Creativity. 

DO For something truly unique, go for New World's End, Singapore's only immersive street audio walking tour that'll introduce you to Little India's history through the fictional story of starcrossed lovers. 

For a street that's a mere five-minute walk from hotspots like Raffles City and Funan Mall, Armenian Street is pretty under the radar. Named after the nearby Armenian Church, the oldest church on the island, the street is home to historic landmarks such as The Peranakan Museum, Bible House and once, the independent arts institution The Substation. The real 'hidden' part though, is the alley flanking the former Substation – walk in to check out the quirky street art splashed on the walls.

DO Take in the pretty 1930s shophouses, watch skateboarders and dancers practice their moves, and visit some of the historic institutions. 

If you're really into shophouses, a jaunt down Everton Road and Blair Road might just be your thing. This relatively quiet street in Spottiswoode will charm you with its eclecticism: colourful shophouses stretch before you and plants off all shapes and sizes spill from the walkways onto the road. This laidback hood is just a stone's throw from busy Tanjong Pagar, but has its own little hub with tons to see and do: Everton Park.

DO From Everton Road, turn down Everton Park for a cuppa at Little Oasis, or to pick up some famous confectionery at Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh. For some Peranakan history, head to NUS Baba House. Otherwise, there's free street art to view at the junction between Blair Road and Spottiswoode Park Road. 

Vibrant shophouses and the strong presence of Peranakan heritage is all around in Katong. If you're strolling along East Coast Road, remember to keep your eyes open. You might just spot this majestic mural at one of the small side laneways between two shophouses. Titled Medley Alley, this eclectic mural by Nicia Lam, Valerie Neo, Novena Angela and Yillish Lam features wings made of colourful tiles (a nod to iconic Peranakan tiles) that represent the metamorphosis between generations. 

DO Beat the heat with some ice cream at Birds of Paradise en route to Medley Alley. Afterwards, fill up with some famous Katong laksa – you'll be spoilt for choice in this area. 

Behind 84 Amoy Street is a narrow road leading up to the top of Ann Siang Hill. This simple lane used to be occupied by a squatter settlement made up of 25 families, who had no running water or electricity. Instead, they relied on a communal area at the top of the hill to shower and do the laundry, among other necessities. The settlement was cleared for redevelopment in the 1980s, but you can visit it today to imagine what it must have been like to live on this narrow tree-lined street. 

DO Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop is the perfect cosy corner for a lazy afternoon's reading session. Afterwards, feast on some of the best nasi lemak in town at nearby The Coconut Club. If you're in the mood for a tipple, there's no going wrong with The Other Roof or Native bar. 

Lorong Kilat is well-frequented by Westies, but the street remains relatively tucked away from the main bustle at Cheong Chin Nam and Chun Tin Road. Old pictures of the street show it to be wider and sparser than it is now, but the history of Lorong Kilat is mostly forgotten. Other roads off Upper Bukit Timah however (including Cheong Chin Nam and Chun Tin) are associated with the prominent Cheong family that developed a number of residential properties in the area.

DO Lorong Kilat is popular among residents and West-siders for its breezy restaurants and cafés. Scarf down authentic Korean fare at Kim's Korean Restaurant and satisfy that sweet tooth with pastries from Carpenter & Cook or ice cream from Salted Caramel. 

Tiong Bahru is no stranger to anyone, but Chuan Guan Street is worth mentioning for a cool secret – a pre-war air raid shelter. Built in the basement of Block 78 in 1939, this shelter remains virtually untouched to this day. What's more, it spans 13 five-room flats and has the capacity to take in up to 1600 individuals at a time. 

DO On your way to the shelter, don't forget to snap some pictures of the unique Art Deco buildings on Chuan Guan Street. Food and drink won't be a problem – make Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre your first stop. 

Tampines Link is the site of a cluster of religious institutions, including some that date back to the kampong era of the 1800s-1980s. The most fascinating is the Jiutiaoqiao Xinba Nadutan Temple, which houses shrines from many different faiths including the Taoist Tua Pek Kong, the Hindu god Ganesha and the Malayan deity Datuk Gong. That's not all – at the end of Tampines Link is a row of shophouses that mark where the former Hun Yeang Village used to be. Its namesake is a Penang businessman who purchased the land here for a fruit and rubber plantation in the early 1900s. 

DO After sightseeing the temples and shophouses, visit Goodyear Seafood for some decent zi char. 

This hidden street is not particularly pretty or historic, but it stands out for something – its many aquarium shops. Located behind the bus stop opposite Sembawang Country Club, Chencharu Link is home to Sanyo Trading Aquarium, Nanyang Trading Aquarium, Sea View Aquarium, Red Summer Koi Farm and more. Block out an hour or two to browse the shops and the rows and rows of fluorescent-lit tanks – and of course, the tons of beautiful, adorable and even downright weird sea creatures. 

DO Enough said, visit the aquariums and maybe bring some pet fish home!