The ultimate guide to Ang Mo Kio

This family-friendly restaurant has a few things going for it: it’s affordable, has a killer view of the park and has a decent selection of craft brews and ciders at pocket-friendly prices. The menu features classic brunch plates, served with an Asian twist, with items that include the har cheong gai chicken with waffles ($16), mentaiko fries ($6) and mashed potato with ikura ($9).

This neighbourhood bakery has made it big. Once a hidden gem, it's since been featured in multiple news outlets and best-of lists. The joint is notable for its locally-inspired cakes like the pulut hitam ($29.50/whole), gula melaka attap chee ($29.50/whole) and Cat Mountain King durian ($53/whole). Other flavours like the lychee martini ($33.50/whole), coffee whisky caramel ($46/whole) and Kyoho grapes & white chocolate ($46/whole) are also veritable stars. Almost all its cakes are available in individual slices, so if you're undecided, enjoy a slice or two at the shop itself before making your decision. 

This humble but very popular stall in Ang Mo Kio Food Centre may keep the menu small but the food speaks for itself. The queue never really dies down at any time of the day for their signature dishes. There are four main dishes on the menu, mee rebus ($3), mee soto ($3), gado-gado ($3.50) and satay ($0.60/stick). There is also an extensive list of meats which can be ordered to jazz up any order. Try having a mee rebus with beef ribs ($6) and a begedil (potato patty). We warn you, it’s going to be a sloppy affair sloshing around the bowl of egg noodles in the thick savoury broth. 

Be transported back in time when you step into Plum Village, a small Hakka restaurant that’s been around for more than 30 years. Chinese lanterns hang from the walls and you’ll even find a modest library at the back. The food hasn’t changed since the restaurant opened, you’ll find classic Hakka dishes like fried yam balls ($9-$18) and stuffed beancurd ($6-$15). But the star dish here is definitely the salted vegetable with pork ($13.80-$27.60) that’s been stewed for hours ’til perfectly tender. 

Serving up fish and chips at a hawker centre in Ang Mo Kio, Fish and Chicks became famous for its fish and chips. Notable options include one that comes with chips and two slabs of battered fish – one topped with salted yolk sauce and the other a ‘no-crab’ chilli crab sauce. Snap a photo if you must, then tuck in ASAP: the crisp, light batter yields to the sauces blanketing its golden body and gets soggy fast. 

Canopy Garden's a great hangout, especially on weekends and evenings, when you're looking to while your time away with friends and family. What's even better is that it's located in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park, so you can run free with your pet before settling down for a dinner or pick-me-up. The joint has a wide outdoor patio that's great for pets, and serves up a range of draught beers, cocktails, and bar bites to.  

This charming, cosy café has been making waves ever since its debut on the local scene two years ago. Its blends are roasted in-house, with black, white and filter variations (from $3.50), but it's also known for its non-coffee drinks, like the ginger latte ($6.50), chai latte ($6.50) and matcha latte ($6). Food here is all about comfort. Think wagyu beef and mash ($29), chicken stew ($16) and cream curry udon ($17).  

Singapore's first zero-waste grocery store sells a variety of bulk goods which run the gamut from olive oil and cane sugar to soapnuts and baked apple chips. All items sold in the store are packaged-free, meaning you've got to come prepared with your own containers or tubs, measure out the amount you want and pay according to weight – it's a green step forward towards a more sustainable lifestyle.  

With a name like Dr Durian, you best believe this joint knows what it's doing when it comes to the King of fruits. It claims to only source the freshest durians for sale, and its modern outlook is boosted by delivery offers and corporate and private event services. It even packages its durian in air-tight sealed paper bags so its patrons have no need to worry about the fruit's pungent aroma clouding up their cars or public transport vehicles. 

Located next to Ang Mo Kio MRT, AMK Hub caters to a wide selection of shopping needs. AMK Hub also contains NTUC Fairprice Xtra and an intergrated entertainment centre which houses a games arcade, Cathay Cineplex and NTUC Club.