Indian Heritage Centre Singapore: A Great Starting Point for Exploring Little India

If you are visiting Singapore and want to understand more about the country’s multicultural history, Little India is an excellent place to spend a few hours.

And one of the best places to begin is the Indian Heritage Centre.

Located in the heart of Little India, the centre explores the history, heritage and contributions of the Indian community in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

For tourists, it provides useful context before heading outside to explore the neighbourhood itself.

Because once you understand a little of the history, the streets of Little India become even more interesting.

Visit the Indian Heritage Centre

The Indian Heritage Centre is more than just another museum to tick off a Singapore itinerary.

Its exhibitions explore the history and heritage of the Indian community and help visitors understand the connections between Singapore and the wider Indian diaspora.

You can spend time exploring the galleries before heading outside to discover Little India for yourself.

The experience works particularly well for visitors who want to understand Singapore’s multicultural heritage, rather than simply taking photographs of the neighbourhood.

Then Explore Little India on Foot

Once you leave the Indian Heritage Centre, don’t immediately jump into a taxi or head back to your hotel.

Walk.

This is one of the best ways to experience Little India.

Explore the streets around the centre and you’ll find colourful buildings, traditional shops, restaurants, flower garlands, textiles, jewellery, spices and religious landmarks.

You can also continue towards some of the area’s other attractions, including:

• Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
• Mustafa Centre
• Tekka Centre
• Little India Arcade
• Former House of Tan Teng Niah
• Serangoon Road

There is plenty to see without travelling very far.

And Then It’s Time for Lunch

After visiting the Indian Heritage Centre and walking around Little India, there is one problem.

You’re probably hungry.

That’s where we come in.

Thong Thai Bistro is located in the Little India area and offers something a little different from the traditional Indian cuisine associated with the neighbourhood.

We serve authentic Southern Thai cuisine.

And we think that’s one of the great things about Singapore.

You can spend the morning learning about Indian heritage, walk through one of Singapore’s most culturally vibrant neighbourhoods and then sit down to enjoy Thai food.

Different cultures.

Different traditions.

Different cuisines.

All within the same neighbourhood.

What to Have for Lunch at Thong Thai Bistro

If you’re visiting us for lunch after exploring Little India, there are plenty of dishes to consider.

Tom Yum Soup

Every bowl is prepared fresh when the order reaches the kitchen.

Chef June doesn’t simply take a pre-prepared Tom Yum base and heat it up.

She starts each order properly, adding the ingredients that create the distinctive hot, sour and aromatic flavour.

You can also choose your preferred level of spice.

Jumbo Prawns in Tamarind Sauce

Fresh seafood is one of our priorities.

Our Jumbo Prawns in Tamarind Sauce combine carefully selected prawns with Chef June’s tamarind sauce.

It has become one of the dishes our guests talk about most.

Pad Thai

Chef June personally prepares our Pad Thai sauce.

She has also developed her own method of preparing the noodles so that they absorb the flavour without becoming excessively oily.

Mango Sticky Rice

If you have room for dessert, this is one of our signatures.

Chef June is extremely particular about the mangoes.

If the mangoes aren’t sweet enough, we don’t serve Mango Sticky Rice that day.

We would rather disappoint someone by not having it than serve a mango that doesn’t meet her standard.

A Simple Little India Itinerary

If you’re visiting Singapore, you could easily make a half-day experience out of this part of the city.

Step 1 — Indian Heritage Centre

Spend some time learning about Indian heritage in Singapore.

Step 2 — Explore Little India

Walk through the streets, visit the shops and take in the architecture and atmosphere.

Step 3 — Visit a Temple

Consider visiting Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple or another religious landmark in the neighbourhood.

Remember that these are active places of worship, so visitors should be respectful of devotees and religious practices.

Step 4 — Lunch

Finish your exploration with a freshly prepared meal at Thong Thai Bistro.

Heritage → Culture → Exploration → Food.

That’s a pretty good way to spend a morning in Singapore.

Why We Love Little India

We are fortunate to be part of this neighbourhood.

Little India isn’t simply a place where tourists come to take photographs.

It is a living neighbourhood.

People work here.

People worship here.

People shop here.

People eat here.

And people have called this area home for generations.

That’s what makes exploring it so interesting.

And we are happy that Thong Thai Bistro can play a small part in the experience.

Visiting the Indian Heritage Centre and Looking for Lunch?

If you’re planning to visit the Indian Heritage Centre, why not combine it with a Little India food adventure?

Visit the heritage centre.

Explore Little India.

Take in the temples and architecture.

Then come and enjoy authentic Southern Thai food at Thong Thai Bistro.

We’d be delighted to welcome you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Indian Heritage Centre?

The Indian Heritage Centre is a museum and heritage centre in Little India Singapore that explores the history and heritage of the Indian community in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

What can I do after visiting the Indian Heritage Centre?

You can explore Little India’s streets, visit temples, shop at Mustafa Centre or Tekka Centre, see heritage buildings and stop for lunch at one of the neighbourhood’s many restaurants.

Where can I eat after visiting the Indian Heritage Centre?

Thong Thai Bistro is located in the Little India area and serves authentic Southern Thai cuisine, including Tom Yum Soup, Pad Thai, Jumbo Prawns in Tamarind Sauce and Mango Sticky Rice.

Is Little India worth visiting in Singapore?

Yes. Little India offers visitors a combination of history, culture, religious heritage, shopping, architecture and food, making it one of Singapore’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.