Plizio Visual Lab

Lau Pa Sat

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

Lau Pa Sat is a historic food market located in the heart of Singapore's financial district. The Victorian cast-iron building was opened in 1894 as a fish market and is one of the few surviving examples of Victorian architecture in Southeast Asia. Its octagonal layout and distinctive clock towers make it an architectural gem. Today it functions as a food court with over 100 stalls offering a variety of Asian and international cuisines. Its location at Telok Ayer Basin was originally a boat landing point, reflecting its maritime history. After several renovations, most recently in 2014, it remains a popular gathering place for locals and tourists. The open structure allows natural ventilation, which is pleasant in the tropical climate.

Location: Singapore
Nearby: Yishun (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	26	26	27	28	28	28	27	27	27	27	27	26
Rain mm	235	102	168	193	199	164	174	173	167	210	283	300

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

Lau Pa Sat is a public hawker centre, freely open to everyone. You can explore the historic Victorian building and sample a wide variety of local Singaporean dishes from the many food stalls. There is no entrance fee for the market itself.

🕒

Typical hours

Hawker stalls typically open from around 10 am until 10 pm daily, but individual hours vary. Lunchtime sees the most activity, while evenings are lively with the famous satay street setup.

📷

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the market. The ornate architecture and colourful food displays make for excellent photos, especially in the late afternoon light.

⏱️

Time needed

Expect to spend about one to two hours here if you want to eat and explore. If you plan to sample multiple dishes, allow extra time for queuing and seating.

➕

Combine with

Combine a visit with the nearby Marina Bay area, including the Merlion and Esplanade. The station is also close to the historic Fullerton Hotel and the financial district.

🧭

Getting there

The nearest MRT stations are Raffles Place (Exit D) and Telok Ayer, both a short walk away. Many public buses also stop along Robinson Road and Shenton Way.

💡

Insider tip

Go around noon to experience the full lunch crowd, but be prepared for queues. For a slightly quieter experience, visit after 2 pm or for late dinner.