Address: 38 Margaret Dr, Singapore 141038; Closest MRT at Queenstown (EWL)
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00am – 12:00am
Official Website: margaretmarket.com
If you feel like you’ve stepped into a mini version of markets in Melbourne / NYC / Toronto / Vancouver inside Margaret Market in Singapore, you’re not alone. Though they’ve preserved the parabolic vaulted metal roof, stalls sell toasties, flat whites, upscale western foods and acai berry bowls — hardly Singaporean cuisine.
I feel conflicted with the renovations done to the 1956 heritage site. I don’t know whether to like it — the space is beautiful — or desire a less westernized space. I am hardly here on a daily basis and don’t frequent wet markets, but knew that renovations and transformations are necessary sometimes. This feels that the Singaporean architecture we know is dwindling day by the day.
But given that Margaret Market isn’t located in CBD or prime spots like Orchard (and I wonder just how many people would come all the way here to eat), just how many of the residents in Margaret Drive / Queenstown / Commonwealth can afford the food on a daily basis?
Wawa Lala Bee Hoon Menu at Margaret Market
Clam noodle soup at Wawa Lala Bee Hoon for $8.90 + GST. (GST at 9% in a few months time!)
Ate at Bowen’s Italian, because the space is so small, you’ll hardly get seats at the communal area. I would have wanted to try out Urban Folk’s much-raved Jaffles but it seems, your choices are restricted with the availability of seats.
Salmon on a bed of mash potato and capponata at Bowen’s Italian for $19 + GST. The portion size is tiny, about less than 100g per order. I can’t, for the life of me, justify the price here.
Your western chicken chop meals elevated… $11.90 is not that bad, but for someone who doesn’t earn a lot, I can see these prices are going to be a stretch. Perhaps, only a weekend splurge.
Clams and Mussels in white wine reduction.
Welcome to the future, Singapore.