Bao Er Cafe Day with 5 Dining Spots & Best Hotel Hideaways

Managing our time has become second nature in our forever-busy lives. We tend to keep a mental checklist when planning a weekday catch-up or a weekend outing.

Snapping selfies or wefies and showing off what’s on the table have become part of our dining routine in today’s social media age. And while fancy interiors and Instagram-worthy corners matter to some, others prefer to keep things simple: JUST GOOD FOOD, PERIOD.

After all, we want something that lives up to the reviews. Otherwise, we’d feel so cheated!

And that’s pretty much the appeal of the no-frills Bao Er Cafe. If you’ve been looking up Bao Er Cafe reviews, you’ll probably have noticed the attention its Hokkien mee and kaya toast have received. Sometimes, the simplest meals are the ones worth going out for. No fancy presentation needed. Just the rich umami of Hokkien mee, the crispy kaya toast and a good cup of kopi — that’s all we need.

To make your precious day out even more worthwhile, we’ve shortlisted five more makan spots around Balestier and five hourly hotels in neighbouring districts worth checking out. Visiting from overseas? Stay connected from the moment you land with an OkieSim eSIM for Singapore.

Spotlight: Bao Er Cafe

Bao Er Cafe Up Close

Tucked away on the second floor of Balestier Plaza, the original Bao Er Cafe location started as an under-the-radar makan spot. Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm (subject to change), the café is accessible from Novena or Toa Payoh MRT, with an onward journey by bus or on foot. Forget elaborate latte art and minimalist interiors. Bao Er Cafe is all about traditional Singaporean favourites done right.

Run by the people behind Prawnography, it has built a strong following for its Signature Fried Hokkien Mee that is packed with something we Singaporeans can’t resist, wok hei!

With its growing popularity, Bao Er Cafe has since opened three more outlets at Holland Village, Fortune Centre and Novena Gardens, bringing its flavours to more diners across Singapore.

Craves List: Bao Er Cafe Menu Guide

For anyone browsing Bao Er Cafe Singapore reviews, its Signature Fried Hokkien Mee is one of the dishes that keeps coming up. But there’s a lot more on the menu to tempt you into giving in to those cravings.

Starting of with Bao Er Cafe’s Kaya Butter Toast, which is definitely a must-try if it’s your first visit. Its homemade kaya, made with fresh coconut milk and pandan, is spread thinly on crispy toast with a generous slice of salted butter. Maybe a little sinful, but surely worth those calories. Then pair it with soft-boiled eggs and a cup of kopi, and you’ve got yourself a classic, old-school Singaporean breakfast. Simple, satisfying and definitely worth getting out of bed for!

For those who enjoy something crispy, there’s the Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken). The savoury fried chicken wings make a great side dish alongside noodles or rice. They’re particularly worth ordering when you’re dining in a group, so everyone gets to sample something different without filling up on another main course.

Not keen on fried food? Prawn Noodle Soup is a comforting alternative for those who prefer a bowl of broth and noodles. It’s also a sensible pick when you’re dining with family members who want something different from the café’s signature dishes.

Nearby Makan Spots

More often than not, those who travel some distance to satisfy their cravings also take the opportunity to explore other places along the way. And yes, Singapore is indeed a food haven, so there’s always something new to try.

And if you’re planning your next makan outing with family or friends who prefer halal-certified options, you can also check out our halal buffet guide.

Here are five nearby dining spots worth adding to your spontaneous itinerary.

1. Boon Tong Kee

Just across the road from Bao Er Cafe, you’ll find Boon Tong Kee, a Cantonese-style chicken rice restaurant with over four decades of history.

It’s worth adding to your makan list if you haven’t had enough of our local staples. Best known for its tender chicken served with fragrant rice, house-made chilli sauce and ginger paste, the restaurant expanded its offerings to include a whole array of home-style zi char dishes in 1999, making it an even better choice for families and groups with different cravings.

2. Founder Bak Kut Teh

Few things are as comforting as a steaming bowl of bak kut teh, especially on a rainy afternoon, paired with rice, you tiao and a few side dishes.

Founder Bak Kut Teh‘s Teochew-style pork rib soup, served in a flavourful, peppery broth, is a good choice for another hearty meal.

And it’s conveniently located along the same Balestier Road stretch as Bao Er Cafe, so this one needs no further thought — just dig in!

3. Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah

If you enjoy a laid-back makan break with kopi, local pastries and cakes, Loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah deserves a stop.

Founded in 1948, Loong Fatt offers both sweet and savoury versions of its tau sar piah, with a crisp exterior and mung bean filling. These pastries make an ideal afternoon snack, and better still, you can pick up a few to bring home. Just don’t be surprised if they’re sold out before you get there. Still, it’s worth trying your luck!

4. Whampoa Makan Place

If you’re still feeling hungry but can’t decide what else to eat, don’t think too hard; try Whampoa Makan Place in the neighbouring Whampoa estate.

This popular hawker centre is a good excuse to venture beyond Balestier. It’s also a great place to bring family or friends, especially when everyone feels like eating something different, from fried carrot cake and fish soup to xiao long bao and more, all under one roof!

5. Whampoa Keng Fish Head Steamboat

Located along the same stretch as Bao Er Cafe, Whampoa Keng Fish Head Steamboat is another place to check out if you’re out with family or friends.

The old-school eatery is best known for its charcoal-fired fish head steamboat, where fresh fish is cooked in a flavourful broth that keeps bubbling away as you eat.

Its zi char dishes are pretty good too, especially the ngoh hiang and claypot pork trotters. Order a few to share, and you’ve got yourself quite a feast!

Hourly Budget Hotels Nearby

Whenever we find time to spend a day out, we make it a point to do as much as we can, because taking a day off work may not come easy for everyone.

And when we do, it’s inevitable that we’ll get exhausted midway through and need a quick reset.

If you’re searching for a Bao Er Cafe daycation hotel nearby, here are five budget-friendly hotels in neighbouring districts that offer hourly room bookings. They’re a practical option when you still have a long list of places to visit or errands to run. And if you fancy something a little more indulgent, check out our guide to daycations with staycation feels.

1. J8 Hotel Singapore

If you need to take a break to somewhere convenient, after your Bao Er Cafe visit, J8 Hotel is located along Townshend Road, a 10-minute drive away.

Surrounded by traditional shophouses, cafés and local eateries, the hotel offers compact, contemporary rooms that are ideal for a few hours of rest after a morning of makan and exploring the neighbourhood.

And if you wish to have another meal before heading home, there are many cafés and restaurants around Jalan Besar to choose from, or you can even go for a quick drive to try Whampoa Makan Place for dinner

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Location: No. 8 Townshend Road, #01-01, Singapore (Google Maps)

Facilities: Air Conditioner, Smoke-Free Property, Near MRT Station, Smart TV

Price rate: From SGD 45⁺⁺ (2 hours)

2. Asphodel Inn

If you’re planning to squeeze in a budget-friendly daycation alongside your Bao Er Cafe visit, Asphodel Inn along Race Course Road is worth adding to your itinerary.

Its simply furnished rooms and comfortable beds are all that you need if you’re looking for a few hours of relaxation, without paying for elaborate hotel facilities.

You could start with an early meal at Bao Er Cafe, head to Asphodel Inn for a re-energising snooze, then continue your food trail along Serangoon Road afterwards. Or if you’re in the mood for a movie, Golden Village cinema at City Square Mall is another option nearby.

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Location: 380 Race Course Rd, Singapore (Google Maps)

Facilities: Free Wifi, Air Conditioner, Near MRT Station

Price rate: From SGD 47⁺⁺ (3 hours)

3. Aura Hotel Mackenzie

If ease of getting around by public transport is a priority, Aura Hotel Mackenzie is another sensible daycation option.

The hotel is just a short walk from Little India MRT station. Its cute and compact rooms are suitable for a few hours of downtime before heading out to explore the neighbourhood, from Tekka Centre to the colourful shophouses along Serangoon Road.

You could start with a satisfying Hokkien mee meal at Bao Er Cafe before heading to Aura Hotel Mackenzie for some R&R, then spend the rest of your day wandering around Little India and, of course, have another meal nearby before heading home.

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Location: 15 Mackenzie Road, Little India, Singapore (Google Maps)

Facilities: Free Wifi, Air Conditioner, Smoke-Free Property, Near MRT Station, Cable TV, Working Desk

Price rate: From SGD 43⁺⁺ (2 hours)

4. Kam Leng Hotel

If you enjoy strolling through heritage-rich neighbourhoods rather than spending the afternoon in a shopping mall, Kam Leng Hotel is another interesting addition to your daycation itinerary.

Housed in a heritage building along Jalan Besar, the hotel is surrounded by traditional shophouses and longstanding eateries. You could even pick up some tau sar piah along Balestier Road before heading to the hotel for a few hours of R&R, then check out the nearby eateries afterwards.

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Location: 383 Jalan Besar, Little India, Singapore (Google Maps)

Facilities: Free Wifi, Air Conditioner, Smoke-Free Property, Near MRT Station

Price rate: From SGD 38⁺⁺ (2 hours)

5. Check-Inn @ Little India

Fancy something different from the usual hotel-and-shopping-mall combination?

Surrounded by traditional shophouses, Indian eateries and bustling streets, Check-Inn @ Little India puts you right in the heart of one of Singapore’s most colourful heritage neighbourhoods, with Little India MRT station just a short walk away.

Located along Kerbau Road, the hotel has its own distinctive charm with its traditional black-and-white design.

You could head over to Check-Inn @ Little India after your Bao Er Cafe visit for a short break before a good stroll through the neighbourhood.

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Location: 60 Kerbau Road, Singapore 219184 (Google Maps)

Facilities: Free Wifi, Air Conditioner, Smoke-Free Property, Near MRT Station, Smart TV

Price rate: From SGD 48⁺⁺ (2 hours)

Summary

If you enjoy good, old-school Singaporean food minus the frills, Bao Er Cafe is worth adding to your makan list.

Its signature Hokkien mee and kaya butter toast, along with other local favourites, are reason enough to check it out.

And knowing how much we love food, it’s hard to stop at just one food spot when there are plenty of other good eats nearby.

But after hours of eating, shopping and walking around in Singapore’s heat, we can get pretty exhausted, especially when there’s still more to do.

Rather than heading all the way home, booking a hotel room for a few hours lets us catch a quick snooze, freshen up and carry on with our plans.

FAQ

What is Flow App?

So, what is this Flow app that everyone is talking about? Flow App lets you book premium hotels in short sessions, making it the easiest way to unlock the best things to do in Sentosa Singapore without paying overnight charge. It’s become a favorite in Singapore because it lets you book premium 3 to 5-star hotels by the hour. Pay only what you need with flexible check-in times, no need to wait until 3 pm. Also, you can use the full facilities the hotel offers. Not just for resting, an hourly hotel in Singapore can also turn into a well-thought-out date idea!

Our reviews and recommendations are honest and not influenced by compensation or sponsorship. Unless stated otherwise, we do not receive payment or free products for positive reviews. Any compensation or products received for reviews will be disclosed in the relevant post.