Three new MRT stations opened on 4 July 2026, and the eating options that come with them are genuinely worth a detour. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that Circle Line Stage 6 (CCL6) officially completes a loop that has been more than 30 years in the making. But beyond the transit milestone, the neighbourhoods around Keppel (CC29), Cantonment (CC30), and Prince Edward Road (CC31) have a food scene that most Singaporeans haven’t fully explored yet.
In this guide
Why the CCL6 Food Scene Is Surprisingly Good
The three new Circle Line stations sit in a part of Singapore that doesn’t get the food media attention of Chinatown or Tiong Bahru, even though it borders both. Keppel and Cantonment are close to the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station precinct, while Prince Edward Road runs through a corridor that connects to the Kampong Bahru HDB estates. These are working neighbourhoods with decades of food culture baked in, and the newer food businesses moving in have been smart enough not to disrupt that balance.
According to LTA, over 10,000 commuters benefit from shorter rides now that the loop is closed. That additional footfall is already bringing new tenants and vendors into the area. So if you’re planning a food crawl, now is actually a good time to go, before the crowd fully catches on.
What Are the 15 Eats Worth Trying Near the New Circle Line Stations?
Matcha Everything (Keppel, CC29)
A specialist matcha cafe within a short walk of Keppel station has been drawing quiet queues since well before the station opened. They do a house-made matcha latte using ceremonial-grade powder, along with matcha financiers and a matcha soft-serve that’s properly bitter rather than the candy-sweet versions you find in mall food courts. Prices run around S$7 to S$12 for drinks. Not cheap, but not pretending to be cheap either.
The same street also has a small Japanese patisserie doing seasonal tarts. As of early July 2026, they had a yuzu-matcha tart on the menu at S$6.50 a slice. Worth checking if it’s still available when you visit.
Beef Rendang Rice (Prince Edward Road, CC31)
There’s a Malay rice stall along the Kampong Bahru Road stretch that has been operating for years before any MRT station was within convenient walking distance. The rendang is slow-cooked, properly dry, and served with a generous scoop of sambal on the side. A full plate with two sides comes to around S$5 to S$6. This is the kind of stall that opens at 11.00am and typically sells out of rendang by 1.30pm on weekdays. Go early.
Japanese Pasta (Cantonment, CC30)
One of the more unusual finds near Cantonment is a small-format restaurant doing Japanese-style pasta. Think wafu spaghetti with mentaiko and butter, or a cold ramen-adjacent noodle dish that sits somewhere between Japanese and Italian without being awkward about it. Portions are generous. A main course runs S$16 to S$22, which is mid-range for the genre. The lunch set, if they’re still running it, includes a small salad and a drink for S$19.90.
Kaya Toast and Half-Boiled Eggs (All Three Stations)
There are at least three proper old-school kopitiams within a 10-minute walk across all three stations. If you’re tapping in before 9.00am, this is your breakfast. Kaya toast with salted butter, two half-boiled eggs with soy sauce and white pepper, and a kopi-o kosong. Total damage: around S$4.50 to S$5.50. Nothing complicated, and exactly what a morning commute deserves.
Char Siu Roast Meat (Keppel, CC29)
A roast meat stall near Keppel puts out char siu that actually has the right amount of char on the edges without drying out the interior. The wonton noodles here are S$5 for a regular bowl. The stall uses a thinner noodle than you’d find at some of the more tourist-facing Chinatown spots, which is actually more traditional. Don’t expect air-conditioning; this is a kopitiam, not a cafe.
Nasi Lemak Pandan Leaf (Prince Edward Road, CC31)
A nasi lemak stall in the Kampong Bahru area wraps their rice in fresh pandan leaf, which makes a real difference to the fragrance. The coconut rice is fluffy rather than clumpy, and the fried chicken wings are crisp without being over-oiled. A basic set is around S$4, though you’ll likely add an extra wing or otah and end up at S$6 to S$7.
Cold Brew and Specialty Coffee (Cantonment, CC30)
A specialty coffee outfit near Cantonment sources from small Southeast Asian farms and does a cold brew that they steep for 20 hours. A 250ml cup is S$6. It sounds steep until you taste it and realise this isn’t the bitter concentrate that passes for cold brew at chain cafes. They also do a decent filter option at S$5.50 if you prefer something lighter.
Prawn Paste Chicken (Har Cheong Gai) (Keppel, CC29)
A zi char stall near Keppel does har cheong gai that’s worth making a specific trip for. The batter is thick, the prawn paste flavour is forward without being overwhelming, and the pieces are bone-in, which keeps the meat juicy. A half-portion for two people runs around S$14 to S$16 and needs to be ordered with plain rice or their house-fried rice at an extra S$2 per person.
Ondeh-Ondeh Cake (Prince Edward Road, CC31)
A small Peranakan-inspired bakery near the Prince Edward Road exit stocks ondeh-ondeh layer cake by the slice. The pandan and gula melaka layers are distinct rather than blended into mush, and the toasted coconut coating on the exterior is light. A slice is S$5.80. They sell out of popular cakes by late afternoon on weekends, so a morning visit works better here too.
Hokkien Mee (Prince Edward Road, CC31)
One of the older hawker stalls in the Kampong Bahru kopitiam does a wok-hei-heavy Hokkien mee that the regulars swear by. The prawn stock is reduced properly, the lard is actually present (not optional), and the sambal on the side has real heat. A plate is S$5 to S$7 depending on size. This stall typically opens around 11.30am and closes once stock runs out, which is sometimes as early as 2.00pm.
Açaà and Smoothie Bowls (Cantonment, CC30)
A health-focused cafe near Cantonment does açaà bowls loaded with granola, fresh fruit, and a house-made nut butter drizzle. It’s S$14 to S$16 and genuinely filling enough to count as a meal. This is the obvious post-gym or pre-office option if you’re in the area for a morning commute. They open at 8.00am on weekdays.
Laksa (All Three Stations Corridor)
There’s a laksa stall in a kopitiam between Keppel and Cantonment that does the Katong-style version, which means shorter, pre-cut noodles that you eat with a spoon rather than chopsticks. The gravy is coconut-heavy and spiced properly. A bowl is S$5.50. This stall is open for lunch and dinner, which is less common than the morning-only options in the area.
Ice Cream Sandwich with Local Flavours (Keppel, CC29)
A push-cart style ice cream vendor near the Keppel station exit sells the classic Singapore ice cream sandwich using coloured wafer or white bread. The local flavours include red bean, corn, and durian. Each sandwich is S$1.80 to S$2.50 depending on the bread choice. Simple, fast, and genuinely satisfying when the afternoon heat gets going.
Tau Huay (Soybean Curd) (Prince Edward Road, CC31)
A traditional tau huay stall near Prince Edward Road serves silken soybean curd in both warm and cold versions. The cold version is the one to get if you’re visiting on a humid afternoon, which in Singapore means basically any afternoon. A bowl is S$1.50 to S$2. Cash only at this one, so keep some coins or small notes on hand.
Donburi Sets (Cantonment, CC30)
Rounding out the list is a Japanese donburi spot near Cantonment that does rice bowls with various toppings: salmon aburi, karaage chicken, and a mixed tempura option. The salmon aburi donburi is the most popular at S$14.90, and the rice itself is well-seasoned with a light vinegar touch. A filling, quick lunch option if you’re short on time between meetings.
How to Plan Your CCL6 Food Crawl: A Practical Comparison
To help you plan, here’s a quick breakdown of what to find at each station, what meal times work best, and roughly how much to budget.
| Station | Best For | Best Meal Time | Budget Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keppel (CC29) | Matcha cafes, roast meat, ice cream | Morning to early afternoon | S$8 to S$20 |
| Cantonment (CC30) | Japanese pasta, specialty coffee, donburi | Lunch or after-work dinner | S$15 to S$25 |
| Prince Edward Road (CC31) | Rendang, nasi lemak, Hokkien mee, tau huay | Lunch (arrive before 1.00pm) | S$5 to S$15 |
If you’re planning a full crawl across all three stations in one afternoon, allow at least 3 to 4 hours. The stations are close enough that walking between them is feasible on a cooler evening, or you can tap in and tap out between Keppel and Prince Edward Road in a couple of minutes. Payment at most of the hawker stalls is cash or PayNow; the cafes and restaurants generally accept contactless bank cards and SimplyGo-linked payments. Check each stall individually before you queue.
Getting to the CCL6 Stations: Fares and Connections
All three new stations are on the Circle Line (CC), operated by SBS Transit. The Circle Line now runs as a complete loop for the first time, meaning you no longer need to double back through Dhoby Ghaut if you’re travelling between the eastern and western halves of the line. According to LTA, the new stations reduce journey times by up to 20 minutes for some commuters travelling between HarbourFront (CC29 was formerly the terminus) and Dhoby Ghaut.
For fare reference, a single adult journey from Dhoby Ghaut (CC1) to Keppel (CC29) using a stored-value card costs around S$1.19 to S$1.57 depending on exact distance calculated by the system. Fares from the CBD area such as Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar via the East-West Line (EWL) with an interchange at Outram Park will be in a similar bracket. For the most current fare calculations, use the LTA journey planner or check our fares and ticketing guide for a full breakdown of how distance-based fares work on the Singapore MRT.
Tourists visiting the area can pay using the Singapore Tourist Pass, an EZ-Link card, or a contactless bank card tapped directly at the fare gates. For a comparison of which payment method makes most sense for your trip, see our Tourist Pass vs EZ-Link vs SimplyGo guide.
What Else Is Changing Around the New CCL6 Stations?
The opening of Stage 6 is part of a broader transformation of this part of the city. The Keppel precinct in particular is slated for large-scale waterfront development in coming years, which means the food scene around CC29 is likely to look quite different in two or three years. Some of the more affordable hawker stalls may not survive a full gentrification cycle, which is an honest reason to visit sooner rather than later if heritage food is what you’re after.
The public preview event on 4 July 2026 drew significant interest, with residents exploring all three stations, as covered in detail here. That preview gave local food bloggers and media enough time to scout the surrounding streets, which is why coverage like The Straits Times’ 15-eat list landed within a week of the official opening. The food was already there. The easy MRT access is what changed.
For commuters who previously relied on buses through this corridor, the new stations are a genuine time-saver. Our earlier piece on shorter rides for 10,000 commuters explains the specific journey changes in detail, which is worth reading if your regular route runs through Queenstown, Buona Vista, or the Tanjong Pagar area.
Before You Tap In
The CCL6 stations are open and fully operational as of July 2026, and the food around them is very much worth the trip. Check the Circle Line page for the full updated route map, and use our MRT operating hours guide to plan your timing so you catch the stalls before they sell out.
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Keep exploring
- Circle Line Stage 6 Opens: CCL Now Complete After 30 Years
- New Circle Line Stations: Shorter Rides for 10,000+ Commuters
- Fares, Ticketing & Practical Info: Your 2026 Singapore MRT Guide