My Favorite Singapore Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in the Lion City - Part 2 of 2)

Singapore is a shopper's haven.  So it's no surprise that there are malls here left and right.  It's unnerving, really, just how many there are (and here I thought we Filipinos were obsessed).  Take, for instance, the whole stretch of Orchard Road and its surrounding streets (considered the Lion City's main shopping area) houses a number of malls lined up side by side along its stretch.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

In fact, the very first time I came to the Lion City, my head started spinning, taking into account all the malls there are here.  And if you're like me, you'll be just as overwhelmed, too.  So here's a list of malls in Singapore (not just along Orchard Road and in no particular order) that I love going to and my personal reasons for why they hold a special place in my uhmm... wallet heart (and I promise not to let my emotions and feelings of nostalgia run away with me here.  Well, not too much, anyway.  J)

Changi City Point Mall, Singapore

Anchorpoint Shopping Centre and Changi City Point Mall

Anchorpoint Shopping Centre and Changi City Point Mall are both commercial establishments housing a number of outlets stores inside.  And for a shopper who loves a good bargain, like me, these two malls are the perfect places to visit and scout for good buys.

I usually do my Christmas shopping here as I find my S$50 goes a long, long way (and when you live in Singapore, that's saying a lot). 

Anchopoint Shopping Centre, Singapore
(source: Frasers Centrepoint Malls website)

(For more information, please visit my blog entries about Anchorpoint Shopping Centre and Changi City Point Mall here.)

Anchorpoint Shopping Centre
370 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159953
T     +65 6475 2257
W    www.anchorpoint.com.sg/‎

Changi City Point Mall
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Singapore 486038
T    +65 6511 1088
W   http://www.fraserscentrepointmalls.com/location/changi_city_point.asp


Lucky Plaza

Lucky Plaza, Singapore (SOURCE: Lucky Plaza website)

No surprise here.

Informally known as Little Manila, Lucky Plaza is a dilapidated building along Orchard Road that houses tons of grocery stores selling Filipino food stuff and cosmetics.  I don't care much for the latter, but the Husband and I appreciate that fact that we can buy our favorite local snacks and other food items here.

Aside from the grocery stores, various carinderias (small eateries) specializing in Filipino food have also sprouted here (Kabayan Filipino Restaurant being our favorite).  And let's not forget Jollibee®, of course.

Kabayan Filipino Restaurant in Lucky Plaza, Singapore

For a time, there also used to be this really great bookstore in Lucky Plaza called, and this is the absolute truth,  Discount Books Pte Ltd (such originality!  Hehehe!)  Located at the basement area, this small store sold brand new books at really drop cheap prices.  I used to buy my fiction novels there for S$7.00 (Php231.00*) a piece; even less for children's books and the like. And in a place like Singapore where a brand new novel, on average, costs S$16.00 (Php528.00), the price difference is really staggering.

Aside from the price, another great thing about them is the fact that oftentimes, they also carried new releases.  Considering the quality of their goods, they, unfortunately, closed down in 2011, much to my utter dismay.  I still hope they'll open again in the future.

Nowadays, you can still catch a small book fair at the ground level selling a few novels and children's books (not related to the great store I was talking about; I think.) from time to time.  Their fiction line-up isn't as impressive as Discount Books'; but they do, fortunately, sell brand new Archie digests at 3 for S$10.00 (Php330.00*).  They also carry some really great children's books at affordable prices, as well.

Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road
Singapore 238863
T    +65 6235 3294
W   http://www.luckyplaza.com.sg/


Ngee Ann City

The Madir in front of Ngee Ann City, Singapore

In my opinion, Ngee Ann City's one of the best shopping centers in Singapore.  It houses the Takashimaya Japanese department store with an amazing Gift Bazaar full of interesting knickknacks and trinkets.  Plus an equally impressive Food Village, with a dizzying array of food stuff for sale.

Gift bazaar at Takashimaya, Singapore

They also hold the most amazing sale events here like the Sanrio Fete/Summer Carnival, the Takashimaya Toy Fair, and the Brands Sale with items selling at really affordable, discounted prices.

Aside from that, Japan's Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore in Southeast Asia is also here; along with an art and creativity section at the 4th level called the iFORUM.  I've spent many a happy hour just browsing through all the books and trinkets on sale there.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road
Singapore 238873
T     +65 6233 9991
W    http://www.ngeeanncity.com.sg/


ION Orchard

ION Orchard, Singapore

At first glance, ION Orchard may seem like just another high-end mall housing tons of luxury boutiques.  In a way, it is true.  But venture down the basements levels and you'll find a different story where one can find the more (relatively) affordable shops.

They have an impressive Daiso here; plus a huge H&M store (one of my favorite fashion brands).  Their food court is also the best, with a wide variety of cuisine and food items available.

Food court level at ION Orchard

ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801
T      +65 6238 8228
W     http://www.ionorchard.com/en/


313@Somerset

313@Somerset, Singapore (SOURCE: YourSingapore.com)

Depending on our mood, 313@Somerset would usually be our first or last stop whenever we find ourselves in Orchard Road.  First, if we came from church on a Sunday and would be eating brunch at Marché®.  Last if we need to do a little grocery shopping at the NTUC FairPrice supermarket located just behind the mall.

Another of my favorite brands, UK-based New Look, has a huge store here.  That, along with H&M, are brands I prefer better than Forever 21 (no offense to those who favor the brand) as I've seen they have better and more sturdy clothes.  By the way, F21 coincidentally also occupies 4 levels at 313@Somerset.

Swedish clothing brand, H&M also has a whole 3-level building beside 313@Somerset, which is filled to the brim with shoppers especially during sale weekends.  I love shopping for the Little One's clothes here, too, as we can usually score a shirt for her here selling for as low as S$3.00/Php99.00 (during sales).

Typo, Cotton On's stationery brand, also has a store here.  Full of interesting knick knacks and the like, its a brand that sells a lot of creative, edgy trinkets, accessories, stationery, and small home items.

Aside from Marché®, those with voracious appetites could also grab a bite to eat at Charlie Brown Café (more on that in a future post.)  For Peanuts fans, just the thought of stepping into this cartoon-themed café makes us drool in anticipation.

Charlie Brown Café at 313@Somerset

313@Somerset
313 Orchard Road
Singapore 238895
W   http://www.313somerset.com.sg/
 

VivoCity

I know I promised not be too nostalgic in this post, but please allow me the small satisfaction of also including VivoCity as part of the list.

VivoCity (SOURCE: VivoCity website)

I've mentioned in previous posts that our little family used to live near VivoCity (just a couple of bus stops away from our former place).  As such, it was our mall of choice before for quick dates with the ex-BF (now the Husband.  Yihii!)

Cheesiness aside, I also enjoy going to VivoCity because (1) they have the biggest Daiso ever!  The crafts sections is, in fact, so full of items I always have a hard time keeping within budget while shopping there.  (2) I love the selection of children's clothing brands available here.  It also helps that there's a Cotton On Kids store too, one of the Little One's absolute favorite fashion brands (no kidding!).

Aside from the two mentioned, there were the (3) old stores that used to be housed at VivoCity that made the trip worthwhile (for me, anyway).  There used to be a National Geographic Store here; but they closed recently (you can read more about them at this here blog post).  Plus a really great Page One bookstore (it closed down a few years back, too.  Sniff!)  In their places now stands an H&M store (in the former), and a Cotton On and Francfranc stores (in the latter).

Francfranc is an interesting Japan-based home concept store, selling anything from furniture to various accessories.  Their stationery area offers really nice, interesting pieces, albeit a tad expensive.  As you can expect, I don't buy a lot of stuff here.  I do, however, love browsing through their items. 

VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
Singapore 098585
T     +65 6377 6860
W    http://www.vivocity.com.sg/


*sigh*  Just another day in the life of hopeless shopper.  Hehehe!  J

*S$1 = Php33

***

Be sure to catch my Favorite Commercial Areas in Singapore series:

• What’s Missing in our Local Philippine Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in Singapore - Part 1 of 2) 
• My Favorite Singapore Malls (A Post About my Favorite Commercial Areas in the Lion City - Part 2 of 2)

Planning to visit?  Drop by my "Getting Around Singapore" post (click here) for more details on how to get around the Lion City.