Last updated 7 August 2026. This page was reviewed on that date. Prices, rates and opening hours change often in Singapore — confirm anything that matters directly with the business before you travel or spend.
Quick answer: Lontong is compressed rice in coconut gravy, and these seven places do it right. Hjh Maimunah and Kampong Glam Cafe are your everyday go-tos, Rumah Sayang adds a Peranakan twist, IndoChili and Tambuah Mas serve Indonesian-style versions, The Coconut Club puts its own spin on coconut, and Permata offers a full buffet in a historic setting. Whether you want a morning meal or a dinner spread, one of these will hit the spot.
When you’re the one rounding up family or friends for a meal, you need a lontong spot that doesn’t make you count the rice cakes. This is for the planner who thinks in terms of pax and table real estate. The places here serve lontong with the kind of portion generosity that lets everyone eat well, whether it’s a lazy weekend brunch or a special dinner out. No dainty servings, just warm, shareworthy plates.
Best Malay, Peranakan & Local Food in Singapore is the parent list here, with 30 guides covering everything in this area.
Lontong is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a hectic day. Good coconut gravy, soft rice cakes, and the right mix of veg and spice. These seven spots all have their own personality, and they all know what they’re doing.
Hjh Maimunah Restaurant
This halal-certified kitchen on Jalan Pisang has been a go-to for kampung-style Malay food for years, and they have a Michelin Bib Gourmand to prove it. The lontong here comes with compressed rice in a creamy coconut gravy that’s spiced just enough, plus stewed vegetables, tofu, and a hard-boiled egg. It’s the kind of plate that makes you slow down a little. They open at 7.30am, so you can get it for breakfast, and if you’re still hungry, the rendang and opor ayam are right there.
Bring the family here for a relaxed breakfast that feels like a weekend out of the city. The communal seating and steady stream of regulars make it easy to settle in with a group. Portions are hearty, and the early opening means you can feed everyone before the day gets busy.
Address: 11-15 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199078
Phone: +65 6297 4294
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 7.30am–7pm, Monday–Saturday (closed Sundays)
Website: hjmaimunah.com
Kampong Glam Cafe
Over on Bussorah Street, this family-run cafe does a lontong that’s all about balance. The sayur lodeh gravy has a gentle heat, the rice cakes are soft, and the vegetables and egg taste like they were prepped that morning. The kitchen runs from 8am to 2am, so whether it’s a lazy brunch or a late-night makan, it’s there. The whole place feels like a corner of old Kampong Glam that never got around to changing.
For when your group keeps odd hours—this is the place that’s still serving at midnight for a late-night makan. The old-school setting puts everyone at ease, and there’s enough space to pull tables together on quieter nights. A solid anchor for unhurried catch-ups.
Address: 17 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199438
Phone: +65 6294 1697
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8am–2am daily
Website: kgglamcafe.ec-platform.net
Rumah Sayang
Part of the Red Ginger family, Rumah Sayang sits in the basement of JEM, serving halal Malay-Indonesian fare with a touch of Nonya influence. Their lontong takes that creamy coconut gravy and layers in some Peranakan spice depth—nothing in-your-face, just a difference you notice when you’re halfway through. Rice cakes, vegetables, and protein all done properly. They also have nasi padang sets if you want to try a bit of everything, and they open right through from 8am to 10pm.
The air-conditioned comfort and convenient location inside JEM make it easy to bring along grandparents and little ones without a fuss. Portions are generous, so sharing a few plates across the table is a practical way to sample more. It takes the stress out of feeding a crowd while shopping.
Address: 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, #B1-41/42, JEM, Singapore 608549 (more branches)
Phone: +65 6569 5001
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8am–10pm daily
Website: redginger.com.sg
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IndoChili
IndoChili on Zion Road is an award-winning Indonesian restaurant that takes its recipes seriously—cooking without MSG and winning things like the Food Republic Hawker King Challenge. Their lontong Cap Gomeh comes with opor chicken and honey glazed tempe, plus a rich gravy that’s unapologetically authentic. The menu also has gado gado and rendang if you’re with someone who wants to share a few plates.
When you’re introducing friends to Indonesian flavours, this is a spot that does justice to the real thing. The dining room is comfortable enough for a leisurely meal, and the menu encourages mixing and sharing—ideal for the friend who always wants a bit of everything on the table.
Address: 54 Zion Road, Singapore 247779
Phone: +65 6445 1766
Hours: Check with the restaurant
Website: indochili.com
Tambuah Mas
Tucked in Paragon’s basement, Tambuah Mas has been a steady hand for Indonesian food in Singapore. They offer two lontong dishes—gado lontong and lontong soto—both with compressed rice in savoury gravy, vegetables, and protein. The spices taste like they’ve been toasted that morning, and the portions are generous. There are more branches around the island, so you might find one closer than you think.
Its central location makes it a fuss-free gathering point when your party is coming from all parts of town. The portions are reliably generous, and the swift service means the table fills up fast. If you have branches nearer to home, even easier—less travel for the whole family.
Address: 290 Orchard Rd, #B1-44, The Paragon, Singapore 238859 (more branches)
Phone: +65 6733 2220
Website: tambuahmas.com.sg
The Coconut Club
On Beach Road, The Coconut Club made its name with nasi lemak, but the lontong deserves attention too. The gravy leans into that coconut creaminess they’re known for, and everything on the plate—rice, vegetables, spice—gets the same premium treatment. They’re open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays, so plan ahead if you’re craving a weekend lunch that feels a little more put-together.
A weekend lunch here feels like a treat without the fuss. The care in each component means you can order for the table with confidence. Just note they’re closed on Mondays, so plan your outing around that. Good for when you want a meal that’s a notch more put-together.
Address: 269 Beach Road, Singapore 199546
Phone / WhatsApp: +65 8725 3315
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Tue–Fri 11am–3pm, 6pm–10:30pm; Sat–Sun 11am–10:30pm; closed Mondays
Website: thecoconutclub.sg
Permata
Permata sits inside Gedung Kuning, that yellow heritage building at Sultan Gate, and it’s helmed by Chef Mel Dean. They run halal Nusantara buffets where lontong is part of the spread, along with a whole range of Maritime Southeast Asian flavours. It’s a dinner-only affair, 6pm to 10:30pm, and the setting makes it feel like a special night out. Good for when you want to share a meal with family and let everyone take their pick.
Choose this for an evening where the heritage setting adds to the occasion. The buffet format lets everyone pick their own plate, so it’s easy to please a mixed group. Book ahead for larger parties—it’s a popular spot, and the lontong is one of many dishes worth going back for.
Address: 73 Sultan Gate, Gedung Kuning, Singapore 198497
Phone: +65 9082 9941
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 6pm–10:30pm daily
Website: gedungkuning.sg/permata
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
How to choose
Your pick really comes down to timing, setting, and what you want from the gravy. If you’re after a morning meal, Hjh Maimunah opens earliest and does it right. Late-night hunger? Kampong Glam Cafe runs till 2am. For a casual lunch with a Peranakan touch, Rumah Sayang fits. Indonesian-style lontong—either the Cap Gomeh or a soto version—is at IndoChili and Tambuah Mas, with Tambuah Mas being more polished. The Coconut Club is your spot if you like that deep coconut note, and Permata gives you the whole buffet experience in a heritage building.
Most of these are halal-certified, and prices range from a few dollars for a plate at the casual spots up to restaurant pricing for the buffet. Where the source didn’t list specific prices, expect a meal to cost between $5 and $25, with Permata’s buffet on the higher end. Ask about vegetarian versions if needed—some places can swap out the protein, but the gravy itself is typically made with coconut milk and spices.
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Comparison at a glance
| Place | Lontong style | Price signal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hjh Maimunah | Creamy gravy, kampung-style, with stewed veg, tofu, egg | Affordable | Breakfast, early dinner |
| Kampong Glam Cafe | Sayur lodeh with soft rice cakes, gentle heat | Affordable | Anytime, late-night |
| Rumah Sayang | Peranakan-influenced creamy lontong | Affordable | Casual meal in Jurong |
| IndoChili | Lontong Cap Gomeh with opor chicken, tempe | Moderate | Authentic Indonesian |
| Tambuah Mas | Gado lontong & lontong soto, rich spices | Moderate | Refined Indonesian in Orchard |
| The Coconut Club | Coconut-forward lontong, modern take | Moderate–high | A more polished local meal |
| Permata | Buffet spread including lontong, Nusantara flavours | Splurge | Special evenings, dinner with family |
Summary
These seven places each bring something different to the table, from early-morning hawker-style plates to a full dinner buffet in a yellow heritage building. If lontong is what you’re after, you’ll find the right coconut gravy here—whether your priority is spice, setting, or just a comforting bowl that feels like somebody’s kitchen.
Disclaimer: All details were accurate at the time of writing. Hours, menus, and prices can shift, so give the business a quick check before heading down.
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Frequently asked questions
What exactly is lontong?
Lontong is a Malay dish of compressed rice cakes served in a spiced coconut milk gravy, usually with vegetables, tofu, and a hard-boiled egg. Some versions include chicken or rendang on the side.
Is lontong typically halal?
Most of the places in this guide are halal-certified, including Hjh Maimunah, Kampong Glam Cafe, Rumah Sayang, IndoChili, Tambuah Mas, and Permata. The Coconut Club does not specifically advertise halal certification, so check with them if that matters to you.
What can I expect to pay for a good lontong in Singapore?
At casual eateries, a plate usually costs between $5 and $8. Restaurant versions run $10 to $18, while the buffet at Permata is a splurge, priced higher. Always ask at the counter or check the menu before you order.
Which spot is best for breakfast lontong?
Hjh Maimunah opens at 7.30am and serves lontong first thing, making it a solid choice. Kampong Glam Cafe is also open from 8am, and Rumah Sayang from 8am if you’re in the west.
Can I find a vegetarian version of lontong?
The basic lontong often contains no meat, just vegetables, tofu, and egg, but the gravy may use shrimp paste. Some kitchens can leave out certain ingredients if you ask, but it’s best to confirm directly.
Does lontong have a spicy kick?
The spice level varies. Kampong Glam Cafe’s version has a gentle heat, while IndoChili and Tambuah Mas can bring more warmth. If you’re unsure, ask for a small taste first, and always have a glass of teh tarik nearby.
