Mention Seletar and Punggol to most Singaporeans and you’ll get reactions like, “Wah, so far!” or “OMG there’s nothing there.” The north-east areas are definitely more ‘ulu’ as compared to the more developed housing estates. But in the past decade, new park connectors, green spaces and BTO flats have rapidly sprung up there.
And where the young people go, the cafes will follow. Cafes have set up shop in three main areas: Seletar Aerospace Park, Punggol Container Park and Oasis Terraces.
These are great weekend hideaway spots for those who like the peace and quiet. Put it this way, with $30, you can buy yourself a meal, a good cuppa, and a few hours of uninterrupted alone time. If escaping from the hustle and bustle sounds like your idea of a good life, Punggol and Seletar could be ideal neighbourhoods for you to live in.
*The stated cafe opening hours in this article are the operating hours during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
5 Popular Cafes in Seletar and Punggol
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Popular Cafes in Seletar and Punggol |
Ideas on Where to Stay |
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Wheeler’s Estate |
High Park Residences |
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5 by Sans Façon |
Parc Botannia |
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Whisk & Paddle |
FLO Residence |
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Seoul Good |
RiverParc Residence |
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Rise & Grind Coffee Co. |
The Amore |
1. Wheeler’s Estate
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Seletar Aerospace Park is home to a bevvy of cafes, but none are as popular as Wheeler’s Estate. What could be more dreamy than dining in a restored colonial bungalow set against luscious greenery or eating in an outdoor area overlooking wide-open lawns? Come night, the strings of fairy lights that decorate the establishment bathe diners in their soft glow.
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While some might dine at Wheeler’s Estate only to snap an Instagram-worthy pic (we don’t blame them though), it’s worth making the trip down for their food. During weekend brunch (9am – 2.30pm), enjoy Smashed Avo, Wheeler’s Estate Crab Benedict and their full breakfast aptly named ‘Feed Me Breakfast’. If you have a sweet tooth, make a beeline for their Crispy Waffle & Ice-Cream.
- Address: 2 Park Lane, Singapore 798386
- Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 3pm – 11pm | Sat – Sun: 9am – 11pm, closed on Mondays*
*These opening hours are for their Level 1 Cafe by the Lawn concept, where cafe and weekend brunch is served. Currently, Wheeler’s Estate is closed and will not be taking food orders from 16 May to 13 June 2021.
Where to Stay: High Park Residences, $550,000 – $3,100,000
If you’d like to stay in Seletar itself, be prepared to shell out quite a bit as there are only landed properties in the area. Try nearby Sengkang and Yio Chu Kang instead; there are way more housing alternatives! We’ve narrowed our choice to High Park Residences.
High Park Residences is right next to Thanggam LRT. The development has 1,390 residential units of varying sizes, ranging from studios and 1 to 5 bedders to bungalows and semi-detached homes. It’s great for families as there are commercial units including restaurants and a childcare centre. You won’t be bored either thanks to the many condo facilities such as an infinity pool, tennis courts, a gym and a boxing ring.
2. 5 by Sans Façon
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If Wheeler’s Estate is too crowded and you’re not feeling the vibe at next door’s Wildseed Cafe & Bar at The SummerHouse, go to 5 by Sans Façon. Housed in a black and white house, the lesser-known but equally charming eatery promises their guests authentic Provençal French cuisine.
The French eatery has both indoor and outdoor dining spaces and an in-store grocery corner where you can shop for fresh cheeses, cold cuts, and wine.
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You can expect the usual brunch menu items like eggs benedict during their weekend breakfast hours (8.30am – 11.30am). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are limited items on their takeaway menu. Till then, we can’t wait to nibble on a Tartine Croque Monsieur and pastries in person!
- Address: 5 The Oval, Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore 797863
- Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 10.30pm | Sat and Sun: 8.30am – 10.30pm
If you’re into themed cafes, check out Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe and Hangar66 Cafe. As their names suggest, the former is a bicycle-themed cafe while the latter is an aviation-themed one.
Where to Stay: Parc Botannia, $635,000 – $2,100,000
Another condominium near Thanggam LRT, Parc Botannia is a 99-year leasehold property with 1-bedroom to 5-bedroom units. Aside from the convenience of the closeby LRT station, the selling points of the condominium are its high ceilings and generous living and bedroom sizes.
3. Whisk & Paddle
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Dine by the waterfront when you eat at Whisk & Paddle. There is indoor and outdoor seating available in the cosy space. For the best views of the Punggol Serangoon Reservoir, request a corner table on the massive open-air veranda. But know that these seats come with a smaller table; you’ll probably only have enough space for three plates.
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Whether you’re looking to munch on homemade desserts or catch up with your friends over some grub, their extensive menu will leave you spoilt for choice. The weekend breakfast menu (9am – 11am) features breakfast classics like french toast and a side of bacon and eggs.
Stick around for dinner and feast on mains such as Kurobuta Pork Collar, Lamb Shank, and French Onion Chicken Leg.
- Address: 10 Tebing Lane, #01-01, Singapore 828836
- Opening hours: daily 11am – 8pm
Where to Stay: FLO Residence, $850,000 – $1,850,000
If you want a waterfront view, consider the 99-year leasehold FLO Residence. Completed in 2016, there are 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units for you to choose from. Coral Edge LRT station is only a 2-minute walk away so accessibility to public transport is not a problem.
On top of the usual condo swimming pool and gym facilities, fitness enthusiasts will be happy to know the Uber Sports Punggol Sports Hub and Punggol-Promenade Riverside Walk are a short 5-minute walk away.
4. Seoul Good
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If you’re craving a heartier meal, food from Seoul Good will likely hit the spot. A stone’s throw away from Whisk & Paddle, the Korean eatery has hearty dishes such as Chicken Rapokki and Seafood Army Stew, and sides like Beef Spicy Bulgogi Fries. They import their ingredients from Korea to deliver quality meals to customers.
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End your meal on a sweet note with a bingsu. You first choose between either a milk or yoghurt base and then have to make the impossible decision of picking one flavour for your shaved ice dessert. Mango, Oreo, green tea, strawberry, red bean, the list goes on!
- Address: 50 Punggol East, #01-K36, Singapore 828826
- Opening hours: daily 12pm – 8pm
Where to Stay: RiverParc Residence, $920,000 – $1,699,000
The Riverparc Residences is an executive condominium (EC) project that is a 2-minute walk from Kadaloor LRT station. Amenities within walking distance include F&B and shopping options at the integrated development Oasis Terraces and the PAR golf range. Those who are planning for kids will be glad to know the property is located right beside Waterway Primary School.
5. Rise & Grind Coffee Co.
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For a morning pick-me-up, grab a coffee made from locally roasted beans at Rise & Grind Coffee Co. If you’re strictly anti-caffeine, try their coconut shakes instead.
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There’s nothing like having a good breakfast to start the day. If Avocado Toast is not your thing, their Brioche French Toast Platter, Pulled Pork Benedict or Buttermilk Pancakes Platter might be. The cafe has an extensive lunch/dinner menu too, so do pop by during noon or evening time.
- Address: 681 Punggol Dr., #01-06 Oasis Terraces, Singapore 820681
- Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 10.30am – 9pm | Sat – Sun: 9.30am – 9pm
Where to Stay: The Amore, $798,000 – $1,250,000
The Amore sits in the heart of Punggol. You’ll find that you don’t have to travel far to get everything you need. If you want to exercise, you can venture to the Punggol Promenade Nature walk, swim in the condo’s 50m lap pool, or work out in the sky gym.
For food, you have Punggol Plaza and Oasis Terraces and supermarkets like Giant Express. And if you have kids, enrol them in educational institutions such as Greendale Primary School, Waterway Primary School and Horizon Primary school.
Living in Seletar and Punggol
Eating options in Punggol and Seletar used to be limited to chain restaurants or local hawker fare. Now, you can switch it up with cafe offerings. And even if you don’t live in the northeast area, cafe hopping and chilling at the Seletar Aerospace Park or Punggol Container Park is not a bad way to spend the weekend.
The Punggol and Seletar regions are still considered to be non-mature estates. While the areas are serviced by a reliable network of buses, MRT and LRT stations, heading to the areas the cafes are concentrated in may still be difficult to get to if you don’t have a car. But plans for the Cross Island Line Phase 1 and Cross Island Line Punggol Extension will add new MRT stations, such as Tavistock and Serangoon North MRT stations, which will serve Seletar private estate residents in 2030.
Existing amenities such as the Punggol Town Hub, the Seletar Mall, Waterway Point, and the Sengkang General Hospital are well-connected by public transport. There are also numerous primary and secondary schools in the area. Additionally, there are mosques, temples, churches and other places of worship established in the neighbourhoods.
As Seletar and Punggol continue to be developed and more residential projects are launched, we’re betting that more amenities and chic eating places will pop up.
Check out other listings on PropertyGuru to find the home of your choice.
More FAQs about Seletar and Punggol
What is Punggol Known for?
The up-and-coming neighbourhood has been rapidly developed, with landmarks such as Punggol Waterway and Coney Island. Learn more about Punggol’s history here.
How Many Flats Are There in Punggol?
According to the HDB website, Punggol has 49,909 flats, with an estimated population of 187,800 as of September 2019.
What Should I Explore in Seletar?
Aside from watching planes take off at Seletar airport, eat at cafes such as 5 by Sans Façon, Wildseed Cafe & Bar and Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle cafe.
Is Seletar Airport Open to the Public?
Yes, the general aviation airport is open 24 hours a day.
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This article was written by Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist for PropertyGuru. Cheryl likes bread and cats, especially when cats tuck in their limbs so they look like bread. Drop her an email that hopes to find her well at cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg.
