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Bras Basah Complex
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Bras Basah Complex

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Bras Basah Complex
3.5
About
Bras Basah Complex is a cultural feast that is full of books, art, music and literature. Just across the road from the famous Raffles Hotel, the complex has a large selection of fiction, children’s books and magazines.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Area/City Area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,614 within 5 kms
Entre-Nous creperie
1,788
90 m₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • French • European • Healthy
Man Fu Yuan
1,261
0.2 km₹₹₹₹ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
The Lobby Lounge at InterContinental Singapore
970
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • International • Asian • Dining bars
Whitegrass
552
0.3 km₹₹₹₹ • French • Fusion • Vegetarian Friendly
Beach Road Kitchen
1,698
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Seafood • International • Grill
Song Garden
356
0.3 km₹₹₹₹ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese
Clove
341
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • International • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
Akira Back
1,161
0.3 km₹₹₹₹ • Japanese • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Asian Market Cafe
1,099
0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Asian • Singaporean • Halal
En Sushi
425
0.2 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
See all
Attractions
818 within 10 kms
National Library of Singapore
574
86 mLibraries
Raffles Hotel Arcade
1,715
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Shopping Malls
MINT Museum of Toys
272
81 mSpeciality Museums
St Joseph's Church
70
0.2 kmReligious Sites
National Design Centre
34
0.2 kmSpeciality Museums
Chijmes
778
0.3 kmHistoric Sites
Lalin Gallery
4
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Raffles City
531
0.4 kmShopping Malls
Stranger Things - The Encounter: Singapore
1
0.3 kmExhibitions
Ode To Art
45
0.4 kmArt Galleries
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
54 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
22
Average
17
Poor
6
Terrible
0
DESK29
Kent, UK5,456 contributions
Korean food
Oct 2022
We often eat here as we stay at the hotel opposite. We go here with good intensions of looking at all the stalls but once i see the Korean stall open i make a beeline for it. Over the time i have gradually worked my way through most of the menu and i can honestly say i have not had a bad meal.
Written 28 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore11,324 contributions
A convenient location to get textbooks.
Jan 2021
In the 1960s and 70s, many of the shophouses along Bras Basah Road, North Bridge Road and Victoria Street were selling books, stationery and second-hand books as there were many schools in this vicinity such as Raffles Institution, St Joseph Institution, Catholic High and CHIJ etc. Beside these bookshops, many people also visited the old National Library and MPH nearby in their enthusiastic quest for books.

By mid 1982, however, the last of the many bookshops at Bras Basah Road had to shut down and they were relocated to the new Bras Basah Complex. The old Bras Basah Road shophouses were later demolished.

When the Bras Basah Complex was built, it was designed and designated to be a book centre and the early tenants were book merchants relocated from Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road.

However, now there are other tenants selling of watches, leisure goods. art and craft materials and F&B outlets such as Jack's Place.

I used to frequent the second-hand bookshops here in 2008 in search of Chemistry text books at university level. These books were often in good conditions and were so much more affordable. There were also many ten years series on sale here. I also frequented the stationery shops as well as the printing shop when I needed a poster to be done. It was also the place to buy textbooks during the December holidays.

Strangely, the National Library is now situated next to it, quite like the good old days.
Written 15 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KP Wong-Sg
Singapore, Singapore245 contributions
Nostalgia
Sep 2020 • Solo
Located next to National Library, this used to surrounded by many schools.
Old style stationery-bookshop theme shopping complex - used to be a haunt for students to hunt for 2nd.hand/pre.owned books, reference & text books & assessment books. It still/also houses shops selling sports equipment, games, art & craft.
Interesting place to visit.. hv a meal at good old Jack's Place.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina Seh
Singapore, Singapore1,872 contributions
A glimpse into our culture
Feb 2020
A very old school building with shops mainly focusing on the arts; mainly books and stationery, music equipment, art galleries and craft supplies. The building has
earned the reputation of being the "book city of the Singapore".
If you are searching for any old/secondhand books(more Chinese books), it is likely you will be able to find them here. There are also many other well established shops that focus on timepieces, eye wears, printing services and furniture.

While the younger generation likes to go to newer mega bookstores like Kinokuniya, it is Bras Basah Complex that still gives us a chance to step into our history, tradition and culture.

Highly recommended!
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redbox111
Singapore, Singapore11 contributions
Prestige Time
Dec 2019
This is 40 years old watch store. But the staff still very patient and nice. I like this place and environment, a bit like an old school Chinese style store feeling. Price is good to customer.
Highly recommended.
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leep116
Los Angeles, CA357 contributions
Very good noodle shop in the Coffee Express food court
Dec 2018 • Solo
There is a very good noodle shop in the Coffee Express food court. He has meatball, teochew dumplings, and fish balls on offer. Fish balls are very bouncy and the noodles are very al dente.
Written 5 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JC231113
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia5 contributions
Prestige Watch Shop
May 2018 • Business
A great place to look for authentic watches at very reasonable price. They have many choices for selection.
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ghanim A
Kuwait City, Kuwait2,11,967 contributions
Good enough Bras Basah Complex
Jan 2018 • Solo
Good enough Bras Basah Complex
here we got benefits of learning and joyful
third time i visit and no boring
Written 29 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wordsncolors
Mumbai, India297 contributions
Basheer Bookshop is a must visit place for book lovers!
Aug 2017 • Couples
There are bookstores, and then there is Basheer Bookshop. My husband and I have visited many bookshops over the years, but this one has been the most delightful of all. Popular was another treat, and we went kinda berserk picking up art supplies there. With so many stores offering everything from painting tools to books to craft supplies,make sure you have ample time on your hands when visiting Bras Basah :)
Written 20 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thuy Mac
14 contributions
“Art Supplies, Stationary, Cute Merchandise and Original Stores”
Jul 2017 • Solo
Perfect place for artistic spirits. This place has the biggest art and craft supplies store that I have ever seen (its name it “Art - Friend”, they have almost everything at a fair price ;D), and one very cute souvenir shop with a big yellow fluffy cat (on the 3rd floor if I’m not wrong).
Plus, the shop for Art books on the highest floor sells various great prints from Art/Design books to photos, magazine. Although I cannot find the book that I want here, the number of books are still very impressive.
I would recommend this place for a solo walking day (they close at 5:00pm) or with a couple of friends who also enjoy art. Those who love taking fancy photos and extravagant experience might not like this place.
Written 2 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Bras Basah Complex (Singapore) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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