Little India Arcade
Little India Arcade
3.5
About
A bustling shopping area hidden in the heart of Singapore’s Indian district, the Little India Arcade is the place to go for authentic Indian food, music and fashion.
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Neighbourhood: Central Area/City Area
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7,108 within 5 kms
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862 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
174 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
75
Average
52
Poor
10
Terrible
10
Hazel Wu
Singapore, Singapore1 contribution
Jul 2020
Great place to visit for an Indian culture experience. Within this arcade you can find henna stores, bangles stores and sweet-shops. Apart from this, there is only a building full of shops and not all the shops are amazing. Nothing so great about Little India. Only if you have nothing to do otherwise. Yeah, there's a place where fake tattoos are made.
Written 13 August 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.
familyfuninbali
Brisbane, Australia16 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
We went to Little India today to visit this Indian Sweet shop that my daughter had recommended on a recent school trip. Our experience today was a VERY NEGATIVE and disappointing one. We were selecting our goods to purchase, deciding whether to go small or large packets of Indian snacks, when the man (presumably the owner) walks over to me and shouts put them back, stop messing the bags. I was shocked and said please don't be rude and then I was advised to leave his store…..this is not the way to run a business. We then walked around the corner and had a very lovely experience with another sweet store called Moghul's - highly recommended if you're looking for Indian sweets/snacks
Written 8 July 2015
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.
Erika s
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Feb 2012 • Friends
I went shopping to the continental little India and ordered 2pair of trousers a jacket and top . Was originally told it would be ready before we left then was told they would send it to me there cost I never received it. I then emailed them twice and never got an answer. I paid up front. avoid this shop
Written 8 March 2012
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.
Valesreport
Adelaide, Australia31 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
Unfortunately we visited this arcade on our recent trip and would advise visitors to advise it like the plague for the following reasons:
1. Little India in general is the only dirty place in Singapore.
2. This arcade is filled with shop owners who simply will NOT take no for an answer so the visitor has no peace to look around.
3. I allowed myself to be persuaded to have a dress 'tailored' (and I use the word loosely) at CONTINENTAL LITTLE INDIA. AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS!. Their work is shoddy, ill-fitting, and unwearable, while they, like many other similar shops, take the customers credit card details and charge before the garment is even begun. There is NO come-back when it does not reach a reasonable standard, particularly if the visitor is pushed for time.
1. Little India in general is the only dirty place in Singapore.
2. This arcade is filled with shop owners who simply will NOT take no for an answer so the visitor has no peace to look around.
3. I allowed myself to be persuaded to have a dress 'tailored' (and I use the word loosely) at CONTINENTAL LITTLE INDIA. AVOID THIS SHOP AT ALL COSTS!. Their work is shoddy, ill-fitting, and unwearable, while they, like many other similar shops, take the customers credit card details and charge before the garment is even begun. There is NO come-back when it does not reach a reasonable standard, particularly if the visitor is pushed for time.
Written 7 January 2012
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.
ashmitakashikar
Singapore, Singapore3 contributions
Jul 2015
Even if you're a frequent traveler to Singapore, Little India is a nice area to spend some time exploring. There are several smaller streets that are fun to walk through. Look for Moghul Sweet Shop. The samosas are to die for. Try the kaju barfu. It just melts in your mouth.
Written 27 September 2015
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.
Jessica S
Oak Harbor, WA37 contributions
The smell was strong, be prepared...they have a 'fresh' market that has a lot of 'spices'. It was unpleasant but tolerable. It seemed as the shop owners didn't like tourists...which was strange due to it being well known to tourists....scarves were the big seller and I'm not wrapping myself in them so I didn't want to spend $20 or $30 on one, I was looking for a Hindu nicnak to take home. I was given the eye roll time and time again, which of course stopped my shopping in their store. If you don't respect your customers how do you expect to keep them? Eventually bought a $30 bronze dancing Shiva from a respectful shopkeeper who happily explained the significance of Shiva and her dance. Chinatown was much more tourist friendly. But little India left a stronger, more raw, memory.
Written 25 January 2015
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.
Susan D
Perth, Australia2,150 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I always drop by Little India Arcade when visiting Little India and in the past have bought knick knacks, bags and clothing. This last time, however, I was just content to browse and soak up the colourful surroundings.
There was a shop keeper who was quite persistent in trying to lure me, and other tourists, into his shop and you will find that you may be approached quite often by others also. This one shop keeper seemed to be running all around the aisles accosting people everywhere. A smile and a firm "no thank you" was enough to get him to leave me alone.
I had a very pleasant conversation with a friendly security guard who advised me of the safest way to walk the back streets with regard to the traffic and how to stay safe in general as a lone woman in Little India. I must say, though, that I never felt uncomfortable there, but did keep a close eye on my belongings as I would anywhere.
There was a shop keeper who was quite persistent in trying to lure me, and other tourists, into his shop and you will find that you may be approached quite often by others also. This one shop keeper seemed to be running all around the aisles accosting people everywhere. A smile and a firm "no thank you" was enough to get him to leave me alone.
I had a very pleasant conversation with a friendly security guard who advised me of the safest way to walk the back streets with regard to the traffic and how to stay safe in general as a lone woman in Little India. I must say, though, that I never felt uncomfortable there, but did keep a close eye on my belongings as I would anywhere.
Written 6 December 2014
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.
Woodyinasia
Pouzols-Minervois, France41 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Lots of little shops selling, every kind of knick knack imaginable. All reasonably priced. You can bargain here. They do not knock much off the price, but if you buy more than 1 of an item, they will give you a reduction.
Written 27 November 2014
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.
Bec J
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
A hand of henna is $5SGD, 3 goulab jaman $4SGD and an hour wandering around is priceless.
A word of advice- be prepared to barter and be strong when you say "no" and walk away, they can be pushy.
A word of advice- be prepared to barter and be strong when you say "no" and walk away, they can be pushy.
Written 8 October 2013
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.
lab1210
Yokohama, Japan1 contribution
Nov 2011 • Solo
Be careful when you shop there. I had a couple of worst shopping experiences in my life in that arcade. Today, I visited that place to look for a pashmina.
I looked at one of those shops located pretty deep inside the arcade, and had some conversation with the shopkeeper there. Then, I discussed about the price and asked her open that one piece. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like buying it immediately. Because the colour was not exactly what I expected. Also I felt quite a lot of pressure from her. So I said thanks but sorry I have to think about it. I was upset then she said "Don't waste my time " and angry .
Maybe that is the reason why I didn't shop there. No one wants to buy things from someone like her.
Besides, I have to mention that there is a decent shop there. The one called "Handlooms" was very nice, they opened several pieces, provided me good information, but didn't push me buy. I bought two pieces of scarves there.
I looked at one of those shops located pretty deep inside the arcade, and had some conversation with the shopkeeper there. Then, I discussed about the price and asked her open that one piece. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like buying it immediately. Because the colour was not exactly what I expected. Also I felt quite a lot of pressure from her. So I said thanks but sorry I have to think about it. I was upset then she said "Don't waste my time " and angry .
Maybe that is the reason why I didn't shop there. No one wants to buy things from someone like her.
Besides, I have to mention that there is a decent shop there. The one called "Handlooms" was very nice, they opened several pieces, provided me good information, but didn't push me buy. I bought two pieces of scarves there.
Written 16 November 2011
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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