Looking for somewhere in Singapore where you can shop, eat, explore, and slow down for a few hours without walking through another standard mall? Put New Bahru on your list. Located on Kim Yam Road in River Valley, New Bahru Singapore brings a former school campus back to life.
Old classrooms, wide corridors, and open courtyards now lead you to independent shops, restaurants, creative studios, and wellness spaces. You can browse homegrown brands, stop for lunch, look around the heritage spaces, or simply wander through the campus and see what catches your attention.
There's plenty to explore beyond the original school buildings, too. The newer Factory Block has expanded Bahru's food and retail lineup, bringing in more places to eat and shop while keeping the destination's mix of old and new.
Whether you're visiting Bahru’s shops, restaurants, creative spaces, or its unusual heritage setting, this guide covers what is actually worth your time, where to eat, what to see, and how to plan your visit.
New Bahru Singapore at a Glance
| What to Know | Quick Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 46 & 58 Kim Yam Road, River Valley |
| What it is | A former school campus transformed into a creative lifestyle destination |
| Historic site | Former Nan Chiau High School |
| Main areas | School Block and the newer Factory Block |
| What to explore | Independent brands, restaurants, cafés, heritage spaces, art and workshops |
| Family activities | Kiztopia Prestige, pickleball and open communal spaces |
| Nearest MRT | Fort Canning MRT |
| Good to know | Individual shops and restaurants have their own opening hours |
| Ideal visit | Around 3–4 hours if you want to eat, shop and explore |
What Is New Bahru Singapore?
New Bahru is a creative lifestyle destination in River Valley where independent brands, restaurants, creative studios, and wellness businesses operate within a distinctive campus setting. Visitors can explore different spaces across the site, from cafés and shops to studios and places for wellness activities.
How a Former School Became a Creative Lifestyle Destination
The site has a longer history than its current use suggests. Nan Chiau High School occupied the campus until 1984, when the school moved to a new location. The buildings subsequently went through other uses before the site was redeveloped.
The School Block opened as part of New Bahru's first phase, followed by the Factory Block in 2026. Parts of the original campus layout and architecture were retained through this redevelopment.
What Makes New Bahru Different From a Typical Shopping Mall?
The biggest difference is the setting. You aren't moving between enclosed floors and identical shopfronts. Instead, it has:
- Former classrooms converted into shops and studios
- Open-air corridors and courtyards connecting different spaces
- Original architectural details alongside modern interiors
- Independent businesses, rather than a typical chain-heavy mall mix
- Separate areas for food, retail, wellness, recreation, and events
That makes exploring it feel more like wandering through a repurposed neighbourhood than shopping in a mall.
Food, Retail, Wellness and Creative Businesses
There isn't one single reason to visit. The attraction comes from how many different experiences are packed into the campus. You can spend the same afternoon:
- Browsing homegrown fashion and lifestyle brands
- Having lunch at one of the restaurants
- Checking out art and heritage installations
- Joining a creative workshop or pop-up
- Trying a wellness or movement experience
- Taking a break at a café or dessert spot
The mix changes as new businesses and temporary concepts arrive, so it is worth exploring rather than treating it as a place with one main attraction.
What Has Changed at New Bahru in 2026?
The biggest recent change is the opening of the Factory Block, which expanded it beyond the original school buildings. It now adds more food and retail concepts, including names such as SUSHIRO, Dumpling Darlings, BEAMS, Laifaba, and Parlour Gelato.
That means the New Bahru you visit in 2026 is considerably larger than the original School Block experience, with 60-plus brands across the wider destination.
Best Things to Do at New Bahru Singapore
Bahru is easiest to enjoy when you wander through the campus and pick a few places that match your interests. The School Block and Factory Block offer a mix of shopping, food, creative spaces, and activities, so you can build your visit around what you actually enjoy.
Browse Independent Singaporean Brands
One of the best ways to explore it is to look through its mix of homegrown fashion, design, craft, and lifestyle businesses. Several stores go beyond straightforward retail, with design libraries, workshops, and curated collections that make them worth spending a little time in.
| Brand / Store | Why Stop Here |
|---|---|
| Beyond The Vines Design House | Singapore-designed fashion, bags, lifestyle pieces and the Between The Lines design library |
| Crafune | Leather goods plus hands-on leathercraft workshops |
| MAKE by GINLEE | Made-to-order fashion with upcycling and 3D-printing workshops |
| Curious Creatures | Fine and demi-fine jewellery, permanent jewellery and workshops |
| Stacked Store | Curated homeware, stationery, ceramics, décor and design-led pieces |
Discover Fashion, Design and Lifestyle Stores
The Factory Block has expanded Bahru's retail mix in 2026, bringing in several newer names alongside the existing independent businesses.
- BEAMS Singapore: Japanese fashion and lifestyle collections
- VEJA: Footwear through its current pop-up
- YETI: Outdoor and adventure products through its current pop-up
- Stacked Store: Design-led home and lifestyle goods
Pop-ups can change, so check the current tenant lineup if you're visiting specifically for a temporary store.
Explore Art Installations and Creative Spaces
It is also worth exploring beyond its shops. Past Forward brings the site's history into the visitor experience, while art installations and creative projects appear throughout the campus.
One example is Future Resonance, a creative and wellness space in the Factory Block. The wider programme also changes throughout the year, with exhibitions, installations, and other creative projects appearing at different times.
Join Workshops, Pop-Ups and Community Events
Some New Bahru businesses give you a chance to make or learn something rather than simply shop. Depending on the current programme, you may find:
- Leathercraft workshops at Crafune
- Upcycling and 3D-printing sessions at MAKE by GINLEE
- Jewellery workshops at Curious Creatures
- Brand pop-ups and temporary retail concepts
- Art, design, and community events
This changing programme also gives it more variety than a standard shopping centre, especially if you're visiting again.
Play, Recharge or Spend Time in the Former School Spaces
You don't have to spend the entire visit shopping. Families can head to Kiztopia Prestige, while the restored School Hall hosts activities such as pickleball alongside events and cultural programming.
For a slower experience, it also has wellness and movement businesses such as Off Duty Pilates and Barreworks Ballet. With shopping, activities, and creative spaces spread across the former school campus, give yourself time to wander rather than trying to rush through a checklist of stores.
Where to Eat at New Bahru
New Bahru's food scene is one of the reasons to spend more than an hour here. You can choose between Singaporean comfort food, Sri Lankan cooking, modern seafood, dumplings, sushi, and casual desserts, with several newer concepts now filling the Factory Block.
New Bahru Restaurants for a Proper Meal
If you're planning your visit around lunch or dinner, these are some of the most worthwhile stops:
| Restaurant | What to Try |
|---|---|
| The Coconut Club | Signature Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng Berempah, or Seafood Laksa |
| Kotuwa | Kottu Rotti, Lamb Shank or the seasonal Crab Curry |
| One Prawn & Co | Prawn Bisque Ramen or Cold Mala Crack Noodles |
| Artichoke Pizza Parlor | Wood-fired pizzas and Artichoke's Middle Eastern-influenced dishes |
| Dumpling Darlings | The Original dumplings, Smoked Duck dumplings, and noodles |
| KULON | Bakmi Komplit, the restaurant's signature Javanese noodle dish |
For a classic Singaporean meal, The Coconut Club is probably the easiest choice. Its nasi lemak uses coconut-infused “White Sutera” rice, while the Ayam Goreng Berempah adds crispy spiced chicken and house-made rempah to the plate.
For something less expected, go to Kotuwa. Chef Rishi Naleendra's Sri Lankan restaurant is known for its Kottu Rotti, made with chopped roti, vegetables, eggs, and gravy. The Crab Curry is another option when available.
One Prawn & Co takes a more modern approach to seafood. Its Prawn Bisque Ramen is particularly distinctive, with a rich broth made from slow-roasted prawn heads and shells.
Cafes, Desserts and Casual Food Options
You don't have to sit down for a full meal. New Bahru has several options for a slower coffee or dessert stop.
- PPP Coffee: Specialty coffee and pastries
- Orh Gao Peh Gao: Kaya Butter Toast, soft-boiled eggs and traditional breakfast-style drinks
- Parlour Gelato: Handmade gelato for an easy dessert stop
- Dearborn: Coffee, baked goods and casual café fare
If you're visiting in the morning, Orh Gao Peh Gao's Kaya Butter Toast is a particularly fitting choice. Later in the day, you can finish with gelato at Parlour Gelato rather than adding another full meal.
The Factory Block Food Hall and Its Local Concepts
The newer Factory Block has expanded New Bahru's food options considerably. Its second-floor food hall brings together several concepts, making it useful if your group can't agree on one type of cuisine.
Some of the more distinctive options include:
| Food Concept | What Makes It Worth Trying |
|---|---|
| KULON | Javanese comfort food, especially Bakmi Komplit |
| Laifaba | Indonesian-inspired dishes and flavours |
| SUSHIRO | Conveyor-belt sushi with a large selection of sushi and sides |
| Orh Gao Peh Gao | Local breakfast favourites and kaya toast |
| Fico | Italian dishes through its pop-up concept |
SUSHIRO is a particularly easy option for groups because everyone can pick different plates from the conveyor belt. For something more local and less familiar, KULON is the more interesting choice.
New Dining Additions Worth Checking Out
Its food lineup is still evolving, particularly in the Factory Block. Dumpling Darlings is one of the newer additions, bringing its signature dumplings and noodles to the destination. Its New Bahru outlet also introduces additional small plates, including nasi ulam and gamja jeon.
Other recent additions include Laifaba, KULON, SUSHIRO, Orh Gao Peh Gao, and Parlour Gelato, giving the newer block a much broader mix of cuisines and price points.
If you're visiting specifically to eat, don't assume the older School Block restaurants are the only options. The Factory Block is now a major part of Bahru's food scene, and it is worth walking through both areas before deciding where to eat.
Discover the Creative Side of New Bahru Singapore
New Bahru's creative side is closely tied to the old school campus. Instead of keeping the heritage as something you simply read about, the destination uses art, installations, films, and events to help visitors experience the site's past while exploring the newer spaces.
The Heritage-Focused Past Forward Experience
Past Forward is the main heritage experience to look out for. It explores how the former school site has changed over the decades and how New Bahru came to occupy the campus.
One of its more interesting elements is Time In Place, where six symbolic clocks are placed around the site. Each one represents a different period in the campus's history, encouraging you to notice the buildings as you move between them.
Art, Installations and Stories From the Old Campus
The campus also hosts creative works that connect the site's past with its current identity. Look out for projects such as:
- Voices Through Time: a film-based experience telling the story of the site's transformation.
- BAHRU by Pooja Nansi: a work exploring ideas around place, memory, and community.
- Now Now: a photographic installation documenting aspects of the campus and its people.
These aren't necessarily experiences that require a large block of your day. You can encounter them while exploring it, making them easy to add between shopping and dining stops.
Why Local Creators Are Central to New Bahru's Identity
The creative businesses here aren't simply decorative additions to a shopping destination. Many are Singaporean brands, designers, artists, and independent operators, which is part of what gives New Bahru its local character.
That's also why the destination feels different from an Orchard Road shopping centre. You're not just looking at finished products; you can encounter the people, workshops, stories, and creative processes behind them.
For visitors interested in Singapore beyond the usual tourist attractions, this is one of the strongest reasons to spend time exploring the campus rather than treating it as just another place to shop.
Wellness, Recreation, and Family Experiences at New Bahru
It has a few options worth knowing if you're visiting for more than shopping and food. Here's where to go depending on what you want to do:
| Place | Best For | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Off Duty Pilates | Pilates and movement | Join a Pilates class in a dedicated studio |
| BarreWorks | Barre and fitness | Try ballet-inspired barre workouts |
| School Hall | Recreation | Play pickleball or check out events and activities |
| Kiztopia Prestige | Families with children | Let kids play in the indoor playground |
| Outdoor & communal areas | Pet owners | Walk around with pets where permitted |
Pickleball in the Former School Hall
The School Hall is one of the more unusual spaces at New Bahru. A building that once served as part of the school has been repurposed for modern activities, including pickleball.
If you'd like to play, check court availability and booking requirements before your visit.
Visiting New Bahru With Kids
For families, Kiztopia Prestige is the most obvious dedicated attraction. You can combine it with lunch or shopping elsewhere on the campus rather than planning a separate family activity.
Bringing Your Pet
It allows pets in outdoor and communal areas, but individual businesses can have different rules.
- Pets are not permitted inside the Factory Block Dining Hall.
- Check individual store or restaurant policies before entering.
- Outdoor areas are the easiest option when visiting with a pet.
How to Spend Half a Day at New Bahru Singapore
It is large enough that you can easily spend several hours here, but you don't need a full day. A 3–4 hour visit gives you enough time to explore the campus, browse a few shops, have a proper meal, and add one extra experience.
Start With the Heritage and Architecture
Begin with the School Block rather than heading straight for the shops. Take some time to notice:
- The former school corridors and open spaces
- Original architectural details
- The restored School Hall
- Past Forward and New Bahru heritage installations
This gives you context for the campus before you start exploring its newer businesses.
Browse the Shops and Creative Spaces
After exploring the older parts of the campus, spend some time browsing the stores.
A practical route could include:
Beyond The Vines Design House → Crafune → Curious Creatures → Stacked Store
If you're more interested in newer international arrivals, continue to the Factory Block for BEAMS Singapore and any current pop-ups. Don't try to visit every store. Pick a few based on what you actually want to buy or explore.
Stop for Lunch or a Casual Meal
For lunch, you have plenty of choices depending on what you're craving:
- The Coconut Club: Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng Berempah
- Kotuwa: Sri Lankan Kottu Rotti
- One Prawn & Co: Prawn Bisque Ramen
- Dumpling Darlings: Dumplings and noodles
- KULON: Javanese Bakmi Komplit
If you're visiting with a group, the Factory Block food hall can be more convenient because everyone can choose something different.
Finish With Dessert, Drinks or a Wellness Experience
Don't leave immediately after eating. Finish your visit with something lighter:
- Parlour Gelato for gelato
- PPP Coffee for specialty coffee
- Orh Gao Peh Gao for kaya toast and local-style drinks
- A class at Off Duty Pilates or BarreWorks if you've booked ahead
- Kiztopia Prestige if you're visiting with children
Planning Your Visit to New Bahru
A little planning will make your visit easier, especially because it is spread across two blocks and individual businesses don't all follow the same opening hours.
Where Is New Bahru in Singapore?
It is in River Valley Singapore, at:
- 46 Kim Yam Road: School Block
- 58 Kim Yam Road: Factory Block
The two blocks form part of the same destination, so you can explore both during one visit.
How to Get to New Bahru From Fort Canning MRT
Fort Canning MRT Station is the closest MRT station to New Bahru. From there, you can:
- Walk to New Bahru in roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on your route.
- Take a taxi or ride-hailing service if you don't want to walk.
- Use the shuttle, which connects the destination with the Somerset area on selected days and times.
If you're already exploring Fort Canning Park, New Bahru can work well as your next stop rather than making a separate trip across Singapore.
Opening Hours and Individual Store Timings
New Bahru itself is generally open daily, but there isn't one opening time that applies to every business. Restaurants, shops, studios, and activity spaces can have different schedules. For example:
| Type of Visit | What to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|
| Shopping | Check individual store hours before arriving |
| Restaurants | Lunch and dinner hours vary by restaurant |
| Workshops | Usually require advance booking |
| Wellness classes | Follow the studio's class schedule |
| Pop-ups | Operating dates can be limited |
| Heritage/creative experiences | Check current programme details |
Parking, Shuttle Services and Other Useful Facilities
Driving is possible, although parking isn't unlimited. New Bahru has on-site car parking, with additional parking options available nearby. If you don't want to deal with parking, public transport or a taxi is generally simpler.
Other useful facilities include:
- Nursing room for parents with babies
- Accessible areas around the destination
- Pet-friendly outdoor and communal spaces
- Food and dining areas across both blocks
- Shuttle connections with the Somerset area at selected times
What to Know Before Visiting
Keep these practical points in mind:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be walking between different buildings and areas rather than staying inside one mall.
- Check individual opening hours before travelling.
- Check pop-up dates if a temporary brand is your main reason for visiting.
- Book classes and workshops ahead where required.
- If visiting with a pet, check each venue's rules before entering.
- Give yourself at least 3–4 hours if you want to combine shopping, food, and the heritage/creative side of New Bahru.
Who Is New Bahru Best For?
It is a good fit for travelers who enjoy independent brands, local food, creative spaces, and less conventional shopping experiences. It works particularly well for:
- Design and creative enthusiasts looking for independent Singaporean brands and studios
- Food lovers who want to try cafés, restaurants, and local concepts
- Shoppers who prefer smaller brands over large retail chains
- Travelers interested in wellness with an interest in fitness, beauty, or self-care spaces
- Visitors looking for something different from Singapore's major malls and attractions
If your main interest is traditional sightseeing or major international brands, New Bahru may be better as a short stop alongside other River Valley attractions rather than the main focus of your day.
Final Thoughts
New Bahru is worth approaching as more than a shopping stop. Its appeal comes from the combination of a former school campus, independent Singaporean brands, newer Factory Block additions, restaurants, and creative spaces.
You can spend a few hours here without following a strict itinerary: explore the old campus, browse Beyond The Vines or Crafune, stop for lunch at The Coconut Club or Kotuwa, then continue to the Factory Block for newer shops and food concepts.
If you enjoy design, local brands, interesting food, and places with a sense of history, it offers something different from Singapore's larger shopping centres. The best way to experience it is to leave some room for wandering and see which shop, restaurant, or creative space catches your attention.