Revisiting the dining spots that defined our childhoods and communities, now vanished.
SINGAPORE: The city’s fast-changing food and beverage scene often brings excitement with new trends and openings, but it also leaves a trail of beloved spots lost to time. These closures, whether hawker stalls, humble cafes, or iconic fast-food joints, linger in our memories as markers of shared experiences and youthful indulgences.
We asked Singaporeans to share their nostalgic tributes to these culinary landmarks:
Cafe Cartel: The Happy Hour Haven
“As a broke secondary school student, Cafe Cartel’s 50% off happy hour deals were my salvation. My friends and I would order iced butterscotch lattes and criss-cross fries, basking in the cozy Tampines Mall al fresco setting. No café has replicated that magic since its closure.”
— Syaza, 27
Just Acia: Affordable Comfort
“During my JC days, Just Acia at Dhoby Xchange was a go-to spot for post-movie meals. Affordable and cozy, it offered free-flow drinks and ice cream, making even study sessions bearable. Its closure felt like the end of an era.”
— Kimberly, 28
Splash n Decker: Simple Sandwich Bliss
“Splash n Decker sandwiches at Ngee Ann Polytechnic were a step up from vending machine meals. Though I never returned after graduation, hearing about its permanent closure felt like losing a small piece of my student life.”
— Julio, 26
Banquet at Parkway Parade: Childhood Comforts
“My childhood lunches often featured nasi padang and fried ice cream at Banquet. It was more than a food court—it was where I bonded with my parents after school. I still associate it with a sense of home.”
— Hykel, 26
Clementi’s Western Food Stall: Comfort on a Plate
“This stall’s chicken chop and fried chicken wings were nothing extraordinary, yet deeply comforting. My friend and I tried to visit it in its new Ang Mo Kio location but missed our chance. It shuttered for good last year, leaving behind warm memories of 90s Clementi.”
— Sarah, 30
The Seletar and Plaza Singapura Chicken Rice Stalls
“Seletar Hawker Centre and Plaza Singapura’s chicken rice stalls are tied to memories of arcade trips and videotape rentals. These experiences, more than the food itself, shaped my love for these places. Now, they live on only in memory.”
— Daniel, 31
