Joo Chiat Road has a way of slowing you down. Between the pastel shophouse facades, the smell of kaya toast from a corner kopitiam, and the odd resident cat snoozing in a shop doorway, it is easy to lose an afternoon here without planning to.
We have already covered where to eat and where to get pampered on this stretch, but shopping in Joo Chiat has never had its own guide, even though the road is full of small, independently run shops worth a slow wander. From rattan furniture sold the old fashioned way to a quirky gift shop with a cat on permanent duty, these are the finds worth making time for, whether you are already nearby for the Joo Chiat beauty studios or just passing through.
Note: This list is strictly not in order.
Quick Picks: Shops in Joo Chiat
- Best for vintage homeware: Singapore Trading Post – colonial-era finds and restored furniture pulled from old trade routes.
- Best for quirky gifts: Cat Socrates – locally designed notebooks, totes and homeware, with a resident cat on greeting duty.
- Best for heritage rattan furniture: Teong Theng Co – a decades-old shop that has outlasted most of its neighbours.
1. Singapore Trading Post
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: Vintage homeware, colonial-era collectibles and statement furniture pieces
Estimated price: Not published online; items span small collectibles to larger restored furniture pieces priced individually in-store
Website: Singapore Trading Post’s website (singaporetradingpost.com)
Location: 426 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427644
Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday 10:30am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday 10:30am to 6pm, Sunday 11:30am to 5pm (shorter hours on public holidays, 11am to 4pm)
Phone number: +65 8922 0281
Why it made the list:
Singapore Trading Post sources memorabilia from places that once sat along Singapore’s old trade routes, and the Joo Chiat branch carries that eclectic mix: grandfather clocks, bronze statues and restored cabinets alongside vintage keys, binoculars and old advertising signage. There is something to browse whether you have S$20 or a few hundred dollars to spend.
A dedicated corner leans into local nostalgia, with old school tin trays and retro packaging that make easy gifts. It suits anyone furnishing a home with character, not catalogue pieces, or who enjoys a shop that feels like a small museum.
What to note: This is one of two Singapore Trading Post locations, the other in Tan Boon Liat Building, each with its own contact number. Check you have the Joo Chiat Road branch’s number before calling.
2. Cat Socrates
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: Gifts, stationery and quirky home knick-knacks
Estimated price: Postcards from S$2, calendars around S$6; prices for notebooks, totes and ceramics are not published online
Website: Cat Socrates’ online store (cat-socrates.myshopify.com)
Location: 448 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427661
Operating hours: Monday 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 7pm
Phone number: 6348 0863
Why it made the list:
Cat Socrates has built a loyal following less for any single product and more for its whole personality: a crammed, colourful shop stocked with locally designed notebooks, tote bags, mugs and home decor from Singapore-based illustrators and small makers. Peranakan tile prints, cat motifs and local in-jokes show up across the shelves, making it an easy stop for souvenirs that do not feel like souvenirs.
The shop’s unofficial mascot, a resident cat named Zoozoo, is as much a draw as the merchandise. It suits gift shoppers and anyone after a Singapore souvenir with more personality than a keychain.
What to note: Cat Socrates now runs two outlets, this Joo Chiat Road original and a newer branch on Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru, in addition to a now-closed Bras Basah Complex outlet that still turns up in older write-ups. Double-check that any hours or contact details you find online are for the Joo Chiat branch before visiting.
3. Teong Theng Co
Image Credit: NearMe (illustrative image)
Best for: Heritage rattan and bamboo furniture
Estimated price: Not published online; rattan pieces of this kind typically range from under S$100 for small stools to several hundred dollars for larger chairs and daybeds
Website: Not available — no official website or social media page could be confirmed.
Location: 321 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427572
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, per the one source found; not independently confirmed beyond that
Phone number: 6344 7000
Why it made the list:
Teong Theng Co has been fitting out Singapore homes with rattan since the mid-20th century, well before rattan became a design trend again. Press coverage describes it as operating since 1945, though its formal business registration dates to 1974. It specialises in handcrafted rattan and bamboo pieces, among them the rocking chairs, swing seats and seashell-back chairs once common on HDB corridors and balconies.
It suits anyone restoring an older home, furnishing a balcony, or after a rattan piece built the traditional way. Because the shop sticks to classic designs rather than chasing trends, it is also useful if matching a piece you already own.
What to note: No official website or social media page could be confirmed, and its hours come from a single source. Call ahead, since this is an older, family-run shop, not a chain with a standard online presence.
How We Chose These Shops In Joo Chiat
- Genuinely on Joo Chiat Road: every shop sits on the main stretch, not a neighbouring street.
- Independent and long standing: real history, not generic retail.
- Variety: homeware, gifts and furniture, so there is a reason to visit whatever you are after.
- Verifiable details: address, hours and contact details cross-checked against each shop’s own channels or independent listings.
How to Choose the Right Shop Near Joo Chiat
- Know what you are after: a specific item suits a specialist like Teong Theng; browsing suits the other two.
- Call ahead for big purchases: confirm stock and price for furniture or larger homeware first.
- Budget for spontaneous finds: these shops carry one-off pieces that may not still be there next time.
- Check hours before a trip: several keep different hours from typical malls, especially on Sundays.
Getting Around Joo Chiat’s Shopping Strip
Joo Chiat Road has no MRT station of its own. Most visitors walk in from Dakota MRT on the Circle Line, around a 15-minute stroll, or take a short bus ride from Paya Lebar MRT on the East-West Line. Bus service 16 runs along Joo Chiat Road itself, making it easy to hop between the shops in this guide without a car. Parking is mostly metered street parking, so allow extra time on weekends.
Final Thoughts
Joo Chiat continues to reward anyone willing to slow down and look past the shopfronts they already know. These three shops are a good starting point for anyone curious about what else the neighbourhood has tucked away, whether that is a rattan chair, a cat-themed tote bag or a vintage find with a story attached.
Pair this guide with our round-up of 5 Best Bakeries In Joo Chiat for something to pick up on the way home, since most of these shops are a short walk from the bakery strip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Joo Chiat Road accessible by MRT?
There is no MRT station directly on Joo Chiat Road. The closest option is Dakota MRT on the Circle Line, about a 15-minute walk away, or Paya Lebar MRT plus a short bus or taxi ride. Bus service 16 runs along Joo Chiat Road itself if you would rather skip the walk.
Is parking available near these shops?
Parking is mostly metered street parking, which fills up quickly on weekends. If you are driving, build in extra time or park a short walk away on a quieter side street.
What is the typical price range for shopping in Joo Chiat?
It varies widely. Small items like postcards or stationery cost a few dollars, while vintage furniture or restored homeware can run into the hundreds. None of the three shops here publish a full price list online, so call ahead with a budget in mind.
What is the best time to visit these shops?
Weekday mornings or early afternoons tend to be quieter, making it easier to browse without feeling rushed. Weekends bring more foot traffic to Joo Chiat Road generally.
