Singapore’s vibrant Queenstown, renowned for its heritage and nostalgic atmosphere, recently unveiled a significant revitalization project: Margaret Market. Housed within the conserved former Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market & Food Centre, the venue, which opened in 2023, seamlessly marries historical architecture with contemporary food hall concepts, offering a diverse array of homegrown and international culinary brands within a community-focused, air-conditioned space. While Bencoolen may claim the title of Singapore’s “coolest” neighborhood this year, Queenstown’s preservation of landmarks like this 1956 building, gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 2013, solidifies its cultural relevance.
The two-story market’s distinctive parabolic vaulted roof remains a centerpiece, now accented by modern lighting fixtures. The ground floor features approximately 12 food and beverage vendors alongside a communal dining area and a dedicated bar. The upper level supports community wellness with health clinics and a 24-hour gym. The overall aesthetic is evocative of European and Australian market halls, positioning Margaret Market as a chic destination for dining and gathering.
Deep Dive into Margaret Market’s Offerings
Our recent visit provided a taste of the market’s diverse culinary landscape, revealing standout successes and areas for refinement. The curation leans heavily towards quality and specialty concepts.
Fernando’s Pizza: A New York-Style Standout (5/5)
The most impressive find was Fernando’s Pizza. Despite its unassuming presence (Stall #01-09), this spot delivers exceptional square-cut, New York-style pies. Utilizing high-quality ingredients, particularly Caputo 00 flour fermented for 48 hours, the pizzas achieve a satisfying chew. The extensive menu features 21 variations, with the tagliata di manzo ($26 medium) being a savory highlight, featuring grilled ribeye, truffle cream, and fresh figs. A signature hot honey drizzle adds a unique flourish. Prices start around $22 for a medium nine-inch pizza.
Creamier Handcrafted Ice Cream and Coffee: Reliability and Quality (4/5)
A trusted local brand, Creamier (Stall #01-5A), brings its popular artisanal ice cream to the market in a dedicated kiosk format. Known for combining classic flavors like Roasted Pistachio with local inspirations such as Sea Salt Gula Melaka, Creamier offers high-quality treats perfect for the communal dining area. While no exclusive flavors are offered here, the convenience and quality make it a reliable choice (from $5.90 per scoop).
Mixed Reviews on Niche Concepts (3/5)
OMG! Decadent Donuts and Brash Boys Coffee (Stall #01-08) caters to dietary restrictions, offering vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free doughnuts. While the treats are texturally soft, reviewers found them overly sweet for local tastes and slightly expensive, starting at $3.50 per doughnut. Conversely, Brash Boys Coffee within the same stall earned high marks for its stellar brews and trendy options like Hojicha lattes.
Similarly, Kumi Taiwanese Eatery (Stall #01-01A), known for Taiwanese snacks, rice bowls, and sushi (operated by the team behind Rollie Ollie), delivered a rich minced pork rice (lu rou fan, $9.50). The portion was hearty, though the price point felt slightly elevated. The rice in the sushi rolls, however, was noted as overly clumpy.
Kou Kou Xiang 口口香鸡汤饭: A Simple, Specialized Niche (2/5)
The specialized Kou Kou Xiang (Stall #01-06) serves a modest signature chicken rice soup (from $8.80). Though reviewers found the agarious mushrooms chicken soup packed with healthy herbs, its flavor profile was extremely light—best suited for those seeking comforting, medicinal fare or patrons with lighter palates. Customizing the broth with counter condiments (like chili and other sauces) is highly recommended for added complexity.
The Market Verdict and Local Context
Margaret Market offers a visually appealing, sophisticated environment that sets it apart from traditional local hawker centers. Its unique modern design and concept successfully emulate market halls seen abroad. However, during this visit, the balance between exceptional and merely average offerings suggested that the market still seeks consistency across all vendors.
Guests dining here should note that since the dining area lacks centralized tray return stations, patrons must return used items to the individual stalls to prevent sanitation issues.
If travelers are seeking the best variety of time-honored, high-quality local cuisine, the neighboring Margaret Drive Hawker Centre remains a powerful alternative, featuring highly-rated stalls like Queenstown Lontong and Tong Kee Chicken Rice. Yet, for those desiring a chic, climate-controlled dining experience featuring creative culinary concepts and late-night drinks at spots like Margie The Market Bar (offering live music Thursday through Saturday), Margaret Market is a valid option in Queenstown.
Margaret Market is located at 38 Margaret Dr, Singapore 141038, and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 10 or 11 p.m.