The Punggol Settlement: Seafood, Sea Views, And The End Of Singapore's Northeast Coast
The Punggol Settlement is the cluster of restaurants at the northeastern tip of Singapore, where Punggol Point meets the Johor Strait. It is the end of the road in a literal sense, with the sea on one side and the Punggol Point Park on the other. On a clear evening, you can see the lights of Johor across the water.
The settlement was built to replace the old Punggol End seafood restaurants that were a fixture of the area from the 1970s to the 2000s. When Punggol was redeveloped into a new town, the restaurants were relocated into this purpose-built two-storey building. Some of the original operators came back.
The Seafood Restaurants On Level 1
Ponggol Seafood at #01-08/09 is the original. Old Hock Kee, as it was known, used to be at this locality many years back, with their original site a stone's throw away beside the Punggol Jetty. After several relocations over the years, they are now back at their original founding location. They are famous islandwide for their mee goreng and their signature seafood dishes, and the restaurant is constantly filled with regulars accumulated over the decades.
House of Seafood at #01-01/02 is the other major seafood restaurant. They opened their first branch in 2008 at 180 Yio Chu Kang Road and expanded to Joo Chiat, Tanjong Katong, and Upper Serangoon before coming to Punggol Point. Their crab dishes are the draw, particularly the salted egg crab and the cereal crab.
House of White Bee Hoon at #01-10 does the Sembawang-style white bee hoon, a noodle dish in a rich, milky broth topped with seafood and vegetables. A plate costs $6 to $10 depending on size, and it is the comfort food order if you want something lighter than chilli crab.
Level 2: International Dining With A View
The second floor has a more international lineup. Siam Square Mookata at #02-01/02 is the Thai BBQ and steamboat option, where you grill meat over a charcoal dome while soup simmers in the surrounding moat. It is a communal eating experience, and the portions are designed for groups of four or more. Prices start at $25 per person.
Izakaya 95 at #02-05 offers Japanese small-plate dining with a charcoal grill. The menu is extensive, with yakitori, sashimi, and donburi. Trunk 95 At Bay at #02-06 is the Thai restaurant on this floor, with a relaxed atmosphere and sea views from the dining area. Tandoor Lounge at #02-11 does North Indian food, including tandoori chicken and biryani.
Georges By The Bay at #02-12 is the bar and restaurant that has been here since 1999. It started as a small beverage kiosk in Pasir Ris, relocated to East Coast Road, and expanded to Punggol. It keeps a rustic Balinese theme and its concept of good food, great music, and a friends-next-door environment. It is where you end up for a drink after dinner.
Punggol Point Park And The Jetty
Before or after your meal, walk the promenade at Punggol Point Park. The jetty extends out into the strait and is a popular fishing spot. The sunset from here is one of the better free views in Singapore, with the sky turning orange behind the Johor coastline.
If you want to burn off the meal, the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk starts from the settlement and runs along the coast for 1.2 kilometres to Coney Island. The path is paved and lit, and it takes about 20 minutes each way.
Practical Details
- Address: 3 Punggol Point Road, Singapore 828694
- Nearest MRT: Punggol Coast (PW7), 10-minute walk. Alternatively, take bus 84 from Punggol MRT (NE17/PTC) bus interchange.
- Hours: Restaurants typically 11:00am to 10:30pm; bars open later
- Price: Seafood meals $30 to $80 per person for a full crab dinner; mookata from $25 per person; white bee hoon $6 to $10
- Tip: Book ahead for weekend dinners, especially for Ponggol Seafood and House of Seafood. Walk-ins can wait 45 minutes or more.
