Singapore may have evolved into one of the most sophisticated, modern cities in South-East Asia, but over in downtown Melbourne there's a restaurant dedicated to keeping the charm and splendour of old Singapore locked safely. Come take a seat in Alan and Carol Han's piece of colonial heritage, The Old Raffles Place. The walls are adorned with timeworn black-and-white newspaper clippings with stories and photographs of vintage people and places. The menu offers typical Singaporean street fare, like the old madras assam fish curry; colonial favourites such as Bugis Street chicken Mah Mee—which was popular in pre-war Singapore; and a few dishes geared towards the contemporary Melburnian, like its East coast seafood laksa—a combination of seafood, beansprouts, tofu and rice vermicelli.
Erin O'Brien
Open
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Breakfast
Lunch
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Dinner
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Late
Wed-Sat 11.30am-3pm Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm
Asian, Chinese and Malaysian
Cuisine notes: Singaporean
Entree: $3.50-$9
Mains: $9.50-$19.50
Payment accepted: Cash Only
Licensed. Wine is available by the glass. BYO $5 corkage per bottle.
Vegetarian options available
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time.
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
Amaranta
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12 August 2010, 6.28am
Buffet of old time favs
I was craving for good old Singaporean food and other places in town seemed just ok. With the comments and reviews on the Old Raffles Place, it was the next possible spot to savour old time favourites. Love the decor and setting, some of the photos or images could wrestle for a spot in the S'pore museums, and like the fact that if u are driving, u can easily find the spot from the screaming signs of the dishes on the facade of the restaurant. Service is so-so, maybe a smile on the faces will make the dining experience slightly more welcoming? No doubt the prices are higher than what you get back in S'pore, but hey this is Melb, and the portions of some dishes are much larger and most dishes seemed comparably priced with the other restaurants in town. Some dishes striked a chord with some distinct memories which in turn opened the salivary glands. Some were well, pretty good efforts but can perhaps be better, dependent on yr picky taste buds. My happiness was cut short by a nice portion of slightly dry and hard chicken rice (though the chicken was tender and delicious). Satay was another favourite though I wish the satay sauce could be slightly spicier (might be made to fit the Melb patrons) and nuttier ala Masterchef contestant Marion's satay sauce. Kudos to the Rojak and chai tow kueh. On the overall, I was impressed with the variety on the menu and will be back to check out the other dishes (hopefully it will be happiness from start till end!).
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Visit: Fri 6 August 2010
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Posted by:
binxymouth
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18 July 2010, 12.44pm
Authentic!
You need a frame of reference to review food from another country. As a food expert from Singapore, I can safely say that considering the difficulty of sourcing authentic ingredients, the food here is very good. It's not easy to replicate similar cooking styles if the food itself isn't from the same area. They'd have to do with locally produced meat, harder water and herbs and spices that have been flied frozen from Asia to Australia. I was surprised at how accurately the Chicken Rice was produced! Remarkable, really....It made me nostalgic - which is the reason for this place being around at all. If you're Singaporean or Malaysian, go here once a month to stave off home-sickness.
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Visit: Fri 16 July 2010
Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by:
starie
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13 March 2010, 2.08am
Pretty Ok
I feel that their food is one of the best asian food in Melb. Some of the dishes were good and some were just.. ok. Taste wise I would rather be home (Singapore!) and have the authentic version. Nevertheless, I feel satisfied. Love their seafood laksa (can get better and cheaper ones in SG tho! SGD3 for a bowl at Katong) & their Hainanese chicken. Can't complain much as it had definitely helped me feel less homesick! Gave the rate based on what Melb has offered in terms of Singapore food.
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Visit: Sat 13 March 2010
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Posted by:
Elphaba
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23 October 2009, 1.54pm
Reminds me of home
I love this place. I don't really care about their service. Yes, service varies from good to bad on different days but if it's bad, I treat it like I'm really in a Singapore hawker centre. ahhh true atmosphere..
Food is honestly, average compared to identicle dishes from Singapore, but compared to other identicle dishes in Melbourne, DELICIOUS! I personally love their palm sugar sago dessert.
I love sitting in the back room where the little cupboard is, full of books about Singapore. Some not even allowed in Singapore for political reasons. I love the pictures on the wall. They remind me of my history lessons at home in high school.
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Visit: Wed 7 October 2009
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
guts
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6 August 2009, 4.51pm
Old Madras Fish Curry
Food was delicious, price more than fair and service friendly and attentive. Great place.
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Visit: Thu 6 August 2009
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
PaulineW
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22 October 2008, 4.40pm
Hokkien mee
Love the hokkien mee but service can be bad!
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Visit: Wed 22 October 2008
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
CatherineM
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3 October 2008, 2.08pm
Over priced
I think the food is extremely overpriced for the style and ambience of this place. The food was good, nothing out of the ordinary. The spring-rolls were bland.
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Visit: Fri 10 October 2008
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