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When Deepavali (Diwali) approaches, Little India transforms into a riot of lights, festive bazaars, and irresistible aromas. For food lovers, it becomes a pilgrimage to traditional sweets, street eats, and festive specials. Below are some iconic Deepavali-era foods you should not miss, along with the stalls and shops known for them in Little India.

1. Indian Sweets & Mithai: the Deepavali Classics

Deepavali calls for sweets that symbolise prosperity and sweetness in life. In Little India, these mithai (Indian sweets) are abundant.

• Moghul Sweet Shop (Little India Arcade, 48 Serangoon Road) is one of the most often named in Singapore communities as a go-to for barfis, laddu, gulab jamun and more. A Reddit post called it out as a place for Diwali snacks in Little India.
• Komala Vilas Sweets (part of the Komala Vilas chain along Serangoon Road) is also often recommended for its dessert offerings during festival periods.
• Sweets like kalakand, mysore pak, kaju katli, and soan papdi are favourites in Indian sweet-lover circles. On meme/food forums, fans often rank mysore pak and soan papdi highly.
• Be aware: festival sweets are very sweet. If you prefer milder sugar levels, try smaller portions first.

2. Savoury Street Eats & Main Courses

No Deepavali food lineup would be complete without savoury dishes to balance all that sweetness.

• Biryani at Tekka Centre: Tekka Centre (665 Buffalo Road) is a hawker/food court hub in Little India. It offers biryani, fish head curry, dosa, and other Indian dishes, many under S$10. A Reddit user praised its biryani pricing and variety.
• Masala Thosai / Dosa: One recommended place is Satkhunthala (Syed Alwi outlet) for their “Paper Masala Dosa,” which a Singapore Reddit user rated highly among Little India eats.
• Banana Leaf Apolo (on Race Course Road) is famous for its fish head curry and banana leaf meals. It’s frequently listed in Little India food guides as a must-visit.
• Muthu’s Curry (Race Course Road) and Gandhi Indian Restaurant (Chander Road) are regularly recommended in Singapore food forums for hearty curries, banana leaf meals, and consistent quality.

3. Festive Snacks & Street Treats

As you walk through Little India’s Deepavali bazaars, you’ll see stalls offering special festive snacks you won’t usually find outside festival periods.

• Vadai (savoury fried dough made from lentils or gram flour) is a common snack during Deepavali. One Reddit user noted that vadai sold in Little India is often vegetarian and made with grains instead of plain flour during the festive bazaar.
• Indian Rojak or chaat stalls also make appearances: sweet, sour, spicy mixes often served as festival side treats.
• Deepavali Bazaar Sweets & Fritters: At the Deepavali Festival Village and street bazaars on Campbell Lane, you’ll find seasonal favourites: murukku, ribbon pakodas, banana chips, and more.

4. Vegetarian & Regional Menus

Deepavali often encourages vegetarian feasts. Many eateries in Little India specialise in these.

• Komala Vilas (Serangoon Road) is a pure-vegetarian institution known for its South Indian thalis, dosas, idlis, and sweets.
• Ananda Bhavan (Syed Alwi Road) is another vegetarian classic serving South Indian meals, sweets, and festival specials. A community comment mentioned traditional desserts there.

5. Tips to Enjoy Deepavali Food in Little India

• Go early or late: Many shops open before noon and get busy in the evening.
• Festive crowd caution: Deepavali weeks bring huge crowds. Narrow streets may slow you down.
• Cash on hand: Some small stalls or sweets shops may be cash-only.
• Ask about spice & sweetness levels: Festival specials may be richer than regular menu versions.
• Portion sharing: Many dishes are served in larger portions—sharing helps you sample more.
• Check shop status: Some shops may close mid-afternoon or close earlier during festival nights.

Deepavali 2025 in Little India is about more than lights: it’s about food, community, and memory. Treat your taste buds to sweets and savouries that carry centuries of tradition—and don’t forget to visit the bazaars in between to tie the experience together.