Ridout Tea Garden, Singapore’s first Japanese-themed community garden, was opened in 1970. It was created to provide more recreational facilities for flat dwellers in Queenstown. Originally, the garden contained a large pool with lights and fountain, a U-shaped row of shops housed in three verandas and a series of wooden bridges and pavillions.

Update 19 Sep 2021: McDonald’s to continue running Ridout Tea Garden outlet in Queensway after winning tender (Straits Times)

It was reported in May that MacDonald’s at Ridout Tea Garden will be closed in December 2021 after 32 years in operation.

Later, on June 26 1978, a huge fire began at a furniture shop located in the middle of the U-shaped row of shops. The layout of the shops prevented the firemen from containing the fire and hence the entire garden was engulfed in flames. Lucky, most of the shops were closed at that time, there were no casualties.

The Housing and Development Board built a new garden in 1980. It was reopened under its new name, Ridout Tea Garden. It comprised of a single storey eating house pavilion, a tea kiosk and a Japanese-styled garden.

How to Get to Ridout Tea Garden Singapore

Address: 580 Queensway Singapore 149066
Bus: 93, 105, 122, 123, 186, 195, 855, 961
Nearest MRT: Commonwealth MRT
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free

Nearby places to check out:

• Portsdown Water Tank
• Colbar Cafe Portsdown
• Kay Siang Bunkers
• MOE Heritage Centre

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