CBD Directory – Central Business District Singapore Guide
Explore businesses, stories, and daily experiences from within the Central Business District
An Introduction to CBD SG
CBD Directory
CBD.sg is a directory built for those who work in Singapore’s Central Business District — known as the CBD.
From Raffles Place to Tanjong Pagar, the CBD holds a dense mix of businesses, services, and food options that often go unnoticed — including premium developments like Solitaire on Cecil, a landmark addition to Cecil Street.
This site brings those choices into one place.
Find an affordable lunch spot, a quiet space for meetings, or a service that’s closer than expected.
Whether you’re new to the area or know it well, each visit to this CBD Directory might surface something useful.
Our Vision
Our writer’s first week in the CBD was disorienting.
Food options were everywhere, but none seemed obvious or affordable.
One day, someone mentioned a mixed rice stall in the basement of a nearby office tower.
“I didn’t know that was just downstairs,” he said.
That moment shaped this project.
CBD.sg started with the idea that valuable things in the CBD shouldn’t be hard to find.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or a legal firm, this directory reflects the decisions people make daily to work, eat, and grow within the CBD.
The Defined Boundaries of the CBD
Singapore’s CBD doesn’t have an officially gazetted outline, but it is widely understood to cover the area bounded by the following major roads and natural landmarks:
North
- River Valley
- Hill Street
- Stamfort Road
- Bras Basah Road
South
- Marina Bay Waterfront
East
- Nicoll Highway
- Rochor Road
- Suntec City Fringe
West
- Outram Road
- Cantonment Road
This roughly forms a polygon enclosing key streets such as Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Robinson Road, Cecil Street, Telok Ayer, and Tanjong Pagar.
It also includes Downtown Core areas like Marina Bay, Anson Road, and Raffles Quay.
Notable Districts of CBD
Raffles Place
Traditional financial and banking hub.
Tanjong Pagar
Known for shophouses, Korean eateries, and newer condos.
Shenton & Marina Bay
- Sleek skyscrapers, government offices, and premium Grade-A office buildings.
Telok Ayer / Amoy / Cross Street
Blend of heritage and modernity, rich F&B and lifestyle offerings.
This roughly forms a polygon enclosing key streets such as Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Robinson Road, Cecil Street, Telok Ayer, and Tanjong Pagar.
It also includes Downtown Core areas like Marina Bay, Anson Road, and Raffles Quay.
Approximate Area
The CBD spans about 2.5 to 3 square kilometres, depending on how far one includes fringe commercial zones like Bugis or City Hall.
North
- River Valley
- Hill Street
- Stamfort Road
- Bras Basah Road
South
- Marina Bay Waterfront
East
- Nicoll Highway
- Rochor Road
- Suntec City Fringe
West
- Outram Road
- Cantonment Road
This roughly forms a polygon enclosing key streets such as Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Robinson Road, Cecil Street, Telok Ayer, and Tanjong Pagar.
It also includes Downtown Core areas like Marina Bay, Anson Road, and Raffles Quay.
How These Boundaries Affect the Neighbourhood’s Character
Compact and Walkable
Because of its relatively small footprint, the CBD is highly accessible, making it attractive for both office workers and urban dwellers.
Mixed Use Dynamics
Strict zoning is less prominent within the CBD.
Office towers, high-end residences, hotels, hawker centres, and MRT lines coexist in close proximity.
Work-Live-Play Appeal
Proximity to MRT interchanges (Raffles Place, Downtown, Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar) means convenience is a selling point for both buyers and tenants.
Day-Night Contrast
Bustling during business hours; pockets like Tanjong Pagar and Amoy Street stay lively after dark due to F&B and nightlife.
Land Value Premium
Limited land supply within these boundaries drives up prices, affecting both resale value and rental yields.