The short answer
MTR Singapore: what visitors should know first
Worth a meal if you want Bangalore-style dosas, idlis and uthapams in Little India. Its site calls the food vegetarian but does not say whether egg is used, so ask if that matters. Check hours, as Monday is not listed.
Diet
What we checked
- Indian. An Indian restaurant outside India. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
History and context
The story behind MTR Singapore
The restaurant's site says Mavalli Tiffin Rooms started in 1924 in Bangalore and is known for South Indian vegetarian food.
Useful facts
MTR Singapore facts at a glance
- Location
- 438 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218133 (per the restaurant's site)
- Dining style
- Sit-down South Indian vegetarian
- Price signal
- Moderate
- Signature order
- Try: Pudi Masala Dosa or Pudi Idly
- Good for
- Breakfast, light lunch, families
Why it matters
Why MTR Singapore is worth your time
MTR is a famous name in Karnataka cooking, and this branch brings its dosa and idli repertoire to Little India. For Indian travellers it offers dishes they will recognise from Bangalore, rather than the adapted menus that some tourist restaurants serve. The site says the aim is to pair that heritage food with a fine dining setting.
It is a useful choice for older travellers who want a familiar breakfast, since idli, dosa and kesari are easy on the stomach and need little explanation. Because the diet status is only described as vegetarian, treat it as a vegetarian restaurant and check egg and onion where it matters.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Pudi Masala Dosa
A named dish on the restaurant's menu list.
- 02
Idli and vada
Pudi Idly, Rava Idly, Uddin Vada and Maddur Vada are listed.
- 03
Kesari Bhath
A sweet semolina dish listed to end the meal.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start with the dishes the restaurant itself lists: Pudi Masala Dosa, Pudi Idly, Khaali Dosa, Set Dosa and Rava Idly, with Kesari Bhath to finish. The menu also names Maddur Vada, Uddin Vada and several uthapams. Several of these, such as the Ragi Onion Uthapam and Onion Uthapam, are made with onion, so they do not suit strict Jain eaters.
Go at the start of a service rather than the end. The site gives breakfast-to-lunch hours from 8:30 am and a dinner session from 5:30 pm, with the weekday afternoon break and slightly later closing from Friday to Sunday. Hours can change, so check the site first.
The food is described as vegetarian, but the site does not say whether eggs are used in the kitchen. If egg matters to your family, ask the staff before ordering rather than relying on the word vegetarian. The restaurant is a short walk from the other Little India sights, so it fits well between a temple visit and shopping at Mustafa.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Check hours on the restaurant's site before you go
- Ask about egg if your family avoids it
- Ask which dishes use onion
- Confirm the street number, as listings differ
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Serangoon Road, Little India
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Breakfast or early lunch, before the afternoon break
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The restaurant is on the ground level of a Serangoon Road shophouse row, so there is no climb to reach it. We could not confirm seating style or lift access from the sources; ask when you book if mobility is a concern.
- Tickets and access
- The restaurant's site lists opening hours with an afternoon break, and Monday is not listed. Confirm the day you plan to go, and ask about booking for larger family groups, as we found no booking policy.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near MTR Singapore
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
The restaurant is on the ground level of a Serangoon Road shophouse row, so there is no climb to reach it. We could not confirm seating style or lift access from the sources; ask when you book if mobility is a concern.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is MTR Singapore pure vegetarian?
Its site calls the food vegetarian. It does not say that egg is excluded, so we have not tagged it Pure Veg; ask the staff.
Is it Jain friendly?
Not stated. Several listed dishes use onion, so check with the restaurant.
Is it open on Monday?
The site does not list Monday, so confirm before you go.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
