There seems to be a silent pact among Singapore’s most dedicated foodies and it involves a certain 3-storey shophouse on Kandahar Street. While many opt to queue for the usual tourist traps in Kampong Glam, those in the know are quietly slipping through the doors of Mahmud’s Tandoor—and heading straight past the ground floor to discover a secret rooftop sanctuary upstairs. In fact, this hidden alfresco gem offers unobstructed views of the Sultan Mosque and the city’s towering skyscrapers, alongside the best tandoori burgers and refreshing slushies in Singapore. Here’s what we found out about Mahmud’s Tandoor.
Why are foodies gatekeeping this scenic rooftop?
The gatekeeping of the rooftop isn’t just about the view: it’s also about this award-winning Indian Pakistan restaurant’s spice-forward menu that reinvents Indian heritage for the burger generation. Particularly, a menu highlight is The OG Tandoori Burger featuring a succulent, spice-marinated chicken thigh baked to perfection and slathered with a tangy mint yoghurt that cuts through the heat like a dream.
While the ground floor is a quirky neon-lit setting, the hidden rooftop on Level 3 is a completely different vibe. Only 30 lucky diners at a time can grab a front-row seat boasting a stunning view of the majestic Sultan Mosque—that feels so close you could almost touch the gleaming golden dome. Perfect date idea if you ask us! Watch the video of the secret rooftop below.
Additionally, Kampong Glam’s cool rooftop hideaway is a go-to for tucking into cult-favourite loaded Chicken Masala Fries, which are topped with generous chunks of tandoori chicken and swirls of harissa mayo, paired with a rare slushie like Milo—against the backdrop of a unique viewpoint. Otherwise, there are meat-free alternatives like loaded fries and waffles for vegetarians.
Plus, the affordable Indian restaurant looks even more magical at sunset as the sun dips behind the historic shophouses of Kandahar Street. Certainly, Mahmud’s Tandoor is an instagrammable place for dining against picturesque landscape in Singapore. But remember, you didn’t hear it from us.
