Tropical Treats and Sweets: The Plants in Singapore's Desserts
- Exhibition runs till 31 Aug 2026
- Venue: Level 2, Centre for Ethnobotany (Ethnobotany Garden)
- Nearest Entrance: Bukit Timah Gate (Botanic Gardens MRT)
- Open Daily from 9am – 6pm (Closed on the last Wednesday of every month)
- Admission is free
Plants have an important role in our desserts, as in many of our other meals. Desserts are sweetened by sugars obtained from plants; they are flavoured by other ingredients also derived from plants. Singapore’s diverse culinary landscape has been shaped by multiculturalism and trade. Our local desserts feature ingredients sourced from plants native to Singapore and our immediate region, mixed with others imported here from the home cultures of early immigrants. This fascinating combination of influences makes our desserts truly unique. Popular items like ice kacang, cendol (shaved ice desserts) and kueh (traditional cakes), have become iconic—locally and internationally.
In this exhibition, we invite you to learn about the plants that are responsible for giving flavour, texture and character to some of the most iconic desserts in Singapore.
When
31 March - 31 August, See the website for the opening hours.
Age
0+
Price
Free
Telephone number
+65 6471 7138
+65 6471 7361
+65 6471 9937
Links
Address
Singapore1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
How to get there?
By bus alighting at Napier/Holland Road (Tanglin Gate)
- SBS Transit 7, 105, 123, 174,174e
- SMRT 75, 77, 106, NR8
- Nearest MRT Station : Orchard MRT (North-South Line) and a 5-min bus ride to Tanglin Gate
By bus alighting at Bukit Timah/Dunearn Road (Bukit Timah Gate or Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden)
- SBS Transit 48, 66, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170
- SMRT 67, 171
- Nearest MRT Station : Botanic Gardens MRT Station (Circle Line & Downtown Line)
By Taxi
There are taxi drop-off/pick-up points at the following major entrances:
- Botany Centre, Tanglin Gate (via junction of Holland/Napier Road)