I am currently pursuing my studies in SIM and I decided to write this article on potential places in which you can consider eating at in SIM or Ngee Ann Polytechnic. As a student, I often find myself drowning among people during breaks where even finding seats at eateries prove to be of a certain level of difficulty. Time constraint aside, the long queues itself is already disheartening. If you have back-to-back lessons, you will find yourself in a situation where you only have about 30 minutes (in total) to spare for lunch, including finding seats and buying food, which leaves us with merely 10 to 15 minutes to gobble up and go. That’s an optimistic gauge of course, keeping our fingers crossed that the lecturer doesn’t over-run their lessons and eat into lunch time.

More often than not, I hear students complaining that they do not have ample time to eat so I decided to pen this article which I hope can be useful for all of you. For each recommendation, I will discuss about the queue, whether it is worth to queue for, and its accessibility.

The ratings will be given in ★, with  as low as 1★ (poor) to as high as 5★ (excellent).The following are the food establishments and my reviews of them:

1. foodclique

One of the most popular places where students love to dine in! Located at Block A (level 3), it is prominent and easily accessible. I highly recommend it as the food there comes in a wide variety (including Aston’s), and they generally taste better and are more cost effective as compared to the choices offered at other places. The only downside is the long queues. However, this can be overcome by buying takeaways instead and eat at empty benches around the school.

Queue: ★

Choice:★★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

2. grab & go

Beside it, there is a convenient stall called grab & go. It’s a convenience store and is usually quite popular to the extent that the queue could stretch out of the stall on certain occasions. The main highlights are the fried snacks that they offer, ranging from fried wantons to Mexican wings.

Queue: ★

Choice: ★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

3. foodnote

Foodnote is located at the right of grab & go, so you won’t miss it as well.  This place is usually not as crowded as foodclique. However, the use of ordering machine to place order make the process absolutely and frustratingly slow. Personally, I like their chicken aglio pasta. You should get a food note card (their cash card) which entitles you to a 10% discount. Another tip to beat the clock – if you know what you are going to order, queue at the drink stall first; it will be much faster and efficient as diners tend to take some time to view the menu via the ordering machine.

Queue: ★★

Choice: ★★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

4. Buzz

Buzz is located at Block A level 1 near the descending escalator.  The queue is usually short here (there are usually no crowds here) so if u are short on time, you can consider grabbing some snacks here.

Queue: ★★★★

Choice: ★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★

5. Foodfest cafe

There is also an eatery call Foodfest and is located at block B level 1, near the lift lobby. The eateries at block B is relative smaller than block A. There is only 1 food stall and 1 drink stall here, they sell food like laska, nasi padang (the Malay’s version of Chinese’s Mixed Vegetable Rice) and other finger food here as well. One of the main highlights is that payment can be made at both cashiers (both the fruit stall and the nasi padang stall) regardless of what you are purchasing over there, thereby reducing the queue time significantly. Definitely a great place for those who are short on time.

Queue: ★★★★

Choice: ★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

6. SOUPerlicious!

SOUPerlicious! Is just right beside the Block B eatery. As the name suggests, it offers soups (mainly western cuisine cream soups). It is one of the best choices to go for if you want to have something light yet filling for your stomach after a tummy upset. It also offers refreshing yoghurt for those yoghurt lovers.

Queue: ★★★★★

Choice: ★★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

7. WHAT’SUP BEE

This is a Japanese stall located at the same establishment as SOUPerlicious!. However, I find the food they offer, in general, over-priced and therefore not worth it. But it can be a good place to study due to the lack of crowd. I have seen a few students making it their study area on quite a few occasions.

Queue: ★★★★★

Choice: ★

Accessibility: ★★★★★

8. Starbuck

It is located at block C (next to block B) level 1. Like all other Starbucks^TMbranches, they offer their signature Frappucino, great café ambience, friendly baristas and fantastic drinks. Definitely one the best place to charge up on caffeine and sugar when the day gets dry.

Queue: ★★★

Choice: ★★★

Accessibility: ★★★★

Now I will cover 2 place that are located in Ngee Ann Polytechnic within walking distance from SIM.

9. Pines cafe

Pines cafe is located at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Alumni. It is just across the back of SIM building block A. From level 3 of block A, walk pass foodclique and foodnote towards Ngee Ann Polytechnic, follow the sheltered walkway and proceed to the right wing of the Alumni Clubhouse. The interior is quite spacious (with less crowd compare to foodclique) and the food is usually served fast. It is one of my favourite dining spots.

Queue: ★★★★★

Choice: ★★★★★

Accessibility: ★★★

10. Makan place

Makan Place is the biggest food court in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. It is located at Block 51 and there are a whopping 19 stalls! The food here in general are much cheaper and better in quality as compared toother places (there even subway here). If you have extra time between lectures and do not mind travelling the extra distance, this is the place to dine in. Do take note to avoid the peak hours as the mob of Polytechnic students will come vying for the queue and seats with you as well.

Queue: ★★★★

Choice: ★★★★★

Accessibility: ★