Warong Nasi Pariaman to close after 78 years, ending one of Singapore’s longest nasi padang legacies
After 78 years, Warong Nasi Pariaman will serve its final plates on 31 January 2026. The historic nasi padang eatery near Sultan Mosque announced its closure on Instagram, sparking emotional tributes from generations of patrons who grew up with its rendang and ikan bakar.
- Warong Nasi Pariaman will close on 31 January 2026 after operating since 1948.
- The eatery is believed to be Singapore’s oldest surviving nasi padang stall.
- Its closure comes amid continued financial pressure on the food and beverage sector.
SINGAPORE: Popular nasi padang eatery Warong Nasi Pariaman will close at the end of January, drawing the curtain on a 78-year history that has made it a culinary landmark in the Kampong Gelam area.
The establishment, located at a shophouse at 738 North Bridge Road near Sultan Mosque, announced the decision in an Instagram post on 20 January 2026.
Its final day of operations will be 31 January 2026, the post said, without elaborating on the reasons for the closure.
“Thank you for your support, love and sweet memories with us all this time,” the eatery wrote, prompting hundreds of responses from patrons and fellow food businesses.
View this post on Instagram
Warong Nasi Pariaman has been operating since 1948 and has been passed down through several generations of the founding family.
It is best known for its traditional Pariaman-style dishes, originating from a coastal city in West Sumatra, Indonesia, from which the restaurant takes its name.
Among its signature offerings are beef rendang and ikan bakar, a smoky grilled fish that many regulars associate with family meals and religious occasions.
According to Singapore Infopedia, an online platform by the National Library Board, Warong Nasi Pariaman is believed to be “the oldest surviving stall in Singapore that serves nasi padang”.
Over the decades, the eatery has attracted a steady following of office workers, worshippers visiting nearby mosques, and families who regard it as part of their weekly routine.
On social media, the closure announcement triggered an outpouring of nostalgia, with many users sharing childhood memories linked to the restaurant.
Several recalled Fridays when their fathers returned from Friday prayers carrying parcels of food from the stall, a tradition that left a lasting impression.
One commenter wrote that the taste “still lingers in thoughts”, while another shared how the eatery had been a family favourite since their late father’s time.
Others described how they continued the tradition with their own spouses and children, underscoring the generational reach of the business.
Restaurant closures extend into 2026
The closure of Warong Nasi Pariaman comes as financial pressures continue to weigh heavily on Singapore’s food and beverage sector.
A wave of restaurant closures that began in 2025 has extended into 2026, affecting both long-standing establishments and international chains.
Within the first month of 2026, closures were reported at several well-known outlets, including American restaurant chain Hooters and Open Farm Community.
Pizza Express and Kith Café have also shut multiple outlets, leaving each brand with only two operating locations.
82% of closed food outlets registered under five years never made a profit
Official data points to high turnover within the industry despite a steady flow of new entrants.
Between 1 January and 23 October 2025, 2,431 retail food establishments ceased operations, while 3,357 new ones were registered, according to Ministry of Trade and Industry and ACRA data.
Of the closures, 63% involved businesses registered for five years or less, and 82% of these had never recorded a profit in any annual tax declaration.
ACRA noted that registration duration does not always reflect actual operating periods, as businesses may register well before opening or cease operations before formal deregistration.
