Haji Lane has and always been a hotspot for the youths who are constantly on the lookout for hipster cafes and Instagram-worthy backdrops. With its rustic charm and aesthetically pleasing shop fronts, Haji Lane is a great place to head to for a fun day out with the girls or a to have a good meal.

Many would dub the cafe scene of Haji Lane as overrated. However, we have discovered a number of hidden food gems here that will definitely make the hot, sweltering walk worth it.

From Comestivel Desserts that sells great cakes to Blanco Prawn Mee that sells some solid prawn noodles, here are 19 great places to get some good nosh in Haji Lane.

& WHY 

& Why is a quaint little American style cafe that serves up classic western cafe food such as coffee, pastries, desserts, salads and sandwiches. The interior will make you feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time to a typical 1920s cafe in New York.

31 Bali Lane #01-01
Singapore 189867
Tel: +65 62910993
Thur to Tue: 11am – 11pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

ALL THINGS DELICIOUS 

This pretty cafe really knows how to make their customers feel at home. With their cosy interior and incredibly friendly staff, you’ll definitely find yourself wanting to come back again. They also serve up some pretty delicious desserts, fresh confectioneries baked daily as well as savouries such as quiches and pies. Best of all, they are Halal-certified!

462 Crawford Lane, #01-61
Singapore 190462
Tel: +65 6396 0820
Mon to Thu: 8am – 5pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 6pm
(Closed on Sundays)

BLANCO COURT PRAWN MEE 

If you are a huge fan of prawn mee like us, you should definitely check out Blanco Prawn Mee. They serve up a hearty, rich bowl of prawn noodles that comes with your choice of either bee hoon, yellow noodles or kway teow.

Every ingredient is cooked perfectly but truly, it’s their rich prawn stock that seals the deal every time — not to mention the incredibly fast and efficient service.

243 Beach Road, #01-01
Singapore 189754
Wed to Mon: 7am – 4pm
(Closed On Tuesdays)

COMESTIVEL DESSERTS

If you’re looking for something sweet to munch on while taking a break from your Haji Lane adventure, Comestivel Desserts is a great place to go to for some great, affordable cakes and tarts that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

31 Arab Street
Singapore 177930
Tues to Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)

FATBACK & RYE

Fatback & Rye is a laid-back bar concept that is a great place to head to for a chill time with a bunch of friends. They serve up some pretty amazing grilled cheese sandwiches as well as craft cocktails and beers.

52 Haji Lane
Singapore 189246
Tue to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 3pm – 2am
(Closed on Mondays)

FAT PAPAS BURGERS & SHAKES

Fat Papas is the Halal version of the esteemed burger joint Fat Boys, so yay to all our Muslim friends who have been dying to try a burger from Fat Boys! The burgers at Fat Papas are just as juicy and as flavourful as the ones from Fat Boys so you definitely are getting the real deal here and nothing less!

17 Bali Lane
Singapore 189853
Tel: +65 6291 8028
Daily: 12pm – 11pm

GOOD LUCK BEERHOUSE 

Good Luck Beerhouse is a 25-seater speciality craft beer bar that serves a variety of craft beers that are either locally brewed or imported from the USA and New Zealand. Interestingly enough, they also serve Dim Sum here. So if you’re craving for both dim sum and beer, this is the place to be at.

9 Haji Lane
Singapore 189202
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Sat: 4pm – 12am

THE HANGAR

The Hangar is a Melbourne-inspired cafe and bar that sells 100% Arabica coffee that they roast themselves every week. They also have creative fusion dishes and snacks that are incredibly instagrammable. For the alcoholic, you can always order one of their craft beers and premium spirits to cool you down after a hot day exploring Haji Lane.

25 Arab Street
Singapore 199724
Tel: +65 6291 0127
Mon: 9am – 6pm
Tue to Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri: 9am – 1am
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm

JULIE BAKES

Julie Bakes is not your usual cupcake shop; they serve up fusion “kampung” cupcakes that are definitely an interesting and different treat from your usual, mainstream red velvet and salted caramel cupcakes. Some instances of these are their Badak Berendam, Onde Onde, Bandung and Pengat Pisang cupcakes.

14 Baghdad Street
Singapore 199653
Tel: +65 9647 9027
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 8pm

KRAVE

This Malay-Western cafe that tucked away in a corner of Bali Lane sells your usual cafe nosh such as truffle fries, drumlets, pizza and pasta. However, besides that, they also serve up some interesting food such as their Kraving Ayam Bakar and Arrabiata Chicken Pasta, which are western-Muslim fusion dishes.

28 Bali Lane
Singapore 189864
Tel: +65 8643 4557
Tues to Thurs, Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
(Closed on Mondays)

LIMAA

If you’re looking to lose weight and you don’t want to be tempted by all the good food strewn all over Haji Lane, don’t worry because there is a cafe here called Limaa that serves up healthy yet delicious food that won’t add weight to your waistline.

51 Haji Lane
Singapore 189244
Tel: +65 9362 0242
Mon to Thu: 8am – 11.30am
Fri: 8am – 11am, 1pm – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 8pm 

OVERRUN 

Looking for a solution to beat the heat during your adventures along Haji Lane? We recommend that you treat yourself to something sweet at Overrun. Their unique chendol-flavoured soft-serves definitely hit the spot and is great for sharing with friends.

18 Baghdad Street
Singapore 199657
Tues to Thurs: 12pm – 8.30pm
Fri: 2pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12.30pm – 9.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)

PRINCE COFFEE HOUSE 

This almost hard to spot coffee house is a whopping 41-years old, and it serves up scrumptious, authentic Hainanese-Western food. A must-try here definitely has to be their iconic chicken pie that will definitely bring you back to the heydays of pies and mash.

249 Beach Road
Singapore 189757
Tel: +65 6468 2088
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm

STATELAND ASIAN-FUSION CAFE 

This almost hard to spot cafe is tucked away at Bali Lane, and they have a pretty interesting array of food. Besides their popular menu items like Red Velvet Waffles and Eggs Benedicts, they also have unusual items such as Kimchi Carbonara, Hainanese Risotto and Liusha Burst.

30 Bali Lane
Singapore 189966
Tel: +65 9800 7628
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)

STICKY RICE

If you’re missing all that amazing Thai food from Bangkok like we are, Sticky Rice is a great place to check out to get your Thai food fix. They serve up classic Thai street food such as phad thai, mango sticky rice, basil chicken and tom yum soup that won’t cost an arm or a leg.

23 Bali Lane
Singapore 189859
Tel: +65 6294 0118
Mon to Wed: 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Thu to Sat: 12pm to 3om, 6pm to 11pm
(Closed on Sundays)

SUSHI AIRWAYS 

Sushi Airways offers you a unique “flying” experience that you can’t get anywhere else. This unique Japanese restaurant is designed to look like the inside of an aeroplane with waitresses dressed as air stewardesses. They serve up some delicious Japanese cuisine with some of the freshest Salmon that is flown in directly from Japan.

20a Baghdad Street
Singapore 199659
Tel: +65 6291 1151
Sun to Thur: 11.45pm – 2.30pm, 5.45pm – 9.45pm
Fri & Sat: 11.45pm – 2.30pm, 5.45pm – 10pm

THE MAD SAILORS 

The Mad Sailors serves up some delicious halal British nosh such as their popular Bangers & Mash and Fish & Chips. If you’re looking to try something interesting, they also have Harry Potter Inspired non-alcoholic House Butter Beer that is great for both kids and grown-ups alike.

24 Haji Lane
Singapore 189217
Tel: +65 8248 2853
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 10pm

THE MALAYAN COUNCIL

The Malayan Council serves up some pretty scrumptious fusion Muslim and modern gourmet nosh that will make you feel like coming back for more. They also have very local inspired desserts such as their fluffy Ondeh Ondeh Cake as well as their Putu Piring Cake.

22 Dunlop Street
Singapore 209350
Tel: +65 9002 4414
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

WINDOWSILL PIES 

This pretty-as-a-picture cafe serves up delicious desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. They also have some great coffee to go with your pies and cakes. We love how the storefront looks like it just came out from a movie! Great for cute photos for the gram.

17 Haji Lane
Singapore 189210
Sun, Tue to Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Situated along Haji Lane, Moosh Softserve is the latest addition to the hipster street. Primarily serving soft serve (for takeaways only), this Muslim-owned soft serve shop currently has six flavours including classic flavours such as Strawberry and Blueberry.

Besides the classics, Moosh Softserve also offers unique dessert-inspired flavours such as Apple Crumble, S’mores, and the popular Ondeh Ondeh.

If you are looking for some refreshing sweet treats to cool off in the sweltering heat, Moosh Softserve is where you should head for.

The Ondeh Ondeh soft serve (Regular: S$4.50 / Large: S$6.90) features a gula melaka soft serve base, lined with pandan sauce and topped with desiccated coconut, coconut flakes and even more pandan sauce. Despite all the different elements added, the soft serve was extremely silky and creamy without being too sweet.

The Nutella Brownies Cheesecake Soft Serve (Regular: S$4.50 / Large: S$6.90) comes with a generous swirl of Nutella soft serve, topped with rich chocolate sauce and chocolate malt, and sprinkled with brownie crumbs. This was simply chocolate heaven in a cup, what more could we ask for?

Moosh Softserve offers pretty interesting and unique flavours that are neither overly dense nor overwhelmingly sweet. Conveniently located at Haji Lane, this is definitely a place to check out during afternoon shopping trips for a quick sweet fix.

Moosh Softserve
44 Haji Lane
Singapore 189237
Mon to Thurs: 12am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 12am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Filled with an amalgam of trendy cafes and under-the-radar clothing boutiques, Bugis is a favourite of locals and tourists alike for a day of pure fun and food in the sun.

However, Bugis is more than just a food and shopping heaven. There are plenty of historical and religious sites to explore and a multitude of interesting cultural activities that you can get up to. Why fill up your day with mindless shopping when you could immerse and educate yourself about Singapore’s rich heritage instead?

Here are 13 Interesting Things You Must See & Do In Bugis, one of the most exciting hipster areas in Singapore. It is time to make plans with your partner or friends to visit Bugis this weekend and make sure that you bring along your camera too!

ARTS & CULTURE IN BUGIS

#1 ARAB STREET

Previously the site of an Arab kampung, Arab Street now stands as one of the most cherished neighbourhoods of Singapore that is filled with so much heritage and charm.

Today, you will still be able to find stores selling spices, textiles, basketry items and songkoks and it remains as a key Muslim centre in Singapore.

#2 FORTUNE TELLING

Along your way to Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, there are many fortune telling booths lining both sides of Waterloo Street. However, fortune telling is not as simple as it seems and you would find many different types of fortune telling experts, such as feng shui masters to Tarot readers to ‘astro-palmists’ here.

Whether you are curious about what your future has to offer or if you want to gain a little insight into the future of your relationship, why not approach one of the experienced fortune tellers along Waterloo Street for a reading?

#3 KWAN IM THONG HOOD CHO TEMPLE

A traditional Chinese temple with a rich historical background, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple is one religious site in Singapore that you need to visit at least once. The impressive architecture of the temple dates back to 1884 and serves as an exemplary example of Chinese temple architecture and traditional craftsmanship.

If you are dropping by the temple, you can pay your respects to Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion, as it is believed that doing so would bring you good luck and blessings.

Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
178 Waterloo Street,
Singapore 187964
Tel: +65 6337 3965
Daily: 6am - 6pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#4 MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE

Located at the Sultan Gate in Kampong Glam, the Malay Heritage Centre is a must-visit for a comprehensive and immersive experience in the culture, heritage and history of Malay Singaporeans, relayed through historic artefacts, multimedia and diorama displays and more.

Visitors can also take part in the Malay cultural programmes and workshops organised by the Malay Heritage Centre. Do also spend some time roaming the grounds and take the time to appreciate what was once the first Istana Kampong Glam in Singapore.

Afterwards, drop by the magnificent Sultan Mosque which is just around the corner of the Malay Heritage Centre. Also known as the Masjid Sultan, this impressive mosque with golden domes houses a massive and gorgeous prayer hall that will take your breath away.

Informative guided tours of the mosque are also available in English, Malay, Chinese and even Japanese.

READ: HOW TO EXPLORE SINGAPORE’S HERITAGE IN A DAY FOR FREE.

Malay Heritage Centre
85 Sultan Gate,
Singapore 198501
Tel: +65 6391 0450
Tue to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Sultan Mosque
3 Muscat Street,
Singapore 198833
Tel: +65 6293 4405
Sat to Thu: 9.30am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm
Fri: 2.30pm – 4pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

FOOD IN BUGIS

#5 S$1.20 ICE CREAM

A scoop (or two) of rich and creamy ice cream is always on the top of our minds whenever we are outdoors and suffering from Singapore’s sweltering heat. At S$1.20 a scoop, how could we say no?

For the uninitiated, the S$1.20 ice cream is one of the most iconic street eats of Singapore’s food scene and it is a must-have if you are traversing the streets of Bugis. With a plethora of different flavours such as chocolate, ripple, blueberry and durian, up for choice, choose to enjoy your sweet dessert in a piece of rainbow bread, within a wafer biscuit or in a cup.

#6 ALBERT STREET FOOD CENTRE 

Although currently under renovations, Albert Street Food Centre should be your next place to run to, once reopened, for a day of glorious, glorious food. The ground floor is where all the food stalls are. Indulge in favourites such as Tong Fatt, Yi Jia Hokkien Mee and Bai Nian Yong Tau Foo. 

Thereafter, head on up to the third storey to shop for some preserved and dried goods. You know our mantra: food all day, every day.

Albert Street Food Centre
270 Queen Street,
Singapore 180270
Tel: +65 6394 2843
Daily: 6am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#7 CAFES

Bugis is a heaven on earth for all foodies as the area is filled with an endless stretch of exciting and stunning cafes awaiting your discovery. Whether you make a trip down without any concrete plans or even if you have done your research in advance, feel free to let yourself get lost in the maze of cafes and eateries in Bugis.

SHOPPING IN BUGIS

#8 BUGIS VILLAGE

With the increasing cost of living (and unfortunately, shopping), the thought of good and cheap shopping will always be on our mind. As we understand and face that struggle ourselves, let us introduce you to a popular shopping spot for some really affordable retail therapy: Bugis Village.

Upon entering Bugis Village, you would find countless flea stalls lining the “streets” of Bugis Village that sell clothes, food, souvenirs, bags and more. If you are visiting for the first time, navigating through Bugis Village may seem daunting but that’s part of the fun, really!

There will also be stalls selling cold fruit juice and refreshing local drinks such as lemon barley; some stalls have food and local snacks too!

Bugis Village
3 New Bugis Street,
Singapore 188867
Tel: +65 6338 9513
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#9 GADGETS AT SIM LIM SQUARE

A large retail complex filled with plenty of electronic goods and services, cameras, phones and more, Sim Lim Square is a six-storey complex and heaven for all whole love and breathe technology. You would also be able to repair or service your electronics here.

Although the deals may seem sweet, take heed to not fall into the clutches of any scams or tourist traps as there were such unfortunate incidents in the past.

Sim Lim Square
1 Rochor Canal Road,
Singapore 188504
Tel: +65 6338 3859
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

#10 HAJI LANE

There is so much to love about Haji Lane—from food to fashion, it is a whole arena to explore and enjoy. Little clothing boutiques line the narrow alleys and streets of Haji Lane and you would find anything from organic bamboo fibre clothes to curated hat stores here.

Even if you end up not purchasing anything, the experience at Haji Lane will be just as worthwhile. There are also countless #OOTD spots all over the place as each store has its own unique style and design that screams perfection.

READ: 24 CAFES, BARS & RESTURANTS IN HAJI LANE AND NORTH BRIDGE ROAD.

#11 WATCH SHOPS AT THE BENCOOLEN

Have a keen interest in watches? Make sure that you include The Bencoolen in your next weekend adventure. Located opposite OG Shopping Centre and close to Sim Lim Square, The Bencoolen is filled with a multitude of watch shops that sell low to mid-range watches at affordable prices.

Do come prepared with cash if you intend to shop at The Bencoolen in the event that the shops do not accept credit cards.

The Bencoolen
180 Bencoolen Street,
Singapore 189646
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis / Rochor

#12 WHOLESALE DRIED GOODS

Dried ingredients are an essential element of Chinese cooking and aside from being incorporated in Chinese cuisine for its taste, each herb also has a specific health benefit. However, purchasing these dried ingredients from regular grocery marts don’t usually come cheap.

Instead, opt to purchase your dried goods from wholesale shops located in the basement of Fu Lu Shou Complex. Not only will you be assured dried goods of high quality but you would be able to buy them at affordable prices, too.

Fu Lu Shou Complex
149 Rochor Road,
Singapore 188425
Tel: +65 6336 6308
Daily: 7am – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN BUGIS

#13 MASSAGE AT WAN LIN HEALTHCARE CENTRE

After a busy day at Bugis, what could be better than to relax and unwind with a lovely foot massage? Wan Lin Healthcare Centre at Fu Lu Shou Complex is a good and affordable place to visit for a massage.

Prices for foot reflexology start at S$20 for 20 minutes and S$35 for a 30-minute foot and 10-minute shoulder massage.

Wan Lin Healthcare Centre
149 Rochor Road, #01-13 / #02-07/13/14/15 Fu Lu Shou Complex,
Singapore 188425
Tel: +65 6338 1355 / +65 6339 9445
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets – to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Haji Lane is home to an eclectic mix of bars, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Graffiti is strewn on the commercial shophouses – located on both ends of the quaint stretch of road – thereby making it a popular attraction amongst locals and tourists alike.

Alas, a speciality craft beer bar has opened in this hipster neighbourhood and it is called Good Luck Beerhouse. The 25-seater bar serves a variety of craft beers; some are locally brewed whilst the others are imported from the United States of America and New Zealand etc.

Open every day till midnight (except Sunday), Good Luck Beerhouse could just be your new hangout spot for Ang Moh Liang Teh!

You can choose to dine indoors or outdoors at Good Luck Beerhouse. There are currently eight craft beers on tap permanently and prices range from S$13 to S$15. These craft beers are also available in bottles.

There are two craft beers from Singapore-based brewery Innocence Brewing available here and they are namely Insidious IPA (4.0%) and Calamity Coffee (4.4%). We highly recommend these Singaporean craft beers as they are incredibly smooth and easy to drink! These local craft beers cost S$15 each.

Interestingly, Good Luck Beerhouse also serves dim sum on its menu. Who knows, perhaps the unlikely pairing of craft beer and dim sum would be the next IT gourmet combo.

Grab a Chicken Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf (S$5), Chives and Pork dumplings (S$4.50) or a Dim Sum Platter (S$15) to go along with your craft beers.

Good Luck Beerhouse
9 Haji Lane
Singapore 189202
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Sat: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Bugis

Hyde & Co. has long been one of our favourite minimalist cafe hang-outs in Singapore. Our love for this cafe stems from the fact that it reminds us strongly of quaint English cafes in London, similarly exuding a comforting and cosy atmosphere.

Imagine our excitement when we found out that Hyde & Co. will serve a new dinner menu from Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm! We could not be happier as we had a great time with the mains we had here previously. This festive season, Hyde & Co. will also be offering several value-for-money Christmas set dinner menus (which starts at S$68 nett for two).

Readers of Ladyironchef will receive 50% off your second main course (from the regular dinner menu) on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 31 January 2016 when you flash this post. Reservations are required to redeem this promotion.

From Nasi Lemak Risotto, to Beef Cheek Rendang, and Chilli Crab Pasta – here’s everything to love about Hyde & Co.’s new dinner menu.

BRAND NEW DINNER MAINS

Hyde & Co.’s head chef has a background in Italian cuisine and a Malay heritage, and he has married the flavours and techniques of these two cuisines together so flawlessly to create dishes for the dinner menu.

Together with the launch of this dinner menu, Hyde & Co. has also prepped a line of specialty tea-centric drinks to complement the otherwise heavier mains. While the drinks – The Addams Family (S$7.50) and Into The Woods (S$7.50) – were exemplary fruit-infused tea concoctions, the star of the new drinks menu is the All-Star Tea Affogato (S$7.50 each). They can well be desserts, too!

Named after Broadway musicals – Matilda, Millie, Charlie and Hamilton – they are all made with various teas and toppings with a side of premium vanilla bean ice cream. One of the stand-outs were Hamilton, made with an interesting Spiced Lapsang Souchong premium tea, paired with sesame seeds and chilli flakes.

Now, let’s go on to the main stars of the shows – the dinner dishes.

We have seen many remakes of risotto. But you guys, this will be the first time you ever see a Nasi Lemak Risotto (S$22). The grains are cooked with coconut, and you bet the fragrance is spot-on. When paired up with a runny poached egg, we call this a match made in heaven. Break the yolk and have it weaved in to the risotto. This dish comes with three juicy and plump sambal prawns and crispy anchovies.

Such a star you are, Nasi Lemak Risotto.

This dinner item is without the influence of any local flavours, but it tasted so good, we simply cannot leave it out of the equation. Instead of being drenched in cheeses, each macaroni is perfectly coated with just the right amount of cream cheese.

The aroma and taste of truffle oil in this plate sure kicked it up a notch for us. Baked with mushrooms and bread crumbs for added texture, Hyde & Co.’s Truffle Mac & Cheese (S$18) wins a nod from us.

No, there are no steaks in this menu, because they have something even more creative for the meat lovers – Beef Cheek Rendang (S$25).

This hearty dish features big chunks of beef with sweet potato mash. We would have preferred our beef to be more tender, though.

Truth be told, many have done their renditions of Chilli Crab Pasta. But Hyde & Co.’s version is an undisputed winner.

The Chilli Crab Pasta (S$21) features generous crab meat chunks tossed with al dante pasta with a mild spice level. Nothing extraordinary, but every bit comforting.

We never had a bad encounter with the fish dishes at Hyde & Co., so we had high expectations for the Assam Halibut (S$21). Thankfully, they nailed it once again.

Tender halibut cooked well and presented with a glistening white center, served with burnt cauliflower (that was strangely what we enjoyed most) and soba noodles. Instead of overpowering the dish, the assam sauce well brought out the natural sweetness of the fish. Nice balance there.

At just S$10, the lovely marinated Buffalo Wings – which makes a splendid sharing dish – is yours to share. It is served with chipotle BBQ sauce and garlic aioli; definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Vegetarians also have the option of Beetroot Salad (S$12) – mesclun, feta, walnuts, beetroot and cranberry vinaigrette. A classic dish that will always be well-coveted for its simplicity.

Hyde & Co.’s new dinner menu will be available from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 6.30pm – 10.30pm.

FESTIVE DINNER SETS THIS CHRISTMAS

If all of the Christmas set menus you have seen so far are too expensive, Hyde & Co. has got your back. They have three different sets starting from as low as S$68 for two people. Yes, that means each person only has to fork out S$34 for a three-course dinner – with no hidden charges!

Listen up – there is also an optional add-on of S$55 for free flow of champagne. ‘Free flow of champagne’ is just about our favourite words this Christmas!

Make your reservation before 14 December 2015 to receive a 10% off your total bill.

Every set comes with Turkey Roulade, alongside a second main that will be your choice of Roast Crackling Chicken (S$68), Baby Back Ribs (S$78) or Roast Beef (S$88). All platters are served with rustic vegetables (baby carrots, hericot vert, sweet corn, roasted potatoes and brussel sprouts). Trust us when we say the serving is ultra generous and definitely more than enough for two!

Also, if we had to pick – the set with the smokey baby back ribs is lip-smackingly delicious!

Now here comes the seriously good dessert, the Festive Waffle (S$14). This is a Christmas-exclusive item and no one should miss the world for this! Made with a gingerbread base and served with poached apples and raisins, the waffle is drizzled with salted caramel sauce and it is easily the best waffle that Hyde & Co. has ever created. You might just see us back there soon – just for this waffle!

Besides desserts, you can also expect all of their drinks to be festive-themed. Every bit of detail counts, yes? Their lattes will be decorated with festive designs such as adorable snowmen. There is also a salted hot chocolates with marshmallows. Yes, baby. It is cold outside; come on in for a cuppa.

Hyde & Co.’s Festive Menu will be available from 18 December 2015 to 02 January 2016 from Wednesday to Saturdays, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. During this period, only festive sets are available and Hyde & Co. will not be serving their regular a la carte dinner menu. There will be two seatings, 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

For reservations, please call +65 6635 5785.

Hyde & Co.
785 North Bridge Rd
Singapore 198753
Tel: +65 6635 5785
Mon: 11am – 6pm
Wed – Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 6pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Lavender or Bugis

This post is brought to you by Hyde & Co.

Haji Lane is undoubtedly one of the most frequented hotspots by youths these days. It is no surprise, with the rustic charm it exudes and hipster-looking shops donning the whole district. Saunter down the stretch of road located next to Kampong Glam, and you will be greeted by a series of shops started out by designers and cafe entrepreneurs. Though small, you will be able to discover countless of hidden gems.

Not only does the area make a good heritage trail, it is also crowned as a cafe hopper’s haven, with cafes of different themes and concepts, all awaiting your discovery. We are sure that out of so many choices, there will be one or more that ticks the boxes of your ideals of a cafe.

Here is a Guide to Haji Lane – there are cafes, bars and restaurants you would want to check out when you are in the area!

BERGS

At Bergs, you can sneak a peek into how they prepare their gourmet burgers from scratch in the open kitchen. All recipes are created by their owners, inspired from their travels around Australia and Asia.

Bergs is listed in our guide to 13 Must-Try Burgers in Singapore.

10 Haji Lane
Singapore 189203
Tel: +65 6293 4642
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10 am – 9.30pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

BAR STORIES

Fancy a cocktail concoction specially made for you? At Bar Stories, the absence of a drinks menu allows their bartenders to create a bespoke drink suited to your individual taste and preference – made only with fresh fruits.

55-57A Haji Lane
Singapore 189250
Tel: +65 6298 0838
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri to Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest MRT: Bugis

BROTHER BIRD SOFTSERVE CO.

Located strategically along Bali Lane, taking over the space of the now-defunct Honeycomb, Brother Bird is a brand new concept – by the folks behind Stateland Cafe - that specialises in soft serve and mochi donuts.

30 Bali lane
Singapore 189966
Tel: +65 9800 7628
Mon, Wed to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Tue: 6pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

CAKE LOVE

If you are a fan of waffles or desserts, Cake Love will work for you. This Halal cafe has garnered the likes of many, and is possibly the most underrated dessert shops around.

4 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199071
Tel: +65 8222 5558
Tue to Thu: 5pm – 10pm
Fri, Sat & Sun: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

EAT PLAY LOVE

Take a chance to slow down and pace yourselves in this cafe that allows you to tinker with art and enjoy a meal at the same time. Get lost in their art and craft materials provided for you to ignite your artistic flairs.

28 Aliwal Street, #01-07
Singapore 199918
Tel: +65 6444 6400
Mon, Wed, Thu and Sun: 11am – 9pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 10pm
(Closed on Tue)
Nearest MRT: Bugis

FIKA SWEDISH CAFE AND BISTRO

At Fika Swedish Cafe, patrons are encouraged to Fika, which also means ‘take a break’ in Swedish. You can always spot a steady stream of customers enjoying a meal of Swedish cuisines at this cafe, or just chilling with a Swedish cuppa.

257 Beach Road
Singapore 199539
Tel: +65 6884 6884
Mon to Thu and Sun: 11am – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

FLUFF BAKERY

Not only is this takeaway-only halal bakery a winner among the Muslim crowd, the humble confectionary has also attracted patrons far and wide with their supposedly to-die-for cupcakes. Our verdict? After sinking our teeth into the fluffy and moist cupcakes while scrambling to lick off its icing sugar – we were sold.

12 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199079
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 7.30pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Nearest Station: Bugis

HYDE & CO

One glance at this cafe and you will be mesmerized by its British charm. The cafe serves tea in the prettiest pots, their breakfast spreads are gorgeous, and they make pretty darn good waffles in creative flavours!

785 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198573
Tel: +65 6635 5785
Sun & Mon: 12pm – 6pm
Wed to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Tue)
Nearest MRT: Bugis

I AM CAFE

I am Cafe is the number one choice for patrons who want to grab a light-hearted meal and soak in the atmosphere of Haji Lane. This Halal establishment in Haji Lane has garnered a strong following from many Singaporeans and even tourists patronizing the area. Be sure to try the signature rainbow cake!

674 North Bridge Road
Singapore 188804
Tel: +65 6295 5509
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri to Sat: 11am – 1am
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

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LA MARELLE BOUTIQUE CAFE

La Marelle reminds us of a whimsical birthday party – think paper lanterns, raindrop motifs, pink backdrops. The food here is served on beautifully crafted plates, and they also sell a range of hand-crafted accessories which the ladies will love.

25 Baghdad Street
Singapore 199664
Tel: +65 8138 7654
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

MAISON IKKOKU

Maison Ikkoku is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night. It houses a smaller seating than the rest of its cafe buddies, but be amazed by their breakfast serving portions. We urge you to go straight for their Break Of Dawn (S$22) breakfast platter.

20 Kandahar Street
Singapore 198885
Tel: +65 6294 0078
Mon to Wed: 11.30am – 1am
Thu to Fri: 11.30am – 2am
Sat: 10am – 2am
Sun: 10am – 1am
Nearest MRT: Bugis

SYMMMETRY

Truffle fries? Yes, please! Symmetry cafe has been widely known for their crisp and evenly perfumed fries, along with other French inspired menu items in this serene cafe tucked away at Jalan Tubor.

9 Jalan Kubor, #01-01
Singapore 199206
Tel: +65 6291 9901
Mon: 10.30am – 9pm
Tue to Thu: 10.30am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

STATELAND CAFE

Possibly the ones who started off the Red Velvet Waffles trend, Stateland Cafe also offers a series of all-day breakfasts for those craving something more substantial. Other crowd pleasers include their Matcha Thick Honey Toast (S$14.90).

30 Bali Lane
Singapore 189866
Tel: +65 9296 4997
Mon, Wed to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Tue: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

SELFIE COFFEE

Nothing screams an added personal touch to see your face on your cup of drink. Being a new member of Haji Lane, Selfie Coffee has been known for churning out coffees with coloured (your) selfies printed on coffee foams that are completely edible.

11 Haji Lane
Singapore 189204
Tel: +65 6341 7212
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

THE BEAST

The Beast gives you a taste of comfort food in the premises of a casual dining bar. Think fried chicken on waffles, gourmet burger and maple bacon donuts – set to bring you on a Southern American adventure.

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17 Jalan Klapa
Singapore 199329
Tel: +65 6295 0017
Mon to Wed: 5pm – 12am
Thu to Fri: 5pm – 1am
Sat to Sun: 11am – 12am
Nearest MRT: Bugis

THE LAB SG

The Lab SG has a funky interior that is made of industrial pipes and scrap metal, giving off an overall edgy touch to this Muslim-owned cafe. Their Heisenburger is one of our favourites as it is both hearty and extremely tasty. They also have cool and refreshing drinks here, all served in a beaker – hence, the name The Lab.

1 Jln Pisang
Singapore 199069
Tel: +65 6299 5681
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 1pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

TWENTY GRAMMES

Essentially a dessert cafe and ice cream parlour, Twenty Grammes has been constant in serving up quality ice cream, great waffles and unique flavours. Highlights include its Charcoal Waffle (S$8.50) with ultra-rich salted egg yolk sauce, TG Froyo Parfait, and Soft Serve Froyo waffle (S$12.50).

753 North Bridge Road
#01-01
Singapore 198721
Tel: +65 6717 1733
Mon to Thu, Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Bugis

WORKING TITLE

Located in a backpacker’s hotel, Working Title caters to the meals of many with its range of all-day brunch, pizzas and pastas. The quaint interior makes a near-perfect enclave to chill the afternoon away for guests and cafe hoppers alike.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

48 Arab Street
Singapore 199745
Tel: +65 9734 4187
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis

WILDER CAFE

Wilder cafe is the latest addition to Haji Lane, sitting along the streets of North Bridge road and exuding an unpretentious hipster vibe. The Halal cafe serves as another option for the Muslim crowd, with menu items such as Truffle Fries (S$11) or their signature Wilder Burger with Taters (S$14).

749 North Bridge Road, #01-01
Singapore 198717
Tel: +65 6635 1136
Tue to Sun: 12:30pm – 10pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Bugis

Located on Bali Lane, Stateland Cafe has been making a name for itself for its waffles. Served with a scoop of ice cream, and topped with homemade cream cheese glaze, the Red Velvet Waffle (S$14.90) indeed lived up to its name.

Thick yet fluffy, with the red velvet base combing well with the cream cheese glazing – this is one waffle that you have to try if you are on a hunt for the best waffles in Singapore.

For something more substantial, there’s the Statelanders’ Breakfast menu. Options include Eggs Benedict (S$14.90), The Big Breakfast (S$17.90) and French Toast (S$11.90). The pasta menu is short and simple – choose between the Tomato & Cream Spaghetti (S$10.90), Carbonara (S$10.90) and Aglio Olio (S$10.90)

Don’t bother ordering coffee here; it is sadly run-of-the-mill and not worth having. We like the Homemade Old-fashioned Lemonade (S$4.50 – S$4.90) that comes in three different flavours – original, mint and strawberry. Cool and refreshing, it is the perfect thirst quencher.

Stateland Cafe
30 Bali Lane
Tel: +65 9296 4997
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 12midnight
Sun: 11am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

I am always good at finding the best places to eat, but when it comes to drinks, I am lucky to have a group of friends who are familiar with the Best Bars in Singapore. To most people, alcohol is very important, but I always prefer eating to drinking.

Together with Cafe Fables and A Thousand Tales (vintage furniture store), Bar Stories is a funky bar nestled within a shop house in Haji Lane. Apparently Cafe Fables operates in the day, and it transforms into Bar Stories when nightfall arrives.

Depending on individual preferences, the mixologists will create different cocktails right before your eyes. It was very interesting to watch them prepare each drink with different ingredients and liqueur – it felt like watching a performance.

The drinks at Bar Stories are very unique, and quite unlike the usual ones that you get from other bars. They use fresh food for every cocktail, so there is no artificial colouring.

I was tempted to reply “surprise me” when Jeff the mixologist asked me to make my order. Since it was my first time there, I decided to play safe and told him I like anything-sweet. He whipped out the Honeydew Sake Martini ($22, see above picture) in an instance, and I really enjoyed it.

My friends had the Midori Sour ($22) – a gorgeous shade of light green, pretty to look at and pleasant to drink; the Absinthe Forward Martini ($25) which had a heavy dosage of Absinthe & Gin and smacked us right in the face; and the Kyoho Grapes Martini ($25), a cheerful red mixture that made us rather gigglish. I don’t know about you, but pretty colours always make cocktails nicer to drink.

Tell me your life stories and I’ll buy you a drink. There is really nothing like a good cocktail after a long day of work. Have you been to Bar Stories at Haji Lane? What is your favourite drink there?

Singapore Food Blog Review
Bar Stories & Café Fables
55-57 Haji Lane
2nd Floor Singapore
Tel: +65 6298 0838