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.

Located at 4 Haji Lane, Panko is a new Japanese Kushikatsu restaurant by the Unlisted Collection who is behind other popular dining establishments including Burnt Ends, Cheek by Jowl, Salted & Hung and The Market Grill.

Panko officially opened to the public on 07 July 2017 and it bills itself as “Singapore’s sleekest Japanese kushikatsu restaurant”. Which in all honestly, is not difficult as few restaurants in Singapore serve kushikatsu.

Kushikatsu, for the uninitiated, is famous in Osaka and is known to be one of the identities of that city’s food scene. Also known as kushiage, kushikatsu is essentially deep-fried meat/vegetable skewers.

The prices of Panko’s kushikatsu range from S$2 to S$8 per stick. Enjoy the kushikatsu with ponzu dip, Japanese salt or homemade sauce. If you miss having kushikatsu in Osaka, Panko at Haji Lane is your alternative.

Panko
4 Haji Lane
Tel: +65 6291 3323
Daily: 5.30pm – 12pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo source: Panko