Inspired by the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, La Fez Café & Bakery is a new Muslim-owned cafe with iconic horseshoe arches, rose pink and gold interiors, and Mediterranean dishes.

Located next to the Chinese-Indonesian restaurant Kota 88 in Siglap, La Fez Café & Bakery is currently still in the soft launch stage and reservations are highly recommended.

On the menu, you can find a selection of All-day Brunch dishes including Riad Breakfast (S$11.90), Majorelle Shakshuka with Feta Cheese (S$19.90) and Kesra Avocados on Soughdough (S$18.90).

Photo credit: La Fez

The Moroccan-inspired cafe also has mains that are prepared from the fire oven or cooked in traditional Moroccan earthenware such as Moroccan Harissa Chicken Legs (S$17.90), Fez Cous Cous with chicken (S$28.90) and Moroccan-style Rotisserie Chicken (S$32.90).

La Fez Café & Bakery is definitely an exciting addition to the growing list of cafes in the east of Singapore.

La Fez Café & Bakery
907 East Coast Road, #01-04 Springvale,
S459107

The Bravery—one of the more popular Muslim-owned cafes in Singapore—is moving from its current location in Lavender to a new space in the Central Business District near Telok Ayer Street and Amoy Street.

The coffee shop is best known for its hearty brunch fare and excellent coffee. On the menu, you can expect brunch dishes including Bagel Set, Brave Omelette as well as our favourite Pancakes Stack with banana slices and cream cheese.

We are particularly fond of their signature Lavender Latte which boasts a really nice fragrance with a creamy finish. The cappuccino and cold brew are also consistently good.

The Bravery is currently waiting for SFA inspection this week and they should be ready to open their doors soon.

If you haven’t heard of Simpang Bedok or you’re an Eastie looking to (hopefully) discover some new in the area, we’re here to introduce some places you might fancy at this popular alcove of affordable eats and undiscovered hot spots!

Nearby Tanah Merah MRT station, this cosy corner in the East of Singapore has much to offer – from good ol’ Bak Chor Mee and halal Dim Sum to fancy Crab Meat Linguine and Wagyu Bowls, Simpang Bedok’s food options will keep you coming back for more!

BADOQUE

Looking for monster portions of pasta dishes, pizzas and steak? Badoque is one of the few stalls in Bedok’s bustling cafe scene that boasts a wide array of Italian fare with a touch of Asian and Mediterranean flavours.

With 10 different types of pasta dishes and pizzas to choose from, we reckon that there is surely something for everyone at Badoque!

298 Bedok Road
Bedok Shopping Complex
Singapore 469454
Tel: +65 6446 6928
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 11pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bedok

BURNING OAK

Beef-lovers, keep your eyes peeled for the Wagyu and Truffle Mince (S$16 nett) bowl which comes served with medium-rare slices of wagyu as well as minced beef that boasts a strong note of truffle.

The juicy and tender wagyu sure hits all the right spots to satisfy any beef bowl cravings and the umami-packed truffle mince gives the dish an extra fragrance. What’s more, portions are rather huge considering the price point!

The Burning Oak
348 Bedok Road
The Bedok Marketplace#02-16
Singapore 469560
Tel: +65 9873 6093
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

ENAK ENAK HONG KONG TEA HOUSE

Nestled in quiet Simpang Bedok is Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House, a halal dim sum tea restaurant in Singapore which offers a variety of affordable halal dim sum.

Some highlights were the steamed Siew Mai and the Fried Carrot Cake! With a myriad of dim sum options to choose from, it’s the perfect place to go with a group of friends!

Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House
340/342 Bedok Road
Singapore 469520
Tel: 6246 1211
Daily: 10am – 6am
Nearest station: Tanah Merah

FORAGE CAFE

Taking over the space of the now-defunct D’Zerts Cafe is the newest hidden gem in the East of Singapore, The Forage Cafe by Thirteen Honey in Simpang Bedok. Their extensive menu features a plethora of all-day brunch, pasta and mains. What’s great is that they also are trying to incorporate their own farmed honey (from Malaysia) into all their dishes as a sugar replacement!

The price point may be a little hefty to some, but the portion certainly makes up for it. That’s not all! If you were a fan of D’zerts Cafe’s sweet creations, you’ll be happy to know that D’zerts still supplies bakes and desserts to The Forage Cafe.

The Forage Cafe
30 Jalan Pari Burong
Singapore 488696
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Simei

JALAN TUA KONG LAU LIM MEE POK – THE ART OF MEE POK

Embroiled in a same-name battle with two other mee pok establishments, Jalan Tua Kong Lau Lim Mee Pok strives to bring the best bowl of noodles to the table. Affordably priced at S$5 per bowl, you’re served a generous portion of noodles, fishballs, meatballs and minced meat.

The noodles are super “QQ” and are coated with their signature lard-chilli sauce. It’s definitely a winner of the mee pok rivalry in our books!

306 Bedok Road
Singapore 469466
Daily: 7am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

MR/MS KNEADY’S

Mr. and Ms. Kneady are two adorable, artisan bakeries that sell different bakes. Mr Kneady sells a variety of delicious, dense sourdough bread and pizzas while Ms. Kneady sells sweet treats such as pastries and desserts. All of their items are baked fresh daily.

348 Bedok Road
#02-24 The Bedok Marketplace
Singapore 469560
Tue to Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 9.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

Photo Credit: Instagram

SELEGIE SOYA BEAN

Specializing in the freshest soya bean-based drinks and desserts, Selegie Soya Bean is a popular place in Simpang Bedok for many to grab-and-go some healthier sweet treats. Their soya bean drink and grass jelly are amazing thirst quenchers in Singapore’s sweltering heat!

320 Bedok Road
Singapore 469487
Daily: 7.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

SPIZE

When it comes to having supper in Singapore, Simpang Bedok – a stretch of halal eateries that open till late – immediately comes to mind. Among them, Spize Supper Club is one of the most famous Muslim restaurants serving halal food. Besides Simpang Bedok, it also has another branch at River Valley that caters to the hungry late night club goers.

If you ever find yourself hungry in the middle of the night, Spize halal restaurant at Simpang Bedok is probably your best bet.

336 Bedok Road
Bedok Shopping Complex
Singapore 469512
Mon to Thu: 10am – 3am
Fri to Sun: 10am – 4am
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

TANG TEA HOUSE

We are firm believers that the best dim sum should not only be yummy, but affordable too. Tang Tea House is a halal dim sum eatery at Simpang Bedok known for their budget-friendly scrumptious dishes, made fresh every single day.

Our favourite were their Coffee Buns! The soft bun tore apart easily, oozing thick coffee paste that wasn’t too jelak or sweet.

357/359 Bedok Road
Singapore 469545
Sun to Thurs: 11am – 2am
Fri & Sat: 11am – 3am
Tel: +65 6445 9100
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

THE NAUGHTY CHEF

The Naughty Chef believes that authentic Italian food should not be expensive. This can be seen in their menu choices where they serve up affordable, delicious Italian food at a fraction of restaurant prices. Here, they sell classic Italian dishes such as pasta, pizza and risotto. There are also desserts such as pannacotta and Baileys tiramisu.

There is no question that Singaporeans love to frequent cafés. While cafés are aplenty, unfortunately, many well-known brands do not cater to folks with dietary restrictions.

Thankfully, with growing social awareness over recent years, more establishments have started embracing the goal of inclusivity. Be it through attaining Halal certification or via Muslim owners doing their due diligence, there now exists a myriad of Halal-friendly cafés for us to explore.

Whether you are craving the comfort of brunch food with a side helping of freshly brewed coffee, or prefer something more hearty with a touch of local flavours, here is a comprehensive guide to 38 Halal & Muslim-owned cafés in Singapore to chill with your friends at. Time to pencil in your schedules; a plethora of food experiences await your discovery!

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/afterwitsg/

AFTERWIT (HALAL)

A rare sight to behold, Afterwit fills the sorely lacking niche of Halal Mexican food in Singapore. Combining common Mexican favourites with local flavours for a truly unique taste experience, this is a place not to be missed (even more so for spicy food lovers)!

778A North Bridge Road
Singapore 198786
Tel: +65 6299 3508
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

ALL THINGS DELICIOUS (HALAL)

All Things Delicious lives up to its namesake by serving up a charming collection of freshly baked goods perfect for pick-me-ups. When visiting, must-tries include their delightful daily cake selection and a helping (or few) of their golden-crusted scones.

34 Arab Street
#01-01
Singapore 199733
Tel: +65 6291 4252
Tue to Sun: 10am – 9pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

BADOQUE CAFÉ (MUSLIM-OWNED)

The main reason to visit Badoque café is to badok (eat). From its tantalising spread of savoury dishes, go for their signatures of the mouth-tingling Kepak Bing Bing (spicy chicken wings) and lamb shank to really enjoy the brand’s characteristic rich flavours.

298 Bedok Road
Singapore 469454
Tel: +65 6446 6928
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/Beyond-Pancakes-788889701249357/

BEYOND PANCAKES (HALAL)

Have any Muslim friends who adore pancakes? This place is perfect for you! Whether you are looking for sweet or savoury pancakes, Beyond Pancakes has you covered. For the more adventurous souls, why not take this chance to try what dessert nachos taste like?

6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square Mall, #03-131A
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6909 1230
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade / Promenade
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

BUTTER STUDIO (HALAL)

Get ready your dessert stomach, for Butter Studio’s multitude of Halal-friendly homemade cakes and cupcakes are sure to entice! Want to have your cake and eat it too? No longer will you need to settle for a meagre slice – the brand offers modestly-sized – and very photogenic – cakes for one that will satisfy even the most ravenous sweet-tooth!

147 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208865
Tel: +65 6294 7115
Mon, Wed & Thu: 12pm – 9pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 12am
Sun: 11am – 9pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

CAFÉ GALILEE (HALAL)

Imagine exiting the library after a long day; stomach empty, and body fatigued, what you need is a nearby café to rest your weary self at. With Café Galilee present, no longer will you have to settle for a mediocre dining experience. A staple at multiple libraries, the Halal-friendly heartfelt fare served is much welcomed for many library-goers.

278 Marine Parade Road
Marine Parade Community Building, #01-02
Singapore 449282
Tel: +65 6348 0130
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Kembangan
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

CHARLIE BROWN CAFÉ (HALAL)

This longstanding themed-café defies the odds by constantly drawing a strong crowd to its doors. Not only can you and your friends dine alongside your favourite Peanuts characters; unlike most now defunct character cafés, the food is both cute and great in quality!

8 Grange Road
Cathay Cineleisure, #04-01
Singapore 239695
Tel: +65 6737 5979
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/Citrusbythepool/

CITRUS BY THE POOL (HALAL)

Literally situated next to Woodlands’ neighbourhood pool, Citrus offers a fantastic selection of affordable Western and Asian fusion dishes. A definite favourite of regulars here is the café’s signature of Tom-Yum Seafood Pasta, which features a variety of succulent seafood swimming in a vividly coloured sweet-spicy tom-yum broth.

3 Woodlands Street 13
Woodlands Swimming Complex
Singapore 738600
Tel: +65 6366 6581
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Marsiling
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/cobacobasg/

COBA COBA (HALAL)

Diverging from typical café food, Coba Coba serves a hearty mix of hawker-styled Malay and Indonesian fare in a casual retro café setting. Created with a wish to converge the paths of normally disparate lives, their iconic Nasi Ambeng platter is an unparalleled representation of that dream.

156 Yishun Street 11
#01-106?Singapore 760156
Tel: +65 6382 2622
Daily: 11am – 8.45pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

COMMONS (HALAL)

This Halal café offers the comfort of rustic café food with a local twist to weary travellers. With its affable service and relaxed space, visitors welcomed by this hospitality will hopefully find some respite from their travels, and start their journey into, or departure from Singapore with a smile.

78 Airport Boulevard
Jewel Changi Airport, #B1-289/290
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6242 9542
Daily: 10pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

FIKA SWEDISH CAFÉ & BISTRO (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Scandinavian food isn’t the easiest cuisine to come by in Singapore, with Halal-certified options being even more uncommon. Thankfully, Fika is here to provide homecooked Swedish staples and pastries. Keep an eye out for their cyclical seasonal menu – the dishes are marvellous for those looking to reminisce about the Swedish isles.

257 Beach Road
Singapore 199539
Tel: +65 6396 9096
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

FLAVOUR FLINGS (HALAL)

As the first café to offer the immensely popular salted egg yolk croissant, this spot has been a trail-blazer in the café scene since. Take note of its selection of Swiss Raclette Cheese-doused savoury dishes – they are absolutely dripping with delectably piquant flavours!

121 Hougang Avenue 1
#01-1348
Singapore 530121
Tel: +65 6286 0051
Mon, Wed to Fri: 11am – 4pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Kovan

FLUFF BAKERY (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Love cupcakes? You’ve got to try Fluff Bakery’s iteration! With an award-winning assortment of local-inspired flavours like Ondeh Ondeh and Teh Tarik alongside classics such as Salted Caramel and Red Velvet, there is a very fluffy (and visually pleasing) cupcake just right for you!

4 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199079
Tel: +65 9660 3541
Wed & Thu: 11am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 10.30pm
(Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

GRASSO COFFEE (HALAL)

Originally a takeaway kiosk, Grasso Coffee still serves its cups of joe at very reasonable prices. (Lattes at S$4? Sign us up!) If you are looking for warm food to go with, their bread-based meals – we are eyeing the luscious croissant with egg mayo – are comfortably under S$10.

1 Irving Place
The Commerze, #01-27
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 9123 8399
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7.30pm
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/heysugarsg/

HEY SUGAR (HALAL)

On a hot day, a cold, sticky, refreshing ice cream number is just what most of us crave. With a glut of ice cream parlours around, Halal-certified Hey Sugar stands out not just because of its candy pink aesthetic, but also thanks to the quality of its honeyed treats.

Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1,
Block 818, #01-06
Singapore 680818
Tel: +65 6295 5509
Daily: 12.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Teck Whye / South View

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/Iamathajilane/

I AM… CAFÉ (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Drawing inspiration from Amsterdam’s iconic I Am…(sterdam), this café is helmed by three Muslim friends looking to introduce Halal European-inspired flavours to locals. By offering an open storefront alongside hearty European fare, they seek to bring a laidback respite to those caught in the bustle of their daily lives.

674 North Bridge Road
Singapore 188804
Tel: +65 6295 5509
Mon to Thu: 9am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 9am – 1am
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: https://www.kraftwich.com

KRAFTWICH BY SWISSBAKE (HALAL)

When looking for café spots, we tend towards speciality places over the more lacklustre chain café alternatives. At Kraftwich on the other hand, not only are you in the comfort of an accessible location, you can enjoy their fairly priced and handsomely sized Halal Kraftwiches too.

1 Raffles Place
One Raffles Place, #B1-04/05
Singapore 048616
Tel: +65 6438 5730
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 3.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

LAUNDRY GALLERY (HALAL)

Far from a place to wash your clothes at, Laundry Gallery is the resident café of said laundromat. Whether you are looking for a reprieve or waiting for the spin cycle to end, you can look forward to quality creamy ice creams and crispy waffles.

Tampines Street 23
Block 201E, #01-118
Singapore 527201
Tel: +65 8700 7622
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tampines East

LICKETY ICE CREAM & WAFFLES (MUSLIM-OWNED)

If the pastel-washed storefront doesn’t catch your eye, Lickety’s speciality of egglet waffles definitely will. This Muslim-owned café offers up egglet cones of photogenic treats in a multitude of bubblegum shades, and brings a Hong Kong-inspired twist to the traditional ice cream experience.

34 Bussorah Street
Singapore 199452
Tel: +65 6291 7670
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/linascafe/

LINA’S CAFÉ (MUSLIM-OWNED)

There are many ways to define a café: delicious good, eye-catching décor, strong brews, convenient locations et cetera. Muslim-owned Lina’s Café is a departure from the usual formula, choosing inclusivity by building its image around being a friends of autism café. Aside from classic café food, diners can pick from a list of traditional Malay dishes to supplement their visit.

7 Jalan Pisang
Singapore 199074
Tel: +65 9456 0992
Mon: 10am – 7pm
Tue to Sat: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Bugis

LYNN’S CAKES & COFFEE (MUSLIM-OWNED)

A confounding existence to many, Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee enjoys a steady stream of customers despite its less than ideal location. Those who have tried the cakes understand otherwise: featuring a plethora of deceptively plain layer cakes, the magic lies in the resounding flavours that characterise these homely creations.

11 Eng Kong Terrace
Singapore 598983
Tel: +65 6314 2886
Tue to Sun: 11am – 7pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Beauty World

Photo Credit: http://olivye.com/

OLIVYE CAFÉ & GELATO (HALAL)

Want ice cream but also a meal prior? Olivye Café & Gelato offers not just an extensive Halal gelato selection, but also a full menu of hot mains for under S$20. With multiple local flavours present, variants especially popular with Muslim customers include the aromatic durian and seasonal cempedak variants.

Changi Village Road
Block 5, #01-2009
Singapore 500005
Tel: +65 6543 9518
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

OLD CHANG KEE COFFEE HOUSE (HALAL)

A café spin-off from the Old Chang Kee brand, their coffee house is evocative of a nostalgia from memories of yonder. Furnished with retro fittings and time-worn decorative pieces, customers can expect to be temporarily transported to a forgotten decade while enjoying the brand’s fragrant fare of quintessential Singapore breakfast staples.

19/21/23 Mackenzie Road
REX, #01-01
Singapore 228678
Tel: +65 6732 1665
Mon to Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Little India
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

PENNY UNIVERSITY (MUSLIM-OWNED)

A mainstay with the Muslim café hopping crowd, Penny University has seen a burgeoning crowd over the years. Brimming with students and adults alike, patrons hanker for hearty servings of smoky roasts and unique mains, with many downing a helping of the café’s signature Muddy Espresso to complete their meal.

402 East Coast Road
Singapore 428997
Tel: +65 6345 9055
Daily: 8.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kembangan

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/RockyMasterSingapore/

ROCKY MASTER (HALAL)

A lesser-known home-grown brand, Rocky Masters has been plating up affordable meals and offering gourmet brews since 1999. With its recent Halal-certification, Muslim friends can now enjoy aromatic cups of fresh brews alongside popular fusion dishes like their tangy Laksa Spaghetti and flavourful Curry Chicken Baked Rice.

402 Orchard Road
Delfi Orchard, #01-02/03
Singapore 238876
Tel: +65 6235 0998
Daily: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.burpple.com/@dannypannywanny

ROYZ ET VOUS (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Royz Et Vous is a superb café for multiple reasons. First, the portions are huge (drag-your-friends-to-enjoy level of big); second, the food is genuinely tasty; third, the prices are affordable; fourth, their brews are nothing to scoff at. With all that, we won’t judge if you end up a regular too!

137 Telok Ayer Street
#01-01
Singapore 068602
Tel: +65 6293 0270
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 4pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 4pm, 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/safaricafesg/

SAFARI CAFÉ (MUSLIM-OWNED)

The more muted reputation of this haunt doesn’t mean its food is any less terrific. Diners can bask in the beat of classic rock anthems as they snack on juicy burgers, all the while watching the world amble by beyond the borders of this little haven.

57 Haji Lane
Singapore 189250
Tel: +65 6292 0057
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/sofra.sg/

SOFRA TURKISH CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT (HALAL)

Another longstanding eatery, Sofra continues to provide a hefty list of Halal-friendly Turkish dishes to wanting locals. Offering everything from a bountiful array of kebabs to whimsical desserts – especially their Baklava – Sofra remains the premier café to enjoy Turkish bites with your friends at.

100 Beach Road
Shaw Tower, Shaw Leisure Gallery, #02-42/43/44
Singapore 189702
Tel: +65 6291 1433
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade
** Multiple outlets islandwide.

THE BRAVERY CAFÉ (HALAL)

As one of the more notable Halal cafés, The Bravery Café is a prime spot for passing folks to get a temporary recess from their day at. Customers can expect fresh – their herbs are handpicked from their own garden! – ingredients, silken blends, and an unpretentious and inviting ambience.

The Bravery cafe is in the midst of moving to a new location.

THE FLAME CAFÉ (HALAL)

The Flame Café is your typical brunch café by day. Past 3pm, it adds on a Halal-friendly steamboat fare to its original menu. Not just any ol’ steamboat, The Flame Café’s Pagoda Steamboat is a striking four-tiered tower of pure savoury goodness perfect for a large communal dinner.

73 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Central Bianco Building, Level 1
Singapore 534818
Tel: +65 6282 0251
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/thehashtagcafesg/

THE HASHTAG CAFÉ (MUSLIM-OWNED)

A rather non-descript hole-in-the-wall establishment, The Hashtag Café remains a somewhat hidden gem in the Halal-friendly scene. Renowned for their local-western fusion mains, visitors can expect an unbridled coalescence of familiar regional tastes alongside a base of western flavours for a special dining experience.

743 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198711
Tel: +65 9722 4628
Sat to Thu: 11.00am – 10pm
Fri: 3pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/thelazygardencafe/

THE LAZY GARDEN CAFÉ (HALAL)

One of the newer entrants in the Halal café scene, The Lazy Garden Café stands out by including more lavish mains amidst its offerings. To ease the damage on your wallet, try to time your visits to catch the incredibly worthwhile one-for-one promotion.

180 Kitchener Road
City Square Mall, #02-37/38
Singapore 208539
Tel: +65 9125 4662 (SMS only)
Daily: 11.00am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/themadsailors/

THE MAD SAILORS – BRITISH KITCHEN (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Another gem along the hip Haji Lane stretch, The Mad Sailors is a tongue-in-cheek café inspired by casual English pubs. With most of the menu featuring alternative pub fare, diners can expect a serving of their favourite sinful British dish with a heavy dose of regional flair.

24 Haji Lane
Singapore 198217
Tel: +65 8768 0465
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 10am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

THE ROYALS CAFÉ (HALAL)

An indispensable member of the Halal scene, The Royals Café has been providing its customers with the finest Halal cakes since it opened its doors. Equally proud of its roots, the menu comprises of a varied mix of Malay and Western dishes to complement their enchanting dessert selection.

19 Upper East Coast Road
Singapore 455209
Tel: +65 8481 0080
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bedok

THREE’S A CROWD (HALAL)

At this Halal ice cream café, feel free to enter in groups of three; besides, good things are meant to be shared! Tucked away in the Tampines heartland, Three’s A Crowd provides an array of gratifyingly creamy flavours that are sufficiently substantial in taste without leaving a cloyingly saturated aftertaste.

Tampines Avenue 4
Block 802, #01-11
Singapore 520802
Tel: +65 6702 0700
Daily: 12.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tampines West

TWO HANA (HALAL)

Hana deviates from the norm by presenting a modern take on Korean-Western fusion cuisine. Complementing its handle, Two Hana (quite literally, two one) features a confluence of the two food styles by infusing beloved Western dishes with a dash of Korean spices for a flavour profile unlike any other.

2 Tampines Central 5
Century Square, #01-21
Singapore 529509
Tel: +65 6260 4321
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 10.30pm
Sat: 9am – 10.30pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

(WORKING TITLE) BURGER BAR (MUSLIM-OWNED)

Easy to miss with its weather-worn shopfront, this Muslim-owned eatery evolved from a humble coffee joint into a full-fledged proper burger bar. Not forgetting the original bulwark of its operations, the baristas will still serve you a remarkable cup of coffee if you so desire.

783 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198751
Tel: +65 8248 2841
Mon to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

While Dim Sum may be a traditional staple that you would find all around Hong Kong, it is not a form of cuisine that we are short of in Singapore.

Nestled in quiet Simpang Bedok is Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House, a halal dim sum tea restaurant in Singapore which offers a variety of affordable halal dim sum.

On our visit, we started off with their popular Steamed Golden Sand Bun (S$3.10 for 2pcs), Har Kow (S$4.20 for 3pcs) and Siew Mai (S$3.80 for 3pcs).

Though it did look larger than usual, the Siew Mai had a generous amount of meat filling which was nicely wrapped in the wonton skin that was reminiscent of its original counterpart. While it tasted good on its own, the dipping sauce definitely made it tastier.

The Har Kow, unfortunately, didn’t impress us as much as we thought it would. Although the filling inside was good, the skin was much too thick, adding an overall starchiness to the dumpling.

We were quite disappointed with the Steamed Golden Sand Bun as well. While the salted egg yolk custard lava did present an enticing sight, the taste wasn’t as satisfying. Instead of the savoury gooey filling, we tasted a sweeter and slightly grainy custard which made the buns an overall letdown.

In addition, we also tried the BBQ Chicken Pau (S$2.60 for 2pcs), Steamed Rice Roll with Shrimps (S$4.20), and Pan Fried Carrot Cake (S$2.60 for 2pcs).

Perhaps our least favourite dish of the lot, the Steamed Rice Roll with Shrimps fell flat in terms of taste. Not only did the rice roll taste bland and break apart easily, the dish didn’t seem to have much shrimp.

We tried to add a little bit of flavour to alleviate the blandness with the chilli, but it only offered a slight improvement.

Despite the hits and misses, we felt that the saving grace of the entire meal was the Pan Fried Carrot Cake. Unlike the traditional ones that you might have seen, their carrot cake had a crispy golden outer layer which complemented the soft and chewy texture within.

While the dim sum here didn’t exactly appeal to us, Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House kept its dim sum prices affordably and they are open until late.

Other than Simpung Bedok, Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House also has another outlet at East Coast Parkway.

Enak Enak Hong Kong Tea House
340/342 Bedok Road
Singapore 469520
Tel: 6246 1211
Daily: 10am – 6am
Nearest station: Tanah Merah

1202 ECP, Singapore 449881
Tel: +65 6876 5911
Nearest station: Bedok

Tucked away at Kallang Wave Mall is Omoomodon, serving Halal Korean fusion rice and noodle bowls with a unique twist. Omoomodon is pronounced as ‘Omo-Omo-Don’. ‘Omo-omo’ is derived from the popular Korean slang “Oh My!”, while ‘don’ is translated to bowl in Japanese. The Korean expression in the name is used to depict pleasant surprise when their diners tuck into tasty customisable fusion bowls.

The wallet-friendly prices mean you will not have to break the bank. With the option to customise your meal exactly how you want—from your own rice bowl to a warm bowl of ramen or a delicious plate of steak—there are endless possibilities to what you can choose at Omoomodon.

We ordered the Omo Remix (S$12) and the Chasuken Ramen (S$13.50). The Omo Remix was served with Korean White Rice, Ebi Tempura, Chicken Cutlet, Pumpkin Croquette, Curry, Nori, Furikake and Onsen Tobikko.

The Chicken Cutlet was tender and did not lose its juiciness in the process of deep-frying. The Ebi Tempura was tasty and the batter for this was well-seasoned. The highlight of the three was definitely the Pumpkin Croquette; we were surprised by how creamy and mouth-watering the inside was at first bite, and it contrasted nicely with the crispy breadcrumb coating.

The egg was still oozy when we cut into it, and the short grain rice was fragrant and fluffy.

The Chasuken Ramen came in a large portion with Soy Garlic Broth, Chicken Char Siew, Onsen Tobikko, Black Fungus, and Nori. The egg for this dish was flowy as well, giving the dish a creamier flavour. The succulent Chicken Char Siew was slightly sweet from the marinade and was absolutely delicious.

The noodles were springy and complemented the star of the dish wonderfully: the Soy Garlic Broth. Incredibly flavourful without being too salty, we loved the broth so much and needless to say, we completely devoured this entire dish.

By the time we finished our meal, lunchtime came around and Omoomodon was packed with young workers awaiting a table. Clearly, this restaurant is a popular lunch destination.

1 Stadium Place
Kallang Wave Mall, #01-40
Singapore 397628
Tel: +65 6702 1835
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Stadium

There have been more and more halal eateries popping up all around Singapore in recent months, which is great because that means more places to eat out with our Muslim friends!

A relatively new addition to that list, a must-try if you’re a fan of beef and Japanese food, is Gyunion. This humble hole-in-the-wall Japanese eatery sells authentic, Halal-Certified Japanese cuisine with ingredients that are directly sourced from Japan. So, if you’re looking for somewhere new to feast on some hearty Japanese food, this is definitely a place to consider.

Gyunion is the brainchild of 3 good friends who wanted to provide Halal Japanese food for the Muslim community.

This tiny restaurant was almost impossible to spot given its small size and there are literally only a few seats available, making it not the most ideal for big groups.

The first thing that we tried was their Gyu-men (S$8.90), which featured thinly sliced beef and onions with thin noodles soaked in a warm beef broth. We absolutely love the beef here! The beef slices were nice and thin, which helped it to soak up all the sauce as well as made it easier to chew. 

We were also advised to dress up the noodles with condiments such as shoyu sauce and Japanese chilli flakes according to our taste preference. Upon first taste, we understood why we were asked to do so because the noodles were a tad bit bland. 

We also tried their Gyu-don (S$7.90), which is a beef rice bowl. The portions were generous and we loved how the onsen egg gave the don a much creamier consistency.

For lunch, you can also pay $9.90 for a meal that comes with a drink as well as an onsen egg.

Gyunion is definitely a must-try recommendation from us if you’re looking for a no-frills, minimalistic place that serves up solid, authentic Japanese food. They are however only available on weekdays, so don’t go down on a weekend to avoid disappointment!

Gyunion
91 Bencoolen Street, #01-23
Bencoolen Plaza
Singapore 189652
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon – Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen