The best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore

This smokehouse restaurant along Owen Road offers quite the variety for all things halal. Expect luscious cuts of smoked meats, grilled meats, pasta, fresh seafood and desserts that will satisfy even the biggest of appetites. On Tuesdays, a 1.6kg grilled Black Angus tomahawk steak will only set you back $138 and comes with a free side of nasi lemak bakar. There are also succulent Silver Hill Irish Ducks available for those in search of the ultimate decadence.

Let this shophouse restaurant transport you from Kampong Gelam to Paris with its charming decor – think marble tabletops, plush emerald green chairs, delicate floral decorations –and unique French Malayan cuisine, including croissants, angel hair bouillabaisse, and cherrywood smoked contre-filet. Given its modest size and popularity, seats at The White Label fill up quickly (giving you all the more reason to get closer to your dining companion). If you prefer some small bites, The White Label also has a High Tea menu of over 10 savoury and sweet items specially curated for two. Some standouts include Tart Au Nasi Lemak, Spiced Poulet Au Butter and Choux Au Hazelnut Et Caramel, just to name a few.

Housed in a heritage conservation shophouse along Baghdad Street, The Secret Garden By Zeekri is a botanical-themed brasserie whipping up French-inspired favourites including delicate French pastries and viennoiseries. This two-story restaurant has faux foliage and flower ornaments throughout the space, exuding romance and a relaxed ambience. The menu at The Secret Garden is straightforward (just four starters, four pasta dishes and six mains). Try their blooming flower teas for a full-on floral experience here.

Nested within the National Gallery, this halal-friendly restaurant looks like a scene out of a Wes Anderson film. The Catalan-inspired brunch menu includes The Grande ($22), a classic big breakfast with pimento beans and feta cheese and Fancy French ($14), French toast with poached plums, blackberries, custard, and a dusting of cinnamon with yoghurt. For mains, they serve paella and wagyu rump. On the drinks menu, The Great Mischief offers non-alcoholic wines including Rosé ($12 glass/$48 bottle), White ($13 glass/$48 bottle) and Red ($12 glass/$48 bottle). On a date? Snag a seat at one of their window nook booth seats with city skyscraper views.

Known for their mean burgers, the popular burger bar from Arab Street sets up shop in the ever-so-quaint Kampong Bugis. Now, they've got a bigger, well-lit, and equally work-friendly space. Coffee starts from just $3.50 alongside fresh bakes that switch up each day. The all-day dining concept also features an extensive menu ranging from the good ole eggs benny to Aussie-style barbecue. Missing some burger action? Those well-loved (and definitely well-stacked) burgers are still on the menu somewhere. So whether it's lazy brunches, sunset dinners or even family day-outs, the joint has got you covered.

At Kucina, it is all about quality. Chef Gero is Italian-Muslim and flexes his years of Italian cooking background with hearty Italian fare like risotto, pizzas and the huge range of pasta dishes here. Highlights include the gnocchi quattro formaggi ($24) and the risotto de seppia ($22). Look out for the La Barca Funghi E Tartufo ($28.90) if you're up for something special, it is a Sicilian boat-shaped pizza that is stuffed with black truffle pate, mozzarella and scarmoza smoked cheese.

The café, best known for its diva-themed cake stacks, is also halal-certified. Try over 14 elegant tiered treats: from the aptly named Diva series, sample the Beyonce, a take on lemonade with layers of lemon and yoghurt sponge; or try Ms Celine Dione where Valrhona white chocolate and macadamia sponge comes sandwiched between fresh raspberries and raspberry compote. But before desserts, indulge in a hearty brunch menu of fried chicken and waffles ($24), eggs Benedict ($14/$16), and more. 

This is one of Singapore’s only Halal-certified udon stores. Chewy strands of noodles are the star here; they come served as is with cold or warm dipping sauce (from $5), or served with soup alongside burdock tempura ($14) or chicken strips ($14). Also worth a try is the restaurant’s series of specialty udon, which comes with novel pairings of egg-drop soup ($11) and more.

Head over to Kulon, the new kid on Bali Lane for a fix of the popular Indonesian street food – mie ayam. Here, there are many variations of this beloved noodle dish. The noodle served is of a thicker variation than the Indonesian street style – but absorbs the gravy perfectly. Have it the classic style with the Bakmi Bangka; or for if you crave stronger flavours, go for the Bakmi Gulai Sapi which incorporates the Javanese beef curry with the noodles. If spice is top priority, take your pick between the bakmi with red – or green – sambal. 

Overrice is an eatery that serves rice bowls inspired by The Halal Guys. It hopes to replicate meals from the famed food truck meal, with grilled meats and falafel balls served atop fragrant rice. But the main draw here is the white sauce, a creamy, mysterious recipe that is used to drizzle over everything.

Joining the enclave of buzzy eateries in the area is Restaurant Aisyah which specialises in Xinjiang cuisine – think handmade noodles, rich beef stews, cumin lamb, spicy dumplings and meat skewers. Similar to Sichuan cuisine, the dishes pack a punch with its generous use of fragrant spices like peppercorn, cumin and more.

The name Tipo comes from the type of wheat flour ('doppio zero' or 'granero tero') in Italy used to make pasta which is smooth and silky to the touch. Tipo Pasta Bar is all about using premium ingredients in the handcrafted pasta produced in-store. From dill and lemon fettuccine to saffron fusilli, everything is made from scratch. The fun part is that you get to create your own dish. Start by picking your pasta (it depends on what is available on the day), your sauce (alfredo, aglio olio, pomodoro, roasted red peppers, beef ragu) and additional toppings like sous vide egg, vinegared mussels, crumbled gouda, tomatoes and olives, just to name a few. 

Think all American fried chicken is just KFC? Y’all got it wrong. Nashville-style country chicken is spicy as heck. Nashville hot chicken is typically marinated in buttermilk, fried and doused with a heavy application of cayenne pepper (often in the form of some magical pepper-infused oil), along with other spices like garlic and paprika. Curious? Save the plane ticket to ‘Merica, you can get some in Arab Street.

Positano at Raffles Place is the more central branch of popular Halal Italian eatery, Positano Risto. You can still find Positano's signature dishes – still as affordable and delicious, only prepared faster. Some favourites include classic fettuccine carbonara ($10.95) which comes with a sous vide egg and crispy turkey bacon bits, crispy thin crust pepperoni pizza ($9.95) and truffle mushroom risotto ($10.95). 

Giving us another great eating experience, the brains behind (Working Title) collaborated with The Methodology Works and opened Afterwit for crazy good Mexican bites and refreshing drinks. Try out a variety of their tacos, from Pulled Beef ($14.90) to Cajun Spiced Chicken ($12.90). 

This iconic burger stand from Hollywood finally makes its way to Singapore, bringing with them their brand of fresh, authentic and tasty offerings – and it's Halal! If you feel that the burgers you've had in Singapore have been pretty small, gear up for the tower of patties you'll find in most Fatburgers (you can swap your buns for patties if you're on a keto diet). Remember to complete your American diner meal with a side of fries, or buffalo wings and a milkshake.   

Known for its hearty localised pasta dishes and rich indulgent cakes, The Malayan Council is the best place to go in Little India of some comfort food. Dig into a huge plate of cereal fish and chips ($28) or share a serving of Singapore chilli lobster ($48) – which comes with the mandatory fried mantou buns for mopping up the sauce. Finish off the meal with a slice of ondeh-ondeh cake ($9.50) which comes with crunchy gula melaka bits and coconut cream. 

Sticklers for tradition, Sari Ratu serves up quite possibly the most authentic nasi padang in Singapore. Choices are aplenty at their main branch in Pahang Street so we don't blame you for taking your time when ordering. All-time favourites include the rendang, eggplant in chilli, grilled chicken, fried fish and also the delightful beef tendon curry.

A popular family restaurant, Yassin Kampung had humble beginnings before branching out to a few outlets in Singapore. The menu has also expanded since, and now includes a lot of local favourites like hotplate dishes and even Mala, but also experimenting a little with interesting dishes like durian chicken. 

The Dim Sum Place is one of the few Halal-certified dim sum joints in town and probably one of the rare spots you can enjoy a halal Xiao long bao. This makes the place a perfect communal dining spot if you're dining out with a diverse group of friends. Like its namesake, you can find a wide range of dim sum and Cantonese cuisine on the menu, alongside some Malay local favourites.

A hot lunchtime spot, you'll notice snaking queues outside any Hjh Maimunah store before the actual lunch hour. Of course there's a reason for this: everyone wants first dibs on the food because trust us, it will run out. How it works is exactly like any other mixed rice stall where you get to choose whatever dishes you want and face the consequences at the cash register afterwards. 

Located in the lush Singapore Botanic Gardens, aesthetically this place ticks all the boxes when it comes to lush surroundings, full-height windows for beautiful lighting and the option of tranquil terrace dining. More recently the resaturant has been certified Halal so all the better for your Muslim guests in the group. 

Set aside your utensils and put on a plastic bib, because it only gets messy from here on. The Halal Louisiana-style seafood restaurant’s second outlet at Plaza Singapura is here to satisfy all your crustacean cravings, offering an expanded menu alongside its classic seafood buckets.

Opened by Haji Isrin at the corner of Kandahar Street in 1948 – where it remains today – and now run by third-generation owners, the stall continues to churn out homely platters of authentic Malay dishes to a throng of people, including celebrities like former sports personality Fandi Ahmad and also us, simple, hungry people. 'Generous' is Nasi Pariaman's middle name. Plates are packed with rice covered in gravy of your choice – there’s gulai ayam (a chicken curry) and lodeh – and an assortment of side dishes such as sambal goreng, bagedil, ikan bilis, tofu and long beans. 

Halal Swedish food on Arab Street is a rare sight, and modern bistro Fika certainly stands out in the heritage area dominated by shophouses and businesses. Come for the halal Swedish meatballs that are served with roast potatoes and a dollop of lingonberry jam ($19) and end with the desserts. The sweet treats coupled with the personal pot service and eclectic selection of Gryphon teas are a winning combination. Definitely go with the Swedish chocolate cake, Kladdkaka ($8) and Swedish pancakes with fresh berries ($13) for sweet endings.

Located at Royal Plaza Hotel’s lobby, this popular buffet restaurant consists of four dining sections: The Living Room, The State Rooms, The Verandah and The Terrace.

FOOD

On the buffet line’s an impressive international menu that spans Asian and Western cuisine, featuring dishes such as sushi and traditional rotisseries, while live food stations whip up hot dishes like laksa and pasta. Children dine from $20 to $56 and adults from $32 to $86, depending on whether you’re heading down for breakfast, brunch, tea or dinner. Remember to save some space for dessert(s)!

The decor of Islamic Restaurant is grander than you’d expect of a 95-year-old briyani shop. Then again, its regular patrons included the late presidents Yusoff Ishak and SR Nathan, and even the sultans of Brunei, Johor and Perak – literally providing meals fit for a king. Owner Abdul Rahiman was once the head chef for the wealthy Alsagoff family and his briyani was especially well-loved. Today, Islamic Restaurant is run by Rahiman's grandson, who still keeps the briyani recipe a secret.

Opened by three brothers with a serious case of wanderlust, I AM Cafe is inspired by the city of Amsterdam. This prime people-watching spot sits on the corner of Haji Lane and North Bridge Road is probably the hippest on this list. In-house specials include charcoal-grilled beef burgers ($16.90) and lightly battered fried dory ($16.90), which comes with your choice of lemon or malt vinegar to douse on the accompanying thick-cut French fries.

At this bakery-slash-café, rustic cakes are whipped up using recipes tried and tested by owner Shannon Lua's grandmother. If well-made cakes are your ultimate comfort food, then invest in one of their homemade offerings. The bakers here are quick to hop onto the minimally frosted cake trend with slices of salted caramel, red velvet and lychee rose. 

Located in a bustling food precinct in the CBD area, Royz et Vous holds its own, serving a straightforward Western menu - complete with Halal wine. Dine in and order The Royale ($19.90) with crossiant, smoked salmon, and poached egg, or The Benedict ($19.90) that comes with grilled turkey bacon instead. Wash it all down with a specialty cold brew ($8) served black or white. 

The East side is chock-full of quality halal cafes. Located along Bedok Road is Badoque Café, a restaurant that serves up a mishmash of Asian fusion, Greek and Mediterranean fare to keep things interesting. To try on its menu is the beef ribs that come in generous portions and are served with homemade barbecue sauce.