The best halal restaurants and cafés in Singapore

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.

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). 

Fans of spicy, spicy food would appreciate taking an adventure with Sichuan and Mala cuisine. At Le Fuse in Arab Street, everything is halal and you might even spot some rather interesting Malay-Mala fusion dishes on the menu. Get funky with the Soto Sichuan ($8) or beef dendeng Sichuan ($10.80) or stick to the traditional stuff like Chong Qing diced chicken ($9.80), Mala Xiang Guo ($12.80) and Mala Tang ($12.80) for the soup version of the spicy favourite. 

Craving for some British classics such as Bangers&Mash or Fish&Chips? Head over to the den of The Mad Sailors located at the heart of Haji Lane. From the same blokes that gave us (Working Title), Afterwit, Tipo and The Co-Op, The Mad Sailors whips up good ol’ Britsh grub with a bit of Singapore twist. From the classic English roast ($32.60) to Fish & Chips ($25.90), get a taste of quintessential London right here in Singapore.

Who knew a cake shop would venture into the steak business? Founded by The Royals Cafe group, the Royals Steakhouse whips up mouth-watering steaks from Australia and New Zealand at affordable prices (starting from $26). Seasoned with just salt and pepper, these prime-cuts are paired with sauces that elevate taste and sensation.

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). 

Authentic Italian restaurants in Singapore? There are a couple. Authentic Halal Italian restaurants? It's harder to come by. At Kucina, it is all about quality. Tuck into hearty Italian fare like risotto, pizzas and the huge range of pasta dishes here. Highlights include the gnocchi quattro formaggi ($24.90) and the risotto de seppia ($27.90). 

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.   

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.

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 has got to be one of the more authentic places to get 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.

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. 

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 bostro Fika certainly stands out in the mostly traditional area dominated by shophouses and heritage businesses. Although many come for the halal Swedish meatballs that are served with roast potatoes and a dollop of lingonberry jam ($19), the desserts are the clear winner here, while the mains are only so-so; tea-lovers will appreciate the personal pot service and eclectic selection of Gryphon teas. Avoid the unwieldy, open-faced sandwiches and stick with the sweet stuff: a just-right Swedish chocolate cake, Kladdkaka ($8) and Swedish pancakes with fresh berries ($13) go down a treat.

The food court is given a facelift at this hotel restaurant. Designed by Tokyo-based restaurant design mavens Super Potato, the space is trimmed with steel, timber and marble finishes.

FOOD

The fully halal buffet spread runs the gamut from laksa, sticks of satay and char-grilled stingray to chicken rice, naan, tandoori meats and Peranakan desserts. Lunch prices are at $52 for adults and $28 for the kids, and dinners are steeper at $62 and $35, respectively. 

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. 

Eclectic decor and mismatched furniture dominate this casual chill-out spot along Arab Street. Head to the back of the cafe where you can dine under a sun roof (but still enjoy the comfort of air conditioning) where there's loads of natural light, should you need to indulge in the mandatory Instagram shot. It does a mean beef burger that’s topped with cheese and veg ($14.90). 

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. 

Baked goods are the order of the day at All Things Delicious with various sweet offerings or opt for a hearty brunch at this Arab Street joint. Sweet treats aside, All Things Delicious also provides savoury options such as pumpkin on sourdough ($12.90/$19.90) topped with housemate za’atar, feta, pomegranate, and an soft-boiled egg; shashouka ($18.90) and more. 

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.