To all of our Muslim readers, we know the past month has truly been an arduous one but with such strict discipline and resilience comes the sweetest rewards, wouldn’t you say? Here we let you in on 10 of our all-time favourite Muslim-friendly halal joints for you to feast at with the girls.
We’ve got a rustic barbecue joint that’s doing righteous barbecued brisket and a slew of smoked delights, a luxurious seafood-forward buffet that will have you feasting like a queen as well as an array of cafes serving up sensational brunch fare, gourmet burgers and coffee for you and the girlies to bond over.
Founded by the folks behind ASAP & Co. and Walaku SG — widely renowned for their elevated take on traditional nasi lemak — Cherry & Oak is an American smokehouse concept located along Owen Road that strives to bridge the gap between Western-influenced barbecue and slow-smoking methods along with hearty Asian flavours and recipes. Whether it’s a smoked beef brisket you crave, sausages or even seafood, trust that its custom-built smoker can handle it all. And of course, to best accompany its selection of smoked delights is its signature nasi lemak so be sure not to skip it.
For the love of scratch-made pasta and all things contemporary — think flavours such as Dill & Lemon Fettuccine and Saffron Fusilli — Tipo Pasta Bar has got to be one of the top spots for pasta lovers. The folks who run the joint and roll the dough are all about respecting artisanal produce, utilising whatever they get in the best way possible. The pasta, as well as the sauces at Tipo, are all handcrafted using high-quality ingredients sourced from in and around the region. What's also awesome about Tipo is that it offers a “build your own pasta” option that allows diners to have complete control over what they get from the choice of pasta and sauce right down to the individual components such as proteins and additional seasonings like truffle oil, chilli flakes, cheese — you get the drill.
The halal-certified arm by Collin’s offers gourmet European plates at reasonable prices. Situated at Jewel Changi, the restaurant is helmed by Chef Joseph Loh, who, during his formative years, had honed his craft working at many esteemed restaurants such as Restaurant Andre, where he was Executive Chef, and at the Les Amis Group where he boasted the title of Demi Chef. Armed with more than 25 years of experience, his expertise is exquisitely plated knock-outs such as the Charcoal Grilled Australian Angus Tomahawk, Seafood Bouillabaisse and Seared Hokkaido Scallop with a warm Nicoise dressing. If you’re intending to visit in a larger group, you can also opt for sharing portions of grilled meat and seafood to pair with sides such as fries and more.
Translating to ginger in Malay, the name Halia is a reference to the world-famous Ginger Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, in which the restaurant resides. Situated in a historic colonial establishment surrounded by lush foliage complemented by wood-carved tables and open verandas, there's no better place that offers its charming tranquillity. After its halal certification, The Halia has climbed up the ranks as a popular spot for special occasions. The restaurant focuses on modern European cuisine with flecks of Asian influences that aim to pay homage to local ingredients and the surrounding flora and fauna. If you’re feeling indulgent, definitely try their 48-hour slow-cooked Wagyu Beef Cheek. It’s truly as decadent as it sounds, served with buttery mash, mala-dressed broccolini, house-pickled radish and a luxuriously glossy black pepper jus.
The Mad Sailors pays homage to the spirit of discovery from the old British seafarers. Celebrating everything there is to celebrate about what the sea can offer. The cuisine up in this joint is essentially British so expect classic pub grub with an elevated twist but with a heavier emphasis on seafood and fish. For a truly British affair, consider going full ham with its crispy, majestically golden Cod & Chips or its rustic, hearty Raging Roast. We’ve heard tell that their sticky-sweet and mad indulgent Marmite Ribs is a guaranteed showstopper as well.
A charming spot hidden within the confines of National Gallery Singapore decked out in pastel-hued interiors, plush scallop chairs and terrazzo tables, The Great Mischief is a place that never fails to impress — and we haven’t even begun talking about what it offers yet. The restaurant draws its inspiration from Catalan influences, which is evident in how luxurious, intimate and refined the space is complemented by how thoughtful the plating of food is as well. On the menu, you’ll find anything from gourmet sandwiches, brunch-appropriate dishes and even tapas dishes perfect for sharing.
Many don’t know this but (working title) at Arab Street, despite being a long-time favourite among Singapore’s roaring cafe scene, was one of the pioneers in the local cafe brunch scene. After unceremoniously shutting its doors in late 2018, the buzzy hipster joint is now back and has found a new home nestled beside Singapore’s longest river. (working title) Riverside is the perfect space to unwind over the weekend. You’ve got lush greenery surrounding it, a breezy al fresco dining space and a repertoire of mega tasty brunch delights to boot. If you’re hankering after good food and better vibes devoid of any pretentiousness, you’ll do well to make a beeline for (working title) Riverside.
Arguably the most popular halal buffet in Singapore, this restaurant boasts an extensive, all-encompassing spread that has everything from Asian to Japanese to Mediterranean — and don’t even get us started on how vast its raw seafood selection is. Not only is the restaurant famous for its variety, but it’s also known for serving some of the freshest seafood and sashimi around. Top that with exceptional customer service, live chef stations that never fail to impress, and it’s no surprise the place is often booked out on weekends and during festive occasions.
For authentic Turkish fare that won’t break the bank, served in a casual chic restaurant setting, Sofra rarely disappoints. Specialising in traditional Ottoman cuisine, it expects you to tuck into the likes of pide, the Turkish answer to pizza that typically comes filled with molten cheese and a generous scattering of meat, or the indispensable kebab, a meat-lover’s heaven that’s packed full of aromatic spices and a deep meaty flavour. For dessert, there are only two ways to do Turkish cuisine right, and that's to round your meal off with a kunefe (sweet cheese pastry with sugar syrup) or crisp, flaky baklava — both are made from scratch in-house here and both are exceptionally delicious without being overly cloying.
Tucked away in Dempsey Hill, Hathaway strives to pay homage to the many contrasting peoples, cuisines and cultures of Southeast Asia which is also partially why the popular brunch spot has chosen to operate without serving pork or alcohol in an effort to be more inclusive of our local communities, including the Malays from whom they draw inspiration. Signatures include its Octopus Bakar & Sambal Udang as well as brunch favourites like the Pengat Pisang French Toast. To wash it all down, don’t miss out on its thoughtful list of non-alcoholic beverages such as its house fermented Lychee Ginger Ale and White Muscato Kombucha.
(Photos from: Alvin Tan)
Next, check out these affordable Michelin-star restaurants in SG.
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