The best halal restaurants in Bugis

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.

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. It is sometimes served on the bone with white bread and pickles – possibly to take off the heat a little. Curious? Save the plane ticket to ‘Merica, you can get some in Arab Street.

It is wagyu haven at Wakuwaku Yakiniku, Singapore’s first halal yakiniku restaurant. Nestled along Bali Lane right at the edge of Kampong Glam, this restaurant is easy to miss – but if you listen for that sexy sizzling of meats and follow the smoky, savoury scent, you may just find yourself face to face with its array of charcoal grilled premium wagyu cuts. The Japanese A5 wagyu (they’re halal!) cut is richly umami, marbled and decadent. Wakuwaku Yakiniku also has a seafood selection that includes oysters, tiger prawns, scallops and shishamo to cater to non-red meat eaters.

This halal buffet restaurant needs no introduction. Besides being headlined by well-loved celebrity Chef Bob, the lavishly decorated restaurant is known for its affordable international spread. Take your tastebuds on a globetrotting journey across the Mediterranean, Europe and of course, Asia, where bold flavours are expressed in generous free-serve portions. On weekends, cue in the live seafood stations where guests are invited to enjoy not only fresh seafood but also a range of pasta, pizza and even satay. For a truly amorous evening, ask to be seated poolside and let the fairy-lit atmosphere work its magic.

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. 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. Given its modest size and popularity, seats at The White Label fill up quickly so do book ahead.

Promising the taste of Hokkaido, this halal Japanese ramen chain is known to serve up consistent bowls of slurp-worthy noodles and rice bowls. The flavourful broth uses chicken bones and accompaniments of bonito, mackerel and Hokkaido kelp to give it a signature umami. Springy yet firm to bite, the noodles are made from Hokkaido wheat and every bowl comes with the finishing touches of Aosa seaweed from the Hokkaido sea. The best part? Prices are kept affordable too, where the classic shoyu ramen ($9.90) is kept under the 10-buck mark. Other signatures include the fan-favourite Japanese garlic karaage don and the bountiful Hokkai-ramen filled with crab legs, scallops and shrimp. 

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. 

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. 

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 ($12.90) to Cajun spiced chicken ($12.90). Vegetarian? Fear not, Afterwit also has savoury vegetarian options such black beans, corn and mushroom taco and grilled eggplant tacos (both $12.90). Quench your thirst with a vanilla horchata ($9.90) or the crowd favourite, virgin lychee mojito ($9.90). 

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 like beef rendang ($10.90) and Indonesian curry ($15.90). Besides piling on the baskets of siew mai ($4.20/3 pieces) and crystal shrimp dumplings ($5.20/3 pieces), remember to include the fragrant garlic egg fried rice ($9.90) too. 

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. 

Halal Swedish food 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.

‘Not all who wander are lost’, is a common saying around Wanderlost Lounge hidden within the CBD. The brainchild behind Atap Bar, The Halal Mixologist, opens this mocktail spot perched among the skyscrapers. Taking inspiration from classic books such as Harry Potter, The Little Prince and more, Wanderlost Lounge shakes up a storm of refreshing mocktails that fits perfectly with the unique concept and location of the lounge. Pair your storybook drinks with hearty grub like the mentaiko scallops, creamy mussel au gratin and bone-in braised beef ribs.

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.

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. 

You don’t need to be from New York to have heard about The Halal Guys, a famous food truck empire known for serving up spice-scented meats with rice. And now, you don’t even need to travel far to get a taste of the dish. Closer to home, along Arab Street, four Singaporeans have decided to open a rice bowl café inspired by the iconic street cart. Expect grilled meats and falafel balls served atop fragrant rice, stuffed pita pockets, and even cheesecake shooters to satiate any hunger pangs.

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.