Singapore Halal Cafes & Restaurants: 8 Cheap International Food Spots

Halal cafes & restaurants in Singapore

Most of us are indecisive when it comes to ordering food – be it in our own country or while we’re overseas. For those with dietary and religious restrictions, narrowing down food spots might be even harder.

To make it easier for you the next time you’re in neighbouring Singapore, we rounded up 8 halal cafes and restaurants with affordably priced food. Whether you’re looking for good grub or a wallet-friendly meal even after currency conversions, these places have it all.

1. Tipo Pasta Bar – build-your-own pasta dishes

Image credit: @ieatliau

Pastas don’t always come cheap, as they’re often packed with ingredients such as prawns and mushrooms. But at Tipo Pasta Bar, a Muslim-owned restaurant, you can get build-your-own pastas priced from just S$9.90++ (~RM32.83).

A display of the day’s pasta choices – a regular-sized pasta comes with 120g of any chosen pasta.
Image credit: Eatbook

As everything is customisable, you’ll just have to decide how much you are willing to fork out for your meal. Choose your portion size – regular or grande. Next, settle on a sauce for the freshly made pastas – Aglio Olio, Alfredo, Pomodoro, Roasted Red Pepper or Beef Ragu.

The Beef Ragu with strips of tender beef is a crowd-favourite, and needs no add-ons.

Image credit: Eatbook

There are complimentary toppings such as chilli flakes and shaved parmesan to level up your pasta dish too. For more fancy options, their basic (S$1, ~RM3.25) toppings include extras such as caramelised tomatoes, while the classic (S$2, ~RM6.50) category has add-ons such as truffle olive oil.

You can also go all out with the premium (S$3, ~RM9.75) toppings that include black caviar.

Tipo Pasta Bar’s tasteful interior boasts soft pink and turquoise walls.
Image credit: Eatbook

Tipo has several outlets with different concepts in Singapore. But Tipo Pasta Bar specialises in handmade pastas and is located in a convenient spot. It’s just a 4-minute walk from Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam, and is accessible via Lavender and Nicoll Highway MRT stations.

To avoid disappointment, make a dinner reservation here.

Address: #01-07, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Tipo website

Tipo Pasta Bar is a Muslim-owned eatery.

2. Afterwit – neon-lit Mexican restaurant

Image credit: @afterwitsg

Mexican food often feels like a party – bite into a burrito and the wonderful blend of ingredients explodes just like a fiesta in your mouth. Afterwit, a Muslim-owned Mexican joint, serves an array of Mexican dishes, such as the Pollo for S$15 (~RM49.72) with pulled chicken and rice.

Image credit: Afterwit Bar de Burrito

There’re also vegetarian-friendly options for the more health-conscious Malaysian. For starters, the Tofu Sanchez for S$14 (~RM46.43) swops out meat for a mouthwatering medley of roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bean curd skin, marinated tofu and vegan sour cream.

But if it happens to be your cheat day, their desserts, which go for S$10 (~RM33.15) per plate, are worth a try. There are empanadas – pastry pockets of caramelised bananas, served with vanilla gelato and dulce de leche, or caramelised milk – and the classic churros tossed in cinnamon sugar, that come with a choice of chocolate sauce or dulce de leche as a dip.

Image credit: @intuition.arc

Afterwit has been around since 2015, but recently refreshed their restaurant decor in 2020. The space now features a neon-lit ambience with yellow scaffoldings left intact, and other quirky elements such as a dining table with hammock chairs.

Address: 778 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198746
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: Afterwit website

Afterwit is a Muslim-owned eatery.

3. The Great Mischief – dine with a view of Marina Bay Sands

Patatas Bravas.
Image credit: @minimalmochieats

To famished visitors of the National Gallery Singapore, The Great Mischief is a good place to visit for a cup of coffee and brunch. Tucked inside the museum, this Instagrammable cafe boasts a regional Spanish menu and cosy booth seats that look out to a view of the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

Image credit: @wtharttz

Their Catalan-inspired menu items comprise tapas, sandwiches, pastas and even kid-friendly plates. If you’re swinging by for a late-morning meal with your pals, there are brunch specials such as the classic Frittata for S$16 (~RM53.01) – a turkey ham omelette topped with Spanish cheese and fresh greens.

Image credit: @onedonnottendon

Else, most diners recommend ordering a variety of tapas and sharing. Among these small dishes are Patatas Bravas – fried potatoes with a sunny-side-up egg, garlic aioli and spicy tomato sauce – for S$16 (~RM53.01), and Croquetas with turkey ham and mozzarella filling for S$12 (~RM39.78).

Address: #01-17, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: 10am-5pm (Brunch) & 6pm-10pm (Dinner), Daily
Contact: The Great Mischief website

The Great Mischief is a Muslim-owned eatery.

4. The Bravery – all-day breakfast menu

Image credit: @iris.nihao

Brunch has always been a popular concept. But brinner, or breakfast for dinner, may be the next best thing. With an all-day breakfast menu, The Bravery is the perfect spot to head to for pancakes and other breakfast staples to enjoy any time of day – even as late as 9.30pm.

The Muslim-owned cafe is best known for their Steak & Eggs – striploin, sourdough toast and sunny side eggs. But for something more affordable, there’s the classic Avo & Eggs for S$14 (~RM46.41) with smashed avocado and scrambled eggs over freshly baked sourdough toast.

Image credit: @alexiusboy

While on the pricier side, the Pancake Stack for S$16 (~RM53.06) is a crowd-favourite. Triple stacked pancakes are served with tart berry compote, mixed berries and cream cheese.

Find a selection of hearty Western mains to fuel up on too, such as Fish & Chips for S$15 (~RM49.75) and Pesto Mushroom for S$14 (~RM46.43). For a complete meal, pair these with the cafe’s unique drinks – Cold Brew Orange Mocha for S$8 (~RM26.05) or the Lavender Latte for S$6 (~RM19.55).

Image adapted from: @doggaebi, @_thebravery_

To get here, alight at Telok Ayer MRT Station and it’ll be a brisk 4-minute walk to the cafe.

Address: 50 Amoy Street, Singapore 069876
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 9am-5pm | Fri-Sun 9am-9.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: The Bravery website

The Bravery is a Muslim-owned eatery.

5. working title – gourmet burgers & ice cream sandwiches

Image credit: @workingtitlesg

Singapore has many burger chains that can’t be found in neighbouring countries. But consider going local with your gourmet burgers at working title, a Muslim-owned restaurant.

They whip up a variety of mouthwatering gourmet burgers and sweet treats here. This includes The Classic for $15 (~RM49.75) – a meaty burger with Angus patty, smoked cheddar, dill pickles and tomato chilli jam.

Image credit: @workingtitlesg

The I Am Go Rang for $16 (~RM53.06) is slightly pricier, but the fried chicken patty and coleslaw sandwiched between buttery buns will be a flavoursome meal – expect a medley of sweet and savoury tases, and crispy and juicy textures.

Image credit: Working Title

Some patrons would argue that their extra crispy fries are the star of the menu. There are three options from S$4 (~RM13.26) – the classic House Fries, Nori Fries, and the Not Your Fries topped with beef chorizo. Add on shakes from S$10 (~RM33.15) to complete your all-American fare.

To end your meal on a sweet note, there are also ice cream sandwiches to order – Oh Rio and PBJ for $7 (~RM23.30) each.

working title Burger Bar
Address: 783 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: working title (Burger Bar) website

working title is a Muslim-owned eatery.

6. The Fabulous Baker Boy – all-day brunch

Image credit: @eatsleepcoffeerepeat

The Fabulous Baker Boy is a popular halal-certified cafe that serves a slew of savoury staples to help you start your day with a good, full meal.

The Good Ol’ Eggs Benny from S$14 (~RM46.41) is worth a try. This dish comes with a pair of poached eggs on slices of sourdough brioche, drenched with hollandaise sauce and served with roasted potatoes. Choose from an extra side of turkey bacon or cream-stewed spinach.

A counter of freshly made cakes, priced between S$10-S$12 per slice.
Image adapted from: @xueren_cold

They also serve a variety of cloud-like pancakes that range between S$12-S$15. The Plain Pancakes for $12 (~RM33.15) are a classic, while the Valrhona Choco Chip Pancakes for $14 (~RM46.41) is an extra sweet treat for pancake lovers.

Image adapted from: The Fabulous Baker Boy / Google Maps

The Fabulous Baker Boy is located at Aliwal Arts Centre, and is just a 4-minute walk from the Sultan Mosque. It’s accessible via the Bugis and Nicoll Highway MRT stations.

Address: #01-01 Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal St, Singapore 199918
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 11am-9.30pm │ Sat 9.30am-9.30pm │Sun 9.30am-6.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: The Fabulous Baker Boy website

The Fabulous Baker Boy is a MUIS halal-certified eatery.

7. Permata – Nusantara cuisine in a historic building

Image credit: @visitkamponggelam

Singapore may be known for its glossy skyscrapers. But there are historical buildings to be found in the city too, including the eye-catching Gedung Kuning that houses Permata. This restaurant in the 1850s mansion offers a semi-fine dining fare, with a twist on traditional Malay Nusantara cuisine.

Image credit: @msginginly

Start your meal with appetisers that look as good as they taste. The Kerabu Daging Seri Mersing for S$18 (~RM59.69), for starters, comes with tender slices of chateaubriand, complemented with refreshing fruits and vegetables, and topped with edible flowers.

You’ll be enticed to splurge a little more on their casual fine-dining mains, which range from S$22-S$46 (~RM72.96-RM152.57) per plate. Check out the Asam Pedas Kupang with black mussels served with toasted bread to scoop up the flavourful consomme, and Risotto Senandung with young jackfruit, for S$22 (~RM72.96) per plate.

Image credit: Permata Singapore

Permata is located just a 2-minute walk from Sultan Mosque, so you can cap off your Kampong Glam exploration with a fitting regional lunch.

Enjoy 15% off your total bill when you pay with your Visa card at Permata. Simply make a reservation online at Permata here, and enter “VISA15” under Reservation Notes.

Address: 73 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198497
Opening hours: 12pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: +65 9082 9941 | Permata website | Facebook

Permata is a Halal-certified eatery.

8. The Ramen Stall – adjust the spice levels in your volcano ramen

Image adapted from: @rawr.hi

A popular no-frills supper spot among locals, The Ramen Stall is a go-to place in the Bugis area for halal-certified Japanese food. Even without showy decor, they attract plenty of customers – especially during the rainy season, when you’re craving a hot bowl of spicy soup.

Image credit: @xinfulbites

Their Volcano Chicken Ramen for S$13.90 (~RM46.10) is a signature spicy dish. You can adjust the spice levels in the ramen, which is a plus. Level 1 is pretty intense to start with, so only go for the spiciest level 3 option if you’re a known spice lover among your group of friends.

Besides the spicy punch, the chicken-based broth is creamy and flavourful – a result of over 30 hours of boiling meat and bones in the restaurant’s kitchen. The soup also pairs nicely with the mushrooms, chicken slices, onsen egg and chewy noodles.

Image credit: @picky.buds

Other Japanese dishes served here are bento boxes, such as Chicken Cutlet with Egg for S$12.90 (~RM42.78) and Spicy Garlic Chicken Rice with Egg for S$11.90 (~RM39.46).

The Ramen Stall is just a 3-minute walk from Sultan Mosque – you can get here by alighting at Lavender MRT Station, just 7 minutes away.

Address: 787 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-4pm & 5pm-11pm │ Fri-Sun 11am-11pm
Contact: The Ramen Stall website

The Ramen Stall is a MUIS halal-certified eatery.

Halal cafes and restaurants for international cuisine in Singapore

Good, hearty meals are a must when you’re overseas, as they fuel you up for your next adventure. That is, until you recall how much it typically costs to have a delicious meal.

This is usually the case for travellers – having simpler meals to leave more cash for shopping. But at these halal cafes and restaurants in Singapore, you can have delectable food while still keeping to a budget.

With the ease of using a Visa card around Singapore, you won’t have to worry about running out of hard cash to pay for your meals. If you happen to be a foodie, you can also enjoy a host of deals at eateries to boot.

As all these Muslim-friendly eateries are accessible via MRT, use a Visa card conveniently on public transport to reach them. So, simply tap and start exploring Singapore’s culinary scene with your Visa card.