It’s safe to say that no other southeast Asian country is as diverse in culture, as Singapore. Also, not only is this little red dot full of culture, colours, and diversity, it also boasts a whole ton of amenities that cater to all the different groups of people. Whether it’s a neighbourhood hawker centre or a high-end buffet restaurant, you’ll see different stalls and food vendors that cater to the different cultural and religious preferences. Singapore isn’t only diverse when it comes to food, there are many places to stay and things to do, that cater to every traveller. So enough rambling, here’s a helpful and handy guide that we’ve prepared, for every Muslim traveller who plans to make their way to Singapore!
1. Where to eat
Muslims make up almost 15 percent of Singapore’s population, meaning that it is never difficult to find a Halal restaurant, cafe, eaterie or even a small stall. The Muslim food here is Halal certified by the Islamic Council of Singapore and it comes in all types. From local, international and kampung-style cuisine, you’re sure to find something you like. All you’ve got to do is check for the Halal sign that is almost always placed noticeably, in the eatery. As a guide, here are the go-to Halal eateries, in Singapore!
Restaurants
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Singaporeans love their food, so you can expect tons of restaurants, everywhere you go. These restaurants offer a variety of cuisine that has received praise from the media as well as online food blogs and sites. These restaurants range from the high-end with a dress code to the humble and casual dining outlet.
Some of the most recommended Halal restaurants in Singapore are Hajah Maimunah, that serves Kampung-style Malay cuisine, Big Bern’s, with their hearty and generous portions of Western cuisine and Cajun on Wheels, a Cajun-style dining restaurant.
Also, Halal restaurants in Singapore are a big hit, meaning they are almost always packed. So be sure to make reservations to avoid disappointment!
Hajah Maimunah
Address: 11 Jln Pisang, Singapore 199078
Opening Hours: 7am - 8pm. Closed on Sundays.
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bugis
Contact: +65 6297 4294
Website: Hajah Maimunah
Big Bern's American Grill
Address: 978 Toa Payoh North , #02-01, Singapore 319001
Opening Hours: 11:30am - 9pm daily
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bishan
Contact: +65 6710 7362
Website: Big Bern’s American Grill
Cajun On Wheels
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard Suntec City Mall Level 1 North Wing
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm daily
Access: Nearest MRT station: City Hall
Facebook: Cajun On Wheels
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Cafes
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
It’s safe to say that Singapore has a lot of Halal cafes. There has been a steady increase in Halal cafes, in Singapore, over the years and most of them come with amazing ambience and food, clearly proving that the culture of Halal food, is here to stay. Halal cafes are located all over the island and finding one isn’t difficult, especially since they’re always featured online. Although the food can be a little pricey, everyone deserves a treat once in a while, right?
Some of the best Halal cafes in Singapore include Penny University, a cafe that is widely adored by all communities in Singapore and serves some of the best Halal food around, the I am Cafe, a Muslim-owned eatery that has welcomes queues of patrons every day, and Paddington House of Pancakes, a Halal pancake joint.
These cafes also have colourful interiors and Insta-worthy food - you’re bound to want to come back for more!
Penny University
Address: 402 East Coast Road Singapore 428997
Opening Hours: Mondays – Thurdays: 8.30am - 6pm, Fridays – Saturdays: 8.30am - 10.30pm, Sundays: 8.30am - 7pm
Contact: +65 9008 9314
Website: Penny University
I am Cafe
Address: 674 North Bridge Road, junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane
Opening Hours: Mondays - Thursdays 11.30am - 11pm, Fridays - Saturdays: 11.30am - 1am, Sundays: 11.30am - 10pm, Closed on first and third Mondays of the month.
Contact: +65 6295 5509
Website: I am Cafe
Paddington House of Pancakes
Address: City Square Mall 180 Kitchener Road #02-3/3, Singapore 208539
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 10.30pm Daily
Contact: +65 6612 9029
Website: Paddington House of Pancakes
Desserts
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
There’s always room for dessert, right? Like cafes, Singapore has an abundance of Halal desserts. It’s almost as if every time a new cafe pops up, a dessert shop or stall will accompany it. They are also located all around the city, although most can be found in the bustling area of Arab Street.
These dessert shops come in all shapes and forms. From cupcake bakeries to churros, all of them have something in common, and that is that they are well loved by every Singaporean. These bakeries also come with delivery services and some are opened by local celebrities, as well. Which ones are the best? It’s hard to pick, really. But personally, my favorites are Fluff Bakery, a cupcake and cake bakery that is so popular, people can be seen queueing one hour before the shop opens, Chulop, a store specializing in Halal churros, and Butter Studio.
But don’t narrow down your choices because most Halal cafes come with their own dessert menus, that are equally impressive!
Fluff Bakery
Address: 12 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199079
Opening Hours: 12pm until all bakes sell out. Closed on Mondays.
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bugis
Website: Fluff Bakery
Chulop
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1 #B1-K02, Singapore 609731
Opening Hours: 11am - 9:30pm.
Access: Nearest MRT station: Jurong East
Facebook: Chulop
Butter Studio
Address: 147 Jln Besar, Singapore 208865
Opening Hours: 12pm - 12am.
Access: Nearest MRT station: Lavender
Website: Butter Studio
2. Where to stay
Accommodation is just as important as food and finding Muslim-friendly accommodation isn’t too hard, in Singapore. There are a ton of hotels in Singapore, and although most of them don’t offer Muslim-friendly facilities, they are located near mosques and Halal eateries - partly because Singapore is a small country, making your stay enjoyable and without fuss. Here are the best accommodation options for Muslim’s, in Singapore! Starting with the hotels, a Muslim-friendly hotel in Singapore isn’t hard to find. Not only do they come with world class amenities, these hotels include on-site restaurants that serve an amazing array of Halal cuisine and are well-known amongst local and international guests. These restaurants have also been featured in multiple media publications, including food blogs and other sites.
Hotels (from USD 236)
One of the most recommended Muslim-friendly hotels in Singapore is the Fairmont Hotel. They are home to the Asian Market Cafe, a well-known restaurant that serves an impressive menu of Asian-Halal dishes. The hotel also provides Muslim guests with prayer mats and prayer timetables upon request, as well as allocated prayer areas. And if you’re looking for more Halal food options during your stay, simply ask the staff! They’ll be happy to give you a whole list of Halal eateries, located near the vicinity.
Another recommended hotel is the Royal Plaza on Scotts. They have a very famous on-site buffet restaurant, Carousel, that serves up a wide range of options mostly centered around Asian and Meditteranean cuisine. They are located in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district: Orchard Road. For Muslim guests, you’ll be provided with prayer mats, prayer timetables and female prayer dresses, which you can use at the prayer areas of the hotel.
Accommodation in Singapore can be easily booked using booking sites such as Booking.com, Airbnb, and Homeaway. These sites will not only give you the best prices but will also state what is nearby the hotel and what amenities they offer.
Read our article on the best Muslim-friendly hotels in Singapore.
Royal Plaza on Scotts
Address: 25 Scotts Road, Orchard, 228220 Singapore, Singapore
Price: from 184 USD
Access: Nearest MRT station: Orchard
Fairmont Singapore (SG Clean)
Address: 80 Bras Basah Road
901 meters (0.6 ft) from Clarke Quay
3. Where to go
Think of Singapore and the first thing that comes to mind is the beautiful skyscrapers. But to be honest, for a country so small, the number of attractions in Singapore is definitely something the country can boast about. Singapore isn’t really rich in history, so you won’t find historical sites every few steps you take. But there are a wide number of beautiful landscapes and attractions that will offer perfect photo-taking opportunities.
To list all of the attractions in the city would make this article go on forever and choosing the best is a difficult task. So the best thing to do is to segregate them into separate categories!
Mosques
With a large Muslim community, there’s sure to be a huge number of Mosques in the country. Mosques in Singapore are mostly built by the contributions of the Muslim community, through the Mosque Building Fund (MBF). Most of them are built in an architectural style heavily influenced by Turkish, Persian, Middle Eastern, Classical and Moorish design. These mosques are also all administered by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
One of the most famous mosques in Singapore would have to be Masjid Sultan. The original mosque that once stood where Masjid Sultan is now, was first built as early as 1824 and was replaced by the current mosque, in 1928. The mosque has minarets, domes and balustrades and was designed by the architect, Denis Santry. It is considered a National Monument and is probably the highlight of bustling Haji Lane. It is especially beautiful at night when it is lit up. The mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors from 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm, daily.
There is at least one mosque located in every neighbourhood, in Singapore. Visitors are expected to dress appropriately and practice good behavior when entering the mosque, so as to respect the peaceful religion and culture of Islam. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore has put up a list of all the mosques on their website, complete with the addresses and contact details.
Masjid Sultan
Address: 3, Muscat Street Singapore 198833
Opening Hours: 9am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.
Contact: +65 6293 4405
Website: Masjid Sultan
List of Singapore's mosques
Museums
There are over 20 museums in Singapore, which is surprisingly a lot, considering that the country is so small! These museums are also really diverse. Besides the usual art spaces, there are also museums that cater to toys and even one that showcases the sporting history of Singapore.
The most visited, and recommended museum you should visit would have to be the National Museum of Singapore. It is the oldest museum in the city and was initially known as the Singapore History Museum. With a history dating back to 1849 and in a space so big, you’re bound to learn everything there is to know about the country’s history, right here. There are two main galleries in the museum - the History gallery, and the Singapore Living Galleries, which focuses on themes such as food, fashion, film, and photography. Also, the museum boasts amazing architecture, that is perfect for photo opportunities!
Another museum you should visit is the National Gallery. Like the National Museum of Singapore, the National Gallery has beautiful architecture and interior design that attracts photographers from around the world. It’s building originally served as the Supreme Court and after heavy construction, it opened its doors as the National Gallery of Singapore, in 2015. Fairly new to the scene, the museum is the largest in Singapore and showcases Southeast Asian art that dates back to the 19th century.
National Museum of Singapore
Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm.
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bras Basah
Contact: +65 6332 3659
Website: National Museum of Singapore
National Gallery
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm.
Access: Nearest MRT station: City Hall
Contact: +65 6271 7000
Website: National Gallery
Attractions and sites
Singapore is one of the top tourist spots in southeast Asia, partly due to its numerous sites and attractions that see heaps of crowds, during the weekends and holidays. Attractions in Singapore are mostly located in Marina Bay and include Gardens By the Bay, Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, Suntec City and more. There are also the national parks such as the Zoo, the Bird Park, the Night Safari, and the River Safari.
I would say a visit to Gardens By the Bay is a must. Not only is the entrance free, the place is huge and a haven for nature lovers. It consists of 101 hectares (249.6 acres) of different gardens that include the Children’s Garden, Malay Garden, Chinese Garden and more. During your visit, be sure to stay until the evening because that’s when the Supertrees light up and give a spectacular light show, that is both enchanting and calming. Truly a free experience that shouldn’t be missed!
Also, Gardens By The Bay is located just next to the Marina Barrage, Singapore’s largest water dam and also one of the most famous picnic spots, and just in front of the Marina Bay Sands! There is also a huge hawker centre, Satay By The Bay, located in between the gardens and Marina Barrage, where you can enjoy some of the best local food around.
Gardens By The Bay
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: 5am - 2am daily
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bayfront
Contact: +65 6420 6848
Website: Gardens By The Bay
4. Where to shop
Besides being a tourist spot, Singapore is also a major shopping district. With shopping malls everywhere and all kinds of deals happening around the clock, don’t be surprised if your wallet becomes empty and your hands full of shopping bags, by the end of your trip! Contrary to popular belief, not everything in Singapore is expensive. Yes, there are a lot of shopping malls, consisting mainly of branded goods but there are also flea markets happening almost every weekend!
Shopping hotspots
The most famous and probably the longest one would have to be the China Square Central Flea Market. Happening every Sunday from 11am to 6pm, you can shop for antiques, records, comics, watches, and so much more, all in one place. Bargains come at a few dollars each and if you’re lucky, you might even score yourself limited collectable items at cheap prices! You can also head to Bugis Street, Singapore’s biggest street shopping area. It houses stalls that range from accessories, apparel, food and more. There are even tattoo and nail parlours there!
China Square Central Flea Market
Address: 18 Cross Street, Singapore 048423
Opening Hours: Sundays: 11am - 6pm
Access: Nearest MRT station: Telok Ayer
Contact: +65 6327 4473
Bugis Street
Address: 3 New Bugis St, Singapore 188867
Access: Nearest MRT station: Bugis
If you’re looking for a place to buy pretty Malay apparel, head over to the booming city of Kampung Glam, home to a wide variety of boutiques. It is a bit costly, we should warn. But hey, anything for pretty fabric, right? If you’re not looking to break the bank, head over to Tanjong Katong Complex and Joo Chiat Complex, home to famous boutiques selling outfits and traditional costumes at reasonable prices. They also have deals happening almost every other month, so be sure to look out for that!
Tanjong Katong Complex
Address: 845 Geylang Rd, Singapore 400845
Joo Chiat Complex
Address: 1 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 420001
5. Getting Around
There’s so much to do in Singapore but don’t get overwhelmed! Because getting around the country is actually really easy. Singapore’s public transportation is so efficient, that personally as a Singaporean, it is something I will forever be thankful for. Also, the places listed in this article are mostly easy to locate and are just within a short walking distance, either from the bus stop or the train station. Although public transportation in Singapore isn’t 24-hours, there’s always the taxis and Uber!
Singapore's MRT Map
Website: SMRT
And finally...
An important thing to note when visiting Singapore is that with four main ethnic groups, there comes four languages. Almost everyone speaks English, here. But, the way we speak it might be a little different than what you’re used to. We don’t really call it an accent, but a more used term would be “Singlish” which means Singaporean English. It is kind of a mix of all four (or sometimes even more) languages! Enjoy your trip!
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