Burpple - Best Halal Cafes & Restaurants 2017
If you're looking to suss out the tastiest Halal-friendly eats in Singapore, search no further. This week's updated version of our annual Best Halal Cafes and Restaurants guide is your handbook for all-occasion dining, with many places voted in by Burpplers. From dim sum in North Bridge and cheat day burgers and milkshakes, to rainy weather Korean stews and a DIY pizza buffet, there's plenty to get the appetites going. Enjoy!. This article was originally published on burpple.com. Download the app for iPhone and Android now at burpple.com/getapp!
1. Deanna's Kitchen (Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre)
For Halal Prawn Noodles in Toa Payoh For Halal Prawn Noodles in Toa Payoh
Located in Toa Payoh West Market and Food Centre, this Muslim-owned stall has been drawing in the crowds with their flavour-packed bowls of prawn noodles. Unlike other prawn noodles where pork bones are used in the soup stock, Deanna's Kitchen substitutes it for chicken bones, which in turn requires a longer boiling period. The result? A broth that's fresh and sweet, and the perfect base for the soupy Prawn Noodles ($3.50). The standard bowl comes with three prawns and a choice of yellow noodles or white bee hoon. If you're a fan of crustaceans, consider getting the Prawn Noodles with Clams ($6.50) that comes with a generous portion of clams. Pro tip: They only operate from Wednesdays to Sundays, so head down early to guarantee a bowl, as they sell out as early as 12.30pm. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler I Makan SG *Muslim-owned2. Lickety Ice Cream and Waffles
For Egglet Waffles in Kampong Glam For Egglet Waffles in Kampong Glam
Our Burpple community has been loving this recently opened Muslim-owned ice cream joint. Located next to Konditori Artisan European Bakery along Bussorah Street, Lickety is the place to visit for an unabashed sugar rush. Portions are generous and they certainly don't hold back with the sauces and toppings. Follow Burpple Tastemaker Vanessa Kou's lead and get the Egglet Waffles (from $8.90). Choose between the Red Velvet or Buttermilk-flavoured waffles, or get the half-and-half if you can't decide. Folded into a cone to house your ice cream (from $4.50), the waffles also come with a topping of your choice — Pocky sticks, Fruit Loops and more. We thought we'd tried all their flavours on our last visit, but we hear there's a new favourite, gula Melaka, in town! Not a fan? Try the Sea Salt Caramel that Burppler Siming T recommends, or stick to the best-selling Earl Grey & Fig. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Siming T *Muslim-owned3. Ridhuan's Muslim Delights
For Muslim Zi Char in the West For Muslim Zi Char in the West
If you find yourself in the far west, here's an idea for a pocket-friendly lunch. Even though it's tucked away in an industrial estate in Joo Koon, this Muslim-owned zi char stall draws a steady queue of lunch-goers with their tasty Halal fare. Previously known as Alex, before he converted to Islam when he married his wife, stall owner Ridhuan was actually a Chinese zi char cook for many years. You won't go wrong with his bestselling Butter Cream Chicken ($4 or $4.50 with rice). Despite being slicked in a rich cream sauce aromatic with curry leaves, the chicken skin still sports a nice crackle, and the meat was very tender. Another dish to try is his signature Green Chilli Fry Rice ($4), which sees the addition of green chilli to enliven what would otherwise be regular sambal fried rice. The portion size is generous, and good to share among two small eaters. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Dex Neo *Muslim-owned4. The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens
For Smart Plates in a Lush Garden Setting For Smart Plates in a Lush Garden Setting
This Singapore Botanic Gardens stalwart suited for special occasions has recently been Halal certified! Dine on smart Asian-inspired European plates in the chic resort setting — the light-filled room is perfect for celebratory brunches (sit alfresco if it's cool enough) but come dinner time, the ambience turns romantic and screams "date night". Halia's Singapore-Style Chilli Crab Spaghettini ($26) is a long-time favourite, thanks the balance of sweet, spicy and tangy; while the Paperbag Oven-Baked Halibut Fillet ($33) sees perfectly cooked fish slicked in a umami-packed soy and ginger broth, served with rice. For something lighter, consider the Lemongrass & Ginger Prawn Salad ($16). The base of glass noodles makes it substiantial enough for a light meal, while the ginger flower dressing keeps it fresh. Drinks-wise, Halia boasts a menu of comprehensive infusions, many with purported health benefits. Sip on their Cumin, Ginger, Cinnamon 'CGC' ($7) at the end of the meal — the honey-sweetened spice house brew is a natural digestif and also regulates blood sugar. Avg Price: $50 per person Photo by Burppler Shaowei Ho *Halal-certified5. Pistachio Grill
For Flavourful Middle Eastern Plates For Flavourful Middle Eastern Plates
Headed by Egyptian-born chef Khaled Elelimi, who is trained in Ayurveda (Indian holistic medicine), this Muslim-owned restaurant in Zhongshan Mall puts a healthier spin on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean plates — don't fret, the food is still delicious! Start with a serving each of Hummus Kawerma ($9.90, topped with minced beef), spot on Baba Ganoush ($7) and house-baked Pita Bread ($4) for sharing, then move on to their stellar grills. According to Burppler Muriel A, Pistachio Grill does chicken really well, so any of their chook options should please. Consider the juicy, tender and expertly seasoned Rosemary Grilled Chicken ($13.90), or get the flavour-packed Shish Taouk (chicken kebabs served with saffron rice, $17.90). Regulars would also tell you never to miss the off-the-menu gargantuan Tomahawk Wagyu Steak (good for three to four diners) if it's available. For dessert, the Baklava with Ice Cream ($8.90) is a not too sweet version of the classic treat. Pro tip: The 30-seater restaurant is often packed. Reservations are highly recommended. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Muriel A *Muslim-owned6. Burgs by Project Warung (Golden Mile Food Centre)
For Bang For Your Buck Burgers For Bang For Your Buck Burgers
For a hearty meal, head right to this trending Muslim-owned stall in Golden Mile Food Centre, where crowds are flocking to for gourmet Halal burgers. Prices start from a very affordable $4.50, so it's definitely easy on the pockets. The beef burgers here fare pretty well, but what really stands out is the Country Fried Chicken Burger ($5). Sandwiched with a sunny side-up egg and refreshing slaw beween toasted housemade bun, the piece of juicy, crisp golden fried chicken cutlet reminds Burpple Tastemaker Xing Wei Chua of Taiwanese fried cutlet — yum! Each burger comes with a side of fries, but you can always top up $1 to change that to onion rings, or $1.50 for special okonomi fries, which come with mayonnaise sauce and bonito flakes. Avg Price: $5 per person Photo by Burppler Sephiria Ng *Muslim-owned7. Segar Restaurant (ChinaTown Point)
For Halal Zi Char in Chinatown For Halal Zi Char in Chinatown
For knockout Halal zi char fare in the heart of Chinatown, head to Segar Restaurant, where the Halal certified kitchen turns out an array of super flavourful plates — it's great for family and group gatherings. Expect the usual suspects like Curry Fish Head ($20), Sambal Kang Kong ($8) and Salted Egg Prawns ($14), along with a few Thai-inspired additions like Tom Yum Seafood Soup ($10.80) and Pandan Leaf Chicken ($10.80). For Burppler Dex Neo, his must-order is without a doubt the Segar Claypot Golden Chicken ($10.80), a claypot of chicken tossed in a sauce that he describes as fragrant and slightly sweet. If you're watching the pocket strings, consider the 2 Person Set Meal ($26.80), which gives you a choice each of main, a side dish and vegetables. Alternatively, they also have a decent and affordable selection of one dish meals including Claypot Tom Yum Mee Soup ($6) and Thai Fried Rice ($6). Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burppler Dex Neo *Halal-certified8. Brothers in Fine Food
For Tasty Dinners and Lazy Brunches For Tasty Dinners and Lazy Brunches
With exposed ceilings and long wooden benches, this Muslim-owned cafe in Tampines West Community Club is an industrial chic hangout perfect for dinners or weekend brunches. The space is owned by the same guys behind Penny University, so you can expect good food and coffee — bonus points for their friendly staff! A generous piece of seared sous vide steak served with fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy fries, the Butcher's Daughter ($14) is without a doubt one of the stars on their brunch menu (available 9am-5pm on weekends). Another winner is the Peanut Butter Jelly Toast ($10), which sandwiches peanut butter, homemade summer berries compote and sliced bananas among two slices of toasted fresh brioche — simple but good! At dinner, consider the Kelantan Roasted Chicken ($16) glazed with spicy coconut cream. Sip on the Spiked Muddy Espresso ($6.50) that comes sweetened with gula Melaka, or the Jaffa Orange Mocha ($6), which sports a lovely citrusy brightness amidst the earthy notes of the coffee and chocolate. Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Siming T *Muslim-owned9. Muk-Bang Korean Restaurant
For Rainy Day Army Stew For Rainy Day Army Stew
Located within Viva Business Park in Chai Chee, this Halal-certified restaurant is a great go-to when you're in the mood for Korean. On rainy days, it's a no brainer to go for the Budae Jjigae (army stew, $45.90). Good to share among two or three diners, the pot comes with heaping portions of ingredients including chicken, ham, sausage, rice cakes, ramen and kimchi, and the broth boils beautifully down into a lip-smackingly flavourful stew. The restaurant doesn't serve ban chan (side dishes) so you might want to order classic dishes like the Kimchi Jeon (kimchi pancake, $16) to share. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burppler Hanais Adria *Halal-certified10. Rhombus Pizza
For a DIY Pizza Buffet For a DIY Pizza Buffet
Located up the road from Geylang Serai Market, this new Muslim-owned spot is the place to go for a DIY pizza buffet. You're provided with mini pizza bases, on which you can sprinkle your favourite toppings from their selection laid out — options run the gamut from chicken ham and hot dogs to pineapple and bell pepers, and even sweets like Nutella, marshmallows and all sorts of child-friendly cereal. Pop the pizza into the mini oven on your table to cook for about five minutes, and enjoy! While the pizzas cook, help yourself to a buffet of fillers including spaghetti and soup. Every diner gets two chicken drumlets to munch on too. Bring the family — kids especially will have a whale of a time playing chef. Diners are given 1.5 hours per seating to enjoy the buffet, so pace yourselves. Pro tip: Rhombus Pizza is currently offering an introductory price of $15 per adult and $12 for children (U.P. $18.90 and $15.90 respectively). Reservations are essential. Avg Price: $15 per person Photo by Burppler Dex Neo *Muslim-owned11. LePak At Rayz
For Elegant Western Fare in Selegie For Elegant Western Fare in Selegie
For date night and laidback get-togethers, head to this chic but relaxed Muslim-owned cafe along Selegie Road for flavourful Western food — think familar fare like Nachos Grande ($9), Fish & Chips ($14) and hearty pastas (from $18.50). Try the signature Rayz Chilli Crab Pasta ($19.50), a hearty dish generously slicked in a sweet, slightly spicy crab meat sauce, or play it safe with the Pan-fried Salmon ($22). For dessert, Burpple Tastemaker Sheryl Lyx recommends The Golden Snitch ($18),a chocolate sphere containing diced apple cubes and served with vanilla ice cream on the side. The finishing touch to this sweet treat? Melt the chocolate sphere with a drizzle of warm salted caramel sauce! Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Sheryl Lyx *Muslim-owned12. The Dim Sum Place
For Dim Sum in Lavender For Dim Sum in Lavender
When in the mood for dim sum, head to this North Bridge Road spot for their Halal-friendly selection — they're currently in the midst of their Halal certification. The homey space is simply outfitted, and offers a laidback ambience for noshing. Expect dim sum classics like plump Chicken Siew Mai ($3.90), fresh Crystal Prawn Dumplings ($4.90) and crumbly Egg Tarts ($3.90). A Burpple community favourite is the Pan Fried Chives and Beef Dumpling ($3.90), which sees the flavourful filling encased in thin and crisp deep-fried wonton skin. The Vermicelli Roll with Rendang (from $6.90, option of beef, lamb or chicken) is a fusion dish that works, thanks to its silky smooth cheong fun skin. If you're looking to fill up more, try the hearty Congee with Beef and Poached Egg ($8.90) or go for a bowl of Wonton Noodle Soup ($6.90) — the springy noodles come topped generously with prawn dumplings. Don't hold back when dipping the dim sum into the spicy and yummy homemade chilli, and be sure to end your meal with their Molten Salted Egg Custard Bun ($4.90 for three buns) — it certainly oozes, so have your napkins ready! Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Lewis Tan *In the midst of getting their Halal certification13. Makan-Makan (Punggol Ranch)
For Pocket-Friendly Steamboat in Punggol For Pocket-Friendly Steamboat in Punggol
For family gatherings in the Northeast, consider this Muslim-owned steamboat joint at Punggol Ranch. Bring your appetites, because the Steamboat Buffet ($26 on weekdays, $29 on weekends) allows you free-flow access to fresh ingredients — the seafood is especially notable, with options like crayfish, plump prawns and dory fish. Be ready to snap those up, but thankfully, they often get refilled very efficiently. The steamboat pot comes with an attached grill, so you can mix things up by cooking marinated meats like black pepper beef and curry tandoori chicken. There's a selection of cooked food like chicken wings and rojak to keep you going while you wait for the food to cook, along with free-flow drinks. Pro tip: This place is packed on the weekends and they aren't always efficient with taking phone reservations. Plan this for a weekday instead, or come by really early on the weekend. Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burppler Nurul Aishyah *Muslim-owned14. IndoChili (Zion Road)
For an Authentic Indonesian Feast For an Authentic Indonesian Feast
For dinners with the family (and even extended family), this 90-seater Halal certified space in Zion Road sets the perfect mood for an authentic Indonesian feast, with the reasonable prices being a great bonus. With a smogasbord of dishes from around Indonesia, there is bound to be a dish for even the pickiest eater in the family. For fuss-free dining for a party of four, share the Combo Bakaran ($50.80), a combination of squid, prawns, chicken, satay and the excellent grilled black pomfret. Add on a portion of Sate Ayam Madura (charcoal-grilled chicken skewers, $9.80) and a vegetable dish of your choice for a fulfilling meal. Other dishes that keep us coming back include the Tahu Telor (tofu omelette, $8.80), hailed to be one of the best renditions you can find in Singapore, the Ayam Goreng Cabe Hijau (fried chicken served with a smoking green chilli sambal, $8.80) and the super tender Rendang Sapi (beef rendang, $9.80). Avg Price: $20 per person Photo by Burppler Jayne Tan *Halal-certified16. VXX Cooperative
For Hearty Brunch Grub and Excellent Coffee For Hearty Brunch Grub and Excellent Coffee
Drop by for a relaxed meal and great coffee, and be sure to speak with the friendly baristas who will gladly share more about their coffees. Go for a Cold Black ($5) on hot days, or the unique Espresso Set ($8) that sees a white coffee paired with a shot of espresso on the side. They have excellent beans on rotation for filter coffee as well. Food-wise, the Burpple community enjoys the Chilli Crab & Cheese Omelette on Sourdough ($14), a sweet and spicy omelette stuffed with crabmeat and cheese. Follow Burpple Tastemaker Michelle Kayla Tey's reccommendation and get the comforting Breakfast Seafood Casserole ($14). It comes with a flavourful tomato base teeming with squid and prawns, topped with a wobbly egg, and crunchy, buttery croutons. For dessert, opt for the Reverse Affogato ($9). Instead of vanilla ice cream doused with espresso, the dessert here features a scoop of espresso-based ice cream birthed from a collaboration between Apiary and VXX Cooperative topped with spiced milk. Avg Price: $25 per person Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Michelle Kayla Tey *Muslim-owned17. Kucina Italian Restaurant
For Hearty Italian in Kallang For Hearty Italian in Kallang
With experienced Italian Muslim chef Gero at its helm, this homey Muslim-owned restaurant in OneKM Mall serves up really hearty Italian food — it was actually the highest rated Italian spot in our recent Burpple survey on Halal food joints. Decked out in wood accents and warm lighting, the setting is comfortable, and we like that servers are happy to rearrange the seats to accommodate large groups. The peaceful setting makes it great for business meetings outside the CBD too. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, so it's hard to go wrong. The Pizzas (from $17) come highly recommended, and the Pastas (from $15.80) are all cooked till al dente. If there's one dish to try, make it the Gnocchi ($19), which sees pillowy homemade potato dumplings slicked in a delicious tomato cream sauce, served with salmon and leeks. Save space for dessert. The Tiramisu Nutella ($8.80) puts a hazelnut spin on the classic, or go for the Dessert Platter ($19), which showcases mini portions of sweets including tiramisu, panna cotta, creme brulee and cannoli — great with a shot of Espresso ($4.50)! Avg Price: $30 per person Photo by Burppler Natalie Tan *Muslim-owned18. Carousel (Royal Plaza on Scotts)
For a Grand Buffet Feast For a Grand Buffet Feast
For special occasions or for when we're in the mood for a big old feast, the buffet selection at Carousel never lets us down. With Halal-certified kitchens, this buffet stalwart is well-known for its generous variety and reasonable pricing (lunch $56 weekday, $$65 weekend; dinner $76 weekday, $83 weekend), making it the perfect spot for large group gatherings. The spread features a wide range of global cuisines including Mediterranean, Indian, local Chinese and Japanese, along with a laudable fresh seafood selection. From whole salmon and steamed sweet clams to ocean fresh oysters and slipper lobsters (lunch only) — there is plenty for seafood lovers to go gaga over. The sweet toothed on the other hand would be hard pressed to find something more decadent than the spread laid out at the four dessert stations, which includes an ice cream "parlour" with 13 flavours on rotation. Pro tip: This space fills up fast, especially on weekends. Reservations are essential. Avg Price: $70 per person Photo by Burppler Sarah Voon *Halal-certified
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