Head to bakery-cafe La Fez at East Coast Road, and it’ll feel like you’ve been transported across the globe. Entirely adorned in a pastel pink hue with hints of gold, potted palms, and woven chairs, it creates a soothing Morroco-inspired setting.

A mural of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty, a yellow and black theme, a neon pink sign, and an industrial vibe — you might almost think you’re in a casual Manhattan eatery. Almost.

That’s the vibe that Overrice, a Muslim-owned establishment at Arab Street, is gunning for. Food-wise, it also draws inspiration from NYC’s The Halal Guys restaurant, serving up Middle Eastern-style fare the likes of hearty rice bowls generously drizzled with sauces, pita pockets, falafel bites, and the popular Yawn Balls, a side made with yam and prawns that are battered and fried.

The Overrice website states that all the ingredients and preparation of food are halal.

Overrice is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745. Visit its website for more information.

If you’re in the North of the island, you’d want to drop by Citrus by the Pool, a halal Western fusion cafe nestled in Woodlands.

It underwent a revamp in 2021, and has since opened to boast chirpy, eclectic interiors decked with neon lights splashed across mint walls and a botanical wall feature. You can expect fusion fare here, from tom yum seafood pasta to fried chicken and waffles, Thai dishes and burgers.

Citrus by the Pool is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 3 Woodlands Street 13, Woodlands Swimming Complex, Singapore 738600.

After closing its Fort Canning venue due to Covid-19, The Fabulous Baker Boy reopened its doors with a 70-seater space at Aliwal Arts Centre.

It’s best known for its repertoire of artisanal cakes, including the signature Nutty Monkey and Big Lub’s Carrot cake, and has a range of sourdough bakes like croissants and loaves. If you’re there for a meal, the menu has plates like laksa pesto pasta, duck confit and chilli crab mac and cheese.

The cafe uses only 100 per cent halal ingredients, including its cakes, which contain no form of alcohol.

 The Fabulous Baker Boy is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 28 Aliwal St, #01-01, Singapore 199918. Visit its website for more information.

Three’s A Crowd has two outlets – one in Tampines and a newer space at Race Course Road. All raw concrete walls and industrial-minimalist vibes, the latter is a cool dessert spot for freshly churned handcrafted ice cream, homemade waffles (like its ondeh waffles with coconut ice-cream), and acai and coffee.

For the ice cream flavours, tantalise your tastebuds with scrumptious treats like Dark Gianduja, Speculoos, Masala, Oreo Mint, Mango Passion and Hojicha.

Three’s A Crowd is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 50 Race Course Road, Singapore 218562. Visit its website for more information.

This Western fusion cafe certainly dishes up, as its name and neon sign proclaim, good bites and good vibes. Just check out its pretty gram-worthy decor, which sees a neon-lit green wall, strings of lights that illuminate its outdoor space, a retro electric toy car, and retro lounge chairs and booth seats.

Sink your teeth into the likes of the popular Shiok Burger, with crispy chicken thigh and chilli crab sauce, Sambal Goreng Pasta, and Baked Salmon, all at affordable prices. If you’re after a sweet treat, order the molten chocolate lava cake, and waffles with ice cream.

Good Bites is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 5 Bishan Street 14, Bishan Sports Hall, #03-01, Singapore 579783. Visit its website for more information.

The Bravery Cafe relocated from its original Lavender Street home to Amoy Street last year, with its new premise boasting a chic contemporary aesthetic of brass, rattan, and wood. Perfect for a brief respite from the busy CBD area.

Tuck into the hearty Big Brekkie or Steak & Eggs, or the tempting Pancake Stack, if you’re craving something sweet. Feeling peckish in the afternoon? Treat yourself to its array of decadent cakes (think New York cheesecake and Nutella Tiramisu) and order a cup of its signature Matcha Latte to go along.

The Bravery Cafe is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 50 Amoy St, Singapore 069876. Closed on Mondays. Visit its website for more information. 

For tacos, burritos, and other Mexican favourites, head to Afterwit to get your fix.

After a revamp in 2021, the halal Muslim-owned Mexican taqueria reopened to unveil vibrant exteriors and equally snazzy interiors. You’ll find neon-lit signs, a wall plastered with Mexican posters, and a raw, urban aesthetic.

Apart from classics like pulled meat, options for its tacos include coffee-braised beef cheeks with truffle mayo, battered shrimp with yuzu sriracha aiolo, and a banh mi-inspired version. You can also sip on beverages such as the alcohol-free Berry Mint Mojito or Guayaba.

Afterwit is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 778 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198786. Visit its website for more information.

If you’re hankering for French cuisine, make a beeline for The White Label, a halal French restaurant located at Beach Road. Here, you’ll find French-Malayan fusion cuisine, with halal dishes infused with a local flavour.

Expect to dine on French classics like Short Ribs Bourguignon and Herb Crusted Lamb Rack, as well as fusion fare like Squid Ink Spaghetti (made with ‘sotong masak hitam’ sauce), and Ondeh-Ondeh gateau.

Its interiors are gorgeous, too, with elegant light fixtures, green velvet seats and gold-toned accents.

The White Label is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 734 North Bridge Rd, #01-01, Singapore 198702. Visit its website for more information.

Easties can make their way to Bayshore Park Condominium at Siglap, which is home to Alto Cafe. And you don’t have to live there to visit the cafe; all you have to do is inform the security guard, and bring along your personal identification documents for registration.

It’s opened by two friends, Ross and Rash, with an aim to offer good, fresh food at pocket-friendly prices. There are the usual brunch suspects of avo smash and eggs benny, but also items like open-faced sandwiches, pasta, all-day breakfast options and croissants, which you can enjoy amidst a chill, airy environment with lots of plants and calming wood elements.

Alto Cafe is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 54 Bayshore Road, #01-01, Singapore 469979.

As its name suggests, this French-inspired two-storey brasserie in Kampong Glam is dressed to resemble a garden in bloom.

Think floral arrangements, a botanical-themed wall and lamps covered in greenery against an otherwise simple and elegant backdrop. On the menu: French and European classics like French onion soup, potato gratin, beef bourguignon, and duck confit as well as pasta and salads.

The Secret Garden by Zeekri is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 19 Baghdad Street, Singapore 199658. Visit its website for more information.

Doused in pink and dark mint hues, neon signs and string lights, this ice cream cafe is a hidden gem in Choa Chu Kang that’ll get you snap-happy.

Its lip-smacking ice-cream flavours include Bubblegum, Sea Salt Caramel, Thai Milk Tea and Biscoff. Definitely order the waffles — original, red velvet or charcoal — to go along with your icy treat.

Hey Sugar is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 818 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, #01-06 Singapore 680818.

Often translated as “taking a break, and with coffee especially, and with a baked good, the Swedish concept of fika gave this double-storey cafe its name. Owned by a Swedish and Singaporean couple, its interiors of white and wood are reminiscent of the minimalist Scandi aesthetic.

Here, you’ll find Swedish fare including pytt i panna, toast skagen (toast and shrimp), meatballs, lamb stew, and a herring platter. You don’t want to miss its desserts too, including Swedish pancakes and Kladdkaka (chocolate cake).

Fika Swedish Cafe and Bistro is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 257 Beach Rd, Singapore 199539. Visit its website for more information. 

If pizza is your carb of choice, this one-year-old pizza place is for you. This chic space with dark green hues and wooden furnishings makes for a perfect spot to enjoy a quiet afternoon lunch.

It also offers customisable options so you can create your own winning pizza combination – from the choice of crust to the toppings and sauces. But if you don’t trust yourself, there are house pizzas like the Queen Margie with tomato jam and parmesan cream, to Truffle Shuffle that’s topped with truffle sauce and chestnut mushrooms.

Tipo Pizzeria e Trattoria is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at #01-08, Stamford Arts Centre, 155 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187962. Visit its website for more information.

It’s hard to miss this cafe at Haji Lane with its oversized 3-D block letter sign in a bright tangerine hue when you stroll by.

I am… is an ode to Amsterdam with its name (its name nods to the city’s iconic I Amsterdam sign), decor, and even a menu with a line-up of Dutch-inspired bites like burgers, ribs, Fries & Mayo as well as the popular meatball snack Bitterballen — all tweaked to adhere to halal requirements.

Other decorative elements, like the black-and-white mural of one of the many bridges and canals in bicycle-friendly Amsterdam, will transport you to the popular Netherlands city.

I am… is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at 674 North Bridge Road (Haji Lane), Singapore 188804. Visit its website for more information.

For a chill night out, head to Wanderlost Lounge.

Perched on the rooftop of Bugis+ mall, this halal rooftop bar’s unique mocktail drinks are inspired by and named after the books its owner grew up reading, from Charlie and The Chocolate Factory to The Little Prince and Harry Potter, and its whimsical decor reflects that, too.

The indoor space boasts a cosy and eclectic vibe, with lots of storybooks on display. Or you can also park yourself outside, which has some tables and seats. Food-wise, tuck into hearty mains like burgers, grilled meats, steaks and more. There’s also a kids’ menu of dishes like mac and cheese, mini bangers and mash, and nuggets.

Wanderlost Lounge is a Muslim-owned establishment. Located at #12-01 Realty Centre, 15 Enggor Road, Singapore 079716. Visit its website for more information.

You’ll likely know of the Tenderfresh group, which has several brands under its belt like Tenderfresh Classic, Hawkerman, and Good Chance Restaurant. There’s also Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop, which doles out what it bills ‘nostalgic tuckshop’ fare amidst casual-chic surroundings.

There are three outlets at Jalan Kayu, Woodlands and the newest one at Punggol, and all three are equally aesthetically pleasing. The food here’s pocket-friendly too, and includes Western classics like spring chicken, burgers, chicken cutlets and grilled fish, as well as Asian fusion pastas.

Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop (Jalan Kayu) is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 246 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 799470. Visit Tenderfresh Group’s website for more information.

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