We understand that finding a novel, much less different, halal eatery can be difficult sometimes. Therefore, enter our carefully curated list of halal dining options, which range from sweet desserts to savoury mains, Mexican to Western noshes, plus our local favourites. Enjoy!

Savoury

1. Studio Café SG

Studio Café SG is start-up by several Suria artistes, and had garnered quite a bit of attention even before its opening. Although they serve a good mix of Western and local Malay dishes, the latter seems to fare better in general. Try their Nasi Goreng Kampong Special ($6.90) and Mee Goreng Seafood ($6), both of which provide a nice spicy kick.

Studio Café SG, Blk 47 Toa Payoh Lorong 6 #01-131, Singapore 310047 (Image: Studio Café SG’s Facebook Page)

2. J’s Restaurant

This Latin American/ Mexican establishment has received an admirable amount of positive reviews from customers - from mains to desserts, it seems J's Restaurant can do no wrong. Their Paella for One ($28) is moist and has plenty of chicken, salmon, and tilapia, while the Bread and Butter Pudding ($12) comes hot and fluffy with a scoop of ice-cream on top. We also hear that their Churros ($12), served with mascarpone layered with fresh fruits, are one of the best in town! J’s Restaurant, 7 Purvis Street, Singapore 188586 (Image: J’s Restaurant’s Facebook Page)

3. Tash Tish Tosh

Tash Tish Tosh appears to be your typical fast food joint with an affordable array of pizzas, subs, and finger food. However, one item you have to try is their Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese and Celery ($9.90). Deep fried and generously coated with a spicy, tangy sauce, these wings will have you abandoning your table manners to use your hands.

Tish Tash Tosh, Simpang Bedok, 314 Bedok Road, Singapore 469478 (Image: Tish Tash Tosh’s Facebook Page)

4. Cookwerx

Although Western cuisine is a common find in Singapore, Cookwerx certainly shines with their reasonable prices that belie the quality of their food. Their menu has received a barrage of compliments, but the Sirloin Steak ($22.90) seems to be a star in its own right; seared to the optimum level and done just right, the beef remains tender and juicy. Another hot favourite is the Oven-baked Boneless Chicken Leg ($9.90), completed by a highly raved mushroom sauce. Cookwerx, East Village (Simpang Bedok), 430 Upper Changi Road #01-60, Singapore 487048 (Image: Cookwerx’s Facebook Page)

5. Alaturka

It’s good to see some diversification on the halal menu in Singapore, and Alaturka provides just that - besides serving Turkey and Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant also has a homely, ethnic interior to match. We recommend the Meze Tabagi ($21), a platter of various starters like hummus and cacik (a kind of salad made with yoghurt) to begin your meal (or your expedition into Turkish cuisine) with. For dessert, order the Kunefe ($9, above), which looks like a rosti but is actually a patty of vermicelli baked with cheese and sugar syrup. The result is a crisp exterior and soft, warm insides oozing cheese. Alaturka, 16 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199437 (Image: OpenRice user ReneeGoh)

6. Warong Nasi Pariaman

Warong Nasi Pariaman might possibly be the oldest surviving nasi padang stall in Singapore, so that tells you how good they are. Their more popular dishes include the Ayam Bakar, which consists of grilled chicken in coconut milk gravy, and Beef Rendang. Most items get sold out during lunch fast, so make your way down early! Warong Nasi Pariaman, 742 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198702 (Image: OpenRice user LookFoodLikeFood)

7. Badoque Cafe

Customers love this gem of a café for its generous portions of Western food, and its friendly, approachable staff. Since opening their doors in Simpang Bedok in 2008, long queues have been persistent (even at their 2nd outlet at Thomson) – no doubt explaining why they land on the list of "Best Halal Cafes in Singapore" regularly. We recommend the Badoque Ribs ($36) as a must-try for all meat lovers. Glazed in homemade BBQ sauce, many have raved about how the perfectly-grilled meat falls off the bone so easily. Badoque Cafe, 246 Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370 (Image: Badoque Café’s Facebook page)

8. Chicken Talk Kitchen

chicken talk kitchen monterey jack chicken cheese

Chicken Talk Kitchen is the place for an ultimate Halal experience. Owned by a Muslim family, it serves up simple, no-frills Western fare cooked by Muslim chefs with 100% Halal supplies. The Monterey Jack Chicken Cheese ($13) boasts a well-marinated chicken patty, balanced with a mild tanginess from the diced tomatoes, sitting atop a bed of creamy mashed potato. BBQ lovers will love that the dish is drizzled with a tasty BBQ sauce. Do check out their value-for-money lunch sets ($9.90, 11.30am – 2pm) and student meals ($8.90, 2.30pm – 5pm) Note: The establishment is closed on Sundays, so don’t make a wasted trip! Chicken Talk Kitchen, Block 517, West Coast Road, #01-563, Singapore 120517 (Image: OpenRice User wenxi)

9. ZF Cafe

The name ZF Café is derived from a combination of Chef Zali’s – a runner-up from the Suria Channel cooking program “King Juara Memasak 2015” – and his wife, Fara’s names put together. As a family, they run the Halal Italian café. Favourites include the Braised Lamb Shank ($25, pictured), which is succulent without a gamey taste. Many are also impressed by Chef Zali’s nine year old son – the youngest server in the house, but one of the most amiable in service and proficient in knowledge. ZF Café, 511 Guillemard Road, Grandlink Square, Singapore 399849 (Image: ZF Café’s Facebook page)

10. Vintage Delicafe

Vintage DeliCafe is known for unpretentious Western dishes that remind diners largely of comfort food from home. More than that, the food is decent, affordable, and extremely value-for-money. The establishment's forte is pasta, so make sure you try the Black Pepper Beef Pasta ($15.90). And come with an empty stomach – you'll need it for their generous portions. Vintage DeliCafe, 66 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199479 (Image: Vintage Delicafe’s Facebook Page)

11. Sofra Turkish Café and Restaurant

Sofra, which means "dining table" in Turkish, has been around on Beach Road for more than a decade, and is helmed by a dedicated all-Turkish kitchen crew. Nothing gets closer to a Turkish meal than the Shish Kebab ($17.50, pictured), with perfectly grilled, smoky meats – choose from beef, lamb, chicken or a combination of everything – and a generous platter of vegetables and other carbohydrates. To round off your meal, enjoy it with an aromatic, rich cup of Turkish coffee ($3.90). Sofra Turkish Café and Restaurant, Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Road, #02-42/44, Singapore 189702 (Image: Sofra Turkish Café and Restaurant’s Facebook page)

12. Hajah Maimunah Restaurant

Hajah Maimunah Restaurant's tahu telor

For a good bowl of authentic Nasi Padang (steamed rice served with an array of choices of pre-cooked dishes that stem from Padang, Indonesia), Hajah Maimunah Restaurant is a must-visit. Look forward to a meal below $10, and also to their Tahu Telor (pictured): soft, silky fried beancurd in a sedap peanut sauce, made up of kecap manis, Indonesian sweet black thick sauce and diced peanuts. Hajah Maimunah Restaurant, 11/15 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199079 (Image: HJH Maimunah Restaurant’s Facebook page)

Sweet

13. Fluff Bakery

Sometimes, you queue for hours under the merciless sun only to hear the 2 most dreaded words at the end of the tunnel: sold out. Sadly, that is not uncommon with Fluff Bakery - but who can blame them, really? Their soft and moist (not to mention pretty) cupcakes come in a variety of inspiring flavours, ranging from the novel to the local. Current bestsellers include the Ispahan ($4) and Ondeh Ondeh ($4), both of which contain a surprise at their core.
Fluff Bakery, 12 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199079 (Image: Fluff Bakery’s Facebook Page)

14. Alt-Yard

Located within Tampines CC, Alt-Yard is a specialty coffee bar and a collaboration between Penny University and Fluff Bakery. They are also another worthy contender of the churros scene in Singapore – you have to try their Classic Churros ($ 3.80), which are fried to order and comes with your choice of Salted Caramel ($1), Chocolate Ganache ($1), or Liquid Cheesecake ($1.50) dip. Get a Koko Crunch Milk ($4.50) to go along with it and you’ll be in for a good time. Alt-Yard, Tampines West Community Club, 5 Tampines Ave 3, Singapore 529705 (Image: Instagram user @altyard)

15. Lynn's Cakes & Coffee

Lynn started her baking journey in 2009 when she first baked for her daughter’s class party, after which she fuelled her newfound passion for baking into tiered cakes for events, and eventually set up Lynn’s Cakes & Coffee together with her husband in 2013. One of her top sellers includes the Rainbow Cake ($8.50 per slice), which has just the right amount of sweetness (unlike other variants that are disastrously sweet), and no doubt, looks gorgeous. Lynn’s Cakes and Coffee, 11 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598983 (Image: Lynn’s Cakes and Coffe Facebook page)

16. Cake Love

One step into Cake Love and you’ll be greeted by colourful walls and a hipster interior. Starting off as a modest bakery selling customized cakes, takeaway cupcakes and macarons, it has since been extended to a Halal café just this February. Best sellers: The Red Velvet Macaron ($2.20, pictured) includes a special chocolate cream centre, on top of the usual Red Velvet cream cheese filling. Try also the refreshing Minty Green Italian Apple Soda ($5.50), which serves as an excellent palate-cleanser accompanying the sweet treats. Cake Love, 4 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 129071 (Image: Cake Love’s Facebook page) See also: Popular Malay Cuisine in Singapore Best restaurants at Arab St

Written by Mandy How & Eunice Tang