Arab Street might be one of the first few places that pop into your mind when you think of textile shops, but there's much more to it than that (and we're talking about food, of course!) Read on to find out more about our favourite eateries and cafes in the area.

1. Artistry

When you put aesthetically-pleasing décor, a kick ass menu, and endless chill vibes together, you get the winning combination that is Artistry. Two thumbs up for their Duck Confit Linguine ($18), which features shreds of well-seasoned duck, with plenty of garlic and brown butter for accompaniment. We can’t get enough of that delicious umami flavour. 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149

2. The Lab

If you’re the sort of person who is of firm belief that there’s no such thing as ‘too much chocolate’, halal café The Lab’s Nutella Brownie Milkshake ($12) will be right up your alley. It’s an explosion of Nutella, mini pretzels, love letter rolls, Pocky sticks, Tim Tam biscuits, and even a vegan chocolate brownie. So decadent, but so good. 1 Jalan Pisang #01-01 Singapore 199069

3. The Ramen Stall

A main draw of popular Japanese eatery The Ramen Stall is that it opens till 6am in the morning. What could be better than slurping down a bowl of piping hot ramen when you’re faced with hunger pangs in the middle of the night? Their bestseller is the wallet-friendly Volcano Ramen ($11), and you get to choose between three levels of spiciness. We say: go big, or go home! 787 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755

4. I Am

I Am, an Amsterdam-inspired café, is the perfect place to people-watch over a lazy meal. We love their signature Big Bear Beef Burger ($16.90), which is served with a deliciously cheesy house sauce. Special mention also goes to the fries on the side, which are golden brown and perfectly crispy. 674 North Bridge Road #01-01, Singapore 188804

5. The Beast

The Beast features Southern American dishes on their menu, and they do really great desserts. Our favourite? The Flaming Blondie Skillet ($14). Watch carefully as your server pours a glass of bourbon over the dish, and a fiery blue flame engulfs your blondie. The strong bourbon flavour balances out the sweetness of the blondie, and creates a slightly smoky, extremely delicious aftertaste. 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329

6. The Hangar

The Hangar is a cosy café that’s serious about their coffee – they take the effort to source beans from different farms in the region, and roast their coffee in-house. As for their mains, we’re partial to their signature Lemongrass Steak Sandwich ($13.90). You get to choose between sourdough and ciabatta, and with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, and a homemade horse radish sauce, the dish packs quite a punch. 25 Arab Street, Singapore 199724

7. Zam Zam

Zam Zam is a well-known Indian-Muslim eatery that has been in operation since 1908, and their Murtabak ($6 for a chicken murtabak, small) often earns them rave reviews. The secret? They take care to season their chicken well, and serve the murtabak alongside an amazing chicken masala curry. Don’t forget to wash down the rich flavours with a light and refreshing Teh O Limau Ice ($1.50). 697 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198677

8. Choo Choo Chicken

Choo Choo Chicken, located at Bali Lane, is a small restaurant specializing in Korean Fried Chicken. Choose from 2 out of the 5 available flavours (soy, garlic, sweet, spicy and crispy) for their 8 piece chicken set ($16). Those who prefer lighter flavours will appreciate the ‘crispy’ for being the lesser of all evils, whilst those who want something more full-bodied will love the ‘garlic’. 33 Bali Lane, Singapore 189869

9. Rich & Good Cake Shop

The Rich and Good Cake Shop is an old-school bakery which has been around since 1997. It’s notorious for its snaking queues and the less-than-friendly auntie who tends the stall, but patrons return time and time again, eager to get their hands on one of their soft and fluffy swiss rolls. Try one for yourself, and you’ll understand exactly what the fuss is about. Best sellers include the Durian Swiss Roll ($8, pictured), and the Kaya Swiss Roll ($8). 24 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198887

10. Cicheti

Cicheti is a gem of an Italian restaurant tucked away in a quiet street, and they do their pastas and pizzas exceptionally well. Order the Gnocchi Funghi ($24), and admire the soft, pillowy handmade gnocchi that’s finished off with a beautiful sear. We also recommend the Prosciutto e Rucola pizza ($25), which is topped with parma ham, arugula, and grana. We like the classic flavours, but the true magic of the pizza lies in its chewy, fragrant crust. 52 Kandahar Street, Singapore 198901

Written by Cherie Foo Images: Cherie Foo