5 Halal Cafes to Check Out
2014-11-04
Cafe-hopping with your Muslim friends? Here's a handy list of 5 Halal-certified and Muslim-owned cafes to check out.
1. La Marelle Café and Boutique
Started by and named after French design company La Marelle, this beautifully decorated multi-storey café is one attention grabber. Climb up their pink stairway and be greeted by their fairy-tale layout on the second and third floors. La Marelle offers a variety of food and beverages, using ingredients from a Halal supplier. Their cakes, brought in by a Muslim baker, are a must-try.
Fill up on their All-Day Breakfast Sets: Chipolata ($14.90++), Scrambled eggs ($12.90++) or Stuffed Croissants ($12.90++) that come in German, Mexican, French or Italian styles – each served with a side of nachos and salsa.
25A Baghdad Street, Singapore 199664
Image: Marc Boudville
2. I Am
Situated at the mouth of Haji Lane, I Am is another Muslim-owned café worth visiting. Sporting an open space layout, this Amsterdam-themed café serves classic western mains like their specialty Fish & Chips, with prices ranging from $11.90-$17.90. A hot favourite for sides – the Cheesy Bombs ($6.90 for 8), where chicken meat balls come armed with a cheesy explosion.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with their delectable selection of in-house baked goods, which includes Rainbow Crepe, Red Velvet Cake and Rainbow Cake ($8.90+ each). The latter is a fulfilling pick with its generous coating of cream cheese.
674 North Bridge Road #01-01, Singapore 188804
Image: I Am Facebook Page
3. ROUSE
Located in the heart of Dunlop Street, ROUSE is a Muslim-owned café housed in a space previously occupied by an old electric shop. Hidden behind the plain and unassuming steel doors, the café evokes ultimate hipster vibes with their paint-peeled walls, the use of wooden crates for tables and naked light bulbs hanging from rafters. Not forgetting, the comforting nutty aroma of coffee brewed with beans sourced from Dutch Colony Coffee Co.
Unlike the usual egg-dominated menus, their mains include interestingly named dishes like “Goldilocks” ($10.90), comprising quinoa, greek yoghurt, bananas and honey, as well as the “Crabby Patty” ($18). If you’re dropping by for tea break, check out their 5-Layer Cheese Cake ($8), a decent combination of sweetness and crunch for sweet or savoury dessert lovers.
36 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209364
Image: Marc Boudville
4. Flee Away Café
Uniquely Singaporean-styled café, Flee Away, doubles up as a flea market with merchandise sold in rental boxes. Retro items such as old comic books and a 1950s television set make for their decorations, giving you a glimpse of the past. You can even have a go at games like Aeroplane chess and Happy Family whilst you dine.
If you’re feeling adventurous and willing to spend a little more on trying something unique, their stuffed Le Char Kuey ($12.90 – normal, $15.50 – special filling) is the way to go. Two interesting dessert options include their Ang Ku Kueh with Ice Cream ($7) and Waffles with Gula Melaka Pudding ($8.50).
Note: Flee Away has a strictly no pork and no lard menu. All ingredients are from a halal supplier.
70 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209398
Image: Marc Boudville
5. Cake Love
Muslim-owned cafe Cake Love began its journey as a bakery in Buona Vista a few years ago. Now located amongst the Kampong Glam shop houses with a flashy American-pop store front, the café specialises in cupcakes and customised cakes, priced between $7 to $8 per slice.
Besides their best selling red velvet items like cupcakes, macaroons and waffles, they also serve mains and light bites with rock and roll inspired names, such as the Rocka-fella burger ($12.90), Shakin’ Salmon ($13.40), Hot Chicks ($8.90 for 8) and Rock-My-Fries ($6.50).
4 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199071
Image: Marc Boudville
Written by Marc Boudville, Edited by Peh Yi Wen
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