PUBLISHED May 25th, 2017 10:00 am | UPDATED September 11th, 2017 06:11 pm
Ramadan is upon us again, and to support our Muslim friends embarking on their annual rite of fasting, we’ve churned out our pick of the best halal restaurants in Singapore to break the day’s fast. From Turkish cafes and burger joints to lavish Asian-style buffet spreads, all you need to do gather up your family and friends for a mouth-watering iftar!
A La Carte Dinners
Sofra Turkish Cafe & Restaurant
Authentic Turkish food at great prices isn’t easy to find in Singapore; that is, until you discover Sofra, the cosy Turkish eatery that’s been operating along Beach Road for over 16 years. The place is best known for its signature Turkish-style pizza – filled with gooey cheese and your protein of choice – and large meatballs (Izgara Kofte), alongside a classic Sofra Kebab that heaps meat, tomato, and cheese on a freshly baked bread roll. When you’re finally stuffed, wash everything down with some unique Turkish coffee or Hot Apple Tea like you’ve never tasted.
Sofra Turkish Cafe & Restaurant is located at 100 Beach Road, #02-42 Shaw Tower, Singapore 189702 p. +65 6291 1433. Open Mon-Thu 11.30am – 9.30pm, Fri 11.30am – 10pm, Sat 12 – 10pm, Sun 12 – 9.30pm.
Kaw Kaw SG
Kaw Kaw – pronounced “gao gao” – first started as a humble street stall in Malaysia, and we now have the privilege of enjoying its spectacular burger offerings on our shores! While you can choose from flavourful chicken, mutton, and beef patties, we recommend going straight for the Permaisuri Burger, which features crispy fried chicken thigh with turkey ham, tangy lemongrass sauce, and… chicken floss? The more simple Smokey Beef Bacon Burger packs quite the punch too with its juicy patty, melted cheese, and amazing smoked sauce. With any luck, you might even catch some local musicians strumming away as your chomp down on dinner.
Kaw Kaw is located at 28 Aliwal St, #01-01 Aliwal Art Center, Singapore 199918. Open Sun-Wed 12pm – 9.30pm, Fri 3pm – 10.30pm, Sat 12pm – 10.30pm. Closed Thu.
Afterwit
Opened by the guys behind Arab Street burger joint (working title), Afterwit is a halal cafe that brings Mexican cuisine to the Muslims of Singapore. Pairing gourmet tacos with artisanal coffee (Mexico is one of the world’s largest coffee-producing countries, after all), think unorthodox creations like Chicken Katsu Tacos, Crab with Butter Tacos, and Peking Duck Tacos with hoisin sauce. For variety, how about adding some burritos or yummy mid-wings – seasoned with garlic, honey, lime, and salsa picante – to the mix?
Afterwit is located at 778 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198746, +65 6299 3508. Open Mon-Thu 12pm – 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 10pm.
Kucina Italian Restaurant
Kucina, which means “kitchen” in Italian, is a 100% Muslim-owned restaurant that serves halal Italian cuisine. Sounds unusual? Don’t fret, the chef has been in the industry for over 24 years and plus, he’s Italian. Partake in authentic Gnocchi in Salmon Sauce, Seafood Risotto, thin crust Pizzas (the dough is handmade), Braised Lamb Shank, and plenty more. For dessert, how does a Tortino (a chocolate lava cake) or Nutella Tiramisu sound? The restaurant gets unusually packed during Ramadan, so you might want to preorder your food when you make a reservation.
Kucina Italian Restaurant is located at 11 Tanjong Katong Rd, #B1-09/10 OneKM Mall, Singapore 437157, p. +65 9146 2430. Open daily 11.30am – 10pm.
Brio
Branding themselves as a trendy bistro for halal European street food, Brio offers everything from heart risottos and classic pizzas to pastas and succulent grilled meats. Chef’s recommendations include the tender 36-hour slow-braised Oxtail Risotto, Duck & Waffle, Salted Egg Truffle Fish & Chips, and the Beef Ragu Pappardelle. Need something to go with your food? The bistro has incredible milkshakes such as the Matcha Vanilla and Salted Caramel to help fill up your tummy fast!
Brio is located at 1 Jurong West Central 2, #02-24 Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Singapore 648886. Open for dinner until 10.30pm daily.
Seven7h Cucina
Taking halal Italian cuisine to a whole new plane is Seven7h Cucina’s Chef Firdauz, who’s been trained by various splendid Executive Chefs like Christopher Millar, Kentaro Torii, and Logan Campbell. The former Executive Chef of the Arteastiq group now translates old school cooking with a more modern approach, whipping up an exciting menu for the Ramadan period. For a spankin’ family feast, how about a Roasted Leg of Lamb with seven secret herbs and angelo jus ($179), Cartoccio of Maine lobster, dory fillets, tiger prawns, black mussels, squid, and assorted vegetables ($219), or 2kg Roasted Rib Eye ($299)served with veal jus and your choice of three sides? Each is enough to feed four to eight people, just remember to make your pre-order in advance!
Seven7h Cucina is located at #01-02 Novena Regency, 275 Thomson Rd, p. +65 6493 2134. Open daily 11am – 4pm, 5pm – 10.30pm.
Buffet Dinners
StraitsKitchen
Where in Singapore can you find a halal buffet spread that shows off the best of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian, and Peranakan cuisine? StraitsKitchen, for sure. From 26 May to 24 June 2017, the restaurant’s Iftar Buffet Special ($78++ per adult, $39++ per child) will also see exotic Arabic dishes like the Arab-style grill mix, a sizzling combination of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb, chicken, prawns, and vegetables, as well as other traditional treats from the Middle East – think baklava and mohallabiah milk pudding.
StraitsKitchen is located at Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228211. Buffet Dinner Mon-Sun 6.30 pm – 10.30pm.
Blue Jasmine
With the opening of Park Hotel Farrer Park comes its Thai-focused restaurant Blue Jasmine, along with an exclusive Ramadan menu ($38++ per person) available from 26 May through 24 June 2017. From live cooking stations to stand out dishes like Stir Fried Minced Lamb with yellow curry sauce and Roast Duck Red Curry with zesty grape and pineapple, this Iftar menu captures the essence of Thai cuisine quite like no other. Don’t forget the decadent Mango Sticky Rice and Sweet Sago with chendol, gula melaka, and chocolate sauce for dessert!
Blue Jasmine is located at 10 Farrer Park Station Rd, L5 Park Hotel Farrer Park, Singapore 217564, p. +65 6824 8851. Open for dinner 6pm – 10pm.
21 on Rajah
Bringing you a delectable Iftar buffet special with the theme Lauk Kampung, look forward to traditional home-style Malay village dishes such as Beef Rendang, Sambal Udang Petai, Slipper Lobster in Chilli Crab Sauce, and a new crowd favourite: Ketam Masak Lemak. Enjoy the spread with 21 on Rajah’s signature Nasi Dagang, a rice dish specially made in-house using Halba seeds and coconut milk. Plus, don’t miss out on the new BBQ items of Kicap Manis Pedas and Sambal Seabass that’s bound to get you coming back for more. Available 27 May to 24 June 2017 at $45++ (Mon-Thu) and $50++ (Fri-Sun); see here for child prices.
21 on Rajah is located at 1 Jln Rajah, Days Hotel Singapore, Singapore 329133, p. +65 6808 6847. Open 6am – 10.30pm daily.
Asian Market Café
From 26 May to 24 June 2017, the much-lauded Asian Market Café will be hosting a glorious Ramadan Iftar Buffet Dinner that spreads across local favourites (satay, anyone?) and contemporary regional delicacies. The sumptuous buffet is priced at $72++ per adult ($37++ per child) and sees seafood items like snow crabs, black mussels, and salmon sashimi, as well as a live prata station, laksa station, tawa (a large disc shape frying pan) station, and a unique carving station featuring roast lamb with Arabic spices.
Asian Market Café is located at L2, Fairmont Singapore, Singapore 189560, p. +65 6431 6156. Open for dinner daily 6pm – 10pm.
Top Image: Blue Jasmine