15 Haji Lane cafes and restaurants to visit for all cravings
Wondering which of the Haji Lane cafes should you grab a cuppa at? You’re in luck because we’ve got a few suggestions up our sleeves.
Other than being famous for its Insta-worthy graffiti walls and shophouse units selling vintage clothes and unique arts and crafts, Haji Lane is also known for its many cafes and restaurants.
More than just a single street, locals have come to associate the Haji Lane area with the adjacent ones, too, such as nearby Bali Lane, Beach Road, as well as Arab Street.
From Korean dessert cakes to artisanal bakeries, and authentic Mexican grub, there’s something for everyone at Haji Lane — we’ll take you on a gastro-journey through Haji Lane and introduce you to 15 Haji Lane cafes and restaurants we think you’ll love.
1. Cafe Margaret
32 Bali Lane
Open: Friday to Wednesday (10am to 7pm)
Why visit? There’s just something particularly enticing about quaint Korean cafes that we can’t get enough of. You’ll feel like you’ve flown right to Seoul once you’ve stepped into the popular Korean dessert cafe, Cafe Margaret, sitting along Bali Lane.
Famous for its cube pies, this double-storey cafe showcases a cottage core aesthetic and marks the Seoul cafe’s first overseas outpost. Have an afternoon to spare? We reckon there’s nothing quite like cosying up on a couch and digging into one of its signature cube pies, a cube-shaped croissant with 72 layers of flaky, laminated pastry.
Crowd favourites: The pube pie comes in various flavours; try its best-seller Injeolmi (S$8.30) for a thick, creamy and nutty flavour, thanks to the roasted soybean powder. The Singapore-exclusive desserts are its pound cakes, of which we recommend the raspberry (S$7.50).
2. NestCha
68 Haji Lane
Open: Monday to Wednesday (12pm to 9pm), Thursday (12pm to 8pm), Friday to Sunday (12pm to 10pm)
Why visit? Walking and shopping around the unsheltered Haji Lane can be quite sweat-inducing, especially in Singapore’s sweltering heat. Beat the heat and get some specialty handcrafted drinks at NestCha.
Aside from its picture-perfect drinks, there are also plenty of Insta-worthy adorable box cakes, cakes in small square boxes, to indulge in. You’ll find more than just the usual chocolate and vanilla flavours here; there’s innovative ones such as yam floss and bird’s nest
Crowd favourites: Try its yam chicken floss mochi cake (S$9.90) — who knew smooth orh nee (yam) paste could go so well with meaty chicken floss and soft mochi? Wash it all down with a mango pomelo bird’s nest (S$12.90), where you get a small jar of bird’s nest with creamy fresh coconut jelly and mangoes.
3. Honeybee
67 Haji Lane
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11.30am to 9.30pm), Friday and Saturday (11.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? Honeybee, a popular JB dessert chain, has opened an outlet at Haji Lane — get yummy honeycomb desserts without having to worry about the awful jams at the checkpoint.
Not only is it known for its eye-catching desserts, it also serves up various permutations of refreshing cold drinks and yoghurt options in various flavours — there’s something for everyone, even if honey isn’t quite your jam.
Crowd favourites: Don’t miss out on its signature golden honeybee (S$8.50), where the honeycomb is served with soft serve and topped with honey pearls and cornflakes. Those who prefer a non-honeycomb option can opt for its strawberry kiwi yogurt (S$6.90), which is also well-liked.
4. Coffee Donkee
51 Haji Lane
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.15am to 7.15pm)
Why visit? Coffee aficionados, rejoice! There’s a Japanese-inspired specialty coffee shop right in Haji Lane itself that features curated beans freshly imported from Japan, every week. Coffee Donkee boasts five different coffee beans on rotation, including its signature Donkee blend.
Sip your coffee in this aesthetic cafe feels just like a Japanese Kissaten, which is a Japanese-style tearoom, complete with an fall-inspired storefront, and a hidden “zen garden” area at the back.
Crowd favourites: Its Donkee blend (S$10) with a unique, slightly bitter flavour, and served in its beautiful ceramic cups, is a must-try. Those who prefer something lighter might want to opt for its sakura blend (S$10), which is a mild roast with almonds, cacao and lime notes.
5. All Things Delicious
34 Arab Street, 01-01
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 7pm)
Why visit? Looking for sweet treats among all the Haji Lane food options? Look no further than one of the most popular halal bakeries in the area — All Things Delicious. Founded by passionate baker Dewi Imelda Wadhwa (or Mel), the cafe is known for its wholesome main courses, fresh bakes, and most recently, its bombolonis.
The pastries here are lovingly made from scratch with premium seasonal ingredients. Those who don’t have quite the sweet tooth will also be glad to know that the quaint cafe also serves up nutritious dishes that are sure to whet any appetite.
Crowd favourites: Its gula melaka scones (S$22.90 for a box of six) have a cult following for their crusty exterior and soft interior. Another signature is its sticky toffee pudding (S$58 for a whole cake), a delicate sponge cake made with premium dates and made-from-scratch toffee sauce.
6. Nirvana Dessert Cafe
37 Haji Lane
Open: Wednesday to Monday (11am to 9pm)
Why visit? Here’s another Haji Lane cafe for those with a sweet tooth — savour some luscious desserts with Hong Kong and Japanese influences at Nirvana Dessert Cafe. Though it’s located along the busy Haji Lane, the cafe is relatively peaceful and homely, providing a great respite from the city’s bustle.
We daresay, Nirvana probably offers one of Singapore’s fluffiest souffle pancakes, which also come with mochi — the jiggly pancakes are so soft you’ll feel like you’ve just landed on a cloud as you dig into them.
Crowd favourites: Go for its mochi ice cream souffle (S$17), which is fluffy and chewy at the same time, and served with fresh fruits and a scoop of ice cream. If you prefer something lighter and more refreshing, there’s its matcha latte (S$6), which isn’t too sweet and has the right amount of earthiness.
7. Momolato
34 Haji Lane
Open: Monday to Thursday (2pm to 11pm), Friday and Saturday (12pm to 2am), Sunday (12pm to 11pm)
Why visit? Want more icy treats? Right opposite Nirvana Cafe is gourmet gelato spot Momolato, which features gelato crafted by chef Sharton Tay, who was previously the Asia-Pacific champion of the Gelato World Tour in 2015.
This is high on our list of go-to Haji Lane cafes, given its award-winning gelato creations with innovative flavours. The gelato made here is so good that even other cafes are serving up Momolato’s sweet treats.
For the health-conscious or those on keto diets, you’ll also be pleased to know that it serves sugar-free and diabetic-friendly iterations.
Crowd favourite: Take a scoop of its maple and pancakes (S$5.90 for premium flavours) gelato, which comes with an unmistakable nutty and sweet flavour. For more pizzazz, have your gelato with a pandan cone (additional S$1.50), or even on a pandan waffle (S$6.90), which is both crispy and fragrant.
8. The French American Bakery
49 Haji Lane
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 6pm)
Why visit? Artisanal bakery, The French American Bakery, is easy to spot amongst the Haji Lane shops. Its vibrant teal exterior draws you into a pastry paradise, full of French and American-inspired pastries.
Opened by chef Aishah, who has had 15 years of experience with pastries, you can expect buttery quality bakes like croissants, tarts and other viennoiseries at this popular bakery. It’s also recently gone viral for its hot chocolate with torched marshmallow fluff (S$8) — it’s very pretty, but also very cloyingly sweet — only try if you are an absolute sweet tooth.
Crowd favourites: This Haji Lane bakery serves up the flakiest kouign-amann (S$5.80), and generously sized cinnamon buns (S$5.60), which are sweet, yes, but very satisfyingly decadent.
9. Pita Bakery
29 Bali Lane
Open: Monday to Thursday (9am to 9pm), Friday to Sunday (9am to 9.30pm)
Why visit? Pita Bakery is one of the best-kept secrets of Haji Lane, serving up authentic Mediterranean food. The humble bakery uses a traditional 700-year-old recipe for its pita, and everything here is halal-certified, vegan-friendly and kosher.
Its famous pocket pita bread is baked daily, and dips such as hummus and babaganoush are prepared fresh daily, too.
Crowd favourites: For an all-rounded experience of Mediterranean cuisine, try its Taste It All Platter (S$22), which includes different types of pitas, spreads and falafel balls. The pitas are soft and fluffy and pair perfectly with the housemade hummus. The falafel balls have just the right amount of crispiness on the outside.
For a pita sandwich, definitely try its Fill Free (S$13) where the fluffy pita is stuffed with falafel, salad, tahini, amba sauce and harissa sauce.
10. Lukumades
60 Arab Street, 01-01
Open: Sunday to Thursday (9am to 10pm), Friday and Saturday (9am to 10pm)
Why visit? For those who can’t get enough of donuts, make a beeline for Lukumades, a popular Australian chain known for its loukoumades (fried Greek honey puffs), a sweet treat that’s similar to a donut, but not quite. For the uninitiated, loukoumades are bite-sized, fluffy, deep-fried dough balls traditionally topped with honey syrup and nuts.
If you thought all Haji Lane cafes were the same, Lukumade’s loukomades will prove you wrong. At the cafe, you can enjoy the treats with a twist, with interesting toppings such as pistachio spread, melted hazelnut sauce and even matcha.
Crowd favourites: Savour its matcha flavour (S$12 for 10 donut balls) balls, drenched in matcha-infused white chocolate. The donut ball is chewy and has a mochi-like texture. Another highlight is its pistachio flavour (S$13), with thick and creamy pistachio spread and chocolate flakes.
11. Fika Swedish Cafe and Bistro
257 Beach Road
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (11am to 9pm), Friday and Saturday (11am to 10pm)
Why visit? Started by a Singaporean-Swedish duo, Fika Swedish Cafe and Bistro is the place to go to, for traditional, authentic Swedish cuisine in Singapore that’s also halal-certified. In case you were wondering: Fika is Swedish for “coffee break”, a time when people come together to unwind, drink coffee and have a small bite.
Step into this cosy Haji Lane cafe, reminiscent of a Swedish home, and to do just what you’re meant to do at Fika: Relax and enjoy its food.
Crowd favourites: Try the Swedish classic savoury sandwich cakes (smorgastarta, S$12.90 a slice), which are a sight to behold, with its intricate elements. Expect to find very Scandinavian elements such as herring, gravlax (cured salmon with fresh dill), and even pressgurka (pressed cucumber salad) in these sandwiches.
If you’re in search of something more satisfying, get its beef Swedish meatballs (S$22), which come with baby potatoes, cream sauce, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumbers — we’re sure you won’t be able to go back to Ikea meatballs after you’ve had a taste of these!
12. Piedra Negra
241 Beach Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 12am)
Why visit? Located right at the end of Haji Lane (if you’re coming from Bugis MRT) is a red shophouse where Piedra Negra sits, brought to you by the same folks behind the famous live-music venue, BluJaz cafe.
Embodying vibrant Mexican culture, the restaurant is always crowded and bustling, especially at night when there are live DJs and music to groove to. Come for its music and vibes but stay for its Mexican fare and for “one of the best margaritas in the world”, as claimed by the restaurant itself.
Crowd favourites: Dig into its tacos de camarones (S$15.90), served with battered shrimp, pickled onion, lettuce, and fruits, that go perfectly well with flavourful tamarindo sauce, refried beans and habanero mayo.
You must also try its mixiote (S$22.90), a lamb stew cooked with two types of Mexican chillies, carrots and potatoes. The dish is served with Mexican rice, salsa verde and chipotle sauce.
13. Sa Tae Bak Yakitori
31 Bali Lane
Open: Monday to Saturday (5.30pm to 12am)
Why visit? Let your hair down and destress at Sa Tae Bak Yakitori — this izakaya-style spot comes alive at night and serves delicious barbecued items and grilled skewers with a twist.
Fun fact: Lest you think the name is some fancy Japanese-sounding term, it’s not — the name “sa tae bak” means “three pieces of meat” in Hokkien and is also a play on the Malay word “satay”, which alludes to the skewered meat it serves.
Sa Tae Bak’s just the spot to gather your friends and family for a good time, especially with its wallet-friendly food and alcoholic drinks.
Crowd favourites: We always order one too many of its enoki bacon (S$2.50), a classic skewered dish. For a more interesting option, try its extra chewy rice cake wrapped in bacon (S$2), which is chewy, decadent and extremely satiating.
14. Squisito
28 Bali Lane
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm), Saturday to Sunday (11.30am to 10pm)
Why visit? If you’re on the search for Italian food amongst the Haji Lane restaurants, check out Squisito, which serves up fresh handmade pasta, daily.
Authentic, halal Italian restaurants are far and few between in Singapore, making Squisito a must-visit if you’re in the area. Aside from thin-crust pizzas and fresh handmade pasta, it serves classic Italian fare with a modern twist, too.
Crowd favourites: For its pasta, we’d recommend the gnocchi ripieni (S$16) — it features a hearty serving of fried gnocchi stuffed with spicy beef and garlic aioli sauce. Its beef wellington (S$36) is also a hot favourite. It comprises a beef tenderloin coated with mushrooms and pistachio nuts pate, wrapped in turkey ham and puff pastry, and is served with mashed potatoes.
15. Pergh! Chicks
23 Bali Lane
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)
Why visit? More than just fried chicken, Pergh! Chicks serves up chicken that’s been steam-marinated, a process where the chicken is first marinated, then steamed to pack all the flavours in. In case you’re wondering what the shop name stands for, too, it’s slang for “awesome chickens”, so you can be quite sure it’s serving up good poultry.
Unlike most ayam percik places in Singapore which serve up their chickens with a peanut or curry-based sauce, Pergh! Chicks uses an authentic, original recipe from the owner’s great-grandfather that doesn’t contain nuts, but instead has stronger notes of coconut milk.
Crowd favourites: You can’t go wrong with its signature percik wings (S$16), which feature charred chicken wings coated in the aromatic percik sauce. Try its viral dish, nasi kukus volcano (S$9.50), where rice, sauce and meat is contained in a cylinder in the middle of the plate, and then lifted tableside for a “flowing” effect.
Hungry for more? Check our take on Peranakan restaurant Godmama’s new Parkway Parade outlet, and what we thought of the new Hood by Nude Seafood at Punggol.
All the Haji Lane cafes and restaurants featured, except Cafe Margaret, Nest Cha, Coffee Donkee, All Things Delicious, and Pergh! Chicksare, on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited.
Do explore the GrabFood Dine-in service for awesome deals.
Book a ride to these Haji Lane cafes and restaurants.
Gracia Ow
Author
A self-professed foodie, Gracia searches for good food everywhere she goes. Her go-to comfort food is anything with noodles or soup.
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