On June 8th, shops along Haji Lane and Bali Lane have been instructed by the authorities to remove their items such as tables, chairs and menu stands from the public roads and pedestrian walkways after they have repeatedly blocked the passages for vehicles to pass by. Any form of non-compliance will result in the risk of getting penalised under the law. Currently, regular road closure at Haji Lane and Bali Lane has been suspended since March 27, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Owner of popular coffee stall Rumi The Poet's Cup, Mr Aden, called for people to come together and petition to bring road closures back to Haji Lane in an Instagram post on June 9th. Haji Lane is widely touted as the soul of historic Kampong Gelam; from their humble-yet-lively stalls; from amazing halal cafes, to unique retail stores, it's not hard to see why! If you're looking for activities to check out this weekend, why not support your favourite local businesses here at Haji Lane? Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates:https://bit.ly/3LnFN1F
Halal Cafes At Haji Lane
1. Rumi The Poet's Cup
Of course, we have to start with the heart of Haji Lane: Rumi The Poet's Cup! They have always been popular for their delicious drinks and now you can satiate your cravings of their signature drinks again! They’ve also recently added waffles to the menu, which is the perfect thing to munch on during the cafe’s storied community events like chess nights, poetry nights and also while you watch talented musicians busking into the night!Halal status: Muslim-owned Instagram
2. The Halal Corner
If you have never heard of The Halal Corner by now, well, you're missing out! Known for serving up Singapore's 1st (and only!) Carbonara Beef Steak Roti John and other tantalizing Western fusion dishes, we're happy to report that there's now one more outlet in Haji Lane for you to check out! The first thing to try is definitely the Carbonara Beef Steak Mr John which deservingly went viral. Beefsteak is cut into bite-sized cubes before being specially marinated till it's juicy and tender. Then it's loaded onto the bread and fried with 2 eggs before being drenched in homemade carbonara sauce and drizzled with chilli and cheese sauce ? The soft and fluffy bread goes so well with the creamy sauce, and the tender beef is different from the usual minced meat!
Halal status: Muslim-owned View More
3. The French American Bakery
True to its name, the artisanal bakery sells a mix of French and American pastries. When you step into the bakery, it'll feel like you've stepped into pastry heaven as you're greeted with a wide range of croissants, tarts, cakes, cookies and more. Don't miss out on specialties like its mixed fruit danish, blueberry cream cheese danish, pain au chocolat or just the classic le croissant. If you're craving a taste of American pastry, be sure to get their double chocolate and New York-style cookie and New York cheesecake! Halal status: Muslim-owned View More
True to its name, the artisanal bakery sells a mix of French and American pastries. When you step into the bakery, it'll feel like you've stepped into pastry heaven as you're greeted with a wide range of croissants, tarts, cakes, cookies and more. Don't miss out on specialties like its mixed fruit danish, blueberry cream cheese danish, pain au chocolat or just the classic le croissant. If you're craving a taste of American pastry, be sure to get their double chocolate and New York-style cookie and New York cheesecake! Halal status: Muslim-owned View More
4. Shalaby Sweets Turkish & Arabic Delights
Shalaby Sweets offer sinfully sweet Turkish treats, so you’re going to have to put your diets away if you want to try this. They sell an assortment of Turkish sweets, from baklavas to Turkish delights and of course, kunafa. All of their sweets are actually imported from Turkey and air-flown regularly to Singapore so you can guarantee that it’s authentic, fresh and most importantly, delicious! The Green Crush Pistachio kunafa is a dessert you have to try. The earthy flavours of pistachio complements the sweeter cream in their kunafa for a perfect sweet-savoury combination ? Halal status: Muslim-owned View More
5. Momolato
Craving for something sweet? Why not stop for dessert at the tropical-themed Momolato Cafe? With 18 different gelato flavours and a whole selection of waffles, popsicles and more, this sugary treat will leave you absolutely satisfied ?It's a perfect accompaniment while you stroll along the street full of zest and life! Halal Status: Halal-Certified central kitchen. The cafe is undergoing the halal-certification process. Instagram
6. BONUS: Pasha Turkish Restaurant
If you’re looking for a great Middle Eastern meal, there's plenty for you to choose from in the wider Kampong Gelam area, and Haji Lane is no exception! This casual spot serves excellent Turkish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Asian food like shish kebab, kofta, shawarma and pine! Pair it up with their Turkish-inspired blue tables, and you've got the perfect photo-opp! Halal Status: Muslim-owned Instagram
Retail Stores In Haji Lane
1. Drunken Balloon
It's hard to miss this balloon-covered storefront! It has got everything to entertain you – board games, party games, novels, and much more. With a such a wide assortment of item, there's a high chance you won't leave the store empty-handed! Opening hours: 10am-6.30pm daily Website
2. Crafune
Talk about unique, handmade gifts: you can craft your own wallets, passport holders, keychains, money clips and cardholders at Crafune! This indie boutique on the second floor uses high-quality vegetable-tanned leathers Italy (in various colours) that will age beautifully as you use it. Try out their wallet crafting workshop for your own customised piece, or select from a variety of options available! Opening hours: 11am-6pm daily Website |Instagram
3. Monocle
"Designer-quality glasses are too expensive, and we want to change that" - That's the motto of locally-owned optic store, Monocle, and they are living up their promise! Their range of Italian tortoiseshell spectacles are perfect for those who loves a good stylish look! Made with good-quality stainless steel and titanium, the prices of glasses here start from $85 a pair; it's truly a steal! Opening hours: Wed-Fri (2pm-8pm); Sat (11.30am-7.30pm); Sun (11.30am-5.30pm) Website |Facebook |Instagram
4. SSFW
SSFW, or Spring Summer Fall Winter, specialises in handmade arm candy that's perfect for well, every season! Step into the boutique and you can have your pick of one-of-a-kind accessories like gemstone jewellery and even home decor. Opening hours: 11am-8pm daily Website |Facebook |Instagram
5. BONUS: The dUCk Store
We know it's not a local brand, but who can ignore their adorable store draped in purple! You can find the lifestyle brand launched by the famous blogger cum entrepreneur Vivy Yusof at 71 Haji Lane. Carrying a wide range of classy yet playfully designed products such as stationery, cosmetics, bags, home and living products and of course, a huge collection of exciting graphic print scarves, dUCk is a great store to visit if you’re looking for something more urban, chic and cool ? Opening Hours: 10am-9pm daily Website | Facebook | InstagramP.S. Need more shopping ideas in Haji Lane and the neighbouring streets?Check out our handy guide! There are also other stores such as hair studios, nail salons, boutiques, vintage stores and more, so take the time to explore!
BONUS: Places To Take Photos In Haji Lane
1. Entrance (from North Bridge Road or Arab Street)
Haji Lane also makes a great backdrop for your photos! Whether you're here in the morning or after the sun sets, the streets lined with shops, cafes, and people.
2. Quirky murals
It's not just colourful shophouses that you can expect to find at Haji Lane, but also colourful murals! One of our favourites is this street art located at Piedra Negra at the Beach Road side of Haji Lane! It doesn't matter how many times you've visited Haji Lane; the charm of these quaint yet lively stalls in this bustling street is what we love and treasure for a long time! P.S. Check out these articles to help you navigate the wider Kampong Gelam area, Bugis and more!