What’s not to love about Singapore’s original Indie ‘hood? It’s got everything you’d want; from hole-in-the-wall boutiques to hip cafes, cool bars, and restaurants.
Before Tiong Bahru, there was Haji Lane – Singapore’s original indie neighbourhood. This buzzing, all-hours enclave in eclectic Kampong Glam is peppered with cool boutiques, bars, cafés, and restaurants that rank high on the hip factor – and not to forget those beautiful murals. It’s no wonder we keep coming back to one of our favourite neighbourhoods. We’ve shared the best spots in Haji Lane and around the corner in Bali Lane, Arab Street and Beach Road for even more good times…
Where to eat and drink in Haji Lane
Juice Clinic
From the get-go it’s obvious that Juice Clinic is not your average juice bar. One look at the pop art-inspired graffiti storefront and you’ll see why. Whether you’re in the mood for coffee or a green juice; lamb chops or a slice of rainbow cheesecake, Juice Clinic has it all. Plus, a shout out to the lovely live singer who will add flavour to your evenings.
Juice Clinic, 27-29 Haji Lane, Singapore 189222
Little Damage
Looks like Kampong Glam is heating up, or should we say cooling down, with the flagship store of Little Damage setting up shop along Haji Lane. This popular LA-based ice cream parlour is often raved about for its poppin’ blue, black and pink shades of ice cream, and the new churros flavour is simply delightful! Just like its other outlet at Wheelock Place, the space here has a photobooth, plus merchandise like tote bags, pins, water bottles and t-shirts up for grabs. We’d recommend you use Gelam Gallery as the backdrop to your IG-friendly ice cream cones.
Little Damage, 2 Haji Lane, Singapore 189195
Selfie Coffee
It’s not every day you have a cup of joe with a picture of yourself instead of latte art. The coffee itself is left to be desired but we say just go for the experience and pictures.
Selfie Coffee, 11 Haji Lane, Singapore 189204
[email protected]
Located near the majestic Masjid Sultan, this quaint restaurant has a homely ambience with wooden furniture and old-school ceiling fans. The nasi ambeng comes in five sizes, for one to five people. Expect classic dishes like chicken in coconut gravy and salted fish. It’s honestly the perfect meal to tuck into after exploring the vibrant Kampong Glam.
Padi @ Bussorah, 53 Bussorah Street, Singapore 199469
Limaa
Eat, drink and be jolly at Limaa, an Instagram-worthy cafe that serves up a healthy alternative if you’ve been a little naughty with your diet. Before you grunt over the idea of salads or tumeric shots, think again. Treat yourselves to stewed beef with gooey eggs, gluten-free nachos and pastas sans the calories. Or cool down with a glass of fresh fruit juice or an Acai smoothie parfait if you’re feeling peckish.
Limaa, 51 Haji Lane, Singapore 189244
Krave
For local cuisine in a cafe setting, gather your friends at Krave. Generous portions of ayam bakar, rendang fries, chempedak (similar to jackfruit) creme brulee and nasi lemak aside, this halal restaurant receives rave reviews for its lamb chops, steak and Ribena wings.
Krave, 28 Bali Lane, Singapore 189864
Blanco Court Prawn Mee
In case you didn’t know, Blanco Court’s legendary prawn noodles can now be found at Beach Road. We had a bowl ourselves and it’s one of the best we’ve had. Dig into this bowl of yellow (you can pick bee hoon or a mix of both) noodles topped with pork lard, fried shallots and a generous serving of succulent prawns. And that brown stock? Light, fragrant and warms you up in all the right places. Add some chili padi for an extra punch.
Blanco Court Prawn Mee, #01-01, 243 Beach Road, Singapore 189754
The Singapura Club
Impress your mates from out of town with a crash course on Singapore’s culture – bar-style! The Singapura Club serves eccentric and local-inspired drinks such as Milo Dinosaur cocktails and the Sucati, a sugarcane martini garnished with an orchid.
The Singapura Club, 26 Haji Lane, Singapore 189219
I Am…
This street side café regularly draws crowds on the weekends and it’s easy to see why: Inspired by Amsterdam, I Am… serves up hearty, delish mains like sandwiches, pasta, fish and chips and pizza in a so-hipster-it-hurts setting. The main draw? Their signature burgers – like the Charcoal Grilled Sloppy Beef Burger, complete with a house special messy sauce that’s worth getting your hands dirty for – and the oh-so Instagrammable multi-layer rainbow cake.
I Am…, 674 North Bridge Road (off Haji Lane), Singapore 188804
Piedra Negra
One of our favourite Mexican restos around Singapore, Piedra Negra is a buzzing neighbourhood gem that’s worth checking out – especially if you have a weakness for killer guac made fresh on the spot (who doesn’t?). Pair that with a steady supply of tortilla chips, hearty burritos, and washed down with potent frozen margaritas, you’ve got your night made. Ole!
Piedra Negra, 241 Beach Road, Singapore 189753
The Mad Sailors
If you’re a fan of the gourmet tacos from Afterwit, then you’re in luck! Brought to you by the same people behind the popular Mexican taqueria, The Mad Sailors is where you can get your fill of classic British-pub grub like chip butty.
The Mad Sailors, 24 Haji Lane, Singapore 189217
[email protected] Italian Risto-Bar
An Italian bistro through and through, Ciao serves a slew of authentic and oh-so-tasty Italian dishes like hand-tossed pizza and homemade pasta with artisanal bolognese sauce.
[email protected] Italian Risto-Bar, 8 Haji Lane, Singapore 189201
Bergs
If climbing up two-storey shophouses has you working up an appetite, kick back and relax at BERGS where you can order gourmet burgers that will leave you chuffed and stuffed.
Bergs, 10 Haji Lane, Singapore 189203
Good Luck Beerhouse
A jaunt down Haji Lane isn’t complete without grabbing a cold one at its only craft beer bar. With their huge selection of craft beer bottles and rotating beers on tap, Goodluck Beerhouse is bound to satiate even the pickiest tastebuds.
Good Luck Beerhouse, 9 Haji Lane, Singapore 189202
Going Om
This peaceful sanctuary hidden in the heart of the CBD is where hippies and cool cats go to unwind with friends. We recommend going down on a Friday night to catch the live music acts.
Going OM, 63 Haji Lane, Singapore 189256
Blu Jaz Café
A place that needs zero introduction, Blu Jaz Café has established itself as the go-to amongst jazz connoisseurs and hip bar-hoppers looking for great live music and drinks. You’ll also find underground parties here, pushing out sounds like hip-hop, reggaeton and even drum & bass.
Blu Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane (off Haji Lane), Singapore 189848
Our fave shops in Haji Lane
Hygge
So what if Hygge has converted the cafe to a lifestyle store? There’s still plenty to shop for. Looking for a special and personalised gift for a friend? There’s nothing short of home decor, accessories, apparels and bags. You can even customise their names or initials on some of the items.
Hygge, 37 Haji Lane, Singapore 189230
The Silver Triangle
This quaint little jewellery shop was such a delight to visit. Step in and you’ll find hordes of authentic fine silver jewellery and coloured beads and stones made from Laotian tribes. Feel free to bag some tips from the friendly owner. You’re sure to leave with a piece or two.
The Silver Triangle, 16 Haji Lane, Singapore 189209
Drunken Balloon
Located at the end of Haji Lane, this shop is tough not to miss (and ignore) with orange and red balloon sculptures suspended over a contrasting blue storefront. Drunken Balloon looks like the ultimate party store from outside, but it’s a whole different vibe inside. The shop is filled to the brim with ample retro memorabilia, board games, party games (The Harry Potter edition of Cards of Humanity caught my eye) and quirky novelty items for you to take home. Need some entertainment and supplies for a party? You know where to go.
Drunken Balloon, 84 Haji Lane, Singapore 189273
Crafune
Craft your own wallets, passport holders, keychains, money clips and cardholders at Crafune. Hidden on the second level, above the prawn noodle shop, this indie boutique uses high-quality vegetable-tanned leathers Italy (in various colours) that will age beautifully as you use it. Go for a wallet crafting workshop to create your own bespoke piece or select something in store.
Crafune, #02-01, 2 Haji Lane, Singapore 189195
Craft Assembly
Talk about uniquely Singaporean trinkets and knick-knacks. Stock up on all things handmade and quirky at the Craft Assembly. Things to look forward: earrings, pins, tote bags, magnets, along with vintage apparel and toys.
Craft Assembly, 61 Haji Lane, Singapore 189254
Chic Fever
Chances are, you’ll be able to spot this shop from a mile away. Chic Fever’s telltale sign is its blue subaru at the display window, but you’re gonna have to head upstairs to find their actual retail space that stocks accessories and knick-knacks.
Chic Fever, 56A Haji Lane, Singapore 189249
Mujosh
Shield your peepers with exclusive sunnies and eyewear at Mujosh! Since it first opened its doors in 2010, Mujosh has attracted the attention of fashionistas and hipsters for their cutting-edge line of frames and shades.
Mujosh, 53 Haji Lane, Singapore 189246
Life By Design – New Age Spiritual Centre
If you’ve ever wondered where you can get an ouija board (for whatever reason) in Singapore, then this would save you the Google search. Life by Design carries all kinds of items from the weird and wonderful world of tarot cards, séance guides and even a literal book of spells.
Life By Design, 43 Haji Lane, Singapore 189236
SSFW
SSFW, or Spring Summer Fall Winter, specialises in handmade arm candy for stylish peeps. Step into their boutique, and you can have your pick of one-of-a-kind accessories like gem stone jewellery and even home décor.
SSFW, 75 Haji Lane, Singapore 189268
What to do in Haji Lane
Visual Orgasm
Get yourself inked by the skilled tattoo artists over at this tattoo parlour. Here, masterpieces come to life in the form of body tattoos in different styles – think geometric, abstract and even avant-garde.
Visual Orgasm, 2 Haji Lane, Singapore 189195
99 Percent Hair Studio
We get it: trusting a hairstylist with a dye job, especially a bleach and dye job is pretty risky stuff. But when you’re in the trusty hands of the hair maestros at this hair studio, you’ll be strutting out of there looking like #hairgoals.
99 Percent Hair Studio, #01-01, 40 Haji Lane, Singapore 189233
The Nail Social
There’s more to this nail salon than meets the eye. While ladies can relax and pamper themselves with a well-deserved mani-pedi, The Nail Social is also committed to giving back to charities such as Beyond Social Services.
The Nail Social, Second floor, 42A Haji Lane, Singapore 189235
