In Singapore, food is often the language of love. Whether you’re looking for casual coffee and bites for a blind date, a cosy dinner place to impress a loved one, or somewhere special to celebrate Valentine’s day, here are some dining options in Singapore – and get this, they’re Muslim-friendly too. Now, let’s get in the mood for love.

The most romantic halal restaurants in Singapore

1. ASAP & Co.

Behind the steel and glass door in Telok Ayer lies this jewel box of a steakhouse. ASAP & Co. is a cozy little spot with a meat-forward menu featuring a selection of premium cuts, including dry aged options and pure bred Japanese A5 Wagyu. ASAP & Co’s pride is in their smoking methodology; every menu item is imbued with a signature smoky flavour that excites the palate. You can also observe the craft of smoking from the Chef’s Table, like watching theatre around a fire. Reservations and advanced orders are highly recommended, as the restaurant smokes (not grills) all of its meats which takes up to an hour to prepare.

Muslim-owned

Set in the lush one-hectare Ginger Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens is The Halia. This restaurant offers a quiet respite from the cosmopolitan hustle and bustle, with an indoor dining room fitted with full height glass windows that overlook the beckoning greenery and an outdoor verandah for idyllic views of stunning foliage and colourful flowers. If you can’t bear to end your date, this charming date spot offers the convenient option for a romantic post-meal walk too. The Halia features a largely Western menu with delicate touches of Asian flair. Weekend brunches are available.

Halal-certified

3. Sofra

There’s something magical about a skyline view. Over at Sofra Marina Square, you’ll be treated to one with the Esplanade in the foreground. Enter the arched entrance and into a tapestry of Turkish-influenced decor – think blue tiles, mosaic lamps and dark wood furniture. On the terrace, you’ll have the cityview to bask in as you dig into a meal of authentic Turkish food. Peek into the kitchen through the glass window and see the chefs in action, grilling skewered meats over charcoal fires. A comfortable ambience, a gorgeous city view and food that makes you think of travelling – this is a romantic spot to visit.

Muslim-owned

Situated inside Jewel, El Fuego serves up European cuisine, even snagging Best Steak at the 2022 Halal Awards, and deservedly so. The charcoal-grilled Australian black angus tomahawk will cost you a pretty penny (in this case, it’s $160), but it’s definitely worth every cent. The 1.3kg slab of meat is charred to perfection, leaving you with a crisp exterior that compliments the succulent meat. Alongside the mighty tomahawk, El Fuego also offers a pan-roasted barramundi ($28) with potato and creamed leek, as well as a decadent honey glazed duck breast ($26) that will leave you wanting more. Be sure to leave some room for dessert before enjoying a post-meal stroll at the Shiseido Forest Valley.

Halal-certified

Sample the best of Nusantara cuisine in a historic mansion. Permata Singapore is a buffet restaurant (from $42) located within Gedung Kuning and boasts over 60 different spice-scented dishes to choose from. Start with a base of blue pea rice, then chow down on wagyu beef rendang, tempoyak ikan patin, and other lesser-seen creations. The menu also comes with a seafood-on-ice station, and live grills that serve up smoky pieces of sirloin steak, chicken, lamb flap, and skewers of satay.

Muslim-owned

Let this shophouse restaurant transport you from Kampong Gelam to Paris with its charming decor – think marble tabletops, plush emerald green chairs, delicate floral decorations –and unique French Malayan cuisine, including croissants, Angel Hair Bouillabaisse, and Cherrywood Smoked Contre-Filet. Given its modest size and popularity, seats at The White Label fill up quickly (giving you all the more reason to get closer to your dining companion). If you prefer some small bites, The White Label also has a High Tea menu of over 10 savoury and sweet items specially curated for two. Some standouts include Tart Au Nasi Lemak, Spiced Poulet Au Butter and Choux Au Hazelnut Et Caramel, just to name a few.

Muslim-owned

Photograph: The Secret Garden by Zeekri/Facebook

Housed in a heritage conservation shophouse along Baghdad Street, The Secret Garden by Zeekri is a botanical-themed brasserie whipping up French-inspired favourites including delicate French pastries and viennoiseries. This two-story restaurant has faux foliage and flower ornaments throughout the space, exuding romance and a relaxed ambience. Choose between two or three courses for its set lunch ($25 and $30 respectively), and opt for the mustard chicken, a grilled chicken doused in mustard sauce with fragrant French onion rice. Finish your meal with a decadent dessert like the profiteroles.

Muslim-owned

From the minds behind darling pasta bar Tipo and Catalan-inspired The Great Mischief, Ela’s is all about that convivial, family-feeling and healthy eating. Describing itself as a little lost Greek place, Ela’s menu is filled with grills and plates made for sharing – but you can still make a romantic date out of it. Located within HomeTeamNS, the ambience at Ela is bright and airy, bringing to mind the breeze from the Mediterranean sea itself. And of course, indulge in the best of Greek-Mediterranean fare here; peppers, citruses, oils and cheeses take centrestage. Specials include Lamb Kebab Skewer and Xihias (grilled swordfish).

Muslim-owned

Photograph: @annassourdough_official/Instagram

This Punggol gem neatly treads the line between a neighborhood favourite and a special brunch spot. It has a sourdough-focused menu filled with an exciting blend of classic brunch offerings and specialised items like sourdough pasta and sourdough pizzas (pizzas available after 5pm). This cafe-bakery recently opened for dinner service (from 1 Feb 2023) so if dining under twinkling lights with a cool night breeze sounds like your perfect date, be ready to snag a table here. Otherwise, a weekend brunch by the river and sunshine in their alfresco area makes this spot perfect for that romantic late morning date.

Halal-certified