Before Tiong Bahru, there was Haji Lane – Singapore’s original hipster neighbourhood. A buzzing all-hours enclave in Kampong Glam peppered with charming boutiques, watering holes, cafés, and restaurants that rank high on the hip factor, it’s no wonder why we keep coming back for more of these neighbourhood gems.
Pssst, if you like this, check out the heaps of our other neighbourhood guides.
Shop Wonderland
Shop Wonderland
The name doesn’t lie. You’ll want to spend the entire day at Wonderland, a charmingly cosy two-storey shop space. We recommend taking your time and fully exploring Wonderland floor-by-floor: Grab a chai latte at The Pantry, before heading upstairs to peruse the artfully curated collection of home accessories, from scented candles to tableware, cushions, and pom poms. If you’re feeling crafty, be sure to check out Wonderland’s ongoing flower arrangement and terrarium-making workshops.
Shop Wonderland, 37 Haji Lane, Singapore 189230, p. 6299 5848. Open daily 10am-8pm.
Tokyobike
Haji Lane holds the honour of being the location of Tokyobike’s first and only Asian flagship store outside of Japan. Here, cycling enthusiasts – or those with an appreciation for beautiful design – can get their hands on the brand’s signature minimalist bikes. If you like what you see, you can even take one out for a test-run around the hood – although we think they’re way too pretty to be ridden.
Tokyobike, 38 Haji Lane, Singapore 189231, p. 6299 5048. Open Tue-Fri 1-8pm, Sat & Sun 12-8pm.
Soon Lee
Soon Lee
It’s hard not to be charmed by this fashion boutique: An elegant shop space beautifully littered with a chic selection of womenswear, accessories, shoes, books, and trinkets, this is one place you can easily lose yourself in for hours. Fashionistas will delighted to find your not-so-average-labels such Aijek, hansel, Irregular Choice, Stolen, Indika, and Mischa – making this a retail heaven not to be missed.
Soon Lee, 73 Haji Lane, Singapore 189266, p. 6297 0198.
Mondays Off
Adding a dose of Scandi-chic to the colourful Haji Lane stretch is a multi label boutique that’s sure to appeal to design aficionados and domestic goddesses alike. Brimming with all kinds of crafty goodness, Mondays Off is veritable Aladdin’s cave where you can find home accents, tote bags, art prints, stationery, indie magazines, and even jams from GSH Conserves in one beautifully appointed shop space.
Mondays Off, 76 Haji Lane, Singapore 189269. Open Tue-Fri 12-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm.
LongPlay
LongPlay
A must-visit for audiophiles, LongPlay houses an impressive collection of over 3,000 vintage vinyl records. While you’re kicking back to old-school Motown or Jazz tunes, tuck into delish bar bites like buttermilk chicken, mac and cheese, and togarashi squid and drink up from their tipple menu of classic drinks like the Rock Island Iced Tea – their own rendition of the Long Island cocktail.
LongPlay, 4 Haji Lane/33 Arab Street, Singapore 199732, p. 6291 3323. Open Tue-Sat 12-3pm, 6pm-12am, Sun 2-11pm. Closed Mon.
Bar Stories
A quirky little watering hole tucked away discreetly corner on Haji Lane, Bar Stories is the perfect after-hours hideaway for you to de-stress over expertly mixed cocktails. There’s a menu of over 100 specialty drinks, but ask the bartenders and they’ll be happy to shake up a bespoke drink to suit your mood and preferences.
Bar Stories, 55 Haji Lane, Singapore 189248, p. 6298 0838. Open Sun-Thu 3pm-1am, Fri & Sat 3pm-2am.
CAD Cafe
CAD Café
True to its name, CAD Café (which stands for coffee, art, and design) is easy on the eyes, wallet, and of course, on your taste buds. With an easy-to-spot vibrant blue facade, this casual hole-in-the-wall joint ticks all the right boxes: quirky interiors, a sizeable menu of fab brunch staples like eggs Florentine, French toast with balsamic strawberry compote, killer coffee from Toby’s Estate, craft beers, and a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for lazy weekends.
CAD Café, 23 Haji Lane, Singapore 189216. Open Tue & Wed 8am-10pm, Thu & Fri 8am-12am, Sat 10am-12am, Sun 10am-10pm.
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, p. 6295 5509.
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’ve 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, p. 6291 1297.