Timings : Most shops on this street operate from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Time Required : 2-3 hours
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Arab Street, Singapore Overview
Arab Street is a neighbourhood in the Malay-Muslim Quarter of Singapore, north of the Singapore River. It is known for its eclectic mix of exotic stores selling crafts, accessories, textiles, and home furnishing from the Middle East; the trendy stores are frequented by fashion lovers and art enthusiasts.
Named after an Arab trader who had a port in the location, Arab Street is a part of the Kampong Glam neighbourhood and has gained prominence as a heritage site. The street splashed with colours and a vivacious, bustling, yet tranquil and entrancing atmosphere makes a great place for photographers and people curious about unique knick-knacks not found in ordinary malls.
Comprising of Bussorah Street, Haji Lane, Bali Lane, and Muscat Street along with Arab Street, the Muslim Quarter is a sizeable portion of Singapore. Sultan Masjid - the main attraction of Arab Street - is at the centre and draws huge crowds especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
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Shopping at Arab Street
Soon Lee: This chic store sells women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, and jewellery. The elegant, feminine interiors and carefully selected apparel from international brands make Soon Lee a favourite for any occasion, be it formal or dressy.
DWiz: Bring glamour and elegance into the home with a set of Turkish lamps. Crafted with fine mosaics and ceramics, these handmade lamps sold at DWiz are gorgeous to look at and a delight to light up.
Sifr Aromatics: This exotic store at Arab Street sells breathtaking fragrances crafted from flowers, herbs, wood, and musk. Try your hand at perfume-making or take a pick from the original fragrances available at Sifr. The store also sells wooden soy candles and aromatic jewellery – great souvenirs!
Supermama: This Japanese art gallery is a delightful space for creators and art connoisseurs alike – the handpicked art pieces and pottery are stunning and sleek. Housing ceramics, glazed ware, and other crafts, Supermama offers gorgeous finds from the Far East.
Craft Assembly: This vintage store at Arab Street is a haven for artisans and budding designers – Craft Assembly hosts stalls by Singapore’s futuristic fashion community, where artists and designers display their original products for sale. This indie, urban store is ideal for shoppers looking to flaunt the newest trends in street fashion.
Achakzai Trading: If intricately woven Persian carpets sound appealing, Achakzai Trading is the place to be. This store sells handmade rugs, mats, and carpets from the Middle East, in rich colours and elaborate weaves.
Kin Soon: Craft lovers are in for a treat at Kim Soon, which sells ribbons of all possible styles, from organza, velvet, satin, paper, and grosgrain. Stock up on rare-to-find buttons, wrappers, and other tasteful crafts at this nifty store.
Street markets: Street shopping at Arab Street is not to be missed – tourists on a budget are bound to enjoy the different stalls along Bugis Market and So Galem Market in Arab Street. From lush textiles, handbags, and accessories to footwear, souvenirs, pottery, and furnishing, the street markets cater to different tastes.
Kampong Glam Café A popular landmark in Arab Street, Kampong Glam Café has an exotic East-Asian menu and vintage charm – it is frequented by locals and tourists alike. We recommend the outdoor seating in the evenings – watch life on the street go by and sip some great Thai lemongrass tea!
Ambience: Old-school café Cuisine: Singaporean, Malay, Indonesian Must-try dishes: Mee Bandung (noodle soup)
Working Title This interestingly named café is a burger bar nestled below a lodge. With an impressive burger menu boasting of hand-pressed patties and a range of meats, Working Title also serves craft beer all day, every day!
Ambience: Cozy chic Cuisine: Italian, French Must-try dishes: All-in-one burger, English Earl ice cream
Alsaeed by Char Syed Owned by Chef Syed, winner of the popular Juara Marak cooking contest, Alsaeed puts a modern spin on traditional Arabic and Indian cuisine. The unusual combos pay off, and patrons are sure to enjoy the outdoor lounge seating as well.
BluJaz Café This café’s claim to fame is the regular jazz performance every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. With outdoor seating, a shisha bar, and a dance floor, BluJaz is a great hangout spot in the evenings. The quaint statue of the old jazz man outside this old-school-café is a great photo op.
Ambience: Cozy shisha bar Cuisine: Mediterranean Must-try dishes: Kebab
Aroma Gelato Walk into Aroma Gelato at Singapore's Arab Street to cool off on a hot day – choose from classic flavours like chocolate, caramel sea salt, and fruit, or go for adventurous picks like durian or chilli chocolate! All of their gelatos are handmade, and dairy-free options are also available.
Ambience: Urban ice cream bar Cuisine: Italian Must-try dishes: Durian ice cream
Good Luck Beerhouse This comfortable pub serves a wide range of beers, making it a popular evening hangout spot at Arab Street. Aptly named for its promise of good luck to all patrons, Good Luck Beerhouse boasts of outdoor seating with a great view of Arab Street.
Ambience: Western café Cuisine: Western Must-try dishes: Beef burgers, craft beer
ATAP This concept rooftop bar at Arab Street serves creative non-alcoholic drinks – customers can pick and choose their own base and non-alcoholic kickers from mint, spice, or herbs. ATAP is a great place for non-drinkers to unwind and bond over a refreshing mocktail.
The Hangar This Aussie café offers wholesome organic goodness, with homemade granola and a selection of locally sourced fruit. This is a great breakfast spot to charge up before exploring the rest of Arab Street – the speciality Australian coffee offers a much-needed caffeine boost.
Ambience: Laid-back Cuisine: Australian Must-try dishes: Slow-roast coffee, breakfast platter
Nasrin Restaurant Nasrin’s menu is popular with the locals, and for good reason – the decadent appetisers, rich meats and delicious desserts make for a great lunch. The colourful interiors are artfully done up with ceramics and mosaics.
The Projector This alternative cinema venue prides itself on showcasing indie art films. With vintage décor and vinyl seats, The Projector screens an eclectic range of international and domestic films that portray the unconventional. This 40-year old theatre is a volunteer-driven initiative that is an interesting visit for tourists looking for something out of the ordinary.
Haji Lane Nestled in a corner of Bugis Street, Haji Street is the 'boujee' place to be for fashion enthusiasts and Instagrammers – the beautifully painted walls and murals are great photo-ops. The brightly coloured shops are charming to look at and boast of an eclectic collection of items - Haji Lane hosts a number of cafés, bars, book stores, gift stores, and boutiques. Don’t miss the karaoke sessions at Haji Lane’s many bars!
Colourful Haji Lane (Source)Trippies/Children Little Museum Also called Grandfather’s Collection, the Children Little Museum takes visitors on a trip down memory lane to Singapore in the mid-twentieth century – with charming enamels, novelty items, dolls, technology, toys, and games from the 1960s. Collected and curated by Patrick Neo, a photographer, the Museum endeavours to capture the nostalgia of Singapore in the twentieth century, complete with an iconic Tin Man statue at the entrance.
How to Reach Arab Street
MRT: Closest MRT stop is Bugis Station- EW12/DT14 (5-minute walk from Exit B). Look for sign for Exit E. Once out of the escalator, turn left and walk along Victoria street till you reach Arab Street at the 2nd Junction. If exiting at Bugis, the key roads are Rocher Road and Victoria Street. Walk north till you see the golden domes of Sultan Mosque. Turn left from here for Arab Street.
Bus: Bus 2N, 4N AND 48 stop here. Arab Street is a minute away from its nearest Bus Stop.
Sultan Mosque
Also called Masjid Sultan, this two-hundred-year-old mosque is a popular landmark in Arab Street. Originally built in 1824 and reconstructed in 1928 with the Saracenic style of architecture, this mosque is a sight to behold with its tall minarets and spires. Gazetted as a national monument in 1975, the domes of the mosque lend a regal touch to the skyline of the region.
Sultan Mosque stands as a testament to the heritage of the Muslim community of Singapore, and their generosity – the glass bottles adorning the base of the domes were donated by the local population so that people of all socio-economic groups could contribute to the construction. Popularly known as the country’s national mosque, the golden domes of this stunning structure are hard to miss. We recommend taking a guided tour around the shrine at Muscat Street and North Bridge Road – the guides speak multiple languages!
The famous Masjid Sultan located at Arab Street Singapore (Source)
