Eat

Navigating Singapore with Dietary Restrictions

The little red dot is a food haven even if you have dietary restrictions! Whether it’s because of religion, culture, health or simply a personal preference, the diversity in Singapore makes it easy to find food that’s suitable for you.

Many eateries in Singapore are well-aware and understanding of different dietary needs and will try their best to suit your diet. Do check with your server if you are unsure!

Read on to find out where to find suitable food options: 

1. Halal food

Those looking for Halal places to eat can rest assured. Some 15 percent of Singaporeans are Muslim, meaning that Halal food is available almost everywhere from hawker centres to restaurants. You’ll be spoilt for choice in the Bugis neighbourhood with a wide variety of Halal-certified cuisines from Western cafes to Korean fried chicken.

Looking for a place to stay? Village Hotel Bugis is located nearby. With an inhouse Halal restaurant and mosque right next door, it is popular with the Muslim crowd.

Check out this list for recommended Halal restaurants!

Nasi Lemak – A fragrant rice served with different side dishes (Source: TIH)

2. Vegetarian food

There is also no lack of vegetarian options in Singapore. For your daily meals, there are affordable Chinese vegetarian beehoon (rice vermicelli) in hawker centres and chains restaurants such as Greendot around the island. For Indian cuisine, head to Little India for quality and authentic Indian vegetarian food. Some established brands are Komala Vilas and Balaji Bhawan. Stay at Village Hotel Albert Court for easy access to these places.

See more recommended vegetarian restaurants here!

Masala Dosa at Komala Vilas (Source: @aaron_tab on IG)

3. Vegan food

For those committed to avoiding animal products as well, many vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants offer vegan options too! Although rare, there are cafes like LovingHut that have fully vegan menus. They even do their own vegan version of a local dish, laksa (rice vermicelli in a spicy coconut broth).  

Discover more vegan options here!

Grain bowls at Grain Traders (Source: @graintraders on IG)

4. Gluten-free food

Whether you are going gluten-free out of preference or necessity, there will be options available for you! Head to Open Door Policy for a completely glutenfree menu or select gluten-free options at Cedele, a popular chain of cafes. Another chain, Grain Traders, has gluten-free options to choose from so you can put together your meal the way you want it.

Refer to this list for a compilation of gluten-free places in Singapore!

Grain bowls at Grain Traders (Source: @graintraders on IG)

5. Kosher food

Keeping kosher is not easy when travelling, but Singapore has a kosher restaurant conveniently located in the central area of Singapore. Awafi Restaurant can be found within a synagogue along Waterloo Street which also has a market that stocks a variety of kosher food items. For security reasons, do bring along your passport! 

Rendezvous Hotel Singapore is only a 3-min walk away if you wish to stay somewhere near. 

Maghain Aboth Synagogue (Source: TIH)