We’d been chasing the Sultan Mosque’s dome at 6:30 AM, and when we turned the corner onto Haji Lane, Singapore’s trendy street. We unlocked this area, not knowing it was so popular, the murals of the Jezz club were repainted, and we could still smell the steam of fresh-brewed Turkish coffee nearby. That’s when we knew we’d be coming back.

We almost skipped Haji Lane entirely on our first Singapore layover years ago. It looked too small on the map, sandwiched between Arab Street and Beach Road like an afterthought.

We returned twice during our month as nomads here, and also back recently at the end of February 2026. I can say with certainty: this lane punches way above its weight.

At 2 PM, it’s a photo-op playground. The light is perfect, and you can create a perfect itinerary, integrating Kampong Glam and Bugis Street. By 9 PM, it’s a neon-lit carnival of craft beer and jazz spilling onto the pavement.

Is it worth going to Haji Lane Singapore?

Yes. The first time we walked Haji Lane, it was a pure accident. We’d been chasing the Sultan Mosque’s golden dome for photos at dawn, and as we wandered back toward Bugis MRT, we saw a flash of neon pink paint on a wall. That flash turned into a 200-metre alley of murals, boutiques, and the smell of Turkish coffee competing with spray paint.

By noon, the lane was buzzing. Tourists were queuing for photo booths (more on that mess later), and the indie boutiques were finally opening their doors. We ducked into Loka Made, a shop that somehow sells everything from postcards to vintage typewriters.

We’ve almost spent $12 on a set of four postcards if I didn’t take Ale away. Genuinely considered buying coasters shaped like Singapore’s MRT map.

Where is Haji Lane?

Haji Lane is part of a preserved area within Kampong Glam. Historically a Malay-Muslim quarter about 10-minute walk from Bugis MRT. (Exit B). While the mosque is pretty visible, I bet you’ll easily miss Haji Lane if you don’t know where to go.

It’s a narrow shophouse lane running parallel to, and one block east of, Arab Street — not the same street, though most itineraries cover both together.

What We Actually Did in Haji Lane (Besides Taking Photos)

While we don’t want to turn this Haji Lane Guide into a listicle of things to do, this is exactly every spot we hit on our multiple visits:

Hunt the Street Art (But Don’t Stop There)

Haji Lane street art is the main draw, and rightly so. The murals here aren’t just colourful backdrops—they tell stories. The massive Mexico-themed mural on Piedra Negra’s facade is impossible to miss.

It’s at the end of the lane, sprawling across the building like a statement piece. Tables spill out onto both sides of the pavement, and at night, the place becomes a magnet for anyone who wants tacos, Cuban jazz, or just a front-row seat to the chaos.

But here’s the thing: if you only come for the murals, you’re doing it wrong. We’ve found the real magic of Haji Lane is in the layers. Behind the obvious Instagram walls, there are quieter corners—like the secret garden at Zeekri tucked behind the main strip, where we found pastries and scones for $4.50. Or the aquarium-themed photo booth that’s so hidden we walked past it twice before Ale spotted the tiny sign.

The Photo Booth Explosion (Yes, It’s Ridiculous)

Haji Lane in 2026 has a new obsession: photo booths. Not the sad, passport-style ones—these are full Korean-style selfie studios with props, themed backdrops, and lighting that makes you look like you’ve just stepped off a K-drama set. We got crazy, too, and now kind of understand the hype. Just for the sake of writing this Haji Lane guide, we had to try them all.

We counted over 20 booths during our last visit. Some are obvious, like the hotel-themed one with fake room keys, a stylish lift and luggage props.

Others are sneaky—there’s a laundry-themed booth that genuinely looks like a functioning launderette until you see the camera setup inside the drum.

How to Get to Haji Lane

If you’re doing the full Kampong Glam circuit ((Arab Street, Haji Lane, and Little India), start early — we made the mistake of arriving at 11 AM once, and the heat was unbearable by 2 PM. Singapore’s humidity doesn’t mess around; it clings to your skin like cling film.

We use our EZ-Link Card, topped up for return trips (it’s the best airport in Southeast Asia with deep connections to other countries).

You can also tap through MRT gates with a contactless card — they’ll charge a flat fee (£0.60) on top of the route fare, but only once per day, not per trip. If you’re only in Singapore for a few days, this is the way to go.

Go to Haji Lane at night

Haji Lane transforms after sunset. The boutiques close, the bars open, and suddenly the narrow lane becomes a street party. We spent one evening at Blacksheep & Co., perched on their high stools with a pint of local IPA, watching the crowd thicken as the night went on.

We tried “That Singapore Beer Project” at Good Luck Beerhouse, and it was one of the best IPAs we’ve had in Asia. It’s rare to find a decent IPA on draught here, so when we spotted it, we didn’t hesitate. The bar is opposite Fatt Choy Eating House, and the staff are cool with you bringing food over (same owner). We grabbed satay from next door and made a meal of it.

By 9 PM, the lane was packed. Locals, backpackers, and tourists all crammed onto tiny stools, beers in hand, music spilling out from Piedra Negra and Blu Jaz Café down on Bali Lane. It reminded us of summer nights in London’s Soho—everyone happy, talking to strangers, the kind of energy that makes you forget you’ve walked 15K steps that day.

We even met two friends from Liverpool who were travelling separately and had planned to meet in Singapore. We grabbed a table together, ordered another round, and spent the night swapping travel stories. It’s moments like that which make Haji Lane more than just a pretty lane—it’s a place.

The best cafes in Haji Lane

Coffee Donkee: The Window Seat Win

On my solo afternoon stroll (Ale was back at the hostel recovering from the heat), I stumbled into Coffee Donkee. It’s in the lower ground of a shophouse, and the window seats overlook the lane. I ordered a flat white, nabbed the corner seat, and watched people pose for photos outside.

The coloured coffee mugs behind the barista’s bench are what make this place. Each one is themed differently—vintage floral patterns, bold geometric designs, minimalist whites. I chatted with another customer who’d come specifically for the matcha, claiming it was one of the best in Singapore. I didn’t try it (I’m a coffee purist), but the vibe was spot-on.

I should’ve brought Ale. She would’ve loved the tiny details—the low-key music, the pastel tones, the merch corner selling V60 kits and coffee beans. It’s now our second-favourite cafe in the area after % Arabica.

Arabica – Our favourite

%Arabica is tucked behind the Sultan Mosque, and it’s still our go-to. We’ve been to many places of this coffee chain, and this is one of the most authentic.

The Kyoto Latte is a masterpiece, but in 2026, they’re pushing their Spanish Latte with Oat Milk. We haven’t tried it yet (loyalty to the Kyoto), but it’s plastered all over their signage, so it must be good. It’s always busy. Always.

If you want a seat, come early or be prepared to take your coffee to-go and find a bench on Bussorah Street.

Takara House

Not just a coffee shop but a whole secret shop with coffee taste! From the outside, Takara House says nothing or looks like a toy shop. It looks messy from the outside, and it is inside.

It’s just another shop house with rusty charm, something like on the side alleys of Koon Seng Road. But we were curious, so we climbed the narrow staircase, took our shoes off at the entrance, and walked into what can only be described as a fever dream for vintage lovers.

Takara House is a fusion—half vintage clothing store, half retro cafe. The kind of place where a 1970s floral dress hangs next to an espresso machine that looks like it belongs in a design museum.

Ale immediately went into “shopping mode,” circling a dress three times before reluctantly passing on. We promised ourselves we’d come back for the coffee, but our flight to Lombok was the next morning, and we ran out of time.

We should’ve visited earlier in our trip. The retro cafe setup looked incredible, and based on the vibe alone, I’m betting their flat white would’ve been excellent. This is the kind of place that feels like a locals-only secret, even though it’s right in the heart of Haji Lane.

An Acai Affair

We spotted An Acai Affair on our afternoon walk, and it was packed. Like, genuinely full to the point where we couldn’t even get a seat after finishing our beers later that evening. It’s one of those places that looks effortlessly cool—bright, clean, and screaming “health food Instagram spot.”

The concept is all about acai bowls and health-focused eats. The reviews are stellar, and from what we could see through the windows, the presentation is next-level. Every bowl looked like a work of art—vibrant purples, fresh fruit, and granola piled high.

We never actually got to try it, which is driving me crazy. Every time we passed by, it was full.

Gelato Garden

Gelato Garden saved our last night in Haji Lane. By 9:30 PM, we were full from dinner, slightly buzzed from beers at Blacksheep, and craving something sweet before calling it a night.

Gelato Garden is open until 10 PM, which makes it the perfect nightcap spot in Kampong Glam. The classic small bucket with one flavour costs $6, which feels steep for ice cream in Southeast Asia. Get a lemon and strawberry sorbet. Thank us later.

The entrance is adorable—colourful, inviting, and designed to pull you in. They display the scoops in little iced buckets, so you can see exactly what you’re ordering before committing.

The Shops: Where We Actually Spent Our Money (Again)

Loka Made: The Souvenir Goldmine

If there’s one place in Singapore to buy souvenirs, it’s Loka Made. The shop is narrow but long, running from one side of Haji Lane to the opposite. The ground floor is packed with everything: postcards ($12 for a set of four), coasters, stickers, tote bags, and even vintage Polaroid cameras.

We visited twice—once in the afternoon when I was solo, and again in the evening when I dragged Ale back. She spent 20 minutes debating between a Singapore skyline print and a set of enamel pins. We left with both.

Maison Soleil Boutique shop

Maison Soleil is dangerous if you’re travelling light. Ale was drawn in by the tote bags in the window, stayed for the sunglasses, and nearly bought a floral dress before I reminded her we had a flight to Lombok the next morning.

The boutique is lined with colourful flowers outside, and it’s impossible not to stop for a peek.

Musicology Records: The Vinyl Time Capsule

Musicology Records is a long, narrow shop dedicated entirely to vinyl. The owner is incredibly friendly and will happily chat your ear off about music. Vinyls start at $10, and you can even listen before you buy on one of the old players.

The place is spotless. It doesn’t have that dusty, chaotic vibe you’d expect from a vintage vinyl shop. It feels more like a curated gallery than a record store.

The Hidden Corners: What We Found Behind Haji Lane

Most people stick to the main lane, but if you wander behind it, you’ll find gems:

• The Secret Garden by Zeekri: Pastries and scones for $4.50 in a quiet garden setting. It’s the perfect escape when the lane gets too crowded.
• Fika (Swedish Cafe & Bistro): A polished, minimal space with a killer Karlstad Crispy Chicken meal (fries included) for $16. The price is very good for the quality, so if you are there for brunch, it is our suggested place.
• 2050 Coffee: A futuristic cafe with concrete interiors and coffee served by tap. It’s a cool concept, but honestly, we’d rather go back to Coffee Donkee. The wifi works, though, which is a bonus if you’re a digital nomad.

The Best Time to Visit Haji Lane

We learned the 7 AM trick the hard way. I know this might sound too harsh if you are on holiday, but we got the best photos of Kampong Glam and Haji Lane showing up early. On our second visit, we showed up at noon and spent 45 minutes dodging people trying to steal your corner.

When we visited at night, we arrived at 7 PM—just as the breweries were setting up outdoor tables. The atmosphere was already buzzing, and we snagged seats at Blacksheep without a queue. The bonus? Happy hour runs until 8 PM, so we got two-for-one for Asahi on draught pint. That’s the trick: arrive at 7 PM, not 9 PM.

What We’d skip next time

• Bar Stories: Everyone raves about this “hidden” cocktail bar, but when we checked it out, it was packed, tiny (maybe 20 seats), and pricey. We diverted to Blacksheep instead and didn’t regret it.
• Beryl’s Chocolate: The temptation was real—those tiramisu chocolate bites looked incredible—but at $15 for a small box, it felt too expensive, especially with a flight to Lombok the next morning. Haji Lane has definitely gotten pricier since our first visit.
• Madd Pizza: The neon sign and screens showing slices look amazing, but the price of a single slice here could buy us a full pizza in Bali. We passed.

Final Thoughts: Why Haji Lane Keeps Pulling Us Back

Haji Lane isn’t perfect. It’s crowded, it’s gotten more expensive, and the photo booth craze is borderline absurd. But it’s also magnetic. Every time we visit, we find something new—a hidden cafe, a mural we missed, a conversation with a stranger that turns into an impromptu night out.

We’ve been to Singapore four times now, and Haji Lane is the one place we’ve never tired of. It’s colourful, chaotic, and unapologetically itself. Whether you’re chasing street art, craft beer, or just a vibe that feels worlds away from Marina Bay Sands, this narrow lane delivers.

Just bring cash, wear comfortable shoes, and don’t expect to leave without at least one new souvenir (or hangover).

For more Singapore guides, check out our Arab Street & Kampong Glam or explore our full Singapore itinerary.