Arab Street Singapore Things To Shop, Eat and Stay

Things I would do in Arab Street Singapore start from shopping to eating.

Shopping on Arab Street

Buy Souvenirs

Carpets? I saw many carpets sellers there, but I would rather use the same amount of money to buy a plane ticket to the Middle East and get a flying one from there.

I would buy perfumes. In case you forgot Geography lessons (or is it World Economy?), other than camels and deserts, The Middle East is well known for its’ perfumes. A few stores sell oil-based no alcohol perfumes in fancy bottles. Imagine putting one of those “I am a desperate housewife of Orange County Arabian chick” bottles on your dressing table at home. It also makes a fabulous gift.

Sifr Aromatics (42 Arab St)

Whenever I feel chi-chi, I would go to Sifr Aromatics. It is a perfumery owned by a cool-looking guy who studied perfume somewhere fancy before. He creates the perfume he sells in the shop and he can create a perfume tailored to your taste. A perfume custom-made for me ?! Hello, celebrity lifestyle!

All that shopping would make me hungry. There are many Middle Eastern restaurants around. Some are quite decent like Cairo, and Amirah Grill and some are just plain. Since I am not a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine; I would go to Malay restaurants instead.

Eating in Arab Street

Dapur Jen’s (28 Kandahar St)

They have a few there and my favourite one would be a family-operated Indonesian restaurant. I had Chicken Soto there once, and I was hooked ever since. It was so delicious, that I always end up ordering two plates of rice.

Dong Po Colonial Cafe (56 Kandahar St)

Get the best Chocolate Mousse in Singapore at Dong Po Colonial Cafe. A pastry shop with vintage decors and old records playing in the background. They sell many kinds of pretty-looking pastries. I could never stop having only one. The best choice for afternoon dessert in Arab Street.

Boozy in Arab Street

I would go to Nabin’s for Sisha and Arabic tea; Blue Jazz for cocktails or Witbier Cafe (32 Kandahar St) for beer. The latter would be my favourite place to hang out after a long day. They have a wide collection of beers, pop songs playing on the TV and interesting finger snacks.

Sleep in Arab Street

Empty wallet, buzzed head, and a full stomach.Time to sleep and get adjusted to Singapore time. We wouldn’t want the jet lag to spoil our holiday, would we? There are a few choices for a nightcap around Arab Street.

Sam Sleepy Kiwi (55 Bussorah St)

My first choice would be a Singapore backpacker hostel called Sleepy Sam Sleepy Kiwi (55 Bussorah St). I have never stayed there before (going to in September, I promise to write a full-on review about it), but I have been there many times for an afternoon coffee or an evening cider. A neat place where hippies and backpackers hang out. If it’s fully booked, how about

Shophouse, The Social Hostel (48 Arab St)

I took a peek the last time I passed by. It looked like they served a decent breakfast. I would say that’s a good enough reason to consider staying there.

Ardennes Hotel (11 Jalan Kelapa)

The last one would be for us, who are not the backpacking type, but the luggage strolling ones. It’s a boutique hotel with themed rooms. I stayed in their Aqua Room before facing a swell swimming pool. It’s a decent hotel at a decent price.

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