Arab Street, Singapore

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First thing I checked off my list was a trip to Arab street or what they call Haji lane. It is a little bit like the Philippines' Cubao X with a twist!! This street houses quirky shops and restaurants. Although a bit pricey, you will definitely see a lot of foreigners and locals walking along this street.

Arab Street or Kampong Glam area is a very interesting area of Singapore. Just a few blocks from the hustle bustle of Bugis Junction. This area has beautiful old shophouses that line the streets. The highlight of the area is the grand Sultan Mosque, which you can enter as a visitor if you are properly dressed. The mosque may be closed to visitors on certain days. This area is important in Singapore history, since the Sultan had his Istana (palace) here.

Arab Street is now more known for the fabrics the vendors sell out of the old shophouses. A great place to go if you want or need fabric/silk. On Baghdad street-there are a lot of new restaurants/cafe houses opening up. Many of the restaurants have sheeshas or water pipes, which you can smoke. Across from the Sultan Mosque-is Zam Zam's, which makes great murtobaks and chicken curry.

Recently they have created a wonderful pedestrian area on Bussorah street located right behind the Sultan Mosque. There are shops and cafes here. I highly recommend Alaturk for great turkish food. Ladies, if you need a spa treatment, i recommend wayan spa on bussorah street for Balinese treatments.

Arab Street and Little India is a Great little area to walk around in the afternoon (it doesn't get moving till after 11am) Where you can buy fabric, have clothing made (for women mostly), buy carpets, Swarovski Crystals, Embellishments, baskets, Silk - plus it is a great stop to just walk around and see the ShopHouse architecture of Singapore!

Arab Street has many muslim shops, from clothing to accessories, to food and yes, lets not forget, you can come here to smoke some sheesha....

There also some Chinese decor shops and a Russian restaurant in of the corners...

Nice place to buy trinkets...

On a recent trip, I rediscovered the charm of Arab Street. Here you can find materials of every imaginable colour, lace, buttons...anything related to sewing. There are also a few shops that sell rattan products.

When the seemingly endless number of fabric shops starts to make your head spin, take a break in one of the many cafes that have popped up in this area. One that I've been to and like is Ambrosia Cafe (19 Baghdad Street, just off Arab Street). This Mediterranean cafe envelopes you with its coziness the moment you enter. Great place to take a breather and enjoy a nice cold drink.

A little further down Baghdad Street is Busorrah Street. This street is closed off to traffic and is lined with restored shophoses that sell ethnic jewellery, clothes and handicraft. Some of the items are not from Singapore, but still makes pretty good souvenirs.

Don't forget to check out the Sultan Mosque at the end of Bussorah Street (well, it's kinda hard to miss it :).

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Dont miss visiting the Sultan Mosque when you are touring Arab Street.

This beautiful architecture was built in 1928, which allows the Muslim community to worhship here especially on Friday noon.

Some shops and restaurants are close on Friday noon as the Muslims Men will have to head to a nearby mosque to worship.

Zam Zam Restaurant is located just oppsite the Sultan Mosque and they serve very delicious food.

There are many shops along Arab Street selling handicraft and traditional costumes.

Besides Little India, there is Arab Street. Its another area where you can find a difference in religion and architecture of buildings. Its a small community within this small sized country. Here you will also find a few mosques around.

This is the traditional centre for Singapore`s Muslim community. Along Arab Street you can find seemingly endless stores selling textiles, carpets and jewellery. You can also find money changers, prayer mats, camel skin products and a number of restaurants and cafes.

The Sultan Mosque looms large from the adjoining block and this makes for a unique stroll in this district of Singapore.