The Halia Restaurant has been a mainstay at the historic UNESCO-recognised Singapore Botanic Gardens for more than two decades, dishing out European grub inflected with Asian accents and ingredients from a serene corner of its namesake Ginger Garden.
Established in 2001, The Halia (the name means ginger in Malay) has evolved with the times, ditching old starched white tablecloths in favour of a tropical-inspired aesthetic laden with wooden elements, Peranakan tiles and other nature-themed nods to its bucolic surrounds.
It later snagged its halal certification in 2017.
Expect a year’s worth of dining offers, experiences and tweaked menus as it enters its 22nd year in operation, some of which were previewed to SilverStreak ahead of time.
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Convivial dining
The new Communal Feast menu ($340, serves four) dishes up a hearty spread of over a dozen dishes.
These range from locavore appetisers like the chilli crab kueh pie tee, to an indulgent slab of Baked French camembert topped off with fresh honeycomb, truffle and truffle oil, as well as charred broccolini dusted with parmesan, crisped-up chicken and duck skin, and a schmear of pickled ginger mayonnaise.
Other hits include the curried lamb chops served with a dollop of spiced garlic yoghurt, as well as the meltingly tender Blackmore Wagyu ribs, glazed in barbecue sauce and paired with light and airy pizza bread, pickled ginger, lettuce and a fiery ginger flower hot sauce.
To end the meal, sweet tidings arrived in the form of a tray laden with sweet snacks, raspberry opera cake and healthful chia seed porridge gussied up with strawberries, mango and mixed berries.
If that all sounds like a lot – it is. Come hungry (perhaps with voracious grandkids in tow), or be prepared to leave with doggy bags.
The Halia’s Herbarium Experience
Silvers looking for a more intimate experience – whether as a pair, or together with other senior couples – might prefer the Halia’s Date Night Special ($75 per pax, minimum two persons), which entails a three-course meal along with the Herbarium Experience, a mocktail-making class led by the restaurant’s bartenders.
Aside from serving as a welcome distraction from, ahem, present company, it serves both as a guided introduction to the world of mixology and a look behind the curtain of the Halia Herbarium, which leans on Singapore Botanic Gardens’ rich horticultural history to create drinks infused with botanicals, herbs and spices.
The class is conducted on-site at the restaurant’s alfresco deck – a breezy, and aptly romantic setting for silvers looking to keep the fire burning.
"For sure a great idea for a date night as we challenge each other to create mocktails, to pair with the delightful offerings."
New casual sister concept in Halia Pantry
The Halia has also been joined by a casual sister concept, Halia Pantry.
The self-service eatery, also halal-certified, focuses on grab-and-go comfort food like pastas, burgers and hand-tossed pizzas.
Guests can also expect signatures like The Halia’s chilli crab spaghettini and ginger meringue tart at slightly cheaper prices, thanks to zero service charge.
Expect a full meal with drinks and dessert to run you up around $40 a person, with set lunches averaging about $30 for a mains with an accompanying soup or salad.
Those looking to grab a snack for their walk around the tropical garden can also snag a fresh bake, ice cream, cake or hot beverage at the Halia Pantry’s takeaway kiosk.
Two-for-two offers every 22nd of the month
To celebrate its 22nd birthday, The Halia will also be offering two-for-two deals for its Anniversary Selection of mains (sample menu here) every 22nd of the month until August 2024, as long as you’re able to provide a secret passcode when making your reservation ahead of time.
To find out the secret passcode, you’ll have to keep your eyes on their social media.
The Halia at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Location: Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569
Opening Hours: Open daily, noon – 3pm, 6pm – 8:30pm
Tel: +65 8444 1148
Website: https://thehalia.com/
