Orchard, Dempsey & Holland Village

Orchard, Dempsey and Holland Village cover a wide range, from a halal café in a shopping centre basement to long-running Tex-Mex shophouses. Shoppers, families and expatriate regulars make up much of the crowd.

Margarita's on Dempsey Hill bills itself as Singapore's oldest Mexican restaurant, open since 1988. In Holland Village, Chimichanga serves its 'Sing-Mex' tacos and chimichangas, and Cha Cha Cha has offered inexpensive Tex-Mex since 1990. On Orchard Road, Sanchos Taqueria in Paragon's basement is halal-certified, Café Iguana at Orchard Rendezvous Hotel pairs salsa flights with agave margaritas, and Mexico Mamma at Orchard Towers serves margaritas until past midnight.

Orchard and Holland Village MRT stations are close to most of these places; Dempsey is easier by taxi. Book Margarita's and Café Iguana for weekend dinners. Sanchos Taqueria is the halal choice here.