Moving from UAE to Singapore: What to Expect for Food & Daily Life
If you are moving to Singapore from UAE, you can expect a safe, clean city with world‑class infrastructure, an extremely diverse food scene, and a strong expat ecosystem – but at generally higher living and housing costs than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Singapore offers abundant Arabic, Emirati and wider Middle Eastern food, plus international cuisine at every budget, so you will not have to give up familiar flavours while you explore local dishes.
This guide is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s broader Singapore relocation pillar, zooming in on food, lifestyle and practical settling‑in for expats coming from the UAE. For a full step‑by‑step relocation overview (visas, property purchase rules, and tax), refer back to our main pillar guide .
1. Life in UAE vs Life in Singapore: Everyday Reality
If you are used to life in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, Singapore will feel familiar in several ways: it is safe, multilingual, highly international and very service‑oriented. Both are global hubs for finance, logistics and tourism, with excellent air links and modern malls. Where they differ is climate (Singapore is more humid and has frequent showers), public transport (MRT and buses are used more than cars) and food culture (street‑food style hawker centres instead of shawarma stands and mall food courts).
Many UAE residents consider Singapore because of its political stability, strong rule of law, top‑tier schools and easy access to broader Asia. Property is more regulated, but that also creates transparency and confidence for investors through agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Housing & Development Board (HDB). According to official Singapore tourism and economic promotion agencies, food is a core part of the national identity, with Chinese, Malay, Indian and international cuisines all represented across the island.[6]
2. Relocating from UAE to Singapore: Visas, Work & Cost of Living
2.1 Visa and work passes for UAE citizens and residents
Most UAE residents relocating for work will be on an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass, issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. EPs are for professionals, managers and executives who meet salary and qualification criteria, while S Passes are for mid‑skilled staff. Always verify latest criteria directly with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) before applying, as salary thresholds and assessment frameworks such as COMPASS can change.
If you are exploring the city before committing, many UAE passport‑holders enjoy short‑term visa‑free entry for tourism; however, rules differ by nationality, so check with Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or your nearest Singapore mission before you book.
2.2 Employment opportunities for UAE‑based professionals
UAE‑based professionals often move into banking and finance, commodity trading, logistics, aviation, tech and hospitality roles in Singapore, attracted by the city’s position as an Asian headquarters for global firms. Experience gained in Dubai or Abu Dhabi’s free zones often transfers well to Singapore’s international business environment.
For entrepreneurs, Singapore’s stable regulations and strong IP protection can be attractive compared with regional uncertainty elsewhere. Consider speaking with a relocation‑experienced recruiter or corporate service provider for tailored advice, especially if you are moving a business from a UAE free zone.
2.3 Cost of living vs UAE
In day‑to‑day life, expatriates typically find housing and cars costlier in Singapore than in the UAE, while utilities, public transport and basic hawker meals can be cheaper. A local hawker meal such as chicken rice, nasi lemak or Indian rojak can start from around S$5–S$8 in many food centres, compared with higher mall‑food prices in Dubai.[1][2]
However, dining at imported international brands, fine‑dining restaurants or premium Middle Eastern venues can easily match or exceed Dubai prices. According to tourism and dining guides, Michelin‑recognised and high‑end spots frequently charge S$80–S$150+ per person for tasting menus.[1][2] For families, international school fees and private healthcare can be major budget items, so plan ahead.
2.4 Community and social networks
While Singapore does not have a single concentrated “UAE district”, you will find strong Arab and wider Middle Eastern communities around areas such as Bugis, Kampong Glam, Arab Street and parts of Orchard. There are also numerous regional business councils, alumni groups and interest‑based meetups.
Homejourney recommends joining local Facebook and WhatsApp communities for UAE, Gulf and wider MENA expats, plus professional associations in your industry. These networks are invaluable for trusted recommendations on housing, schools and reliable service providers.
3. Food & Cuisine: From UAE Flavours to Singapore’s Hawker Culture
One of the biggest lifestyle questions for anyone moving to Singapore from UAE is whether you will find enough UAE food, Arabic cuisine and wider Middle Eastern food to feel at home. The answer is yes – but it will be more dispersed than in Dubai, and mixed into a very rich local food culture.[2][6]
3.1 Where to find Arabic, Emirati & Middle Eastern food in Singapore
Key areas and restaurant clusters include:
- Kampong Glam / Arab Street / Bussorah Street – The historic Muslim quarter, minutes from Bugis MRT. Here you will find Lebanese, Turkish and other Middle Eastern restaurants, shisha lounges, and halal cafes offering mezze, shawarma, mixed grills and kunafa. It is the closest thing to a “mini Dubai boulevard” in Singapore.
- Bugis & City Hall fringe – Several Turkish, Mediterranean and North African eateries are tucked into side streets and malls, within a 5–10‑minute walk of Bugis or City Hall MRT. Many stay open late, especially on weekends.
- Orchard Road & Marina Bay – Upscale hotels and malls sometimes host high‑end Middle Eastern or Mediterranean restaurants, including iftar‑style buffets during Ramadan. Expect pricing comparable to premium Dubai venues.
- Island‑wide delivery – Major platforms in Singapore carry a good range of shawarma, grilled meats, falafel and hummus concepts, useful if you live further from central districts.
While explicitly Emirati food (e.g., machboos, harees) is less common than generic “Middle Eastern” offerings, menus often include familiar dishes: lamb or chicken kabsa‑style rice, mixed grills, sambousek and Arabic sweets. Look for halal certification logos if this is important to you; many restaurants in Kampong Glam are certified by local authorities.
3.2 Exploring Singapore’s local cuisine (without losing your favourites)
Singapore’s national dishes – such as Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, satay, chilli crab and nasi lemak – are a must‑try and widely available at hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat, Newton Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre and Golden Mile Food Centre.[1][2][3] Prices at hawker centres are usually far below restaurant levels, with many famous stalls serving dishes from around S$5–S$10.[1][3]
If you prefer halal or no‑pork options, focus on Muslim‑owned stalls and Malay or Indian Muslim stalls; guides from the Singapore Tourism Board highlight many halal‑friendly locations.[6] For Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food, popular options include Turkish restaurants known for generous portions of grilled meats, fresh bread and dips.[2]
To ease the transition from UAE, many expats start by:
- Eating lunch at hawker centres near the office (often a 5‑minute walk from major MRT stations), trying one new dish each week.
- Keeping weekends for Arabic or Turkish dinners in Kampong Glam, to maintain a taste of home.
- Ordering familiar shawarma or mixed grills via delivery when they are too busy to cook.
3.3 Insider tips from the ground
Having lived near both Bugis MRT and later in the East, several patterns stand out:
- Weekday evenings in Kampong Glam are calmer; Friday and Saturday nights are busy, with queues for popular shawarma and kunafa shops, so either book or go early.
- Many hawker centres are more comfortable after 7pm when the sun and humidity drop. Lau Pa Sat’s Satay Street only really gets going in the evening.[2][3]
- Portions at some Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants can be larger than typical Singapore mains. Consider sharing mixed grills and mezze between two people, especially if you plan to order dessert.
