# Cafes in Bukit Merah

Cafes in Singapore are licensed by SFA and, since January 2026, show a SAFE food-safety grade on their licence. Most specialty cafes charge nett at the counter, but sit-down cafes with table service often add 10% service charge plus 9% GST. Dogs are allowed only in outdoor seating unless the cafe holds a pet café licence.

## Key facts
- Listings: 184
- Matched to a government licence/register: 17
- Median years in business: 12

## Licences
- **Food Shop Licence (SFA)** (Singapore Food Agency (SFA), required): Every restaurant, cafe, bakery, stall and food court outlet selling food to the public must be licensed by SFA. Since 19 Jan 2026 the licence carries a SAFE grade (A, B, C or NEW) based on the outlet's food-safety track record; scan the QR code on the displayed licence to see it. Check: https://go.gov.sg/sfa-track-records
- **MUIS Halal Certificate** (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), optional): Voluntary, but MUIS is the only body that can issue halal certificates in Singapore (Administration of Muslim Law Act). Certified outlets must display the original, valid certificate; photocopies are not allowed. Check: https://muis.gov.sg/Halal/Halal-Certification/Certified-Eating-Establishments

## How to choose
- Check whether ordering is at the counter (usually nett) or at the table (often "++", adding about 19.9%).
- If you plan to work from the cafe, ask about time limits or minimum spend on weekends – some popular cafes set seating time limits at peak times.
- For halal needs, verify the outlet on the MUIS directory; certification is per outlet, so one branch being certified does not mean all are.
- Bringing a dog? From 1 Jan 2025 pets are allowed in outdoor refreshment areas without special approval, but indoor seating needs an SFA pet café licence.
- Scan the QR code on the SFA licence to see the SAFE grade if food safety matters to you (e.g. eating with young children or elderly diners).

## Red flags
- Halal claims without a displayed MUIS certificate.
- Indoor pet seating at a cafe that does not hold a pet café licence.
- Undisclosed service charge added to counter-service orders.

## Listings (top 30)
- [The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-tiong-bahru), Tiong Bahru · 302 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-112 Tiong Bahru Plaza · 1 min walk from Tiong Bahru MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1996
- [The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-harbourfront), HarbourFront · 1 HarbourFront Walk #02-04 Vivo City · 1 min walk from Harbourfront MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1996
- [Nylon Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/nylon-coffee), Tanjong Pagar · 4 Everton Prk, #01-40 · 3 min walk from Outram Park MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2010
- [The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-bukit-merah), Bukit Merah · 211 Henderson Road, #01-03 · 11 min walk from Redhill MRT · registered 1996
- [The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-169608), Tiong Bahru · 1 Hospital Drive, Outram Road, Singapore General Hospital Block 4 Level 1 · 5 min walk from Outram Park MRT · registered 1996
- [Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/tiong-hoe-specialty-coffee), HarbourFront · 1 Harbourfront Walk, Vivo City Fairprice Xtra, Unit, #B2-23 · 1 min walk from Harbourfront MRT · registered 2014
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast), HarbourFront · 1 HarbourFront Walk, B2-K28 · 1 min walk from Harbourfront MRT · SFA licensed
- [Dimbulah](https://lookup.sg/biz/dimbulah), HarbourFront · 1 Harbourfront Avenue · 4 min walk from Harbourfront MRT · SFA licensed
- [Carrara Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/carrara-cafe), Bukit Merah · 2 Jalan Bukit Merah #01-5148 · 11 min walk from Queenstown MRT
- [Wildseed Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/wildseed-cafe), Bukit Merah · 10 Telok Blangah Green · 12 min walk from Telok Blangah MRT
- [Refuel II](https://lookup.sg/biz/refuel-ii), Bukit Merah · 28 Jalan Bukit Merah · 11 min walk from Redhill MRT
- [Matchaya](https://lookup.sg/biz/matchaya-tiong-bahru), Tiong Bahru · Tiong Bahru Estate, 82 Tiong Poh Rd · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [South Side Keppel](https://lookup.sg/biz/south-side-keppel), Bukit Merah · 1557 Keppel Rd, #01-04 · 3 min walk from Cc31 MRT
- [Sushiro Tiong Bahru Plaza](https://lookup.sg/biz/sushiro-tiong-bahru-plaza), Tiong Bahru · 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, #B1 - 138 · 1 min walk from Tiong Bahru MRT
- [肥嫂釀豆腐](https://lookup.sg/biz/business-168871), Bukit Merah · Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home (Silat), 148A Silat Ave · 8 min walk from Cc31 MRT
- [The Coffee Belt](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-belt), Bukit Merah · Lobby Level, Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Road, · 9 min walk from Queenstown MRT
- [Tea Sense](https://lookup.sg/biz/tea-sense), Bukit Merah · 121 Bukit Merah Lane 1 · 11 min walk from Queenstown MRT
- [Bailey & Patch Pet Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/bailey-and-patch-pet-cafe), Bukit Merah · 20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-17 Enabling Village (Canopy Block · 5 min walk from Redhill MRT
- [Killiney](https://lookup.sg/biz/killiney), HarbourFront · 1 Harbourfront Place #01-08 Harbourfront Tower One · 2 min walk from Harbourfront MRT
- [Tea Ideas : A Social Enterprise](https://lookup.sg/biz/tea-ideas-a-social-enterprise), Bukit Merah · 1003 Bukit Merah Central · 9 min walk from Redhill MRT
- [Mad Roaster's Slow Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/mad-roasters-slow-bar), Bukit Merah · 20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-20 Enabling Village Outpost · 6 min walk from Redhill MRT
- [Highlander Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/highlander-coffee), Bukit Merah · 49 Kampong Bahru Rd · 4 min walk from Cc31 MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2004
- [Yt Food](https://lookup.sg/biz/yt-food), Bukit Merah · Multi Storey Car Park, 78A Telok Blangah St 32 · 4 min walk from Telok Blangah MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2007
- [Gourmet Street](https://lookup.sg/biz/gourmet-street), Tiong Bahru · 131 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1599 · 8 min walk from Tiong Bahru MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2009
- [Jia Jia Coffee Shop](https://lookup.sg/biz/jia-jia-coffee-shop), Bukit Merah · HDB Telok Blangah, 61 Telok Blangah Heights · 6 min walk from Telok Blangah MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2013
- [Yong Seng Coffee Powder](https://lookup.sg/biz/yong-seng-coffee-powder), Tiong Bahru · 30 Seng Poh Rd, #01-44 Market · 3 min walk from Havelock MRT · registered 1974
- [J Membina Food House](https://lookup.sg/biz/j-membina-food-house), Bukit Merah · 26 Jln Membina · 5 min walk from Tiong Bahru MRT · registered 2007
- [Redhill 75 Food House](https://lookup.sg/biz/redhill-75-food-house), Bukit Merah · 75D Redhill Rd · 3 min walk from Redhill MRT · registered 2008
- [80 Eating House](https://lookup.sg/biz/80-eating-house), Bukit Merah · 80 Redhill Ln · 3 min walk from Redhill MRT · registered 2011
- [Jia Wang Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/jia-wang-cafe), Tiong Bahru · Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164 · 4 min walk from Havelock MRT · registered 2015

## FAQs
### What happened to the A, B, C, D hygiene grades in Singapore?
From 19 January 2026 SFA replaced the annual A–D hygiene grade with the SAFE framework. Outlets now get A (more than three years with no major lapse), B (one to three years), NEW (operating under a year) or C (a court conviction for a food-safety offence or a licence suspension under the demerit-points system). Scan the QR code on the SFA licence at the counter to see the current grade.

### Are cafes in Singapore halal?
Only outlets certified by MUIS are halal-certified. Many chains certify some outlets but not others, and certification is voluntary. Check the MUIS Certified Eating Establishments list or the MuslimSG app before visiting, and look for the original certificate displayed at the outlet – MUIS does not allow photocopies.

### Can I bring my dog into a cafe in Singapore?
Yes, to the outdoor area. Since 1 January 2025, SFA no longer requires extra approval for diners to bring pets to a food outlet's outdoor refreshment area. Indoors is only allowed at cafes that hold an SFA pet café licence, which is required if the cafe serves pet food. Halal-certified cafes cannot admit dogs at all.

### What does "++" mean on a Singapore menu?
"++" means a 10% service charge and 9% GST will be added. GST is charged on the service charge too, so the multiplier is 1.1 × 1.09 = 1.199 – a $50++ meal costs about $59.95. IRAS lets restaurants that levy a service charge show pre-GST prices, but they must state prominently that prices are subject to GST and service charge.

## Sources
- SFA – New Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) framework: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/news-publications/newsroom/new-safety-assurance-for-food-establishment--safe--framework--to-strengthen-food-safety
- SFA – No additional approvals needed for pets at outdoor refreshment areas from 1 Jan 2025: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/news-publications/newsroom/no-additional-sfa-approvals-needed-for-patrons-to-dine-in-with-pets-at-outdoor-refreshment-areas-from-1-jan-2025
- MUIS – Certified Eating Establishments: https://muis.gov.sg/Halal/Halal-Certification/Certified-Eating-Establishments
- IRAS – Displaying and quoting prices (GST): https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/invoicing-price-display-and-record-keeping/displaying-and-quoting-prices

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Source: Lookup (https://lookup.sg) · Data as of October 2026 · Listings compiled from Singapore government open data (data.gov.sg), OneMap and Overture Maps places. Free listings never show contact details; featured listings are labelled.