# Cafes in Museum

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: 41
- Matched to a government licence/register: 8
- 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-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Road #05-20, Plaza Singapura · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1996
- [Stuttgart Blackforest Boutique S-Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/stuttgart-blackforest-boutique-s-cafe), Dhoby Ghaut · 9 Bras Basah Rd · 1 min walk from Bencoolen MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2014
- [Cafe and Meal MUJI](https://lookup.sg/biz/cafe-and-meal-muji), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd, #01-10 to 22, Plaza MUJI Plaza · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed
- [Caffeine Solutions Pte Ltd](https://lookup.sg/biz/caffeine-solutions-pte-ltd), Clarke Quay · 120 Lower Delta Rd, #04-03 Cendex Centre · 2 min walk from Bras Basah MRT · registered 2017
- [Arteastiq](https://lookup.sg/biz/arteastiq), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Road #03-70/72 Plaza · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd, #04-70/71 · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Coffeemin](https://lookup.sg/biz/coffeemin-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · YMCA, 1 Orchard Rd · 2 min walk from Bencoolen MRT
- [Flash Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/flash-coffee-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · #B2-32 Plaza Singapura · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Nana's Green Tea](https://lookup.sg/biz/nanas-green-tea), Dhoby Ghaut · The Atrium @, 68 Orchard Rd, #03-80/82 Orchard · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2010
- [L'eclair Patisserie](https://lookup.sg/biz/leclair-patisserie), Dhoby Ghaut · 190 Clemenceau Ave, #01-28 · 2 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2014
- [Tea Cosy](https://lookup.sg/biz/tea-cosy), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · registered 2009
- [Hoshino Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/hoshino-coffee-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd, #03-84 · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · registered 2012
- [Bettr Barista](https://lookup.sg/biz/bettr-barista), Bugis · Income Centre, 75 Bras Basah Rd · 1 min walk from Bras Basah MRT · registered 2011
- [Starbucks](https://lookup.sg/biz/starbucks-238839), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Road 01-34B · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed
- [Starbucks](https://lookup.sg/biz/starbucks-229233), Dhoby Ghaut · The Cathay, 2 Handy Road The Cathay · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT · SFA licensed
- [Starbucks](https://lookup.sg/biz/starbucks-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 51 Bras Basah Road #01-06 · 1 min walk from Bras Basah MRT · SFA licensed
- [Plus Eight Two](https://lookup.sg/biz/plus-eight-two), Dhoby Ghaut · 9 Bras Basah Rd · 1 min walk from Bencoolen MRT · registered 2017
- [Art Werkx](https://lookup.sg/biz/art-werkx), Robertson Quay · 232 River Valley Rd · 3 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · registered 2021
- [Foreword Coffee Roasters](https://lookup.sg/biz/foreword-coffee-roasters-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 28 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Killiney at 9 Penang Road](https://lookup.sg/biz/killiney-at-9-penang-road), Dhoby Ghaut · 9 Penang Rd, #01-13 · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Lilac Oak | Vegan Café & Bakes](https://lookup.sg/biz/lilac-oak-vegan-cafe-and-bakes), Dhoby Ghaut · 71 Oxley Rise, #01-01 · 4 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Toast Box](https://lookup.sg/biz/toast-box-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [YWCA Cafe Lodge](https://lookup.sg/biz/ywca-cafe-lodge), Dhoby Ghaut · 6 Fort Canning Rd, #01-02 · 2 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [luckin coffee - 9 Penang Road](https://lookup.sg/biz/luckin-coffee-9-penang-road), Dhoby Ghaut · 9 Penang Rd, #01-12 · 2 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Wang Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/wang-cafe-dhoby-ghaut), Dhoby Ghaut · 68 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Braek Acai & Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/braek-acai-and-coffee), Dhoby Ghaut · 70 Stamford Road, Li Ka Shing Library, B1-25 · 1 min walk from Bras Basah MRT
- [Clayful Vintage](https://lookup.sg/biz/clayful-vintage), Dhoby Ghaut · 36 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [No Spoilers Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/no-spoilers-bar), Dhoby Ghaut · Cathay Cineleisure Orchard, 8 Grange Rd · 2 min walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT
- [Avenue'J Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/avenuej-cafe), Dhoby Ghaut · 1 Zubir Said Dr, #01-01 · 1 min walk from Bencoolen MRT
- [Dôme Café](https://lookup.sg/biz/dome-cafe-bugis), Bugis · #01-01, Singapore Art Museum · 1 min walk from Bras Basah MRT

## 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.