# Cafes in Robertson Quay

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: 27
- Matched to a government licence/register: 4
- Median years in business: 8

## 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 27)
- [Common Man Coffee Roasters](https://lookup.sg/biz/common-man-coffee-roasters-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 22 Martin Rd, #01-00 · 6 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2013
- [Carrotsticks and Cravings](https://lookup.sg/biz/carrotsticks-and-cravings-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 7 Rodyk St, #01-34 · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT · registered 2017
- [Tanamera Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/tanamera-coffee-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 8 Rodyk St #01-01/02 · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT · registered 2018
- [Cmcr](https://lookup.sg/biz/cmcr), Robertson Quay · 22 Martin Rd · 6 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Dearborn](https://lookup.sg/biz/dearborn), Robertson Quay · 46 Kim Yam Road #03-04 · 7 min walk from Great World MRT
- [EarlyAfter](https://lookup.sg/biz/earlyafter), Robertson Quay · 33 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-01 · 5 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Common Man Coffee Roasters Academy](https://lookup.sg/biz/common-man-coffee-roasters-academy), Robertson Quay · 52 Chin Swee Road · 6 min walk from Chinatown MRT
- [The Book Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-book-cafe), Robertson Quay · 20 Martin Rd, #01-02 Seng Kee Building · 7 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2000
- [Kith Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/kith-cafe-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 7 Rodyk St · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed
- [Toby's Estate Coffee Roasters](https://lookup.sg/biz/tobys-estate-coffee-roasters), Robertson Quay · 8 Rodyk St · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT · SFA licensed
- [Art Werkx](https://lookup.sg/biz/art-werkx), Robertson Quay · 232 River Valley Rd · 3 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · registered 2021
- [The Crossing Edge](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-crossing-edge), Robertson Quay · 151 Chin Swee Rd · 5 min walk from Chinatown MRT · registered 2023
- [Beast and Butterflies](https://lookup.sg/biz/beast-and-butterflies), Robertson Quay · 90 Robertson Quay, Level 1 · 4 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Craftsmen Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/craftsmen-coffee), Robertson Quay · 33 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-05 · 5 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Dutch Colony Coffee Co.](https://lookup.sg/biz/dutch-colony-coffee-co-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 81 Clemenceau Ave, #01-21 · 2 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Memo Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/memo-cafe), Robertson Quay · 3 Nanson Rd, Studio M Novotel Singapore Robertson Quay · 7 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Princess Terrace](https://lookup.sg/biz/princess-terrace), Robertson Quay · 403 Havelock Rd · 4 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Fern Tree Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/fern-tree-cafe), Robertson Quay · 401 Havelock Rd, Lobby Level 1 Hotel Miramar Singapore · 5 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Cafe Brio's](https://lookup.sg/biz/cafe-brios), Robertson Quay · 392 Havelock Rd · 1 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Brizo Restaurant & Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/brizo-restaurant-and-bar), Robertson Quay · #01-15/16/17, UE Square Shopping Mall · 3 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Ps.Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/ps-cafe-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · Martin No. 38 38 Martin Rd · 6 min walk from Great World MRT
- [Blk 9 Café](https://lookup.sg/biz/blk-9-cafe), Robertson Quay · Jalan Kukoh · 7 min walk from Havelock MRT
- [Glass Roasters](https://lookup.sg/biz/glass-roasters), Robertson Quay · Cloud Sultan · 4 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Sprmrkt](https://lookup.sg/biz/sprmrkt), Robertson Quay · #01-01 & #02-01 Singapore Tyler Print Institute · 6 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [TaKé, The Deck](https://lookup.sg/biz/take-the-deck), Robertson Quay · Level 2 Studio M Hotel · 7 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Kopi House](https://lookup.sg/biz/kopi-house), Robertson Quay · 223 River Valley Rd · 2 min walk from Fort Canning MRT
- [Morning Store](https://lookup.sg/biz/morning-store), Robertson Quay · The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam Rd · 7 min walk from Great World 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.