# Cafes in Somerset

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: 104
- Matched to a government licence/register: 20
- Median years in business: 17

## 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 and Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-somerset), Somerset · 290 Orchard Rd · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1996
- [The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-238843), Somerset · 9 Bishan Pl 8 Shopping Centre S · 2 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1996
- [Joe & Dough](https://lookup.sg/biz/joe-and-dough), Somerset · Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2009
- [Arteastiq](https://lookup.sg/biz/arteastiq-somerset), Somerset · 333A Orchard Rd, #04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery · 4 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2012
- [Killiney Kopitiam](https://lookup.sg/biz/killiney-kopitiam-239525), Somerset · 67 Killiney Rd · 2 min walk from Somerset MRT · registered 1992
- [Jewel Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/jewel-coffee-somerset), Somerset · Wisma Atria, Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238877, Singapore · 1 min walk from Orchard MRT · registered 2010
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast-238895), Somerset · 313 Orchard Rd, #01-32,33,34 313@Somerset · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast-somerset), Somerset · 290 Orchard Rd, B1-38 · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT · SFA licensed
- [Twg Tea Boutique](https://lookup.sg/biz/twg-tea-boutique), Somerset · Basement 2 Takashimaya · 5 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed
- [Hot Tomato Cafe and Grill](https://lookup.sg/biz/hot-tomato-cafe-and-grill), Somerset · 313 Somerset, 313 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast-238896), Somerset · 181 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed
- [Glyph Supply Co](https://lookup.sg/biz/glyph-supply-co), Somerset · Tripleone Somerset, 111 Somerset Rd · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT · registered 2018
- [Jtown Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/jtown-cafe), Somerset · 220 Orchard Rd B1-04/05 · 2 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [Crystal Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/crystal-cafe), Somerset · 131 Killiney Rd · 4 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [PS.Cafe Paragon](https://lookup.sg/biz/ps-cafe-paragon), Somerset · 290 Orchard Rd, #03-41/42 Level 3 Paragon · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Delifrance](https://lookup.sg/biz/delifrance-somerset), Somerset · 290 Orchard Road · 3 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Honeymill Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/honeymill-singapore), Somerset · The Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Quỹ Căn Ngoại Giao Vinhomes Ocean Park 2](https://lookup.sg/biz/quy-can-ngoai-giao-vinhomes-ocean-park-2), Somerset · Art Friend, Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd · 2 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Sláinte](https://lookup.sg/biz/slainte), Somerset · 290 Orchard Rd, #04-09 · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [TAG Espresso at Takashimaya S.C](https://lookup.sg/biz/tag-espresso-at-takashimaya-s-c), Somerset · Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Fun Toast](https://lookup.sg/biz/fun-toast-somerset), Somerset · 435 Orchard Rd, #01-04/05 · 1 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [DeTaste SG](https://lookup.sg/biz/detaste-sg), Somerset · Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [Equate Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/equate-coffee-somerset), Somerset · #01-17A Orchard Central · 1 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [Matchaya](https://lookup.sg/biz/matchaya), Somerset · 391 Orchard Road #03-10A · 3 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [Old Town White Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/old-town-white-coffee), Somerset · 8 Grange Rd · 3 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [Coffee Club](https://lookup.sg/biz/coffee-club), Somerset · 290 Orchard Rd · 4 min walk from Orchard MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1984
- [Play Nation](https://lookup.sg/biz/play-nation-somerset), Somerset · #03-01 *SCAPE · 4 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2010
- [Killiney Kopitiam](https://lookup.sg/biz/killiney-kopitiam-somerset), Somerset · 304, Orchard Rd, #01-10 Lucky Plaza · 2 min walk from Orchard MRT · registered 1992
- [The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-bean-and-tea-leaf-238877), Somerset · 435 Orchard Road #02-18 Wisma Atria · 1 min walk from Orchard MRT · registered 1996
- [My Favourite Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/my-favourite-cafe), Somerset · 304 Orchard Rd · 2 min walk from Orchard MRT · registered 2004

## 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.