# Cafes in Upper Thomson

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: 32
- Matched to a government licence/register: 4
- Median years in business: 15

## 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-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 203 Upper Thomson Road · 3 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 1996
- [One Man Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/one-man-coffee), Upper Thomson · 215R Upper Thomson Rd · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 2013
- [Patisserie G](https://lookup.sg/biz/patisserie-g-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 2014
- [Oaks Coffee Co.](https://lookup.sg/biz/oaks-coffee-co), Upper Thomson · 223 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 2021
- [Menage Cafe - Pet Friendly](https://lookup.sg/biz/menage-cafe-pet-friendly), Upper Thomson · 6 Sin Ming Rd #01-01/02 · 4 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Ya Kun Kaya Toast (Thomson Plaza)](https://lookup.sg/biz/ya-kun-kaya-toast-thomson-plaza), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-95 · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Dino Cake House & Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/dino-cake-house-and-cafe), Upper Thomson · 257 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2008
- [Habitat Coffee](https://lookup.sg/biz/habitat-coffee), Upper Thomson · 223 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2011
- [The Coriander Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coriander-cafe), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #02-08 Thomson Plaza · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 2003
- [Ming's Cafe and Pub](https://lookup.sg/biz/mings-cafe-and-pub), Upper Thomson · 195 Upper Thomson Rd · 3 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 1990
- [Starbucks](https://lookup.sg/biz/starbucks-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Road · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · SFA licensed
- [Han's](https://lookup.sg/biz/hans-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · SFA licensed
- [Ah Ching Claypot Delights](https://lookup.sg/biz/ah-ching-claypot-delights), Upper Thomson · 18 Sin Ming Ln, Midview City · 4 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT · registered 2024
- [Caffe Zeppin](https://lookup.sg/biz/caffe-zeppin), Upper Thomson · 26 Sin Ming Ln, #01-116 Midview City · 5 min walk from Bright Hill MRT
- [Rocky Master](https://lookup.sg/biz/rocky-master-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-38/39 Thomson Plaza · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Columbus Coffee Co.](https://lookup.sg/biz/columbus-coffee-co), Upper Thomson · 220 Upper Thomson Rd · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Wang Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/wang-cafe-upper-thomson), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Rickson's Kitchen](https://lookup.sg/biz/ricksons-kitchen), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [State Of Affairs](https://lookup.sg/biz/state-of-affairs), Upper Thomson · 183 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-02 · 4 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Cheeky Cuppas](https://lookup.sg/biz/cheeky-cuppas), Upper Thomson · 24 Sin Ming Rd, #01-47A · 3 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Harvest Union Market Cafe & Bar (Thomson Plaza)](https://lookup.sg/biz/harvest-union-market-cafe-and-bar-thomson-plaza), Upper Thomson · 301 Upper Thomson Rd, #01-37A Thomson Plaza · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Belo](https://lookup.sg/biz/belo), Upper Thomson · 222 Upper Thomson Road · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Knockhouse Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/knockhouse-cafe), Upper Thomson · 185 Upper Thomson Rd · 4 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Tecker Place](https://lookup.sg/biz/tecker-place), Upper Thomson · Thomson Community Club, 194 Upper Thomson Rd · 5 min walk from Marymount MRT
- [SOD Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/sod-cafe), Upper Thomson · 183 Upper Thomson Road, Longhaus, #01-05 · 4 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Coffee Seeds](https://lookup.sg/biz/coffee-seeds), Upper Thomson · 11 Sin Ming Rd, #01-21 THOMSON V2 · 2 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Gentle Roast](https://lookup.sg/biz/gentle-roast), Upper Thomson · 227 Upp Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Sin Hing Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/sin-hing-restaurant), Upper Thomson · 244 Upper Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [The HideOut Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-hideout-cafe), Upper Thomson · 181 Upp Thomson Rd · 5 min walk from Upper Thomson MRT
- [Chikmagalur Cofee and Tea](https://lookup.sg/biz/chikmagalur-cofee-and-tea), Upper Thomson · 40 Jalan Pintau · 7 min walk from Upper Thomson 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

---
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.