# Dessert Shops in Downtown Core

Dessert shops – gelato, bingsu, Chinese tong sui and waffle cafes – are licensed by SFA and carry a SAFE grade since January 2026. Many stay open past 10pm, making them Singapore's main late-night alternative to bars. Counter-service shops are usually nett; sit-down dessert cafes often add service charge and GST.

## Key facts
- Listings: 82
- Matched to a government licence/register: 6
- Median years in business: 9

## 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 opening hours carefully – many dessert shops open only in the afternoon and run until midnight or later.
- For halal needs, verify the outlet on MUIS's directory; gelato and ice-cream bases sometimes contain alcohol or gelatine, so 'no pork' is not enough.
- Ask about allergens – nut pastes (pistachio, hazelnut) are often scooped with shared utensils.
- Sit-down dessert cafes may impose a minimum order per person at peak times.

## Listings (top 30)
- [Awfully Chocolate](https://lookup.sg/biz/awfully-chocolate-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 252 North Bridge Road · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1998
- [Awfully Chocolate](https://lookup.sg/biz/awfully-chocolate-bugis), Bugis · 3 Temasek Boulevard · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1998
- [Dessert First 糖水先](https://lookup.sg/biz/dessert-first), Bugis · #01-04 8 Liang Seah Street · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2009
- [Tom's Palette](https://lookup.sg/biz/toms-palette), Bugis · 51 Middle Rd, #01-01 · 3 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 2005
- [Tom's Palette](https://lookup.sg/biz/toms-palette-downtown-core), Downtown Core · FM Building, 51 Middle Rd · 1 min walk from Esplanade MRT · registered 2005
- [The Dark Gallery](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-dark-gallery-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 9 Raffles Boulevard, #01-K5 Millenia Walk · 2 min walk from Promenade MRT · registered 2014
- [The Dark Gallery](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-dark-gallery-bugis), Bugis · 107 North Bridge Road · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 2014
- [The Dark Gallery](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-dark-gallery-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · 107 North Bridge Rd · 4 min walk from City Hall MRT · registered 2014
- [Godiva Chocolatier](https://lookup.sg/biz/godiva-chocolatier-downtown-core), Downtown Core · #B1-K1/K2, Raffles City Shopping Centre · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · SFA licensed
- [Chocolate Origin](https://lookup.sg/biz/chocolate-origin-bugis), Bugis · Basement, Bugis Junction · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 2021
- [Singapore Godiva Bugis Junction](https://lookup.sg/biz/singapore-godiva-bugis-junction), Bugis · 200 Victoria St, #01-60/60A Bugis Junction · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT
- [Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory Raffles City](https://lookup.sg/biz/tokyo-milk-cheese-factory-raffles-city), Downtown Core · 252 N Bridge Rd, B1-73 · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [The Cocoa Trees - Raffles City](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-cocoa-trees-raffles-city), Downtown Core · 252 N Bridge Rd, #B1-43 · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [Ketojiak Ice Creams, Waffles & Bakes (Sugar-Free, Ultra Low Carb, Diabetic & Keto Friendly)](https://lookup.sg/biz/ketojiak-ice-creams-waffles-and-bakes-sugar-free-ultra-low-carb-diabet), Bugis · 231 Bain St, #01-75 · 3 min walk from Bras Basah MRT
- [Churros Republic](https://lookup.sg/biz/churros-republic), Clarke Quay · B2 Funan Mall · 3 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [Gelare](https://lookup.sg/biz/gelare-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · #B2-32 Capitol Piazza · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [不貳光 Mister Wheel Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/mister-wheel-singapore), Bugis · 3 Temasek Blvd #01-K13/14 · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT
- [Tings Bakery – Your Go-To For Online Birthday Cake Delivery Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/tings-bakery-your-go-to-for-online-birthday-cake-delivery-singapore), Clarke Quay · 1 Coleman St, B1-20 The Adelphi · 3 min walk from City Hall MRT
- [Ah Chew Desserts](https://lookup.sg/biz/ah-chew-desserts-bugis), Bugis · 1 Liang Seah St, #01-10/11 Liang Seah Place · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 2006
- [The Cookie Museum](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-cookie-museum), Downtown Core · 252 N Bridge Rd, B1-K4 Raffles City Shopping Centre · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · registered 2005
- [Awfully Chocolate](https://lookup.sg/biz/awfully-chocolate-raffles-place), Raffles Place · #01-16, Republic Plaza · 1 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · registered 1998
- [Hong Kong Sheng Kee Dessert](https://lookup.sg/biz/hong-kong-sheng-kee-dessert), Bugis · 252 North Bridge Rd · 3 min walk from City Hall MRT · SFA licensed
- [Fruit Paradise](https://lookup.sg/biz/fruit-paradise), Downtown Core · 252 North Bridge Rd · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · registered 2015
- [Co+Nut+ink](https://lookup.sg/biz/co-nut-ink-downtown-core), Downtown Core · #01-K7 Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay · 5 min walk from Esplanade MRT · SFA licensed
- [Laurent Bernard Chocolatier](https://lookup.sg/biz/laurent-bernard-chocolatier-raffles-place), Raffles Place · The Pier at Robertson Quay Mohammad Sultan Road #01-11 · 1 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · registered 2017
- [Golden Banana Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/golden-banana-singapore), Lavender · City Gate, 371 Beach Rd · 4 min walk from Nicoll Highway MRT · registered 2017
- [Creme and Cone](https://lookup.sg/biz/creme-and-cone), Raffles Place · 18 Raffles Quay, #01-79-87 · 2 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · registered 2019
- [Royce Health Pte Ltd](https://lookup.sg/biz/royce-health-pte-ltd), Bugis · 7 Temasek Blvd, Suntec Tower One · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT · registered 2018
- [Burnt Cones](https://lookup.sg/biz/burnt-cones), Raffles Place · 4 Marina Boulevard · 2 min walk from Downtown MRT · registered 2020
- [Casa Italia](https://lookup.sg/biz/casa-italia), Clarke Quay · B2-30 Capitol Piazza · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · registered 2021

## 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 dessert shops in Singapore halal?
Only those certified by MUIS. Desserts can contain hidden non-halal ingredients such as gelatine or liqueurs, so check the MUIS Certified Eating Establishments list or the MuslimSG app and look for the original certificate at the shop.

### Can I bring my dog to a dessert shop?
Only to its outdoor seating area. Since 1 January 2025 pets can join diners at outdoor refreshment areas without extra SFA approval; indoors requires an SFA pet café licence.

## 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
- MUIS – Certified Eating Establishments: https://muis.gov.sg/Halal/Halal-Certification/Certified-Eating-Establishments
- 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

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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.