# Dessert Shops in Novena

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: 19
- Matched to a government licence/register: 1
- Median years in business: 21

## 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 19)
- [Awfully Chocolate](https://lookup.sg/biz/awfully-chocolate-novena), Novena · #01-14 Square 2, 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1998
- [Rochor Beancurd House](https://lookup.sg/biz/rochor-beancurd-house-novena), Novena · 432 Balestier Rd, #01-436 Public Mansion · 8 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT · registered 2005
- [Udders Ice Cream](https://lookup.sg/biz/udders-ice-cream-novena), Novena · 155 Thomson Rd · 3 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Ji De Chi Dessert](https://lookup.sg/biz/ji-de-chi-dessert-novena), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr, #01-22 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [The JellyHearts](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-jellyhearts), Novena · 101 Thomson Road · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Original Herbal Shop](https://lookup.sg/biz/original-herbal-shop), Novena · 414 Balestier Rd · 10 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT · registered 1990
- [The Ang Ku Kueh Hut](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-ang-ku-kueh-hut), Novena · 36 Kim Keat Road · 13 min walk from Boon Keng MRT · registered 2019
- [Whampoa Soya Bean & Grass Jelly](https://lookup.sg/biz/whampoa-soya-bean-and-grass-jelly), Novena · 91 Whampoa Dr, #01-52 Makan Place · 11 min walk from Boon Keng MRT · registered 2022
- [Celine's Gelato](https://lookup.sg/biz/celines-gelato), Novena · 275 Thomson Rd, #01-04 Novena Regency · 3 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Mei Heong Yuan Dessert](https://lookup.sg/biz/mei-heong-yuan-dessert), Novena · Novena Sq, 238 Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Yolé](https://lookup.sg/biz/yole-novena), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd, #01-K14 United Square · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Teck Kee Hot and Cold Dessert](https://lookup.sg/biz/teck-kee-hot-and-cold-dessert), Novena · 2 Adam Rd · 2 min walk from Botanic Gardens MRT
- [Nyonya Chendol](https://lookup.sg/biz/nyonya-chendol-novena), Novena · 90 Whampoa Dr, #01-17 Makan Place · 10 min walk from Boon Keng MRT
- [Patisserie Glace](https://lookup.sg/biz/patisserie-glace-novena), Novena · Square 2 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Ben & Jerry's](https://lookup.sg/biz/ben-and-jerrys-novena), Novena · #02-K1, United Square · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Le Petit Empire](https://lookup.sg/biz/le-petit-empire), Novena · 40 Kim Keat Rd · 13 min walk from Boon Keng MRT
- [Baskin-Robbins](https://lookup.sg/biz/baskin-robbins-novena), Novena · Novena Square, 238 Thomson Rd · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Geladiso@ Square 2](https://lookup.sg/biz/geladiso-square-2), Novena · #01-14, Square 2 (Novena) · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Sugarcove.Sg](https://lookup.sg/biz/sugarcove-sg), Novena · Sengkang · 7 min walk from Novena 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 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

---
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.