# Dessert Shops in Singapore River 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: 13 - Median years in business: 12 ## 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 13) - [The Dark Gallery](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-dark-gallery-singapore-river), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade Great World City Floor 01 Unit 117 118 · 1 min walk from Great World MRT · registered 2014 - [Awfully Chocolate](https://lookup.sg/biz/awfully-chocolate-singapore-river), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #01-K102 Great World City · 1 min walk from Great World MRT · registered 1998 - [Laurent Bernard Chocolatier](https://lookup.sg/biz/laurent-bernard-chocolatier-robertson-quay), Robertson Quay · 80 Mohamed sultan Rd · 5 min walk from Fort Canning MRT · registered 2017 - [DOPA DOPA (South Bridge Rd)](https://lookup.sg/biz/dopa-dopa-south-bridge-rd), Clarke Quay · 29 S Bridge Rd, #01-01 · 3 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [Kedai Kue Kue](https://lookup.sg/biz/kedai-kue-kue), Singapore River · 1 Kim Seng Promenade, #B1, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, K107 Great World · 1 min walk from Great World MRT - [Cat & the Fiddle Cakes](https://lookup.sg/biz/cat-and-the-fiddle-cakes), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [Pure Imagination](https://lookup.sg/biz/pure-imagination), Singapore River · Great World Park, Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Prom · 1 min walk from Great World MRT - [Turkish Ice Cream](https://lookup.sg/biz/turkish-ice-cream), Clarke Quay · Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd · 2 min walk from Fort Canning MRT - [Azabu Sabo Hokkaido Ice Cream](https://lookup.sg/biz/azabu-sabo-hokkaido-ice-cream), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [Overscoop](https://lookup.sg/biz/overscoop-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · Clarke Quay · 3 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [Sweet Dynasty](https://lookup.sg/biz/sweet-dynasty), Clarke Quay · 6 Eu Tong Sen St · 1 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [Waffle Up](https://lookup.sg/biz/waffle-up), Clarke Quay · Clarke Quay · 2 min walk from Clarke Quay MRT - [plus 369 Gelato Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/plus-369-gelato-bar), Raffles Place · Circular Road · 4 min walk from Clarke Quay 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.