# Restaurants in Downtown Core

Every restaurant in Singapore must hold an SFA food shop licence, and since 19 January 2026 that licence carries a SAFE grade (A, B, C or NEW) you can check by scanning its QR code. Budget for "++" pricing: 10% service charge plus 9% GST adds about 19.9% to menu prices.

## Key facts
- Listings: 1,536
- Matched to a government licence/register: 151
- 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
- **Liquor Licence** (Singapore Police Force (Police Licensing & Regulatory Department), required): Any outlet selling alcohol for consumption on or off the premises needs a liquor licence, which sets its permitted supply hours. Sale to anyone under 18 is an offence for the licensee. Check: https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Liquor-Licence

## How to choose
- Check the SAFE grade on the SFA licence displayed near the counter. Grade A means more than three years without a major food-safety lapse; grade C means a recent conviction or licence suspension.
- Work out the real bill: "++" prices are multiplied by 1.199. A nett-priced menu (common at hawker stalls, coffeeshops and many casual chains) already includes everything.
- For Muslim diners or guests, look for the MUIS halal certificate on display or check the MUIS directory. "No pork, no lard" signs and Muslim-owned labels are not certification.
- Book ahead for Friday–Sunday dinners and public-holiday eves; many popular restaurants release slots online and some take a deposit or card guarantee for larger groups.
- Ask about corkage, cake-cutting fees and minimum spend when planning celebrations. These are set by each restaurant and are not regulated.

## Red flags
- No SFA licence visible, or a licence showing grade C.
- Halal signage or Quranic verses without a MUIS certificate – MUIS says these do not confirm halal status.
- Service charge or surcharges that only appear on the bill and were not disclosed on the menu or at booking.
- Pets allowed indoors at an outlet that does not hold an SFA pet café licence.

## Listings (top 30)
- [Yamagawa Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/yamagawa-japanese-restaurant), Kampong Glam · 7500A #01-305 Beach Rd The Plaza 199591 · 4 min walk from Nicoll Highway MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1992
- [Paulaner Bräuhaus Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/paulaner-brauhaus-singapore), Downtown Core · 9 Raffles Boulevard #01-01 Millenia Walk 039596 · 2 min walk from Promenade MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1999
- [Eighteen Chefs](https://lookup.sg/biz/eighteen-chefs-bugis), Bugis · 200 Victoria St #04 - 06 · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2007
- [Peach Garden](https://lookup.sg/biz/peach-garden-raffles-place), Raffles Place · 65 Chulia St, #33 floor · 4 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2002
- [Soup Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/soup-restaurant-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 3 Temasek Blvd, #B1-127 · 3 min walk from Promenade MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1998
- [Makansutra Gluttons Bay](https://lookup.sg/biz/makansutra-gluttons-bay), Downtown Core · 8 Raffles Ave., #01-15 Esplanade Mall · 5 min walk from Esplanade MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2005
- [Thunder Tea Rice](https://lookup.sg/biz/thunder-tea-rice), Raffles Place · Raffles Quay, Stall #25 18 · 3 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2002
- [Food Junction](https://lookup.sg/biz/food-junction-bugis), Bugis · #03-30 Bugis Junction · 2 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2000
- [The Sandwich Shop](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-sandwich-shop), Tanjong Pagar · #01-02, Robinson Centre (61 Robinson Rd) · 2 min walk from Shenton Way MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2006
- [The Sandwich Shop](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-sandwich-shop-kampong-glam), Kampong Glam · #01-04 Gateway East · 3 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2006
- [Long Beach Seafood Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/long-beach-seafood-restaurant-bugis), Bugis · 220 Stadium Blvd · 4 min walk from Esplanade MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1982
- [Hokkaido Sushi](https://lookup.sg/biz/hokkaido-sushi), Tanjong Pagar · 81 Anson Rd level 9 m Hotel Singapore · 1 min walk from Cc32 MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2012
- [Tong Le Private Dining](https://lookup.sg/biz/tong-le-private-dining), Raffles Place · 60 Collyer Quay, level 10 OUE Tower · 2 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2010
- [Salad Stop!](https://lookup.sg/biz/salad-stop-raffles-place), Raffles Place · The Sail, #01-32 · 2 min walk from Downtown MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2009
- [Nana Original Thai Food](https://lookup.sg/biz/nana-original-thai-food-lavender), Lavender · Golden Mile Complex, 5001 Beach Rd · 5 min walk from Nicoll Highway MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2014
- [Shoukouwa Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/shoukouwa-restaurant), Raffles Place · 1 Fullerton Rd #02-02A One Fullerton · 1 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2016
- [Siam Square Mookata](https://lookup.sg/biz/siam-square-mookata-kampong-glam), Kampong Glam · 6001 Beach Rd, #B1-63 · 3 min walk from Nicoll Highway MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2015
- [Urban Roti](https://lookup.sg/biz/urban-roti), Raffles Place · 18 Raffles Quay · 3 min walk from Downtown MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2015
- [Lobby Lounge](https://lookup.sg/biz/lobby-lounge-clarke-quay), Clarke Quay · 15 Stamford Road · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · registered 1990
- [Dopo Teatro](https://lookup.sg/biz/dopo-teatro), Downtown Core · 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-11 Esplanade Mall · 4 min walk from Esplanade MRT · registered 1994
- [Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/wah-lok-cantonese-restaurant), Bugis · 76 Bras Basah Rd · 2 min walk from Bras Basah MRT · registered 1988
- [Bismillah Biryani Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/bismillah-biryani-restaurant), Tanjong Pagar · 76 Shenton · 1 min walk from Cc32 MRT · registered 2007
- [Astons Specialities](https://lookup.sg/biz/astons-specialities-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 3 Temasek Blvd, #B1-161 · 1 min walk from Promenade MRT · registered 2007
- [Zenith Affair](https://lookup.sg/biz/zenith-affair), Bugis · 328 North Bridge Rd · 3 min walk from Esplanade MRT · registered 2007
- [The Salad Shop](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-salad-shop), Raffles Place · 80 Raffles Pl #01-20 · 2 min walk from Raffles Place MRT · registered 2009
- [Cafe Mosaic](https://lookup.sg/biz/cafe-mosaic), Bugis · 76 Bras Basah Rd · 2 min walk from Bras Basah MRT · registered 2010
- [Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo Mee](https://lookup.sg/biz/koo-kee-yong-tow-foo-mee-bugis), Bugis · Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria St · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · registered 1975
- [Yoshinoya](https://lookup.sg/biz/yoshinoya), Bugis · 230 Victoria St B1-10 · 1 min walk from Bugis MRT · SFA licensed
- [Milkfish & Broth 鱼品良汤 Raffles City](https://lookup.sg/biz/milkfish-and-broth-raffles-city), Downtown Core · 252 North Bridge Rd B1-44F · 1 min walk from City Hall MRT · SFA licensed
- [Monster Curry](https://lookup.sg/biz/monster-curry-downtown-core), Downtown Core · 3 Temasek Blvd, #02-377 / 378 · 1 min walk from Esplanade MRT · registered 2009

## 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.

### 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.

### Is service charge mandatory in Singapore restaurants?
Service charge is not set by law; each restaurant decides whether to levy it, and 10% is the norm at full-service restaurants. CCCS's price-transparency guidelines say mandatory charges should be disclosed clearly alongside the headline price. If a restaurant charges it, GST (9%) is applied on top of the service charge as well as the food.

### Can I bring my dog to a restaurant in Singapore?
Since 1 January 2025, restaurants can let diners bring pets to their outdoor refreshment area without extra SFA approval. Pets still cannot go indoors unless the outlet holds an SFA pet café licence (which it needs if it serves pet food). Halal-certified premises cannot admit pet dogs, and hawker centres remain off-limits to pets.

## 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
- 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
- CCCS – Guidelines on Price Transparency: https://cccs.gov.sg/media-and-consultation/newsroom/media-releases/guidelines-on-price-transparency-7-sept-20
- MUIS – Certified Eating Establishments: https://muis.gov.sg/Halal/Halal-Certification/Certified-Eating-Establishments
- MCCY – Educating F&B operators on halal labelling and halal certification: https://www.mccy.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-resources/educating-f-b-operators-on-the-use-of-halal-labelling-and-halal-certification/
- 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.