# Restaurants in Newton

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: 59
- Matched to a government licence/register: 5
- Median years in business: 18

## 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)
- [Spizza](https://lookup.sg/biz/spizza-newton), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-09 Balmoral Plaza · 6 min walk from Newton MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2001
- [Penang Kitchen](https://lookup.sg/biz/penang-kitchen), Newton · 14 Scotts Road #03-89 Far East Plaza 14 Scotts Rd #03-89 · 6 min walk from Newton MRT · registered 2005
- [DPT Antwerp | Isetan Scotts](https://lookup.sg/biz/dpt-antwerp-isetan-scotts), Newton · 350 Orchard Road, #2/F Isetan Scotts, Shaw House · 10 min walk from Stevens MRT · SFA licensed
- [Newton Tian Xiang Big Prawn Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/newton-tian-xiang-big-prawn-noodle), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Ave N #01-60 · 2 min walk from Newton MRT
- [The Bar Kakure](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-bar-kakure), Newton · 29 Scotts Rd · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Kra pow Thai Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/kra-pow-thai-restaurant), Newton · 14 Scotts Rd #03-26/27 · 6 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Indocafé](https://lookup.sg/biz/indocafe), Newton · 35 Scotts Rd · 4 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Hai Kee Seafood Stall 78](https://lookup.sg/biz/hai-kee-seafood-stall-78), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Newton Rd, Food Centre · 2 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Hard Rock Cafe Singapore](https://lookup.sg/biz/hard-rock-cafe-singapore), Newton · 50 Cuscaden Road, Hpl House #02-01, Singapore, 249724, SG · 8 min walk from Orchard MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1989
- [The Song Of India](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-song-of-india), Newton · 33 Scotts Road · 4 min walk from Newton MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2005
- [Eno-Oka Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/eno-oka-japanese-restaurant), Somerset · 56 Cairnhill Rd · 8 min walk from Somerset MRT · registered 2008
- [Bangkok Express](https://lookup.sg/biz/bangkok-express), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Ave N, #01-04 Newton Food Centre · 2 min walk from Newton MRT · registered 2009
- [Que Pasa](https://lookup.sg/biz/que-pasa), Somerset · 7 Emerald Hill Rd · 2 min walk from Somerset MRT · SFA licensed
- [The Malayan Council](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-malayan-council-newton), Newton · 10 Winstedt Rd, #01-17 · 6 min walk from Newton MRT · registered 2020
- [Authentic Thai](https://lookup.sg/biz/authentic-thai-newton), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Ave N, #01-58 Newton Food Centre · 1 min walk from Newton MRT · registered 2021
- [Kwang Kee Teochew Fish Porridge](https://lookup.sg/biz/kwang-kee-teochew-fish-porridge), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Ave N, #01-20 Newton Food Centre · 2 min walk from Newton MRT · registered 2022
- [Buona Terra](https://lookup.sg/biz/buona-terra), Newton · 29 Scotts Rd · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Hai Yan BBQ Seafood](https://lookup.sg/biz/hai-yan-bbq-seafood), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Ave N, #01-11 · 2 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Ki-sho](https://lookup.sg/biz/ki-sho), Newton · 29 Scotts Rd · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Thai'd Me Up](https://lookup.sg/biz/thaid-me-up), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Rd · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [The Second Floor](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-second-floor), Newton · 10 Claymore Hl · 5 min walk from Orchard MRT
- [De'Pillars Bistro](https://lookup.sg/biz/depillars-bistro), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-01 Balmoral Plaza · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/li-bai-cantonese-restaurant), Newton · 39 Scotts Rd, Lower Lobby · 2 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Tanoshii](https://lookup.sg/biz/tanoshii), Somerset · The Light @ Cairnhill, 56 Cairnhill Rd · 7 min walk from Somerset MRT
- [Subway](https://lookup.sg/biz/subway-newton), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Road #01-06 · 6 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Iru Den](https://lookup.sg/biz/iru-den), Newton · 27 Scotts Rd · 6 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Maetomo](https://lookup.sg/biz/maetomo), Newton · 39 Scotts Rd, #01-01 Sheraton Towers Hotel · 2 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Meat You Here](https://lookup.sg/biz/meat-you-here), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-04 Balmoral Plaza · 5 min walk from Newton MRT
- [Shanghai Pu Dong Kitchen](https://lookup.sg/biz/shanghai-pu-dong-kitchen), Newton · 271 Bukit Timah Rd, #B1-02 · 6 min walk from Newton MRT
- [All Best Grill Seafood](https://lookup.sg/biz/all-best-grill-seafood), Newton · 500 Clemenceau Avenue North · 2 min walk from Newton 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.

### 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.