# Restaurants in Novena

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: 280
- Matched to a government licence/register: 31
- Median years in business: 17

## 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)
- [Polar Puffs & Cakes](https://lookup.sg/biz/polar-puffs-and-cakes), Novena · 11 Jln Tan Tock Seng #01-04 Tan Tock Seng Hospital · 2 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1995
- [Happy Joy Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/happy-joy-restaurant), Novena · 36 Newton Rd, #02-01 Hotel Royal Singapore · 5 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1981
- [Nara Japanese Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/nara-japanese-restaurant), Novena · 167 Thomson Rd · 3 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2004
- [Soup Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/soup-restaurant-novena), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd, #B1 - 10 United Square Shopping Mall · 4 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 1998
- [The Marmalade Pantry](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-marmalade-pantry-novena), Novena · 8 Sinaran Dr, #01-02/04 Oasia Hotel · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed · registered 2013
- [328 Katong Laksa](https://lookup.sg/biz/328-katong-laksa-novena), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd, #01 - K1 · 3 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 1999
- [188 Cafe](https://lookup.sg/biz/188-cafe), Novena · 333 Balestier Rd · 11 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2011
- [Joe & Dough](https://lookup.sg/biz/joe-and-dough-novena), Novena · Novena Square 2 #01-156 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2009
- [Saizeriya - United Square](https://lookup.sg/biz/saizeriya-united-square), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd, B1-32/33 United Square · 3 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed
- [Boon Tong Kee Restaurant](https://lookup.sg/biz/boon-tong-kee-restaurant), Novena · 399 Balestier Rd, 401 & 403 · 9 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed
- [Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh](https://lookup.sg/biz/ng-ah-sio-bak-kut-teh-novena), Novena · 190 Keng Lee Rd · 4 min walk from Newton MRT · SFA licensed
- [EAT](https://lookup.sg/biz/eat-novena), Novena · 03A/B/C/D Novena Square 2 10 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed
- [Nasi Singapura](https://lookup.sg/biz/nasi-singapura), Novena · 2 Adam Rd #01-03 Food Centre · 3 min walk from Botanic Gardens MRT · registered 2020
- [Zhen Jie Prawn Noodle 珍姐海鲜大虾面](https://lookup.sg/biz/zhen-jie-prawn-noodle), Novena · 567 Balestier Rd · 7 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2020
- [El Cocinero](https://lookup.sg/biz/el-cocinero), Novena · 275 Thomson Rd #01-45 · 3 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Las Palmas Rooftop Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/las-palmas-rooftop-bar), Novena · 99 Irrawaddy Rd Level 33 Courtyard Marriott Singapore · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [La Ristrettos Coffee Roastery](https://lookup.sg/biz/la-ristrettos-coffee-roastery), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr #08-37 Novena Medical Centre · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Long House Soon Kee Duck Rice](https://lookup.sg/biz/long-house-soon-kee-duck-rice), Novena · 411 Balestier Rd · 9 min walk from Novena MRT
- [TANI Bistro & Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/tani-bistro-and-bar), Novena · 20 Ah Hood Rd #01-19 Zhongshan Mall · 8 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Alt. Pizza - Balestier](https://lookup.sg/biz/alt-pizza-balestier), Novena · 321 Balestier Rd · 11 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Eng's Wantan Noodle](https://lookup.sg/biz/engs-wantan-noodle), Novena · 101 Thomson Rd #01-k01 · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Häagen-Dazs](https://lookup.sg/biz/haagen-dazs), Novena · 360 Balestier Rd #02-01 Shaw Plaza · 11 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Indulge Teppanyaki & Grill House](https://lookup.sg/biz/indulge-teppanyaki-and-grill-house), Novena · 31 Ah Hood Rd #01-04 · 5 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Kajiken (Square 2)](https://lookup.sg/biz/kajiken-square-2), Novena · 10 Sinaran Dr #02-03 Square 2 @ Novena · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang United Square Novena](https://lookup.sg/biz/nasi-lemak-ayam-taliwang-united-square-novena), Novena · 101 Thomson Road United Square Shopping Mall Level B1 Food Dynasty 307591 · 4 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Ontama Don](https://lookup.sg/biz/ontama-don), Novena · 360 Balestier Rd #01-23 Shaw Plaza · 11 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Pisang Goreng ( Long House )](https://lookup.sg/biz/pisang-goreng-long-house), Novena · 411 Balestier Rd Stall No.18 Balestier Market · 9 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Summer Yakitori](https://lookup.sg/biz/summer-yakitori), Novena · 1 Jln Rajah #01-01 ZhongShan Park · 7 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [The Coffee Affaire](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-coffee-affaire), Novena · 103 Irrawaddy Rd #01-22 · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Collin's Grille](https://lookup.sg/biz/collins-grille), Novena · 360 Balestier Rd · 11 min walk from Toa Payoh 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.